Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Rudolph arrived at the Dukedom with his father early the next morning.

The journey had been slower than usual—they had an entire battalion with them, and moving that many soldiers took time.

As he stepped down from his mount, Rudolph rolled his neck, letting out a soft crack.

He could fight an entire day without feeling half as exhausted as he was now, after days of stiff, restless travel.

"I'm heading to meet the Governor General," his father said.

Rudolph gave a short nod and turned to go his own way.

He approached the mansion with four soldiers following behind—not as his guards, but to secure the residence itself.

With the Dukedom's ruler gone, the threat of a demon resurgence was real.

They couldn't afford to take chances.

Though the estate had its own guards, reinforcements were a necessity.

The air was tense, as if everyone expected something to go wrong.

The Knight Commander had stepped in to take charge, assuming temporary control of the town.

Security had been tightened.

Warnings were issued.

Civilians were told to stay inside the city limits.

Martial control, they called it.

But to Rudolph, it just felt like waiting for a storm.

Rudolph was allowed to enter the mansion after he showed them the crest of the Empire.

"First, inspect the mansion from the outside, check every corner, and then take your positions," Rudolph told them, and the soldiers immediately went to work.

He really didn't like to order them when he was beneath them in social standings and in terms of experience as well, but right now, it was a necessity.

He entered the mansion and found a maid passing by, so he called out, "Hey, can you call Valerie for me?

"The maid first asked for his identity before she told him, "Please come inside.

"Rudolph nodded and stepped toward the reception...

where he found Sebastian.

"Oh, hey Sebastian.

Where are Austin and Valerie.

"Sebastian looked unusually worried but Rudiloh thought he was worried about the Duke.

However, "Master Rudolph...

fortunately you are here.

Can you keep the Duchess company?

I need to go somewhere.

""Yes, I can but why are you in a rush?

What happened?

" Rudolph was well acquainted with the Duke and the Duchess since they had met at several gatherings before, so there was no problem for him to keep her company.

But what concerned him was Sebastian's unnatural behavior.

Sebastian informed him of his reason for concern, "The young master...

has gone to the other side to bring back the Duke.

All alone.

And Lady Valerie, upon learning that, went after him.

""...

" Rudolph was rendered speechless upon hearing that.

Sebastian didn't remain standing there for long and dashed out of the house.

Who knew falling asleep for a few minutes would cause such chaos......

The skies of the Demon Realm were dark—dark like dried blood.

The land beneath their feet was cracked and lifeless as if it hadn't seen rain in years.

The air was heavy and thick with the smell of blood.

It clung to Austin's throat, making him feel sick.

He and Selner had arrived here through her magic, so the journey hadn't taken long.

Now, as they walked toward Astaroth's castle, Austin's mind drifted to Valerie.

He still didn't know how she would react to his sudden departure.

But knowing her… she would definitely try to follow him.

Thankfully, he had asked Sebastian to keep an eye on her.

It had been almost impossible to convince him, though.

Austin had said something harsh—something that probably hurt Sebastian more than he realized.

He sighed.

I'll apologize when I get back…"If you're worried about Valerie," Selner said, breaking the silence, "you don't have to be.

I've assigned an S-rank to keep her within the human realm.

"Austin turned, surprised.

"Really?

You can do that?

"Selner gave a small nod.

"Some of the top-ranking soldiers were trained by me.

A few of them are S-ranks.

I asked one of them to stop her if she tries to cross the Sea of Separation.

"Austin didn't say anything for a moment.

He was still wrapping his head around it.

She was prepared for everything… huh?

"…Tell me something," he said quietly.

"Has Valerie always been like this?

"Selner looked at him for a moment.

"You mean… drawn to you?

"He nodded.

"When you had all the fragments, you were different," she said gently.

"But even before that, when you were both kids, you were the only one who never looked at her like she was strange.

That meant everything to her.

And when you awakened… you became someone she admired.

To her, you were special.

"Selner paused, her voice softening even more.

"She's always been this way—affectionate, kind… and completely in love with you.

"Austin smiled...

fortunately, his previous self was not an a**hole to Valerie.

Since there was some more time to reach the castle and Austin didn't want to stay silent and get his anxiety level rise, he asked, "How was I...

when I had all the fragments?

"Selner hummed in response, before she said, "Confident, cocky, strong...

and excessively insane.

"Austin chuckled, "Maybe the side effect of attaining a strong Shard.

""Not, maybe.

That's the case.

" Selner added instantly, "You grew up like that because you had everything.

Your strength was unmatched, and you brought your country to the top of the world.

Union Council, in that timeline, easily bent to your will since they couldn't dare to go against Austin Eryndor, the strongest warriors known to mankind.

"Austin was really surprised to know about himself so much.

So if he actually had awakened a strong Shard...

he would have become a completely different person, huh?

After a brief pause, he asked, "And which version do you like better?

"Selner hesitated this time before she revealed, "This version is much more admirable since you know the value of strength and you are working hard to get it....

but that version of you...

I don't know...

there was a certain charm about it that I couldn't help but...

" She stopped herself...

almost saying something that she surely would have regretted.

Austin also didn't push her anymore, not because he wasn't curious but rather because the castle finally appeared before them.

His heart rate elevated when he saw the rows of demons and demonic beasts stationed before the castle.

And before all of them stood the demon who invited him here.

°°°°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.

I hope the pace of the story is good?