A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

The competition for the position of the Head of Devouring is evidently a crucial juncture... That position is still too far from my reach, and I must not aim too high. However, it is essential to seize as much as I need from this struggle.

Simply staying in the office of Garden will yield nothing—therefore, even if Miss Rhine cancels the original plan, I must become Mr. Ansel's traveling secretary.

This is the only bargaining chip that allows me to negotiate with it.

Find your next adventure on empire

As long as I can follow Mr. Ansel to the Western lands, whether it is to increase Miss Rhine's influence or to disclose Shadewell's actions to it, it is not an issue. Moreover, if I apply in my own name, it will not have any negative impact on Ms. Rhine.

The only problem is, how can I successfully apply in my own name...?

Without relying on the connection with Seraphina, Mr. Ansel has no reason to accept my application unless I can demonstrate sufficient value.

Value, hmm... value.

The value of a secretary lies in the arrangement and handling of all the master's daily affairs. As long as I can satisfy Mr. Ansel in this regard, he might agree to my application.

Therefore, understanding why Mr. Ansel is going to the Western lands and what he intends to do there, analyzing the entire situation in the Western lands, and establishing a daily affairs plan based on Mr. Ansel's thoughts is the core of everything.

But I know nothing about this, and time is tight, making it impossible to complete.

—So, I must thank Miss Rhine for the access to the archives and the accelerated field, which allowed me to submit my application and present my plan to Mr. Ansel.

Mr. Ansel did not expect me to do this and even asked twice if Miss Rhine sent me. I told him no, and he smiled happily, making my heart race.

He agreed to my application and told me it was a "reward for the brave."

Then came the waiting, waiting for Seraphina to leave.

...I didn't expect her to randomly teleport to the Western lands.

I had considered interfering with Seraphina's choice, making her choose to go to the Western lands voluntarily, as that would be the best scenario for me.

These two tasks, one related to the Garden and one unrelated, whether related or not, I can provide assistance to Miss Rhine. If they overlap, my bargaining chips will be even greater.

But I did not do this, nor will I... Seraphina, I am unwilling to rely on you anymore, so how could I shamelessly use you?

But you still ended up in the Western lands... Is this also a reward for the brave?

No matter what, I am grateful for your inadvertent help... Hehe, in the end, I have once again inexplicably benefited from your favor, which is truly embarrassing.

During the time I waited for Mr. Ansel, the Garden's performance left me somewhat...

Somewhat dissatisfied.

Their abilities are, of course, beyond doubt. Although their ideas are mostly different, they all adhere to the absolute premise of prioritizing Lord Ansel's interests.

The benevolent and tolerant Mr. Ansel has always turned a blind eye to certain gray actions—as long as they do their job well and do not cross the boundaries he has set.

...I have long known this and thought about it for a long time, ultimately admiring Mr. Ansel's clear and distinct principles.

He never intended to rely solely on ideals or personal charisma to win over his followers. Or rather, he understands very well that most of those who serve him are merely subordinates of his followers...

The driving force that compels them to do their jobs well has never been a beautiful tomorrow, but sufficient benefits—I do not deny that there are those who hope to see the Hydral domain become better, but even the noble ones are more motivated by better material conditions.

Having overly high moral expectations of the people in this twisted world is clearly foolish.

Lord Ansel may be able to create a world where such gray rules are no longer needed, and where everyone strives to contribute to society from the heart, but that is a long, long time away, at least... not now.

As long as the rules are not violated, the rules...

The rules of the gray area are too ambiguous... Lord Ansel should also find it difficult to control, so he only set some principles and established some bottom lines. If the rules were more specific... would it allow Lord Ansel to manage these people better?

Just like the Garden, although they absolutely uphold Mr. Ansel's interests, they have made internal strife commonplace... If this meaningless internal strife could be eliminated, the Garden's efficiency should be able to reach a higher level.

Miss Rhine, as a leader, clearly has the ability to deter everyone, yet she is always challenged in terms of position and authority. In this regard, she is not qualified.

Pursuing one's own interests is Mr. Ansel's gift, so can they act recklessly because of it? It makes no sense... Even if Lord Ansel does not care and can even indulge them, it still makes no sense.

Even in the gray area, there needs to be some order, no... there needs to be even more order.

...I am thinking too much. It is too early for me to consider these things. What I need to do next is to formulate a follow-up schedule based on the specific situation. Since Lord Ansel has given me this opportunity, I must not disappoint him.

Whether it is my job or my own interests.

Miss Rhine... you really should consider what you can offer me, not as a reward, but as something you can exchange for what I have.

After the last letter was neatly inscribed on the paper, Marlina contentedly closed her notebook.

She was currently sitting in the guest room next to Ansel's, having just completed today's entries.

For Marlina, this was more of a work journal than a diary.

Arranging, exploring, reflecting, summarizing... every day she pondered how to advance further.

Today had been particularly fruitful; she had recorded her views on the Garden, Shadewell, and most of the organizations under Ansel's command, clarified her current goals, and looked ahead to the future. Everything was clear and organized, indicating that she was not lost.

"There's still time... I should use the existing data to confirm tomorrow's plan again. Zero Explorers, Sword of the Boundary Breaker, Fafnir's Nest..."

"...Hey, you."

Just as Marlina was about to get back to work, a weak female voice came from behind her.

Instinctively turning her head, she saw the petite Ravenna, who had somehow appeared behind her and suddenly trembled, staggering and collapsing onto her.

Marlina was somewhat astonished. "Miss Ravenna, what are you..."

"Hurry... ha…come over here."

Ravenna, her face flushed, bit her lip. "I can't handle it—ah!"

Before she could finish her sentence, her body dissolved into iron-gray particles and vanished.

Marlina stared in shock for a long time before a sentimental blush slowly spread across her face.

She sat on the bed, took a pair of light gray semi-transparent stockings from her suitcase, and slipped her long, fair legs into them, exhaling a heated breath.

"One day... I too will find myself in such blissful troubles."

*