The news this ti was not brought to Ansel by a black feather but by Nerilia herself.
Tall and slender, her appearance seed unhealthy, exuding a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine. She knelt on one knee before Ansel, bowing her head deeply, and after reporting the matter, she quietly awaited his response.
"So, you have found another portal teeming with fire elents…"
Ansel lightly tapped the table. "And it just so happens to be on the battlefield between Blood Dust and Firmant."
The Shadewell, roaming the shadows of the Western Lands, constantly brought Ansel information from all directions, and of course, bypassing his nominal personal secretary.
"Yes, the activity of that portal is exceedingly rare. The surging fire elents have even penetrated the world's barrier. Even though the portal has not yet opened, the battlefield has already turned into scorched earth."
"That exaggerated?" Ansel raised an eyebrow slightly. "Then it seems I must make a trip."
Even the lava world, with Evora's remnants, did not emit such an extraordinary amount of fire elents. Thus, even if the portal could not lead to Evora, it would still yield significant clues.
He glanced at the commission sheet on the table, musing, "The portal is expected to open in a little over a month?"
"Yes, according to calculations, it should be in about thirty to forty days."
"The timing is not too far off... heh."
The young Hydral chuckled aningfully, then refocused on his loyal subordinate. "Is there anything else to report?"
"... Yes, Lord Ansel."
Nerilia, who had been bowing, raised her head. Her unsettlingly cold visage bore a serious and earnest expression. "Will you allow Marlina Marlowe to continue wasting her efforts on aningless endeavors?"
The handso noble youth, resting his face on his hand, replied with a faint smile, "Are you referring to Marlina's attempt to establish a power base in the Western Lands from scratch?"
"I do not consider that a confrontation," Nerilia responded coldly. "She is rely indulging in a futile ga of make-believe."
"That is quite a harsh judgnt, Nerilia."
"I only speak the truth to you."
Ansel shook his head with a smile. "Since you believe it to be re child's play, why bother to stop her?"
"Because she should be dedicating her efforts to serving you," the woman frowned, her words and expression devoid of contempt, rely stating facts. "She is not qualified to partake in strategic planning, but if it's rely organizing docunts and relaying ssages, she is more than capable."
Nerilia paused, then continued in her matter-of-fact tone, "I am aware of her performance in the Garden. In terms of ability, I do not deny Marlina's talent, but that is all."
"If re talent determined one's role, you would not distinguish between the Garden and the Shadewell, Lord Ansel."
Having fully expressed her counsel, Nerilia fell silent, awaiting Ansel's response.
She harbored no personal sentints, only wishing for Ansel to make the most advantageous decision for himself.
With the Shadewell operating in the Western Lands, Marlina's efforts to rally a force capable of opposing it were not only futile but absurd. It would be more productive for her to dutifully fulfill her basic secretarial duties rather than squandering her energy on such endeavors.
As for her visible ambition... she was not yet qualified to realize it.
Though her stance and reasoning were impeccably sound, Nerilia overlooked one thing.
Just as there was no need to share the Shadewell's intelligence and plans with Marlina, Ansel never felt obliged to disclose his intentions to those he employed in the Shadewell.
They were excellent tools, but tools excel at executing orders, nothing more.
To discern one's superior's intentions requires not only wisdom but also courage.
Attempting to chart the path for one's leader and committing to pave it is a mark of loyalty, yet it is perilous — most leaders do not wish for their subordinates to outpace them.
In this regard, Marlina excelled.
Among his many followers, this mortal girl was the most daring in guessing his intentions.
Was it because she had followed Ansel for a short ti and, unlike others, did not deeply revere his power out of ignorance, or was she simply… born this way?
"Let Marlina continue," Ansel said with a narrowed smile. "Don't you find it rather intriguing, Nerilia?"
"... If you see it that way, then that can be a reason, Lord Ansel," Nerilia softly responded, misunderstanding his intent. "If her little antics bring you joy, then they do have value."
Ansel, of course, did not correct her. He stood up, speaking calmly, "Apart from that, is there anything else?"
"... Miss Seraphina's presence has sowhat disrupted the Snake Attendants' plans in Dispute Fortress," Nerilia candidly reported the matter which genuinely troubled her, yet she remained composed. "However, it is not a major issue. I will adjust the Snake Attendants' actions accordingly."
"No need to indulge her so much," Ansel remarked.
The thought of his beloved hound displaying her proud and smug deanor before him brought a smile to Ansel's face.
He walked to the window, gazing at the bustling streets of Dispute Fortress, his eyes brimming with amusent:
"Proceed with the plans as arranged. There's no need to seek my approval. Let her face so hardships... in fact, it would be better."
At this, the young Hydral's smile broadened, exuding a lightness and confidence that could easily incite envy among his followers.
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"Making her suffer might be a bit challenging," he mused.
"I understand, Lord Ansel," Nerilia bowed once more, taking her leave. "Nerilia withdraws for now. Please call upon should you need anything."
Well, Rhine's concerns were undeniably valid. Without Marlina, the Shadewell would have entirely taken over all matters around Ansel by now—though, even as it stood, the situation was not far from that.
"You have quite a bit of confidence in your little pup," Ravenna remarked, suddenly breaking the silence.
Miss Scholar had been present all along, and Ansel had not permitted Nerilia to dismiss her.
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