Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess-Chapter 180 - 179- The dark side

What did Austin find in these few days after hell turned loose at the competition venue?

First, the Generals might have gone through an early awakening and could have crossed the border without getting noticed by the Council security.

Second, the great Lord of Darkness, who ruled over the world and enslaved the whole human race a thousand years ago, knows Austin too very well.

After all, Austin was able to eradicate the being a thousand years ago...he still doesn't know how.

He couldn't doubt Selner's words as well since the Demon Lord himself shared his thoughts on how he wished to shred Austin into bits and pieces. So no point in pondering there.

He has to be wary all the time since the Demon Lord would be sending his forces in his way, every now and then.

The third thing was, and the most shocking one, Luke has always been Austin.

It sounds crazy, but when Austin, the one who fought with the Demon Lord, was about to die, he split his soul into four different fragments and sent them ahead in time so his future self could do things better.

Although it was just a hypothesis, the only reason one of the fragments that resides inside Luke's body was sent to the other world was to prepare him mentally by giving him information about the world through the game.

After all, now that Austin thinks back on it, he never heard anything about the game from anyone else, so it wouldn't be surprising that it was made just for Luke.

Now, to get the rest of the two fragments that would allow his soul to grow normally, Austin needs to prepare his body

Selner said that if he broke into A-rank, she would grant him another fragment which would, apparently, allow his Shard to evolve.

....

"I think we can rely on Madame Selner for this," Austin interjected, his confidence unwavering.

Valerie, however, felt a flicker of alarm. He had been mentioning Selner's name far too often in their conversations lately.

"She saw Astaroth with her own eyes," Austin continued as if to reassure them. "And given her influence on the Board, they won't be able to ignore her testimony."

"That depends on whether she's willing to speak," Cedric countered, leaning back in his chair.

A heavy silence followed. Even Austin and Valerie—who knew Selner better than anyone else in the room—couldn't be certain of her allegiance. She had helped them before, but the extent of her support remained unknown.

"What do you think, Sebas?" Cedric finally turned to his most trusted aide.

Sebastian, ever composed, replied without hesitation. "Our priority should be securing our people. And if possible, we should inform the nation we recently allied with."

Cedric raised an eyebrow. "Drenovar? You think they'll listen?"

"We can use this as an opportunity to strengthen our alliance," Adam suggested. "Besides, we're not spreading baseless rumors."

Cedric considered it but remained uncertain. He couldn't be sure about getting involved with Drenovar this soon...but as Adam said, this was a good opportunity to gain their trust.

After a brief pause, his gaze shifted toward Austin. "And what about you? What's your plan from here on?"

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"The academy is suspended for another fifteen days, so I'll return to the capital and train there," Austin answered.

A small smile touched Cedric's lips. "That's a wise decision."

After a brief pause, Valerie spoke up. "I will accompany him."

She knew Austin would be targeted relentlessly now. Until he regained the missing fragments of his soul, she needed to stay by his side. Of course, there was a personal reason as well—but the main reason was his safety. Yes, safety!

Adam let out a sigh, his expression shadowed with disappointment. "You're leaving so soon?"

It had been over a year since Valerie had last visited home. Her mother had been thrilled at the prospect of her return—preparing her favorite dishes, even planning a small celebration.

And now, she was leaving again.

Austin glanced at Valerie, wordlessly urging her to stay a little longer. But her resolve was unshaken.

For the next few months, she had to be near Austin until he reached A-rank. There would be time for reunions later.

Austin sighed in surrender before saying, "Fine. I'll stay here for a few days before leaving."

Adam's shoulders twitched, his expression brightening instantly.

Cedric, on the other hand, silently sulked. His son had just prioritized his father-in-law over his own father.

Well, at least he would be in the Capital for a few days before heading back to the academy.

And with that, the matter was settled.

°°°°°°°°°

Far from where that discussion was unfolding, beyond the Ocean of Separation, lay the accursed Lands of Darkness.

A vast, barren expanse stretched endlessly beneath a sky choked with crimson fog—a haze thick with the scent of dried blood and the ever-present stench of Dark Water. No forests, no rivers, no life thrived here. The ground was cracked and scorched, littered with jagged rocks that pulsed faintly, as if the land itself were breathing.

There were no grand cities, no towering fortresses—only scattered, crumbling shelters that clung to existence like dying embers. The air was heavy, oppressive, filled with whispers that slithered through the wind, voices long lost to time yet still murmuring of suffering.

And at the heart of this forsaken world, a monolithic castle loomed—a citadel of despair, built from obsidian stone that seemed to drink in the dim, reddish glow of the sky.

Inside, within the deepest chamber where no light could reach, a colossal cylindrical tube stood, filled to the brim with swirling Dark Water. Shadows twisted within the murky liquid, their forms writhing like tortured souls. Suspended at its core, pulsing with slow, menacing beats, was a floating heart.

Black veins coiled around it, pumping a thick, viscous substance that reeked of corruption. The walls trembled slightly with every pulse, as if the very castle breathed in sync with the heart's rhythm. This was no ordinary organ. It was ancient. Alive. Seething with power that had yet to be unleashed.

And it belonged to the Lord of the Darkness.

The one who assessed it was a Demon with black and red skin, a humanoid body, and a long whipping tail behind him.

This man was responsible for reviving the Demon Lord...or, to say, providing Astaroth's remaining fragment with enough sacrifices to wake him up from his slumber.

It has been over a thousand years since that war, and finally, the moment when the world would greet the darkness again was arriving.

"How is he, now?" Another demon, this one more feminine and with a completely black body and a pair of beautiful violet eyes, appeared beside the one who was assessing the heart.

"Lady Zephyr," The Demon greeted the heiress of the noble house, "My Lord is doing better than before. I still am not sure what caused this change but I am delighted to see him getting the motivation to recover."

Zephyr grinned, "Surely, he would be motivated. After all, he found his arch nemesis."

The healer narrowed his eyes, "Oh...so the history would repeat itself again."

Zephyr snickered, "A war is approaching, Tanhat; however, this time, we are going to reclaim what once was ours."

In the past, they lost the battle and the war, which caused the Demon realm to limit their authority, and those maggots received the chance to thrive.

However, things weren't going to stay like this forever.

The only warrior who could challenge the Dark Lord was still weak and fragile. He was still far from what he once was. And in this state, it would only take a blow before he would be wiped off the existence.

Zephyr has already assigned a few trusted soldiers under her command who are on their way to lay the perfect trap to capture the warrior.

And once he gets in her grasp, Zephyr would present him to her father as a reunion present.

'Our resources are limitless, warrior, but your strength is pitifully limited. Let's see, how long you can resist.'

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.