Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Chapter 46- Betrayal?
The notice for interrogation was not liked by the students; however, to ensure the safety of other students, it was necessary to thoroughly question the Apex Circle.

Currently, inside the common hall, only the students of Apex Circle were present. All the other students were told to have lunch back in their dorm room, because of security reasons.

The common hall was surrounded by several instructors, who were keeping an eye on the students while one student is sent to the Principal’s office one after another for questioning.

“And what if the impostor has a shape-shifting ability?” Rhea asked, to no one in particular as she remained seated at the dining table.

Unlike usual, Rudolph wasn’t around, so it explains why the other girls approached her.

Rhea’s dormitory neighbor and her best friend, Cassie, asked, “Then won’t the teachers find out the accomplice of the impostor?”

She got a point since even if someone from the students was allowing the intruder to let them imitate the student, they would get caught during the interrogation.

“Well, considering the Headmaster’s brains and Vice-headmaster’s cruelty, I know they would be able to capture the villain is.” Another girl with pale yellow hair voiced.

Rhea raised her brows, “What cruelty?”

The girl seemed genuinely surprised, as she asked, “Don’t you know? The vice-headmaster is an ex-executioner.”

Rhea rolled her eyes, “Just because he used to be a slayer doesn’t mean he is cruel to innocents as well.”

Their conversation continued as the teacher came to ask for Austin,

“Yes, coming.” Austin got up before following the instructor.

While he walked towards the office, he met Valerie en route, and whispered to her, “Wait for me in the garden.”

The violette smiled and gave him a nod.

*Knock*

Austin knocked on the door once, before stepping inside.

Inside, only three people were standing: the headmaster, the vice-headmaster, and Austin’s homeroom teacher.

“Good afternoon, sir, ma’am.” Austin greeted before the bespectacled vice-headmaster stepped forward with his Shard appearing in his hand.

Harold stepped forward as he said, “You know the drill. You lie, we will know.”

Austin gave him a firm nod as Harold returned to his spot after drawing the circle and stood on the left side of the table.

The Headmaster asked, “First tell me, what is your name?”

Austin, without any delay, responded, “Austin Eryndor.”

The shade of the circle didn’t change before Philius asked,

“Tell me Austin, are you, by any means, involved with demonic entities?”

This time as well, Austin didn’t hesitate, “No, sir.”

A few more questions were asked, all related to that incident or if anything the others said was untrue.

He answered only according to what he saw in the forest, rather than letting the knowledge of the game influence his responses.

After nearly fifteen minutes, Austin felt that he had given the proof of him not being the impostor.

And as he thought, “Okay, Austin-”

“Wait, Headmaster.” Harold suddenly stopped him; his gaze was firm as ever as he said, “I want to ask him the last question.”

Philius raised his brows before he gestured for him to go on.

Truth be told, Austin was now a little nervous. The Vice-headmaster is the only one in the teaching unit that gave him the chills.

His aura and appearance always make one think twice before speaking. And that same teacher has decided to interrupt his senior so he could ask Austin a question.

Yeah, he had a valid reason to be nervous.

The bespectacled one, stepped forward and asked him, “Were you aware of the demonic presence here in the academy before this interrogation?”

“…!” Austin flinched; this was unexpected.

The students weren’t informed about Demonic entities infiltrating the premises until they were interrogated here. So Austin should also be like others, completely unaware of their presence.

Austin took a strong gulp, and the pause he took was enough to make Harold even more suspicious, “Tell me, Austin. Did you know about the demons beforehand?”

Austin knew lying was futile here, so he responded, “Yes, I did.”

The shade of the circle didn’t shift, and the only lady in the room gasped, “Austin….you…”

The blond prince heaved a sigh, “I knew demons were involved in this because I inquired about it.”

Harold frowned, “How did you know? And who gave you the information?”

Austin calmly responded, “The very fact, a barrier strong enough to restrict even the professors was erected, gave birth to my suspicion. And then Rudolph said it was a silver head, yet it wasn’t the Vice-prez. So shape-shifting, right? And demons are known for their ability to shapeshift, so I guessed it.”

Harold’s frown deepened, “You still didn’t answer my second question. Who is the source of your information.”

Austin glanced at the Headmaster before saying, “It’s a common friend of mine and the Headmaster’s.” His suggestive look made Philius realize as he said,

“I understand. You can go now.”

Harold was perplexed as he glanced at his superior and found him nodding in understanding.

Once Austin stepped out Harold asked, “Sir?”

Philius ignored his question, and told him, “For now, do me a favor and make someone monitor Austin for the time being.”

Harold frowned, “But that butler…?”

Philius pinched the bridge of his nose, “I will talk to Sebastian…since it’s about Austin’s security; hopefully, he will understand.”

———-**———

Valerie was waiting for Austin in the pavilion situated in the garden where they usually sit and talk.

Her face was turned to the other side as she remained standing silently until she heard footsteps.

“Thanks for waiting.” Austin smilingly said as he climbed the stairs and lovingly looked at his fiancée.

Valerie finally turned to look at him, an unreadable expression on her face, as she said,

“Kneel before the one you love.”

Austin was stunned for a moment since he nearly forgot about the passcode, but soon he knelt and said,

“At your service, my lady.”

There was a soft smile on Austin’s face as he kept kneeling, waiting for her to respond…. however, rather than her words, her Shard gave him the response.

**SQUELCH**

“Ugh!” Austin groaned as she stabbed her spear into his shoulder and picked him from the floor.

Planting him against the pillar, Valerie gazed at Austin with a cold look.

“V-Val…” There was a sense of betrayal in his eyes as Austin gazed at his lover.

Without a speck of emotion in her eyes, Valerie stated, “Although, for a short while, you annoyed me to no end.”

Her Soul energy made the ground shake, and her aura attracted the attention of the instructors, inside the common hall.

“Valerie, stop!” The Vice-headmaster arrived first and warned the girl.

“What the heck are you doing?! Let him go!” Rhea also arrived and shouted at the girl.

Soon, the whole pavilion was surrounded by people who were shouting at her, asking her to release Austin.

They didn’t carelessly move towards her, fearing that she might end up killing Austin.

“Student Valerie?! What are you doing to the one you swore to protect?!” Philius couldn’t believe his eyes. The same girl who rejected the offer to receive the greatest honor by joining the Council so she could protect her lover…was now killing him?

“W-Why…Val…” Austin, with tears welling up his eyes, asked her.

Valerie’s aura flared and just as she was about to cease his life, a voice interrupted her, “We need that thing, Val.”

Everyone turned their eyes towards the one who spoke, evident shock written over their faces.

Valerie didn’t have to turn to know who it was, “My Lord…” She whispered, her heart finally regaining the serenity it needed to not slaughter the being who dared impersonating her beloved.

Philius’s frown couldn’t have been any deeper as he asked, “What in the world is happening, Austin?”

The blond Prince heaved a sigh before stepping onto the stage where everyone could see him clearly before stating, “We lured the demon, and Valerie captured it. The end.”

Everyone gasped as they realized the identity of the one who was pinned against the wall

The skin of the fake Austin began to shred and the real face of the demon began to appear.

The creature had dark red, cracked skin, like searing embers frozen in flesh. Its jagged, black horns curve upward, shadowing hollow, glowing eyes that burn with malice.

The air around it stinks of sulfur and decay, as it glared at Valerie, “How did you find out?!”

The demon was suppressing its demonic presence quite brilliantly, and there were no mistakes in its appearance as well. And he knew the code as well!

Then…?

Valerie narrowed her eyes as she voiced, “If I were you, I wouldn’t waste a thought on anything but your own life. Because even if you manage to escape the teachers, it won’t matter—I’ll be waiting for you out here.”

——–**——-

A/N:- I hope you all enjoyed the chapter? Drop a comment and let me know. And yes, drop a review as well.