Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Students were either heading home or returning to the academy.

Those who lived in the capital were taken straight to their homes by carriage, while those from distant or hard-to-reach places had to stop at the academy first, where further transportation would be arranged.

Naturally, every academy was in turmoil after the incident, and classes had already been suspended indefinitely.

"It's almost half of what we saw during the first round...

" Rudolph muttered under his breath as he saw the students filling the carriages and departing for their destination.

A safe place.

"What about you?

" Rhea, who was standing beside him, asked with her hands folded.

Maybe it was because she wanted to divert her mind from the scene before her, she turned towards Rudolph.

Along with the students, the dead bodies were also transported to the graveyard.

And that scene...

pricked Rhea's heart with a thousand needles.

People in her hometown deemed her someone who could save humanity from the disease called demons.

However, all she could call herself right now was 'disappointment.

'Rhea, once again, panicked in an emergency situation.

Her mind was all over the place, trying to save everyone but failing miserably.

It was not until Valerie arrived that she felt that everything would be fine now.

However, when Rhea left her hometown, she never intended to rely on others.

So even though the situation had been resolved, a bitter feeling lingered—once again, everything had fallen onto Valerie's shoulders.

"Rhea?

" Rudolph softly called out, his hand resting on her fragile trembling shoulder.

The pinkhead broke out of her daze as she shook her head and said, "It's nothing.

Anyway, are you returning to the Capital?

"Rudolph understood what was weighing on her mind, but offering comforting words now would only come off as irritating.

He knew this because if someone told him, "You did what you could," in a moment like this, it would only make him more frustrated.

Some battles are meant to be fought alone.

And the one raging inside Rhea's mind was hers and hers alone to win.

"Father sent a letter through Sebastian.

He couldn't come because of security reasons but he expects me to return as soon as possible.

" Rudolph doesn't generally receive a letter from his father.

Not only that, he even used a strict tone in his letter which made it clear that Rudolph couldn't delay his visit back home.

Rhea nodded, "You should go.

I will also return to my hometown as well.

" It has been a while since she met her favorite neighbors and had lunch at her favorite bakery.

And considering her current mental health, she really needs some healing.

"Rudolph.

" Suddenly, Austin called out from a little far away.

Rudolph gave him a nod before he turned towards Rhea.

Heaving a sigh, he rested his hands on her shoulder and said, "Okay...

take care.

Have a safe journey.

"Rhea smilingly nodded before she went on her toes, and out of the blue, she gave a kiss on his cheek.

It was a sight to witness.

A big six-foot-something guy having his eyes round and ear tips dyed in red.

Rhea grinned at him, as she said, "Thanks for saving me.

See you later.

"°°°°°°°°Inside the carriage, along with the two royalties that came from Eryndor, there were four more people.

The carriage was big and was pulled by four horses.

On the left side was Valerie, sitting between her parents.

On the right was the King and the Queen with their son on the side.

It was an awkward atmosphere in the carriage since the most talkative one, Valerie's mother, was quite nervous in the presence of the Queen.

Anastasia was acquainted with the Queen.

However, she hadn't met her ever since 'that' happened.

And now, the lady of the Corwon family has no idea how she should approach Sophie.

The first person to speak, amidst the awkward silence, was Adam, "Austin...

I'd like to apologize to you.

"The blond Prince was taken aback by the statement, as he said, "W-What happened, Sir Corwon?

"He really didn't have a clue why the older one suddenly lowered his head.

Adam didn't hesitate in confessing, "I, actually, suggested Valerie break the engagement a few weeks ago.

Thinking that you are not a good match for her.

"Austin released a mental 'ooh' upon hearing that.

He heard about that from Valerie.

Apparently, Aiden brainwashed the man into believing that Valerie was not suited with Austin and that she should leave Austin.

The actual reason why Aiden's life thread was prematurely severed was because of this move.

His attempt to separate Valerie and Austin caused the bastard to lose his life.

"I am truly apologetic.

I was blinded by doubts and tried to...

" With his shoulders dropped, he added, "But soon, I realized how utterly I was wrong.

Nothing matters to me more than Valerie's happiness and you, son, you are her happiness.

"Austin released a soft breath, his eyes drawn to the ground.

Slowly, he raised his eyes and glanced at Valerie.

Her beautiful lavender eyes were fixated on him.

There was no explanation Austin needed to make to convince his father-in-law.

From what it appeared, it seems he has already accepted him.

Turning towards Adam, Austin said, "Thank you for trusting me, Sir Corwon.

"Adam flashed a soft smile when suddenly, his wife voiced, "You call him so formally, but I won't listen to you until you don't call me 'Mom', Austin.

"That gained a soft chuckle from Cedric and Sophie also smiled in glee.

Austin was slightly embarrassed but he didn't shy away from calling out to her, "Okay...

mom.

"Anastasia's face lit up with joy—but before she could utter a single word, an overwhelming, nightmarish presence crashed down upon the carriage.

SCREEEECH!

The carriage lurched to an abrupt stop.

Bodies were thrown forward as if an invisible force had shoved them.

A suffocating pressure filled the air.

Every breath felt like inhaling thick, rotting sludge.

The passengers sat frozen, their faces drained of color—except for the two teenagers.

Unlike the others, they had already stared death in the eye before.

Even so, the sheer weight of this presence made their skin crawl.

Cedric's throat tightened.

His body refused to move.

"This… presence…" he whispered, his breath shallow.

Even inside the magic-resistant carriage, the miasma pressed in, squeezing the air from his lungs.

"Agh… d-dear… I—" Anastasia clutched her stomach, her body convulsing.

A sickening retch tore from her throat as she doubled over, barely able to keep herself from vomiting.

Outside, something was waiting.

Watching.

And it was hungry.

Austin glanced at Valerie and both of them instantly shot out of the carriage.

"Austin!

" Sophie called out, but it was already too late.

Austin and Valerie turned in the direction from where such an upsetting sensation was arriving—and soon, his body froze in disbelief.

Eight feet tall, a monstrosity that shouldn't have appeared here in the human realm.

Bulging muscles, red blood-like skin, tattoos crawling like veins, and two long tusks that reached half of its face.

Every step it took, the ground trembled.

The greenery around the monster was fading under the miasma it released.

Although the inhumane was far away, Austin saw and recognized it the instance he saw it.

One of the four demon generals—The Orc Lord.

'How the hell did it awaken?!

'°°°°°°°°°A/N:- For your information, every single General is above S-rank.

Drop a comment and pray for them.