Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"Haaah!

" Valerie took a long breath, her mind turning numb as she staggered back.

The other one, the S-rank warrior Rio, frowned since she didn't even hit Valerie, and she seemed to be hyperventilating.

Her eyes trembled, and a sensation akin to something disastrous happening somewhere erupted inside her heart.

Her Shard faded into nothingness as she fell to the ground.

Her heart trembled...

it was the same sensation she had when the Illusion Monkey attacked him...

or when she heard about the Hell Hound attacking him...

The dread of losing him crept into her mind and soul, and before she knew it, she fell unconscious.

°°°°°°°"Huh?

" Sophie woke up from her slumber, her forehead drenched with cold sweat.

*Rumble*She looked outside, not because the thunder rumbled but because she was in a panic.

No, more like she was having an anxiety attack.

"Dear?

What happened?

" Hearing her husband's voice she instantly turned towards him.

She opened her mouth but she wasn't able to speak.

Cedric instantly brought water for her, and while rubbing her back, he said, "Breathe first.

No need to rush, just breathe for now.

"She instinctively followed his words and exhaled the breath that she had been holding for who knows how long.

Once she somehow calmed down, Cedric made her drink some water, before he asked, "Now tell me slowly, what happened.

"Sophie's hand was trembling, her eyes quivering for some reason.

This was the first time, ever since that day when she woke up after Aiden's death, he had seen her so much shaken up.

Cedric assumed it might be one of those episodes...

but"Austin...

he...

he is in danger...

"Cedric's expression turned grim.

He didn't take his wife's words lightly.

He first asked her to drink some water and take some rest before he immediately walked out of the room before calling out,"Robert.

" Cedric's personal butler and Sebastian's younger brother appeared before him.

"Yes, sir.

""Assess the situation at the Dukedom and send me a WarpMail as soon as you get the report on Austin.

"Robert didn't require to be told twice.

He instantly faded into the shadows and left for his destination.

Cedric glanced at the family picture hanging in the gallery as he muttered under his breath,'Don't take any rash step, son.

'°°°°°°°°°°Adam couldn't believe his eyes.

His mind refused to register what was right in front of him.

There, lying on the ground, was the young man he had welcomed into his family just days ago.

The one his daughter loved with all her heart—her best friend, her future.

The boy he had imagined walking down the aisle with her, exchanging vows, building a life together.

Now he was drenched in blood, unmoving, a dagger buried deep in his abdomen.

Adam stood frozen, his heart pounding in his ears.

His breath caught in his throat.

The world felt muted, as though reality itself recoiled from what had happened.

Austin… had saved him.

Why?

Why would he do something so reckless—for him?

He was just an old man, already past his prime.

He had lived a full life beside the woman he loved.

His days were numbered anyway.

But Austin… he had a future.

Dreams.

A world of possibilities waiting for him.

And now… all of that was slipping away before Adam's eyes.

"No… you can't die like this…" Adam whispered, his voice cracking as he dropped to his knees beside him.

He grabbed Austin's collar with trembling hands, pulling him close—desperately, hopelessly—wishing for any sign of life.

Adam's hands trembled as he held Austin close, his blood soaking into the sleeves of his robe.

His lips quivered, the words stuck in his throat.

"You fool…" he choked, his voice barely a whisper.

"You absolute fool… Why would you do this?

"Austin's face was pale.

Too pale.

Adam couldn't feel him breathing.

He cupped his cheek with a shaking hand, brushing away a lock of blood-matted hair.

"You had no right… No right to throw your life away like this… not for me…""Just move it!

" The Demoness shoved Adam aside and pulled Austin up.

Murderous intent flared to life as Adam summoned his Shard and charged at the b*tch!

"Agh!

" However, his effort was futile as the inhumane caught him by her tail and gestured towards the nearby soldiers.

The ape-like demon slammed its metal rod at the back of Adam's head, causing him to lose consciousness.

Once Ameytr was done with the pest she brought her finger near Austin's nose.

Not breathing.

She touched his chest.

No heartbeat.

A grin extended her lips, her razor-sharp teeth on display.

The same being who caused her father to go into hiding all those years ago was lying dead in her arms.

"Return this guy to the Witch outside.

" The soldier nodded to those words before picking Adam over his shoulder and walking out of the cell.

The Demoness didn't care how the Witch would react.

But since it wasn't her who killed Austin, she couldn't go against her words.

Ameytr picked Austin in her arms and ascended to the upper floor before she walked towards the central room where 'he' restedThe smile on her face never faded.

She couldn't be any more happy than this.

It was as if she had fulfilled her life goal by annihilating this being.

"Poor thing...

killed himself for his lover's father.

" The Demoness mocked as her steady strides brought her to the room where her father rested.

There were a few medics who were constantly monitoring his situation.

In these few days, his eyes and half of his face had recovered, and he could see what was happening around him.

But because he lacked the ability to regenerate he needs to rely on external sources to get himself healed.

"Your Highness.

" The medic in charge greeted her, but Ameytr ignored him and advanced towards the cylindrical tube where her Father rested.

Once she reached the tube, she raised Austin's body and said, "I HAVE BROUGHT YOU A GIFT!

" She announced in a loud tone, and instantly the whole castle shook.

The demons around her had to take support; otherwise, they would have fallen.

The recovery tube vibrated as Astaroth's eyes were filled with evident satisfaction and glee.

Ameytr grinned in response, as she lowered Austin's body and said, "He tormented you...

caused us to hide...

but no longer.

I have taken your revenge, Father.

" A euphoric smile spreaded her lips.

The doctor who stood behind, stepped forward and said, "My Lord is happy.

You have made him proud, Your Highness.

"Her chest was filled with pride.

Despite how everyone called her a failure and an irresponsible princess, she has achieved something they could never have.

She brought down her father's arch-nemesis!

"I have killed the bug, fath-khak!

"The medical team jolted.

The eyes of the Demon Lord turned wide.

Blood poured out of Ameytr's belly as a blue-glowing sword pierced her.

Slowly, she tilted her head and looked at the person in her arms.

A soft smile adorned Austin's lips as he said, "Peek-a-boo~"°°°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.

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