Voyage Of The Villainess

"It was an intense battle. However, in the end, the first saintess defeated the Demon Lord. She married the prince and together they ruled over the kingdom with tranquility and prosperity." 

A young boy, no older than seven years old raised his head. He was sitting under the shade of a tree, reading a book. One could see that there was satisfaction plastered on his soft face.

"Oliver!"

He glanced when his mother called him. The mother had the same beautiful and lustrous green hair as the young boy. But their eyes were different in colors, the woman had purple eyes while the young boy was like the glistening golds.

"Mom, you're here!" Oliver closed his book. He stood up quickly to greet his mother. "Why are you running like that, what if you collapse again? Please, don't make me worry again with you Mom."

"Ayee, look at this kid." his mother rubbed his hair. "I can handle myself, sweetie"

"Stop it, mom," Oliver said as he removed the hand of her mother gently. "Let's go back to the house now, or you'll catch a cold. You need to rest more."

"Ah, what should I do?" Her mother started to speak once again when they walked. "My son is much more mature than me. I know that you will be a better man in the future and create your own happy family. How I wish I can witness that phase in your life "

"Ugh! Stop talking nonsense mom. Of course, it is not just a wish. You will witness that." Oliver said looking directly into his mom's eyes. "Besides, if  I'm not don't mature now, how will you be able to take care of yourself?" 

"That made my heart melt sweetie. By the way, what are you reading? Can you share it with me?" Her mom asked with curiosity when she saw the cover of the book he was holding. "Oh, this is one of my favorite books mom," Oliver said with excitement in his voice. "This entitles the legendary tale of the first Saintess who defeated the first Demon Lord."

"It's interesting because it amazing no matter how many times I read it. Together with her trusted friends, she was able to face and triumph all the trials and defeat the demon lord in the end. If ever a new saintess appeared, I will stay by her side and help her defeat the Demon Lord as well. We will show everyone that evil really never wins to good."

"Oh I see, your father also enjoys that tale." Her mother spoke with nostalgia in her voice. "But I look forward to that, the day my son becomes part of a legend that saves the world."

Oliver's mother, the Northern mountain witch, Adalia smiled as she glanced at the small body of her one and only precious son. Though he was still a child, his back was really firm and strong. At the same time, worry flashed in her eyes. 'How I wished I could always stay by your side like this.' Her thought lingered with this worry.

The four seasons passed and it was again the season of fall...

Oliver gently held her mother's hand. Her face was very pale and she was panting really hard. She glanced towards Oliver who had fear and great worry laced on his face.

"Listen to me Oliver, your dad, you should meet him. He is really a wonderful father." In a meek voice, she spoke. " You need to meet your Dad."

"Mom, no, I don't need my dad! All I need is you! How can I need him if he was not there where we need him the most?" Oliver yelled. The tears on his eyes wanted to fall but he refused to let them go. He would never show his tears to his mother. Given her condition, he doesn't want to cause any more worry to her. 

*Boogsh!*

The door of their house opened suddenly with a loud bang. Scary people, who were wearing silver armor entered. They had the insignia of ten white stars circling the moon in their chest plates. The insignia of the Northern Alliance.

"The witch really lives here! Go get her!" The men yelled with a commanding and powerful attachment to his voice. 

"Who..."

Before Oliver could speak up, he was pushed behind by his mother. 

"Mom?!" At this moment all he felt was fear seeing the situation.

"Go find the Emperor of Hacien, once he sees you, he will understand right away. " a bitter smile was written on her lips.

A magic circle was starting to form beneath him. "Mom!" His eyes widened with fear, his mom was still too weak to use magic.

"What are you waiting for, go grab that witch !" The knights were startled by their commander's command. They started to lunge towards Oliver's mom. But they were stopped by vines.

Oliver tried to reach her, but it was too late, the magic circle started to activate. Before he could teleport away, the last thing he saw was her mom smiling at him. Tears were streaming down her face.

"Oliver promised me that you will find your own happiness, that will be the one to lead you to become strong. I love you so much, my dearest son."

"No! Mom!" Oliver completely disappeared. He reappeared in the middle of the forest. His right hand that intended to reach for his mom only grasped the air. The tears that he always tried to stop fell naturally like waterfalls. He clenched both his fist and hit the ground. "You're the only thing that I need! But why did you abandon me like that?"

Months passed...

"Your majesty, there is someone claiming to be your son!" 

The knights dragged Oliver. His clothes were already dirty and looked like a rag but once he raised his head, the emperor was surprised to see his golden eyes.

"You, what is your name?"

Instead of answering the Emperor's inquiry. Oliver screamed in desperation. "Please-please save my mother. Your majesty my mom needs your help. She is in danger, those bad men want to take my mom from me. Please, save her."

"Your mother?" The emperor kneaded his brow. "Tell me, who is your mother?"

"Her name is A-Adalia."

"Adalia? I don't know anyone like that and I never heard that name before." Then the emperor walked towards him. "But seeing your eyes, you must indeed be my son. But sadly, I will not be able to help her since I can't remember your mother."

"Mom always tells me about you!" anger ripped through him. "How-How can you not know her?!"

The emperor walked forward in front of him. He gripped Oliver's chin. "Watch your mouth. if you don't want to experience hell at a young age. I don't care if you are my son or not, you must know how to respect who is above you." Oliver couldn't say anything because of the pain he felt. When he finally let go of Oliver's chin he tapped his head three times. "Be a good boy."

Hearing the emperor's response made Oliver tremble as he remembered his mother's word. {"Oliver, your dad, you should meet him. He is really a wonderful father."}

"I will never acknowledge you as my father!" Oliver gritted his teeth as he snatched a sword towards one of the knights. He ran towards the emperor to attack him. But before he could reach the emperor, the other knights were able to subdue him.

"Go lock him for now." The emperor commanded. "Call the archmage and Moren and tell him to discipline this boy. I think I gave a bad first impression on his mind but either way, this is my rule."

---⚓⚓⚓---

Back at the present...

Oliver laughed. It was a sad and painful laugh. "You, it sounds interesting when you said that the story changed already from the time I chose to be the demon lord. Then everything that happened before then..." 

Malaya's expression became more serious when dark lifa started to surround Oliver.

"Then stop me if you can!" More dark lifa surged out from Oliver. In one quick motion, he disappeared and appeared right above Malaya. He raised his right hand and a concentration of dark energy accumulated it. He struck it down towards Malaya.

*Fuzz!*

His attack never hit Malaya. There was a barrier made of fire that appeared just before he could strike the dark lifa towards her. It created a strong wave of wind and energy and ripples could be seen from the barrier.

"Memories... You can never expect them to always be happy. But those happy ones, inside a novel or not. As long as I can, I will strive to protect those who gave me that happy memory. And this world is one of those."

Malaya remembered the time she arrived in this world. 'Who knows if this is still my own selfish thinking or simply naivety. But I have never been so free like this before.'

['Why did you become a marine, Carolle?']

'I wonder, Riza. Will this be enough to pay for my sins. Ah no, even coming to this world, there are a lot of sins I foolishly created. if this world got destroyed, I don't know anymore what else I could do if I die without being able to do anything again.'

The red bracelet on Malaya started to burn. She glanced towards Oliver. "Let's end this now, Oliver!"

"Malaya!" Oliver gritted his teeth as he barraged attacks to the barrier.

She reached her burning left hand in front of Oliver. "Please great dragon spirit of fire,"

The red dragon appeared behind her and it circled to both Malaya and Oliver. And started to burn at a rapid phase. Oliver's dark magic started to be purified as well.

"I will not end it like this!" Oliver screamed, but the flames simply grew stronger. He eventually dropped both his hands, realizing that no matter what he did, it was fruitless. His lips curved into a bitter grin. 'In unjust times, evil surely never triumph over good. I just want him to pay for everything,' Oliver crestfallen thoughts before the fire consumed him.

'The conquest to defeat the demon lord has reached its ending..' Malaya gently closed her eyes and the flames devoured her as well.