A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Although dragons had dominated the continent for untold ages before humans, their bestial nature meant that the more powerful they became, the closer they edged towards madness, ultimately leading to self-destruction. Despite their long-established foundation, the number of supreme beings within their race remained relatively constant.

It was no exaggeration to say that if they continued fighting like this, and if Ravenna could endure, Ansel might even… attract the Dragon King’s attention.

But by now, Ravenna had reached her limit.

“But… that rift… hasn’t yet…” Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

Before she could finish, the blood-spattered steel demon god that had been towering in the sky… suddenly disintegrated!

“Venna!”

“Cough… I’m fine, I’m fine. Don’t worry, Ansel.”

Nidhoggur reconstituted Ravenna’s petite form, but the shell that normally could not be distinguished from a real person by anyone was now visibly unstable.

“I merely require a brief rest… just a moment will suffice.”

Nestled in Ansel’s embrace, Ravenna’s brow furrowed deeply, betraying the relentless erosion she battled, despite her reassuring words. As one of the Hydral pact heads most susceptible to abyssal corruption, coupled with her already unstable soul from embodying Nidhoggur and the recent intense combat, Ravenna had evidently reached her limit.

As the grievously wounded dragon titans retreated, the lesser drakes below began to disperse. Yet, a considerable number, lost in bloodlust, remained locked in combat with the extraordinary beings. Thus, no cheers arose for this temporary reprieve from the monstrous horde.

“The rift…” Ravenna clutched Ansel’s garment, her voice hoarse from spiritual erosion and exhaustion, “Has it opened?”

Cradling the now fragile Ravenna, Ansel murmured, “Dismiss such thoughts. There’s no need to maintain your form for my sake. Rest well.”

“But you—”

“Ravenna!” Ansel’s tone sharpened. “When did you become so foolish? If you truly wish to aid me, focus on stabilizing yourself. I know better than you… when to call upon your power! I have other methods, lest you forget!”

Ravenna gazed at Ansel’s profile, then lowered her eyes, whispering, “Forgive me, Ansel. I spoke… selfishly.”

She wasn’t hurt by Ansel’s demeanor; rather, she only now realized how deeply he abhorred seeing her in this state.

Has my consciousness truly become so muddled that I failed to perceive even this?

Ansel’s lips quivered slightly as he caressed Ravenna’s cheek, his other hand clenched tightly. “…I’m the one who should apologize, Venna. These past few days… you’ve endured so much. I will—”

His words were cut short as Ravenna’s form dissolved, plunging her into an uncontrollable, brief slumber. Only thus could she hope to mend the abyssal erosion and damage to her soul.

The battle here could now be entrusted to the other extraordinary beings. While Ansel’s presence would undoubtedly be a formidable asset, even without the God from the Machine, he had no desire to fight. His sole wish was to provide Ravenna with a sufficiently tranquil environment to rest.

Soon, Ansel materialized in his temporary Western Lands abode. Settling into a plush chair, he gently stroked the ouroboros bracelet on his wrist, his gaze lowered in contemplation.

“I merely require a brief respite… just a moment will suffice.”

Nestled in Ansel’s embrace, Ravenna’s brow furrowed deeply, betraying the relentless erosion she battled, despite her reassuring words. As one of the Hydral pact heads most susceptible to abyssal corruption, coupled with her already unstable soul from embodying Nidhoggur and the recent intense combat, Ravenna had evidently reached her limit.

As the grievously wounded dragon titans retreated, the lesser drakes below began to disperse. Yet, a considerable number, lost in bloodlust, remained locked in combat with the extraordinary beings. Thus, no cheers arose for this temporary reprieve from the monstrous horde.

“The rift…” Ravenna clutched Ansel’s garment, her voice hoarse from spiritual erosion and exhaustion, “Has it opened?”

Cradling the now fragile Ravenna, Ansel murmured, “Dismiss such thoughts. There’s no need to maintain your form for my sake. Rest well.”

“But you—”

“Ravenna!” Ansel’s tone sharpened. “When did you become so foolish? If you truly wish to aid me, focus on stabilizing yourself. I know better than you… when to call upon your power! I have other methods, lest you forget!”

Ravenna gazed at Ansel’s profile, then lowered her eyes, whispering, “Forgive me, Ansel. I spoke… selfishly.”

She wasn’t hurt by Ansel’s demeanor; rather, she only now realized how deeply he abhorred seeing her in this state.

Has my consciousness truly become so muddled that I failed to perceive even this?

Ansel’s lips quivered slightly as he caressed Ravenna’s cheek, his other hand clenched tightly. “…I’m the one who should apologize, Ravenna. These past few days… you’ve endured so much. I will—”

His words were cut short as Ravenna’s form dissolved, plunging her into an uncontrollable, brief slumber. Only thus could she hope to mend the abyssal erosion and damage to her soul.

The battle here could now be entrusted to the other extraordinary beings. While Ansel’s presence would undoubtedly be a formidable asset, even without the God from the Machine, he had no desire to fight. His sole wish was to provide Ravenna with a sufficiently tranquil environment to rest.

Soon, Ansel materialized in his temporary Western Lands abode. Settling into a plush chair, he gently stroked the ouroboros bracelet on his wrist, his gaze lowered in contemplation.

From her former self, willing to sacrifice anything for her grandfather’s ideals, to her current state, unable to maintain corporeal form even while resting, Ravenna had already given so much of herself.

Since that fateful moment when she shattered her physical form and plunged her soul into the abyss in a desperate gambit, up until now, as she accelerated her own corruption to aid Ansel, how much more could she possibly sacrifice?

…. Should another dragon calamity strike, should the rift be on the verge of opening once more, what path should he choose? To battle the dragons, to enter the rift, or… to abandon it all?

Did Ravenna’s condition truly allow for her to continue this relentless combat?

As Ansel sank deeper into this agonizing quandary, the room’s door suddenly burst open.

“Ansel… Ansel!”

A voice, brimming with elation and excitement, rang out as the door flew open. “I’ve found a way! I’ve discovered a solution!”

Any solution should have been cause for celebration at this juncture, yet Ansel couldn’t muster even a shred of joy.

The sight before him—Seraphina, covered in wounds and blood, her arms severed—left him utterly bereft of happiness.

“Seri… I explicitly told you not to enter the dragon calamity battlefield,” Ansel struggled to keep his voice steady.

“I told you not to go.”

“Ah, well… I just couldn’t resist, but I promise I knew when to retreat. I didn’t get carried away, truly!”

Seraphina attempted to shrug, as if to scratch her head, but her severed arms made the gesture impossible. Her inexplicable healing ability was indeed at work, yet the seemingly vibrant Seraphina was equally on the brink of exhaustion—her regeneration wasn’t without cost.

… Injuries of this magnitude indicated she had once again narrowly escaped death on the battlefield against the dragons.

“Besides, I’ve found a way to help you, Ansel, so it’s all right—”

“Do you not realize you could have died? You didn’t even use the power of Hydral’s main body projection… Were you trying to get yourself killed, Seraphina?!”

The eternally gentle, warm youth, reminiscent of sunshine and spring breezes, suddenly roared without warning: “Don’t you understand that I can’t always be there to help you? Don’t you know that Fate could decide to end your life at any moment… It will kill you!”

“It will… take you from me.”

Ansel, who had risen uncontrollably from his chair, met Seraphina’s panic-stricken gaze and felt all strength leave him, collapsing back into his seat.

Covering most of his face with his hand, he murmured softly:

“…I’m sorry, Seri. I didn’t mean to blame you. I actually have other methods. I just… I just don’t want…”

Never retreating, this is the price.

To possess both a life no longer shrouded in darkness and the power to shatter fate… How could you, Ansel, presume to greedily claim both? You, more than anyone, understand that the most meaningful pursuits demand an equivalent sacrifice.

If you’re unwilling to pay, you’ll inevitably make restitution when you least expect it.

“Ansel…”

Seraphina gazed at him, slumped in his chair, face hidden behind his hand. Despite her familiarity with pain, she had never felt her heart ache so profoundly.

Save for that moment of ultimate despair at ten years old, she had never witnessed Ansel so dejected, so helpless.

The predicament tormenting Ansel, which she and Ravenna had discussed countless times, was real—and far more severe than they had ever imagined.

She knelt beside him, gently nuzzling his leg, her voice tender: “It’s alright, Ansel. How could I ever be angry with you? I know you care for me deeply.”

“But precisely because of that, Ansel—because you cherish everything about me—how could I simply enjoy your love without giving anything in return?”

“I’m not strong enough yet, so I handed my place to Ravenna, but even now, there are things only I can do… As I said, I’ve found a way to help you.”

She looked up at him, her gaze as soft as water, yet as unyielding as steel.

“Those dragons… they seem to pursue me. The moment I release my power, they’ll chase me relentlessly.”

…Hunting.

Of course. Seraphina had reached unprecedented, unparalleled heights in the realm of beast elements. In a future where she could challenge Dragon Kings and gain their friendship, if she were to unleash her unique, supreme aura of a beast monarch without restraint, even if her strength wasn’t quite sufficient, all dragons would immediately view her as the most prized quarry.

Her method could only be…

“If that rift opens, don’t worry about the dragon calamity, Ansel,” the girl blinked, speaking with such lightness and brilliance:

“No matter how long it takes you, no matter how much effort you must expend, until you return… I won’t let them cause further destruction. There are other extraordinary beings too, aren’t there? Just trust me!”

Ansel gripped the bracelet on his wrist, head bowed, offering no response.

Once more, he heard Fate’s lofty inquiry.

—Will you continue to fuel your flames of wrath and pursue your vengeance at their expense?

From reality to self, from the external world to those closest to him, everything conspired to push Ansel deeper into this abyss of despair.

You’ve acknowledged and compromised; they won’t become like you, Ansel.

Those by a hero’s side need not be heroes themselves, but they can never be villains.

Cease your persistence in evil deeds and sins.

Thus, I shall grant you forgiveness and freedom.

*