Struggling as a Villain

There were so many things they had to ask each other. Especially Bella, who was away from her brother for so many years.

The way he looked now was different from his previous appearance, but there were some similarities. His smile and those eyes were the same.

In those flashes of memories she used to see her brother always looked like this, that's why she recognised him instantly.

And there was his warmth as well, which was the same as she was used to. The comfort she received in his arms was still the same.

"Bella, "Hearing his voice she instantly turned towards him with a smile, "Yes?"

"Can you tell me how you came here?" Although Richard was beyond elated by the fact that he could be with his sister again, he wanted to know about her source of arrival. If she can come here then there are chances of the denizens from the different world to appear here as well.

Bella tilted her head innocently and recalled what happened to her, "I was....going for a hunt when suddenly a magic circle appeared beneath my feet and sucked me in."

Richard raised his brows and held her hand, "Did it hurt to be a forcibly transported here?"

That concerned voice just melted her heart and the girl wanted to squeal in delight. How long has it been since she got pampered like this? Ah, her brother is watching. Excitement can wait.

"I have built immunity against space-time travelling, so it wasn't that bad."

Richard was surprised, "There are people with space magic back on Earth?"

Bella softly nodded, "Quite a few many."

That....was unexpected.

Richard didn't know that Earth would have such strong warriors in their possession. In this world, there might be quite many strong warriors, but the quality of their skills isn't that remarkable. And most of those skills aren't unique per se.

Bella added, "I was just brought here then...something started repeating in my head. It was annoying that I wasn't able to think about anything."

Richard frowned, "To destroy the capital?"

Bella sealed her lips and slowly nodded, feeling scared that she had angered her brother.

Richard naturally understood her reason for anxiety as he held her hand firmly and assured the girl, "You can't be blamed for something you didn't do on your own will, so don't worry about it."

Bella's shoulders relaxed hearing that but in the next moment, she coughed violently.

"*Cough* *Cough*"

"Bella?" Richard grew worried as he saw her hand getting tainted in blood.

However, she shook her head and assured him, "Just the smoke caught in my throat. Nothing to be worried about."

Although she said that, Richard was concerned; however, he couldn't stay here for long or her health would worsen.

They both soon reached the inner side of the palace where the soldiers were slaughtered through some black gooey thing which Richard recalled to be dark matter.

A material which can be made by the blood of Ambrobates, and some other materials. It can penetrate the human skin and corrode their insides without letting the person realise that their body is being invaded.

Richard was about to step inside the storage area, when suddenly Bella called out, "Here, brother."

She was gesturing toward a specific room situated on her left.

Richard raised his brows, as he asked, "You can sense them?" His observation skill doesn't have much range so he couldn't sense them at all and was just moving on his instincts.

But seeing the girl nod reminded him how much she had developed her skills back on Earth.

The duo made their way down the lobby into the inner side of the palace which Richard never explored before. Finally, they could see the group of red cloak-wearing men crowded around a room which was small enough to be regarded as a janitor's supply room.

Richard's hands ignited and jumping in the air, he shot several large arrows of flames in their direction.

"Take cover!" One of them who noticed the duo, instantly raised his cloak to shield himself, and the act was followed by some others. Those who weren't able to react on time got burned by Richard's spell.

Richard gestured for Bella to stay back as he stepped forward and watched the remaining cultists counterattacking.

His eyes locked on the group, who began hurling basic spells of dark energy toward him.

With a swift motion, Richard chanted under his breath, creating a barrier of fire that consumed the incoming spells effortlessly. He dashed forward, his speed enhanced, summoning multiple flaming circles mid-air. The cultists stumbled, attempting to raise defences, but Richard's movements were too quick, his magic too refined.

He unleashed a barrage of fireballs, each one finding its mark with precision. These cultists don't have much experience in spell combat. As such, very few of them were able to withstand the impact.

One of them tried to flee, but not so long they ran before a long baton head, struck on their back and the person fell on their face.

Richard recalled the staff in its original size before twirling it over his back, and with an intense swing, he hit the last remaining cultist on the head, cracking his skull and sending them to his maker.

Once Richard was done he turned towards Bella—only to find the girl currently on her knees and her hands clasped. Those eyes contained nothing but admiration and her posture suggested she was worshipping him.

"Bella?"

"Ah...my legs went noodles just now. Don't worry about me." Getting up she dusted her cloth...and checked if there was any stain. Fortunately, there weren't any.

With Bella, they entered the room and instantly realized why these people were after this place.

"Damn..." Richard looked around the vast place which seemed bigger than his mansion back on the academy island.

There must be some runes engraved somewhere, which enhances the size of the place, and because of the appearance of the entrance, no one would think such a huge room is located here.

There were numerous shelves and it was quite difficult looking around; however, Richard didn't have much trouble sensing the group of humans in the right corner of the place.

"Let's go," Urging Bella, they made their way towards the group hastily.

What Richard didn't notice, and Bella expertly hid, was her staggering steps and dazed eyes. She was sweating a lot more than what this short run could ever cause her to.

However, Bella ignored those symptoms in the name of cross-dimension fatigue and kept her focus on her brother.

"Ah, the game's over." Once they reached it, Richard nonchalantly called out, "Now raise your hands and turn towards me slowly."

There were only three cultists here, and one of them instantly raised his hand and slowly began to turn around. The middle one continued to search through the documents while the left one instantly turned around and unleashed an attack.

As the cultist on the left unleashed a barrage of swirling dark particles, Richard remained unfazed. His eyes flicked toward the incoming attack, his hand rising lazily as if the threat posed no challenge at all. A thin circle of flame materialized in front of him, absorbing the dark magic before expanding outward in a fiery pulse, scattering the particles into harmless embers.

To defeat the dark matter: simple, just provide enough food for it to overload it.

Richard raised his other hand bound the man with ether thread, and threw him into the diagonally protruding flag post, making a skewer out of the man.

The one who surrendered began to wail, seeing the condition of his subordinate, and fell to his knees.

However, the one in the middle was still doing whatever he desired.

Richard got annoyed and tried binding the threads of telekinesis around the man—however, to his surprise, those threads burned into cinders upon contact.

Richard used his other hand to shoot fireballs at the man—but again, the spell didn't work.

"Ah, I finally found it!" The man suddenly exclaimed—raising a banner in his hands and looking at it with a crazed look.

"What did you get, old man?" Richard asked, curiously.

Finally, the older one turned to look at Richard, much like he noticed the duo just now, before uttering, "You...you foolish hum-"

And.... those were his last words before the man was enveloped in lava and echoes of cries resonated in the room.

Richard glanced at his sister and looking at those fierce eyes he felt nostalgia.

Patting her head softly, he whispered, "Good girl."

Bella's expression turned soft as she closed her eyes and leaned in his touch.

Richard proceeded to take the huge sheet on which several things were written. He used his ether threads to pull it away from the man before it could have gotten burned.

Taking the banner, he looked at the whole ass plan of some dark ritual.

Without looking at the last remaining memeber of the cult, Richard asked, "What can I do with this?"

The man, while still crying in the corner, slowly responded, "S-S-Summon...t-the h-heavenly d-d-demon...."

Richard hummed at that information and was contemplating something when suddenly he heard a thud from behind.

Turning around he found his sister fallen to the ground and her eyes closed.

"Bella?!"

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A/N:- The story's title contains 'Villain'. Just reminding.