Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Chapter 302: Chapter 301- For the last timeShe had carried many names over the years, slipping into different identities like changing masks.

Monica.

Jasmine.

And many others.

But her true name—the name of the Succubus Queen—was known only to a chosen few.

She rarely found it worth sharing.

To her, it was never the name that mattered, but the pride she took in who she was and the power she possessed.

In the first timeline, when Austin entered the demonic realm to end the war, she was given a single task—stall him.

Hold him off long enough for Astaroth’s final fragment to be taken away.

For someone who took pride in her beauty and the art of seduction, making a man fall for her should have been effortless.

And so, she accepted the mission with grace.

She would face Austin alone, in all her glory, as the perfect temptation.

But what she received in return were two swift slashes across her body.

She failed.

Her charm couldn’t reach him.

The man was like stone—unshaken, untouched.

No matter what she tried, he never gave her a chance.

She couldn’t delay him long enough.

In the end, as she dropped to her knees, bleeding and broken, she made a vow.

A final oath spoken through clenched teeth: Wherever Austin’s soul is reborn, she will find him—and make him pay.

And she did.

Reborn as Monica, she lured him in.

Made him fall, made him crave her.

She played the game well—the sweet chase, the teasing distance.

Letting him come close enough to think he had her, only to pull away when he reached out.

She still remembers his face the day she broke his heart.

The shattered look in his eyes.

That moment still warms her scarred heart like a cruel ember.

It made her feel alive again.

As if, in some twisted way, her revenge had begun.

But it wasn’t enough.

Now, he’s been reborn again.

And this time, he lives with only one goal—to wipe out the demon race.

She sat upon her throne, lounging with effortless grace.

Her two hounds lay asleep at her feet, their breathing deep and steady.

Her gaze was fixed on the marble floor—calm, composed—yet she could feel it.

Feel him.

He was coming.

A small smile curved her lips just as the great doors of the throne room dissolved into dust, vanishing like mist in sunlight.

From the opening stepped a familiar blond teenager.

"It took you longer than I expected," she said, her grin casual, voice smooth as silk.

Austin sighed.

"I thought I’d finish off your Lord before coming here.

Turns out he’s gone into hiding—must’ve sensed death coming.

" The Succubus Queen chuckled softly.

"You know your words can’t rile me up, right?

" Austin raised an eyebrow.

"Why would I try to provoke someone so vastly beneath me?

To me, you’re not even a general—you’re barely a foot soldier.

" Her smile remained, but the light in her eyes dimmed.

The amusement faded.

She met his gaze and said, "You can’t kill him.

He’s under divine protection.

" Austin let out a low chuckle.

"And you think I care?

" He tilted his head.

"Didn’t the memories you share with your Lord show you?

I met his patrons.

Met them—before I flipped the world and tore through time itself.

" The Queen dropped the act.

Her playful mask vanished as her tone turned sharp and cold.

"And you think that just because they allowed you to reverse time, they’ll break their pact too?

" Austin hummed thoughtfully.

"That’s his problem to worry about.

But you...

" Step.

A single step echoed—and in an instant, he was no longer meters away.

He stood right before her.

The General’s composure cracked.

Her eyes widened, and a breath caught in her throat.

"...

you should be worried about yourself.

" Her gaze locked with his.

She saw it—the inevitable end.

Her death was close.

That’s why she said it.

"I want to switch sides.

" Austin blinked, visibly surprised.

"I’ll make a binding vow.

Swear loyalty to you.

" He leaned back slightly, brows rising.

"Wow.

So your loyalty shifts based on how strong your opponent is?

" She shrugged, unbothered.

"I’m loyal to the man who can protect me.

Astaroth can no longer.

But you...

You’re the one I’ve been waiting for.

" Her voice softened, eyes gleaming with allure.

"You know I can make you happy, Luke.

We’ve spent months together...

exploring each other.

" Her smile turned gentle, almost tender.

"I know you...

your needs, your pain, your heart—better than anyone.

" For a moment, Austin’s expression wavered.

And in that moment, she felt hope.

Rising slowly from her throne, she stepped closer.

Her fingers brushed against his chest—warm, delicate.

"You don’t need to tell Valerie anything," she whispered.

"Let me be your secret.

You can tell the world I died, and hide me...

just for yourself.

" Unseen, her magic pulsed softly through the air—subtle, intoxicating.

The room began to shift.

The air thickened with pheromones and a faint aphrodisiac essence.

She was casting the spell without a word—because sometimes, temptation didn’t need incantations.

However, just as she thought she had reached his heart—just as she believed she had finally captured it— SQUELCH.

Time froze.

Her breath hitched as something hot tore through her stomach.

For a split second, she couldn’t believe it.

This couldn’t be real.

She had convinced him.

Played him.

Lured him in, tempted him to surrender to her charms.

So then...

what changed?

She staggered back, a warm rush of blood spilling down her body and pooling at her feet.

Her knees buckled.

Her hounds leapt toward Austin, snarling— But they never made it.

They turned to dust mid-air, disintegrating before they could even touch him.

She looked up at him, wide-eyed, the pain just now catching up to her.

Austin raised his bloodstained hand, then wiped it clean across her dress.

"Well...

It’s fun, isn’t it?

" he said, voice cold but calm.

"To let you believe you were about to succeed—at the one thing you’ve always taken pride in—only to realize just how big of a failure you really are.

" Her crimson eyes flared with fury.

"Y-You...

you knew...

from the beginning...?

" Austin laughed.

It wasn’t a mocking laugh—it was cruel, hollow.

"Of course I did," he said.

"I only pretended to be caught in your web...

just so I could watch your pathetic little performance.

" His gaze darkened, shadows gathering in his eyes.

"You were never a challenge.

But breaking you like this...

it tastes so much sweeter.

" He raised his hand and gripped her face.

"Goodbye...

Zenith.

" Her body began to fracture, pieces of her turning to glowing dust before dissolving into the air.

She didn’t scream.

She simply stared at him—confused, betrayed, defeated—as she faded away.

Austin stood still for a moment.

There was no satisfaction in his eyes.

No guilt either.

Nothing.

Despite their past.

Despite everything they once shared.

She was one of the reasons he had returned to the past.

Not just to save his people— But to make sure he would be the one to end her.

With his own hands.

He took a step back—and just as he turned around, he froze.

Standing there was a familiar figure.

"You made a mistake today, warrior," said the Demon Lord, his arms calmly folded behind his back.

Though his voice was calm, his red eyes burned with fury.

But that was all he could do—for now.

This was only an illusion.

A mere projection of his will.

And even that couldn’t contain the storm raging within him.

Astaroth’s vessel, Zenith, had been killed again.

And Austin had done it with his own hands—again.

It wasn’t just a loss.

It was humiliation.

And Astaroth’s pride would never forgive it.

"You can’t beat him in direct combat, Ass," Austin replied with a smirk.

"Why don’t you just surrender and save everyone some time?

" He could already feel it—ether trembled as demonic energy thickened around the palace.

The army was closing in.

And among them, he sensed it clearly: the ancient presence.

Astaroth’s son, advancing toward the throne room.

"You’re too full of yourself, human," Astaroth hissed.

"You’ve gained strength you were never meant to have.

That power has made you arrogant.

" Austin shrugged.

"Says the guy who thought nothing in this world could ever threaten his throne.

" Astaroth smirked, a cold and cruel twist of his lips.

"Keep that smile, warrior.

You’ll need it...

to remember what peace felt like.

" His voice dropped—no longer taunting, but sharp with promise.

"When I return—truly return—I won’t bring war.

There will be no honor, no battlefield.

Just you and me.

" His eyes flared.

"And I swear...

every single person you love, every life you’ve vowed to protect—they will breathe their last in front of you.

I will make you watch.

" A pause.

Then his voice turned low and venomous: "This won’t be a battle.

It will be your end.

And I will tear you apart—slowly, painfully...

piece by piece.

" Austin shrugged, "Well, best of luck with that.

" °°°°°°°° A/N:- Thanks for reading.