Villain MMORPG: Almighty Devil Emperor and His Seven Demonic Wives

Villain Ch 1131. The Beginning of The Darkness [Part 3]

Red_King pressed further, his voice cold and analytical. “So, in other words, you’re just a tool. A weapon to be wielded by the king. Nothing more.”

Zael’s smile twisted into something bitter, and he didn’t deny it. “True. I won’t deny that fact,” he said softly, his gaze lowering to the floor for a moment. “Even so… I love this kingdom. I love its people. I believe in peace, in protecting those who cannot protect themselves. It’s my duty. And if being a tool of the king is the price I must pay, then so be it.”

Mila couldn’t help but ask, her voice hesitant. “But what happens when those ideals are tested? What if protecting the kingdom means turning against everything you’ve fought for?”

Zael glanced at her, his eyes softening with a kind of sad understanding. “There are some things worth fighting for, even if it means sacrificing yourself in the process. My loyalty to the people of this kingdom is unbreakable. Even if the court despises me, even if the king himself no longer sees my worth, I will continue to fight for them. Because they need me.”

Elio suddenly spoke up, his tone sharp and uncharacteristically emotional. “That sounds… stupid.”

The group turned to him, surprised. Zael, too, looked shocked—this wasn’t a reaction he had expected, certainly not something that seemed to follow the script of the event. His eyes widened slightly, as if Elio’s words had hit him somewhere deep.

“Why would you sacrifice yourself for something that doesn’t even know how to show gratitude?” Elio continued, his voice carrying a personal edge that made everyone pause. “You act like you have no value. Every human has an ego. You should have one too. You’re worth more than just being a tool for someone else’s cause. Why are you throwing your life away like it means nothing?”

Zael was silent for a moment, clearly taken aback. He opened his mouth to respond but stopped, as if struggling to find the right words. His expression shifted, uncertain, almost like he was considering Elio’s perspective for the first time. It was as if the question had forced him to reflect on something he had buried long ago—something too painful to confront.

Red_King leaned closer to Elio, whispering under his breath, “Why does this sound so personal?”

Elio didn’t take his eyes off Zael, his jaw tight. “Because it is personal,” he muttered, the edge in his voice unmistakable.

Azura glanced between the two of them, her keen eyes catching the tension that had suddenly arisen. She leaned toward Elio with a teasing smile. “He’s similar to you, isn’t he? That’s why it’s personal.” Her words were light, but there was a deeper understanding in her gaze. “Am I right?”

Elio didn’t answer, but his silence was all the confirmation Azura needed. This Zael—this righteous, self-sacrificing man—reminded him of someone. Someone who had also thrown themselves into a cause, sacrificing their own happiness for the sake of others, never thinking of themselves. Himself.

Righteous. Loyal. Selfless. A perfect man for a hero, but also someone doomed to fall.

Zael, still processing Elio’s words, finally spoke, his voice quieter, more introspective. “I… have never thought of it that way.” His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Elio, as though the words had struck a chord deep within him. “Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps I’ve allowed myself to believe that my only worth lies in my service to the kingdom.”

He smiled thinly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “But I can’t change who I am. I can’t stop caring about the people. Even if I were to be more selfish, I wouldn’t be able to ignore the fact that they need someone to protect them.”

Elio’s fists clenched under the table. He wasn’t just arguing with Zael—he was arguing with the ideals that had consumed his own heart. “Being selfless doesn’t mean sacrificing everything, Zael. You’re a person, not just a tool. You deserve to live your own life, to have something for yourself.”

Zael’s gaze softened, but the conviction in his eyes remained strong. “I hear you. But how can I live for myself when there are people suffering? I’ve seen the fear in their eyes, the way they look to me for hope. How could I turn my back on that?”

Elio’s frustration only deepened, his voice dropping in intensity but growing sharper. “That’s not what I’m saying. Protect them, yes—but don’t lose yourself in the process. You keep throwing yourself into this role like it’s the only thing that matters. At some point, you have to draw a line and say ‘I’m more than just the kingdom’s sword.’ You have to have something that’s yours.”

Zael looked down at his hands. He remained quiet for a moment, his face a mixture of thoughtfulness and sorrow. “I understand what you’re saying, but… that’s the life I’ve chosen. If I let go, if I stop being their shield, then who will protect them? There’s no one else. They need me.”

Father^Alex leaned toward Red_King, whispering under his breath. “I think this is beyond our plan.”

Red_King, who had been watching the exchange with a keen eye, shook his head slightly. “Let them.”

“Why?” Father^Alex asked, confused.

Red_King glanced at Elio and Zael again, his expression thoughtful. “Mac… he’s not arguing with the Devil Emperor. He’s fighting with his own ideals. That Zael… he’s like a mirror. They’re the same, but Elio doesn’t see it yet. He’s struggling with the same things Zael is. That’s why this is personal.”

Azura nodded in agreement, her sharp eyes darting between the two men. “He’s right. It’s like he’s looking at a reflection of himself. That’s what’s making this so hard for him.”

Back at the table, Zael finally broke the silence, his voice softer now, as if he were speaking more to himself than to Elio. “I never wanted to lose myself, but I fear I already have. This path… once you start walking it, there’s no way to turn back. The more you give, the more they expect from you, until there’s nothing left of who you were. But I can’t stop. I can’t.”

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