Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Walking on the sand with her hands crossed behind her back was the same woman who stood beside Austin when he faced the Gods. The same person who gave him the courage to look them in the eyes and declare his decision.

"This isn't such a bad experience after all..." Selner murmured to herself, a soft smile on her lips.

She felt light—almost free. But the moment her sister's words came back to her, her heart sank a little.

It was the first time they had scolded her… the first time she saw that kind of anger in their eyes.

Then again, she had broken the law once more. But she didn't regret it. Not even a little.

"Hmmmmhmm..." She hummed quietly, walking along the shore as the water gently brushed her feet.

The breeze was very comfortable and for the first time, she experienced this calming sensation.

And then—

"I...can't believe what you did."

She didn't need to turn around. She knew who it was.

With a small smile, she said, "Well, didn't you see this coming?" She kept walking—until a hand gently caught her arm.

Selner finally turned to look at him over her shoulder.

There he stood, the only human that has stirred so many emotions in her heart.

With his eyes filled with concern, he asked,

"You broke the law again by sending Valerie back in time... and now you're being punished for it," he said in a tight voice.

He could feel it. She wasn't a witch anymore. The overwhelming mana that once cloaked her was gone. Now, she felt like an ordinary mage—so much weaker than before.

Selner sighed, turned toward him, and gently took his hands.

"Sorry... I was stalking you," she admitted with a light smile. "Those few days after you told Valerie only you would go back in time… I watched you. I saw you crying beside her while she slept. I saw how you gathered every little thing that reminded you of your time together. I was there, Austin. Every moment."

Her voice softened with a sad smile. "And you think I could just watch and do nothing... seeing the man I love like that?"

Austin lowered his head, squeezing her hands.

"But why do you always have to pay the price for me?"

She had already risked everything once, helping him scatter his soul fragments across different vessels. And now... she had been punished again—for him.

Selner smiled gently, cupping his cheek.

"Because you helped me see that this world isn't just about power and greed. That there's room for love... and even sorrow. You gave me feelings I once thought were useless."

"I'm just returning the favor," she added softly.

Austin didn't know how to feel.

Selner had always given without asking for anything in return. She had stayed by his side, always protecting and supporting him. Always selfless.

"You know... once Astaroth finds out you've been punished, he'll come after you himself, right?"

Selner nodded. "Well, he's only second on the list of people who hate me most."

Austin raised a brow. "Who's first?"

"Your wife."

Austin chuckled and shook his head. "Come with me."

Selner blinked. "What?"

"You gave up your powers—at least for now—so it's my job to protect you until they return."

"You don't need to. I made this choice," she insisted.

"Selner." His gaze turned serious.

She fell quiet.

....

"...So, you really requested this room for her, huh?" Valerie said, her elbow resting on her knee, chin cradled in her palm.

Austin gave a sheepish smile. "I should've told you earlier."

Valerie let out a soft sigh as she stood. "I'm not angry. Really. All I want to say is... thank you, Selner." She gave a polite bow.

Selner looked slightly flustered. "It's fine. You're my student... It's the least I can do."

Valerie raised an eyebrow and smirked as she leaned in close to whisper, "Don't give me that. I know you brought me back because of my Lord, didn't you?"

Selner didn't respond—just turned her eyes away, clearly caught.

Valerie chuckled. "So you're staying close to her for the time being?"

Austin nodded with a hum. "Her punishment will last ten years... until then, we'll protect her."

Valerie said nothing more—no teasing, no sharp remarks. How could she be jealous of the woman who had stood by Austin through everything, who'd even helped bring them back together?

She simply smiled.

Then, after a moment of silence—

"Umm... do you have anything to eat?" Selner asked, clearly a little embarrassed.

Mana was no longer enough. She needed real food now.

Austin's face lit up with a grin. "I'll cook something for us."

....

Far away, deep within the night, the only one of the Generals currently awake and mobile was the Succubus Queen.

Right now, she was moving quickly toward her Lord's palace, her steps filled with urgency.

The last thing she remembered was being ensnared by that cursed hoe... and then—darkness. Complete, suffocating silence.

And now? She was back. Back in time. Back in this world.

"Someone reset the world again..." she muttered under her breath, eyes narrowed. "But who?"

It couldn't be Selner. Not after what happened last time. No... she doubted Selner would dare to repeat that mistake.

Then who?

And how?

Soon, she entered the demon Lord's palace and found the familiar woman with dark hair standing near the entrance

Amenytr—Astaroth's only daughter.

"I was about to reach out to you," she called out.

The Demon General asked, "What about my Lord?"

"He is in the recovery tube. Still too weak to move."

With her gaze hardening, Amenytr said, "Since you are here, let's go and slaughter that bastard." She possessed the memories of her previous life. That's why, she knew that Austin wouldn't be able to withstand the forces of a Demon General.

It would be the best gift Amenytr could present to her father before his awakening.

However, "You really think we can behead him just like that?" The Sucubuss Queen asked with a stiff expression, "...he has grown too strong for just the two of us."

Amenytr frowned, but before she could have asked anything, the other one filled in, "He has already gained the third fragment...with such control over Scar...we can't fight him as we are now."

"Even not with the help of my brother?"

The General made it clear, "Unless all four Generals fight him together with their forces, winning against him isn't an option." She was angered, true. But she couldn't be deluded and charge blindly again.

"Then what should we do?" Asked the younger one.

A brief silence before the General said, "For now, we must keep an eye on those who are close to Austin. And when the time comes..."

She didn't need to say.

She was going to follow the same plan as the last time.

She was going to mentally crush him, torture him until he falls on his knees and begs for his death.

.....

"Don't you think Austin's been acting strange lately?" Parkinson asked as he sat down, Rhea beside him on the left.

Rudolph was off to the side, finishing his warm-up for an upcoming spar. Rhea would be his opponent—but she'd already had a solid match with Parkinson to get ready.

At Park's words, Rhea gave a quiet hum of agreement. "True..."

She paused for a moment.

Austin had been sticking close to Valerie lately—more than usual. And for some reason... it made her chest feel heavy.

Every time she saw them together, laughing or talking so closely... it felt like betrayal.

But that didn't make sense.

Why does it feel like this?

Why does it hurt?

She didn't have the answer. Only the ache in her heart grew a little stronger each time she looked at him.

"Maybe it's just guilt?" Rhea muttered under her breath.

Parkinson heaved a sigh, "Well, I am glad she is staying away from you. She is a very nasty girl, I must say. I mean, I have also grown up among nobles but I can never act like her."

Rhea wryly smiled. The truth is...it isn't like solely Valerie is at fault.

She has pushed her a few times as well.

"Are you ready?" Rudolph asked as he finally stopped stretching and stood before the two.

Rhea nodded as she got up.

She summoned her sword, which had grown back to its full length.

She was healed by the medic, and a few days of rest were needed for her to get back on her feet.

However, just as she was about to step onto the arena,

"Mind going for a round with me, Rud?"

A clear voice came from behind as everyone turned to look at the duo.

It was Austin and Valerie.

Rudolph snickered, "You sure? You might not be able to attend a few classes today."

Austin chuckled, "Well, l won't blame you if you break a few bones."

He seemed not even a bit offended as he stood before his old friend.

Rudolph was surprised to see such confidence from him.

However, he wasn't the kind of guy who would back off from a challenge, "Then so be it."

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.