A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Fenrir's tall and striking figure usually made her stand out in a crowd, but beneath the towering werewolf shadow, she seemed almost petite, highlighting the shadow's immense size and the dreadful aura it exuded.

The werewolf shadow, with only its upper body visible, crossed its claws to block the strike. The living, pitch-black blade seemed stuck halfway through its claws, unable to cut further.

"Is that all?"

Her body began to swell, fluffy ears emerging atop her head, and a bulge forming at her tailbone. Fenrir grinned, a smile filled with natural provocation and anticipation, devoid of any pretense.

"Don't underestimate me, Faust, I am—"

"Roar!"
Your next journey awaits at empire

Fenrir's pupils contracted to the extreme.

She didn't have time for any bold declarations or fierce proclamations. That roar wasn't a warrior's exultation but a cry of demise.

Mid-sentence, the demonic werewolf shadow was instantly shredded by the living blade's explosive force. The sudden emergence of a vast array of blades, like the maw of a monstrous black beast, devoured the shadow in an instant, leaving nothing behind.

In that fleeting moment, the supreme weapon from the alchemical god's domain had already placed a blade at Fenrir's neck.

"Guess."

Faust lifted his chin slightly, "Just now, did I even exert any force?"

In the ensuing silence, the black-haired youth retracted the terrifying black blade, sheathing it at his waist once more. He gazed down coldly at Fenrir, who had been forced to one knee by his strike, his voice indifferent:

"You have a talent that piques my interest. End your little game quickly. If you can be the last one standing in the arena above—"

"I will give you a chance to see me serious."

Turning away, Faust glanced back at the panting Fenrir.

As he spoke with stern authority, he lightly winked.

The true face of the fiendish villain flickered briefly.

Fenrir clutched her chest as if struck by a grievous wound.

And the enigmatic, legendary adventurer vanished without a trace.

In the room not far away, Marlina leaned against the window, panting heavily, her face flushed.

She wanted desperately to express her gratitude and affection to Ansel through the telecrystal, but she didn't want to come off as a starstruck little girl.

Ansel's appearance had resolved all her immediate problems.

How to divert Seraphina's attention completely? By giving her a target, a clear and defining goal for someone who has always pursued power—one that she would inevitably see as her all-consuming focus.

This way, Marlina could act freely in the lower town.

At the same time, Faust's unmatched strength shattered the invincible image of Fenrir in the minds of the lower town's residents… Although admiration was inevitable, it was far better than having Seraphina suddenly appear, solve the group of adventurers, and then reap all the adoration.

Of course, all of this paled in comparison to one thing:

Ansel understood her thoughts and acknowledged her efforts. Otherwise, why would he offer his help?

— I'm walking on the path that Mr. Ansel himself expects. Maybe I am just following now, maybe I still need his guidance, but one day... I will walk alongside him.

The thought filled Marlina with strength.

"…Marlina Marlowe."

A woman's voice, mature, cold, and impersonal, suddenly came through the telecrystal.

Marlina immediately recognized the voice, causing her joy to momentarily turn into confusion.

"Miss Ravenna... what's the matter?"

Since the communication crystal was in Ansel's possession, it was not surprising that Ravenna had it too. But why was Ravenna speaking instead of Ansel?

"According to information gathered from that adventurer pretending to be a child," Ravenna's voice remained indifferent.

Most of the time, this indifference wasn't directed at anyone, but this time... it seemed somewhat aimed at Marlina.

"It seems you are plotting something… very unpleasant."

Marlina was momentarily stunned, then softly responded, "Just some small matters."

"Are you sure that pretending to be a boy and being publicly thrown to death is a small matter?"

"…"

The smile slowly faded from the girl's face. She gently stroked the window ledge, gazing at the scene in the distance where her sister was being celebrated by the common people.

"If you disagree with my thoughts and plans, I'm truly sorry, Miss Ravenna."

Marlina's tone was exceptionally calm and gentle. "It's my shortcoming. When I can't meet both your and Mr. Ansel's requirements simultaneously, I can only prioritize Mr. Ansel."

"So you think that by doing this, you are helping Ansel?"

"If not," Marlina smiled, "then what was Mr. Ansel just doing?"

"...I see."

Ravenna's voice grew even colder. "You feel proud, proud that Ansel is helping and indulging you, so you think you are right, don't you?"

"I'm not concerned with objective truths, Miss Ravenna." Marlina's voice remained serene and graceful. "I only care about Mr. Ansel."

After a brief silence, a sigh came through from the other side.

"I don't know whether it's his problem or yours... Marlina, have you ever considered that you actually have more choices?"

"Choices?"

"Although I don't know what you are doing, at least with Ansel's help, there are always better options. Even if you can't completely eliminate negative impacts, you can avoid the worst choices."

This didn't quite sound like something Miss Ravenna, who could weigh the lives of two territories on a scale, would say.

She was changing too... but the change shouldn't be this drastic. She wasn't morally demanding like Searl, so what was the reason for her words?

For... Mr. Ansel?

"You believe you are working for Ansel, don't you?"

"Yes, Miss Ravenna."

"Then you would never refuse to help Ansel become better, right?"

"...You are right."

Marlina had started to sense Ravenna's intent.

Better... more choices? Was Miss Ravenna suggesting that Ansel should become more... benevolent?

Coupled with Ansel's recent tendency to perform tasks for the common people, it wasn't surprising why Ravenna would have such an idea.

And Miss Ravenna inherently had a benevolent streak, so her thoughts weren't completely out of character —

...Wait.

It was at this moment that Marlina realized something.

She was a bit dazed, a bit confused, as she reviewed and pondered her plan.

Am I...

Am I committing evil acts?

Marlina Lansmarlos had never considered this from the moment her plan began until now.

Driving, plotting, manipulating, controlling... these actions had become as natural to her as breathing.

She wasn't even consciously avoiding the thought.

She simply... didn't care.

*