A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

With these words, she effortlessly commanded the writhing shadows on the floor to turn her wheelchair, slowly guiding her out of the conference room. As she brushed past the slightly rigid young girl, it was as if she had merely passed through air.

In the long corridor, Nine couldn't help but ponder: what would Miss Seraphina... say to Mr. Ansel?

Undoubtedly, she would first anxiously express her feelings, inadvertently revealing the depths of her panic and concern.

"Ansel... so many dragons and Evora, do you intend to face them alone? It's far too dangerous. I... I'm so worried about you. Please, don't fight alone!

I can help you! I'm capable of helping you now!"

Then, despite being the one most burdened and pained, Mr. Ansel would still strive to soothe her emotions, urging her not to place undue pressure upon herself, and refusing Miss Seraphina's plea to join the battlefield.

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"It's alright, Seri. I'll find a solution. As for you... the frontlines are far too dangerous. Your spiritual essence is unique; you'd become a coveted target for many dragon clans. Don't overthink it; you've already exerted yourself tremendously as of late."

Thereafter... they would confide their innermost feelings to each other, seeking solace and strength from one another, though this exchange was destined to be unilateral.

"But I... I've barely been of any help to Ansel. It's been this way so many times, how could I possibly—"

"Cease such nonsense. Who dared to strike the Empress last time? How could you possibly think you haven't been of any help to me?"

For Mr. Ansel, solace from others was now unattainable. Miss Seraphina... was merely receiving unconditional comfort and tenderness from Mr. Ansel.

"But... but even so, Ansel, do you really—"

Unable to contribute anything at this crucial moment, yet still draining Mr. Ansel's energy... how selfish, Miss Seraphina. Miss Ravenna likely shares a similar disposition.

Ultimately, the conversation would conclude with Mr. Ansel's gentle reassurances, yielding no results, no plans, resolving nothing, leaving only two self-centered girls to once again spiral into cycles of self-indulgence and self-doubt.

"I'm fine," Mr. Ansel would say... while still trapped in his agonizing predicament.

But it's alright, Mr. Ansel.

Though my awakening came late, it's not too late.

I won't presume to seek your affection; I merely wish to advance alongside you, even if it leads us into the abyss.

*

"So... I really can't go?"

Seraphina, perched on Ansel's lap, pleaded with utmost dejection. "Even if I could just slay a few third or fourth-tier dragons, it would help reduce some of Ansel's burden."

"Would you truly adhere to that?" Ravenna retorted without hesitation. "If you were that obedient, you wouldn't have lost your life last time."

"...I understand. I'll stay put and won't cause trouble for Ansel."@@novelbin@@

Though internally resistant, Seraphina recognized her current state - capable of brilliance on the battlefield, yet equally susceptible to harm - and didn't wish to encumber Ansel.

"The same applies to you, Venna," Ansel gently tousled Ravenna's hair. "I won't let you forcibly manipulate multiple elements to enhance the God from the Machine's power. When you reach your limit, I'll disengage it, understood?"

Ravenna was equally reluctant to accept Ansel's directive, but as Ansel provided the ether for the God from the Machine, it couldn't exist independently for long without him. If Ansel had already decided this course of action, she was powerless to change it.

Nevertheless, Ravenna emphasized gravely, "You must ensure you have means to counter Evora or the dragon hordes. Otherwise, I'd rather—"

"No need for 'otherwise,' Venna," the young Hydral chuckled lightly. "I told you, I have a plan."

Both girls scrutinized him for a long moment, unable to detect any irregularity, yet gaining little reassurance. They could only fall silent, each harboring different thoughts.

After a while, as if to change the mood, Seraphina diverted the conversation: "I saw Marli earlier... Ansel, what did she say to you?"

"She said—"

Ansel paused briefly, not revealing Nine's words, but vaguely responding: "Like you both, she wants to help me as much as possible."

Ravenna, more attuned to the broader situation, was aware of Nine's current work: "She's now overseeing most of the extraordinary beings' deployments in the Western lands, right? That alone is immensely helpful to Ansel. I recall she's also worked with the young princess to establish several temporary domain cities for extraordinary beings... quite impressive."

Seraphina rested her face against Ansel's head, mumbling wistfully: "If only Marli's feelings for Ansel were... normal. How much better that would be."

Ansel remained silent, gently stroking Seraphina's snow-white short hair. Ravenna said nothing more, perched on the chair's armrest, leaning against Ansel with her eyes closed, quietly resting.

Ansel, softly embracing both girls, finally felt a sense of tranquility.

If he could forget about how to save Evora, if he could stop exhausting himself thinking about how to defy fate, perhaps... he could endlessly enjoy this peace.

Everything seemed to be telling Ansel: Look, you now have a new life, and soon you'll possess invincible power. Why rush? Why let that flood of hatred blind you?

Why not let go, why not... take a step back?

This way, they wouldn't worry so much about you, wouldn't suffer from your pain, right?

"...Ansel?" "Ansel?"

At that moment, sensing a change in Ansel's emotions, Seraphina and Ravenna almost simultaneously looked at him, calling his name in different tones.

After a brief silence, Ansel smiled and shook his head: "It's nothing, you're both too sensitive... This is fine as it is."

"This is... fine as it is."

Let go?

The former devil, harboring a fury towards fate a thousandfold more intense than the flames of immolation, the devil who crawled out from the depths of hell – in his contemplation of fate, the words "let go" could never appear.

Even now, he certainly couldn't let go, but compared to before, these words had begun to surface in his mind.

...So, would there be a day when he seriously considered these words; would there be... a day when he accepted them?

No.

Ansel told himself, expressionless.

Never.

*