Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Was the demonic army let loose, all the aerial monsters headed toward Eryndor.

It was the closest nation to the port so it was natural for the rampaging monsters to rush toward the human settlement in view.

Rudolph realized that the reinforcement in that region was still too far less to handle so many monsters.

He was ordered to remain on the frontlines; however, the thought of Rhea didn't allow him to continue his battle on the frontlines.

He knew he might be making a mistake by leaving his post but until he could be around Rhea and ensure that she was safe, Rudolph knew that he would manage things better.

"I will apologize to Austin later...

" His figure blurred as he advanced through the forest towards the fort where Rhea and the other soldiers were stationed.

The fort was in between the shore and Eryndor to protect the capital from the possible terror attack.

Although there were soldiers from Eryndor and Drenovar too, they still wouldn't be able to deal with hundreds of strong dragons on their own.

Although Rudolph wasn't an S-rank, he knew for sure that he could create a big difference.

"*KHIUUUUUK*" a demonic goblin jumped at him en route since he was marching toward the fort parallel to the demonic armyRudolph didn't even bother summoning his Shard and simply caught the small goblin with both hands and ripped him apart as if he were tearing a paper.

"*UGOOOH*" A minotaur charged at him this time, its heavy footsteps making the ground tremble.

Rudolph could no longer remain nonchalant as he summoned his war hammer and slammed it on the ground before the Minotaur could have reached him**CRACK**A huge spike surged from the ground, piercing the Minotaur from the middle and taking him high into the sky.

Another flying beast lunged at him but Rudolph was prepared.

He ducked just as the talons of the monster were about to graze his shoulders, and at the same time, he raised his hammer and increased its size.

"*KHUEEENG*" The demonic bird was hit by the Shard, its body rising higher, only for a thick stone fragment protruding from his Shard and piercing the life out of the bird.

With each kill, he advanced towards the fort, his feet never stopping since his destination was set and urgency never left his mind.....

In the middle of the battlefield, a huge dome of ice was created which was restricting the demonic beasts from reaching the chanter.

The S-rank warrior who has been shredding the lives of the inhumane creature until now with a stone-cold face had tears in her eyes as she hugged her beloved.

Austin wasn't crying...

no, he was not responding at all.

He has seen his butler ...

his friend...

and someone who was like a father to him, die before his eyes.

And he could not even dare to lift his head before the creature.

Can there be anything more pathetic than this?

"It's not your fault...

you could have done nothing...

" Valerie slowly whispered, understanding exactly what he must be thinking right now.

"...

how is it not my fault?

I...

was helpless...

so helpless that Sebastian had to throw his life away so I could run away ...

"Valerie bit her lip.

This was the first time she had heard him being so...

empty from the inside.

As if, he has already lost all his hope.

However, this wasn't the end.

Valerie knows that his heart must have shattered in countless fragments after losing Sebastian but,"We can't surrender here or we will waste Sebastian's sacrifice.

"Looking at him, she cupped his cheeks and told him, "We might have lost the battle but we haven't lost the war.

Giving up here means that others, our people...

I...

will also die.

"Austin drew a sharp breath.

The very thought of losing Valerie brought his head back on track.

Valerie didn't want him to take the burden of her life, but if it was the only way to bring him back, she had no other choice.

Holding his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, she said, "Let's not stop here...

we need to keep fighting.

"Austin gave a small nod before he looked at the ground.

Among the many fragments of Sebastian's body, his hand was lying there as well.

He picked it up and rested it on his head, "Please bless me, Sebas...

I will win this war for you.

"•••••••"Rudolph!

" Rhea shouted, her voice rising over the chaos as she spotted him locked in battle with a massive Orc near the edge of the fort.

Rudolph gritted his teeth and forced his Shard to grow larger.

With a heavy shove, he knocked the Orc off balance.

Seizing the moment, he slammed his weapon into the ground.

Stone spikes erupted in every direction, tearing through the Orc and several others behind it.

The ground shook, soaked with blood and dust.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes locking onto the one face he longed to see.

Rhea.

Without a word, he dashed forward, leaping onto a nearby artillery platform.

Using it like a springboard, he soared to the top of the fort where she stood.

"Missed me?

" he asked, flashing a smirk and gently nudging her shoulder.

"Why are you here?!

" she demanded, her voice shaking.

"And why the hell did you bring all those demons with you?

"In the distance, dark wings flapped against the sky.

Dragons.

Dozens of them.

Rhea's heart sank at the sight.

"I didn't bring them," Rudolph said quickly.

"They were already coming for you.

I came to stop them.

"His voice was steady, but the fear in Rhea's eyes didn't fade.

"You shouldn't have come, Rudolph," she said quietly.

"You had your own post to defend.

""I know," he replied, his voice softer now.

"But I couldn't ignore what my heart was screaming.

Over there, my absence might be overlooked… but here—"He looked into her eyes.

"Here, my presence might just change everything.

"Before she could say another word, he turned and launched himself into the sky.

His body twisted mid-air as he raced toward the incoming threat.

One of the dragons opened its mouth wide, aiming to swallow him whole.

But Rudolph didn't flinch.

He spun and brought his hammer down on its skull with a thunderous crack.

The force of the blow sent him flying upward again—and he landed squarely on the beast's back.

The creature controlling the dragon suddenly locked eyes with Rudolph.

Without a sound, it lunged forward like a blur of shadow and hate.

But Rudolph was ready.

With a flick of his wrist, his Shard reformed in his hand, glowing faintly with his energy.

He gripped it tight and swung it in a wide arc.

"*KHUAK!

*" The demon let out a rough, guttural cry as the weapon smashed into its side.

It hadn't expected to be hit—not this easily.

Its body flew through the air like a broken puppet, crashing into the dragon's wing.

But Rudolph didn't stop.

He charged after it, fire in his steps, heart pounding like war drums.

Before the demon could recover, he brought the Shard down once more—this time, slamming it into the monster's back.

A sharp spike burst from the weapon and pierced straight through the creature and the dragon's chest.

The demon gasped, limbs twitching.

Its control over the dragon flickered.

Rudolph didn't say a word.

He simply stood over it, his breath heavy, his eyes still locked on the sky—where more enemies were coming.

Rhea aimed at a dragon rider and shot the illuminated arrow at it with precision.

"*KHUAAAK*"It stabbed the demon in the throat and soon,**BOOOOOOM**The moment the demon erupted, the dragon above let out a confused, strangled roar.

Its wings faltered mid-air.

That was all the archers needed.

A hail of arrows streaked through the sky.

"Loose!

" came the command from the wall, and a wave of steel answered.

Three arrows pierced the dragon's left wing.

Two struck its neck.

One lodged deep into its eye.

The beast let out a screeching cry as it spiraled downward, crashing into the trees beyond the fort with a thunderous crash.

Another dragon swooped in a low, flames building in its throat.

Rudolph didn't hesitate.

He sprinted along the dragon corpse's back and launched himself toward the incoming threat.

Mid-air, his Shard morphed again, growing longer and heavier, perfect for a crushing strike.

He spun—once, twice—and slammed the weapon against the side of the dragon's jaw just as it opened its mouth to release hellfire.

The beast's head jerked, and the fire exploded sideways, missing the wall by inches.

"Keep firing!

" shouted a commander from below.

Arrows whistled upward like deadly rain, and two more dragons fell.

One archer took aim, lips pressed tight, and loosed a glowing arrow straight through a dragon's throat.

The beast choked, then plummeted into the fort's outer fields, its wings folding like torn cloth.

The other archers also used their Shard to take down the rest giving Rudolph some time to relax.

"You are careless.

" Rhea arrived by his side and offered him some water.

Rudolph winked at her as he gulped some water and said, "At least, I was able to impress the girl I love.

"Rhea blushed upon hearing those words.

**SQUELCH**But the color from her face slowly faded as several long claws appeared inches away from her face—piercing through Rudolph"H-Huh...

" She failed to register what happened....

a moment ago...

there was nothing...

and now...

**CLENCH**The demon suddenly clenched his fist and pulled back his claw, leaving a gaping hole in Rudolph's chest.

Rudolph staggered, barely keeping himself on his feet, as he turned towards the being who became the reason for his death.

"Y...

You....

" Blood dripped down his lips as he saw those red eyes...

The demon growled, "Blame your friend for your death-*SLASH*" The demon's hand barely moved, and Rudolph's head vanished from sight.

He fell on the ground.

Dead and gone.

"AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!

"Rhea cried, her body trembling as she saw Rudolph's headless body.

Every soldier in the vicinity has realised that a demon far beyond their league has arrived and has killed a strong warrior in a blink.

The Parasite King raised his hand, ready to slaughter another being close to Austin—when suddenly,*SQUELCH*"Agh....

" Something pierced his chest....

a blade...

which brought back memories...

no nightmares.

Scar.

Parasite King looked over his shoulder and found a pair of cold eyes looking at him with nothing but murderous intent.

"You will pay...

you will pay for their death...

" Austin muttered before slashing his blade and bisecting the Parasite Chief into two.

°°°°°°°°°°°A/N:- You will be missed too, Rudolph.

Thanks for reading.

Drop a comment.