A Villain's Guide to Saving the World-Chapter 48: The Great Villain! Arrives at the Heart of the Kingdom...?

Chapter 48: The Great Villain! Arrives at the Heart of the Kingdom...?

The trip went smoothly, surprising even Lucian as he and the Third Prince—Ivan—arrived at a nearby fort city, a fortress situated between Greywood and the royal capital.

The sun was already rising, signaling the end of the ball back at Greywood.

I hope my followers don’t mess things up back there.

Lucian landed the griffin, its form melting away into hundreds of shadow soldiers who positioned themselves beside the knights.

"Well, look at this... Red’s Crossing. Been too long."

Lucian smirked, remembering his first all-out battle here—an age forgotten to time.

"Looks completely different from what I once knew."

He gazed around. Towering city walls loomed overhead, even more imposing than those of Greywood, with guards stationed everywhere and fortifications at every corner—a city truly meant to protect the royal capital.

Citizens roamed, but unlike in Greywood, they didn’t flock to the prince’s carriage. Each one was cautious and careful.

Ivan stepped out of the carriage, stretching his arms.

"Reminiscing about the past, huh?"

He chuckled, gazing toward the city’s center, where a massive statue stood.

Lucian chuckled too, recognizing the statue—a foe he had fought years ago and the sole reason this place wasn’t part of his domain.

"Tough bastard. Even more of a hero than the actual ones."

"Managed to make me retreat."

Ivan smirked.

"I wonder how he’d feel about this agreement, then. The Dark Lord he fought so vehemently, now in service of a prince."

Lucian grinned before raising a question.

"What are we going to do here?"

He asked, a hand raised upward, embracing the role of retainer for fun.

Ivan sighed before responding.

"A quick check. Just to make sure no one’s tailing or spying."

He walked toward a nearby bench, resting his head in his hands while waiting for his elite knights to be inspected by the city guards.

"This city seems afraid of you," Lucian pointed out, sitting beside Ivan and crossing his legs.

"This city already swore loyalty to the First Prince, so it makes sense that tensions are high."

Lucian nodded before gazing at the knights being inspected.

"I keep hearing about the First or Third Prince, but not the Second. Why is that?"

Ivan chuckled before responding, running a hand through his hair.

"My brothers are a mysterious bunch—moreso Eisen, the Second Prince. That scheming bastard surely has some cards for the upcoming royal selection."

Lucian stood up, brushing dust from his clothes.

"What a loving family."

He joked, laughing as one of the last knights finally finished being inspected.

"Guess we’re gonna be fighting the guards in this city when the royal selection comes up?"

Ivan stood and stretched, not bothering to act refined—after all, the city hadn’t sworn fealty to him.

"You guessed right."

Then he gave a sly smirk to Lucian before walking off.

"I’m having you train my knights once we’re back at the capital," Ivan remarked, stepping back into his carriage.

Lucian sighed, then stared at the houses one last time, seeing hundreds of symbols of the First Prince—the same one bearing Fey’s insignia.

This should be fun.

A few more hours later, they finally arrived at the outer district of the royal capital. Once again, the walls were massive and heavily defended, battlements lining the perimeter, with protective barriers surrounding the entire metropolis.

Lucian chose to walk, marching behind Ivan’s escort of elite knights with his shadow army in tow—deciding it would be a bigger power play than riding the griffin.

Outside the capital lay lush farmlands, enormous windmills, and multiple homes for farmers. It looked like heaven compared to Greywood.

As they reached the gates, a massive golem awaited them—half adamantium, half gold—a masterpiece of construct magic. It resembled a giant humanoid statue with an incredible physique and flowing hair, more a statement of wealth than a battle machine.

"This kingdom doesn’t spare funds, does it?"

Lucian remarked from behind, earning a few looks from the elite knights ahead—still distrusting him due to his shadow magic.

The golem moved, clapping its hands, its throat glowing gold.

"We welcome, Prince Ivan."

It declared, its huge golden hands clapping again—sending shockwaves through the air, signaling the horns to blare as a grand entrance was prepared.

Lucian raised an eyebrow.

It’s not like he went to war. It was literally just a ball.

Actually, never mind. I nearly forgot about the assassination.

Lucian laughed to himself as the carriage moved once more.

Upon entering the gates, the reactions were mixed—sheer awe and adoration for the prince, and gasps and stares directed at Lucian and the shadow army trailing behind him.

But most of the reactions were positive, some even shouting phrases of "The Prince rules the shadows."

Lucian grinned, seeing this as a perfect way of gaining even more reputation. He walked towards Ivan’s carriage and opened the door for him, even bowing while he did.

"We have arrived, my liege,"

he said, his eyes gleaming with hidden mischief.

Ivan covered his mouth with his hands, hiding a laugh.

"How obedient,"

Ivan said jokingly and mockingly, making Lucian slightly irritated.

Ivan walked out of the carriage, his smile beaming and face composed—and as annoyingly handsome as ever.

"I have missed you all!"

He shouted, causing more cheers and fainting from some of the citizens.

Well... this is gonna get annoying very fast.

As the crowd’s cheers slowly faded behind them, Lucian kept his eyes forward, taking in the towering buildings and golden banners of the capital.

He couldn’t help but smirk at the sheer scale of it all.

So this is the beating heart of the kingdom.

Even from the outer ring, he could feel the capital’s pulse—politics, ambition, danger—it all thrummed beneath the pristine surface. This was where kings were made or destroyed, and everyone knew it.

Ivan’s retinue moved with purpose, cutting through the streets like a blade, and Lucian’s shadow army followed without hesitation. But even now, he felt eyes on him—curious, cautious, some fearful.

Not everyone here is cheering.

Lucian tilted his head toward the palace gates in the distance, their spires glinting in the sun.

A new game begins here.