Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

And the battle began again, louder, bloodier, and far from over.

Enara barely had time to raise a barrier before the wave of monstrous creatures surged forward, their howls blending into a single, deafening roar. Chaos unfolded rapidly around her, magic flaring brightly in bursts of crimson, violet, and gold, tearing through the air and illuminating the battlefield in stark, shifting colors. Soldiers and monsters clashed, blades ringing out and sparks flying like scattered embers against the darkened sky.

She spun on instinct, dodging a hulking shadow creature whose claws sliced through the air where she'd stood moments earlier. Black energy crackled from her fingertips, tearing through the creature, reducing it to ribbons of smoke. But it reformed instantly, barely slowed, rushing back at her with renewed ferocity.

Enara cursed softly, frustration sharpening the edges of her fury. No matter how many enemies fell, more rose to replace them, endless waves breaking upon the battered castle walls. Beside her, Daena swung her warhammer in sweeping arcs, obliterating creatures left and right, yet even her tireless strength was beginning to falter beneath the relentless assault.

"Where do they keep coming from?" Enara shouted, fighting to keep panic from her voice as another creature lunged at her, only to be repelled by her rapidly summoned shield.

"Hell itself, probably," Daena replied, grunting with effort as she shattered another monster's skull with brutal efficiency. "Or something equally delightful."

Above, Verida and Nyssara still battled fiercely, but their strength was clearly waning. Azael herself stood calmly at the edge of the carnage, untouched and unhurried, merely observing as her minions wore down their defenses.

Then, through the chaos, Enara saw movement—a single figure walking forward calmly, untouched by the violence that raged around her.

Liria.

She moved slowly, deliberately, her expression disturbingly blank as though she felt nothing no joy, no regret, no anger. Just emptiness. Shadows rippled softly around her form, her dual-colored eyes vacant, yet dangerously focused.

Enara's heart pounded painfully in her chest. For a brief, impossible moment, she wondered if Liria had somehow broken free, returning to their side. But that hope was crushed brutally as Liria calmly lifted her hand, darkness flowing from her fingertips like a living thing, snaking outward toward their defensive lines.

Enara's voice caught in her throat, shock freezing her limbs. "Liria no!"

But her plea fell on deaf ears. Liria's shadows surged forth like floodwaters, silent and deadly, effortlessly slipping through the lines of defense. Soldiers collapsed without a sound, their bodies dropping limply, lifeless before they hit the ground. The shadows didn't stop—they continued forward, unstoppable and merciless.

Verida shouted something desperate from above, but Enara barely heard it through the rushing sound of blood pounding in her ears. She summoned her own shadows instinctively, attempting to repel Liria's attack, but her power faltered, clashing uselessly against the relentless surge of darkness flowing from her former friend.

"Why are you doing this?" Enara screamed, desperation raw in her voice. "Please, Liria! Snap out of it! I know you're still in there!"

Liria didn't respond, her face emotionless as her shadows spread across the battlefield, systematically devastating their defenses. Daena cried out angrily, charging toward her, warhammer raised—but before she could strike, the shadows enveloped her, too. Daena froze mid-motion, eyes wide with shock, then collapsed heavily to the ground.

"Daena!" Enara shouted, racing toward her grandmother, heart constricting painfully. But the shadows surged again, striking her shoulder and sending her sprawling to the ground. Pain exploded through her, sharp and dizzying, knocking the breath from her lungs.

Azael's laughter echoed softly above the carnage. "You see, little princess? Resistance only makes your pain deeper."

Enara struggled to rise, gasping for air, her limbs trembling. Her vision blurred momentarily, pain radiating sharply from her injuries, yet she forced herself upright, desperate to find Daena. But everywhere she looked was devastation her soldiers defeated, wounded, or worse, and the powerful warriors who had defended her kingdom now fallen silent, drained of strength by the overwhelming power Liria wielded.

Enara stood shakily, magic faltering around her, fatigue and anguish gripping her fiercely. "You don't have to do this," she whispered brokenly toward Liria, begging one final time for mercy. "Please."

Liria's gaze finally met hers again, empty but for the briefest flicker an echo of deep, hidden agony. Her lips parted slightly, almost as though she wished to speak but the moment shattered quickly as Azael stepped calmly beside her, placing a possessive hand on her shoulder.

"She belongs to me now," Azael said softly, triumph shimmering in her golden eyes. "Your begging means nothing."

Enara felt her knees weaken beneath the weight of despair. It was over—truly, devastatingly over.

Yet, just as darkness threatened to claim her entirely, something unexpected happened a sudden burst of brilliant white light erupted from the edge of the battlefield, forcing her to shield her eyes from its blinding intensity.

"Stop right there!" a voice boomed out, strong and distinctly human, cutting sharply through the chaos. The brilliance faded slightly, revealing a single man standing amidst the ruin, confidently brandishing a sword that shimmered with divine energy.

Enara blinked rapidly, disoriented by the sudden shift. The stranger was unmistakably human, tall and leanly muscular, clad in worn leather armor etched with faded symbols. His hair was dark brown, tousled by battle, and his expression fierce, radiating determination and defiance. Power surged around him pure, radiant, and entirely unexpected.

Azael's eyes narrowed sharply, irritation flashing across her face. "Human? How quaint—and incredibly foolish."

The man raised his sword defiantly, stepping forward without hesitation. "Foolish or not, you won't take this kingdom."

Enara's heart beat rapidly with disbelief and cautious hope. Who was this human? How had he come here and more importantly, why was he fighting for them?

The man advanced swiftly, sword blazing brightly as he cut effortlessly through Azael's soldiers, his blade cleaving shadow-flesh like silk. The creatures howled in agony as the weapon touched them, dissolving into ash as though burned by divine fire.

Liria raised her hand, shadows gathering threateningly but the human moved faster, aiming his sword directly toward her. He shouted a single word, a powerful incantation that caused the shadows surrounding Liria to falter and disperse momentarily, leaving her vulnerable.

Enara watched, breathless, unsure whether to cheer or cry out in alarm.

Azael hissed furiously, stepping protectively before Liria, golden energy crackling menacingly around her fingertips. "You dare challenge me directly, mortal? You'll pay dearly."

But the human merely smiled grimly, his sword raised resolutely. "I've faced worse than you, Demon Queen."

He lunged toward Azael, their magic clashing violently in a blinding eruption of light and darkness. Enara shielded her eyes instinctively, staggering slightly as powerful shockwaves reverberated across the battlefield. She had no idea who this mysterious human warrior was, or why he'd chosen to fight for them but right now, he was their last hope.

She moved quickly, racing toward Daena, who still lay motionless on the ground. Kneeling beside her grandmother, Enara pressed shaking fingers to her neck, relieved beyond measure when she felt a weak pulse beneath the obsidian skin.

"Daena, stay with me," she whispered urgently, gathering shadows protectively around them both. "You can't leave yet."

Daena stirred faintly, eyes flickering open with visible effort. "Who's the human?" she croaked weakly, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "And why is he glowing so brightly?"

Enara almost laughed despite herself, relief flooding her veins. "No idea. But right now, he's saving us."

Daena grunted, lips twitching in reluctant approval. "Fine. He can stay for now."

Across the battlefield, Azael was driven back slightly by the human's relentless assault, her expression twisted with rage and disbelief. She clearly hadn't expected resistance, least of all from a mere mortal.

"You won't defeat me!" she screamed angrily, shadows and fire erupting furiously from her form, lashing out in all directions.

But the human held firm, his sword cutting through her magic effortlessly, each strike weakening Azael visibly.

Liria, watching the battle silently, hesitated suddenly her vacant eyes flickering briefly toward Enara, a fleeting, desperate plea flashing clearly across her face.

Enara's breath caught painfully. She understood instantly beneath the darkness, beneath the possession, Liria was still there, trapped and desperate for freedom.

"Hold on," Enara whispered fiercely, resolve solidifying within her once more. "We're coming for you, Liria."

And as the mysterious human warrior continued his determined assault on the Dark Sovereign, Enara rose shakily to her feet, gathering her remaining strength, readying herself for the desperate, impossible fight that would decide everything.

Enara stood tall, the wind tugging at her cloak, blood drying on her cheek, her magic pulsing faintly beneath her skin like a heartbeat. The human warrior fought with a kind of divine fury, every strike of his glowing blade carving light into the darkness, forcing Azael to retreat with each clash. Enara's gaze returned to Liria who now looked more ghost than girl, her body still, but her eyes flickering wildly, as if battling something deep within.

"Hold on," Enara murmured again, her voice steady despite everything. "I swear to you we'll break her hold. I'm not letting you disappear."