A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 276: The Incomplete Truth - II

The young girl pondered silently. According to her sister's words, this Miss Ziegler might very well become the second pact head of Ansel. To become a pact head of Ansel required talent and qualifications, and above all, absolute loyalty. It was difficult for a fanatic harboring a certain ideology to devote themselves entirely to anything other than their ideology. Marlina wanted to know...

how Ansel planned to tame her.

At the same time, she had her own considerations.

— The words of Annelisa and Ansel's somewhat unusual behavior in the black market made Marlina aware of certain things, but she could not confirm them, nor did she dare... confirm.

She wanted to investigate further, but did not want to alert Ansel, did not want Ansel to know that she was so impertinent, so rebellious, trying to pry into the past and secrets of the person she served... but Marlina had made up her mind.

Not only because of her ambition to become a pact head of Ansel, but also because of the pain and despair she had experienced in that game, which made her more determined to unravel Ansel's knot.

Three years ago... that was a critical juncture. Marlina learned from Seraphina that Ansel had tried to tame Ravenna three years ago, but ultimately failed.

If Seri were to ask what exactly happened between Mr. Ansel and Miss Ziegler in the end... there should be no problem, but I can't, and I can't let Seri ask.

Quietly watching Ravenna, who had entered a state of concentration, Marlina murmured in her heart.

At the same time, I can't rashly contact Miss Ziegler, because I don't know what arrangements Mr. Ansel has... wait.

A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

[What if... this is Mr. Ansel's arrangement? Although Mr. Ansel didn't say anything, didn't give me any instructions, but... ]

The young girl subconsciously shifted her gaze to Ansel, who seemed to have sensed it, slightly turned his head, smiled at her, and Marlina immediately lowered her head slightly to hide her abnormality.

This time, it was not Seraphina who accompanied Ansel, but her. It was not Ansel who actively requested it, but Marlina who proposed it. She wanted to take this opportunity to get to know Ravenna.

In fact, Marlina didn't have any expectations about this, but Ansel agreed very simply.

[What if... Mr. Ansel wants me to say something to Miss Ziegler, what if... this is his way of taming Miss Ziegler? ]

A logical chain was instantly connected in Marlina's mind. She gradually understood and then deeply realized her mission here.

So... that's how it is. I understand now, only in this way can Miss Ziegler...

The silver-haired girl standing by was even more silent and composed, but in her heart, she was fully prepared for what she should do next.

Although this trip was just being used, Marlina was not the least bit displeased, but rather overjoyed that she could provide more practical help for Ansel.

"No, no, no, mere space is useless. To determine your position and existence in the Zero Realm Enigma, you need more essences, don't you remember?"

"I remember very clearly, what you told me was 'absolute spatial stability'."

"Dear Miss Ravenna, you must have been asleep at that time, were you dreaming?"

"Respected Mr. Ansel, I have absolute confidence in my memory."

"Well, then your meaning is, I am wrong."

Ansel sighed and rubbed his temples, quite troubled, "It seems that my thinking does indeed have a problem. Let's put this thing aside for now, after all, you can't make it with your current level of alchemy."

"..."

Ravenna's forehead twitched, she subconsciously gripped the alchemical carving knife in her hand to prevent herself from using too much force and damaging the prototype.

And this sudden rise of familiar anger and displeasure made her slightly stunned.

This long-lost feeling, not for the specific completion of any task, but simply immersed in the exchange with each other, and being annoyed by Ansel's nonsense... was so similar to three years ago.

A chill rose up Ravenna's spine.

Just a few words, and that devil pulled her back to that period... which was also considered a good time in her eyes. What was he trying to do? He who always said he wanted to turn her into a rational monster, why would he do such a thing?

Ravenna took a deep breath, and the slightly turbulent emotions were suppressed by her:

"It was me... who remembered wrong, Ansel, let's continue."

"Good girl!" Ansel smiled and rubbed Ravenna's head, "Knowing your mistakes and correcting them is a good thing, let's continue then."

This would have made Ravenna explode on the spot in the past, but it didn't make her lose her temper now. But the small chest that rose and fell slightly with her breath was enough to prove that she was not exactly calm now.

How... absurd.

Miss Revenna, who thought she would no longer have emotional fluctuations because of Ansel, subconsciously clenched her fist... She didn't feel sad because he was so cold and wanted to turn her into a tool, so why did she lose her composure because of a few words he said and a few actions he made?

But the key is, she can't force herself to cut off this emotion with rationality — because she doesn't want to become a cold machine without any emotion so quickly.

This kind of anomaly combined makes her current feelings so... absurd.

"Mr. Ansel," Marlina, who had been standing by in silent anticipation, suddenly spoke up, "Someone is trying to reach you."

"...Em?" Ansel raised an eyebrow slightly, "Hand me the telecrystal."

The young girl complied swiftly, stepping up to Ansel's side and delicately offering the telecrystal with both hands. Ansel glanced at thena caller name, his brows lifting slightly in recognition.

"It's him, huh..."

The young Hydral pondered for a moment before breaking into a smile:

"Ravenna, I must step away for a bit. Marli, let's go."

"Mr. Ansel," Marlina, standing beside Ansel, suddenly spoke, "Do you truly require my assistance?"

Her question caught Ansel off guard: "That's not necessary... Do you wish to stay here?"

"Yes," Marlina nodded gently, "I desire to delve deeper into understanding Miss Ziegler, please forgive my presumption."

Her seemingly transparent words perfectly concealed her true intentions.

Ansel laughed heartily: "There's no issue... However, Ravenna is not easily approached. Stay here then, but be cautious not to get too close to her."

"Understood, Mr. Ansel."

-->