The villain's side of the novel

Parada family, Dining Hall

Within the grandeur of the dining hall, Fray occupied the central seat at a large table. However, this time, he was not alone. Surrounding him were fourteen children, each indulging in a hearty meal.

"Well done, everyone," Fray commended, his voice carrying a gentle tone. His eyes then rested upon Isha, a sense of admiration shining through. "And Isha, your performance has surpassed my expectations. I am truly impressed."

Blushing slightly, Isha responded, "Thank you, sir." The collective gratitude echoed around the table.

Indeed, they had far exceeded Fray's initial expectations. Initially, he had anticipated that some of them might hesitate when confronted with the reality of being tasked to eliminate monsters. The moral conflict of taking lives, even if those lives belonged to creatures labeled as monsters, was something Fray had considered. However, witnessing their unwavering dedication and exceptional performance had convinced him otherwise. Thus, he had decided to honor them with an invitation to share a meal in his presence—a privilege reserved for those who had demonstrated exemplary skill and loyalty.

"As we move forward, you must understand that many of your future missions will resemble this one," Fray began, his voice carrying a solemn undertone. "The central objective of the Parada family is to rid the world of all non-human beings. It matters not whether they live peacefully or consume humans as their sustenance. In my view, all of them must be eliminated. As assassins under my command, you must be prepared for these tasks that lie ahead."

With a resolute expression, Fray revealed that his first decision after acquiring Yassine's memories was to eradicate all other races inhabiting the world. The reasoning behind this decision was rooted in the fact that Yassine's world had thrived in peace—a peace that had eluded Fray for so long. Unbeknownst to him, the village he had ordered the children to eliminate survived by consuming human blood. Yet, his directive to eliminate them stemmed solely from their monstrous nature.

"Sir, are all monsters as wicked as the ones we encountered today?" Sina inquired, her voice laden with a mix of curiosity and contemplation.

Fray paused, carefully placing his fork on the table, before responding, "Why do you assume that the monsters you encountered today were evil?"

Confusion flickered across Sina's face as she replied, "Well, they killed and tortured people..."

"The children in that village, do you think they considered their own families evil? Or did they perceive the strangers who destroyed their village as the true villains?" Fray asked, his gaze shifting across the table.

Silence enveloped the room as the weight of Fray's words sank in. It was a moment of introspection, a realization that perceptions of good and evil could be subjective and influenced by personal experiences.

"They viewed us as evil because our way of thinking differs from theirs," Rin spoke up, her voice filled with newfound understanding.

"Exactly," Fray confirmed, his tone gentle yet firm. "Evil, much like everything else, is subjective and relative. Regardless of your actions, someone will perceive you as evil. Therefore, in your future missions, you should not rely solely on the concept of good and evil."

The world in which they found themselves was vastly different from Yassine's, where philosophical concepts were explored in depth. Here, the majority of the population held a simplistic, black-and-white view of the world. Fray's words, seemingly ordinary in Yassine's world, now resonated as profound philosophical musings in this reality.

Taking a moment to absorb his words, Isha asked, "So, sir, how do you define evil?"

Without hesitation, Fray replied, his voice steady, "To me, evil is betraying the trust of those who depend on you."

The room fell silent, the weight of Fray's definition hanging in the air. Each child contemplated his words, their minds grappling with the newfound perspective on morality.

Morcal's voice echoed within Fray's mind, breaking the silence. (You seem to have grown quite fond of these children.)

Curiosity piqued, Fray, responded, (What do you mean?)

(I've noticed that this is the first time you've willingly shared your thoughts with others,) Morcal pointed out.

Fray paused, reflecting on Morcal's observation, before silently acknowledging the truth in those words.

"I understand, sir. I will do my best in future missions," Sina broke the silence, determination firm in her voice.

"Very well," Fray nodded, resuming his grip on the fork resting before him.

A child spoke up, breaking the solemnity that had settled upon the table. "Oh, I almost forgot. Sina, what is your spirit? We didn't witness it during the battle."

Sina smiled, a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes. "You're right. I'll show you my spirit after we finish our meal. But please know, it is not as formidable as Isha's or Rin's spirits."

Excitement rippled through the group as they eagerly awaited Sina's revelation. The atmosphere, once cloaked in a somber aura, now brimmed with renewed vitality. And at that moment, a faint smile graced Fray's lips once more, though this time, he was keenly aware of the joy it brought him.