Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

The situation at the border was finally brought under control, thanks to the efforts of the three S-rank warriors and the soldiers on the ground.

Though the cost was high, especially from the relentless attacks by aerial monsters, they managed to bring down all the demons by the third day.

When word came that nearly five hundred demons marching toward Eryndor had been wiped out, everyone assumed it was Valerie who had dealt with the Parasite King and his army.

It sounded almost impossible for one person to crush such a massive force—but Valerie was an S-rank.

Perhaps she had finally used the trump card she'd been keeping hidden all this time.

But when Rhea and the surviving soldiers near the fort shared what they had witnessed, the entire army was shaken.

The truth spread fast across cities, across borders.

Every Emperor, every Council Head heard the same unbelievable report.

And no matter how hard they tried to deny it or turn away from it, they couldn't change the fact staring them in the face.

The one who killed the Parasite King—one of the feared Four Generals—was not Valerie.

It was Austin.

The failed Prince of Eryndor had done the impossible.

He had slain the Parasite King.

------**------Austin brought Valerie to Eryndor and took her to the palace instantly.

This was the safest place he could think of, that's why he didn't delay.

For the past thirty-six hours, he has been with Valerie constantly.

Although she survived because of the Elixir, the exhaustion of constantly using the S-rank ability has kept her unconscious most of the time.

To ensure that she doesn't lack energy while recovering, a few top graded healers have been checking her time to time.

Her complexion was better now, and she was breathing evenly.

Austin sat there with a sense of relief on his face.

Valerie was safe.

The system was right…he saved her.

All the hard work paid off.

Valerie didn't leave him…and that was worth all the efforts he put.

Suddenly, the door slowly parted and revealed a familiar face.

Cedric silently stepped inside and asked in a low tone, "How is she now?

"Austin exhaled a quiet sigh, "Doing better…probably will wake up today or tomorrow.

"Cedric hummed, "That's good news.

"Cedric stood beside his son and remained silent for a few moments before informing him, "Idris has returned today…he wanted to meet you, but considering your condition, he refrained.

"Austin remained silent, but he was thankful that he didn't come.

He…really didn't want to talk right now.

Cedric exactly knew why, even though Valerie had recovered, Austin seemed so sad and disheartened.

Resting his hand on his son's shoulder, he said, "I never told him to serve you…it was Sebas who came to me one day and showed me your training early in the morning.

A day ago, your wrist got dislocated yet you were training the next day.

"Austin bit his lip…he remembered that.

Cedric further added, "That day…he told me that he desires to serve you…because he saw something which I…and your mother failed to notice.

" Giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze, he said, "He saw the real you and he wished to see where you stand at the end of the path.

"Tears streamed down his face as Austin clenched his fists and choked out a few words, "B-But he didn't wait to see me…when I shone the brightest…he left me…betrayed me…""My son…" Cedric hugged Austin, and finally, after so many days, Austin cried.

His tears were endless.

All the grief, frustration…regret…everything welled up all of a sudden.

Although he showed a bold front before the demons, inwardly, he was shattered by losing his guardian and a close friend.

He failed to protect them…failed to fulfill his duty.

That day, Austin, for the first time, felt it.

The sense of loss.

------**-----"Why didn't you come inside?

" Cedric asked softly as he stepped out of the room.

Sophie stood by the wall, her eyes red and watery.

She wiped away her tears and shook her head.

"He's already hurting so much… I didn't want to bring up memories that might make it worse.

"Cedric looked at his wife, his expression firm yet gentle.

"You need to be with him, Sophie.

He needs you—he needs us.

If you keep standing on the outside, we may never be able to help him heal.

"His words hit her like a wave.

Sophie felt her chest tighten, her breath caught in her throat.

Cedric didn't wait for a reply.

He turned and walked away, leaving her in silence.

Slowly, Sophie stepped closer to the door.

She peeked inside and saw her son asleep in the chair, his shoulders slumped, as if even his dreams were heavy.

Her heart ached.

'Am I really allowed to hold you close… to tell you everything will be okay…'------**-----"Hey...

you okay?

" Morkel slowly approached Rhea with a cup of coffee in his hand.

She woke up a few minutes ago and was sitting by the window in a daze.

Morkel had arrived at the Capital as soon as he heard the news.

Rudolph's death was quite shocking for him as well.

Rudolph was quite close to him, even though they had a sense of rivalry.

Because of their common interest in Rhea, they had become good friends.

And if he could feel so sad, he couldn't even begin to think how Rhea, the one who was closest to Rudolph, must be feeling at the moment.

He has seen how, since day one, they have been close.

The only girl who didn't run away from Rudolph was the first guy who, despite being a noble, never discriminated against her.

Rhea's eyes were red.

It was apparent that she had cried a lot.

With her brows drawing closer, she asked, "I told him...

to not leave his post...

under the protection of so many strong warriors...

he might have survived.

"He was an idiot...

coming after her...

trying to protect her.

She would have survived...

and even if she had died, she wouldn't have blamed him.

But now, Rhea was blaming herself that he was no longer with her.

She was breaking...

inch by inch, by the memory of seeing him dying before her eyes, but all she did was to stare at him...

powerless...

helpless.

She couldn't stop thinking about what could have happened...

if she had done this...

or that...

but now, nothing but regrets remains.

Rudolph was gone.

He wasn't going to come back now....

not going to return and hear her response to his confession.

Morkel knelt beside the girl and took her hand in his.

His eyes were drawn to the ground as he said, "We always think of 'what if' Rhea...

but it is a fact that we can't change what has already happened.

I know it will take some time for you to recover, but remember one thing...

Rudolph would have never wanted you to cry like this.

Everything he did was to keep you happy.

So please...

don't take any rash step and don't blame yourself for what happened.

"The older one didn't remain there for long, and after resting the cup on the table, he left the room.

°°°°°°°°"Mm...

" Valerie stirred, her consciousness returning as she weakly opened her eyes.

The first person she saw upon waking up...

was her father.

"Dad...

" She called out.

Adam gently smiled as he said, "You are awake.

It's a relief.

" He helped his daughter to adjust the pillow as he heard her asking,"Where is he...?

"Adam would be a fool not to know whom she was asking about.

Adam sighed, "Attending the funeral ceremony...

"Valerie's chest tightened as she bit her lips.

Sebastian and Rudolph...

two close beings to him.

He loved Sebastian as a father and had a strong bond with Rudolph as a brother.

And he...

lost both of them.

'...

I wish to be with you now...

' but she was still too weak to even remain conscious.

Going there would only make him more worried.

'My Lord...

please return to me...

I don't want you to suffer alone...

'....

Austin was standing there before the tombstones.

On the left was Sebastian's grave, and on the right rested his dear brother Rudolph.

Rhea fell unconscious while crying earlier when she saw Rudolph's body.

Rudolph's mother was being treated by the medic, and his father...

well, it was the first time for Austin to see the Commander cry.

Sebastian's family also attended the funeral.

His wife...

and kids...

they looked lost.

No tears...

just stared at his coffin and...

left not so long after.

Austin would visit his family and would make sure Sebastian's absence doesn't affect them...

at least, financially.

However, for now...

he just wanted to be alone.

He wanted to feel this moment and engrave it deep in his mind that he wasn't invincible.

He wasn't protected by Lady Luck, nor was this a fictitious story where he would enjoy a happy ending at the end of the day.

This was a war...

and to make sure that Austin doesn't face something like this again, all he has to do is one thingErase the demon race from existence.

••••••••A/N:- Kill em all.