As for who would be blad as the culprit, it didn't matter - remnants of the Duke of Bloodust's faction, a crazed organization pursuing power, or sothing else entirely... Regardless, Marlina had made preparations. Whether through fabrication or framing, she could use this opportunity to elevate Hydral's reputation even further.
This farce had co to such a perfect conclusion. Ansel didn't need to pay a great price to obtain everything he needed.
He remained that blazing, bright sun.
Marlina quietly gazed at Ansel's back, her dark eyes filled with deep affection and tenderness.
This should have been the duty of all Pact Heads, but now only she could fulfill it.
However, that didn't matter. For Marlina, there couldn't be better news in this world.
"The end..."
She suddenly heard Ansel murmur.
"But I just told Venna that this is only the beginning. Do you know why, Marlina?"
"..." Marlina, still gazing at Ansel's back, was silent for about two seconds before responding gently, "Because you plan to lead the Empire into a new phase. You're about to usher in a... great era, aren't you?"
"Correct."
Ansel laughed, his laughter bright and cheerful. Marlina hadn't heard him laugh like this in a long ti.
The young Hydral turned around, looking at this woman who was willing to sacrifice and dedicate everything for him, and asked:
"Do you know how much lifespan you have left, Marlina?"
"About five months, I suppose."
Marlina supported her cheek with her hand, smiling sowhat helplessly. "I guess I'm still that diocre after all. I'm sorry, Mr. Ansel."
"Since you're willing to dedicate everything to , don't you think it's an unforgivable sin to waste the power of a pact head like this?" Ansel raised an eyebrow slightly. "Or are you confident you can find a way to slow down the erosion in these five months?"
"No."
A confident smile spread across the woman's face, making even those seemingly eerie black markings appear beautiful.
"I'm confident that within five months, I can clear all obstacles for Mr. Ansel and pave your path to the supre."
"...Now that's a far more audacious idea than extending your life."
"Hmm, it's also possible that..." Marlina placed her index finger on her chin, pondering, "it's because I believe Mr. Ansel certainly won't abandon ."
"I clearly have no need for soone like you," the young Hydral said with a smile.
"Yet you believe I won't abandon you."
The ebony witch glided towards Ansel, raising her left hand, her countenance equally radiant with a clever smile. "Mr. Ansel may not need a foolish woman like , but surely he requires the Head of Devouring, does he not?"
Her obsidian eyes seed to convey: Disregard my identity, my significance, my sense of self. Simply... command and utilize as the pure Head of Devouring.
You need such an individual, and that individual can only be .
As Ansel t those eyes, he could sense the aether within him surging like an ocean, yet his heart remained tranquil, even finding the situation sowhat... absurd.
He had never imagined there would co a day when he'd be propelled forward by another.
—What choice to make? Since that mont of ultimate despair, Ansel had ceased to hesitate.
He must conquer fate, not rely for himself, not only for his father and mother, not solely for the... happier life he yearned for.
But for the purest form of vengeance!
The fiend from the abyss had never taken to heart such nonsense as "revenge is hollow."
Let go and pursue the life I desire?
But what if this vengeance is an integral part of the life I yearn for?
You want to choose? Why should I, what right do you have to demand that I submit like a docile lamb, why should I... make a choice at all!
It is you who has always been at the end of your rope, not I. Don't get it twisted.
"Marlina," Ansel suddenly chuckled.
"Do you know what soone just called ?"
Marlina tilted her head. "What?" Stay updated with My Virtual Library Empire
"He said I'm a hypocritical monster, a malevolent devil, that I'll forever be a monster from the abyss, never capable of becoming a true human."
After a brief silence, Marlina softly replied, "There are always those who presu to understand you, Mr. Ansel. I can't comnt on such ridiculous statents; I only wonder if the one who uttered those words has paid the price."
"Indeed, there are always those who think they understand ," Ansel mused, his gaze fixed on Marlina with an enigmatic smile.
The woman, however, responded with unwavering confidence, "But I will never be one to presu, because—"
Her words suddenly halted.
Because... without warning, Ansel revealed his true form.
The Hydral, now possessing five vibrant heads, stood at the zenith, surveying the world below, exuding an endless, awe-inspiring majesty that made one tremble.
"The recent calamities in the Western Lands have led to a realization," the overlapping, deep voices resonated across... the entire sky of the West!
"Be it destruction or salvation, all disasters in the Empire stem from and culminate in the extraordinary."
"To end this chaos, the extraordinary must be constrained."
"Soone must judge the extraordinary with laws and rules, soone must restrict the extraordinary with power and violence."
"Soone must beco the absolute asure."
"And that soone can only be ."
"Laws, rules, power, violence—all of these must be embodied in , Ansel of Hydral."
As countless extraordinary beings and mortals raised their heads, gazing bewilderedly at the sky, the sovereign from the abyss impassively issued his decree.
"From this day forth, I shall rule the Empire."
"The extraordinary shall be under my dominion."
As Ansel made this proclamation to the world, he felt an unprecedented exhilaration.
Returning to his human form, he looked at the utterly stunned Marlina, who was at a loss for words, and said with a beaming smile, "Did you anticipate I would do this?"
"You..." Marlina's lips trembled. "Why did you... why would you do this..."
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