Struggling as a Villain

Immortals shall never interfere with the realm of mortals. They could influence them through prayers and prophecy but intervening in the realm of mortals to attack someone was a heinous sin.

And Atheris, the Goddess of Thunder and War, suddenly appeared on Clion, her spear raised and targeting the Apostle of Darkness.

The rule was broken by the Light first and once an immortal breaks the law, it's the right of other immortals to stop them if they deem it within their capabilities.

And this time, the Goddess of War was intercepted by the Sovereign of Death. The concept of Death stood before Atheris, his scythe standing by his side as he asked,

"Are you sure you want to take the chance of hurting a mortal, and my apostle no less? Can you handle the consequences of your actions, Atheris?"

Lightning rumbled, the surface shook, and the aura radiating from the deity was domineering enough to send a normal person to the other side.

Richard wasn't affected by her anger since he was currently under Zulcriz's protection.

The ground around them has sunken in, trees were blasted away, and anyone who tried approaching them was restricted by Atheris' aura.

It was her domain and none shall interfere.

"Zulcriz, I command you to rein in that fanatic immediately, or he shall answer to my wrath." Her voice carried the evident weight of her words and the promise of fury which she might unleash based on Zulcriz's response.

The God of Death, who appeared much calmer compared to the other immortal, responded,

"The one who came to provoke my apostle is your child. And first of all, how in the world can you copulate with a mortal for the sake of defeating me?" Zulcriz asked, ridicule evident in his voice.

From his knowledge, Atheris held the most pride among the Goddesses, so for her to have a child, with a mortal no less, just to defeat Richard was surely surprising.

On the other side, Richard was surprised to hear that Zulcriz was so…close to the deities to know about their personalities.

The symbol of violence huffed, "None of it shall concern you. You aren't a part of the family, Zulcriz, so know your limits."

Now…that made Richard even more intrigued. However, even before he could think of asking anything, the aura of the Death God flared, making the already sunken land now dug deep as the four individuals remained levitating.

The Death God's hands clenched, and a faint, low rumble echoed, as though the forest itself groaned under the weight of his wrath. Shadows pooled around him, thickening, twisting with his anger, swirling like a restless tide. The sun was completely covered with darkness, veiled as if even the heavens feared to witness what was to come.

Atheris remained unfazed but surely those glowing eyes narrowed as she clutched her spear, ready to engage any moment.

Zulcriz was furious and that could be sensed by Richard and James—the latter now trembling in fear with his face paler than a sheet.

"I haven't forgotten about my status, Atheris. However, because I no longer am a deity, allows me to interfere with the mortal realm." Allowing his shadow to extend and cover the whole academy he threatened,

"What do you say? Should I slaughter this duckling of yours before going out there and cleaving your so-called Emissary of Light? Will you be able to stop me?"

Atheris' eyes parted in rage, however, before she could have attacked the being she once considered as her family, someone intervened.

"You two, back off before the Almighty One decides to wake up from his slumber."

It was a voice but not a form to gaze at. However, for Richard this voice was familiar. The same deity who requested Richard to save Ethan has somehow managed to shake both beings who were on the verge of engaging in a battle which surely would have brought Clion to its demise.

Richard didn't know who this 'Almighty One' was; however, seeing their aura slowly receding, he knew that this being was superior to Zulcriz and Atheris.

The sky returned to its former glory and the forest was restored to where it was before Richard and James engaged in a battle.

Atheris moved her hand over James' head and the boy fainted instantly.

Looking in the far distance, she summoned a certain apostle, who was familiar to Richard.

"Long time, Eleanor." Richard greeted, his tone containing nothing but contempt towards the girl.

Eleanor gazed at Richard before her eyes met with Zulcriz, stunning the girl on the spot.

"Take him away." Hearing Atheris' command, the violet-haired girl instantly nodded, and after picking up the kid, she disappeared.

Not so long after Atheris also ascended to the heavens, only after she directed a glare towards Zulcriz.

The God of Death glanced at Richard before telling him, "You must have numerous questions, but not now."

Saying so, the Ruler of the Darkness disappeared—urging Richard to heave an exasperated sigh.

"Right. Making me the successor without telling me the whole story."

**CRASH**

Not even a second later, the domain was lifted, and six figures appeared before him, one after another. And what all the six beauties carried was mutual concern for Richard.

The first one to jump on him was the familiar red-haired lady, "BABY!!"

Bellarine, who arrived in the academy just a few minutes ago, easily subdued all the Ambrobates before she searched for her baby, only to be restricted by an invisible field which even Bellarine couldn't breach.

Richard held his mother in his left hand and the right side was occupied by her younger version, "Brother…are you okay? Did they hurt you?" There were tears in her eyes as Bella checked her brother all over.

Jasmine, Emily, Amelia and Lilia remained standing there silently; however, it could be seen from their eyes how barely they were stopping themselves from lunging at him.

"Are you all fine?" His question was directed at all of them, and starting from Lilia everyone nodded except for Bella and Bellarine.

"I am not good. I am upset." The older Bella complained.

"Brother is too reckless. I had several panic attacks in these few minutes." The younger Bella added.

Richard chuckled, "Well, I am fine, as you can see. It will take a God to kill me." Well, he faced one today and was also pushed to the verge of his demise…but surely he wasn't going to tell them that.

"Young Master, Headmaster Marcus…" Seeing Lilia's expression, Richard understood what she meant and that shocked him.

With his eyes parted wide he asked, "How…did this happen?" Marcus is one of the strongest warriors, someone who could rival his mother. And for him to die at the hands of some Ambrobates? It sounds ridiculous.

However, "He trusted his students and got betrayed by them…" Amelia looked sad, "Some of the students who were under the Headmaster's protection were from their side. They stabbed the Headmaster repeatedly and left him to die before continuing to slaughter the other students."

Richard's expression turned grim and his growing aura suggested the anger he was experiencing right now.

Those students whom Marcus treated as his own children…betrayed him.

"Do you know who they were?" Richard asked, only for Bellarine to intervene,

"Baby, please don't go after them immediately. They must be with the other apo-"

"Amelia, I asked you something." It was a rare occurrence for Richard to ignore his mother's words and show such agitation. Even while fighting James he didn't appear to be this emotional.

Amelia gulped before notifying, "I don't know all of them, but I know for sure that Hopper, Brendon and some of the top students from the third year…including President Ruby, were among them."

"Ruby?! You mean Ruby Melsworth?" Bellarine exclaimed as Amelia nodded.

Bellarine reacted since Ruby was a member of the Scarlette clan and someone who was destined to become Richard's bride one day. She recently talked with her aunt and they decided to have Ruby and Richard meet once before coming to any conclusion.

However, now…there was not a way in seven hell that she would ever approve of that girl who dared betray her child.

Richard clenched his fist; he didn't expect that girl to betray them as well.

However, soon he heaved a sigh, and calmed himself down before apologizing, "Sorry Mom…Amelia for talking like this. Let's get back home and rest for now."

The others nodded instantly and just in case, Emily erected a barrier around Richard as they made their way back to the mansion

The situation of the academy was quite chaotic, however, Richard decided to first heal himself before returning here.

Those who have died, those who were on the verge of death and those who have betrayed him, Richard would know all of their names.

When this battle began, he didn't think things would escalate to this extent, but fortunately, he exercised caution and called his mother. Otherwise, maybe no one would have survived today.

The battle is over, but the war awaits. And now, Richard knows his role in all this.

—-------**---------

A/N:- RIP Headmaster. You were a good person.

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