Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Ever since Austin had first learned about the mysterious mage responsible for controlling the weather in the demonic world, the thought hadn't left his mind. And for the pink-haired girl, it had become something more—an obsession.

Who was this powerful spellcaster who kept the sun from shining over the demonic realm? Where could such a mage be hiding?

Neither Austin nor Selner had paid much attention to the matter, treating the mage's existence as nothing more than background noise. But Rhea thought differently. She believed that killing this mage could shift the tide in their favor.

That's why, when Austin laid out the map of the Succubus Queen's fortress, Rhea's eyes didn't focus on the fort—but instead wandered toward where the elusive spellcaster might be hiding.

And the safest place she could think of... was the palace of the Demon Lord himself.

She knew it was a gamble. But something in her gut told her she was right. If the demons were truly as dim-witted as they seemed, and the spellcaster was vital to even the Dark Lord's plans, then there was only one place he'd be kept safe—right under Astaroth's protection.

So when Austin left to scout the enemy territory, Rhea quietly slipped away from their shelter, pretending she was just going for a short walk.

A few nights ago, Austin had mentioned that she bore the bloodline of the legendary Hero, Kane. That blood made her immune to the acid rain that burned everyone else. So, under the pouring sky, she walked unharmed, moving swiftly through the warped lands of the demonic realm.

Her memory served her well, and soon, she stood before the Demon King's palace.

Surprisingly, the palace's defenses were light. Perhaps most of the guards had been relocated to protect the Succubus Queen. Rhea couldn't sense any overwhelming presence here either. If her instincts were right, Demon Lord Astaroth wasn't home.

Without hesitation, she slipped into the palace and searched every hall and corridor, driven by a single goal. Eventually, she found a path that led underground, into a chilling, eerie chamber.

There, seated on an altar and surrounded by a glowing magic circle, was a twisted, ghastly demon.

Rhea didn't need confirmation—she just knew. This was the one. The spellcaster behind the acid rain. The one who had sealed the skies.

And she didn't hesitate.

With a surge of ether, she launched her strongest attack, shattering the magical barrier around him. The moment his protection fell, she charged, cutting him down without mercy.

Rhea's hatred for demons spared none. She loathed every last one of them with all her heart.

And because of what she did that day, Austin now saw this battle as equal.

The skies began to clear. With the sun returning, the balance tipped in their favor. Demons were weaker under sunlight—and William, who had once been on the brink, now stood strong.

All his wounds had healed. His breathing was steady. He was ready again.

"Nice tactics... but you'll still lose," Zephyr called out, his voice sharp and mocking. Blood continued to pour from his wound, now streaming rapidly down his body like a cursed river.

The Dragon King growled, raising his claw and pointing it at William. "That piece is mine to slaughter. Don't get in my way!"

With a roar, he lunged forward—turning into a blur.

But this time—

Clang!

William intercepted him. With a swift pivot on his toes, he slashed his blade down in one smooth arc.

The Dragon King's eyes widened as blood burst from his arm.

Hethroth snarled, ready to retaliate—but before he could launch his next attack, Zephyr dashed past him, aiming a brutal kick toward William's head.

SHWIIK!

But he had to halt mid-motion, ducking at the last moment to avoid an arrow whizzing toward him.

"Don't forget about me," Austin called out with a grin, holding up his crossbow—his Shard now transformed.

Zephyr narrowed his eyes. "You rely on its variants now? You disgrace such a beautiful Shard." With that, he raised his arm and fired an arrow at Austin.

But with his sharpened senses, Austin leaned back effortlessly, the arrow slicing just above his nose.

Then came another.

Austin exhaled and raised his hand calmly, catching the second arrow by its shaft mid-air. "You're too predictable," he muttered, his smirk unfading.

Zephyr grinned, "You think so? Check your hand."

Austin narrowed his eyes as he looked at his hand and found black markings had begun to spread.

He sighed before placing Scar against his hand, "Petty trick, man..." Scar absorbed the poison since it was made of dark water.

Zephyr's expression shifted as he switched weapons, now relying on a sharp knife.

Austin also changed his weapons, wielding a dagger; the og Shard.

On the other hand, Rhea and Valerie would currently tag teaming against the Demoness.

The demoness cracked her whip, the weapon glowing with a dark, sickly light. Anything it touched withered and rotted in seconds—even the stone floor hissed where it struck. Her lips curled into a seductive smile as she vanished into thin air.

Fwip!

"Illusion!" Valerie shouted, spinning her spear in a wide arc to guard her back.

Rhea didn't flinch. Her eyes scanned the air. "She's close," she muttered, flipping her crossbow into place and firing an ether bolt toward a shimmer in the mist.

THUNK!

A cry echoed—half fury, half surprise—as the Queen flickered back into view, the bolt grazing her cheek.

"You'll regret that," she hissed, her whip lashing out.

Valerie dashed in, raising her spear just in time. The whip struck the shaft, and though it cracked with corrosion, her ice magic flared—sealing over the damaged part with a layer of frost. She countered with a thrust, sending shards of ice flying forward.

The Succubus Queen backflipped, landing on a floating platform she conjured mid-air.

Rhea didn't wait. She holstered her crossbow and drew her blade, dashing forward with speed that blurred her figure. "Cover me!"

Valerie slammed her spear into the ground. A ring of frost spread out in all directions, coating the battlefield and slowing the Queen's movement. "Go!"

With a roar, Rhea leaped upward, slashing in a spinning arc. The Queen dodged, but not fast enough—Rhea's sword sliced her shoulder, drawing black blood.

The demoness growled. Her eyes glowed red, and the illusions came alive—dozens of her copies surrounded them.

Rhea landed in a crouch. "Tch. Again?"

But Valerie smiled. "Let's clear the fakes."

She spun her spear above her head, gathering a wave of icy wind before slamming it down. A blast of frost burst outward—shattering the illusions in a second.

"There!" Rhea yelled, spotting the real Queen and firing a quick bolt.

Skrrk! The Queen sidestepped, but the bolt scratched her thigh. She stumbled.

Valerie didn't let the chance slip. She charged in, spear first, and Rhea followed from the side.

Together, they attacked in perfect rhythm—blade, bolt, and spear in a blur of cold steel and magic.

The Succubus Queen tried to defend, her whip striking out, but Rhea ducked beneath it and slashed across her torso, while Valerie drove her spear into the Queen's leg.

She screamed.

"KHAAAAA!" Dark energy erupted from the Demoness, making the two girls pause for a moment.

Her red eyes were directed at Valerie and Rhea as the Demoness muttered, "Enough of your madness!"

Suddenly, darkness enveloped the two teenagers, and their minds turned heavy.

Rhea struggled to remain focused as she swayed slightly.

"You two would pay the price for humiliating me in front of my Lord!" She roared, her voice making Rhea's knees buckle.

Her mind was telling her to move forward and kill the bitch. But a stronger side of her mind was forcing her to kneel and obey. She was conflicted even though she knew she shouldn't be.

This woman was her enemy, not someone to worship. Rhea was well aware that it was her skill that was making her feel like this.

But she was helplessly shaking and just trying to collect herself.

Soon, Valerie also fell to the ground, her body trembling as her Shard fell to the side.

The Succubus Queen moved toward the two with a smug grin across her face.

"That's your fate. Despite how much you try to defy it, you will never surpass us, the ones who will be ruling over you very soon."

Inside the domain, no one is spared from her charm. She didn't want to use this skill against maggots but she couldn't allow herself to get humiliated further.

She lifted her leg and pressed it on Valerie's head, "You aren't speaking anything, bitch? How about you apologize by licking my feet?"

Valerie raised her hand...but rather delicately holding her feet she grabbed her ankle.

"Hmm?!" The Demoness frowned and stared in disbelief as frost began to surround her leg.

"How did you..." She couldn't get to finish her words as Valerie shot her cold glare at the woman, shutting her up.

She slowly rose to her feet, all while staring at her, as she said, "You shouldn't have done it...approaching my Lord and then hurting him, you shouldn't have done it."

The Demoness ground her teeth, her once beautiful face morphing into something horrifying. Her teeth turned sharp like nails and her skin grew dark as she hissed and tried to jump on her.

But Valerie was prepared.

*Thunk*

A single tap of her Shard and the Demoness froze.

Not in ice but in the time chamber.

A cage that stops the flow of time and ceases the existence of a being regardless of its strength.

The domain shattered, revealing the outside world.

And the moment every eye turned towards the frozen and dead Demoness...hell bent loose.

"HOW DARE YOU!"

The demon Lord was enraged and his blood lust made Valerie fall on her knees, a cobweb forming beneath her.

She grunted in pain, but soon, it disappeared as a shimmering barrier surrounded her.

Austin stood between the enraged Demon and his lover, his blade humming in anger.

It was time for the final battle.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.