Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"How do you feel now?

" Austin asked as he sat beside the patient, who had her wrists and ankles wrapped in bandages.

Superhuman bodies healed quickly, so in just two days, she would be back to full health.

"I feel better now," she said softly, her smile tender but her eyes half-closed.

Austin brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and murmured, "Sheldon has gone to ask for help.

If he can't find anyone, I'll carry you back to the academy.

"He hadn't expected this trip, which was meant for laughter and quiet moments, to end like this.

But staying here would only weigh on their minds, and he didn't want them to be stuck in this place—where the memory of an ambush could keep them awake at night.

So he decided that once Valerie recovered, he'd bring her somewhere better—far from the sea, to a quiet place where they could rest and smile again.

"Austin…" she called out, her voice even weaker now.

He turned toward her, his brows rising at the sound of her quiet confession.

"At some point," she said, her voice shaking, "I lost control of my feelings.

When I stood in front of that demon… it felt like hurting her would be a sin.

For a moment… I couldn't hold back.

And I hate myself for it.

"Her eyes filled with guilt, shimmering red with frustration.

She couldn't believe she'd felt that way toward someone else, even if it was just for a few seconds.

It felt like she had betrayed her Lord.

Like she had cheated on him.

Austin's heart ached to see her cry, but he didn't panic.

Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed and gently cupped her face.

"Look at me," he said softly.

A teary-eyed Valerie shook her head, refusing to meet his gaze.

But Austin was both patient and stubborn.

"Unless you look at me," he coaxed, "I won't tell you how I feel about your confession.

So, look at me.

"She paused, hesitating, then slowly turned her face to him.

Meeting her eyes, Austin spoke without hesitation.

"I've seen people fall for that woman, despite their hatred and the desire to destroy her.

Even Kane, during the war, found himself hesitating.

So did I.

"Valerie sniffled, letting him wipe away her tears.

She felt a little lighter, a little less alone.

Austin continued, his voice calm and sure.

"She has a power—a charm—that can make even the gods question their own judgment.

So it's no sin to waver a little.

What matters is that you didn't let it break your resolve.

You fought her until the end.

"Valerie's voice was hoarse as she asked, "Are you not angry?

""Why would I be?

" he answered, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

"It wasn't something you could control.

But…" His tone lowered, a protective edge sharpening his words.

"I won't let you feel that way again.

I'll hunt her down myself.

"A shiver ran down Valerie's spine at his low, determined tone.

She felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she met his eyes, her heart racing.

She didn't know why, but something about his possessiveness made her feel… safe and thrilled.

Her allure was quite captivating.

Austin wasn't able to pull himself back once he was so close to her.

No one words were required between them.

They both knew what the other person needed.

Austin leaned forward, and the half-lidded eyes on the girl shut closed as she offered herself to him.

Austin claimed her lips as if he owned them.

His kiss felt slightly rough, making her gasp but she made no effort to back off.

She liked it.

She craved more.

Their lips got into a soft but passionate lock, the heat between them building.

Valerie lay back on the bed, her chest rising and falling as his touch slowly worked its way down her neck.

His thumb brushed her jaw, leaving a tingle in its wake.

She moaned softly, parting her lips just enough for him to taste her deeper.

His hand drifted lower, finding the slender waist.

His thumb pressed into the tender flesh there, a teasing pressure that made her arch her back slightly.

Austin pulled back just a fraction, his eyes half-lidded and dark with desire.

He leaned in again, his mouth at the corner of her lips, planting small, slow kisses down the side of her neck.

Valerie shivered, her breath hitching as his lips brushed her collarbone.

His hands slipped beneath the thin fabric of her shirt, warm and confident, teasing at the edge of her skin.

"More," she whispered, her voice breathless.

While his lips traced kisses on her neck, his finger effortlessly undid her buttons, revealing her moon-white neck and exposing a healthy amount of cleavage.

Austin's body grew hot at the sight of his lover presenting her vulnerable side as if demanding to be devoured.

Her soft skin, heaving chest, slightly reddened lips…everything was inviting his whole being to just release the last thread of restraints and make her go sleepless all night.

However, considering her condition, it would be painful and unfair to her.

He pulled back and instantly poured the contents of the glass resting on the bedside table on his head.

Valerie was startled as she broke out of her daze and hurriedly asked, "W-What happened?

"She thought they were…going to do it.

She had made some plans as well.

Although she couldn't wear the skimpy outfit she brought along, she was happy and excited that they were finally crossing the last line of their relationship.

However, "Not now…first recover, then we will properly do it.

" He said, through his ragged breaths.

The fabric of restraint had grown so frail just now that he might have ended up…But her bones haven't recovered, so even the slightest of movements would cause her pain.

Valerie felt sad...

after coming this far he had to stop himself for her.

"Hey, don't look like that.

We have all our lives together.

And I know once I get the taste of you...

I will want you every single day.

"She didn't know whether it was because of his words or how casually he said them, but her face turned hot red.

She averted her gaze, bringing a merry laugh from Austin.

"Sleep for now, Val.

I will wake you up when we are ready to leave.

""Mm.

" She nodded before she was covered with a warm blanket.

Austin didn't stay there for long and walked out of the room.

There he found Sheldon, who was just entering the beach house.

"Did you find someone?

" Austin asked after making enough distance from the room to not let his voice disturb the students.

Sheldon ran his hand through his hair.

He was clearly frustrated.

"There was no one at the check post.

Calling it a coincidence or them slacking off sounds ridiculous.

""So they indeed were removed before the demons ambushed.

It shows that the Demoness feared the council.

""This whole incident seemed messed up, truthfully.

" Sheldon soon followed.

"What do you mean?

" Austin asked, gesturing him to step outside.

Sheldon looked at the beach where the huge skeleton of the demonic turtle was still resting as he said, "The Demon General knew you were here, yet she attacked us.

She could have chosen anywhere else, including the academy and you wouldn't have been able to reach there on time.

"Sheldon's suspicion was justifiable.

Despite being the weakest Demon General, she went against two S-ranks as if it was nothing concerning.

"Her intentions were to create friction between me and Valerie," Austin told him, taking Sheldon off guard.

"You mean to say...

""Yeah.

She used clones or something to show that I was cheating on her and then she approached Valerie when she was sad and vulnerable.

But naturally, Valerie didn't fall for her.

"Sheldon didn't know...

and the news was quite disturbing.

"The shapeshifting ability of the demons...

this isn't the first time you two have nearly suffered because of it," Sheldon added as he remembered how a few months ago, a few demons entered the academy and targeted Valerie.

Austin exhaled a sigh, resting his back against the wall as he said, "This is getting out of hand.

They are coming over, killing people, destroying them...

and we are doing nothing.

"Austin was not angry but frustrated by how submissive these people are whom he stands to protect.

They can't take a damn decision and be bold enough to go on offense.

They can just sit back with their shields up and wait for the enemy for all their life.

"You suggested taking charge during the discussion right?

" Sheldon asked.

Austin scoffed, "You think those wusses will ever do anything unless one or two kingdoms don't get swallowed by the demons?

"Sheldon grimly shook his head.

After a brief silence ensued the silver head was about to say something when suddenly Austin stepped forward and said, "Well, go and join Annabelle.

I will be back in a minute.

"Sheldon's brows elevated as he followed Austin's line of sight and found himself looking at a certain violet-haired woman—standing atop the turtle's skull.

The only word that left his lips upon seeing her was, 'Beautiful...

'Shaking his head, Sheldon decided to no longer gawk at some other woman and return to his girl.

—TBC°°°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.