Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Valerie and Austin arrived at the counseling office not long after finishing their breakfast—and a bit of playful flirting.

Inside, Charlotte and William were already seated side by side.

Across from them sat a familiar figure: the Headmaster.

Austin gave a respectful nod to the elderly man before turning to the two warriors and acknowledging them with a subtle nod.

"I'll leave you four to it, then," Philius said as he rose from his seat.

On his way out, he gave Austin's shoulder a light tap.

It was clear he understood—this was something that couldn't be shared, not even with the man who held the highest authority in the school.

William silently appreciated the gesture as he looked at the two young ones now sitting across from him.

"Char," he whispered softly, just before Austin and Valerie could notice Charlotte raising her hand—casting a barrier around them, just in case someone tried to listen in.

William broke the silence, speaking as if it were just a friendly chat.

"How are you two holding up?

I heard you were attacked again.

"Austin gave a small nod.

"Yeah, at the beach.

I'm guessing you've already seen the report.

"William nodded.

"Yes, I did.

An ancient being awoke and stood before hundreds of students.

" His gaze drifted into the distance, unfocused, as he finished quietly, "...

I can't even imagine how terrible things might've turned out—if you hadn't been there.

"Austin noticed something different about the man.

He wasn't the same as when they first met.

There was a quiet shift.

He felt more human now—less like a hardened warrior born to fight the darkness, and more like someone carrying its weight.

Charlotte gently placed her hand over William's, offering silent support.

He gathered his thoughts and turned his eyes back to Austin.

"I've been meaning to meet you for a while.

But after hearing what happened at the beach, I decided it couldn't wait.

"Austin frowned slightly.

"Is there something you want to tell me?

"William leaned back in his seat and exchanged a glance with Charlotte.

She then looked across at Valerie before turning to Austin.

"Are you sure you want her to hear this?

What we're about to say could put you in danger, Austin.

"Though she hadn't spent much time with them, Charlotte had already picked up on the closeness between Austin and Valerie.

And she knew—what William was about to reveal, and the offer that might follow could very well shake Valerie up and she might influence Austin's decision.

That's why she gave the warning.

But Austin reached out and held his lover's hand.

Without even glancing her way, he said with quiet confidence,"She might worry—but she'd never stop me from doing what needs to be done.

So please, go ahead.

"Valerie gave a soft smile, lowering her eyes for a brief moment before looking up at the two across from her.

"Please, tell us what brought you here so urgently.

"William had no choice now but to speak.

"Three days ago, a small unit was sent to the other side.

Following your advice, the Council agreed that inspecting the other side should be their first priority—only then would they make any decisions.

"Austin frowned at the revelation but chose not to speak yet.

William exhaled a weary sigh.

"I told them high-ranking warriors should go with the team, but...

""They refused," Austin finished, his tone sharp.

"Because to them, a soldier's life means next to nothing.

"William's expression twisted—but not in disagreement.

It was bitterness.

Not at Austin's words, but at the truth within them.

Charlotte nodded slowly.

"You're right.

They measure a person's worth by how much they contribute to society.

That's why they sent fifteen people to the other side—for field inspection.

""And the result?

" Valerie asked.

William and Charlotte exchanged a glance before William finally said, "They died.

Slowly… painfully.

I went to see it myself.

"A heavy silence fell over the room.

Grim as it was, Austin and Valerie had expected it.

Crossing the SOS without overwhelming strength was a death sentence.

Some lucky ones made it back—but most didn't.

After a pause, Austin asked, "Were they captured?

"William shook his head.

"We found their remains behind a boulder.

Skin burnt… flesh already rotting.

"Austin frowned.

"You're sure no demons tortured them and left the bodies like that?

"William hesitated.

"I don't think so.

No demon kills a human in that way.

And more importantly, the location...

it was far from any known demonic territory.

Why would they leave bodies there?

"Valerie narrowed her eyes, locking onto him.

"But you know something.

Don't you?

You wouldn't have come here if you didn't.

"She was right.

If William didn't have a strong lead, he would've tried investigating the demon stronghold directly, maybe even calling on his S-rank comrades.

But instead, he came here.

There had to be a reason.

William gave a slow nod.

"The reason I didn't stay longer to investigate… was the rain.

"He rolled up his sleeve, revealing large, purplish bruises on his arm—raw and painful as if he'd been struck repeatedly with something corrosive.

Austin's eyes widened slightly.

"They've deployed poison rain.

"Valerie turned to him, processing it quickly.

"So they're cautious… like us.

They laid a trap in case anyone from our side tried to enter.

"Austin gave a short hum of agreement.

"And the sorcerer behind it can likely keep that rain going for years.

Which means… either we charge through it and get torn apart, or we wait for them to come.

"Charlotte frowned.

"What sorcerer?

"William and Valerie looked just as puzzled, their eyes now focused on the blond prince.

Austin hesitated.

He hadn't planned to reveal what he knew—because the knowledge came from his past self.

But these people needed to understand what they were up against.

With a serious tone, he began, "The demon realm isn't in a separate dimension.

It exists on the same planet as ours.

That means they can't avoid the sun's natural cycle.

"He paused before continuing.

"Demons are weak under sunlight," Austin said, his voice calm but steady.

"The sun dulls their senses, forces them to conserve energy just to survive.

That's why there's a sorcerer whose sole task, since the moment of its birth, has been to cover the skies in cloud.

It uses blood and dark water to thicken those clouds—making them dense, heavy… and perfect for the demons to thrive beneath.

"The others fell silent, taking in the weight of that revelation.

Charlotte was the first to break it.

She let out a dry chuckle, then said with a wry smile, "I always thought the skies were mourning.

That all the lives they'd taken had left a stain on the heavens.

""You weren't the only one," William added softly.

"I believed something similar.

"Austin gave a short nod.

"That same sorcerer is behind the acid rain.

It's a warning… a trap to keep us away from their side.

""But that won't stop the Council from sending more troops," Charlotte said grimly.

Valerie's brows knit together.

"What do you mean?

" Her voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge buried underneath.

Charlotte sighed.

"What can I say…?

The Council is full of people who believe sacrifices are necessary for humanity's progress.

"Austin's eyes narrowed.

"You mean to say… they're still planning to send soldiers?

Even after what happened?

"Charlotte nodded.

"Yes.

They know.

And they're doing it anyway.

"Austin clenched his jaw.

The tension in the room deepened.

That's when William leaned forward, his voice low but urgent.

"That's why I came here.

I want your help to stop this madness.

"He was trying to keep his tone level, but Austin could sense the strain beneath it.

The blond prince leaned back in his chair, arms folded.

"I always thought you worshipped the Council," he said plainly.

"Guess I misjudged you.

"William let his arms rest on his knees, staring at the table.

"To be honest… a few months ago, I wouldn't have come.

I would've followed orders without question, trusting the Council to somehow fix everything.

"He took a breath, then clenched his fists.

"But after what happened that day… seeing all those soldiers die… crying for help, writhing in pain—no one came.

Their voices still echo in my head.

Their eyes… the families they left behind… I can't forget them.

"Valerie's gaze softened as she looked at him, then at Austin.

Austin squeezed her hand gently before speaking, "And you know what's worse?

We'll keep seeing that… again and again… unless we do something.

"William raised his head.

His eyes had a new resolve in them.

"You're right," he said firmly.

"That's why I'm here.

I need your help.

We can't just wait anymore.

"He straightened up, voice tightening.

"This time… we strike first.

And strike hard.

" William was going against the Council.

However, his intentions were pure and selfless that's why he wasn't hesitating.

He has to stop their madness by purging the evil.

°°°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.