Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 101

Chapter 101: Chapter 100- Destination(1)
[Ding!]

[Combat: 45/100]

{Next reward at 60}

[Romance: 51/100]

{Next reward at 60}

[Durability: 57/100]

{Next reward at 60}

[Trickery: 30/100]

{Next reward at 35}

[Overall Progression: 44/100]

[Next Reward at 50]

…

Austin woke up in a daze and checked his stats.

He…was defeated by the Minotaur after the first collision.

It was quite frustrating, but that shows the difference between ranks.

He thought he might have broken through into B-rank, but that might not be the case. He might have the speed to fool a B-rank, but his strength and endurance weren’t enough to continue.

‘My bones are so fragile…’ It has become normal for him to feel or hear his bones snapping—and it could never become pleasant for anyone.

‘System…you are useless …can’t tell me what stats should I be improving…just Endurance…fuck you…’ He might be in a daze but he meant every word he spoke.

It was getting annoying to not be able to track the specific stat. He might end up being the fastest without having the strength, or maybe strong, but just like those giants, he won’t be able to track his opponent.

[The host needs to be patient. Once he ascends to the next stage, the host will have separate stats for every attribute.]

So the system says. However, there was still more than half the way left for him to progress. What he would do until then? Just move with the same pace?

‘This is so goddamn annoying…’ Without him knowing, the weight of the defeat was pressing on him.

“Mm…what happened?” Valerie suddenly opened her eyes, albeit barely.

She looked at his troubled expression…almost like he was angry.

She touched his face, and whispered, “Don’t be angry…” She didn’t know what made him annoyed, but she didn’t like her Lord having that expression.

Austin released a sigh, melting in her touch, before he nodded, “I won’t be angry …” Drawing the girl closer to himself, Austin nestled in her embrace and closed his eyes.

The best source of quelling his frustration was right beside him.

°°°°°°°

“Drenny’s in a rough spot, ain’t lookin’ too good.”

(A/N:- Drenny means Drenovar)

While moving the Vessel along with the tides, the Captain spoke up.

Sebastian lifted his eyes from the diary he was writing before looking at the man, “What do you mean by that?”

The Captain, who earlier introduced himself as Yolt, puffed a huge cloud of smoke from his mouth, before revealing, “Lots of soldiers been swarmin’ Drenny lately. Hell, some even hitched a ride on this tub.”

Sebastian frowned, “Why so suddenly? Is there any situation happening in Drenovar?”

It was unusual for the Council to send troops to a country, and in a large quantity no less. Unless ..there is some war-like situation? But isn’t Eryndor in the same state? Why didn’t they visit Eryndor then?

“I don’t know nothin’. Just take ’em there, and they don’t come back. Last time I stopped for a smoke in Drenny, damn near got thrown in a cell by those tight-ass guards.”

So…they are patrolling around Drenovar quite strictly, huh? Won’t that be problematic if they enter the port through the front gates?

“It would be a hassle to go through port security. Haah~wish there could have been another route.” Sebastian threw the bait. Although he knew that the three of them would somehow manage to infiltrate the town, even if there was no other route, there was no harm in trying.

And just as the grey-haired wished,

“You got the right man for the job. I know the best spot where those jackasses won’t give you no trouble.”

°°°°°°°

Around midnight, Sebastian knocked on the door.

*Knock*

“Yes, come in,” Austin called out from the other side.

*Click*

Pushing the wooden door, he was met by a pleasant sight.

The lady was sitting on the bed while the gentleman fed her soup.

Valerie’s cheeks turned red, but she didn’t refuse to accept the offered spoon. Ignoring Sebastian’s gaze she sipped the soup her Lord made for her.

“Do you want some? I have left some in the pot.” Austin asked.

Sebastian shook his head, “I had a sandwich just now. Thank you for asking, sir.”

Closing the door, he approached the duo before informing them, “I have taken the risk of informing the captain that we can’t enter the city through the port. So if I find something suspicious, we might need to dive into the water.”

Austin frowned, “Why…did you do that?”

“The security of Drenovar apparently has been increased for some unknown reason. And the Council has been sending their soldiers regularly to Drenovar. We shouldn’t risk trying to enter the country through a straight path.”

Austin nodded in understanding.

For the Council to send troops…means either some emergency situation has come up or they have taken a step to stop the possible war.

Austin believes the latter to be a too-good-to-be-true kind of situation. Which meant that there was some unwanted situation that might have arisen in the country.

‘I hope this chaos helps us to reach the main fort, rather than becoming an obstacle…’

Hundreds of uncertain factors and each one of them could change their plans for the worse or better.

Feeling the warmth of Valerie’s skin, Austin raised his eyes and found the girl looking at him with an assuring look, “Everything will be fine. Even God helps those with good intentions.”

Austin smiled, as with a nod he said, “I hope you are right.”

….

After waiting for another thirty minutes, the Captain yelled from the outside, “Get ready!”

Sebastian nodded toward the other two before he made his way out of the cabin.

If Sebastian gestures, Austin would immediately punch a hole in the wall and jump into the water with Valerie.

However, the moment Sebastian walked back inside, he gave a positive nod, “You can come.”

Austin heaved a sigh of relief before he held Valerie’s hand and muttered, “Let’s go.”

°°°°°°°

A/N:- They are surrounded by dangers. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far.