Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 98

Chapter 98: Chapter 97- Reached
They had no problem reaching the port city because of the badge that Captain Drek gave back on the first checkpost.

Although Valerie wanted to go back and ask a few questions from Drek, Austin somehow soothed her anger and brought her along.

“So this is the most secure city, humanity could offer.”

Austin heaved a sigh as he walked through the city streets while casually glancing around.

Unlike Eryndor, which has a proper medieval feeling, with regular shops, kids playing around, merchants bringing their products, and blacksmithing shops here and there. This place was much more calm and well-maintained.

He could see the soldiers of the Union Council patrolling around. The air smelled of salt and fresh sea breeze, mixing with the faint scent of baked bread from nearby stalls. The city was alive but orderly—guards in polished armor patrolled with calm expressions, their presence enough to keep trouble at bay.

Here, one could not buy a residence unless there was an emergency in their kingdom or they were a war refugee.

People dream of living in this city for several reasons. This city has the lowest crime rate, and businessmen and merchants don’t have to pay import taxes. Those who serve the Union Council get a hefty sum as compensation. And many more benefits

However, despite how rich or powerful you are, the rules of the Council are absolute.

How Valerie and Austin were roaming around so freely? Well, earlier Sebastian changed their appearance by using a potion that completely changed their hair color, making both of them black-haired. The duo wore casual clothes, consisting of checkered pants and a plain shirt to not stand out.

And thankfully, they aren’t standing out at all.

“This place looks…tense for some unknown reason,” Valerie commented as she saw that even the kids walking around didn’t have smiles on their faces and were silently walking back to their houses.

“Given the circumstances under which they must have been brought here, I am not surprised,” Sebastian spoke. He has seen a few wars during his prime time, and the consequences the innocent people had to pay because of conflict between two people.

“The Council provides them schooling and appropriate environment so they can get over their trauma,” Austin spoke as he also spotted a few kids who behaved unnaturally.

Valerie felt troubled about all this, wishing that no other kid had to live in this place under any circumstances.

They soon crossed the city streets and reached the headquarters of the Union Council.

A massive structure built from smooth, dark stone that radiated authority. Unlike the decorative palaces of kings or the grand temples of old, this building had no unnecessary embellishments—every inch of its design was practical, built for function rather than shown.

Towering columns lined the entrance, supporting a vast archway where the insignia of the Union Council was carved in intricate detail. The flag of the Council hung high above, its dark blue fabric rippling in the ocean breeze.

Several soldiers were walking in and out of the building. Several carriages were parked nearby and several staff members were cleaning around the place, given it was early in the morning.

“You two wait here; I will go and drop it.”

Austin nodded before he invited Valerie to sit on the nearby resting bench.

“The backbone of our side,” Valerie muttered under her breath as she saw the flag of the Council.

Beyond the ocean was the land of the demons. The place was a nightmare for many.

Valerie had heard several things about the Demonic lands and had heard that humans had ventured into those lands in the past. Most of the time, they didn’t return, since even the air of that domain is toxic.

“Whose statue is that…” Austin wondered aloud as he saw a huge statue planted in the central plaza of the building.

“The Great Hero Kane. The one who fought the Demon Lord, a thousand years ago and sealed the calamity.”

Austin raised his brows ..so he is the ancestor of Rhea eh? The only one who came nearly close to killing the Demon King at that time when the Demon King was at its peak strength.

The demon lord Rhea is supposed to face would be a fragment of its true self. Yet the protagonist couldn’t reach the level where she could defeat the being.

‘This time around, Valerie would be at least from the human side…’ Valerie was the third strongest being near the end of the story and was defeated through deceit. And the strongest General of the Demon Army also required quite some trickery and a few sacrifices.

However, this time around, Austin has messed up with a few things, and knowing that the Demon Lord would threaten the whole of humanity, there was not a single chance he would stay back and watch everyone fight.

“It’s strange, no?” While Austin was distracted by his thoughts about the future, Valerie was still watching the statue as she muttered, “There were numerous heroes who sacrificed their lives; some of them even became the pillar of humanity while the Hero couldn’t fight. However, history only remembered the great hero Kane.”

Austin gave a short laugh, “Well, it all matters about who has a pretty face and who wields a fancy sword. That person naturally becomes a Hero in everyone’s eyes.”

It was nothing new. Luke has read many novels where only the protagonists get praised for their brilliance during the final battle, and all the side characters’ sacrifice and hard work get outshined.

Valerie smiled. Resting her face on her hand, she gazed at Austin with a warm look before muttering, “Well, in my eyes, the one who wields a dagger is my hero, though.”

“•⁠﹏⁠•” Austin averted his gaze shyly. Why is Valerie in such a dangerous mood today?

“Young Master,” Soon Sebastian arrived, and Austin immediately got up.

“W-What happened? Is everything alright?”

Sebastian was surprised to see his master being flustered, but he informed, “I returned the badge without showing my face and have already talked to the captain of an available vessel.”

Austin nodded, “That’s good. We should leave as soon as we can.”

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Valerie can be dangerous, eh.