Struggling as a Villain

Zulcriz was watching the battlefield from a different dimension where, except for him only deities and the Allfather could enter.

He has adapted a new way of fighting this war to gain true immortality, this time.

He appointed a successor to deal with the other side and even gave the command of the four Generals.

What makes Richard so believable for him? Well, not many things but Richard's astonishing ability to adapt.

Yes, Richard has gone through experiences worth three lifetimes, but in none of those itineraries has he lived past twenty-five years.

Not only that, he even accepted Zulcriz's powers, despite being only a mortal...well, slightly stronger than an average mortal.

He didn't show any concern when Zulcriz relayed his thoughts. The fact he told Richard that he had to fight for the Dark side and go against the Gods he once worshipped, didn't bother the redhead was still something that makes Zulcriz wonder.

And it wasn't like Richard ever held hidden intent behind his cooperation. If he really wanted he could have betrayed Zulcriz the moment he created the weapon of death—that scythe back in the Endless Hold.

Having the ability to annihilate hundreds of living beings with the swing of that weapon would have offered him numerous sacrifices. And someone having the dark essence within him sacrifices, takes it all to grow stronger. Adding the celestial weapons Richard possesses, he could have grown into a fearsome foe if he really wanted to.

However, seeing the redhead standing against the Light, his intentions clear and his stance focused, he could tell that Richard was going to conclude this battle in Zulcriz's favor.

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Eleanor had a knitted frown on her head as she saw the bloodied mess that once was the apostles.

She couldn't understand how but those beings who were fueled with Divine Essence were crushed to death by a weakling like Emily.

The same fool who became an obstacle for Ethan in the last timeline because of her kindness.

And now, she crushed so many apostles without a single thought. And not only that, how she used barriers to crush those warriors so effortlessly.

Although Emily was no longer present on the battlefield, it doesn't change the fact that she left a significant impact on the war.

"This can't continue for long...the enemy forces are continuing to gather," Junisha muttered in a grave tone as she saw several more teleportation portals being used to send the warriors.

However, on their sides, the numbers have decreased by half, and they have no backup other than a few more beasts and the Apostles.

"This cannot continue. We need to disconnect them from Earth." Eleanor voiced aloud before she turned to look at Junisha.

The redhead frowned, "Do you want me to remove the pinpoints?"

"Yes. Without that, they won't be able to call for help. And these forces would be dealt with soon." Eleanor added.

She would be lying to say that she didn't underestimate the enemy forces.

She thought that they would be just fodders who would be blown away by the apostles in one full sweep. However, she was wrong. She underestimated the time difference between the two worlds and what Commander Bellarine could achieve.

Junisha knows that this wasn't according to Martial Law. However, she didn't say anything about what Eleanor commanded and disappeared.

Eleanor narrowed her eyes, as she muttered under her breath, "Enough of you hiding."

....

Richard had no idea what Eleanor was planning, but he didn't have time to care. The Apostles had to be wiped out before they could overwhelm them.

Engulfed in his elemental state, he tore through the winged creatures, their glowing spears crackling with the power of light—the very thing that countered his darkness.

One wrong move, one direct hit, and he knew the pain would rip through him like fire. That's why he never gave them the chance.

But still—

SQUELCH

His hand plunged through an Apostle's stomach, the sickening sound echoing through the battlefield.

Richard's voice was cold, almost bored.

"—you guys are too weak."

The Apostle twitched, its glowing eyes flickering in shock. Blood—pure white and shimmering—dripped down Richard's arm, sizzling against his skin like acid.

It stung, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he twisted his hand inside the wound, making the creature let out a strangled gasp.

With a flick of his wrist, he tore his arm free, sending the Apostle's body crumpling to the ground.

The others hesitated.

Richard smirked. "What? Afraid now?"

The winged creatures exchanged glances before launching forward, their spears blazing with divine energy.

Richard exhaled.

Then, he moved.

BOOM!

He vanished—only to reappear behind one of them. Before the Apostle could react, Richard grabbed its head and slammed it into the ground with brutal force. The earth cracked, dust exploding into the air.

Another one lunged from the side, spear thrusting toward his ribs. Richard twisted mid-air, dodging by a hair's breadth. His foot lashed out, caving the Apostle's chest in before it even realized what happened.

Their light was strong. Their weapons are deadly.

But they were too damn slow.

Richard landed gracefully among their fallen comrades, his body barely marked, his darkness pulsing like a living thing.

He turned his gaze to the remaining Apostles.

"Come on," he taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. "Try harder."

It was then,

*TING*

A loud reverberation echoed before a crushing force descended upon his shoulders

Richard looked up in the sky before the four Apostles formed a star and launched a defensive skill on Richard that was suppressing his Aembr.

'They are countering my magic by spreading a blanket of Ether on me...nice move...' However, Richard's magic was just simply overwhelming.

Without a single second of delay, he allowed his Black Heart to explode with energy—sending the apostles flying away because of the resistance.

Not so long after, several flaming dragons appeared in the sky and began to devour the flying pigeons one by one.

Richard narrowed his eyes as he found several more Apostles gathering at one place, and the Ether around them became quite concerning.

He was about to launch toward them, when suddenly,

"RICHARD!" Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire

He heard his mother's voice before turning toward the battlefield.

"....huh?" The Demon General had fallen on the ground, tattered and fading, while James was still levitating in the air, albeit barely conscious.

Demon General Vornyx has lost.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.