A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Within a few days, Knell's intelligence spread among the top-tier powerhouses of the Western Lands.

The absurdly high prices and refusal to sell the information outright added more credibility to this already "meticulous" intelligence.

Dispute Fortress, teeming with a mix of characters due to the selection competition, became even livelier.

Yet, the legendary adventurer at the center of this maelstrom seemed unfazed by the brewing storm.

"Your current approach isn't bad at all. Why hesitate?"

Ansel, sitting on the workbench with arms crossed, asked, "Lost confidence?"

"It's not about confidence, it's about..."

Ravenna hesitated for a moment, then set down her tools and spoke softly, "It's about the aftermath, Ansel."

"Now that I think about Marlina's words, they make some sense. Forcibly ensuring the purifier's stable operation in the lower district under your name... isn't good."

"After all, isn't it relying on your 'power' as an extraordinary being?"

She looked up at Ansel, her eyes filled with confusion.

Using Faust's renown to pressure Dispute Fortress's rulers to ensure the purifier's operation... in essence, wasn't this directly using Faust's power to change the living environment of the lower district's civilians?

Whether the purifier existed or not seemed irrelevant—removing it and directly demanding Milo treat the lower district well would be just as effective, if not more straightforward.

Yet, Ravenna wouldn't do that; such an approach was Seraphina's style. But in her gradual exploration over the past few days, Ravenna found it hard to distinguish the difference between the two.

The chaotic thoughts hindered her subsequent work. Developing those little gadgets should have been a breeze with Ansel's help, but she remained at a standstill.

After a long while, Ravenna sighed, abandoning her current work. She placed her hand over Ansel's, still looking up at him:

"Ansel, what do you think? I know you say you don't have any big plans, but you must have already decided to start changing something. Otherwise, you wouldn't have placed Marlina by Seraphina's side."

Ravenna, who had always understood Ansel well and was striving to improve, longed for an answer, yearning to move closer to the vision they shared.

Facing the expectant gaze of Ravenna, Ansel pondered for a moment, then smiled and gently patted her head.

"Some things... are difficult to articulate. If you truly wish for me to explain everything, I don't mind, but do you genuinely desire that?"

If it were merely a matter of reasoning, it could be discussed anywhere. Ansel didn't bring Ravenna out for simple conversations; in fact, her staying in Hydral territory would be more critical.

Ansel's expectations for Seraphina and Ravenna differed. After exchanging their innermost thoughts, he hoped these two girls would forge their own paths, just as he wished for Ravenna—to live for herself.

Seraphina wasn't suited for such contemplations, whereas Ravenna, as the future driving force behind change, had much to consider.

Interests, balance, planning, morality... many things Ansel couldn't explain to Ravenna—for his path was not hers.

"...I understand," Ravenna nodded gently, offering no objections to Ansel's words.

Then, she glanced down at the unfinished device on the workbench, took Ansel's hand, and her form was enveloped in gray particles, transforming into a tall, alluring, mature woman.

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Adjusting the glasses on her nose, the woman said, "In that case, accompany me for a walk."

"Lower district?" Ansel asked with a smile.

"Where else?"

Ravenna, now brimming with vitality, let out a soft hum. The girlish charm was gone, replaced by the cold allure of a mature woman, enhancing her attractiveness.

"I want to know their thoughts on the purifier, and also..."

She glanced back at Ansel, "You'll find out soon enough."

"Why the secrecy?"

"Learned it from you, Mr. Monster."

Traversing between the upper and lower districts of Dispute Fortress had become routine for Ansel and Ravenna. However, with Marlina restricting the Executioners, Ansel rarely ventured to the lower district.

"Too many eyes are on you, Ansel."

On the way to the lower district, Ravenna, who had set up concealment spells for them, frowned slightly. "The attention you're drawing is increasing... What information exactly did that Knell sell? If he had such intelligence, shouldn't he be lying low?"

Since Knell and Ansel reached an agreement, no fewer than six factions have attempted to spy on Ansel, trying to glean further information. Ansel had dealt with one overly audacious observer, which caused the other spies to back off somewhat, lacking the courage to monitor him round-the-clock.

"It seems you must have let him downplay your strength," Ravenna remarked, retracting her gaze from a particular rooftop.

"Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent such... inept individuals to watch you."

Ansel, unperturbed, replied, "I like keeping secrets. You learned that from me."

"..." Ravenna, without a word, discreetly twisted Ansel's waist, and the two descended into the vast mineshaft that led to the lower district.

The border between the upper and lower districts remained somewhat habitable, even bustling, but as they ventured deeper, the environment and buildings visibly deteriorated.

Shielded by crisscrossing pathways, sunlight diminished, and vitality visibly waned. Living in such a gloomy atmosphere long-term... it was hard to foster any positive outlook.

Ravenna suddenly felt that Seraphina wasn't so detestable after all.

Though she was a fool, her desire to change this place was purer than anyone else's, and she knew to seek help when needed, doing whatever Marlina instructed... wasn't that commendable?

However, Ansel had mentioned that the silly dog was not always this way, often acting on impulse and causing significant trouble. It must have taken Ansel considerable effort to train her into her current state.

Lost in thought, Ravenna and Ansel arrived at the first purifier.

A large crowd had gathered beneath it, their expressions... a strange mix of fervent devotion that made Ansel narrow his eyes slightly.

But Ravenna interpreted these expressions as excitement and reliance; from her perspective, it was natural for these civilians to develop such feelings towards the purifier.

Miss Scholar first scanned the surroundings, ensuring there were no spies, but after a moment's thought, she only dispelled her own concealment spell, leaving Ansel's intact.

She no longer wanted Ansel to act, speak, or think on her behalf... the forthcoming actions were hers alone to undertake.

Ravenna gently adjusted the glasses on her nose, making her cold and captivating visage seem rather ordinary to others. She then approached a passerby, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "He…llo."

The passerby, making some gestures towards the purifier, paused upon hearing her voice and turned to look at Ravenna, slightly puzzled. "What's the matter? Do you need something?"

"This thing," Ravenna pointed to the purifier above, "what do you think of it?"

As a novice conducting her first research work, Miss Ravenna appeared somewhat uneasy and at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.

At this moment, she deeply envied Ansel's ability to be eloquent and adaptable in any situation, with anyone.

The person in front of her was clearly bewildered by the question. He looked at Ravenna with suspicion and a hint of caution, finding the question quite odd, but he still replied, "You mean the purifier?"

"...Yes." Ravenna sighed in relief upon hearing his response. "What do you think of it?"

"Oh, it's a wonderful thing!"

The passerby beamed with enthusiasm as he spoke about it. "Thanks to it, our environment has improved significantly! And I mean, really improved!"

He took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, looking utterly content.

"Only with it did we realize what fresh air truly feels like. I feel completely rejuvenated!"

"...Milo would handle the cleaning, right?"

"Lord Milo is very busy; how could he possibly find the time to always come and help us?"

The passerby shook his head vigorously. "Each cleaning requires a lot of Lord Milo's money and effort. Even if we wanted to… we wouldn't dare to trouble him all the time."

Absurd...

Ravenna's eye twitched slightly. How could an air purification spell be so taxing? With the resources of the Whistling Legion, setting up a large self-cleaning spell at the bottom of the mine would be child's play. Yet, they were still concerned about Milo.

His brainwashing skills must be... incredibly effective.

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