Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Chapter 304: Chapter 303- Let’s just be friendsThe academy had arranged an outing for the students.

It wasn’t anything grand—just a few days of camping in the forest.

The goal was simple: teach them a bit about survival and give them a break from the usual routines.

A chance to relax with friends, breathe fresh air, and enjoy a weekend away from their dorm rooms.

The forest chosen was not far from the academy—nestled between the academy and the capital.

It was considered safe.

A few instructors were present, but they kept their camps at a distance, allowing the students their freedom.

In the previous timeline, this camping trip had been canceled—three demons had attacked the academy back then, nearly killing Rudolph.

But not this time.

This time, Austin had dealt with those demons long before they could reach the academy.

And so, the students were enjoying their peaceful days beneath the trees.

"What do you think?

Looks good?

" Valerie asked as she twirled, showing off the flower tiara on her head.

Annabelle, her senior and the student council president with sleek black hair, clasped her hands together, eyes lighting up.

"You look beautiful.

Did you make that?

" Valerie smiled, pride in her voice.

"Austin made it for me.

Picked the flowers himself—from the cliff earlier.

" A round of delighted squeals rose from the other girls nearby, swooning at the thought.

Their eyes sparkled with admiration.

Who would’ve guessed Austin could be so thoughtful?

Nearby, Sheldon raised a brow as he overheard the chatter.

Seriously?

That guy?

He couldn’t believe Austin was such a romantic.

Then again...

maybe he had a thing or two to learn from him.

"Hey, Val!

" Austin called from afar.

"Can you bring me a towel?

" Valerie gave a small nod, then turned to Annabelle—only to find her grinning from ear to ear.

"Go on," she teased.

"Your husband’s calling.

" Valerie blushed and quickly made her way toward the tent, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips.

Off to the side, Rhea quietly chopped vegetables.

But her hands felt heavier than they should.

Her chest too.

She hadn’t missed the way Valerie lit up at Austin’s voice...

nor the way Austin smiled back at her.

It had been this way for some time now.

They weren’t pretending.

Austin had truly moved on...

and found happiness again.

And she should be happy for him—she told herself that every day.

But the truth was...

she wasn’t.

She was restless.

Unsettled.

Why?

"Rhea?

" Rudolph’s voice broke her thoughts.

She looked up, startled.

"Yeah?

" "You okay?

" She gave a half-smile.

"Of course.

Why wouldn’t I be?

" Rudolph raised an eyebrow.

"You think I haven’t noticed?

You’ve been watching Austin a lot lately.

Did something happen between you two?

" His words struck deeper than she expected.

Was she really that obvious?

She let out a soft sigh and looked down at the sliced carrots.

"It’s his attitude," she finally said.

"The way he’s changed around me...

it bothers me.

I can’t stop thinking about it.

" "He doesn’t eat with us anymore.

Doesn’t joke like he used to.

And whenever we run into each other...

he just gives me a polite smile and walks away.

" Her voice grew quieter.

"I just want to know...

what changed?

Did I do something wrong?

" Rudolph sighed, "Then why don’t you go talk to him to clear things up?

If there is a misunderstanding, talking things out would be best, no?

" Rhea looked up at him, "You think this will be a good idea?

" Rudolph crossed his arms on his chest as he said, "Absolutely.

Rather than torturing yourself with the thought of what went wrong, it would be best to call him out and ask directly.

" Rhea exhaled a soft sigh, "You might be right," her gaze moved toward Austin who was chatting smilingly with Valerie in the corner.

....

"So...

they called off the plan?

" Valerie asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

Her Lord hadn’t just killed the Demon General—he had gone all the way to Drenovar and calmed the unrest there as well.

He used the same method as before.

First, he saved the people from the spread of Hellstain, and then...

he gave the former King the Elixir of Life, bringing him back from the brink of death.

From that point on, everything had gone smoothly.

Just like in the previous timeline, the King of Drenovar had bowed his head before Austin, swearing to one day repay the favor.

And now, they had let go of their past resentment toward Eryndor and even proposed forming an alliance—if Eryndor was willing.

"Did you tell your father about it?

" Valerie asked.

Austin simply shook his head.

"Nope.

Haven’t gone home yet.

Didn’t have the time.

But they’ll find out soon enough.

" Valerie smiled at that.

"And without a doubt...

you’ll be chosen for the crown.

" Austin didn’t say anything, but he knew she was right.

It was only a matter of time.

Leaning back against a tree, he looked up at the swaying leaves and asked quietly, "What do you think, Val?

Should I become the King?

" Valerie gave a soft smile, her eyes full of quiet warmth.

"I’ve always wanted to see you on the throne.

Even when we were kids, I imagined you sitting where your father used to.

It’s always been my dream.

" She didn’t know why, but something about it felt right.

As if the throne had always been waiting for him—not for power, not for glory—but because that seat, that responsibility, that respect...

matched him perfectly.

She knew Austin didn’t need a crown to stand above others.

His strength alone made him someone you couldn’t ignore.

But even so...

seeing the world acknowledge him—not just as a warrior, but as a king—meant something more.

It felt destined.

"Hmm~ is that so?

Then, I’ll become the King.

" Austin declared it without hesitation.

If it was something Valerie had dreamed of...

then so be it.

None of her wishes would be left unfulfilled.

He never had an issue with taking the crown.

It wasn’t the throne that bothered him—it was the timing.

In his past life, there were too many battles, too many wars, too many urgent matters that demanded his strength elsewhere.

Managing a nation had felt like an unnecessary chain, one that would bind him permanently to Eryndor.

But this time...

this timeline was different.

He could no longer think only of Astaroth.

He needed to plan for what came after.

"Shall we go back to the group?

" he asked.

Valerie gave a soft nod.

But just as they turned to leave— "Austin.

" A familiar voice stopped them.

They turned around to find a pink-haired figure standing not far behind, arms crossed and expression unreadable.

Rhea.

"Can we talk for a bit?

" she asked, her tone calm, but her eyes said otherwise.

Austin wasn’t surprised.

He had sensed this coming for a while now.

He looked at Valerie beside him.

She sighed quietly, offering a small smile.

"Please return soon.

" He gave her hand a gentle squeeze in reply, then let go and stepped toward Rhea.

"There are too many people here," he said softly.

"Want to find somewhere quieter?

" He didn’t want to force anything.

But he could tell—whatever she had to say...

she needed to say it away from watching eyes She nodded without hesitation, and the two of them stepped quietly into the forest, walking aimlessly beneath the canopy of leaves.

There wasn’t much space between them physically, but Rhea could feel the gap he had built—one that had grown wider with each passing day.

A quiet distance that hurt more than she was willing to admit.

They walked in silence for a while before Rhea finally spoke.

"Did I do something to make you angry?

" Austin looked ahead.

"Nope~ Why would you think that?

" Her response was quick, almost blunt.

"Duh.

You’ve been avoiding me.

You don’t train with us anymore.

You don’t sit at the table.

You barely even look at me.

" Austin let out a quiet sigh.

"I’ve just been spending time with someone I ignored for too long.

" Rhea frowned.

"I mean...

It’s not a bad thing that you’re giving Valerie attention now.

I’m happy for her.

But what changed your mind?

You used to hate her, didn’t you?

" Austin stopped walking.

He turned to face her.

Memories surfaced—the old bitterness, the endless days spent resenting Valerie, and everyone who reminded him of his failures.

Of everything he couldn’t protect.

Of the weight he once carried alone.

He used to push everyone away, especially her.

But time had changed him.

"Blaming others for my failure was my biggest mistake.

And thanks to you and the circumstances I have realized my mistake.

" Looking at her in the eyes, he said, "I don’t hate you, Rhea, I just have found the person I should be prioritizing.

So let’s continue to be friends.

" Rhea just stared at him for a few moments.

She could sense that there was no anger in his voice.

Then that means...

he has made his choice.

She didn’t say anything and just giving him a nod, she walked away.

°°°°°°°A/N:- Thanks for reading.