Struggling as a Villain

Inside the conference room, only a few people were present, which greatly surprised Bellarine. She was used to facing at least twelve people inside the meeting rooms given their importance in the ministry.

However, Duke Aeromore was not present and the first Prince was absent as well.

Bellarine was only on good terms with Hawkbridge as of now, so she exchanged greetings and sat down on her designated seat.

This was the first time for her to appear before the central ministry after that incident back in the Duchy. There were still rumors circulating but as usual, the Crimson Witch cared about none.

"Amelia returned home if you don't know," Bellarine informed him, since Hawkbridge had been recently moving around mostly and had no time to show his face back home.

Gideon heaved a long sigh, a blend of exasperation and weariness being expressed in that single breath, as he responded,

"I miss my home and my daughter. Your son has bound her by a spell or somethin' that she doesn't like to spend her time anywhere away from him."

Bellarine grinned, proud of her son she looked, as she said, "Can't help~Richie is just too charismatic."

Gideon scoffed, "He is still a brat in my eyes."

"I don't think you can say that after hearing his achievements, Lord Hawkbridge. Especially during the Academy invasion where he fought gallantly and saved his schoolmates." The chief advisor, Harold, expressed his views on the matter.

Bellarine nodded in assent as she crossed her arms under her bust.

Seeing some of the other members peeking at her inappropriately, Bellarine narrowed her eyes, making them instantly look away.

"Haah~okay, I admit Richard has turned into a great man. However, it's still unfair for him to get my daughter's whole time and attention."

With his shoulders slumping, Gideon asked, "But what's the point in complaining? Now that she has finally returned, I can't go home…"

Harold feels bad for the man since, unlike Bellarine, who often ignores the Emperor's orders to join these kinds of meetings, Gideon always responds to the summon on time.

"It pains to say this but, Gideon, at the moment, the nation requires you more than ever." Suddenly, a person entered the room whom everyone knew.

Bellarine's eyes turned sharp for a moment but she hid her frustration well.

She hasn't forgotten about the fact that her son was among the potential experiment subjects, conducted by the Emperor.

Although Lucius said he wasn't aware of the ex-Prime Minister's plans, Bellarine still holds a grudge against him.

"Please sit down, people." Lucius was aware of Bellarine's gaze but he chose to ignore her for the moment and gestured everyone to sit back down.

Lucius began the meeting without beating around this time, fortunately,

"As you all must have been informed, for a few weeks now, strange portals have been appearing all over the world, spewing Bates and making it impossible to maintain peace and order within the affected regions."

The Emperor then gestured towards his most trusted man, ushering Harold to get up and continue,

"Seventy-four occurrences in Eldoria in the past seven days, and each one of them is sending an average of seventy Bates through each portal. There has been recorded no trustable pattern to predict these portals, nor anyone was captured who can be held accountable for this mayhem."

Gideon's dark brows were knitted, as he asked, "And we still haven't sent anyone to the other side to explore where they are coming from?"

Harold looked nervous under his intense gaze, as he responded, "Although we have evidence that all these Bates are arriving from a single place, we still need a way to be a hundred percent sure that those who cross the portal can return home safely."

This time it was Knight Commander Bennet who interrupted, "I apologize for the interruption but I can take that role."

Bennet is hailed the strongest and most fearless warrior in the army and one could see that those titles aren't just for show.

"Until we don't get evident proof that there is a world of living on the other side, we won't send anyone." Lucius added, "What if the portal opens to the Dark Star?"

"I doubt such weak Bates would come out from the Dark Star," Bellarine scoffed. Dark Star is the home to Bates, and where those creatures receive nourishment directly from the source.

The room was engulfed in silence after that, everyone thinking of what possible way there was to get rid of this situation.

It was then, when suddenly a soldier entered the conference room, urging Bennet to stand up with a frown on his face,

"Who gave you the permission to walk inside?" His tone and the heavy aura made the soldier freeze at his spot with sweat accumulating on his face.

However then, he said something that immediately changed Bennet's expression,

"An intruder is caught, sir! From the other side of the portal."

Bellarine frowned and got up before saying, "Where is he?"

The soldier instantly reported, "Kept in the underground prison!"

Bellarine glanced at the Emperor and after receiving a nod, everyone marched out of the room.

….

In the underground prison, everyone stood outside the cell where a man was hanging by the chain, his dark brown hair obstructing his face and blood dripping down his mouth.

The soldier who had beaten him up said, "He will talk now."

The chief advisor stepped forward and asked, "Can you tell us your name?"

There was a long pause before the man answered, "Adam…Brussel."

"And where did you come from?"

"Earth…" When that word escaped his lips, Bellarine drew a sharp breath.

Her baby was right, these Bates were coming here from their previous world.

"Is that the orb where you live?" Gideon asked, but since the prisoner didn't respond, everyone thought he possibly affirmed.

The Emperor finally asked, "Are you among the ones who are sending the Ambrobates into our world?"

Everyone held their breath since based on his answer, further action would be taken,

.net

It took him a few moments and a shake from the soldier nearby for the prisoner to respond,

"Yes…"

Bennet narrowed his eyes, "What is it that you are planning?"

This time the answer came a bit faster,

"To invade major empires by having hunters infiltrate them, hidden among monsters."

"---!!"

That caused everyone to widen their eyes in shock.

Bellarine knew that the human race in the far future was quite wicked, but still, this was absurd.

Meanwhile, the others who have no idea what kind of being resides on Earth and how strong they are were apprehensive upon receiving the information.

They still don't have any way to block these portals and rather than Bates, what if strong warriors began to launch attacks on small towns and kill innocent people?

Naturally, help cannot be provided to every corner of this world instantly.

A deep silence ensued after that for a few minutes before Gideon asked, "How do you conjure these portals?"

"...there are technologies built to create a small gap between dimensions that allows us to reach Clion."

Bellarine frowned, "How was this technology built? Did someone awaken space-time magic?"

Her question might sound absurd but the very logic behind crossing dimensions was ridiculous.

Unless there is a magician who fuels these artifacts with Space Magic, it won't be possible for the Earthlings to open those portals.

And the very thought of someone possessing space-time magic sent a chill down Bellarine's spine.

The man showed no changes of emotion through his voice as he answered, "Magically experimented beings…boosted abilities, and created hybrids …"

Bellarine clenched her fist with her eyes narrowing. Meanwhile, Harold looked on the verge of crying upon hearing what hideous acts they were practicing.

Lucius frowned before he asked, "Is there any way of breaking this connection between the two worlds?"

Harold exclaimed, "Are we not going to stop them?" There were a few others who agreed with what he suggested.

However, "It's not our problem what they are doing. We just need to get rid of this connection so our world no longer gets disturbed by those creatures. Ever again."

Lucius knew he must be looking like a heartless man at the moment but he couldn't send his men to another world to resolve their situation.

He has no idea what kind of danger resides on the other side, what kind of government is ruling that orb and nauseating things they have in their arsenal.

Not to talk about, there is the threat roaming over Clion already and Lucius cannot afford to solve others' mess.

Stepping forward he asked again, "Is there any way through which we can sever this connection?"

Although no one sensed any change from the man, a very thin smile extended the prisoner's lips as he uttered,

"Yes…there is a way."

—--------**---------

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop comments, power stones, and reviews if you have enjoyed the story so far.