Struggling as a Villain

"Ethan wait!" Hearing that voice, Ethan was surprised. After all, he didn't expect someone to meet here at this hour. And a girl no less.

With a frown, he turned toward the girl. At that moment, Ethan's eyes were unfocused, and there was a strange energy radiating around him that yelled determination.

He was going to abduct Amelia for the sake of humanity. This was what 'they' commanded. And as someone who holds their blessings, it was Ethan's obligation to fulfil his role.

"What? " He asked as he saw the blond girl standing there while huffing audibly. She also possesses this strange energy which was granted by the residents of the heavens. And that's the reason why Ethan even bothered to turn around.

Emily nervously looked at the person who held no innocence and child-like curiosity in his eyes, unlike how she had seen him for the past few days. She felt sad witnessing those determined and crazed looks on him.

"You are going to get involved with matters relating to Richard, no?" She asked.

Ethan's frown deepened, "Why do you look anxious about it? Have you also switched sides?"

Ethan couldn't believe that the apostles of the light had such a vital role in protecting humanity was concerned about those evil-worshippers.

Emily's eyes were drawn to the ground as she slowly uttered, "We can be rational without siding the evil, Ethan. You may have forgotten about it, but once you taught me that no one shall be treated unjustly despite which side they are standing."

The tension from his brows was slightly released, but still, there was a massive cloud of confusion lingering.

Emily raised her gaze, with a flare of determination in her eyes. She knew she couldn't hurt Ethan and trying to prevent him would result in the same in what she was about to do. So why not take the step which would surely make Ethan think rationally about it?

With a long breath, she asked, "Do you remember the catalyst which awakened your powers?" Emily felt her throat burning and her mind turning numb just as she uttered those words. Her vision blurred and she was barely able to stop herself from falling.

But through the sheer determination to protect the people close to Richard, she uttered, "Eleanor was aware of that attack...from the Headless Demon and...and...she...had the resources...to save your....mother....but she chose....not to...not...to...let you have this power!"

She yelled those few words as blood began to drip down her lips and her eyes turned bloodshot

Ethan's eyes were stretched to their widest reach, and his lips parted slightly. He wasn't in the right mind to support Emily before the girl fell to the ground.

....Eleanor knew yet...she didn't save his mother....

His unfocused gaze regained vitality and his demeanor regained stability.

If not for Emily he might have done something...truly unforgivable today.

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"I knew if I rejected their command, they would have told Eleanor to abduct Amelia. So I took the job in my hand so I can free her when the time comes." Ethan spoke with a solemn expression.

He was feeling guilty for how he treated Amelia in these past two days. Although he didn't hurt her, being bound to one place surely would have been quite unpleasant.

Richard, who was holding Amelia in his arms, thanked the silver head, "You did the right thing, and I am thankful for it."

"You dare say that?" Suddenly, Eleanor spoke up as she slowly stood on her feet.

Ethan frowned, "You never learn, eh?"

Eleanor helplessly looked at him before asking, "Ethan...do you know what he is going to do now, right? Summon one of the Generals of the Death Lord. You do know how much destruction that being can bring right?"

Hearing those words, Ethan could t refute them instantly. However, it wasn't the same for Richard, "I will defeat it."

Ethan turned towards the Scarlette heir before asking, "A-Are you sure about this? Aren't you like one of them?"

"I can never be with mass destruction and loss of innocent lives, Ethan." Richard sincerely replied.

Ethan smiled hearing that before he turned towards Eleanor, "And you hate this person?"

Eleanor rolled her eyes, "He thinks he can defeat someone who has the strength to put even the Duchess down? Yeah, sure."

In the previous timeline, Scarlette Bellarine is defeated and killed by the same deity-class demon whom Richard is about to summon. So naturally, it seems implausible for Richard to take care of it.

Richard darkly chuckled, "Why are you worried about someone else when you should be looking out for yourself? After all, once I deal with the Demon you will be the next."

Richard did no longer care about the plot, the role of Eleanor and other stuff. All he desired was now to split that head of hers and bathe in her blood. She has tried harming his family, and that reason is enough for Richard to go against the heavens.

Eleanor's eyes turned cold as she asked, "Do you think your presence will be tolerated if you hurt the child of the Goddess of Fate?"

Richard growled, "Wait and see if I care about such shit reasons or not."

Ethan was silent on the matter; he didn't care what Richard would do to Eleanor since after hearing that Eleanor purposely let his mother die for the sake of these powers, he himself was feeling vengeful.

"Sir Richard!" Suddenly a very loud reverberation of voice echoed from within the mansion, and Richard instantly spun on his feet.

Darting inside the mansion, followed by Ethan they both climbed the stairs and found Allen on his knees.

"What happened to you?!" Richard asked once he laid Amelia on the sofa.

The boy was bleeding from his eyes and nose as he uttered, "Someone attacked me from behind when you arrived here! I didn't see them!" He said.

Richard looked at his back, and indeed, there was a small hole in his shirt and a red glaring mark on his body.

Allen continued, "My Aembr is getting suppressed! I won't be able to withhold this barrier for long!"

Richard gritted his teeth. There was no one to protect Allen and summoning the Demon and defeating him would take some time.

"Go on, I will protect him." Suddenly, the Headmaster appeared in the room, and while standing beside Allen, he added, "I will keep the surroundings under my observation so he doesn't get attacked again."

Richard nodded; thankful for the man's assistance.

"And I will help you defeat that being. After all, that's my duty as a light user, no?" Ethan added as he rested his hand on Richard's shoulder and assured him, "Don't worry, we will save them."

Richard couldn't believe that the person he was hating and planning to murder just a few moments ago was now willing to help him.

With a nod, Richard said, "Let's go."

Richard has already attained the knowledge of how he can summon the Evil General so he didn't distract Allen and descended the stairs.

"I apologize, my lord, but that girl escaped." The hulking man with red eyes suddenly appeared before Richard, blocking his way.

Richard clicked his tongue, "Forget about her and move!"

The man was startled but instantly rolled toward his left to give his Lord some space.

Ethan apologetically nodded towards the man as he followed Richard to the open space.

Richard stood in the middle of the open field and took a deep breath. Whatever happens now would decide several things. Several things are bound to change. However, at this moment, all Richard desires is to revive his sister and mother.

And for that, he is going to crack a deal with the devil.

Pulling his sleeve, Richard bit his thumb and dropped a few droplets of crimson fluid over the mark of the evil before chanting,

"With this blood, we tear the veil between worlds.

Vornyx, Demon General, heed our call.

Bound by flame and shadow, we unchain you.

Arise from the depths and walk among us."

"By the sacrifices given, your power is freed.

Let none stand before you—Vornyx, enter this realm."

Suddenly, the ritual mark, which was drawn on his arm, surrounded Richard, with him in the centre.

The air around the ritual circle grew heavy, almost suffocating, as the final words of the chant faded into the wind. The sky, once clear, darkened unnaturally fast, thick clouds swirling overhead. The wind howled, not from any direction, but from everywhere at once, whipping the trees and tearing at the earth.

The temperature dropped sharply, the warmth of the day stolen by an icy chill that cut deep into the bones. A low, rumbling growl echoed from beneath the ground, and the surface itself began to tremble. Small cracks snaked outward from the ritual site, spreading like a web.

A thin layer of frost appeared on the bodies of the dead priests, and Ethan had to rub his palms together to not let himself get frostbite.

Suddenly, the clouds above parted—not to reveal sunlight, but a dark, swirling vortex. Lightning cracked through the air, illuminating the twisted, black void. The wind intensified, spiralling into the centre of the ritual like a storm being drawn into a singular point.

From the small gap, it appeared—the third strongest General of the demonic army.

Dread Sovereign, Vornyx.

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A/N:- Lowkey feels bad for Emily. Thanks for reading.