A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

"Ahhhh, Marli!"

Upon receiving the answer, Marlina's body swayed. Before she could finish her sentence, she collapsed forward as if completely drained of strength. Seraphina, who was beneath her, let out a loud scream, hastily clutching her sister tightly.

"You... I... Ah!"

Seraphina, both heartbroken and frightened, didn't know what to say. She could only sigh heavily, holding Marlina firmly in her arms.

"This is merely a method to allow Mr. Hyena to end his business career in the most direct and swift manner," Ansel withdrew his hand from Marlina's cheek, speaking softly, "It was indeed within my considerations, but I currently have no intention of choosing it."

"...So."

A bitter smile surfaced on the young girl's face, "So, I have still failed... No matter how hard I rack my brains, this is the only solution I can think of."

The insurmountable gap in information, the complete trampling at the ability level, the absolute crushing at the status level...

Just these few minutes, a dozen or so minutes of thinking, had made Marlina feel such pure... despair.

This is merely a hypothesis, just a game. If she were truly in such an environment, truly thinking about everything, doubting everything, dissecting everything, denying herself, pursuing herself, destroying herself every moment...

Marlina would rather die, she would truly rather die than endure this despair.

If this is what it means to be alive... then what is the meaning of life? This made Marlina tremble more than the essence of the empire. If the empress rules the world, denying the inherent meaning and value of their lives, causing her, who was naive at that time, to feel collapse and despair...

Then, this "game" of Ansel's, his role as the ruler of everything, the terrifying force that cannot be defied, unlike the empress who uses the irresistible violence and power of the divine species out of love and hate, anger and joy, to change everything directly, but merely silently guides reality towards his desired place for a certain purpose...

Then what loses meaning and value is not just a person, but... the entire world.

Because all changes are so natural, they are just the reality in Ansel's mouth.

Marlina was afraid, more terrified of this reality than she had ever been of the relationship between the empress and the empire, but... but what if...

What if this game had happened to Mr. Ansel? What if the terrifying force that cannot be defied... is what forced Mr. Ansel to give up something incredibly important to him?

If this is the reason, how can I... retreat here?

Therefore, Marlina was so invested in this "game". It was precisely because she sensed this possibility that she chose to throw herself into it, trying to feel this absurdity, this despair.

"...Mr. Ansel."

Even though she didn't want to experience that feeling again, even though the thought of the chaos and despair just now made her feel nauseous, Marlina still gritted her teeth and said, "I can still—"

She was scared, but she absolutely couldn't accept abandoning Ansel because of this fear, abandoning this... person who had given her everything, who had given her a new life and a future.

"That's enough, Marlina."

Ansel gently held Marlina's hand, "To have thought this far, you've already done something remarkable. This 'game' from now on, for you, would only be pure torment and hardship."

"... "

Marlina felt the warmth in her palm and Ansel's care. She should have been moved, and indeed she was, but... but there was something stronger, darker, seemingly roaring within her, overshadowing, tearing apart this emotion.

It was a monster named resentment roaring.

Why... why can I only go this far? Why am I so weak, why don't I have even a bit of extraordinary talent?

I am clearly the one who can feel Mr. Ansel's feelings, I am clearly... clearly supposed to be the one who can help him the most.

But I can only stop here, only listen to Mr. Ansel's comfort, only be moved so humbly.

Marlina lowered her head, tightly holding Ansel's hand, without saying a word.

"Alright, don't be so heavy-hearted. We came out to relax, how did it turn into this?"

"It's all because of you, Ansel!" Seraphina glared at Ansel, uncommonly, venting her anger at him, "Why put so much pressure on Marlina... You know she listens to you the most, cares about you the most!"

"It's my fault, I'm sorry, Marlina."

"No! It's not you, Mr.Ansel.. I mean, I'm fine, please don't worry."

Marlina's initial reaction was strong, but she quickly calmed down, showing her usual calm and gentle smile, "This 'game' with you has given me a lot of inspiration and help, Mr. Ansel, I am very grateful to you."

"Seri, and you, don't arbitrarily judge my feelings." The young girl turned her head, reaching out to pinch her sister's cheek, "And you can't blame Mr. Ansel, understand?"

"But you clearly are very... alright, alright, I get it."

Under Marlina's gaze, Seraphina said awkwardly, "It's my fault for losing my temper... don't look at me like that, Marlina."

Then, when Marlina turned her head back, she leaned over and nibbled Ansel's ear, mumbling unhappily, "So what are you trying to do, Ansel? I'm not happy at all right now."

"Then you'll be happy soon."

Ansel smiled and patted Lawrence's head, "Our entertainment for today is... guessing Mr. Hyena's ending."

"I guess he was set up by the young lord, beaten to death by the slaves he captured!" Lawrence raised his claw excitedly.

"Hmm... Although that would be very satisfying, it seems a bit cliché."

Seraphina rested her chin on Marlina's head, "I guess he... committed suicide! Yes, after being calculated by Ansel, he couldn't stand it and committed suicide, it must be like this! Marlina, what about you? How do you think that bad guy will die?"

Marlina stared at the chaotic street below, and after a moment of silence, she said softly, "I think he won't die."

"...Huh?"

"In Mr. Ansel's view, death is not a punishment, but a release, a grace."

Marlina, who had briefly experienced that terrifying despair, said, "I guess he... will beg for death, but won't be able to die."

*