Marlina had always deliberately avoided and ignored this question because, as smart as she was, it was not difficult to realize the crucial role she played in Ansel's taming of Seraphina.
Whenever she inevitably thought of this, she could only convince herself with one thing: that Ansel had once told her that she and Seraphina were equally important.
It was because of this statent that the simple and innocent village girl had her heart opened.
Marlina firmly believed that Ansel was not lying, so the idea that she was rely a tool used to ta Seraphina could not be true.
"...I'm not quite sure, Lady Rhine."
Marlina smiled, having stabilized her emotions. "Perhaps there is sothing... even I am unaware of, but that Lord Ansel has already discovered in ."
"Perhaps, it's not impossible." Rhine owed, seemingly not taking Marlina's answer to heart.
Marlina was not displeased by the cat's casual indifference. Their ti together had been enough for Marlina to see through the adorable exterior to Rhine's true nature.
Rhine was a pure egoist; following Ansel allowed it to maximize its self-interest, so it spared no effort in assisting him. Ansel, in turn, generously rewarded it, never disappointing the cat. This created a bond stronger than fanatical loyalty—a relationship based on mutual benefit and desire.
She's the one who "simply follows their desires" as she described.
Marlina also understood that Rhine's description was the most accurate, healthy, and reasonable. If the organization were filled solely with Ansel's fanatics, it would be dood. I
t was precisely because mbers had other desires and motivations, under the premise of loyalty to Ansel, that the Garden's operational level was so high.
Lady Rhine... what are you probing for?
The girl mused silently.
My relationship with Seri? My standing in Lord Ansel's eyes? Is this the extent of your probing and inducent?
Ambition...
Marlina's slender fingers gently caressed, and after a mont of silence, she softly spoke:
"Lady Rhine, I have a question for you."
"Go ahead."
"The ways you know of for mortals to transform into extraordinary beings..."
The girl gazed into those beautiful erald cat eyes, speaking earnestly, "How many are there?"
What I seek as a pretext is rely to steer the conversation towards my "ambition."
So, as you wish, Lady Rhine. I will lay it all out, and let hear… what you have to say.
The adorable cat showed no clear emotional fluctuation, rely stretching lazily and responding slowly, "Well... there are three or four ways."
Marlina looked surprised. "Are there that many?"
"Because they are relatively well-known thods, in reality, there aren't many paths to take."
Rhine, stretching her body like a noodle with her paws extended forward, lazily continued, "Besides the most famous Redemption Water, I know of two forced ascension thods on the Heavenly Road, but these two are much worse than Redemption Water... or rather, the Redemption Water is the best overall thod for transforming mortals into extraordinary beings."
"You ntioned three or four ways. What about the other one?"
Marlina's voice beca very soft, with a slight tremor, as if resolutely masking the tumultuous emotions within her—because she indeed could hardly contain her desire. Thus, her performance was flawless.
The girl saw vividly the slight curl at the corner of the seemingly harmless cat's mouth.
...As expected, you intend to drive with what I cannot refuse? If I'm not mistaken, Lady Rhine, you should say next:
For such matters, you might as well seek Lord Ansel.
"If you want to transform into an extraordinary being, why not go to Lord Ansel?"
Rhine, as Marlina anticipated, deliberately dangled the bait, with an entirely nonchalant deanor.
After a brief silence, Marlina responded with unwavering determination:
"You know I won't do that, Lady Rhine."
"…Well, indeed. A person who stubbornly insists on distributing nutritional supplents according to salary allocation would never request a favor from Lord Ansel, sothing entirely beyond their current ans."
Rhine resud her sitting posture, her tone matter-of-fact. "That would be completely relying on Miss Seraphina's connections."
"Everything is as you say," Marlina bowed her head slightly. "So... even though the possibility is extrely slim, I hope to seize that chance with my own hands."
From the beginning until now, every word Marlina had spoken in her conversation with Rhine was almost a heartfelt confession, leaving no room for doubt.
At this point... you should reveal your true intentions, Lady Rhine.
"Hmm... comndable determination."
Rhine clapped her paws together, then leaned forward slightly, her tone carrying a hint of seduction, as Marlina had anticipated, whispering in her ear:
"Now, I give you this opportunity. Can you seize it?"
Marlina's body trembled slightly.
Without waiting for Marlina's response, Rhine continued on her own:
"You've been handling the internal affairs of the Hydral territory for so ti, unaware of our true focus."
"The East Port, which seems to be hiding a great secret, and the increasingly chaotic Western land... The Garden and the Shadewell need to uncover the information and truths that Lord Ansel requires from these two places."
"This is an extrely large-scale, complex, and highly difficult task, which is why we had to work around the clock recently."
Rhine circled Marlina on the desk, her cat steps light. "Under Lord Ansel's direction, the specific plans for these two regions have basically been finalized. Next, naturally, the plans need to be implented."
"The Garden is responsible for the still orderly and even more prosperous East Port; the Shadewell will head to the chaotic Western land to stir up an even greater storm."
"...Each performing their duties, it sounds like a very reasonable arrangent," Marlina responded softly.
"Reasonable?"
Rhine's movents stopped.
She suddenly pressed her head close to Marlina, her beautiful erald cat eyes flashing with an extrely cold light.
"Of course it's reasonable. Lord Ansel does not make mistakes, but this reasonableness is always for his purposes."
"Do you know what other identities Lord Ansel has besides being of Hydral?"
"...Other identities?"
"The Great Dragonbane, the Shadowblade, the Enigma Weaver... appearing out of nowhere, leaving countless deeds, and mysteriously disappearing again in the past six months, like a legendary adventurer—Faust."
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