Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 266

Chapter 266: Chapter 265- Peaceful world
“It’s been a while,” Selner heard his voice and turned toward him.

“You slew something ancient,” she said with a quiet smile, jumping off the skull.

She didn’t crash—she drifted down like a feather, landing gently in front of Adrian.

Then, for a moment, she froze.

Her eyes met his.

Time stood still.

Her heart began to race. Loud, wild, as if it would betray her thoughts.

She quickly looked away.

“How did it—”

“Selner,” Austin’s voice broke through.

She took a breath, steadying herself. “I’m sorry… I just lose control sometimes.”

She apologized even though she didn’t have to.

Austin let out a soft sigh and walked up to her.

He gently held her hand.

“You don’t have to look away… or feel sorry. I may not be the same Austin who once loved you, but I’d never blame you for still having these feelings.”

He said just enough—enough to comfort her, without betraying Valerie.

Selner bit her lip and shook her head.

“Let’s not go there, Austin. I don’t want to trap you with something you didn’t choose.”

She gave him a fragile smile. “And please… don’t pity me. That would only make my feelings feel small.”

Austin fell silent for a moment, then gave a quiet nod.

Selner took a breath to steady herself before asking, “Did you meet the Succubus Queen?”

“Yes,” he said. His gaze drifted away from hers. “She spoke about my past… I’m worried she might spread it.”

Selner frowned. “And why does that bother you?”

“I mean… won’t the council come after me? Question me about the other world?”

She shook her head gently. “You’re not someone they can handle lightly anymore, Austin. They’ll have to tread carefully now. You don’t need to feel threatened.”

Austin let out a quiet hum. “Alright, I won’t worry about her… for now. What really bothers me is the ancient beings waking up from their slumber.”

Selner nodded, her eyes drifting to the massive skeleton nearby. “They’re getting stronger—and bolder. They’re preparing before Astaroth regains his full power.”

“Astaroth…” Austin muttered, his tone darkening. “…How long until that bastard comes back?”

Selner didn’t take long to answer. “Maybe six months?”

The last time she checked, his upper body had already reformed. He was even strong enough to speak.

She hadn’t said a word to him—but he had spoken to her the moment she stepped into the demon realm.

“Six months…” Austin let out a dry laugh, but there was no trace of amusement. “That might just be how long this world has left.”

He couldn’t even begin to imagine what he’d have to face once the Demon Lord returned.

Hundreds of thousands of demons would soon flood toward the human realm.

The Sea of Separation would run red.

The sky would mourn again.

And rivers of blood would fill the streets of every city.

“You’re worrying too much,” Selner said gently. “You have the strength—and the influence—to protect the ones you care about.”

Austin let out a long sigh. “But I don’t think I can do this alone. He has an entire army… and all I’ve ever had is a small handful of people I can trust.”

He wasn’t going to walk the same path as his predecessor—charging in alone like a one-man storm.

“And I’m not as strong as that Austin,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “I can’t just knock on their gates and tear everything down.”

The memories he had seen… that version of him had been overwhelming—impossibly powerful, like a force of nature.

Selner crossed her arms and looked at him.

“Do you know why one of your soul fragments was sent to a different world?” she asked.

Austin shrugged. “So I could… enjoy some peace and quiet?”

She raised an eyebrow. “And do you not feel at peace beside Valerie?”

Austin stumbled over his words. “That’s not what I meant—okay, I don’t know. Just tell me.”

Selner smiled faintly. “You never respected the strength you were given. You never cared for the system that guided you. You ignored the only girl who loved and worshipped you her whole life. So, to make sure that didn’t happen again… you were sent to a world full of pain, full of lessons.”

Austin said nothing, listening.

“And after all those years of struggle,” she continued, “you finally learned to respect Scar… just as you respect your system. You no longer draw your weapon just because someone breathes too loudly near you.”

“You’ve become more human now.”

She stepped closer, her voice softer. “And because you have people you’re afraid to lose… you’ll reach a height that the old Austin never could.”

Austin was left speechless.

She… really knew how to motivate someone.

“I don’t remember you talking this much before,” he said, trying to hide his fluster.

Selner let out a soft chuckle. “I usually don’t. But I speak up whenever I see you losing your momentum… or straying from your path.”

Austin scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. “Thanks… I mean it. You’ve helped me more than you know.”

Selner hesitated.

The words were on the tip of her tongue.

She wanted to tell him—

That the only purpose she ever had… was to make sure he could live a happy life.

But she held it in.

No point in making things awkward again.

“Ah, Selner,” Austin said, shifting the topic, “about Jimmy… do you think he—?”

“Yes,” she interrupted gently, “he’s Johny’s successor. That same reckless drunkard who tried helping you… and ended up triggering a trap that cost him his life.”

Austin winced.

He remembered. Faintly, but enough.

Johny had been a skilled warrior—sharp in battle—but his bad habits had always dragged him down.

He was almost always high. That part never changed.

“So Jimmy really has Johny’s blood… and his powers,” Austin murmured, folding his arms across his chest.

Selner nodded. “Yes. I sensed it in him today. And I was honestly surprised.”

Austin frowned slightly. “Did you not find him in the previous timeline?”

“I never had to,” Selner replied. Her tone softened. “Back then… you thought you were enough. Or maybe you were just trying to be. My focus was only on helping you.”

Austin let out a quiet sigh. “What about now? Should I tell Jimmy about his ancestors? And… Rhea, I think she deserves to know the truth about where she comes from.”

Selner tilted her head, thinking for a moment. “If you plan to do that, you’ll have to tell them everything—about your past, how you know their ancestors and all the rest.”

He already knew that.

But that didn’t make it easier.

“There’s no law stopping you from revealing your past,” Selner added. “But before making any decisions… talk to Valerie.”

Austin slowly nodded. “I was planning to. But she’s injured right now.”

“Don’t worry,” Selner said gently. “I healed her.”

Austin jolted. His eyes widened. “You did?”

She smiled softly. “It wasn’t anything serious.”

He exhaled a long, heavy breath. “Really… I don’t know how to thank you.”

Selner stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“If you want to repay me,” she said, “then fulfill what Austin once dreamt of.”

Austin paused, letting the weight of her words settle in his heart.

Then he gave a firm nod.

“Nothing will stop me until every last demon is dead.”

Selner gave his shoulder a final, gentle squeeze.

“Take care,” she whispered—and vanished without a trace.

Austin stood there in silence, trying to calm his heart.

Ever since he learned about his past with Selner… it always hurt to face her.

The way her eyes searched for the man she once loved… only to find someone else.

Every time he looked away, it felt like betrayal.

But what could he do?

He couldn’t lie to himself, and he would never betray Valerie.

And trying to comfort Selner… would only be a pity.

That, too, would be a wound.

All he could do—was silently hope.

That someday, somehow… she would be reunited with the man she had once given up everything for.

Her power.

Her position.

Even her life—just to be with him.

….

The next day, several carriages and the officers of the council arrived.

Students were carried to the carriages since they still were disoriented. However, they were no longer aggressive and were listening to people.

Sheldon and Valerie, now all healed and healthy, were reporting to the soldiers what happened and whom they faced.

The news of a Demonic General appearance shook them, but Austin barely believed that they would trust the report.

The skeletons of the demonic turtle were collected and taken for research. But Austin doesn’t believe they would achieve anything.

Scar absorbs everything except for the bones, including the fluid inside the bones. So yes, they are just carrying material to make decorative items.

Just as he was about to approach Valerie and take her to the carriage, an officer approached him, “Sir Austin,”

He turned with his brows raised.

The soldier relayed, “Sir William has requested a meeting with you, wherever you feel comfortable.”

Austin hummed in confusion but then he didn’t think much and said, “Tell him to find me in the academy.”

“Understood.”

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A/N:- I might write a chapter to show the life Selner had with Austin? Thanks for reading.