Even though Ansel had nurous opportunities to make them completely obedient, he ultimately chose not to do so.
"Principles and... convictions," Marlina repeated softly.
"Hehe, I'm not saying you lack these things, Marlina. It's just that your starting point is different," Ansel teased, causing Marlina's cheeks to flush slightly. "I—I didn't think you were saying I lacked principles. I understand what you an, Ansel."
My principles and convictions are you—
"Just like you, a fellow mortal."
"...Eh?" Ansel gazed through the office window at the bustling lower-town residents engaged in reconstruction work and sighed, "Ravenna and Seri's perspectives are entirely different from yours. As extraordinary beings, they cannot see, delve into, or understand what [mortals] as a whole require when faced with the extraordinary."
"What truly constitutes help for mortals?" The young Hydral seed to be asking Marlina, yet also conversing with himself. "Is it striving to elevate their existence, dignity, and value while neglecting their actual daily lives, a form of arrogance from a higher plane? Or is it the ticulous care akin to tending a pet, cradling them in one's hands, that is true arrogance? Who can say for certain?"
"And if one were to combine both, how could one achieve a balance between them?"
Ansel looked at the stunned Marlina: "You are right, Marlina, it is very challenging. To this day, I find it difficult to see a way forward. That's why I need soone who stands from a different perspective, soone sufficiently intelligent, and capable of keeping up with my vision to bring new thoughts."
A mortal, wise, having read the knowledge Ansel brought from that world, deeply understanding the struggles and pains of mortals, and able to empathize with them. Over these three years, Ansel had confird that Marlina was the best candidate.
"Because I can... empathize with the common folk, that's why I'm the chosen one?" Marlina whispered softly.
"Indeed, and now it seems my idea is... barely treading a path that isn't too bad." Ansel shook his head, "But to continue, it is very arduous."
He then smiled again: "But having you here makes it much better, Marlina. Your answers always align with the choices I wish to make. I hope this is not just your talent, but that you are walking the right path alongside ."
"Yes, I will, Mr. Ansel," Marlina bowed deeply, "I will not disappoint... your expectations."
She had never felt that her disguise could be so perfect. Looking back, Marlina realized one thing. She had never truly empathized with the common folk; she simply... did not care about what kind of life the common folk would lead in the future. She only cared about whether this was what Ansel needed, nothing more.
She could always make the right choice, not because she and Ansel were on the right path but because she knew better than anyone what Ansel truly needed.
Mr. Ansel, you have given a misplaced expectation.
Realizing this, Marlina wanted to reveal her true nature to Ansel imdiately. However, when she thought of Ravenna, Seraphina, their aspirations, their expectations for Ansel, and what Ansel himself wanted, Marlina couldn't bring herself to speak those words.
But am I really... wrong?
*
The star contestants of the selection tournant all reside in the most luxurious hotel in the upper district, with all expenses covered by the Whistling Legion.
While the adventurers revel day and night, a particularly mysterious contestant, who has refused to participate in any extracurricular activities, remains in his room, plotting grand sches.
On the leaderboard, he is known as Desolation, but in truth, he is Aridhill, a revolutionary army ally highly esteed by Boneblade and Redhawk, a direct subordinate of Odelia, and the finest fourth-stage extraordinary being, with the potential to reach the fifth within twenty years.
"Tomorrow, Faust will battle Fenrir," Aridhill appeared to be ditating, but was in fact using secret arts to communicate with other revolutionaries: "This is our best opportunity."
"...But Aridhill, now that Blooddust and Firmant have ceased hostilities, do we really need to continue... this?"
The revolutionary army's intent in infiltrating Dispute Fortress and inciting chaos was to drive back the rampaging rcenary legions on the battlefield. However, due to the regent issue, the war had ceased, and they had no reason to cause further trouble—they could have fled long ago.
"Odelia is currently being hunted by the combined forces of Firmant and Bloodust," Aridhill's voice was cold and resolute.
"She has actually fled to the Duke of Wyvern's territory, so we must occupy Dispute Fortress in her na, draw attention, and buy her ti."
"...I see. Alright, what exactly do we need to do tomorrow?"
"I will use forbidden spells and secret potions to try to defeat Faust. Many eyes in the Western Lands are focused here; as long as we create enough of a stir, we can draw their attention—no one will think a fourth-stage extraordinary being can defeat Faust. They will certainly believe that the lawless rogue Odelia has run wild in the Duke of Azuregold's domain once again."
"As for you, do your best to sabotage the selection tournant, as long as you can... Who's there!"
Aridhill suddenly opened his eyes and reached toward the window, which shattered instantly, but he grasped nothing.
"Aridhill... Aridhill? What happened?"
Aridhill did not respond. His robust fra swelled with iron-like muscles, exuding an aura as solid as a mountain.
"Don't ss around; do you want to be discovered?"
Just as he was about to make a move, a lodious but slightly wild female voice echoed in the room.
The uninvited guest appeared boldly: "You must have investigated many tis; you can't possibly not know who I am, right?"
"You..."
Upon seeing her, Aridhill's suspicion deepened: "How are you here, how could you—"
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How could you evade my senses?
The visitor, uninterested in wasting words, got straight to the point:
"I originally just wanted to discuss with you, but I didn't expect... you plan to make a big move."
"Perfect, I have sothing very important to do as well. How about..."
The wolf grinned, her sharp canine teeth gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
"Let's cooperate?"
*
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