Bang!
The door burst open with a violent crash as Seraphina ca bounding in, leaping onto Ansel with unbridled enthusiasm. She exclaid jubilantly, "I knew Ansel would have a solution! You've killed that wretched Duke in just a day! Hehe..."
Ravenna, closing the door behind her, massaged her temples. "Must you be so loud?"
Seraphina paid her no heed, continuing to chatter excitedly, "Let tell you, those Revolutionary Army fools thought they could manipulate to ensnare you, Ansel! I didn't give them the ti of day. These fools are brave enough, thinking an idiot! How dare them!"
Ansel chuckled, affectionately ruffling Seraphina's head, eliciting contented purrs as she nuzzled his palm.
"Seri is definitely not an idiot; she's a remarkable young lady," he praised, then turned his warm gaze to Ravenna. "Of course, the sa applies to you, Venna."
"I'd rather not match her stature," Ravenna remarked, eyeing the increasingly statuesque wolf-girl. "Lest it prove too much for you to handle."
Seraphina responded with a rciless laugh, "You're spouting nonsense again, Ravenna."
Her current position, draped over Ansel, allowed her to envelop his head in her ever-more prominent, gravity-defying bosom.
"No matter how much you might grow, you'd still be the first to lay down. Don't delude yourself."
The dignified Miss Scholar, unwilling to compete with Seraphina in this filthy arena, turned her softening gaze to Ansel, his face nestled against Seraphina's ample chest. "Regardless... you've worked your best, Ansel."
While Seraphina, though frustrated by her reliance on Ansel, harbored no doubts about his capabilities, Ravenna, more cognizant of the dire situation, understood the magnitude of his accomplishnt.
Like Seraphina, she lanted her inability to aid Ansel more directly. Though relieved now, a faint lancholy still lingered in her heart.
Perceiving her concern, Ansel gently patted Seraphina, coaxing Miss Wolf to hop down, and beckoned to Ravenna with a slight gesture.
"...I'm not a child, you know."
Despite her mildly discontented sigh, Ravenna obediently approached Ansel's side.
"You've both perford beyond my expectations, rescuing so many civilians," Ansel remarked.
"Ah... well, it's because Ravenna is incredibly capable. She can create many tools at once, making our rescue very, uh, efficient," Seraphina explained, uncharacteristically modest as she attributed the success to Ravenna.
Ravenna glanced at her, her tone even as she responded, "I couldn't penetrate the feasting flas. Seraphina ventured into all the perilous areas, shedding her skin and flesh countless tis. You should direct your concern towards her."
"You two..." Ansel gazed at them in astonishnt. "When did your relationship beco so… peaceful?"
Both Miss Scholar and Miss Wolf simultaneously punched Ansel in response.
Observing the two girls exchange a brief glance before averting their eyes, the young Hydral burst into hearty laughter, his sea-blue eyes shimring with affection.
Though rely a year had passed, he had experienced and changed so much.
Even if they couldn't fight for him now, Ansel firmly believed that they were the most potent force he possessed.
"Soon, I'll be departing to eliminate Evora," Ansel's voice was soft yet resolute.
"It won't take long, and there won't be any complications. Trust , I'll return swiftly."
He chose not to divulge his plan to eliminate other extraordinary beings, knowing Seraphina and Ravenna would never allow him to leave if they knew. His only concern was that they might deduce this possibility themselves, as he found it increasingly difficult to conceal his thoughts from them.
"I know!" Seraphina clung to Ansel's arm, brimming with confidence. "That woman is no match for Ansel!" Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire
Ravenna gently grasped Ansel's hand. "At most... just close those rifts. Prioritize yourself above all else. Rember what I told you - no more sacrificing everything to defeat It, understood?"
"Yeah, without us... well, I know I'm not much use in that situation," Seraphina grumbled. "Without Ravenna, Ansel can't transform into that big iron machine, so you'll not at your strongest. If you can just deal with these flas, that should be enough. Don't lose your head again, Ansel."
Ansel chuckled, gently prodding Seraphina's forehead. "I should be the one saying that to you."
"...Hmph. Oh, and one more thing!" Seraphina huffed, then fixed Ansel with a vigilant gaze. "Ansel... you haven't considered using this opportunity to kill all the other extraordinary beings, have you?"
This was a scenario Seraphina had intuitively guessed and Ravenna had deed entirely plausible before their arrival. Knowing she was no match for Ansel in this regard, Ravenna had entrusted the more perceptive Seraphina to broach the subject.
"Of course not," Ansel replied with a carefree laugh. "We're talking about twenty-nine top-tier fifth-stage extraordinary beings. I'm not so foolhardy as to attempt that."
He turned to Seraphina, curiosity in his voice. "Do you truly believe I've descended into such madness?"
"...In the past, it wouldn't have been surprising," Seraphina mumbled. "If Ravenna hadn't brought you to your senses, you'd have been stuck with thoughts of fighting fate head-on."
The young Hydral couldn't suppress a smile. "Was I truly that extre?"
"Looking back... of course you were! Don't you agree, Ravenna?"
Ravenna sighed resignedly. "Let's not dwell on Ansel's past. The present is just fine."
"That's not what I ant! Ansel, please... please don't take it to heart, alright?"
As Ansel consoled the flustered Seraphina, his mind lingered on the girls' earlier words.
He felt sowhat relieved that they had misunderstood. His attempt to eliminate the other extraordinary beings in the Enigma wasn't purely utilitarian; it was a necessary choice for one pushed to the brink by fate.
Fighting fate... Would I truly refrain from such actions now?
Yet in that mont, in that ti, I distinctly felt such fervent hatred and... joy at the prospect of confronting It directly, of forcing It to reveal Its trump card.
"So, Ansel, are you leaving now?"
Seraphina's words interrupted Ansel's contemplation. The young girl bit her lip, hesitation evident in her deanor.
"There's sothing I want to tell you, about... Marli."
Seeing her expression, Ansel knew what it was about. However, he hadn't expected Seraphina to have already sensed Marlina's abnormality; he had thought she was still imrsed in her anger towards Marlina.
"Marli, is she already..."
Faced with Seraphina's sorrowful gaze, Ansel's resolve wavered slightly, but ultimately remained unchanged.
Or rather, this was no longer a matter he could alter even if he wished to. At this point, Marlina , or Nine was beyond salvation, with no possibility of climbing out of the abyss. The only question remaining was how deep into that realm she would fall.
"...I'm sorry, Seri," Ansel whispered, gently embracing Seraphina. "I can no longer influence Marlina's current state."
"It's not your fault, Ansel," Seraphina shook her head, gazing at him imploringly. "Just for this period, if you could avoid contact with Marli, I'll find a way. I'll do everything in my power to bring her back. Is that alright?"
Despite knowing that neither opening up to Marlina nor keeping Ansel at a distance would be effective, Seraphina was determined to try. She refused to stand idly by as her kind, wonderful sister plumted into an abyss of lost identity and value.
"..."
Just for… this period?
Emotional influence is always a gradual process. Even with fate's machinations, Marlina couldn't possibly have any significant impact on him in such a short ti.
...Or perhaps this was an indirect attempt to manipulate Seri. If so, he'd need to ensure that Seri—
In that instant, Ansel's thoughts froze.
He realized how naturally and smoothly his mind had shifted to contemplating ways to manipulate and exploit Seraphina, as if it were second nature.
This wasn't innate, of course. It was an instinct forged during his long struggle against fate after his awakening, one he could hardly discard now.
Any matter involving fate triggered this instinctive analysis and consideration. Seraphina had rescued him from his self-imposed prison, allowing him to think subjectively without erasing his emotions. Ravenna had further cleansed his mind of obsessive thoughts, ensuring his life was no longer solely dedicated to defeating fate.
But... this instinct, overlooked even by Ansel himself, couldn't be erased. Without it and the accompanying vigilance, he would be as easily manipulated by fate as that foolish child six years ago.
"I'll... do my best to maintain distance from Marlina without affecting her," Ansel said, his expression still gentle as he continued to comfort Seraphina.
"Don't burden yourself too much, Seri. Whatever Marli becos... it won't be your fault."
Disgust.
Loathing.
Abhorrence.
The once-smiling devil who could declare "Hydral never lies" while effortlessly manipulating Seraphina with clever words that were indeed not lies, now felt a surging, intense revulsion towards his own words.
Indeed, whatever Marlina becos is not Seraphina's fault. Yet, the one least qualified to utter such words is Ansel himself, who knowingly allows and even encourages Marlina's descent while fully aware of her fate.
Once, the devil within him would have felt not even a shred of guilt for such actions. Now, faced with the sorrowful Seraphina and recognizing his own unchangeable instincts, Ansel's heart is burdened with... karmic debt.
"I understand," Seraphina, still embracing Ansel, forces a smile as if to alleviate his concerns. "I've made mistakes too... but I won't just bla myself. That's pointless. What I need to do is wake Marli up."
She looks up at Ansel, her tone equally caring. "Please don't bla yourself either, Ansel. You're the one who's done no wrong."
You're the one who's done no wrong.
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