Struggling as a Villain

"I still can't believe it…" hearing Ben's words, Carl didn't need to ask what he was talking about.

With a soft smile on his face, the shaved-headed man added, "Me too….I never believed we could rescue Rena while still being alive."

It was a dream, his only life ambition, to bring her back. And for that, Carl and Ben were prepared to sacrifice themselves. However, not only was Rena back with them, slowly recovering, but they all were alive and in one piece.

"It wouldn't have been possible without Richard." Ben slowly muttered, as he rested the face mask on the table and leaned back in his seat.

Carl nodded, "Indeed…without him, we could have never dreamt of going against Crimson Claw with the pitiful amount of forces we had."

There was a brief pause between them. The only audible sound was the light snoring coming from Laila's throat.

Ben turned his gaze towards his best friend, before asking, "Now what, Carl? What are we going to do?"

Carl also has been thinking about it. After hearing it from Bella, he has discerned that the world that Richard belongs to now is on the verge of falling into the chaos of war.

The greatest war that can reshape the world, and eradicate one side.

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It would be catastrophic; something that they had never seen before.

Although it sounded much more desirable to remain on Earth and start a new life, with Rena and the other friends by his side, Carl couldn't do that.

In exchange for what Richard has done, even serving him for a lifetime wouldn't be enough.

"I am going to support him in any way possible during the war." He knew that if his sister heard about it, she would be mad. His other teammates, as well, would call it a suicide mission. And they wouldn't be wrong to say that, as Carl and others have seen the stage at which those divine beings stand.

There was no comparison between the warriors of Clion and Earth. The war would take place between two immortal beings who can erase planets just by a single attack.

Carl would be nothing but fodder in such a battle…however, he still wants to participate in the war and support in any way he can.

"Count me in, too." Ben voiced, earning a chuckle from Carl.

"Why didn't I not expect this…"

—----**------

The bases of Crimson Clan spread across Vegas were in turmoil when the news of the Leader's return was sent.

Numerous branch leaders and core members spread across the world had taken flight and were heading straight back to Vegas.

Seeing the notifications of the possible guests, Bella sighed, "Are they that idle?"

Hearing those words, Jennifer pouted, "They are excited to have you back, Leader. Don't be so mean."

Lena also added, "They might have been engaged in several tasks to broaden the reach and authority of Crimson Clan, but their primary motive always remained to locate

for you."

Not all the members of Crimson Claw know, but those whom Bella has personally recruited hold devotion for the woman. They respect and worship her, and hearing that their Goddess has returned, naturally would make them overly excited.

"Truly my daughter~" Bellarine chimed as she entered the room with Lilia by her side.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Miss Bellarine." Lena greeted her as she offered a seat.

Bella's eyes narrowed as she asked, "Where were you last night?"

Bellarine innocently tilted her head and said, "Sleeping in the room I was provided with." Glancing at Lena, she added, "I must say, the bed was extremely comfortable and strong."

Lilia barely hid her embarrassment hearing that, while Bella openly glared at the damn woman who cannot stop herself from seducing her innocent brother.

"Miss Bellarine, do you have any stories about Leader's childhood?" With her eyes sparkling, Jennifer asked.

Bellarine hummed and turned around. Strangely, not only Jennifer but the ever-so-stoic Lena seemed curious as well.

With a warm smile on her face, she said, "I have many, but let me share the memories of that day when Bella assumed Santa Claus to be real and remained awake for three nights."

—---**-----

Inside one of the many rooms of the headquarters, Bennet was getting treated by the nurse.

His ribs were broken, and his left arm was crumbled by that telekinesis assault he withheld.

'Richard has grown strong in so little time…and now, he is possibly a demi-god…' It sounded so unrealistic that the boy he watched bossing around servants and complaining to his mother about small things had grown into such a brave and powerful warrior.

*Hisss*

The doors of the room parted and revealed the person about whom Bennet was thinking.

"Hello, Commander Bennet." With a straight posture, Richard walked in and greeted the man.

"Richard…are you here to execute me?" This was the first thought that came to his mind when his gaze fell onto those golden orbs of Richard.

Emptiness…is what he could see. There was no emotion, no changes, just pure emptiness.

Richard heaved a sigh, "Although we stand on different sides, it doesn't mean I will kill my guest. I am just here to talk."

Richard took a seat near the bed and gestured to the nurse to go out.

The lady bowed to Richard, and once she left, Richard asked, "Commander Bennet, tell me something, what is more important to you: your belief in God or the safety of your people?"

Bennet frowned, and answered without hesitation, "Naturally, it's the safety of my people. Nothing is greater than that."

Richard exhaled a long breath, "Then have you considered a way to protect them from the upcoming war?"

Bennet's lips slightly parted, as he failed to respond this time; ushering Richard to add, "Clion would be the battlefield where two Legendary beings and their forces would collide. What do you think would happen to the general masses?"

Bennet took a strong gulp before uttering, "Surely, the member of the church would protect-"

"Protect? Did you see the exchange between me and Ithryx…do you think the people from the church can protect Clion residents from something like that? Or maybe worse than that?"

Bennet's expression turned grim. He actually doesn't know if they could.

With his fists clenched, the blond soldier asked, "Do you have a way to protect them?"

Richard grinned, before voicing, "I do…but in exchange, I need something from you."

—------**-------

A/N:- Thanks for reading.