The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Eryndor, The Hero

Lucian turned sharply toward the butler, his dark brows furrowing in concern. “Who is it?” he asked, his tone calm but laced with authority.

“I—I’m not sure, my lord,” the butler wheezed, leaning on the doorframe to catch his breath. “But the carriage bears no identifiable crest. They are armed and approaching quickly.”

Lucian exchanged a glance with Aeliana and Kael, both of whom were immediately alert. “Kael, go to the gates and assess the situation,” Lucian ordered. “Aeliana, stay inside and prepare in case things go south.”

“No,” Aeliana said firmly, stepping forward. “If this is trouble, I want to be by your side.”

Lucian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before nodding reluctantly. “Fine, but stay behind me. Kael, move!”

Kael grumbled but quickly downed his tea, grabbing his weapon on the way out. “I’m on it, Dark Lord,” he said, his voice tinged with sarcasm as he jogged toward the gates.

Lucian turned to Aeliana, his expression softening despite the tension. “Stay sharp. I don’t like uninvited guests.”

As they made their way to the estate’s grand entrance, the sound of hoofbeats grew louder, accompanied by the creak of a carriage. The gates swung open, and Kael stood, sword in hand, as a hooded figure descended from the carriage.

“State your purpose,” Kael demanded.

The figure pulled back their hood to reveal a woman with striking silver hair and piercing blue eyes. “I’ve come to deliver a message to the Dark Lord,” she said, her voice steady and cold.

Lucian stepped forward, his dark aura commanding. “I’m listening.”

…

Kael, who had been standing guard, groaned audibly when the silver-haired woman stepped aside to reveal another figure emerging from the carriage. It was a man clad in polished armor that gleamed even in the dim light of the overcast sky. His fiery red cape billowed dramatically behind him as he strode forward, his hand resting confidently on the hilt of an ornate sword.

“Lucian Valtheris,” the man declared, his deep voice echoing through the courtyard. “I am Eryndor Vale, Champion of the Radiant Order, and I have come to put an end to your reign of darkness!”

Lucian’s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable as he studied the so-called hero before him. “Another one?” he muttered under his breath.

Kael stifled a laugh. “They always show up with the same speech, don’t they?”

Aeliana stepped forward, her confusion evident. “Save me? From what?”

Eryndor’s piercing blue eyes softened as he looked at her. “From him,” he said, pointing at Lucian. “The Dark Lord has surely ensnared you, fair maiden, with his vile sorcery. But fear not, for I shall rescue you from his clutches and return you to the light!”

Aeliana blinked, then burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. “You think I’m ensnared? Do I look like someone who needs rescuing?”

Eryndor’s confident demeanor faltered for a moment. “Well, yes… You’re his prisoner, aren’t you?”

“His prisoner?” she repeated, still laughing. “I’m his fiancée, you fool.”

Lucian smirked, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against a stone pillar. “You heard the lady. Might want to rethink your strategy, hero.”

Eryndor’s eyes widened in shock. “You… you’ve corrupted her!” He unsheathed his sword, the blade glowing with an ethereal light. “Then I have no choice but to free her by force!”

Lucian sighed, stepping forward with an air of exasperation. “Listen, Eryndor, is it? You can either leave now and save yourself the embarrassment, or you can fight me and lose. Your choice.”

Aeliana stepped between them, her hand on her hip. “Hold on. If he wants to fight, let me handle it.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “You?”

“Why not?” she said, her voice determined. “It’ll be good practice.”

Eryndor looked at her with a mix of disbelief and admiration. “Fair maiden, I cannot raise my blade against you. I—”

“Then you’ve already lost,” she said, drawing her weapon with a confident grin. “Let’s see if your ‘Radiant Order’ can handle an elf who’s been trained by the Dark Lord himself.”

Lucian smirked, stepping back to watch. “This should be entertaining.”

…

Aeliana crossed her arms, her voice sharp and commanding. “Did you even bother to bring a warrant to justify this ridiculous intrusion? Or are you just another self-proclaimed hero running around with no regard for jurisdiction or law?”

Eryndor, still gripping his glowing sword, hesitated for a moment. “I don’t need a warrant to defeat evil,” he said, his tone defensive but resolute. “I came here under the orders of the Radiant Council. They’ve declared Lucian Valtheris a threat to all realms, and it is my sworn duty to put an end to his reign.”

Lucian’s golden eyes narrowed dangerously. His posture, which had been casual moments ago, shifted as he stepped forward, an oppressive aura radiating from him. “Your council doesn’t hold authority in my domain,” he growled. “And storming into my home uninvited is a declaration of war.”

“Leave now,” Lucian said, his voice cold and commanding, “before I make you regret ever setting foot on my land.”

Eryndor squared his shoulders, unwilling to back down. “Or else what? You’ll unleash your dark magic on me? Go ahead, I’m not afraid of you!”

Aeliana groaned audibly, rubbing her temples. “You’re not listening, are you? This is our castle. You’re the intruder here. If anyone’s in the wrong, it’s you.”

Kael, standing nearby, smirked and leaned against the wall. “I’d listen to her if I were you, hero. She’s got a point. And trust me, you don’t want to push the Dark Lord too far.”

But Eryndor was resolute. “I will not leave until justice is served!”

Lucian’s aura flared, and the ground beneath Eryndor’s feet trembled slightly. “Justice?” Lucian echoed, his voice low and menacing. “You dare speak of justice while barging into my castle without reason or invitation? You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

Aeliana stepped beside Lucian, her expression hard. “Eryndor, you’re outmatched here. Turn around and go home before this escalates into something you’ll regret.”

Eryndor hesitated, but his pride and the weight of his mission kept him rooted. “I won’t back down. I’ll fight you if I must.”

Lucian let out a sigh of exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine,” he said, his voice laced with frustration. “If you insist on making a fool of yourself, so be it.”

His golden eyes glowed faintly, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. “But remember this: you stepped into my castle, hero. Whatever happens next is on you.”

…

Eryndor charged at Lucian with a fiery determination, his enchanted blade glowing with divine light. Lucian barely moved, sidestepping the attack with an ease that bordered on laziness. As Eryndor swung again, Lucian caught the blade with his bare hand, the metal sparking against his palm as if it had struck an immovable force.

“Is this all the Radiant Council could muster?” Lucian said, his voice dripping with disdain. He shoved Eryndor back with a casual flick of his wrist, sending the hero stumbling several feet.

Eryndor gritted his teeth, his pride stung. “Don’t underestimate me, Dark Lord!” he shouted, lunging forward again. This time, he infused his strike with holy magic, sending a wave of golden energy toward Lucian.

Lucian raised a hand, and with a flick of his fingers, the energy dissipated like smoke in the wind. “Underestimate you?” he repeated, his tone almost amused. “I haven’t even started taking you seriously.”

The guards and staff in the castle watched with varying degrees of awe and amusement as the so-called hero was outmaneuvered at every turn. Even Kael, leaning against a pillar, chuckled under his breath. “This is just sad,” he muttered to Aeliana, who stood by, her arms crossed, clearly unimpressed.

“Lucian’s toying with him,” Aeliana replied, her voice laced with a mixture of exasperation and pride. “This isn’t even a fight—it’s a lesson.”

Eryndor, growing desperate, unleashed a flurry of attacks, his blade glowing brighter with every swing. Lucian deflected them effortlessly, his movements a blur of precision and grace. Finally, with a well-timed maneuver, Lucian parried Eryndor’s sword so hard that it flew out of the hero’s hands, clattering to the floor several feet away.

Lucian stepped forward, his towering presence forcing Eryndor to retreat. “You have spirit, I’ll give you that,” Lucian said. “But spirit alone won’t save you here.”

The guards, who had been quietly observing the spectacle, seemed to take their cue. One of them stepped forward and opened the grand double doors of the castle. Lucian smirked, his eyes narrowing at Eryndor. “Looks like the exit is ready for you.”

Before Eryndor could respond, Lucian’s hand shot out, a wave of dark energy propelling the hero backward. The force of it sent him skidding across the floor until he tumbled through the open doors. He landed on his backside in the dirt outside the castle, his pride and resolve shattered.

The guards suppressed laughter as they stepped forward, firmly shutting the doors behind him.

Inside, Lucian dusted off his hands and turned to the others. “Well, that was a waste of time,” he said, his voice calm but laced with irritation.

Kael burst out laughing, slapping his knee. “I’ve seen chickens put up a better fight!”

Aeliana couldn’t help but smirk, though she quickly masked it. “Let’s hope he learned his lesson,” she said, her voice even.

Lucian glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. “If not, I’m sure he won’t be foolish enough to try again.” Then, with a deep sigh, he added, “Now, let’s get back to more important matters.”