A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Despite being merely a fourth-stage extraordinary being, she exuded an aura of dominance capable of subduing the entire empire. Such an unprecedented and inconceivable occurrence was unparalleled not only in imperial annals but throughout the entirety of human history.

Ravenna, displeased with Seraphina’s brazen demeanor, intended to voice further objections when Ansel, flanked by both women, interjected:

“Seri’s capriciousness is not of concern. The Hydral family certainly possesses such privileges. In comparison to past occurrences—without delving too far back, merely considering the exploits of my father and Lawrence—their actions far surpassed Seraphina’s current deeds in terms of audacity, yet none dared raise any objections.”

Indeed, Seraphina’s current “righteous enforcement” paled in comparison to the arbitrary whims of other pact heads, amounting to mere trifles.

Though Ravenna understood this reasoning, she still expressed her displeasure with a soft huff: “You persist in favoring her so.”

“I’ve shown favoritism to you on numerous occasions as well, Venna, and undoubtedly will continue to do so,” Ansel responded matter-of-factly to his friend’s somewhat petulant complaint, chuckling lightly. “It’s only fitting, wouldn’t you agree?”

Seraphina stuck her tongue out at Ravenna: “I don’t find it fitting at all. Ansel needn’t favor her. If she doesn’t care, you can exclusively favor me from now on.”

As she spoke, she mouthed additional words to Ravenna.

Stub-born-mule.

In that instant, Ansel felt Ravenna’s grip on his arm tighten by at least eighty percent.

Subsequently, Miss Ravenna, starting with “stupid dog” and centering on intelligence, delivered an expressionless tirade of no less than a hundred words, simultaneously bewildering and successfully infuriating Seraphina.

As the two girls bickered along the way, Ansel found himself unable to suppress his amusement. Not only was their quarrel inherently entertaining, but Seraphina’s unreasonable transformation also provided Ansel with a broader array of strategies and methods for maneuvering on the chessboard against fate.

Although the cost was that this war chariot’s autonomous consciousness would grow increasingly stronger, Ansel had never truly considered using Seraphina entirely as a mere pawn.

Seraphina’s current self-centeredness differed markedly from her future genuine tyranny. While her inherent nature remained unchanged, her outward manifestation was drastically different, which sufficed.

Regardless of her individualism, Seraphina would never abandon Ansel… Or perhaps this indicated that she had unknowingly begun to regard Ansel as her own possession?

Upon this realization, a subtle smile graced the young Hydral’s lips.

Love is a complex entity; for its passionate flame to burn eternally requires mutual effort.

If his affection for Seraphina were merely akin to that of a cherished pet, how long could such sentiment truly endure?

Undoubtedly, it would pale in longevity compared to this fervent passion of mutual possession and taming.

His Seraphina, it seemed, stirred his heart more profoundly now than ever before.

As the trio arrived at their stronghold in the lower district, Seraphina initially yearned to bask in the adoration and reverence of the masses. However, unable to risk proximity to “Faust,” she unhesitatingly chose intimate closeness with Ansel over public acclaim, remaining concealed until they reached their base.

“Oh my… today was truly tiring,” Seraphina declared, plopping onto the sofa in the lounge.

She snatched a juice bottle from the table, bit off the cap, and guzzled its contents in one swift motion.

“Ahh~”

The girl exhaled deeply, leisurely crossing her legs. “That fool could never have imagined, even in his dying breath, that I’d learn from the Revolutionary Army how to destroy the lower district’s collapse formation. Without that threat looming over me, I can decide when they die!”

Seraphina’s deal with the Revolutionary Army was straightforward: they desired to seize Dispute Fortress, and she agreed to create chaos throughout, even drawing in the fortress’s elite forces, facilitating the army’s swift victory.

In exchange, the Revolutionary Army would neutralize the lower district’s collapse spell, allowing Seraphina free rein for her violent exploits.

The Revolutionary Army upheld their end of the bargain with honor. Seraphina’s side, however, encountered a slight hitch.

Fame was indeed achieved, but it was Seraphina Marlowe, the dragon-slayer, who rose to prominence. The revolutionary forces barely registered in public consciousness.

Ravenna, perched on Ansel’s lap, languidly turned pages in her book, remarking without looking up, “You’ve likely expended all the wisdom you’ll accumulate over the next five, no, ten years on this scheme.”

Seraphina took no offense; her rare foray into strategic thinking had yielded great success, leaving her content regardless.

Only Ansel, embracing Ravenna, remained silent. His smile belied a contemplative air, discernible only to himself.

The Revolutionary Army, conveniently leaking information…

As these thoughts occupied Ansel’s mind, his gaze drifted towards… the direction of the office.

“Ah! Right.”

Seraphina, who had been about to sprawl lazily across the sofa, suddenly sprang to her feet, exclaiming, “I nearly forgot something… Ansel, wait for me a moment, will you?”

Ansel’s gaze flickered briefly, but he replied softly, “Where are you off to?”

“Well, hehe…” Seraphina lowered her head, sheepishly ruffling her hair. “I want to tell Marli about all the impressive things I did today!”

Ravenna rolled her eyes. “Such a child.”

“Mind your own business! Anyway… Ansel, don’t come looking for me, alright? It’d be embarrassing if you saw!” The girl giggled, hands behind her back, backing out of the lounge step by step. “I’m off then, I’ll be back in no time!”

She pushed open the door, waved briskly at Ansel, then dashed away in a flash.

Two seconds after Seraphina’s departure, Ravenna abruptly snapped her book shut with a “thud”.

“Shall I eavesdrop for you?” she asked out of the blue.

“…What do you mean, eavesdrop for me?”

“You might fool her, but did you think you could fool me?”

Ravenna’s face was full of disdain. “You might as well have whispered ‘I’m a bit worried’ in my ear.”

“Hmm…” Ansel rubbed his cheek. “Was it that obvious?”

Ravenna shifted her position, pressing her ear against Ansel’s chest. She drawled, “It was that obvious, to me at least.”

“So, do you want me to do it?”

“…No, let’s not,” Ansel shook his head, a fleeting look of compassion in his eyes.

“This is, after all, a matter between sisters.”

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Without a greeting, Seraphina burst through the door with a resounding bang.

“Aha, Marli! I’m back! And I’ve become super strong! You must have seen it!”

Seraphina cheered, circling around Marlina, who sat at her desk. “From now on, you won’t need to handle these matters anymore. You can go back to adventuring with Ansel! Sorry for troubling you these past few days.”

“Sorry for troubling…”

Marlina softly murmured these words, a smile slowly appearing on her face, as if donning a mask. “There’s nothing… to be sorry about, Miss Seraphina.”

“Oh, why are you calling me that again… Never mind, I don’t care. Hmm… Are these the final arrangements you’re making before you leave, Marli?”

Without looking up, Marlina responded quietly, “Yes, Miss Seraphina. Before leaving the lower district, I hope to contribute what little I can.”

“Oh, I see…”

As Seraphina said this, she suddenly reached out and snatched all the papers from under Marlina’s pen.

Without any warning or request, she seized Marlina’s planning documents and began to peruse them slowly.

“…As expected, I can’t make heads or tails of this no matter how I look at it. Professional matters should be left to professionals, I suppose.”

After a moment of seemingly incomprehensible examination, Seraphina returned the thick planning documents to Marlina. However, as the latter silently extended her hand to retrieve her belongings, she found that the force on the other end of the documents remained unyielding.

“…”

Marlina slowly raised her head, meeting her sister’s eyes.

Those cold, predatory eyes.

“So, Marli, tell me,” Seraphina asked her sister in the calmest voice she could muster:

“Since you understand so much, why did you have to cause the deaths of so many people?”

*