Struggling as a Villain

Since the others were waiting to see Richard, Amelia and Richard didn't go all the way, and after cleaning up in the bathroom they changed their clothes—Amelia was reluctant to let go of the maid ones—and descended to the first floor.

There, Bellarine along with Bella were chatting—mostly Bellarine talked—and Lilia was with Violet and Emily. They all seemed relaxed and happy, and the scene alone made his heart melt.

"Evening." He greeted, and at once, every gaze turned toward him.

Bella flew towards him and hugged her brother. She hasn't seen him since he left to save Ethan. Although she came to see him when he was asleep, still meeting his conscious self held more importance.

"I heard you were fine but until I hear it from you, I couldn't trust anyone."

Richard rubbed her back and assured, "Your brother is safe and completely unharmed."

"Young Master, I heard you met a 'familiar apostle' there?" Lilia asked, with a frown on her face.

Bella removed herself from his embrace but remained standing near her beloved, with their hands connected.

Richard looked past Lilia and while looking at the two near the entrance, he said, "Why don't we hear it from the person?"

Everyone turned towards the entrance where Nora and Elizabeth stood.

Last night Richard told the Princess about Ethan's decision and gave her the letter. She became silent and somewhat relieved after reading the message from him, and in the morning, she appeared far, much calmer.

As the duo approached, Nora apologized, "I am sorry for hiding it from you, but yes, I have been impersonating someone among the apostles."

No one was aware of it and surely they were surprised to hear that.

Bellarine stepped forward and asked, "Since you were aware of the ambush, why didn't you inform any of us?" Bellarine was displeased about the fact that her baby held himself responsible for so much death.

And now, her anger was directed at the stupid elf.

Nora's eyes became blurry with tears, "I didn't know…that they would kill so many people. And I also got convinced that this was for the greater good." Inching closer to Richard, she begged,

"Please trust me, Richard, I didn't have a clue that they would end up killing so many students and that Rose would go out of control. Not even apostles were informed about Rose being the descendent of the First Hero."

Richard indifferently looked at the girl before shaking his head, "You don't need to apologize since I never held expectations from you, Nora. You are from the side of Light so surely it's your duty to hide the plans and plots they form against us."

Tears rolled down her eyes as she realized that Richard wasn't going to believe in her. The only hope she had to save Ethan was also drifting away.

"Richard, I am ready with my decision." Elizabeth, ignoring the elf, stepped forward.

With her gaze holding nothing but determination she asked, "Tell me something, after accepting Aembr, will you trust me?"

Richard hesitated a bit and glanced at Emily before telling her, "Yes…since when I use Authority, you won't be able to lie to me."

Emily gave no particular reaction to that even though she was unaware of this authority. She has devoted herself to serving the being who saved her; as such, she doesn't mind having control over her words.

Elizabeth nodded, "Then…change my fate and origin. Turn me into the being whom I once hated. If it's all it takes for me to get back on those people who dare hurt my Ethan, then I am prepared."

Holding the hand of the elf beside her, Elizabeth added, "And she is too."

Nora, the girl who was reluctant to stray from the path of light until yesterday, showed no reluctance when Elizabeth added her to the list as well.

Richard looked at the elf before asking, "Are you sure, Nora? After this, you won't be accepted by the deities; you have to fight alongside the same monsters whom you wished to exterminate in the past. And you have to serve the same being who became the reason for Ethan's demise."

Nora flinched, not because she didn't already know it, but rather, "You…Richard, are you a wandering soul?"

Richard chuckled, "You are noticing it now? That I am aware of the previous timeline?"

Elizabeth's eyes also widened slightly since despite him asking things regarding the previous timeline, she didn't think he could be a wandering soul.

Richard heaved a sigh, "Well does it matter? Those who are close to me know who I am."

Richard shrugged since he didn't want to go back and explain every single thing about Earth and then dying and then regaining memories…it was enough that the people close to him knew about it….

…except for Lilia. He never found the chance to tell her.

Elizabeth heaved a sigh, "No wonder you were behaving maturely and even didn't give a shit about Emily's emotions and stuff."

Emily pouted, "He cares about me!"

Elizabeth scoffed, "Yeah, right. Anyway, I am fine switching sides."

Richard turned his gaze toward the elf and Nora, also nodded in assent, "Me too. I will do whatever it takes to save Ethan from those vultures."

Richard, upon receiving the consent, told them,

"Okay…umm, Jasmine." Instantly the raven-haired demon appeared before her master with a smile on her face.

"Yes, master?"

Bella frowned, this woman gives a wrong vibe every time she is near her brother. Bellarine and Amelia were the same.

Her sex appeal is greater than anyone in this mansion.

Richard told her, "Go and take a few hours of rest before starting preparing for the ritual."

Jasmine's smile extended, "But master, I will need some energy for the ritual."

Richard heaved a sigh, "Okay come with me-"

"No, no, wait! What kind of energy is she talking about Baby?"

"I am also curious, young master." Lilia pressed forward.

"Richard?" Amelia frowned.

Richard gulped before informing them, "It's…a connection of two bodies, where one transfers Aembr to another."

"And how do they connect?" Bellarine's frown deepened.

"..."

—-------**---------

The Emperor has returned to the Capital after almost two months. He has received numerous reports, and sadly, none of them were to be celebrated.

First, the attack on the Capital by the dark cultist endangered his son's life, and numerous soldiers were sacrificed.

Then there was the situation with Bellarine where it was suspected that she and her son killed hundreds of church members by siding the Darkness. However, there has been no proper evidence to show the credibility of the news

And then, the most unfortunate news: the death of Headmaster Marcus.

The ambush on the academy was well planned and not something that a misdirected horde of Ambrobates could cause.

There were numerous younglings who died that day, and the academy was on the verge of getting sealed off.

There were hundreds of complaints waiting to be looked at by the supreme authority. However, he didn't engage in this immediately.

Lucius was currently engaged in a meeting with his chief advisor and the first Prince.

There were a lot of situations to deal with; however, the Emperor was met by something more concerning.

"What did you say? Portal?" The blond man asked his advisor who was providing the report regarding the present situation in Eldoria.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Strange portals which are releasing monsters and closing off immediately."

Lucius frowned. He has never heard any such thing in the past and no records show such behaviour of monsters in the past.

"Are they any different from the Ambrobates we know?" The Prince asked, to which the Advisor nodded,

"Although their appearance is the same they contain a magical essence which is…weaker than ether and certainly weaker than Aembr."

Lucius frowned, "What do you mean?"

The bald man explained, "Yes sir, in front of ether spells, those monsters vaporized. They are far weaker than their counterparts living in Eldoria."

The youngest one asked, "Do we know where they are coming from?"

The man looked uncertain, "I can't be sure, but the soldiers on duty who gazed at the portals said the land on the other side is strange…houses larger than what one could gaze at…and some sort of strange carriage they spotted nearby."

"Any human sightings?" Lucius asked to which the chief advisor shook his head,

"No, sir. It would have been helpful if we could catch someone who doesn't just groan and roar."

Lucius heaved a sigh…Ambrobates were already millions in numbers, and now, they are getting more.

There was no clue where they were coming from and despite the fact that these monsters are relatively weaker, the number at which they are being sent here is concerning.

And not only in Eldoria, but Lucius received the report from several other kingdoms from foreign lands as well.

"Investigate the matter, Harold, and if you want, ask for Hawkbridge's help."

The bald man nodded, "I will do my best, Your Majesty."

—------**-------

A/N:- Thanks for reading. The number of reviews ain't moving!!!