A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

After all, she was an honest mortal who recognized her place... Oh! Perhaps this is what Lord Ansel appreciates about her.

Despite being a mortal, she decisively gave up the advantage of being closely related to the pact head, making her quite remarkable.

She would be very handy to use... Lord Ansel has given me a very useful tool.

Hmm, it's better to be cautious, though. After all, she is the sister of that dangerous wolf. When she returns... I might not be her match. Oh dear, it's fortunate that Lord Ansel foresaw and found such a monster.

"If you haven't decided what you want now, I'll take my leave—"

Just as Rhine was about to jump out of the window, it suddenly paused, turned its head, and meowed, "Would you like to assist in handling the aftermath of Miss Seraphina's trial?"

Marlina was slightly taken aback, "…Me?"

"Yes, Marlina, your abilities are not lacking, and you understand Miss Seraphina well... you seem the most suitable candidate."

"The task is not complicated. It involves following Miss Seraphina's route, monitoring her trial process, and helping her wrap things up after each session... such tasks are neither too big nor too small."

Rhine slightly lifted its chin, its emerald cat eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Although it was asking, its words were full of the implication that it had already decided for Marlina.

"I will assign you two well-behaved assistants who will follow your instructions despite you being a mortal."

The cat nodded happily, "Successfully completing this task will be a significant achievement. Additionally, Miss Seraphina will benefit, which is also good for you, Marlina, so—"

"May I refuse?" Marlina asked with a smile.

"...Hmm?"

Rhine, who had merely turned her head, now turned her entire body to face Marlina. Standing on the windowsill, she looked down at Marlina with a slightly puzzled expression. "Refuse? Why?"

"I am an ordinary person. Accompanying my colleagues on tasks that rely on extraordinary powers would only be a burden."

"You needn't worry about that. Their abilities are very—"

"How about I stay in the Garden and only provide advice when needed?"

The young girl gently interrupted Rhine. "This way, we won't need to allocate extra manpower, and I can still contribute, can't I?"

"Well... I have considered that, but 'advice' is rather vague. Ultimately, it still requires execution, so when it comes to distributing credit, you might be at a disadvantage," Rhine kindly reminded her.

"Then there's no need to count it. I was only offering suggestions anyway," Marlina smiled. "It hardly counts as an achievement."

"You really are... Alright, if that's what you want, Marlina, then so be it."

A superior has no reason to refuse a subordinate so eager for voluntary work. Rhine looked at Marlina with increasing satisfaction, beginning to consider her future development.

If I can make Marlina one of my own, I'll have more confidence when dealing with that dangerous wolf. Hmm... good idea.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It's a pity her requirements for becoming an extraordinary being are a bit high. Otherwise, finding a way to get a bottle of the Water of Redemption should make her utterly loyal.

"By the way, about compensation..."

Marlina blinked. "Although it's a bit embarrassing, I suddenly thought of something I need."

"Go ahead," Rhine generously waved her paw. "I know you have good judgment, Marlina."

"Hehe, I just want to look at... Garden's archive. Is that alright, Lady Rhine?"

"Oh, and if you could activate the time acceleration field, that would be even better."

*

"Ansel... Can I, can I change my mind?"

At the teleportation array, Seraphina, wearing four rings, looked at Ansel with hopeful eyes.

Two rings symbolized her status as a pact head, one was filled with various supplies Ansel had prepared for her, and the last one disguised her appearance.

This journey was far more affluent than when Seraphina had left the Red Frost Territory alone, wandering to the village.

Who said that going on an adventure had to be tough? Seraphina was merely seeking suitable opponents to begin her hunt. Any other hardships were clearly unnecessary.

Of course, this was also because Seraphina never indulged in material pleasures... her only material indulgence was probably Ansel.

Ansel reached out to straighten the girl's collar, chuckling, "At this point, you want to back out? Even if you crouch down and bark now, I'll still throw you into the teleportation array."

"I would never bark!" Seraphina's face turned red as she shouted, "Never!"

If Ravenna were here, she would surely say with a blank expression that Seraphina had barked quite enthusiastically last night.

"Don't regret your decisions. Hesitation is not your style, Seri." Ansel stroked Seraphina's silky hair. "The vast world awaits you. Go."

Seraphina suddenly hugged Ansel tightly, whispering, "But I still want to be with you..."

"That request is a bit too much," Ansel replied, embracing her slender waist with a smile.

"I know, I won't make things difficult for you."

The girl nuzzled her beloved's cheek, showing a warm and happy smile.

"Because I can feel it, Ansel's heartbeat... it's always here."

She touched the collar around her neck, holding Ansel's arm even tighter. "That's enough. I won't let you down, Ansel."

The wolf, ready to embark on the journey, released the embrace and beamed brightly, "I will be... the best!"

Seraphina took a step back, entered the teleportation array, and waved to Ansel… as her figure vanished.

Ansel stood by the teleportation array for about three or four seconds, then exhaled softly and turned to walk back into the manor.

A black feather drifted down from the sky at that moment. Without looking, Ansel caught it between his fingers, a satisfied smile gradually spreading across his face.

"Is everything ready? Very good."

The feather, casually discarded, dissipated like melting snow. Simultaneously, iron-gray particles coalesced into the figure of a petite scholar—standing at sixty centimeters.

Ravenna lightly perched on Ansel's shoulder, reading a book without lifting her head. "Did you send her off?"

"Yes, she was still thinking of backing out before she left," Ansel chuckled.

"Hmph... that's not her style. She just wanted an excuse to cling to you a bit longer," Ravenna sneered, adjusting her glasses. "Forget it, let's not talk about her. I've finished what you asked for, but to be honest..."

She paused, turning to Ansel with a serious expression. "I don't think you leaving the Hydral territory at this time is a good choice."

"Changing your identity and planning to operate in the Western lands as this 'Faust' character is even worse."

"Why?" Ansel asked with a smile.

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