Struggling as a Villain

Late at night, Richard decided to visit the academy to check on how things were proceeding.

Along with him, Bellarine and Amelia were present. Although the others also demanded to come, Richard told them to rest for now since they kept moving for the whole day.

Bella only agreed to stay back once Richard promised to share the bed with her tonight.

"There were about two thousand Ambrobates still fighting with the forces when I arrived." As they strolled towards the academy, Bellarine informed them.

"There never had been any preparation for such a large-scale attack in the first place. That's why they failed to contain the danger. Then there was that dragon as well."

Hearing Bellarine's words, Richard was reminded of that creature, urging the redhead to ask, "Mom…is there any place on Clion where we could find Dragons?"

Bellarine frowned, "No, I don't think so. And even if there was, it wouldn't have remained hidden for this long."

"A contracted familiar?" Amelia added, to which Bellarine nodded, "Possible….but considering how the strength of the contractor plays a major factor in deciding the familiar, it is highly likely that there is someone incredibly strong on their side."

Richard slowly nodded. Even his mother, who was the strongest witch, had only a phoenix as her familiar. So one could expect the scale of strength of the person who summoned that dragon.

Soon the trio reached the academy and found the situation inside was much more dire.

The soldiers from the capital have arrived and are actively taking away the dead bodies of the monsters. And the medical teams were still checking on the fallen students and taking them away.

Richard spotted Max standing nearby, urging him to ask, "When did they arrive?"

Max was startled to hear his voice, not paying attention to his surroundings resulted in his surprise before he responded,

"Ah…in the evening. No one informed them but it seems Duchess Bellarine's presence here was enough evidence to show that something massive happened."

Amelia excused herself since she spotted one of her friends crying while holding her elder sister's dead body.

Richard's heart trembled at the sight, as he asked, "How many?"

Max's expression turned grim as he whispered, "More than two hundred."

Richard clenched his fist in agitation. He felt he failed them since despite being aware that something was about to happen, he underestimated his enemy and that resulted in the death of so many.

Max rested his hand on the young man's shoulder before telling him, "It's not your fault…rather, people are thankful that it's because of you, the danger was subdued. The scale of attack those Ambrobates planned could have easily erased the existence of Obsidian Citadel."

Bellarine also held his hand, and encouraged, "Look at the brighter side, baby. You saved those many people even though you weren't obliged."

Richard heaved a long sigh before he held his mother's hand fondly and asked the man, "Those who betrayed…was there anything common between them."

Max looked awfully sad, as he lowered his gaze and uttered, "Their status….most of them were from poor families."

"So they were bribed?" Bellarine asked the obvious.

Richard shook his head, "No, mother. Although they were poor, money cannot twist their principles and moral values."

With his brows drawing closer, he provided the possible cause, "It's the accessibility of the church members to those people, which allows them to manipulate the children into believing that following the path they lay is the only way to attain peace."

"They brainwashed the kids?!" Max exclaimed; he clearly didn't expect such to be the case.

Bellarine confirmed, "I have seen, nowhere else but in the Capital, that the church members are allowed to roam around on a weekly basis. They have the permission to visit the houses of commoners for inspection and to enlighten them." The last bit came with an exasperated sigh.

"This game is well planned…" Richard muttered under his breath, before turning towards the Professor and asking, "What about the parents of the deceased?"

Max looked extremely worried and sad, "They are being informed and naturally, they are all coming here. Might as well reach by tomorrow morning."

With his gaze turning towards the emblem of the school, Max added, "Although I cannot be sure…but without the Headmaster being here to handle the situation, it's highly likely that this Academy would be sealed off after what happened today."

Richard wasn't surprised to hear that. The children who died today were all from noble families and those who came here from the Emberclad Empire, their death would cause international conflict as well.

There was no evidence to prove that they betrayed, and the society would ultimately blame the Ambrobates and the security of the Obsidian Citadel for the lives that had been wasted.

It has been over two months since he joined the academy, and within two months, directly or not, Richard has flipped the academy upside down.

No one knew what was going on inside Richard's head after he witnessed the savagery of those people from the side of Light.

The Ambrobates were infamous for their wild nature and the gruesome deaths they inflicted. Yet, for all they were, they at least attacked from the front. People like Eleanor, however, plot and scheme to stab others in the back—and that is far more lethal.

Bellarine went ahead to meet her ex-classmates and Richard's Professor Olivia, leaving Max and Richard alone.

"Richard…can you do something for me?" Amidst the growing silence, the older one suddenly asked.

Richard nodded, "Yes, what is it?"

"When you find Duke Aeromore's scion, Brendon Aermore…" With his gaze filled with nothing but sheer anger and desire for blood, Max added, "Give him the most gruesome death you can. Not only did he stab in the back of his friends and classmates…he was the one behind the Headmaster's demise as well."

It was very rare for Max to show such raw emotions, especially after he retired as a knight.

Richard clenched his fist as his mind went to that specific bastard before he assented, "I promise you, sir."

Max patted Richard on his shoulder before saying, "I will be going now. Take care."

Richard watched the man, now looking extremely weak and disheartened, helping others in removing the debris and doing his best to keep a positive front.

However, Richard knew that from the inside, not only Max but every single Professor and Instructors were broken.

And all of this for the sake of regaining control over Ethan.

'How sick can they be…'

—-------**---------

Inside the room, only two people could be seen currently.

After contacting Richard Rose asked if it was alright with Ruby to stay there for a bit longer. In the strange place, she was feeling extremely anxious and having no one else to talk to, she felt she might lose her mind.

Ruby agreed to her request; however, she would need to go back as soon as possible. There are people here who observe every member.

Rose is still undecided, and in that situation, if Ruby remains by her side for long, it would become apparent that the red-eyed girl is, as well, not on either side. Worse, they might assume that she is on the side of Darkness.

"Revealing the location of the hideouts to Richard…will it be helpful?" Rose asked in an uncertain tone.

Ruby, who was applying ointment to the pink head's wounds, slowly said, "We have no other choice but to trust in Richard. We saw clearly who was trying to protect the students and who sent the forces to cause chaos."

That's the same reason why Rose was still unsure which side she should be standing on. However, what bothered her was,

"Why did you come with them, then? You weren't brainwashed, right?"

Ruby smiled, "As a warrior, I won't  have been helpful to Richard…but as a spy, I might be."

Rose was surprised, "You…risked your life so you can help Richard? President, do you like him?"

The older one chuckled, "That brat? To me, he's still just an arrogant kid, always boasting about his position and strutting around with his chest puffed out." With her eyes turning a little dazed, she added, "But now…he has matured and seems like a reliable man. So yes, I trust him and want to help him."

Rose didn't say anything about that, rather she asked,

"Are we trying to get Ethan on our side?"

Ruby frowned, "That would be foolish and impossible. They treat Ethan as their Lord…they are devoted to him. And the deities have chosen him as their champion. We shouldn't take the risk."

Rose instantly nodded; not wanting to take any step where she had to use violence.

After Ruby was done, she got up and said, "Now rest and wait."

Rose held her hand and asked pleadingly, "We will make it alive, right?"

Ruby smiled warmly before nodding, "You will be safe, I promise."

Planting a soft kiss on the little one's head, Ruby made her way out of the room.

Although she said that Rose would be safe, Ruby couldn't say the same for herself.

After all, she has betrayed her destined one…and her clan members would possibly burn her alive if she returns.

'Well, not like I didn't know the consequences of what I was doing…'

—------**--------