Struggling as a Villain

Richard carried his mother back to Cristina's mansion. Thankfully, it wasn't attacked during the invasion since the mansion was built separately from the town, and it was quite far from the red zone.

Cristina was heavily injured and was currently getting healed by Henry in her room. Richard went to check on her, and thankfully, from what he perceived, she was not in fatal danger. Some days of rest might be enough for her to recover.

What made Richard worried was Henry. He looked unnaturally pale and out of breath when Richard went to meet him. And this state was not something that simple concern for his wife could have brought.

"Are you really fine?" Richard asked again, seeing the man currently plopped on the sofa and breathing unsteadily.

From the state of the mansion, it didn't seem he had suffered any damage then what...

"Aembr emission, my lord." In a heavy tone, Lilia muttered.

Richard frowned before he heard Lilia continuing, "Pa was exposed to a lot of Aembr today, and not only him but every non-awakened who has neared his fifties must have gravely suffered today."

Richard suddenly was struck with the realisation. Ether is the shield which allows an ether-user to survive against this curse of Aembr. But those who don't possess this shield suffer each moment of their lives and die very young.

Richard looked at Lilia in concern, who was currently wiping her father's sweat-bathed face.

He wanted to console her...but felt he would make her feel more miserable. He decided to let her be for the time being, and while saying, 'Tell me if you need something,' he walked out.

Lilia was thankful that her master left...since she didn't want him to witness the last moments of her father's life.

"L-Lili..." Henry slowly raised his hand and in a struggling voice, he cupped her cheek. His cold hand was the testament that the man was nearing the end of his rope, and the realisation broke the mask Lilia wore.

Tears began to well up in her eyes as she kissed his palm and pressed it firmly against her face.

Henry felt his heart becoming heavy seeing his child cry. This was the first time he had seen her cry after she stood up on her feet without his support.

"D-*cough* Don't cry...Lili..." He wanted to say more...wanted to talk to her more. His daughter has returned after so long. But...he was never seemingly allowed to spend time with her. To see her getting married and to see her getting her own happy family.

As a father, all Henry ever desired was to see his child happy. And maybe, this time, when Lilia returned, she brought along the person who could give her the happiness which she deserved.

"Lili...w-when your m-mother wa-wakes up...c-can you g-give her th-this...?" Henry tried to take something out of his pocket, only to miserably fail since his hands were no longer working properly.

Lilia's heart broke seeing that as she helped him take out the note. She couldn't bear to see the man she considered the strongest in the world, becoming so weak in front of her. Her heart shattered and tears never stopped.

Henry gently smiled at her, and slowly muttered, "Y-you have been a-a v-very good c-child...Lili...t-t-tell *cough* tell me...w-was I a g-good...father..."

She nodded. As strongly as she could and forced herself to speak with utmost certainty, "You were, Pa. Y-You were the best father I could ever hope for."

The smile on his lips extended as he closed his eyes. His complexion was paler than a sheet and a single tear droplet appeared at the corner of his eyes.

"I am glad..."

Henry uttered his last words before he stopped breathing. His body turned cold and his pulse weakened to the point of no longer beating.

Lilia sat there, holding his hand and wailing silently for a long time.

Today was the darkest day for two people.

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Bellarine stood beside her baby, her hand never leaving his and concern evidently overflowing in her eyes.

She was aware that Lilia's father left the world some moments ago and Richard heard it as well.

They have been silent for far too long and Bellarine was getting concerned.

However, it was Richard who suddenly initiated the conversation, "Let's take a walk, Mom."

Bellarine, absentmindedly, nodded and began to walk with him.

The sky was still dark and the town was still under a state of emergency. Thanks to the quick response from the major trade town close to Awsperg, the crisis management team arrived and rescued people.

Richard could somehow head the wails of those who nearly escaped death and the cries of those who lost their loved ones today.

This scene was not unfamiliar to him. He has seen people dying before his eyes before. Having a son separated from his mother and a daughter to be abandoned by her father. Richard has lived a life in which a single mistake could have resulted in him being in their position.

However, being experienced doesn't mean he doesn't care about people's sentiments.

"Mom...do you think I will be strong enough to protect the people I love?" Richard asked while looking at nothing in particular. There was a tinge of doubt in his voice that concerned Bellarine.

Bellarine didn't answer immediately, which she generally would have, given she wanted to soothe her child. Rather she took a moment to think before responding,

"No one knows what could become the reason for their grief. Despite being the strongest, you might end up losing someone close to you, and you won't be able to do anything."

Richard turned towards her after bringing himself to a pause and asked in an apprehensive tone, "Then what should I do?"

His outburst didn't make her react negatively; rather, she cupped his cheeks and fondly said, "Be selfish, Richie."

Her words confused him, but soon she explained what she meant, "Keep the ones you love, close to you and forget about the world. Just cling to your beliefs and don't follow the norms. You have to fear nothing and care about no one. Just do what your heart and mind tells you. Until you are happy, this world and the beings beyond this plane can go and fuck themselves for all I care."

Leaning forward, she rested her head against his and whispered, "And if some trouble arises, then don't forget that your mother will always be standing behind you."

Richard was feeling quite complex emotions currently and if not for Bella, he might have lost a part of himself today.

-------------***------------

At some point, Emily woke up in a daze and soon she realized the whole situation.

Staring at the scorched body of the behemoth and the situation within the town, she was left stunned at her spot.

Elizabeth was unnaturally silent as well as she stood beside Emily.

"I can feel Ethan...he has awakened..." Elizabeth's slow whispers made Emily widen her eyes as she instantly uttered,

"That means Ethan lost his mother-" Emily covered her mouth, the memories of Ethan grieving his mother's death from the last life flashing by her eyes.

Elizabeth retained an indifferent expression as she nodded and said, "I investigated a little...and yes, his mother's death became the catalyst once again."

Emily's eyes turned moist as she stared at Elizabeth in horror. The trauma, regret and sorrow from which Emily wanted to save him, have been inflicted on Ethan once again.

Rage began to boil up within her as she growled, "Where is that woman?!"

Emily was about to march inside the house to search for Eleanor. However,

"She left long ago. Left a letter behind," Elizabeth extended the letter to Emily before walking away.

Emily took the note and kept her eyes on the retreating Elizabeth.

Finally, lifting the letter, she read the content,

[From Eleanor,

There is no point in searching for me. I have returned to my lab. I know you guys must be pretty angry with me, but I did what I considered necessary. Ethan has lost someone today, but in exchange, he received the gift to save countless mothers and several families in the future. So do yourself and me a favour and focus on your training rather than wasting time searching for me.

After all, in forty-five days, we are going to meet again.]

Emily crumbled the paper with evident agitation in her eyes. She failed to notice the real face of Eleanor, but now, Emily would make sure that Ethan also gets to see her real side.

'You have committed an unforgivable sin, Eleanor.'

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A/N:- I mean how stupid they can be to fight amongst themselves now? The four regressors are already on their separate ways. Surely, the Goddess didn't make any mistakes in choosing the candidates, right?

I hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter. Drop some PS and reviews of the story to help new readers. Bye~