A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Not just because of the promise to make a change with Ansel, but because Ravenna possessed no less determination than Seraphina.

She firmly believed that Ansel was still the same child from three years ago, who, like her, yearned to change the world. Even if he was no longer naive, he still held a passion for this world.

If the enemy attempting to extinguish this passion was Fate, then she would become the god from the machine to shatter Fate.

Ansel was momentarily stunned, then gently grasped Ravenna's hand, speaking softly:

"Yes, I promised you."

Never again... resort to all means, regardless of the cost?

The young Hydral, tenderly responding to his friend, silently questioned himself in his heart.

Shortly after their conversation ended, a maid announced the visit of a certain duke.

"An unexpected visit. I hope I am not intruding upon you and Miss Zeigler, Lord Hydral."

The Duke of Azuregold, upon entering the garden, bowed respectfully to Ansel, his demeanor and manners impeccable.

Ansel, holding a teacup, took a leisurely sip and asked, "It is still a time to discuss the choice of the regent. Your visit, Duke of Azuregold, is quite reasonable and not an intrusion at all."

The selection of the regent, though confined to two candidates, was a matter far from simple. Determining the legitimacy of the regency, who would truly occupy that position, and more bluntly… how the ultimate power and authority would be divided, were questions that could not be resolved in a day.

As pillars of the empire, the dukes needed to provide a satisfactory answer to the citizens and the empress who could return at any moment.

Thus, the dukes remained in the capital, and so did Ansel, as a fair witness, "striving" to devise a standard that could convince everyone.

"Indeed," replied the Duke of Azuregold, only seating himself opposite Ansel after being gestured to do so. With a radiant smile, he continued, "The matter of the regent is indeed crucial. However... that is not the purpose of my visit."

"Oh?" Ansel raised an eyebrow, "Then what is it?"

"It is about you, lord."

The Duke of Azuregold interlaced his fingers, instinctively licking his lips, his eyes reflecting Ansel's visage, glimmering with excitement.

Ansel of Hydral... his situation was both the safest and the most perilous of all.

Safe, because of the complexity of human hearts and his perfect image, the fifth-stage extraordinaries would not immediately unite to besiege this last divine species.

Perilous, because as time slowly passed, when everyone confirmed that the power of the Flamefeast was indeed completely severed and that Hydral no longer possessed the might of the sixth rank, the murderous intent that the fifth-stage extraordinaries had temporarily set aside would grow at an accelerating pace.

However, yesterday's meeting allowed him to grasp the simplest and most fatal weakness of these fools—their fear of death.

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If Hydral could convince them that he was utterly unrestrained and fearless, none would dare provoke him, let alone conspire to attack him collectively.

He had managed to prolong the arrival of that danger... and if it lasted long enough, perhaps that danger would cease to be a threat altogether.

Should the Flamefeast truly extinguish in such a scenario, the legitimate ruler of the empire would be self-evident.

When the Duke of Azuregold realized this, he immediately recognized it… as an unprecedented investment opportunity.

Hydral was not invincible, capable of effortlessly sweeping through the empire; rather, it was precisely because he lacked such power that he devised this scheme to buy himself time to grow and develop.

If… if he were to align himself with Hydral now, providing all necessary resources and assistance, even participating in this grand charade to solidify the illusion of Hydral's "overwhelming strength", the rewards, when Hydral eventually gained the power to command the empire, would be unimaginably substantial.

Of course, risk and reward are proportional; siding with Hydral meant opposing the entire empire.

As a businessman, he could not afford to be at odds with society, or he would be unable to conduct any business at all.

Thus, the Duke of Azuregold wavered, hesitant. However, this indecision did not prevent him from meeting with Ansel and engaging in a small... exchange.

Looking at the young Hydral before him, the man could not help but recall his amazement from the previous night.

What kind of monster was Ansel of Hydral? Born with supreme authority and power, he did not need to resort to cunning to compensate for any lack of brute force, yet he spent so much time weaving the greatest lie through his outward image.

If he targeted an individual, who in this world could escape his control and manipulation?

Nevertheless, the Duke of Azuregold felt a surge of exhilaration at having seen through the schemes of such a peerless genius.

No matter how unfathomable it seemed, he couldn't possibly have guessed... that I have already uncovered your secret, young Lord Hydral.

The Duke of Azuregold concealed his satisfaction expertly, inquiring with a respectful tone about a matter seemingly unrelated to his internal deliberations:

"Lord Hydral, I have come to seek your insights. In your opinion... what criteria should be used to determine who is most suitable to become the Regent?"

Through this, he aimed to glean Ansel's next move, fully committing to the charade. To prevent anyone from discovering that his true intent was to project an image of fearlessness, Ansel would undoubtedly feign a desire to control the Regent and, by extension, the empire.

This would also explain… his previously aggressive demeanor as mere theatrics!

He believes I am putting on an act.

Ansel gazed at the sagacious Duke of Azuregold, finding the notion somewhat amusing.

As a pure opportunist, the Duke of Azuregold was the only one bold enough to approach Ansel after discerning his intentions from fate's revelation.

Yet, naturally, no matter how courageous, he wouldn't dare declare, "I know you are merely bluffing," directly to Ansel's face.

Circumlocution and veiled probing... that was all.

And this was precisely what Ansel desired.

Faust's influence in the Western Land was gradually advancing, but it was insufficient.

Simultaneously, there was another, more crucial task to accomplish.

"Criteria, indeed..."

The young Hydral mused, "Naturally, their governance abilities must be up to standard."

Hearing that Ansel seemed to have an idea, the Duke of Azuregold immediately focused, ready to surreptitiously deduce Ansel's next plan: "Governance abilities up to standard... are you intending for Lord Suellen and Lord Diana to demonstrate their governance skills?"

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