Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

A/N: In this chapter, those from the past will have their dialogues in […], while Austin, who iswatching the memories, will speak in "…".

Happy reading.

-------**-------Austin Eryndor.

A prodigy.

A genius.

Someone who was born to outshine everyone around him.

He awakened his Shard when he was just three years old.

By five, he was already defeating sword masters.

When his father saw that, he knew his son wasn't just gifted.

He was looking at the future king.

But Austin never cared about ruling a kingdom.

It wasn't because he thought he couldn't do it—he knew he could.

He just didn't want to.

Sitting on a throne and giving orders didn't excite him.

It felt… empty.

[Austin, you should focus more on your studies.

Your father has already chosen you to be the crowned prince.

]That was what his mother, Sophie, told him one day when he was seven.

Austin barely studied, yet he always passed every test with ease.

He only showed up for exams when he had no choice.

But that kind of attitude didn't sit well with the responsibilities of a future king.

That's why his mother tried to push him to make him someone the kingdom could rely on.

But still, he answered her with a quiet fire:[I can't just sit on a throne and order people around like Father.

It's too tedious.

][Austin, you shouldn't speak of your father like that.

] Sophie scolded gently, and she wasn't wrong.

A king who didn't lead or make decisions could bring down an entire nation.

Watching the memory unfold, the present-day Austin stood in silence.

Then, his past self, just a little older than in the memory, spoke beside him.

"You saw that?

I was so full of myself," he said with a sad smile.

His voice trembled slightly.

"Back then, I only felt alive when I had something to fight for.

That's why I kept pushing, kept challenging everyone, even when I didn't need to.

I wasn't trying to win—I just didn't want to feel empty.

"Those words carried guilt.

A heavy, lingering guilt that Austin now began to understand.

The scene shifted.

Austin's eyes widened.

A man lay on the ground—familiar, too familiar.

His past self stood above him, his Shard held loosely at his side.

"Sebas…" Austin whispered.

His voice trembled, a mix of grief and anger weaving through every syllable.

Sebastian, the man who had been like a father to him, groaned in pain on the ground, hurt, broken.

And the one who had done it...

was him.

[You're weak, Sebastian.

I no longer need your protection.

You'd only slow me down.

Just retire… and spend your last days with your family or something.

]His younger self's voice was cold.

Distant.

Like Sebastian meant nothing.

Austin's fists clenched.

Hard.

He wanted to scream, to strike the arrogant boy he once was.

But he couldn't.

He couldn't touch the past.

He couldn't even kneel beside Sebastian and offer comfort.

"Power is a very...

dangerous thing," his other self murmured beside him.

This time, the words came with sorrow.

"It makes you feel like everyone below you isn't worth seeing.

"At least… he regretted it now.

That mattered.

But before Austin could say anything, the scene began to change again.

"Speaking of not seeing…" the other Austin said softly.

And then—Austin's heart skipped a beat.

There she stood.

A young girl with violet eyes.

Valerie.

So much younger, with a nervous smile tugging at her lips.

She was holding something in her hands, fidgeting, hoping.

His younger self didn't even glance at her.

He just kept reading a book, completely absorbed, as if she wasn't even there.

Finally, after mustering all her courage, she stepped forward.

[Umm… w-will you accept this?

I made it myself…]She held out a red scarf.

Its threads were uneven, slightly loose at the edges—but it was made with care, with love.

The same red scarf she'd given him in this life on his eighteenth birthday.

Young Austin looked at it briefly, took it without a word, and turned to lie on the other side of the bench.

That was it.

No smile.

No thanks.

No acknowledgment.

Valerie stayed there, arms shyly tucked behind her back, waiting, hoping.

Maybe he'd say something.

Maybe he'd look at her, just once.

But…he…didn't.

Not…even…a…glance.

He knew she was there… and he chose to look away.

"I ignored her since she was not a challenge for me.

The only reason Austin agreed to get engaged to Valerie was that she was silent and shy.

She didn't disturb him unless it was necessary…and that's the sole reason he was engaged to her.

"Austin turned to his other self before asking, "How can you even live a life like that?

Not respecting those who love him, ignoring those who care for him…not respecting even his parents.

I mean, was he mentally challenged?

"Austin knew he was being impulsive, but it felt so wrong and annoying seeing his different version like that.

The other Austin held his head low as he said, "That's the reason why I broke my soul into different fragments and asked the Witch to send it to a different body.

I believed the lack of power might help you realise the importance of relationships more.

"Austin was still quite displeased but didn't speak anything further.

The scene before their eyes shifted again, and this time, it was the scene of the war.

The demonic forces were advancing through the Sea of Separation, and on the side of humanity, only a single soldier stood.

With his sword planted into the ground, he sat on the wooden chair calmly as if he weren't inches away from facing an army of thousands.

However, he showed no fear or panic.

There was no support or a second plan.

He himself was every plan humanity needed.

The first monster reached him and turned into dust.

And second, third, and seventeenth.

Those who tried trespassing from the other side, too, were consumed.

"W-What is that skill?

" Austin was flabbergasted.

The other version of him was still sitting there motionlessly, a bored expression never leaving his face, yet the army was vanishing as if they were being transported into a different realm using invisible portals.

The other Austin told him, "It's one of the abilities of Scar—Scourge.

" He further explained, "Those beings who are considerably weaker than me get consumed just by drawing closer.

I don't need to move and just wait for the stronger ones to show up.

"Crossing his arms, he added, "I created this skill based on my requirement.

Fighting fodders has always been a bother.

""But that's what gives you experience...

" Austin rebuked, but then...

he realised it was he who required strength, which forced him to hunt even weak monsters again and again to gain more EXP.

The other Austin smiled faintly as he said, "As I said before, you are the version of me that I desired to be.

Because you...

are the only one who knows the value of strength and connections.

"Austin closed his mouth, his shoulders losing strength.

His vision again shifted, and this time, they were in the middle of a desolate land.

Austin, who was older than in the previous vision, was kneeling on the ground.

"This was me who was about to die.

I finally met my match, and after nearly defeating Astaroth, I was losing my life at a fast pace.

" The other one informed.

And just as he said, the older Austin was gasping and clutching his heart, while looking in extreme pain.

This was the first time Austin saw his other self showing any emotions so vividly.

Austin saw Selner and another woman who looked similar to her performing some ritual that divided his soul into four fragments.

Austin lay down on the ground, his eyes closing slowly.

Selner knelt before him, resting his head on her lap, as she said,[...

is this how we say goodbye?

]Austin smiled, [Sorry...

I wasn't able to give you much time...

][Here...

take this...

I...

have nothing else to give you in these final moments.

]He suddenly pulled out the same red scarf that Valerie gave him, urging Austin to ask,"Why is he giving it to her?

" He was genuinely baffled.

And why wasn't Valerie here in his last moments?

The other Austin was slightly hesitant, but he revealed anyway, "I...

actually married Selner...

not Valerie.

""...

" Austin was stunned....

he cheated on Valerie?

The other Austin sighed, "Well, I know what you must be feeling, but in my story, Valerie always remained an admirer and I always remained distant from her.

So we never had a-""She deserved love.

You are a bastard.

" Austin passed the judgment.

The memory fragment stopped defending himself and changed the topic, "Now...

you know most of the things and have a better idea how you should tread in this war.

Once you get the fourth fragment, you will be able to command Scar to its full potential.

"With his voice turning serious, he added, "Remember Austin...

don't make the same mistake as me.

You aren't alone in this...

so make sure to ask for help.

"Austin, the real one, scoffed, "I am not a prick, so I definitely won't hesitate from relying on others.

"The memory fragment gave a smile, as he said his final words, "I believe in you...

now, go.

She is waiting for you.

"Slowly, his vision shifted and Austin found himself back in the dungeon.

His eyes glowed faintly, as he commanded without delay, "System...

"[Ding!

][Ending the Trials!

][Best of luck, host!

]°°°°°°°°A/N:- Play the boss music.

Mass release on the 15th.

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