Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

Chapter 88: Chapter 87- Back home

Chapter 88: Chapter 87- Back home

Thunder roared, lightning tore through the sky, and the earth trembled beneath the sheer force of Austin's magic. His axe gleamed above his head, gripped tightly in both hands as he locked onto the next giant.

**SQUELCH**

The blade tore through thick, unyielding flesh, splitting the monster's skull clean in two. Dark blood gushed as the towering beast crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud.

"Huff... Huff..." Austin's breaths came ragged as he watched the blackened pool spread beneath the fallen giant. His own blood dripped from a cut on his forehead, and sweat made his grip on the axe slick, but there was no time to rest.

**THUMP THUMP**

The ground trembled under the relentless march of more giants, their massive frames looming like moving mountains. There was no hiding from them. No escape.

Austin tightened his grip, his stance firm as he lifted the axe with one hand. He locked eyes with the next beast—a hulking, ten-foot brute with unnaturally long arms stretching toward him, eager to crush his skull.

But before its fingers could close around him—

He vanished.

The giant's grasp closed on nothing but air.

*SPLURT*

A deep, gaping wound appeared across the monster's stomach. Austin had already passed it, his axe dripping with fresh blood.

"They're too slow..." he muttered, barely sparing it at a glance.

The beast howled in pain, twisting with rage. It swung its enormous arm, aiming to obliterate him in a single blow.@@@@

Austin leaped away, just in time.

**BOOOOOM**

The force of the strike shattered the rocky ground where he had just stood. A second slower, and his head would've been nothing but pulp.

'...they are monstrously strong.' Austin wasted no time. The moment the giant's arm crashed into the ground, he lunged forward. His axe, slick with blood, became an extension of his body as he swung—

*SLASH*

The beast's knee split open, black blood gushing as it let out a guttural roar. Before it could stumble, Austin twisted his body and drove his axe upward—

**CRACK**

The blade buried deep into the monster's ribcage. He yanked it free just as another giant came crashing in from the side, its massive fist descending like a hammer.

Austin kicked off the wounded giant's body, flipping backward as the ground where he stood exploded into dust and rubble.

Before his feet could even touch the ground and he could finish the giant—

*WHAM*

Another giant swiped at him in mid-air.

Austin twisted, barely avoiding the blow as the wind pressure sent him hurtling sideways. He landed hard, rolling across the battlefield before digging his axe into the dirt to stop himself.

He looked up. Three more giants were already charging.

A grin tugged at his lips.

"Come on, then."

He twisted the axe over his head, the lightning charging up, before he swung the axe in an upper arc, sending streams of lightning toward the group.

**JOLT**

The lightning struck the giants, slowing them down but not completely stopping them.

Austin clicked his tongue, before he lunged forward, his form becoming a blur as he heard towards the three, intending to behead them.

When suddenly,

Valerie and Sebastian instantly stopped their horses and jumped toward Austin as they saw the blond Prince falling to the ground.

"Austin!"

"Young master!"

They both panicked as they reached the boy who was breathing heavily and looked pale.

Valerie couldn't discern what happened so suddenly when she saw her Lord being all fine just a moment ago.

Austin looked at the two, as he whispered, "I might have pushed myself a little there ...sorry,"

"No, young master, we can understand," Sebastian spoke. His young master wasn't much used to long journeys since, in the past, he mostly traveled in carriages.

"You went through a battle and got injured, so it's understandable," Valerie added, a frown of concern on her face.

Looking at the butler, she said, "I will ride with him" She would have suggested staying a little longer so he could get rest, but remembering the urgency of the matter, the only comfort she could provide was to ride the horse with him.

"Yes, that would be the best option." Sebastian nodded before he lifted Austin from the ground and headed toward Valerie's horse.

Valerie took out a thin and long shawl from her bag before she climbed the horse and wrapped it around herself and Austin—binding them strongly together.

Austin's face was resting against her bosom, the scent of her hair wash and her natural scent made him feel calm.

He glanced up and found the girl looking down at him before she whispered, "Sleep peacefully, my Lord. I will keep you safe."

She took his breath away.

"...okay." Closing his eyes, he fell asleep.

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The next time Austin opened his eyes, it was already afternoon.

He looked up and found Valerie still riding the horse without an ounce of fatigue on her face even though he had his weight on her.

"Val, I am awake now," Austin called out, but,

"I think you should remain hidden, my lord," Valerie responded, and that made him frown.

Austin looked around and found they were going through familiar streets, "Why are we going in through the back side?"

This was, undoubtedly, the backside of the capital. Austin has traveled through this path, especially after he awakened his Shard. He usually used this route to go hunting.

"The front side is heavily guarded, soldiers are everywhere, that's why Sebastian suggested using this route."

Austin nodded, "He is-" he paused when suddenly he felt Valerie shivering.

Looking up, he found the girl blushing, as she said, "P-Please don't move your face...i-it distracts me...."

Austin took a strong gulp as he realized where his face was resting, "...sorry, I won't."

As such, for the rest of the journey, Austin and Valerie traveled in silence.

After moving for another ten minutes, they finally reached the backside of the palace.

Austin, with Valarie's help, untied himself from his fiancée. Sitting face to face with her, he uttered, "Thank you for carrying me."

Valerie smilingly shook her head, "Nothing to thank me. As your partner, it's natural for me to take care of you."

The duo looked into each other's eyes, the glimmer of fondness they both shared.

"Young lord, we should get going."

Hearing Sebastian's words, Austin heaved a sigh, before jumping off the horse.

It's time to discover what in the seven world is happening in Eryndor.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.