A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

"So, you're going to determine my value now?"

Ravenna's tone didn't fluctuate at all: "Determine the meaning of my existence in this domineering way, to make me doubt myself, or to provoke me?"

She would not step into the same trap a second time, the current Ravenna, had already realized one thing —

Ansel of Hydral, still came with the purpose of making her completely submit to him, he still did not want to become a collaborator with her, he must put his existence above her, to feel at ease.

Ravenna didn't know where this most dangerous guy in the world got this sense of unease, nor did she understand why Ansel would think she was destined to be disloyal to him, why she thought she would definitely betray, Ravenna had never harmed any collaborator, she didn't know where Ansel's vicious prejudice came from.

Ravenna only knew that if she had to find the most important thing in life, it could only be her beliefs and ideals.

As long as she constantly reminds herself that Hydral is always acting with the purpose of making her submit, Ravenna can be sure that she will not fall into any traps again.

"Well... I don't know what provoked you."

Ansel raised his eyebrows: "In fact, I really don't have any expectations for you anymore, Ravenna."

Ravenna just sneered in her heart, she didn't need to care whether Ansel really had expectations for her, she just needed to stay alert at all times.

"Your value to me now is just as the key in a bet between me and a friend, to determine the victory or defeat between me and that friend."

"...What did you say?" This sudden statement made Ravenna frown slightly, "A bet?"

"A friend in the capital."

Ansel smiled: "This bet was made on the day I left three years ago."

"That friend bet that you could break through the heavy pressure of the Etheric Academy and make the Tower of Babel the leader of the new era, and you will stand at the highest point of this wave, becoming the beginning of the change, the great source."

"And I bet that you are destined to have nothing, you will destroy your achievements and ideals in your own obsession and madness."

"Treating another's life as a mere diversion for amusement."

Ravenna scoffed coldly, "That's quite the style of you grand personages... So, you can't afford to gamble now and plan to enter the fray yourself?"

"Can't afford?" Ansel raised an eyebrow, "I apologize, but before I even stepped in, my friend had already made a move."

This statement stirred waves in Ravenna's seemingly calm heart... Had Ansel's so-called friend already taken action for this wager even before he left? Or was it that the wager never existed, merely a preparation for the next trap?

"This was never a fair wager to begin with," Ansel lamented, "My friend agreed, we each rely on our own means, but..."

He tilted his head, "I did impose some self-restraint first. Regarding this gamble, I can assure you of one thing: I won't pose any direct threat or even constraint to you — unless you make a mistake yourself."

The young Ansel laughed merrily, "Just like earlier, you could have simply watched from the sidelines, but you chose to harbor genuine murderous intent towards me. It forced me to make a symbolic 'response'."

"I was merely conducting a transaction with Lord Soren."

He caressed Ravenna's metallic, cold, silver neck, feigning innocence, "You can't blame me for your current predicament."

"...You're right."

Ravenna brushed Ansel's hand away, her voice growing even colder:

"Being bitten by a venomous snake like you is indeed due to my lack of vigilance."

"Why be so vigilant, Ravenna?" Ansel spread his hands, "I wanted to take you to my residence, repair you thoroughly, and then send you back to the Tower of Babel."

"No need."

"Are you sure there's no need?"

Ravenna fell silent.

Was there really no need? It was undoubtedly true that news of her soul being extracted and placed into this puppet would spread rapidly within the Etheric Academy.

Her current state was utterly miserable; the moment she was left alone, the likelihood of encountering danger would skyrocket.

The puppet's functions had been severely damaged by Seraphina's violence, rendering her unable to immediately call for the Tower of Babel's fifth stage. The moment she left Ansel's carriage, danger might strike within ten seconds.

After all, during the previous visit, Ansel had practically declared his allegiance to the Etheric Academy, so they wouldn't hesitate in the slightest. Once she disembarked, she would be seen as abandoned by Ansel.

Only she knew how desperately certain individuals within the Etheric Academy wanted her gone.

And to let Ansel escort her back to the Tower of Babel? He could easily refuse, or rather, he had no reason to accept — want to go back? Go back yourself; I'm not restraining you.

In other words, for the sake of her own safety, she had only one choice now.

To follow Ansel to the Hydral Manor, let him manipulate her, and repair this puppet.

And throughout this entire process...

There truly wasn't any "direct" constraint on her.

Ravenna slowly closed her eyes.

It was just a single mistake, truly just a single mistake. Had she been even slightly calmer back then, she might have realized that it was Ansel's scheme.

But there were no ifs; under that layered design, there were no ifs.

A single mistake had forced her soul into this puppet, compelling her to temporarily accept Ansel's kind invitation.

And yet, she had done so "voluntarily."

This was... Hydral.

This devil had never put any efforts in alchemy, but had made unimaginable progress in "these things", progress that was dangerously profound.

"Let's go," Ravenna reopened her eyes, her tone indifferent, "I want to see if your skills in puppetry have regressed."

Since she had already been defeated, she would suppress all resentment and regret. Anger would only lead to the next failure, and regret held no value. All she needed to do was handle everything that followed more adeptly.

Ansel, on the other hand, propped his cheek on one hand, his smile brimming with delight, "You won't be disappointed, Ravenna."

"I've just learned some... rather interesting things."

*