Struggling as a Villain

[A day later]

Eleanor was still immersed in the thoughts of her meeting with Ethan.

Their relationship is standing at that spot where a moment of opportunity is all he could ask to get rid of her. And Eleanor couldn't blame him for that.

She had done things that went against his principles, however, she couldn't tell him that she was told to do so. She was given the responsibility to keep things in order or this timeline would be under the direct control of the deities.

And one thing Eleanor had learned about the Goddesses: to attain what they want, they can sacrifice human lives like livestock.

As such, in a way, Eleanor was saving humanity by taking the rein and showing this cruel side, so at the very least, Ethan could remain safe.

"You good?" Lady Junisha, the ex-member of the Scarlette clan, asked Eleanor.

The violette nodded, "Hmm."

Her eyes went towards the others, they all gathered to hear about their next step.

Eleanor received the permission of the deities recently, so she held no hesitation to command,

"Sort people out, I want three hundred best soldiers who can handle both offense and defense. Make sure they are loyal to Light. By tomorrow, I want these three hundred people standing before me. Understand?"

A deep silence ensued, as the other apostles glanced at each other before Jessica asked,

"But chief, who are we fighting?"

Eleanor narrowed her eyes, "Is there any other enemy we have other than the followers of Darkness?"

Jessica closed her mouth and reprimanded herself inwardly for asking such a stupid question.

Theodore added, "How many days do we have before we leave for the war?"

Eleanor informed, "Two days from now, that's why stop wasting your time and bring the soldiers here as soon as you can."

Theodore's eyes turned chilly being talked so rudely, however, he soon scoffed and got up, "My men will be here by tomorrow morning. If that's all, I am going."

Soon others also began to retire to their rooms to fulfill their duties.

"Wait, Ruby." The red-eyed girl paused and turned to look at Eleanor.

Junisha raised her brows as she paused, only for Eleanor to say, "You can go now, Lady Junisha."

The lady gave a slow nod as she glanced at the girl from the branch family of Scarlette house, before making her way out of the room.

Ruby sat back down and faced the leader of the Apostles.

Eleanor intertwined her fingers and looked at the raven-haired with her usual emotionless eyes.

Time seemed to have slowed down as the minute seemed like a day for Ruby.

Amidst the growing silence, Eleanor spoke up, "This mission…is quite important for the upcoming war. Many things would determine what forces we would be facing during the battle against the Death God. And to ensure the victory of Light over darkness we need to ensure that we succeed in this task anyhow."

Ruby had a slight frown on her face as she said, "I will do whatever I can."

Eleanor shook her head, "You don't need to do anything other than keep your mouth shut and follow my orders, or you know what I can do."

The lifeless gaze Eleanor held was a testament to the seriousness she carried for this mission. She was extremely determined for this upcoming battle and wanted to ensure her victory.

It didn't take long for her to understand what Eleanor was saying. Truth be told, Ruby was quite nervous at the moment. Eleanor had always been an entity of horror for her.

And to not displease her anymore, she said, "I swear I won't speak a word about this to Ethan."

-----*-----

To take over Earth, eh?

For some reason, Richard was reminded of his Chunni days when he used to assume himself as some mastermind villain who would take over the world and change several things, starting from school.

However, things now were serious and not like making a strategy or playing it cool would grant him Earth.

Experience more content on empire

Sooner or later, Richard has to face Ithryx, and that would be one hell of a difficult battle.

However, at the moment, his reason for concern was something else; Draeth.

The others gathered around again after Richard called for an emergency meeting. The place where they sat was completely enshrouded in darkness, and to be on the safe side, Richard asked the others to wear a mask to hide their identities.

No one knew what was about to happen but they didn't dare to interrupt Richard either.

Sitting on a chair was the redhead teenager with the vice-master of the clan sitting opposite him.

Jennifer was slightly nervous since she was told what this was about.

Richard heaved a sigh and told her, "Don't break the connection nor try to run away from it. Just accept what I am providing you with."

Jennifer gulped as she nodded, "I am ready."

Richard planted his index finger against her forehead and transferred his Aembr inside the girl.

This is the brute method of awakening someone's Aembr, but it doesn't leave any lasting damage and always works.

A faint, reddish-black glow began to emanate from his fingertip, spreading out in delicate waves. The moment his Aembr began to flow into her, Jennifer's body stiffened.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips, and her hands gripped the edges of the chair tightly. The glow grew brighter, illuminating the dark room with an almost ethereal light.

Jennifer's eyes fluttered shut as a searing sensation coursed through her, like molten energy weaving its way into her veins. Her breathing quickened, shallow and uneven, as if she was fighting against something too overwhelming to bear.

"Don't resist it..." Richard whispered as he continued to supply his magic into her; at a steady pace.

"She is in pain..." Josh muttered, a tinge of concern in his voice.

"It is not dangerous, right?" Athena asked, to no one in particular.

Bella responded, "Don't disturb him, Brother won't harm her."

There was nothing they could say anymore. Their Queen's words were absolute.

Jennifer bit her lip to stifle a cry as the burning sensation intensified. It felt as if her very core was being rewritten, reshaped by the foreign energy flooding into her. But she didn't pull away; she clung to Richard's earlier words.

Moments later, the glow began to fade, dimming until only a faint shimmer remained on Jennifer's skin. Her body sagged in the chair, her breaths heavy and labored.

A moment of stillness, and in the next, Jennifer sat straight in her seat, her eyes glowing with an ominous radiance. Her gaze fixed on Richard, unblinking and sharp, like a predator sizing up its equal.

"Hoh~"

The room shifted. The air grew crushingly heavy, pressing down on everyone present. It felt as though the very walls were closing in. The shadows seemed to lengthen, twisting unnaturally, and even the faintest sound was swallowed by the suffocating silence.

"What the heck happened to her...?" Ben muttered as he clutched his chest. His heart was beating rapidly, and it wasn't just him; the others also felt their mana reacting to Jennifer quite severely.

It didn't help as Richard's aura exploded outward, washing over the room like a tidal wave of power. The glow in his eyes sharpened into a piercing radiance, a light so intense it felt divine, yet so cold it sent shivers through the soul.

Jennifer flinched slightly but didn't break her gaze. Richard didn't falter, his presence towering and unyielding.

Jennifer...or to say, one of the Four Generals, The Succubus Queen—Draeth, asked, "So you are the Emissary. The being he chose as his successor. The one who shall bear his legacy."

Richard's voice was low, yet it resounded clearly through the room, "Draeth, tell me something; why are you in another monarch's domain?"

The lips of the girl stretched into a grin as she rested back, draping her left leg on the other one, and rested her hand on the backrest.

Her aura and charm seemed to have taken a significant elevation as she looked at Richard as if she was sizing him.

"Are you worthy to know about my intention?"

Richard coldly asked, "My worth is more than your existence, so stop playing around and tell me; what are you doing here?"

Draeth scoffed, "I can see that you have adopted the attitude of the Supreme One. But your power...it's nothing but pitiful in comparison to him."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Pitiful eh...

A black mist began to seep from Richard's chest, curling like smoke as his aura erupted in a terrifying wave. Cracks splintered across the stone floor beneath him, the walls groaning as if struggling to withstand the force radiating from his Black Heart.

The air thickened with malice, suffocating and oppressive. Every object in the room trembled, some shattering outright under the crushing weight. Bookshelves collapsed, chairs splintered, and the very light seemed to be swallowed by the darkness emanating from Richard.

If not for Emily chanting a barrier in time, many of them would have fainted.

Draeth's smug grin faltered, a flicker of hesitation flashing in her glowing eyes, as she heard,

"I have the liberty to choose whom I hunt. Ithryx is already in that list, and it seems I have found my next target."

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

A/N:- Thanks for reading. The next chapter would be the beginning of the negotiation.