Struggling as a Villain

[Foreign energy intrusion!]

[Does the Host want to restrict the energy?]

[Y/N]

'No!' Richard nearly screamed as he jumped onto his feet. He didn't know how and why Brad helped him, but right now, like hell, he was going to question this help.

Throwing the staff into the incoming guy, tripping him once the staff hit his face, Richard summoned several flame lances in the air, and with precise control he sent them hurtling in their direction.

"Ah-aaaaaaaahhhhh!!" The one into which the lance stabbed began to cry in pain as his whole body was enshrouded in flames, burning his flesh and melting his bones.

Not only did he but several of the prisoners were targeted by the fiery flames of the Scarlette house.

Richard growled as he recalled his staff back in his hand. His staff crackled, releasing a violent arc of purple electricity that tore through flesh and bone. The prisoners screamed as their bodies convulsed uncontrollably before dropping lifeless at his feet.

His magical energy was getting filled up constantly every time he reached the bottom. And that allowed Richard to go crazy with the onslaught.

He didn't pause. His next step was a blur as he lunged forward, slamming his staff into the gut of another prisoner with a crushing force. The man was lifted off the ground by the impact, his eyes wide in shock before the electricity erupted from the point of contact, his body exploding into violent spasms. Before he could even hit the ground, Richard had already moved on.

His body blurred through the crowd, electricity and flames erupted from several corners and the prisoners were slaughtered at a pace which was nothing but horrifying.

The chaos only fueled Richard's resolve. Another group of prisoners ran at him—he didn't bother with finesse. He smashed the staff into the ground, sending a wave of purple electricity that spread out in all directions. The prisoners screamed as they were engulfed in the lethal current, their bodies jerking violently before collapsing into smouldering heaps.

Covered in blood he never stopped until every person who stood once against him was laying on the ground.

*Dhak*

Spinning on his feet, Richard turned to look at the only alive person amongst the dead, currently kneeling on the floor. He clasped his hand, face held a complexion that oozed with fear as the spiky-haired male begged,

"P-P-Please...f-f-forgive me...."

A grin spread his lips as Richard realized the identity of the man was the same who had tried hitting him earlier.

Stabbing the staff in the ground with a loud crunch, he approached the prisoner with his hand enshrouded in flames and his eyes filled with evident greed for blood.

"No!" The spiky-haired lowered his head and cried for mercy as he saw Richard advancing in his direction.

However, the fist never landed on him as before the prisoner, someone fell.

"E-Eh..." The man, who was grovelling until a moment ago, slowly raised his face and saw the bald boy currently sprawled on the ground, lifelessly.

Suddenly a gleam appeared in his eyes as he extended his hand toward Richard's neck—

"Ughhh!"

—only to find something stabbing through his chest and impaling him to death.

The man had only an instance worth of view of his murderer and all he could mutter was,

"Beautiful..."

Jasmine pulled out her hand from the dead prisoner's chest and wiped it on his shirt, with a look of disgust on her face.

"Wow..." Suddenly, the only conscious person other than Jasmine in the hall approached her.

Jasmine got up on her feet and with her gaze fixated on Richard, she said, "Get him back to the cell before the others arrive."

Brad grinned, "I can't understand you, lady. First, you try to kill him, then you try to rescue him...what in the world is your relationship with him?"

There was an unreadable expression on her face as she kept staring at Richard's back for a few moments before mumbling something inaudible under her breath.

She looked back at Brad and told him again, "Take him away. Now."

Brad shrugged; not like he was expecting some kind of backstory here.

Draping Richard over his shoulder, the brown-haired glanced at the staff which was standing erect on the ground, only to find it slowly disintegrating into fragments.

'Crazy tool...'

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[Day 01- Outside world]

"How did this happen?" Inside a dimly lit room, there could be seen four figures, sitting around a tea table.

All of them had a grim expression and the reason why they met here, despite having no prior agreement, was because they received a message from the deities who have blessed them.

A Demon General is about to descend. And the person who would be summoning the Demon is none other than,

"Richard....why is he doing that?" Emily couldn't help but ask no one specifically.

They received the message from a heaven's resident so there was no point in doubting their words. And because of that message, these four ladies have gathered here.

"Is he greedy for strength?" Nora, the only person who had the least exchange with Richard in this timeline, asked in suspicion.

Although she sensed his personality to be quite different, more than anyone, she knew how one could fake their behaviour to look good in others' eyes. However, from the inside, they remain the same.

"No...he isn't the same as he was in the previous timeline. I don't think, that's the case." Emily strongly refused to believe in what Nora suggested.

"The nature and signature of a person never change, I know," Elizabeth muttered. Although she felt that great urgency to kill the violet-haired b*tch right now, she focused on the matter that was a priority.

"At least you shouldn't be saying this, Eli! Richard helped you to rescue Ethan. He had not a single benefit helping him yet he did. Can you tell me why?!" Hearing Emily's raised voice, Elizabeth frowned.

However, since Emily was right she didn't say anything in rebuttal.

The room fell under silence. No one could discern what was happening, but they had to find a solution.

Nora looked up at Eleanor and asked, "El...do you have something in mind?"

Emily also turned her eyes toward Eleanor, and although Elizabeth looked like she was staring at nothing particular, she was actually waiting to hear what the violette says.

After heaving a sigh, she finally said, "There is no denying that Richard isn't the same as he was in the previous timeline. So rather than blaming Richard and trying to solve this through brute strength, we should think about what could have forced him to side with evil?"

Emily frowned; what could have forced Richard to take such a life-changing decision?

There aren't many people in his life for whom he could take such a risk, and Richard isn't the type of person who would betray humanity for strength.

Then....ah!

"His mother...El, have you been able to contact your people in the Capital?" Emily hurriedly asked the violet-haired.

Elizabeth scoffed, "Something happened to Duchess Bellarine? Are you out of your mind?" There aren't many people for whom Elizabeth could speak in the same manner. However, when it comes to Bellarine, not only the blond Princess but the other three also know how strong that lady is.

However, "I know she is an exceptional warrior, but we can't overlook the fact that she is also a human." Emily argued, "Maybe she received some fatal damage in the battle against the Clone? Or maybe a high-ranking demon from the Dark Star attacked her secretly? We have already tampered with the events a lot so it shouldn't be surprising for this to be true."

Everyone else was forced to think of it like that. Her words held credibility, and in a way, it was possible for one of the minions of those Generals to secretly attack Bellarine.

However, Eleanor had a different thought, "What if...Bellarine has actually sided with the evil, and as compensation, Richard needs to please the Demon?"

Emily frowned, hearing that, "Why would she need to take the side of the evil? She has fought wars against the Bates and has cleaned a huge portion of the demonic army...why would she suddenly become an ally of the Death Lord?"

Eleanor didn't say anything and kept her gaze down. Emily was still looking for an answer and Nora looked genuinely baffled.

It was then Elizabeth had a hunch, and she spoke based on that, "Eleanor...you know something which we don't, don't you?"

Nora's brows were risen and Emily now looked confused.

Eleanor slowly lifted her eyes and hesitantly nodded, "I-I received the message from Goddess of Fortune: Duchess Bellarine has been corrupted and as the children of prophecy, we now have to exterminate her."

Emily gasped, and Nora had a similar reaction. No one in this room suspected the words of the Goddess who had sent them back in time, and making such a big comment about the Duchess was not something Eleanor could ever make up by herself.

Then...what were they supposed to do? In the absence of Richard and in her, possibly, vulnerable condition, hunt down the Duchess?

Suddenly, the growing silence was broken by Eldorian princess,

"I think I know what we should do, "Everyone else looked at Elizabeth, only to hear her speak something completely unexpected,

"The person we actually need to deal with...is you, Eleanor."

Emily gasped and Nora immediately asked, "Why did you say something like that?"

Elizabeth, while keeping her eyes constant on Eleanor's, added, "Why only Eleanor received this extra piece of advise? Why weren't we told of this? Have you not already seen how this woman can go to some.extreme lengths to keep things 'in order'? I am sure killing Bellarine is also one of her plans, no?"

Emily's eyes were parted wide. Elizabeth's were true and held credibility. She has been betrayed by Eleanor once and considering Bellarine strength it wouldn't be surprise for Eleanor to think of her as a hindrance.

"El...tell me she is lying..." Nora asked; her voice laced with hesitation and fear.

Eleanor's indifferent expression shifted and what replaced it was a very thin smirk.

"I guess the Princess actually got some brains."

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A/N:- Ohya? Guess who gonna die?