Struggling as a Villain

The safest route to travel between the two islands was through water. Ben informed them that the surveillance under the water cannot reach the deepest depth since there is still no technology that can track minute details of the activities deep under the water.

However, taking the Korean Strait to reach that island would be dangerous. They must be expecting Richard and the others, that's why Richard suggested taking the Yellow Sea and taking a detour to reach the Crimson Claw's territory.

The first thing Laila asked was, "How will we swim for so long? We cannot swim up to take a breath."

If they do, they will be immediately spotted, and fighting in water would be disadvantageous.

Richard came up with a solution: every five minutes of swimming, they would take a break inside a barrier which Emily would erect.

The thrusters that ran under the water would gain extra support with Richard's flames, and since all four of them were connected to each other with thick ropes and hooks, they all were moving in sync.

The strategy worked as a wonder as there was no surveillance a hundred meters deep in the water.

If they moved at this pace, they would reach the mainland in four hours, maximum.

"*Huff* *Huff*" It was the sixth break in forty minutes and the one who looked the most tired was the pink-haired one.

"You okay?" Ben asked as he patted Laila's back to help her regain her breathing.

Richard produced several fireballs around the dome to keep them warm.

"Feeling cold?" Richard asked as he found Emily shivering a bit.

However, the moment the fireball neared her she shook her head with a smile and said, "Not any longer."

"We still have a long way to go and resting at one place will be dangerous," Ben spoke, and Richard slowly nodded in agreement.

Looking at Laila, he discerned it would not be possible for her to continue like this for long. And even though Emily was showing a brave front, Richard knew that she was feeling quite cold in the water.

Considering the situation, Richard heaved a sigh and told Emily, "Shrink the barrier to the point where you can sit properly."

"What are you going to do?" Emily asked with a frown, her tone laced with concern as she somehow sensed what Richard was about to do.

Richard rested his hand on her shoulder before telling Emily, "We need to reach there until it's dark, Emily, and for that, we need to switch plans."

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His eyes were domineering and left no space for argument.

The blond girl, albeit sadly, nodded before she glanced at the other two.

Once they were near, Emily disintegrated the barrier and erected a new, smaller one while excluding Richard.

The redhead attached the thrusters to his heel and used his flames before the journey resumed.

….

"Got any idea why we are summoned here?" Inside the common hall of the palace where all the three hundred soldiers had gathered, in a corner two soldiers sat.

They were having a meal like everyone else, however, none of these soldiers ever expected to have lunch in the palace all of a sudden.

And they weren't of the same division as well—they were hand-picked, best of the best from each division to group here.

"A secret mission? Unlikely. I think it's about the portals we have been struggling against these days." The bald soldier muttered before he bit into the red meat testing in his plate.

The previous speaker sighed, "It's a hassle to eradicate hundreds of such weak monsters. And it becomes even more annoying when we are asked to keep some of them alive."

Weak enemies are better finished off at once, rather than separating some of them and then slaughtering each one of them one by one.

"Are they experimenting over the beasts? Hmm?" The bald one said, wondering if they are repeating the same mistake as they did a few months ago with the clone thingy.

"Possibly not. I think it's because they are curious how beasts can ever be tamed." The brown haired, younger-looking soldier muttered. They spotted a strange artifact on the monsters that gave a hint that the Bates might be under someone's control.

But then again, the soldiers working on the battlefield don't receive much inside reports. They are just told to fight whatever can compromise the security of the Capital.

"Then why are we gathered here rather than protecting our posts? Ah, this thing is sweet." The bald one's eye sparkled as he scooped some spongy yellow jelly-like substance and tasted it.

He was about to scoop some more when suddenly,

"Okay~lunchtime is over now." Someone suddenly entered the common hall, and instantly, all the buzzing sound paused at once.

It was an absolute shock for everyone who looked at the person who appeared out of nowhere and stood with a thin smile on her face.

Those long wavy red hair…that pair of burning eyes….that presence….

**DHAK**

"We greet you, Commander!" Instantly every soldier got up from their seats and made a line on either side before saluting the lady who once served as their commander in the past.

Bellarine heaved a sigh, "If you call me Commander, Bennet might feel bad."

Every eye then turned towards their left, where a pale yellow-haired man stood—sending another tremor down their spines.

"They respect you, just as I do, Commander." Bennet made it obvious who would be the commander for the time being.

Bellarine shrugged, not like she would be leading the battalion for the first time.

With her hands crossed behind her, she addressed the soldiers,

"Alright, listen carefully. You've been chosen for this task not because you're the strongest, or the fastest—though, don't get me wrong, that helps—but because you know how to think. You know how to adapt. You know how to cover each other's backs when it counts. And trust me, it's gonna count."

Taking a pause and after ensuring that everyone was paying attention, she added,

"This isn't some glorified brawl or a test of who's the hero. Each of you has a role, and every role is just as important as the next. The ones setting the traps? You're the reason we'll catch them off guard. The scouts? You're our eyes when we're blind. And the frontliners? You'll be the wall that nothing—nothing—gets through.

You're not just soldiers. You're a force. My force. And when we pull this off—and we will—you'll know why they call us the ones who never fall.

So, are you ready to move?"

In unison, everyone shouted,

"Yes, Commander!!"

Bellarine gave them a firm nod before speaking,

"Soon your names would be called; join the battlefield and expect some good old training~"

This time, the shiver was far greater than before.

—------**-------

Around four in the morning, Richard pushed the orb out of the water.

His breathing was ragged and if not for his natural heat, he might have hyperinflated in that cold water.

Emily was rubbing the dry towel on his head and Ben hurriedly lit a small fireplace near the shore. While he did so, he continued to send sound waves in his surroundings to keep a record of any incoming attacks. But there were none.

Laila nervously asked, "Will he be alright?"

Richard gave her a nod before he told Emily, "Step back," Emily looked reluctant but under his assuring gaze, she did as she was told.

Richard closed his eyes and in the next second, his body was engulfed in flames.

Just for a few seconds, he remained like that before returning to his usual form, all dry and calm.

"Extinguish the fire, we are leaving." Laila nodded before she snapped her fingers and the oxygen around the flames disappeared.

"We need to move immediately; they must have sensed some movements by now," Ben called out before Richard got up and said,

"Any place you know where we can hide?"

Ben nodded, "There is a forest in the east where Bates is reared. No soldiers roam around there, we just need to be careful of the cameras."

Richard glanced at Emily before the blond understood her role.

They marched in the direction where Ben told them and upon reaching the forest, Emily chanted a barrier around the four.

"The mana sensors would get fooled easily since Ambrobates release a lot of Aembr unintentionally," Richard told them, which allowed Laila to breathe a sigh of relief.

They soon found a place to rest. It was under a big dense tree, and there was a shallow crater in the ground.

After putting down the bags, Laila and Emily dropped to the ground. Using Aembr for so long had her limbs trembling and color drained off her face.

Ben also looked quite exhausted but to not make Richard feel responsible for all of them, he remained standing.

Richard draped his hand on Ben's shoulder and told him, "I will survey the area quickly, keep them safe-"

"You should rest, Richard. You have been tiring yourself the most." Ben held his wrist and insisted.

Richard heaved a sigh, "Trust me, if I feel tired I won't hesitate to ask for your help."

Seeing the certainty in his eyes, Ben wasn't able to continue with the persuasion.

"Be safe."

Richard nodded, "I will be. "

—------**-------

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.