Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Chapter 50- Hunting(2)
“Thank you for making some time for me, Lord Corwon. That day, we couldn’t talk properly.” It was after a few days, that Aiden requested a meeting with Duke Corwon.

Since he was in the capital, Adam didn’t mind meeting with the first Prince who seemed rather eager about something.

“No need to thank me, Aiden. So, was there something important you wanted to discuss?” Adam asked as he picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

The blond Prince, with a soft smile, said, “I wanted to inform you that your daughter and my brother’s relationship has improved quite brilliantly in these few days. As a father, you must be worried about her, so I thought I should inform you.”

Corwon was surprised; since he had been in the Capital for the past few weeks, he hadn’t received any word from Valerie through letters, so he didn’t know.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Recently, because Austin ‘refused to return’ to the capital, Valerie also decided to stay there and keep his company.”

Duke Corwon’s brows drew closer a little, as he asked, “Austin didn’t return? Why?”

Aiden barely suppressed a smile, and with a saddened look, he said, “Well, I feel like a failure as a brother to say this but…I feel my presence has been making Austin feel like an ‘outsider’.” Very faintly, to the point one cannot notice unless they are told about it, Aiden’s eyes glowed when he uttered the last word.

“Outsider…I have also heard a few things about Austin’s reluctance to associate with his own family.”

Aiden nodded, “Indeed…it seems, after my return, everyone has always been focused on me, which made my brother quite disheartened. And for that, I cannot help but ‘blame myself’.”

“You shouldn’t blame yourself for something you are not responsible for, Aiden! And it wasn’t like others were paying attention to you for nothing. They saw potential in you to be the next king.”

That’s right. Adam also feels that Aiden has all the qualities required to become the next Monarch. Not only is he a level-headed young man, but also a brilliant swordsman as well.

“I feel honored to hear those words from you, Lord Corwon. It’s just that Father had mother supporting him, so he was able to handle everything so perfectly. I also hope I can ‘find a woman’ capable like my mother who is both strong and intelligent, who can ‘support me’.”

This time Adam didn’t say anything immediately. He was forced to think about what Aiden said.

Cedric indeed received a wife who supported him in his various phases. Even Corwon, who once was a Commander of the Royal Order, was promoted to a Duke suddenly. As such, if not for his wife he might not have been able to manage things.

And as the next ruler, Aiden also needs a competent partner…someone like…

“Okay then, Lord Corwon, I won’t take any more of your time.” Aiden got up from his seat, urging Adam to get up as well, as the two men shook hands.

“Let’s hope Austin and Valerie have a good future.”

Adam nodded, however, looking at him anyone could tell that his mind was clustered with thoughts at the moment

Aiden grinned, ‘Perfect. The seed is sown.’

———**———

Rudolph was leading Austin into the forest after they passed the perimeter of the school. Fortunately, they didn’t get caught or this would have ended in the most abrupt and undesirable manner.

“Have you come here before to hunt alone?” Austin suddenly asked, looking a bit cautious of the surroundings.

Seeing his slightly apprehensive self, Rudolph barely suppressed a grin, as he responded, “A few times in the past, and don’t worry, there aren’t any beasts above C-rank here since students often are brought here.”

Austin nodded, “I also know that, but I am new to hunting and a D-rank at that.”

Rudolph wanted to scoff; a Prince so weak and needed to be protected by a woman. Such a sore loser.

They trod through the shallow wilderness and entered the heart of the forest where only huge trees and the sound of monsters movements could be sensed.

Austin took a strong gulp as he said, “Isn’t it enough? We are already too far from the Academy.”

Rudolph turned towards Austin before muttering, “Yeah, this should be fine. After all, even if you shout, no one will hear your cries.”

Austin frowned as he asked, “What do you m-ah!”

He gasped upon seeing Rudolph’s skin melting, and a red skin appearing from behind the shell.

“A demon….?” Austin’s eyes parted wide as he saw the creature finally showing its real self.

The demon’s flesh was a deep crimson, slick and raw as though freshly flayed, with patches of blackened veins pulsating just beneath the surface. Its face twisted unnaturally, the jaw elongating to reveal jagged teeth that jutted out at uneven angles.

Clawed hands, gnarled and bony, twitched erratically, and its eyes—sunken and glowing a sickly yellow—seemed to bore straight into the soul. A faint stench of burning meat filled the air as Austin froze, unable to tear his gaze away.

The demon grinned, a grin that could make one skin crawl in disgust, as it stated, “Surprised? Well, I did expect you to be naive but this much that you didn’t sense anything strange in my behavior?”

Austin’s eyes were still parted wide, as he asked, “You…then where is my friend?!” He shouted as he summoned his Shard.

The demon laughed, his laugh resonating across the forest, making Austin flinch before the demon looked back at him and said,

“Look at you! Being on the verge of death yet worrying about others. Aren’t you an innocent one?”

Austin took a strong gulp as he said, “Y-You can’t kill me…I-I am the second Prince-”

“Pfft- do you think I give a fuck about that? We are here to get you, and through you, we will lure that bitch named Valerie.”

“Valerie?! What do you need from her?!” Austin cried, his grip on his Shard becoming firmer.

The demon snarled, “That girl is far more useful than you could ever be. She will be corrupted once she is taken back. And not only her, during the tournament numerous students from various academies would be recruited into the demonic army.”

“And you know the first task they would be given? To slaughter their brethren.” Kalwar muttered a sense of euphoria in his voice. It’s always fun to watch the corrupted humans destroy their homes, and then once they realize what they have done, their cries sound the best. Ahh~~

“Such wicked plans….who in the world can be so…cruel…” There were tears in Austin’s eyes as he muttered,

“My master, one and only Lord Zevrath.” And now, after succeeding in this mission, Kalwar would become one of the seven Generals under Zevarath..finally!

“So cruel….so cruel…” Austin’s cries sounded melodious in his ears, but then, “…trying to be so cruel that it sounds childish.”

Kalwar frowned as suddenly Austin raised his face, and all the traces of fear and remorse disappeared from his face.

He wiped the tears and heaved a sigh, “So that’s the plan, eh? And this Zevrath…he is the King of Demonic Beast, right? He has fallen so much to target children now?”

The previous fear and anxiety were no longer seen on his face as Austin casually muttered

Kalwar spat, “Why are you pretending that you don’t care about all this? Do you understand what kind of situation you are in?”

For some reason, even though nothing had changed other than Austin’s expression, Kalwar was experiencing a bad sensation…something was not right.

“Your acting skills are top-notch, master.” Suddenly, a voice sent a jolt down Kalwar’s spine as it twirled on its feet and turned towards the source of the voice.

“Y-You…!”

The biggest obstacle that could ruin this mission—Sebastian!

“How are you at two places at the same time?!” Kalwar barked as it asked its brother just a few seconds ago, and Sebastian was still in the library.

Austin chuckled, “You demons are so easy to fool that I really don’t find anything to be threatened about.”

Kalwar clenched its fist, its nail digging into its flesh as it turned toward Austin and spat, “How did you find out?!”

Austin yawned, “There were so many hints, but let me give you the strongest one.” With his eyes turning cold, Austin stated, “Rudolph never separates his beloved dagger from him…even while sleeping.”

The demon gritted its teeth. Just a dagger was enough to make him realize?

Austin shrugged, “I even gave you a hint that I am suspicious by deliberately asking for the dagger; was testing your IQ. But I guess I was right about you guys being mindless creatures after all.”

“Damn you!!!” Kalwar suddenly launched toward Austin, its nails elongating. The demon believed that Sebastian might jump in. However, Austin suddenly summoned his Shard and threw it towards Kalwar.

The demon simply swatted the dagger away—only to be hit by Austin’s fist—making the demon realize,

‘The dagger was just a feint…’

Kalwar leaped away, feeling its nose bleeding.

Austin looked at his fist with a grin, as he muttered, “Don’t interrupt the battle unless you see him using some dirty tricks, Sebas. I wanna test a few things on this test subject.”

“As you command, my Lord.”

———**———

A/N:- Thanks for reading.