Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"It's not your real body, is it?

" Austin asked, looking down at the dying succubus.

She lay in a pool of her own blood, her skin pale and cold.

Yet she didn't even try to cover her wound or fight back.

The battle ended almost instantly after Austin rushed out of the water and saw Valerie in pain.

This version of the Demoness was quite weak, even weaker than Zevarath.

So it didn't take much time before Austin pushed the woman to the brink of her demise.

A faint smirk tugged at her lips.

"You really think I'd offer my true form to the man who shook the Great Personage?

"Austin narrowed his eyes.

"You know you can't hide for long.

""I didn't come here to win," she said, her voice too steady for someone breathing her last few breaths.

"I just wanted to rattle you...

and reveal your past life to the woman you care about so deeply.

"Austin let out a short scoff.

"Whatever you think, I've hidden nothing from her.

""But you did hide things from me," she replied, almost automatically.

Her smile deepened, and with a hint of mischief, she added, "Tell me, Luke, is that what you always wanted in a woman?

Beautiful, loyal, soft-spoken...

not to mention, she's stacked.

" Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Austin raised his brows slightly, a soft smile forming on his lips.

"All I ever wanted was for my feelings to be returned.

" He looked down at the woman in his arms and said gently, "She accepted everything about me.

She never made me feel like my love was too much.

"The smirk stayed on the succubus's face, but its strength faded.

Austin met her gaze and said quietly, "We share a bond, Abriella.

And until one of us truly dies, that bond won't break.

""Oh?

Is that a threat?

" she asked.

Austin closed his eyes and took a slow breath.

Then he opened them and said, calm and clear, "Do you really think you even count as a threat to me?

Astaroth didn't keep you around for your strength.

He kept you for your body.

"The Succubus Queen laughed.

"Jealous?

"Austin didn't even flinch.

"Everything I need is right here in my arms.

I only feel pity for you.

That's all you are worth of.

"Those words and the way he looked at her… infuriated her.

But all she could do was watch him through blurred eyes.

Holding the woman so close, shielding her like she was precious...

It felt—"Nauseating.

"°°°°°°[Present time]The teachers slowly came back to their senses—so did the students.

They were still inside the beach house.

The headmaster hadn't returned yet, and with not enough carriages to take everyone back to the academy, they had no choice but to wait.

"How is she?

" Anna asked as she saw Austin step into the room.

Austin gave a small nod.

"Her bones will heal with proper rest.

Averis is helping her change clothes.

" He sat down on the edge of the bed beside Jimmy.

The other students were resting in their rooms.

Their heads felt heavy, their bodies exhausted.

At this point, only a few hours of sleep could make things better.

When asked they said they felt as if someone was disrespecting and hurting the God they worship.

The identity of this God or the reason behind their devotion was unfounded.

In the end, Austin stopped asking and told the boy, Phil, to sleep.

"Where's Sheldon?

" Austin asked, not directing the question to anyone in particular.

Anna responded, "He went to check the checkpost.

He's hoping someone there can arrange transportation.

Staying here doesn't feel safe.

"It was strange.

With all the chaos that had happened, not a single soldier from the checkpost had shown up.

It didn't make sense.

But Austin understood.

Abriella had likely made sure anyone who might contact the Council was dealt with quietly.

And since this was an isolated part of the SOS region, the Council rarely sent patrols this far out.

"Maybe we should wait for the headmaster to return… or for someone to respond from the capital.

" Sheldon had taken a letter with him.

If he couldn't find any soldiers, he planned to send it through WarpMail.

But even then, it would take at least a day for help to arrive.

Until then, they needed to stay alert—for another ambush, or worse, for the students to wake up disoriented and turn on each other.

"It was the succubus's hypnosis," Rhea said, confirming what everyone had already suspected.

Austin gave a small hum.

"It's one of the basic abilities of a succubus.

And since she was a Monarch, she could project wide-area hypnosis effortlessly.

""And Trevor?

" Jimmy asked.

Austin shrugged.

"I've got no idea where he is...

or if he's even alive.

All we can hope is that he stayed back at the academy.

"A heavy silence settled over the group.

Uneasy expressions filled the room.

Anna let out a breath.

"Never thought my birthday would turn out like this.

" Her tone wasn't bitter—it was an attempt to lighten the mood.

Austin glanced toward the boy, guilt flickering in his chest.

But some things were simply beyond his control.

"I don't get it," Rhea said, furrowing her brows.

"Why weren't Averis, Jimmy, and I affected?

I understand Sheldon and a few others—they weren't in the beach house during the hypnosis.

But the three of us?

"The Succubus Queen's hypnosis should've affected everyone inside.

It didn't make sense.

Rhea gave herself the benefit of the doubt—perhaps her dual awakening had something to do with it.

That much she could accept.

But what about Averis?

What about Jimmy?

Why were they immune?

Anna looked just as confused.

Meanwhile, Austin had already started piecing together a theory.

He knew that Rhea carried the essence of humanity's greatest hero—Kane.

A man who had once stood beside him in battle.

But Kane hadn't been the only one.

There were two more key members on that legendary team: a powerful sorceress, and a drunkard who, despite his habits, was an exceptional support fighter.

Just like Rhea...

there was a chance Jimmy could be the reincarnation of one of them.

Austin turned to him.

"Jimmy… how did you know Valerie was fighting a General?

"Everyone looked up at once.

From an earlier conversation, Austin had picked up on something—Jimmy had known Abriella's identity far too easily.

Which was strange, considering the Council hadn't released any names or pictures of the four Demon Generals.

All eyes now settled on Jimmy.

Annabelle shifted slightly, tension visible on her face.

Austin's question suggested a possibility—was Jimmy connected to the enemy?

Jimmy noticed the change in atmosphere immediately.

He raised his hands in panic, stumbling over his words, "I-I just knew she was a Demon General the moment I saw her.

"...

Not very convincing.

The way Rhea narrowed her eyes and the suspicious glance from Anna made it clear—Jimmy had only made things worse.

But before anyone else could speak, Austin stepped forward.

His tone was calm.

"Don't worry, Jimmy.

We don't suspect you.

"Rhea opened her mouth to object, but Austin added, "If he was one of them, his flesh and blood would've been consumed back then.

"The weight of those words settled over the room.

And just like that, the tension loosened.

The doubt faded from Rhea's eyes.

Anna gave a small, understanding nod.

For now, Jimmy was still one of them.

"Then...

why wasn't he controlled by that demoness?

" Annabelle asked, her brows raised in curiosity.

Austin gave a slow nod.

"As for Averis—she received a blessing from the Pope on her fourth birthday.

Apparently, she unknowingly did the Church a great favor, so curses and dark magic don't affect her.

"That explained her immunity.

"But for Jimmy and Rhea…" he paused deliberately, and both of them stiffened, their attention sharpening at once.

Austin rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I have a theory.

But before I say anything, I need to get someone's permission first—especially from you two.

"Rhea tilted her head.

"Whose permission?

Valerie's?

"Austin shook his head slowly, a faint smile on his lips.

"No.

Someone else entirely.

"Selner—she was the one Austin needed to speak to before saying anything to Rhea.

Revealing her origin might shake her, but it would also help her prepare.

She needed to know who she truly was… especially if the demons still held a grudge against the Hero Kane.

And they certainly did.

The door creaked open just then, and in stepped the silver-haired Princess.

She looked worn out—understandably so, after all the chaos she'd endured.

Austin and Jimmy both stood up, instinctively moving toward her—only for Austin to halt mid-step, his gaze freezing on the other person behind her.

"...!

" Jimmy's eyes widened as Austin shot him a glare sharp enough to pierce armor.

He immediately backed off with a sheepish grin.

"J-Just got up to get some water.

"Averis let out a tired sigh.

She gave the two a look before saying, "She's looking for you.

Go.

"Austin gave a curt nod and turned to leave—but not before shooting one last warning glare at the little bastard.

°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.