A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Not only in the western countries, but Faust also left many legends unknown to ordinary people throughout the empire as an adventurer. However, about half a year ago, he disappeared, and his name became less known outside the western regions of the empire.

But Mr. Ansel didn't seem like the type to wander alone on adventures. Why would he choose to act as an adventurer under another identity? What was he planning?

Faust's first legendary battle was the dragon disaster in the western countries three years ago... Three years ago, Mr. Ansel cleaned up the black market, left the imperial capital, and many things happened... What happened three years ago? Was it the key to Mr. Ansel giving up something important in his heart?

Marlina pondered with downcast eyes, while the attendant, clearly unaware of the renown of Faust, greeted Ansel with enthusiasm: "As a newcomer, please feel free to command me for any needs. If I may inquire, what are your preferences regarding those delightful lambs? Do you favor the mature or the adorable? The aloof or the tender?

We have recently acquired a new selection, which we are diligently training to ensure your utmost satisfaction!"

"Do you have a public auction today?" Ansel inquired with a smile.

"Ah, a regular patron, are you?" the attendant expressed with mild surprise. "You haven't visited our Dream Demon's Domain before."

"I traveled to the other side of the Celestial Path mountains from east port three years ago and only recently returned," Ansel shrugged nonchalantly.

"I intended to purchase a couple of sheep from the old place, but I heard that the black market had changed shortly after my departure."

"I see..." the attendant nodded, his demeanor becoming even more cordial.

The Celestial Path mountains thwart the empire's ambitions to march to the other end of the continent. The northern seas are perpetually swept by cold currents, while the southern seas are encircled by the Lost Sea, making passage to the other side of the continent impossible. Only the east port has the sole route to the other end of the continent.

Although the route is exceedingly long and passes through the boundless Lost Sea, it is fortunately shallow, posing risks that are deemed acceptable. The people from the other side can only come over through this route.

Rumors persist of another way across the Celestial Path mountains, but its veracity remains unknown. In any case, the east port serves as the sole conduit between the two ends of the continent, and any ordinary person cannot afford the steep price of the ship's fare, let alone linger on the other side as if in leisure, returning at will.

"Fortune smiles upon you, Mr. Faust," the attendant beamed, his smile growing ever brighter.

"There is a public auction commencing in twenty minutes, with two unreserved private boxes available. Would you care to reserve one?"

"Marli," Ansel tilted his head slightly, and the young lady by his side placed a pouch in the attendant's hand.

"Contained within are ten thousand imperial gold coins; should it prove insufficient, we shall provide more," the inscrutable young nobleman said with a smile. "Lead the way."

The attendant, impressed by Ansel's nonchalant display of wealth as if it were as simple as drinking water, promptly escorted him to a private box at the public auction.

"Mr. Faust, what can I get for you?" the attendant asked with an ambiguous smile, treating Ansel as an experienced hand. "Perhaps some exquisite candies, or...?"

"I'm not interested in things that affect the brain, and there's no need to send anyone." Ansel waved his hand, "That's enough."

The butler quickly nodded in agreement and left the private room.

"...Looking all the way here," Seraphina sat on the armrest of the large chair where Ansel was sitting, looking puzzled, "This doesn't seem like a place for illegal business."

"That just proves that our shopkeeper friend didn't lie, this place is indeed for 'doing business'," Ansel chuckled lightly, but the faint disgust and coldness in his laughter were noted by Marlina.

"Real businessmen, of course, have to package their goods to be colorful, delicate, and gorgeous, not just throw them in cages like monkeys for people to watch."

"...," Seraphina frowned more and more as she listened, "It's really annoying to hear."

"Yes," Ansel's elbow rested on the other armrest, he looked at the nearly full auction house through the one-way glass, his eyes slightly drooping and whispered, "It's... unpleasant."

As time passed, the public auction officially began. The two hosts on the stage, a muscular and handsome man, and a hot and charming woman, just a few casual movements and a few words, heated up the atmosphere on the spot.

"They're like two roosters and hens with feathers," Miss Seraphina commented.

The first one to be brought on stage was a tanned strong man over two meters tall, his limbs shackled and a steel chain hanging around his neck.

"...A man?"

Seraphina looked at the first "product" to be auctioned with some surprise, "Men... can also be captured and sold?"

"Do you think these people buy slaves just for that kind of thing?" read-on-MVLeMpYr

Ansel shook his head, "Seraphina, they buy slaves not to satisfy physical desires, but psychological needs... What they need is an existence that looks perfect many times more than themselves, but can be trampled on at will."

"Look at the buyers below, at least half of them are women."

"WOW… it seems to be true."

"Although the empire has not made any further progress for a long time."

The young Hydral looked indifferently at the upper-class people who were bidding crazily below, "But in terms of the current productivity, there is no longer a need for the existence of slaves... Add five hundred gold coins."

In the process of chatting with Seraphina, Ansel also took the time to add a large sum of gold coins, directly suppressing the competitors.

Although Seraphina didn't understand what Ansel was saying, she still asked, "So they... just buy slaves to satisfy those disgusting ideas?"

-->