Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"So, when is it going to happen?" Valerie asked as they strolled through the market, each holding a crepe in hand.

The sun was already dipping low on the horizon. They'd been out since morning, enjoying their date to the fullest—visiting favorite spots, revisiting old memories, and collecting little souvenirs from different lands.

Now, they were back in Eryndor—their childhood haunt, and the perfect place to end their day together.

Austin let out a quiet sigh at her question. He hadn't wanted to talk about it during the date. But Valerie deserved an answer.

"After I defeat the last fragment of the Demon King," he finally said.

Valerie's brows knit together. "You know you don't have to do that, right?" she asked, giving him a sideways glance.

He nodded, then gently took her hand. "It was just an excuse to spend more time with you," he admitted with a soft smile.

He knew killing Astaroth wouldn't change much once he turned back time.

Valerie looked ahead, her voice calm but firm. "But it'll put you at a disadvantage. In more than one way."

Austin stayed quiet. He'd thought about that too.

"First," she continued, "you'll end up facing the Gods sooner than you planned. Once you wipe out the demon race, they'll have no reason to wait. And when you flip the hourglass to go back in time… they'll question you again."

He gave a slow nod. The Divine Ones weren't already happy about him using that skill. They had even tried to block the system from granting it to him.

"Second," she added, "if you kill the last fragment, Astaroth will have more time to prepare for your return."

Austin raised an eyebrow, silently asking her to explain.

"You said it yourself," Valerie went on, "he keeps his memories from past timelines. So if he learns that you can destroy every part of him easily, he won't act out of rage next time. He'll plan. Smarter. Deadlier."

She was right.

Astaroth and his generals—along with Selner—were the only ones who knew about the timeline where Austin had lost, where he'd been forced to split his soul into fragments to survive.

If Austin destroyed that final fragment now, Astaroth would stop acting on emotion. He'd get smarter. More careful. And far more dangerous.

That couldn't be allowed.

Better to leave him burning in fury. Better to let him believe he still had a chance.

Austin let out a breath and gave a small nod. "You're right, Valerie… I need to be smart about this."

They came to a slow pause as Austin turned toward her and asked, "So you mean to say…That I should revert the time before Astaroth's arrival?"

Valerie nodded with a calm demeanor, "That would be for the best."

The blond one held her hand tenderly and asked, "Then….I would need to do it in four days. Will that be enough? For you…and us?" He wasn't sure. He wanted to spend more time with her…maybe an eternity.

The more time he stays with her the more he yearns for her.

And the very thought that the next time he would see her, she would forget everything…terrifies him.

Valerie cupped his cheek as she said, "Whatever happens, I will always be there for you. I promise."

No words were further shared as the two advanced toward the palace and stepped inside Austin's room.

It was the seventh time they were about to do it since last night—it was as if both of them were desperate for each other's warmth, and that can be seen in how eagerly they took each other's clothes off with their lips never parting.

Austin gently led her to the bed and took a moment to look at her beautiful body.

"I know I have said this more than a hundred times but...you are beautiful."

Valerie shyly smiled, being complimented by him never fails to make her smile.

She raised her arms and asked him, "Embrace me."

.....

The next few days, Austin and Valerie spent all their time together.

They went on dates, ate together, took baths together, and naturally, slept together.

They were glued to each other both because they wanted to and also because Valerie wanted to live these moments to the fullest before the reset.

On the fourth day, Austin woke up earlier than usual.

He glanced at Valerie and found her looking back at him; her eyes half lidded.

"When did you wake up?" He asked in a groggy voice as he moved her bangs to get a clear view of her calming eyes.

"Just now..." She lied...actually, she was barely able to sleep last night.

She wanted to keep looking at him the whole night, knowing that today, it was going to happen.

Austin fondly smiled at her as he gave her a soft peck and slowly rose from the bed.

"What do you want to eat? I will make it for you."

He asked as he put on his pants.

Valerie hummed in contemplation before asking, "How about pancakes with maple syrup?"

"Sweet things in the morning?" Austin asked with his brows raised.

Valerie smiled, "Yes...I want it."

He listened to her demand and started preparing what she asked for.

The room was huge, so he made a make-shift kitchen in the corner so he doesn't have to leave every time they get hungry.

As mentioned earlier, getting away even for minutes made them feel restless.

As Austin made the pancakes, Valerie rose from the bed and put on her nightdress.

"Austin," she softly called out, "...can you do me a favor and tell my past self that you don't actually like Rhea? You see, for a few weeks, I always dreaded that you had a fight with her, and being with me was your way to get back at her."

Austin blinked in surprise before turning towards her, "Wait...you never told me that."

Valerie smiled apologetically, "What can I say? Before you awakened your second fragment, you were all about Rhea. So I assumed that maybe..."

Austin sighed with a shake of his head, "Initially you used to hide a lot of your feelings. But I can't blame you either. I always neglected you."

"Hmm...I was nervous that showing my real self might break the fragile connection we reestablished." Valerie added.

Austin nodded, "Okay, I will make sure you understand my feelings. Might as well kiss you on the spot before Rhea."

Valerie paused at that ...somehow hearing Austin kissing someone else, even if it was her past self, made her feel a sting in her chest.

But then she shook her head, "What am I even thinking?" She mumbled to herself.

They soon sat down at the table to eat breakfast. Not anything fancy, just sweet pancakes with bitter coffee.

The morning sunlight was flowing down the window, as they chatted while eating.

Not so long after, they took a bath and changed into their casual clothes.

For the past ten days, Valerie had barely trained and she didn't feel guilty about it. For her, the war was over. All she had was this day now. So surely, she wasn't going to waste it in the gym.

They were walking in the garden of the palace. A few gardeners could be seen taking care of the plants.

There was no king of Erybdor and all the rulers of the seven nations were killed. So, at the moment, this world was actually free.

Austin knew that the crime rate out there had elevated by a significant margin, but he couldn't do anything about it.

Today, everything was about to change. The world order would return, so for these few moments, he left the world to live as it wanted.

They soon stopped before a fountain which was vivid in their memories.

"It was this place right...Where did I first meet you?"Austin asked with a smile.

Valerie nodded, "Yes...After being pushed away by other children, I was staring at my reflection when you approached me."

"Hmm...I wish I could see that small Valerie again. So adorable but cold."

Valerie smiled with a shake of her head but didn't say anything.

They soon fell silent. Their small fingers hooked.

"Valerie..." He called out, "...I love you."

It was strange that he wanted to say so many things but all he was able to convey was those three words.

Valerie turned to look at him, tears welling up in her eyes but a soft smile never leaving her face, "You will get the response from my past self."

Austin's shoulders dropped as he slowly nodded.

Finally, he gave the command, "System...imitate the spell: Divine Mockery."

[Ding!]

[Command Accepte-zznngh! The system has been blocked temporarily.]

[Need a reboot]

[Time required: 9 min 59 sec]

Austin sighed.

Valerie had stopped moving. She was frozen before his eyes.

The world around him turned white.

And from his left came an unfamiliar voice, "You are one strange creature."

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.