A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Ansel and Marlina stood at the edge of the lower district streets of Dispute Fortress. Below them lay the bottomless mining pits, filled with stagnant wastewater and refuse.

The commission had been successfully completed; Ansel cared not whether the boy wished to return. He simply knocked him unconscious and brought him back to Dispute Fortress, to the place he preferred to remain a plaything rather than return.

The young Hydral, observing Marlina as she gazed blankly into the depths of the pit, almost as if staring into an endless abyss, softly said, "You still have much to comprehend, Margarete."

The absurdity Marlina glimpsed in this small, worldly affair was but a fragment of the world's vast tapestry.

Society's structure is exceedingly intricate; deducing the entirety of the world from a single event or a few individuals is manifestly unreasonable—not all mortals are like the boy in this commission, nor are all extraordinary beings like the tyrants ruling Dispute Fortress.

Naturally, the girl understood this, yet she could not muster an optimistic outlook.

For regardless of external appearances, the fundamental disparity between the extraordinary and the ordinary would remain unchanged and unshaken.

This disparity is an ultimate injustice, transcending all societal conflicts, struggles, oppression, and darkness.

The societal phenomena evolving from this injustice are another matter entirely—more immense and complex, like the entangled roots of a towering tree, presenting an intricate and almost inextricable predicament.

Expecting to discern the true nature of things from the events of the past few days was evidently naïve; Ansel never anticipated that Marlina would untangle her thoughts so quickly.

"Mr. Ansel," Marlina's voice was still soft, somewhat dazed.

She even forgot to address Ansel as Faust, or perhaps... she truly needed support and reliance at this moment.

Yet, Ansel did nothing superfluous; he simply responded lightly, waiting for Marlina to speak.

How could the young Hydral fail to discern Marlina's state of mind and intentions?

As early as the Red Frost Territory, with the aim of subjugating Seraphina, Ansel had casually conditioned Marlina to a state of utter devotion. At that time, he had not harbored great expectations for this girl.

But as time passed, Marlina gradually began to reflect the image of Lady Violet. Her relentless pursuit of self-improvement and stringent demands on her own abilities led Ansel to slightly alter his perspective.

More importantly, throughout this process, her dependency on Ansel had scarcely deepened, which was exceedingly rare.

Initially, Ansel believed Marlina could maintain her sense of self. However, as time passed… she seemed to be gradually slipping into an inescapable abyss, something Ansel did not wish to witness.

Books are not comprehended merely by reading, nor is knowledge understood simply by acquiring it. Even though Ansel spent an extensive amount of time meticulously selecting and recording precious knowledge from that other world, it did not mean his subordinates could fully grasp and integrate it.

To find a genius in this relatively "backward" era who could comprehend, analyze, and internalize this knowledge was as challenging as transforming an ordinary person into an extraordinary being.

Marlina possessed this talent and ability, and Ansel did not want her to fall into a state of utter worthlessness.

In retrospect… it was likely due to Seraphina that Marlina's intimacy with him clearly exceeded a typical superior-subordinate relationship. Her increasing dependency on him was inevitable.

Regret was not the right word, but Ansel did feel some remorse for being overly heavy-handed with Marlina initially. Had he been more lenient, she might have been more focused on her self-improvement.

Receiving only a calm response, Marlina remained silent for a prolonged period.

She shifted her gaze from the dark depths of the mine to Ansel's profile.

"Mr. Ansel, what can I do for you?"
Continue reading at empire

Once upon a time, a boy raised under the gentle care and expectations of Annelisa and Flamelle harbored dreams of changing the Empire.

He possessed knowledge from another world—one more advanced in social systems and moral philosophies. Back then, Ansel was brimming with confidence, believing in his abilities and filled with hope for the future.

Even after Annelisa fell victim to the cruel machinations of fate, Ansel still clung to some hope of reforming the Empire.

But after his rift with Ravenna and realizing that fate itself anticipated the arrival of change, Ansel buried this dream completely.

Whatever his enemies sought to achieve, he was determined to thwart.

Only when Ravenna broke this curse at the cost of her life did Ansel begin to reclaim… some of what he had abandoned long ago.

Marlina recognized this as a trial set by Ansel, but she also understood that Ansel wished to enact certain changes.

In this chaotic world, above this ultimate injustice, he sought to achieve the impossible.

Undoubtedly, she was correct, but—

But the answer you gave is not the right one, Marlina.

Ansel sighed inwardly.

It should not be about what you can do for me, but rather... what you can do for this cause.

Even with this thought in mind, Ansel chose not to remind Marlina further.

He had already provided ample guidance. If the intelligent Marlina still failed to respond, it was not due to a lack of understanding but a willing descent into despair.

A willing descent into despair...

Marlina, can the brutal essence of this world still not stir the defiance within you, the greatest victim as a mortal?

Why, even at this moment, facing this distortion and sickness, do you, a person of intelligence, in such a fearful juncture, still think of... what you can do for me?

Have you never had your own thoughts? What exactly are you pursuing?

Ansel, pondering these questions, gazed at the girl's haggard face. As a mortal, she had not yet escaped the grip of panic and dread. Yet, despite her sorrow and despair, her thoughts remained fixed on Ansel, on what she could do for him.

This was a moving display of loyalty, one Ansel recognized and valued, yet he hoped... it would be more than mere loyalty.

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