Taming the Protagonist Chapter 69 : Chapter 69

Chapter 69: The Devil That Follows Like a Shadow

It had been less than two months since she left her village, yet to Hitana, it felt like two years.

Everything from being abducted by Count Chishuang to now seed like a fantastical, absurd dream.

The good, the bad, what angered her, what saddened her, what she cherished, what she abandoned… all of it, because of Anselm’s words, beca a heartbreaking void.

Hitana Lansmarlos had been played like a clown, yet ti and again, she had felt genuine emotions.

And that man who never lied to her… heh, in the end, he kept his promise with brutal honesty.

But in the days and nights after leaving Chishuang City, Hitana wished countless tis that he would deceive her forever.

She had lost her sister and the person who changed her life.

She pondered endlessly, wondering why Anselm had to confess everything, knowing it would drive her away.

After her anger subsided, all that remained was an unfillable loneliness and emptiness.

No matter how she thought, she found no answer—or rather… she didn’t want one.

Because these days, the only answer she could reach was… Anselm had grown tired of her.

He no longer needed her, so, knowing she’d leave upon learning the truth, he told her everything.

This, Hitana could not accept.

Because Anselm had clearly said…

“He said… he wouldn’t abandon .”

The dazed girl stared at her reflection in the icy lake, murmuring.

Hitana was never one for great wisdom. Her departure was purely from the collapse, anger, and despair of being manipulated.

But letting go of Anselm in such a short ti was utterly impossible.

“…Go die, liar.”

The wolf wiped away her weakness and confusion with icy water, her wet, snow-white short hair framing her cold, lifeless eyes.

The road ho was long, yet not so long.

With her pace, she reached the village in four days, but the things she encountered along the way made her already guarded, cold heart even more isolated and dangerous.

In those four days, she t not a single good person.

Leaving Chishuang Territory, she took only her belongings, and all her money ca from robbing robbers.

Bandits, swindlers, poisoners in food and inns…

These days, Hitana keeps recalling Anselm’s casual chats.

“Hitana, kindness and wealth aren’t directly linked.”

“But often, wealth brings composure, while poverty leaves no choices.”

“When we don’t consider the reasons for wealth or poverty, who’s more likely to resort to unscrupulous ans: the composed or the choiceless?”

Hitana had once cursed Anselm’s nonsense, accusing him of blurring good and evil, but he only smiled and said:

“I’m not discussing good and evil, Hitana. I’m just explaining the choices people make based on their circumstances and positions.”

“But you don’t judge good and evil by the outcos of choices, only by their positions. That might be right for you, but it’s not necessarily a good thing.”

“It’s almost like a beast protecting its pack, heh heh…”

Words like these, and many more… Now, thinking back, Hitana realized he had hinted at this countless tis.

But she had never listened, not once.

Even now, she refused to dwell on Anselm’s complicated reasoning.

“Don’t think about him anymore.”

She muttered the words she’d repeated countless tis these four days, taking the final steps ho.

Her village was near this icy lake, just past a forest.

There were many paths to it, but Hitana chose the longest, walking slowly, laboriously.

How should she explain her return to her parents?

How could she avoid breaking their hearts?

How would the villagers see her?

Hitana had lost enough.

She couldn’t bear to lose these last, cherished things too.

Then she’d truly… have nothing left.

Silently crossing the dense forest, the fresh scent stirred mories, softening the cold expression she’d worn for so long.

She recalled her father teaching her to hunt, the thrill and joy; resting on her mother’s lap under the sun, warm and peaceful; playing with friends in the woods, free and happy. Hitana thought of so much… things she missed, cherished, and couldn’t lose.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, letting the familiar vitality of family and friends rekindle on her face.

Never before had she done this—the wolf, always wearing her emotions openly, had learned to wear a mask.

“Growth… heh.”

The girl gave a cold laugh, tinged with both mockery and desolation.

Then she slapped her cheeks, striding along the path out of the forest.

One turn around a towering tree, and she’d see her village—

Village… village?

Erging from the woods, Hitana stared blankly ahead.

There was no familiar village.

Instead, an unbelievable… small city?

With her keen eyesight, she could easily see the once-poor, ramshackle village now encircled by a five-ter-high stone wall.

The dilapidated wooden huts she knew should have been covered by it were replaced by grand, standalone villas.

A towering windmill seed to proclaim the village’s rebirth; a distant canal, far beyond the villagers’ ability to dig, suggested noble blood would flow through this ordinary place; a wide, smooth road extending from the village entrance, never in her mory, heralded a flat, bright, unobstructed future.

This was her village?

That utterly ordinary, impoverished place, common across the North?

In less than two months, what had happened here?

Hitana’s briefly relaxed heart tightened again. She hesitated, even with the place holding all she had left right before her.

Until an excited bark in the distance made the choice for her.

“Will, wait… Will, why are you running so fast? Wi—Hitana?!”

A plain-looking girl with slightly rough but miraculously healthy, rosy skin—showing no signs of the cold wave’s toll, radiating vitality unlike soone from a rundown village—chased a wildly excited fat dog.

Seeing Hitana standing afar, she covered her mouth with both hands.

Hitana, equally stunned, stared at the girl.

Was that… Ruiyota?

Wasn’t Ruiyota thin and sickly before I left?

Where did those fancy clothes co from?

—After everything she’d been through, Hitana already knew the answer deep down, but even now, she refused to accept it.

“Hitana, it’s really you!”

The girl, tears of joy streaming, ran over as excitedly as her dog.

The frail girl from Hitana’s mory, who’d gasp just reaching the village gate, seed nonexistent.

“Woof! Woof woof woof!”

The dog nad Will wagged its tail frantically, circling Hitana.

Will was Ruiyota’s family hunting dog, essential for a good hunter.

Hitana had a great bond with it, often feeding it for Ruiyota’s father.

But this dog, not robust just over a month ago, was now so fat she barely recognized it.

“Hitana!”

Ruiyota threw herself into Hitana’s arms. “You’re finally back! I missed you so much!”

The village was small, with only a few playmates her age.

Most had left for the city to seek a living, leaving just five behind.

Ruiyota was Hitana’s best friend.

They shared everything, often sleeping in the sa bed.

Ruiyota’s father, a friend of Hitana’s, taught her many hunting skills, her second ntor.

“Yota…”

Hitana gently hugged her friend’s shoulders, her doubts and hesitations dissolving in that mont.

Yes, what was there to doubt or hesitate about? The village had changed—so what? Her friends, her family, the people she knew and cared for hadn’t. That was what mattered—

“Mm… Hitana.”

Ruiyota, nestled in her arms, sniffed. “Is there… a sll on you?”

The warm smile on Hitana’s face froze.

“Ah, never mind! You’re back, that’s what matters. Co to my place to bathe! We don’t need to boil water anymore; we’ve got hot water, like nobles use, called… uh, I forgot. You’ve gotta try…”

Ruiyota’s words paused, then she laughed happily again. “Oh, what am I saying? You’ve been in Chishuang City with Lord Hydra—you must’ve experienced it already! I’m so jealous!”

Her words held no jealousy or malice, but their sincere, genuine admiration made Hitana’s heart ache sharply.

“Hitana, Hitana, what’s Lord Hydra like? The people who ca to the village said he’s really good-looking!”

Ruiyota clung to Hitana’s arm, looking up with a playful smile. “And you’re so pretty too, maybe, hehe… Hitana?”

The enthusiastic girl finally noticed sothing off in her friend’s expression, asking softly with concern, “What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

After a brief silence, Hitana forced a smile. “Just thinking about so things, zoned out for a bit.”

Ruiyota let out a relieved sigh, patting her chest. “You scared ! Every ti you make that face, you’re super mad!”

The corner of Hitana’s mouth twitched slightly. “Maybe I’m faking it. Maybe I’m actually a little upset?”

Ruiyota froze, then burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.

“Hahaha, Hitana, it’s only been a few days, and you’re telling jokes! The Hitana I know could never hide her feelings! And—”

She turned to look at the village, her tone brimming with envy. “Working for Lord Hydra—what’s there to be upset about? Look, the village is so big and beautiful now. Everyone eats their fill every day, no more starving!”

Ruiyota hugged Hitana tightly. “This is all thanks to you, Hitana!”

“What’s there to be upset about, working for Lord Hydra?”

“…”

What’s there… to be upset about?

Just… just being toyed with like a clown or a puppet, what’s there to be upset about?

Right, Hitana?

The grown wolf looked at the village that raised her, then at her familiar yet unfamiliar friend.

She gave a soft laugh, her eyes lowering as she hugged her friend back.

“Yeah, you’re right, Yota.”

“What do I have to be upset about?”

***

Returning ho in glory—Hitana didn’t know the phrase.

But when Anselm first suggested she go ho, her heart had been filled with hope and anticipation.

She had dread of the village thriving because of her, her family happy because of her.

She had longed for the surprised, admiring looks from her friends and elders, as if saying, “Hitana, you’re amazing.”

And the mont she stepped into the village, she did feel those looks.

Not just looks, but cheers.

Such lively, warm cheers, even in the harsh winter after the great cold wave.

Everything was as Hitana had hoped.

“Why am I back? Well… I just wanted to co back. Hydra doesn’t keep on a tight leash.”

“Looking ssy? What do you an, ssy! This is what I wore when I left!”

“By myself? Marina’s working for Hydra… Huh? Why didn’t I take a carriage? Can’t I exercise?

One punch, and you’d be flat, Carver!”

Hitana bantered cheerfully with the villagers, her vibrant enthusiasm matching the Hitana they knew.

“Lord Hydra must have so patience to deal with your personality,” a young man teased. “Are you really just working for him?”

Hitana shot him a glare, and the young man instinctively flinched, likely used to her beatings from childhood.

Surrounded by the crowd, Hitana walked to the village center.

She could barely recognize the paths now, identifying houses only by their general locations.

She even saw, in the middle of the village, where children used to play, a statue of Hydra.

The statue’s smooth, glossy texture showed it was tended daily.

The wolf, having escaped the devil who toyed with her life and emotions, stood ironically by his side once more.

And with a face full of joy and excitent, she raised her arm and shouted:“Everyone! Your Hitana is back!”

“Wooo—!”

From the scenery, streets, houses, and everyone’s clothes and spirits, it didn’t feel like villagers welcoming a returning child but like a speech in a town square.

A month could change much.

It could teach a wild beast to wear a mask, just as it could turn a poor, rundown village into an enviable paradise.

The villagers escorted Hitana to her ho, and the girl stood speechless before a restrained yet luxurious three-story villa.

“What do you think? Shocked, right?” Ruiyota giggled, nudging Hitana’s shoulder. “We were even more stunned! A bunch of fancy nobles rushed to your house, healed Uncle Orlan on the spot, and built this house the next day… Everyone was floored.”

“Alright, alright, let Hitana go ho. Disperse, don’t crowd here!”

Ruiyota shielded Hitana, waving her hands fiercely at the crowd. “Wait for Uncle Orlan and Aunt Yarlana to return. Don’t disturb their family reunion!”

“Uncle Orlan and Aunt Yarlana are probably still hunting in the big snow forest behind the village. They’ll be back soon.”

Ruiyota turned to Hitana. “Uncle Orlan’s been amazing since he recovered! In less than half a month, my dad says he’s about to beco the village’s best hunter again… Oh, no, you’re the best, hehe.”

Hitana’s dear friend hugged her again. “I won’t keep you from reuniting with your uncle and aunt. You love them most, right?”

She stepped back, waving. “We’re planning a welco party tonight. Look forward to it!”

Hitana nodded with a bright smile, watching her friend and the villagers leave.

Only when they were gone did she turn, expressionless, to her new ho.

“…Should I be grateful that Hydra, for Marina’s sake, might show so rcy?”

The girl tugged at her lips, pushing open the unlocked door and stepping inside.

The interior wasn’t extravagant.

Hitana knew her father’s character—the honest hunter wouldn’t appreciate or accept lavish decor.

But a lack of opulence didn’t an the furnishings weren’t costly.

The mont she entered, warmth enveloped her.

She quickly spotted a heating lamp like those in Anselm’s manor, though this one looked cheaper.

The whole house likely had the heating spells Anselm ntioned.

For a humble hunter’s family in a rundown village to use transcendent thods only wealthy city rchants might afford was almost excessively luxurious.

Hitana silently climbed to the second floor, where three bedrooms were—likely for her parents, herself, and Marina.

In their old wooden shack, the family had squeezed into one room, sleeping on two beds.

She entered one bedroom, certain it was hers.

Familiar items adorned it—her first hunting trophy, a bone necklace made from ten beasts’ fangs, her first self-made bow, a wooden toy she broke as a child…

As her hand brushed these objects, a genuine, heartfelt smile slowly blood on Hitana’s face.

The girl lay on the clean, tidy bed, its faint fragrance pleasant—a scent her old wooden bed and worn quilt could never produce.

Yet Hitana thought of that old scent, not out of nostalgia for past hardships, but because of her friend’s casual remark.

[Why do you sll like that?]

In just over a month, a person could forget the scent they’d known for over a decade.

Hitana closed her eyes wearily.

She didn’t want to think or pretend anymore.

She just wanted to rest in this small, safe haven.

But her vigilance these past days kept her from falling into deep sleep, lingering in a half-dream state.

When she heard movent downstairs, she jolted awake, taking a few seconds to realize this was her ho.

Then she panicked, scrambling to recapture the feeling she had entering the village.

She pursed her lips, lifted the corners with her hands, curved her eyes, forcing a happy expression.

“Hitana?”

Two distinct voices made her more nervous.

She answered reflexively, then rubbed her cheeks hard, breathing deeply, deeply.

When her long-unseen parents appeared at her door, Hitana was ready. She spread her arms, smiling brightly: “Dad, Mom, I’m back!”

But her parents, an ordinary hunter couple, stood frozen, silent.

“What’s wrong?” Hitana tilted her head. “Not happy to see ?”

“Hitana…”

The man, initially overjoyed, hesitated. He looked into his daughter’s eyes for a long ti, saying softly, “Are you… tired?”

This ti, Hitana froze.

The refined, slightly thin woman beside him walked in, sitting by Hitana’s side.

“It’s okay, Hitana.”

A mother comforted her daughter gently, pulling her head to her shoulder, her voice soft and warm.

“You’re ho.”

The scarred wolf, silent, hugged her mother tightly.

Clinging to the last, most cherished thing she had.

“…Mm.”

After a long silence, she murmured softly, sinking down as she did as a child, falling asleep peacefully on her mother’s lap.

Yarlana tenderly stroked her daughter’s cheek.

Orlan leaned against the doorfra, his rugged Northland face softening.

“They’re planning a welco party for Hitana,” Yarlana said.

“I’ll tell them she’s tired.”

Orlan nodded and left.

If Hitana could hear her parents, the happiness lting her loneliness and coldness would have grown even more.

But in truth… Hitana, sleeping happily, didn’t find the peace she sought.

For in this dim dreamscape—

She saw that devil again.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of a cane echoed, growing closer in the empty darkness.

The creature Hitana loathed most erged from the dark, smiling at her.

His radiant golden hair and warm, gentle voice were the perfect irony against his actions.

“Hydra!!!”

Hitana roared in fury. “Why is it you again? Get out! I won’t do anything for you anymore! Get out!”

“Hitana.”

The young Hydra ignored her rage, speaking lightly:

“If I said everything you’ve done since we t was within my plans…”

“Then why do you think your departure wasn’t part of my design?”

A bone-chilling cold pierced Hitana’s heart, spreading to her limbs.

“Speaking of, it’s been a while since I’ve trained your temperant—”

With the upper half of his face shrouded in darkness, Hydra’s playful, gleeful smile stood out starkly in Hitana’s vision.

“How about we take this rare chance…”

He snapped his fingers, and the collar Hitana had cast aside reappeared on her neck.

The devil bowed slightly, extending an invitation to the chained wolf:

“Co, dance with , my dear.”