A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

At the end of the dissipating dust, a tall, fierce-looking girl had pinned an adventurer's head to the ground with one hand, dragging him along to carve out the long fissure.

From the occasional twitching of the unfortunate fellow, it was clear he was barely clinging to life.

Seri... why is she here?

Marlina knew Seraphina would interfere with this plan, as she would never stand by and let civilians be bullied. Therefore, Marlina had made arrangements to divert Seraphina beforehand. So why was she here now?

Marlina's pupils contracted sharply; she couldn't risk the possibility that these unscrupulous adventurers might expose the staged nature of this event, revealing her role behind the scenes… Even though Seraphina might not believe them, Marlina could not tolerate such an unexpected turn.

What to do... With Seri's power, she could undoubtedly hear the telecrystal. It was too late to threaten the adventurers now; they might even expose their identities as extraordinary beings. Although Seri might not suspect anything unusual, this...

Watching the civilians' gazes shift towards admiration, even reverence, Marlina's clenched fist trembled slightly.

There are many ways to divert Seraphina's attention. Firstly, since Marlina took charge of various affairs, Seraphina no longer meddled in civil matters, focusing most of her time on training. Often, there was no need for deliberate distraction.

Secondly, thanks to this journey, Seraphina had become more mature and responsible. No matter how baffling or exasperating the policy planning tasks Marlina assigned her were, Seraphina would sit and toil through them. This method had temporarily kept Seraphina occupied.

But why... Seri, why are you here?

How many times have I told you not, not, not to give them hope with your power? I've taught you so much, put in so much work, yet you still don't understand?

Marlina's mind was no longer preoccupied with the adventurers exposing her; her eyes darted anxiously, her teeth gnawing at her lip, and her grip on the window frame made it creak.

When will you ever stop being so presumptuous—

Her thoughts abruptly halted.

She stepped back, her face pale, her body swaying involuntarily.

"No, Marlina, how could you think that?"

"That is Seri, her unwavering kindness and integrity, not some presumptuous attitude... what were you just thinking?"

In that instant, Marlina felt a chilling fear at the dark thoughts that had surfaced in her mind. But she quickly regained her composure, forcing herself to focus on the present.

"They will surely reveal the staged nature to save their lives... Seri may not be quick-witted enough to notice the problem immediately, but she may realize it later. I must be prepared."

"I need to accelerate the plan to oppress the Lower District civilians. Seri's presence is problematic, and I must also tighten the control over her... what can be done to divert her attention from the Lower District?"

Marlina muttered to herself, unraveling the chaotic thoughts with astonishing speed, her eyes brightening as she found a path forward.

"It's troublesome, but not insurmountable. Thankfully, Mr. Ansel helped me secure control over Dispute Fortress, and I have the Executioners in my grasp from the start."

She exhaled gently, moving away from the window, ignoring the useless pawns. She switched the telecrystal to the adventurer who had initially impersonated a boy and was thrown out.

"Frog, where are you now? Leave the Lower District quickly; that girl is dangerous. Don't say I didn't warn you..."

"...Frog?"

The communication had connected, but there was no response.

There were no other extraordinary beings left in the Lower District, and the civilians couldn't possibly know how to use the telecrystal. With Seri here, unless Frog dared to risk being torn apart by Inothea to joke with her, there was only one possibility left.

— One possibility.

Marlina's taut nerves gradually relaxed.

Fate, while presenting a significant problem, also brought a more formidable ally.

"Apologies... Mr. An — Mr. Faust."

Marlina's voice was soft and sweet, "I never intended to involve you, and I'm truly sorry for the trouble."

There was still no response from the other end of the telecrystal, but when Marlina turned back to the window, the street below erupted with exclamations.

A figure had shot up from the bottom of the mine pit, landing near Seraphina.

"Ah—You!"

Seraphina, who had been standing on a half-dead adventurer, almost shouted his name but quickly turned her call into an exclamation.

"You... ahem, aren't you Faust?"

Miss Wolf crossed her arms, trying to appear haughty, grateful that her tail wasn't visible at the moment.

"So, why are you suddenly here? Do you have something to say?"

"Is your business not yet concluded?"

Faust's voice was cold and indifferent.

"…Huh?" Seraphina seemed genuinely confused—her pure, bewildered expression was undeniably sincere.

"I lent you my servant so you could quickly end your tedious game of justice."

The black-haired youth placed one hand on his sword hilt, his tone tinged with impatience, "Are you not done playing yet?"

"Playing?" Seraphina's eyebrows slowly arched, "Who told you I was playing? Let me tell you, even if you're... Faust, oh wait..."

Only then did Seraphina seem to realize that Ansel might have other intentions. The girl scratched her head in bewilderment, "You're Faust, uh... Faust..."

Whatever the wolf girl was pondering, she suddenly shouted:

"Ha!"

She struck a pose, one hand on her hip and the other pointing at Ansel, "So what if you're Faust? Does being Faust give you the right to boss me around? Look at yourself—"

Boom—!

The pitch-black blade at Faust's waist extended like a living creature, stretching tens of meters long. It struck Fenrir's head with the force of an avalanche, despite being a cutting blade, the impact was thunderous, showcasing its terrifying power.

At the same time, it indicated that...

Someone had withstood this slash in front of that relentless blade.

"Huff... huff..."

Excited, fierce, beast-like panting resounded within the smoke and dust.

The infamous Wicked Wolf Fenrir of the Western lands slowly raised her head, her dark red eyes gleaming with joyous savagery.

But it was not she who had withstood the slash. Instead, it was a fearsome, demonic werewolf shadow… that had risen behind her, monstrous and malevolent as a demon god!

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