Reborn As a Villain Son With The Strongest Wife-Chapter 22: Shadows of Fate – The Arrival of the Original Protagonist

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Ironhorn collapsed the moment we left the battlefield.

"Whoa—IRONHORN!" I rushed forward, catching his massive frame as it wobbled.

His obsidian armor flickered, his once-proud energy now utterly drained.

[Ironhorn has entered Deep Exhaustion State.]

[Recovery time: 14 Days.]

"Tch... damn it..." I cursed under my breath.

Celestia approached, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

"My, my~ Such a loyal beast, enduring to the very end~"

I didn't respond.

I placed my hand on Ironhorn's snout, my voice low.

"You did good, buddy. Rest now."

The massive rhinoceros let out a low, tired growl—before his body glowed and returned to my Beast Space.

Celestia hummed behind me.

"Ara~ You didn't even hesitate to command him into death, darling. Fufufu~ You're becoming quite the ruthless Villain."

I exhaled.

"He's my first beast. I'll make sure he survives."

Celestia smiled playfully.

"But you didn't hesitate to mentally break that Hunter. Ara~ You looked so cruel when you left him alive~"

I scoffed.

"He deserved it."

She giggled.

"And that's why I love you, darling~ You're becoming more of a Villain worthy of being my husband~"

I raised an eyebrow.

"...Why does that sound like a threat?"

Celestia just smiled.

And then—

A chill ran down my spine.

...What was that?

A sudden wave of killing intent pierced the air.

It wasn't from Celestia.

It wasn't from Lucius.

No—this presence was different.

Colder. Sharper. Dangerous.

I instinctively grabbed my sword.

"Celestia, get ready."

She blinked.

"Ara? My, my~ Could it be...?"

And then—

A figure stepped out from the forest.

A young man.

His hair was pure silver, his eyes a brilliant gold. His presence was suffocating.

[Name: Rael Ascarion]

[Title: Hero Chosen by Fate]

[Beast: Sacred Griffin (Undisclosed Form)]

It's him.

The original protagonist.

Rael Ascarion.

My heartbeat quickened.

(Why is he here... so early?)

Rael's gaze locked onto me, his expression blank.

And then—he spoke.

"...You're Leonhardt Valtara, aren't you?"

I didn't answer.

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Rael's hand gripped his sword.

"Did you... just kill Lucius Arden?"

My blood ran cold.

(...Shit.)