A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

"In such circumstances, to still ponder how to defy fate... Can you truly shoulder such a burden? I worry for you, Ansel, because lately, you seem..."

Ravenna hesitated briefly before sighing softly, "You seem to be... struggling, yet you refuse to confide in us."

Having voiced these thoughts, Ravenna appeared to gain resolve. She turned to face Ansel directly, gazing into those sea-blue eyes that seemed to have lost their clarity, growing ever more profound.

"You said we should learn together how to live for ourselves. Now, I'm learning how to move forward with you, but you seem entangled by something still."

Ravenna reflected on the time spent with Ansel, from their days at Dispute Fortress to the present. She recalled how he had disguised himself as Faust, leisurely fulfilling scattered commissions for commoners, to his current state of brooding melancholy, rarely sharing his thoughts with them.

For a time, Ravenna had been mired in self-doubt, wondering if Ansel truly wished to enact the salvation and benevolence they perceived, or if she and Seraphina's desires had coerced him, preventing him from making choices true to his heart.

Yet this seemed incongruous. Throughout their journey, Ravenna had clearly observed Ansel attempting to change. The kindness he extended couldn't solely be acquiescence to their wishes. Still, as Ravenna noted, he appeared to be… struggling more and more.

Beyond the machinations of fate, Ravenna could conceive of no other explanation.

"I... I don't wish for you to simply let go, Ansel. That's not my intention."

Though Ravenna sensed Ansel's predicament, her inability to aid him filled her with profound anguish.

The woman entwined her fingers with Ansel's, clutching tightly as she leaned against his shoulder, her eyes downcast as she whispered, "Just... even if it's only a little, try not to let Its existence torment you so. Can you do that for me?"

Ansel felt the soft, delicate touch against his palm, and for a fleeting moment… he yearned for solitude.

It wasn't that Ravenna's words irritated him, nor did he believe her to be mistaken. Rather… it was precisely because he harbored no ill will towards her, because she was right, that he longed for a moment alone.

[What I need isn't consolation, Venna. I want you to push me forward, to support me... in continuing this struggle against It.]

Ansel had intended to say these words, but upon seeing Ravenna's face, haggard from the recent hunts, he chose silence instead.

It wasn't that he feared her lack of support, but rather he wished to spare her unnecessary guilt. If he were to speak his mind, Ravenna would likely perceive herself as a burden – a notion Ansel couldn't bear.

Their profound understanding of each other had become a burden in itself, preventing them from uttering words that might cause the other pain.

"...I will," he compromised.

Since his encounter with Seraphina, he had compromised far too often. What was one more time? Yet again, one more concession.

Whether it was Seraphina, who sought to grow stronger for Ansel's sake, or Ravenna, who understood him and wished for him to cease placing undue pressure upon himself... neither intended to coerce Ansel into a decision. They simply desired his betterment. And Ansel had, time and again, demonstrated a willingness to improve.

No one was at fault; it was merely… the reality of their situation.

Ansel had gained the right and opportunity to live a happier life, but this inevitably meant losing something else – something he was equally reluctant to relinquish.

In the struggle against fate, to emerge victorious, one must employ any means necessary, exhausting every resource.

Thus, to become oneself, to live more for oneself, one must gradually surrender the possibility and chance of conquering destiny. Perhaps relinquishing that sliver of hope wouldn't be crucial, but fate would undoubtedly exploit it.

Ansel didn't find this unfair, merely... frustrating and hypocritical.

Ravenna had persuaded him to abandon such a maddening obsession, yet she couldn't alter the instincts honed through six years of suffering and torment.

He could cease his frenzied state, but... it was impossible, he would never truly let go.

Despite Ansel's assent, Ravenna gazed at him for a long while before softly saying:

"In such a short time, we've slain numerous fifth-rank dragons, including many powerful species. It's unlikely we'll see high-ranking dragonkin rampaging anytime soon. The western lands are now teeming with extraordinary beings capable of handling common dragonkin... Since we've managed to weather the Dragon Calamity thus, it's a positive outcome. Try not to dwell on it too much, Ansel."

"...Perhaps," Ansel smiled, gently stroking Ravenna's head. "In that case, let's return and rest. We should also check on Seri; she must be growing impatient after being confined for so long."

The young Hydral accepted the scholar's suggestion. He couldn't greedily possess everything now. Having chosen Seraphina and Ravenna, even if he couldn't abandon his struggle against fate, he must... make concessions.

Otherwise, he feared that one day, when facing those two girls, he might harbor emotions that should never arise.@@novelbin@@

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In his past tribulations, Ansel of Hydral had already lost far too much. He would rather suppress the surging hatred within his heart than risk losing anything more.

Ansel gazed at the distant sun, realizing he had indeed changed, but not in the way he had hoped.

He hadn't become more resolute and powerful; instead, he had grown more... deceitful and weak.

Was this the price of not destroying them, not dominating them, but compromising with them instead?

How bittersweet it truly was.

*

*

"So after talking with Ansel, you're still uneasy?"

From her hospital bed, Seraphina, swathed in bandages, took a bite of fruit and remarked dismissively, "You're overthinking it. There's not that much to worry about."

"Be serious, Seraphina," Ravenna's expression was grave. "Ansel may be bearing a burden and pressure that we can't comprehend. After our talk, his mood didn't improve. It seemed more like a... a..."

The scholar rubbed her brow, sighing, "A compromise."

Seraphina, munching on her fruit, rolled her eyes. "You insist on pressing Ansel with questions. He's so good to you; what else could he do but compromise?"

"He could have confided in me!" Ravenna exclaimed.

"He didn't confide in me either," Seraphina retorted.

Ravenna chuckled, exasperated. "And yet you're not the least bit concerned?"

"What good would worrying do? If I could fathom Ansel's thoughts, Red Frost City wouldn't have lost so many lives."

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