Taming the Protagonist

Chapter 45: Hitana’s Wondrous Adventure, Part Two

Shadow Crystal… Before meeting Anselm, Hitana had only heard of it from the noble “classmates” at Tianlu Tower.

A fun, intricate, and expensive little trinket.

When she rushed out of Anselm’s residence, the dim-witted young she-wolf realized—she had no money to get that thing!

Not only no money, but no connections either.

This left Hitana, walking down the street, her expression shifting between gloom and determination.

Everything was ready—how could she miss this chance over a stupid rock?

No doubt, Hitana was a fool.

But with her intuition honed to extreme sharpness, she could always glimpse a spark of inspiration in a tangled mess.

"Many nobles are afraid of Hydra," the girl muttered to herself. "So, for Count Ironstone to convince them to oppose Hydra, he needs solid reasons."

"Those reasons might include… the flaw Hydra deliberately left for Count Ironstone. Why else would he say Count Ironstone would understand?"

But after all her thinking, she still didn’t know how to get a Shadow Crystal.

"Buying one is definitely out."

Hitana rubbed her cheeks, squatting by the roadside, watching a gray puppy waddle by.

"Using Hydra’s name, they might give it to me… Bah! I’m not that shameless."

When the second idea popped up, Hitana pinched her arm hard, her face sour.

"Then… stealing’s the only option?"

After much thought, the tactless young she-wolf could only come up with this despicable and absurd plan.

She glared grimly at the gray puppy panting as it ran over: "Fine, I won’t steal from shops. I’ll steal from rotten nobles… Hey, don’t eat garbage!"

The girl grabbed the dog by the scruff, expertly smacking its snout: "Spit it out! Eating garbage will make you sick, dumb dog!"

"…Wait, garbage."

Hitana looked at the garbage the dog innocently spat out, her eyes gradually brightening.

"Right, if I’m going to steal, why not check the ‘garbage pile’ first?"

***

Late at night, Count Chishuang’s mansion.

In the judgment against Cantrell Chishuang, all of Anselm’s penalties targeted the Count personally.

Chishuang mansion, considered the Chishuang family’s property, didn’t belong solely to the Count.

When the Count’s heir inherited the title, they would also inherit the mansion.

Likewise, while the Count’s personal wealth was entirely confiscated—er, appropriated—the mansion’s “family property” was sealed.

As for how this family property was distinguished… That was another dirty piece of noble politics.

Because of this, the Grand Duke of Gray Tower’s arrangements in Chishuang Territory weren’t more severely damaged.

Anselm held the strongest bargaining chip, and their talks at Xiaofeng Fortress ended in a seemingly peaceful atmosphere.

Under the night’s veil, Anselm stood in the distance, gazing at the lifeless Chishuang mansion.

The Chishuang family was entitled to continue living there, but due to Anselm’s “arrangements” with Saville, they had all moved out after the Count’s trial, leaving only this empty mansion.

And within it, the immensely tempting… “family property.”

As for why the Chishuang family complied, on one hand, it was the unspoken agreement and rules among nobles.

When the “family” as a whole wasn’t yet at the point of complete ruin or certain death, everyone left a shred of dignity, avoiding total enmity or complete plunder.

On the other hand, when Anselm wanted it done, their willingness didn’t matter much.

Moreover, regular guard patrols were arranged, and with the Grand Duke of Gray Tower still using these assets to maneuver in Chishuang Territory, no one would dare touch the mansion’s contents.

Yet tonight, not only did such a bold person appear, but… two groups did.

"Has Hitana arrived?" Anselm suddenly asked, though no one seemed to be beside him.

"Miss Hitana is on her way," Saville appeared behind Anselm, bowing slightly. "However, her handling of her tracks is… somewhat crude."

"Have you taken care of it?"

"Rest assured, Young Master."

Hitana could never have imagined that all her thoughts, choices, and possible actions… none escaped Anselm’s calculations.

—Anselm Hydra was the person in this world who understood Hitana Lansmarlos best, a truth far deeper than the statement itself.

Countless days and nights of relentless study, countless plans torn down and rebuilt… under Anselm’s gaze, there was only something more inescapable than fate itself: complete control.

This control was reflected in how Anselm was never the type to set a plan, sit back with a glass of wine, and smugly think, “Everything is under control.” To him, that wasn’t confidence—it was foolishness.

All his training and planning for Hitana accounted for any influence that might alter the plan, correcting them even before they arose.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have borrowed the most unique Saville from his father.

—Among Flamel Hydra’s seven Contract Heads,

Saville was the weakest in overall strength and the least capable of ensuring Anselm’s safety.

But he was the one best able to help Anselm ensure all plans were executed exactly according to his will.

From start to finish, Hitana was under his absolute control, though the young wolf never realized it.

If Hitana failed to find the Shadow Crystal during this adventure, Saville would even seize the opportunity to place it directly in her path.

Gazing at Chishuang Mansion from afar, Anselm revealed a satisfied smile, one so profoundly joyful that even Saville couldn’t comprehend it.

Only Anselm knew the source of his delight, and it wasn’t the control over Hitana but… something else.

"Those vermin," the old man’s tone carried a hint of disdain, "have also prepared to infiltrate the manosion."

"Perfect timing, heh… Keep an eye on her, Saville."

"Your will."

The butler bowed slightly and vanished behind Anselm.

For someone like Saville, a gentleman of his caliber, to scornfully call others “vermin,” it could only refer to the absolute adversaries of the Hydra.

And the adversaries of the Hydra were often synonymous with those of the Empire.

Thus, those standing against the Empire could only be…

The rebels.

The existence of rebels in Chishuang Territory, under long-term oppression, was no surprise.

Having learned of Count Chishuang’s downfall, they were, in theory, the only ones bold and motivated enough to infiltrate Chishuang City during the chaos and steal the Chishuang family’s assets.

But why… act only now?

[Regarding Count Ironstone’s request to mobilize private troops]—Marina had once been puzzled by this document.

After the Chishuang family’s fall, their sizable private forces were disbanded, and the city’s defense forces under Count Chishuang’s system fell into disarray.

Some defected to other houses, others were replaced by nobles’ men, significantly weakening Chishuang City’s defenses.

This was the key reason the rebels dared to infiltrate this dangerous place, a battleground for two Grand Dukes.

And Count Ironstone, under the pretext of bolstering city defenses, had submitted a request to Anselm to deploy external private troops to Chishuang Territory.

Marina couldn’t understand why Anselm approved it, as it was disadvantageous to him, indirectly reducing his control over Chishuang City.

But she didn’t know that Anselm didn’t care about such things.

Who ultimately controlled this city or territory had no bearing on him.

Though he explained to Marina that “allowing Count Ironstone to strengthen his forces means Grand Duke Ironblade can gain more initiative, securing greater autonomy in the struggle between the two Grand Dukes,” his true purpose was far different.

The rebels, infiltrating Chishuang City during its weakened defenses, had been biding their time.

Upon learning of Count Ironstone’s large-scale troop deployment, they would inevitably act immediately, as the cost of failure would be too great once the troops arrived.

Anselm only needed to ensure the mansion’s security was tight enough to make the rebels hesitate, holding back until this very night, when they had no choice but to make their final move.

Thus, there were no coincidences, no accidents.

Only Anselm’s destined, absolute domination.

“Don’t leave a bad impression on your martial goddess, dear revolutionaries.”

“While a first impression may not determine the outcome, if you don’t start off well…”

Hydra chuckled lowly: “She might not trust you right away.”

“And that might lead to some things… only I would enjoy seeing, wouldn’t it?”

The serpent’s shadow enveloped the lifeless manosion.

No one could escape.