Struggling as a Villain

*Cough*

Bella coughed, as she covered her nose and restricted the smoke that was making her breathless.

'He is strong and quite experienced.' Bella admitted as she saw the blond soldier standing there with his posture straight and not a speck of exhaustion over his face.

She has launched a four-circled spell which would have been enough to deal with an A-rank beast easily. However, to the man, it did nothing but leave a scratch.

"Resistance is futile. Surrender and I will not punish you with death."

In response to that, Bella began chanting another spell, however,

"Not again..." Bella's chant was cut short as Bennet closed the distance in a heartbeat, his sword slicing through the fiery air. She threw herself backward, narrowly avoiding the blade that carved through her protective flames like paper.

"Not fast enough!" Bennet growled, twisting to deliver a crushing kick to her ribs.

The impact sent Bella sprawling, the air driven from her lungs as she hit the ground. Gritting her teeth, she rolled and snapped her fingers, igniting a stream of fire that roared toward him.

Bennet raised his sword, cutting through the inferno in a single motion, his movements fluid and relentless. He lunged again, the blade flashing toward her shoulder. Bella ducked, flames crackling around her fingertips as she unleashed another spell.

A torrent of fire surged forward, forcing Bennet to leap back. His boots skidded across the scorched earth, but he never faltered, charging again with terrifying precision.

Bella panted, sweat trickling down her face as she raised her hand for another spell, but Bennet was already there. His sword slashed across her arm, drawing blood and forcing a cry from her lips.

"You're too slow," he muttered, his voice cold and unwavering.

Bella stumbled, her vision blurring as she clutched her bleeding arm. This was her first time being overwhelmed in a battle.

Desperation surged in her veins. She slammed her hands together, the air vibrating with energy as six massive circles formed around her.

"So you are finally being serious." Bennet's voiced as he coated his blade with ether; not taking this battle casually anymore.

Bella's hands trembled as the six magic circles glowed, their fiery brilliance illuminating the battlefield. Soldiers fighting nearby froze, their eyes widening as an immense flame serpent emerged from the circles. Its molten body writhed and hissed, radiating heat that forced everyone to take a step back.

Bennet flinched upon seeing that spell....it was the same as the Duchess

'By any means, she is—no, I shouldn't be focusing on that.' The soldier fortified his body and used his skill, 'Berserk,' to push his body past mortal limits.

The serpent lunged, its blazing maw opening wide as it surged toward Bennet with terrifying speed.

Bennet gritted his teeth as he jumped toward the Serpent's head, holding his sword above his head; with a loud cry, he slashed the blade and severed the serpent in two.

Bella watched with her eyes narrowed as her strongest spell was easily decimated by the other one.

The flame serpent fell into pieces, the surface melting because of the temperature, as Bennet landed back on his feet.

Raising his sword, he said, "You were a good opponent. But unfortunately, our battle concludes here."

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Bellarine understood that since her son was here and was standing on the enemy's side, then he must have his reason. He must have someone he needs to protect.

Under such circumstances, she neither could have fought with him nor against him. She couldn't have hurt her child and didn't want to betray her people. As such, the only available option she deemed was to ask Richard to defeat her.

'I am sorry Mom...' Richard took things casually. He thought that if he asked his mother, she would support him by going against the others. However, he completely neglected the fact that she is not just his mother, but a soldier as well.

Descending the base, he killed anyone who came in his path, creating a gallery of flames where nothing was left.

"Hey, yo-*SHWANK*" A soldier who appeared at the end of the stairs raised his gun, only to find his body getting engulfed in fiery flames.

Richard didn't stop even once until he reached the source of that massive energy he felt previously.

Reaching the base floor, Richard came to a halt. He needs to remain patient since a single mistake here could cause him dearly. All the preparations and risks everyone has taken for this would be for naught if he panics here.

Unfurling his senses he could feel a person other than Rena on the base floor. Just as expected.

Richard silently approached the cell where he last saw Rena; hoping that he could knock the soldier out and take Rena away. Once she is freed, Richard knows that he can take care of the rest.

"I know you are there." However, just as he approached the cell, he heard someone calling out to him.

Richard gritted his teeth before he stepped toward the cell and looked at the soldier who was lazily sitting on the chair with his head leaning forward.

Richard just moved his finger, and the soldier warned, "Don't make any hasty move or you will pay a hefty price for it." Raising his hand, he added, "The moment I press this button everything will be over."

Richard clenched his fist...he needed to somehow use his spell to dismantle the man and break the cell bars.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

However, even a slight miscalculation would end this badly.

'What should I do....' Richard went through hundreds of thoughts in that single moment, when suddenly he found the soldier getting up from his seat, alerting Richard

The soldiers slowly approached Richard before lifting his helmet and asking, "Look at you, man, being all shaken up."

Richard's eyes parted to their widest reach as he looked at the person, "B-Brad?!"

His jailmate in the Endless Hold was mysteriously present here and was currently working for the opposing forces.

"So? What will you do now, the Great Apostle?"

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A/N:- Got betrayed by bro, eh? Drop a comment.