Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

At the edge of the shore, an army stood like a wall against the rising tide.

More than a thousand soldiers had already crossed the wide stretch of sand, their boots sinking slightly into the damp earth.

The ground trembled faintly beneath their weight.

Everywhere the eye could see, men stood in tight formation, dressed in white vests that gleamed faintly under the dull gray sky.

Dark helmets covered their faces, making them look like ghosts of war.

They gripped their weapons—sharp spears, gleaming swords, and bows strung tight with arrows ready to fly.

Their stance was rigid.

Their eyes, though hidden, burned with the will to fight.

Whatever came into their line of sight—they would strike it down without hesitation.

The air hung heavy.

A thick mist crawled over the shore, swirling around their legs like creeping hands.

And within that mist pulsed a strange force—a gathering storm of Soul Energy that made the skin prickle and the heart pound.

Tanks rumbled at the front, their metal shields covered in scratches and dirt, while archers crouched low, eyes locked on the horizon.

Every arrow was aimed.

They were the first line—the shield meant to keep the demonic army away from the mainland.

They knew they wouldn't hold forever, but they had to hold long enough.

Because if the demons broke through… no one could say where they'd go, or what would be left behind.

Four S-ranks, including Valerie, were present at the front lines.

Darius was told to remain at the outpost of Ademerg and protect the capital.

Valerie and Austin stood side by side.

Clad in their armours they held each other's hands and awaited the enemy forces.

The fort created behind the Council Headquarters' building was giving them and a few others, the view of the vast sea.

At the moment, both Valerie and Austin were nervous.

They have trained themselves for this day, but no one knows what kind of danger they must face in this war.

"I believe mountains would be better," Austin spoke, out of the blueValerie smiled, "Forest is better.

We both love to hunt.

" Valerie insistedNo one around them could guess what they were talking about since they started speaking out of the blue.

Some wondered if they were making a strategy to divert the army towards the mountains or the forest.

However, in reality, they were continuing their debate on where to go for their honeymoon.

It was so random, but gave them so much relief at the same time.

Having the blessing of the person you love beside you in a time of crisis is not something everyone receives.

Although it can be said that Austin and Valerie have everything to lose here, they are the strongest only when they are working together.

"Incoming!

" a soldier screamed, his voice cracking with panic.

Instantly, all eyes snapped toward the sea.

In the far distance, dark shapes began to rise from the horizon.

Dozens—no, hundreds—could already be seen.

But it didn't stop there.

The shadows kept growing, spreading like a black stain across the ocean.

The soldiers stared, their mouths dry.

Some stepped back without realizing it.

From one edge of the shore to the other, the sea was crawling with demons—so many that the water itself seemed swallowed by darkness.

The waves churned violently.

The air thickened, growing heavy with a poisonous miasma that made breathing hard.

Every gust of wind now carried a foul stench—like rotting flesh and burning bones.

Winged beasts filled the skies, flapping their torn, bat-like wings with thunderous force.

They were massive—twice the size of horses, with skull-like faces and eyes that glowed red like burning coals.

Chains wrapped around their necks and legs, tugged by hooded riders with twisted horns and eyeless helmets.

Beneath them, sea monsters broke the surface.

Some had long, eel-like bodies covered in black, spiny scales; others resembled giant, rotted crabs with legs as thick as trees and mouths lined with rows of jagged teeth.

Their howls echoed off the cliffs, shaking the hearts of the bravest.

"KHRIEEEK!

"A monstrous screech tore through the air—so loud and sharp it made several soldiers drop their weapons.

The ground shook as if the earth itself flinched.

The roar came from a creature as tall as a tower, its skin peeled and stretched over bulging muscles, its face split into three vertical mouths, each full of fangs.

Some soldiers froze.

Others backed away, unable to tear their eyes from the horror before them.

Many had never seen demons before—certainly not this many.

And certainly not this monstrous.

Sweat dripped down their brows.

Fingers trembled around sword hilts.

Their minds were screaming to run, to hide—anything but face what was coming.

Austin's jaw tightened as he scanned the demonic army.

"These demons… they're stronger than the ones Kalwar brought," he muttered grimly.

[Correct, host.

These are ancient ones—at least three hundred years old.

The ones you faced before were infants.

These creatures have devoured countless souls and absorbed many skills.

Their battle instincts are far beyond the norm.

]Austin clenched his fists.

His heart pounded in his chest, but he had no room for fear.

He had known this day would come.

There was no time for hesitation.

"Charlotte!

" he called.

She stepped forward instantly, her face hard and calm.

Her voice rang out like a blade drawn in silence.

"Make way!

"Without a second of delay, the middle ranks of soldiers parted, clearing a path wide and fast for Charlotte.

Even as dread crawled up their spines, they moved.

Because if anyone could hold the front right now… it was her.

Charlotte stepped forward, calm as a mountain amidst a storm.

With a soft gleam of light, her Shard took form—a round golden shield snapping onto her arm with a flash.

It was beautiful and deadly: the core shimmered like sunlight on molten metal, while a silver ring ran around its edge like the trim of a blade.

Ancient markings pulsed across its surface, glowing faintly as if waking from slumber.

Then, Charlotte fed her Soul Energy into it.

The shield responded with a low hum, and in the next breath, two ethereal wings unfolded from its sides.

They flared out with a sudden gust, golden and feathered, yet not of this world—like the wings of a divine guardian summoned from myth.

As the wings spread wide, a wave of clean, radiant energy exploded outward.

The miasma—thick, choking, and dark—screeched as if in pain.

It recoiled from her like a living thing burnt by light.

The heavy fog around the soldiers lifted, the air turning crisp and breathable once more.

Gasps rose from the ranks.

The human soldiers watched in awe as Charlotte stood tall, shield raised, her presence casting a protective glow across the battlefield.

Her armor shimmered under the golden hue, and her eyes were steady, unshaken by the sea of monsters beyond.

Then, from the ground before her, faint golden lines began to crawl out like veins of light.

They raced forward, drawing arcs and curves—magic circles that locked into place one after another.

With a final pulse of Soul Energy, translucent barriers surged upward from the earth.

One.

Two.

Three.

Dozens.

Shimmering walls of energy formed between the mainland and the incoming tide of demons, their glow flickering like firelight but holding strong.

Hope surged in the hearts of the soldiers.

The shield maiden had arrived—and the land would not fall so easily.

Austin glanced at William, and without a word, the man stepped forward.

Light began to swirl around William's body, like wisps of fire made from pure soul.

His sword pulsed with power, its blade crackling with streaks of white and blue energy.

He closed his eyes, took a long breath, and thrust the sword forward—not to attack, but to channel.

A stream of radiant energy shot out from him and surged toward Charlotte.

She gritted her teeth as it hit her.

The energy was blazing hot—like liquid fire rushing through her veins—but instead of burning her, it filled her with raw strength.

Her shield shimmered violently, the wings flaring wider as the surge rushed into her core.

Then, the barriers reacted.

One by one, they multiplied—splitting and spreading like roots under a storm.

Each barrier thickened, glowing more brightly, their edges sharper, more defined.

A hum of power rang across the battlefield.

The soldiers gasped as they saw it.

A wall of light now stood between them and the sea of monsters.

And not just one—it was layer after layer, strong and vibrant, pulsing like a heartbeat.

For the first time, they felt it deep in their bones.

They might have a chance.

They could block the demons.

And just as that hope ignited—TING!

The first wave hit.

Several demonic beasts smashed into the barriers with bone-cracking force.

Some were flying and hit like cannonballs; others crawled or leaped from the sea.

But all of them crashed against the glowing wall—and failed.

Skulls cracked.

Wings snapped.

Claws screeched against the shield of light.

Some beasts were crushed by their own momentum, folding like paper against the unmoving defense.

Others fell back howling, blood splattering across the ground.

The ground quaked under the weight of the assault, but the barriers held.

And behind them, the soldiers screamed in rising courage—not in fear.

"The Parasite King is nowhere to be seen...

" Austin muttered under his breath.

But then, something terrifying arrived and several barriers were thrashed.

"*BOOOOOOOM*" A huge water dragon pushed away all the demonic beasts away, advancing towards the barrier before ramming its body into the barriers.

"No....

""...

that monstrosity ....

""It's fucking huge ...

"The barriers crumbled and Charlotte had to grit her teeth to prevent herself from falling.

However, it was working.

All the demons were moving toward the center!

"Just a little longer, love.

They are moving toward us.

" William arrived beside his lover and supported her.

Charlotte has to keep pushing them to make this act appear better.

But it was not easy.

Those barriers were her soul fragments.

And every awakened knows the pain of having their Soul directly assaulted.

"They are closing in!

Start the preparation!

" The Commander barked, and the big artilleries faced towards the seaThe traps were ready, and the warriors prepared themselves to launch an all-out attack once the demons entered their domain.

"Guh!

" Charlotte staggered, her eyes wavering and face pale.

William held her tight, not wanting the plan to fail when she had pushed herself so far.

There were only a dozen barriers left before they would be left with no option but to enter the mainland through the way, Austin has predicted.

However, then suddenly,"*KHWAAAAAAA*"A loud cry of what seemed like a raven shook the skies.

Everyone turned towards the clouds and found a huge bird flying there...

and on top of it was him.

The Parasite King.

"Shit!

""No, no, no!

"The soldiers started to panic, as they saw the demons suddenly changing their route.

"They read our move!

" William gritted his teeth and turned towards Austin.

Austin was not looking at the warrior at the moment.

The Parasite Chief ...

he predicted their strategy and now is guiding his soldiers.

And now, the whole northwestern region was in danger!

°°°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.

I will write long chapters to wrap up this as soon as I can.

Please be a little patient.