A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 555 Heaven's Denial - I

As Ansel stepped through the portal of the Zero Realm Enigma, the members of the Whistling Legion stationed outside the rift were stunned.

"…Is there such a huge difference in the flow of time over there?"

A man with a cigarette in his mouth approached, his uniform and the emblem on his chest indicating his identity—a notary of the Zero Explorers.

The Zero Explorers is not a specific adventurers' guild but, like the Etheric Academy and the Alchemy Association, a unifying organization above all adventurers' guilds.

In form, the Zero Explorers are even more loosely organized than the Etheric Academy, but in terms of actual authority, their control over adventurers surpasses the influence of the Etheric Academy over sorcerers.

The rules that adventurers must follow—whether explicitly stated or tacitly understood—are almost all established by the Zero Explorers. They even enforce specific regulations to ensure fairness to a considerable extent, understood by those in the know.

"Buddy, finished so soon?"

The notary of the Zero Explorers, with the cigarette still in his mouth, greeted Ansel: "Is the time flow over there that fast?"

Ansel smiled: "Not really, I just got what I wanted."

"I see, alright then." The man shrugged, "As an independent explorer, just go through the procedure and show your findings."

Adventurers using exploration permits to explore the Zero Realm Enigma must submit a portion of their findings to the guild or power controlling the portal, and the exact amount is verified by the notary of the Zero Explorers.

However, Ansel's "findings"...

The young Hydral said with a faint smile: "What if my findings are inconvenient to display?"

"...Hmm? Afraid of attracting attention?" The notary was momentarily stunned, then replied with a laugh, "If you're worried, just go to the branch at Dispute Fortress, and we'll do the appraisal there. How about that?"

"But it has no practical value, and you won't be able to analyze any value from it."

The dark-haired youth tapped the hilt of his sword: "Besides, I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"…"

The notary removed the cigarette from his mouth, stared at Ansel for a while, then suddenly laughed:

"Alright, take care, my friend."

He didn't even attempt to stop Ansel, letting him leave freely.

Ansel nodded slightly and vanished in a flash. The notary watched the empty spot where Ansel had disappeared, leisurely placed the cigarette back in his mouth, and returned to his previous resting place.

Unpaid dues? There are others to handle that. What does it have to do with him, the notary?

And if the enforcers of the Zero Explorers couldn't handle it, what could he do?

Do the job you're paid for.

As an adventurer, why risk your life over such matters?

*

Ansel returned to the Cyclops, intending to discuss the situation regarding Evora and Ephesande with Ravenna.

Rarely did he confide in Seraphina about future plans—not out of distrust, but because discussing such matters with the wolf girl would only leave her bewildered, anxious, and deeply troubled.

However, as a genius whose thinking aligned with his own, Ravenna might uncover a breakthrough from perspectives he had yet to consider.

Yet, the strange gaze from the receptionist made Ansel realize that something significant had likely occurred here recently.

With a brief contemplation, he surmised the probable events, his eyes reflecting a hint of surprise.

So, you really dared to go through with it, Marlina.

With this thought, Ansel swiftly arrived at the door of the room he shared with Ravenna. The shattered and disordered corridor silently narrated the battle that had taken place.

Well... it couldn't truly be called a battle; it was merely a one-sided massacre.

Judging by the scene, they hadn't even had time to open the room door.

Ansel twisted the handle, but it only turned slightly before jamming.

Back in his original form, Ansel knocked on the door with a mix of helplessness and amusement:

"Dear Venna, may I come in?"

The room remained silent. This was expected—the Cyclops Inn was renowned for its soundproof barriers, which were top-notch.

However, the scholar inside was not silent due to this reason.

"Venna? Ravenna? My Miss Weapon, my Miss Monster?"

No matter how Ansel called out while leaning against the door, there was no response from within.

The young Hydral had no choice but to release the handle and sigh.

"Looks like I have nowhere to sleep tonight... I guess I'll sleep in Marlina's room; she probably wouldn't mind—"

Bang!

The wooden door that had been blocking Ansel vanished into thin air without warning. The petite scholar stood barefoot, expressionless, gripping Ansel's wrist.

"I'll give you one more chance to think."

She lifted her head slightly, her expression icy. "Where do you plan to go tonight?"

Ansel stepped inside, his tone innocently stating, "But you didn't let me in first."

"And who was it this morning, speaking in a tone meant to coax little girls, saying, 'I won't disturb you, don't worry'?"

Ravenna, showing no kindness to Ansel, pointed to the chaotic corridor. "Is this what you meant by not disturbing me?"

"Hmm..."

Ansel rubbed his forehead, somewhat helplessly. "Alright, this is indeed my fault... I didn't expect Marlina to actually include you in her plans."

Ravenna, whose expression was grim yet still holding Ansel's hand as they walked into the room, paused and frowned slightly at him. "What do you mean? Explain clearly."

"This involves... a group of subordinates who have been somewhat overindulged."

Ansel undid his clothes and tossed them onto the bed. Ravenna gestured with her hand, making the door reappear, then sat on the bed, picking up Ansel's coat and draping it over her lap. Ansel briefly explained the conflict between Nerilia and Marlina.

"...Your subordinates run a brothel?"

After hearing Ansel's account, Ravenna threw out a question that was clearly not the main point, looking quite displeased.

"Snake Attendant is a vassal of Nerilia. Nerilia is a mainstay of Shadewell… how could she have time to run a brothel in this small Dispute Fortress?"

Ansel poured himself a drink and poured milk for Ravenna, smiling as he spoke. "The area she is responsible for is much larger."

"But ultimately, isn't she still running a brothel?"

Ravenna slapped Ansel's hand as he handed her the milk, looking very impatient, though the force was so light it didn't even ripple the surface of the milk.

Seeing Ravenna's displeased expression, Ansel's smile faded somewhat. He gazed seriously at the scholar and softly asked, "Venna, do you really despise this kind of thing?"

"...I just can't stand seeing people degrade themselves in such a manner."

Ravenna, who pursued grand transformations, had a profound sense of self-worth and a tangible disdain for mediocrity. This was both a form of arrogant superiority and an overly radical expectation.

"How can it be that simply spreading one's legs could earn a fortune? Such people should be—"

She stopped halfway through her sentence.

"Never mind." The scholar's eyes lowered slightly as she sighed. "Maybe it's not inherent depravity; those forced by circumstances to do such things have no other choice."

"If that brothel were dismantled, those prostitutes would likely fare no better without that peculiar form of protection. Don't mind my words, Ansel. I'm just... reverting to my old ways."

Seraphina learned to restrain her claws by following Ansel, and Ravenna also grew by drawing nourishment from him.

She began to learn humility from Ansel, striving to curb her overly aloof and unsympathetic nature.

At the same time, Ravenna was acutely aware that the "dirty work" carried out by Ansel's subordinates… certainly wasn't limited to running a brothel.

Delving deeper into this would only add to her distress and make Ansel feel uncomfortable, serving no real purpose...

If I were omnipotent, I could confidently ask Ansel to refrain from such actions. However, I am far from being omnipotent and thus lack the authority to dictate terms.

With these thoughts, Ravenna sighed again, placing her hand atop Ansel's.

No matter how cold and disdainful she appeared, when it came to serious matters, Ravenna never pretended to be unyielding.

Stay updated through empire

Ansel truly intended for his people to take care of that brothel.

He's become so considerate of others' feelings... No, it's likely only I and that silly dog receive such treatment.

-->