Struggling as a Villain

The atmosphere around the group was grim.

Richard and the other three have safely returned to the cruise ship and are currently sitting in a circle but

no words have been exchanged except for the initial short conversation Ben had with others.

Bella and Emily were sitting beside Richard, anxiety written over their faces. However, neither of them dared to disturb him.

Richard's expression clearly told the situation back in the fortress.

Lilia could sense that her master was shaken up after he witnessed his friend. She has already guessed what could have been the situation of a person who was solely used as a power generator.

"Young master..."

"I am fine, Lilia. Just give me a moment." He spoke without removing his eyes from the ground.

Several things were going through Richard's mind as of now. However, if he lets them overwhelm him, then not only will he lose his friend, but he has to embrace lifelong guilt as well.

He has to remain calm here and think this through. A single wrong decision or aggressive approach can ruin this.

"Brother...tell us what happened. Regardless of the situation, we will find a way." Bella comforted him, her warm fingers sending a calming sensation from his hand.

Holding her hand, he heaved a sigh before leaning back in his seat. His eyes traveled towards the person who would get most hurt upon hearing his words,

"Carl...your sister is dead."

"...!!" Carl's eyes stretched wide, his lips parted in shock and his failure to utter a word. Everyone was as shocked as him and taking advantage of the silence, Richard added,

"She is dead from the inside; when I looked into her eyes there was nothing left. No pain, no remorse, ni anger...no love. She was left with nothing."

"So what?! In any case, I won't leave her there!" Carl barked, his voice containing his frustration. He was already aware of his sister's situation yet he sought help. Now, even if Richard doesn't help, it is not like Carl is going to abandon his sister.

Bella was in support of Carl in this, but naturally, she wouldn't say anything against what her brother had decided.

Ben interjected, "Is there no hope?"

Richard shook his head, "She is hollow from the inside; being used only as a medium to supply Aembr in a vast amount. And it seems they are about to do something massive in the near future, for which Jin would surely utilize a vast amount of Aembr."

Looking at Carl, the redhead said, "And I don't think I need to spell out what would happen then."

Carl clenched his fist, "And you are going to let it happen?" If Richard was aware that they would completely exhaust Rena's life force, then why did he seem so undetermined for this? Why was he so unbothered about this?!

Why hasn't he spoken about how they could rescue Rena? Has he already accepted the defeat just because his sister is no longer worth his time?

Carl knew that with his stable mind, he would never have thought something like this for Richard...but as of now, his chaotic conscience wasn't allowing him to think calmly.

"Carl, calm down." Lilia suddenly appeared before the man and pressed her hand on his shoulder.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he complained, "But...can't you see how he is giving up..."

Lilia wiped his tears like she was coaxing a child and said, "You don't know my master enough then. He can never give up on those whom he adores."

A flicker of hope ignited in his eyes as Carl looked past Lilia and gazed at Richard. Even Emily and Bella were surprised when they looked at Richard and found him not denying Lilia's commitment.

"Mister Richard?" Boris asked.

Richard heaved a sigh before telling them, "There is a way for...saving Rena and erasing all those painful memories she has suffered from. Although making her forget everything would be impossible, we can at least save her from drowning in depression."

A surge of elation spread across the group as they heard him.

Carl was trying his best to wipe his eyes now so he could look at his savior. Approaching him he asked, "How can that be possible?" It was strange that despite how impossible it seemed, everyone believed that if Richard had said it, then he surely could bring Rena back.

Richard heaved a sigh before asking them, "Do you all know about the four Demon Generals under the Monarch of Death?"

Everyone glanced at each other since no one except for Emily and Lilia was informed about the history Clion has suffered from. Ben was slightly knowledgeable about this, given he had read the novel, but he didn't say anything.

Richard hummed in understanding and got up before offering his seat to Carl.

Once he ensured that every eye was on him, he began, "There are four Generals of the Death God. The four extensions of his powers, which have their own consciousness and intentions in this world."

Taking a pause and after sweeping a glance at Lilia, he added, "Recently I had a battle with one of those Generals, and I got to know about their strength."

"And believe me, they live up to their title as Demi-god."

"But what-" Laila was interrupted by Ben who immediately covered her mouth and wordlessly asked Richard to continue.

"From what information I have received, the General who has decided to overtake Earth is the strongest general, named Ithryx."

"Ithryx is the strongest General since he received strength from the sacrifice of innocent lives. And we all know, in any battle or war, innocent beings are the ones who are sacrificed the most."

Everyone agreed to that.

Richard paused and looked at the sky, "I don't know why he decided to take over this world, but it's a fact that he is planning something massive by blessing the earthlings."

"Rebellion?" Bella asked herself, but it was heard by her brother.

"Possibly but as of now, we cannot say anything. And considering how lazy the Death God is, I don't think he would even care about Ithryx until the end."

Richard was frustrated, truth be told. He could not fathom how irresponsible Zulcriz was to make Richard his heir yet not reveal anything about his past and his relation with the heavens.

"Master...we are straying from the topic."

"Ah, yeah. I apologize." Turning back to the crowd, he resumed, "So yes, Ithryx has blessed Earth after I died. And Rena has become his apostle."

Emily's eyes widened, "Rena is an apostle?"

Richard nodded, "Yes, I have sensed the essence of the Demon General from her...almost the same which I felt from Vornyx but this was much denser."

"Wait a minute," Ben interrupted, "If Rena is an apostle, shouldn't she have been strong?"

Richard nodded, "Normally, she should have been; however, before she could have realized her strength, Jin captured her and now is using that vast amount of Aembr for his selfish purposes."

The apostles, in his knowledge, were all strong, and Rena had the potential as well. However, the lack of knowledge of magic in this world restricted her growth. And Jin exploited her weakness to gain himself a limitless energy source.

"Then what are we going to do?" Ben asked, still couldn't grasp how all this could help Rena.

Richard's expression turned solemn as he muttered, "I have to claim my right over Rena and make her my follower."

"During the ritual, I can overwrite her memories, erase them, and even add a few if I want to."

Carl felt the excitement building up inside him. If that happens, then his sister would truly recover from all the suffering she has gone through.

However, "What is the price you have to pay, Master?" Lilia asked; however, she had already guessed the answer.

Richard stated, "What happens when you try taking possession of someone? Naturally, a fight is inevitable."

Bella's eyes widened, "With the Demon General?!" She has heard how strong Vornyx was, from Jasmine. And here the being in question was the strongest one.

Richard simply nodded, "Yes, that's the only way to save Rena. I couldn't think of anything else."

Grave silence descended among the people after hearing that.

Freeing Rena was not the answer or Richard would somehow rescue her in the near future. The real problem was to get the real Rena back rather than a broken doll who no longer had any motivation to live anymore.

And to claim her back it was necessary to go against the Demon General.

Was Richard prepared? No, not at all. Unlike Vornyx, this one would descend to just slaughter Richard.

However, was that enough to make him withdraw?

'Like hell...'

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A/N:- The revelation of the whole story regarding the Death God is drawing near. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far.

Drop a comment/review to help me remain motivated.