A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

The Western Lands, a paradise for adventurers, a land of miracles in the eyes of extraordinary beings.

The Celestial Path mountain range is the most ether-rich area on the entire continent. This vast and inexhaustible ether nourishes countless powerful magical creatures and fierce beasts in the mountain range that divides the continent into east and west… And this is merely one of its influences.

As the foundation of transcendence, the ether vortices flowing through the Heavenly Road Mountain Range and its surroundings create excellent conditions for the temporary opening of the Zero Realm Enigma. Additionally, the former Sky Conquering Dynasty established its capital here.

After the dynasty's fall, countless treasures were buried underground or swept into the chaotic currents of the Zero Realm Enigma.

Thus, this place has become the most active region for adventurers. Every day, extraordinary beings step into the Western Lands with dreams of changing their lives, and every day, adventurers either get lost in the Zero Realm Enigma, never to return, or perish in the terrifying traps of the dynasty's ruins.

The order here is more fragile than in any other territory of the Empire, yet, paradoxically… it is more stable than many places within the Empire.

Extraordinary beings cling to power because they need resources for advancement, and the nobility happens to possess these resources.

However, here, the words of the nobility are not necessarily more effective than those of powerful adventurers—nobles with deep roots often avoid taking excessive risks. Moreover, the open and covert struggles of the four grand dukes on this vast land further weaken the nobility's dominance.

Yet, the destitute madmen have the courage to seize fleeting opportunities, wagering their lives for a chance to soar to great heights.

For various reasons, the most chaotic Western lands have become the most "fair" place in the entire Empire—excluding the Hydral domain, of course.

But this fairness—transformed from the oppression of power to the oppression of violence… whether it signifies a better society in the Western lands or a worse one, is a matter of perspective.

In this land where anything is possible, powerful adventurers who have made their names form their own factions, carving out territories and becoming revered legends.

Shadow of Annihilation, Riftbreaker,Whistling Chaos, Paragon's Archmage, Neverlost Vanguard… their titles are symbols of honor and power, as well as banners that bring endless wealth.

Among these many legends, there was one who rose like thunder and vanished like melting snow. He did not form a guild or amass wealth, leaving behind only ephemeral stories. But isn't that the true essence of a legend?

This morning, our Mr. Legend awoke to find the petite and adorable scholar still slumbering on his chest, while the other girl in his embrace was nowhere to be seen.

He gently placed Ravenna onto the bed and, naked, got out of bed. Though the young Hydral still retained a hint of youthful innocence, his shoulders, arms, chest, and abdomen…all parts of his body—were etched with mature, rugged lines, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun, like a divine masterpiece.

Knock, knock, knock—

"Come in."

Ansel responded casually while stretching, evidently unsurprised by the knock on the door.

Marlina, dressed in a somewhat masculine adventurer's outfit with her long hair tucked into a soft cap, no longer resembling the gentle lady she usually appeared to be, gently pushed the door open. She carried a tray, having perfectly timed the delivery of breakfast.

However, the otherwise impeccable secretary had one flaw… when she looked at Ansel, she didn't greet him immediately but stared blankly at his body for a few seconds.

Before becoming the current Hydrals, they had ravaged the land in their massive monstrous forms. After being burned by the Flamefeast fire to regain their sanity, they created their human bodies which grew at the same rate as a human's, though they could freeze its growth at any stage they chose.

Ansel's human body was in its fastest growth phase—though it meant little to him, it was evidently more pleasing and intoxicating to his..hmm, bedmates.

— Otherwise, how could the usually rational Miss Ravenna be so frequently captivated by a man's charm, sleeping so soundly?

"Mr…Mr. Ansel..."

Marlina, snapping back to reality, blushed slightly and lowered her head. "Today's breakfast is salt-grilled fiery beef tenderloin with waterdrop matsutake, and Miss Ravenna's breakfast is sweet pancakes with Marlis milk."

"Put it on the table." Ansel leisurely dressed, smiling wryly at the obedient Marlina. "You were exhausted last night; there's no need to get up so early today."

"This is my duty, Mr. Ansel."

Marlina replied earnestly as she set the breakfast on the table. "I cannot neglect my duties for... certain reasons."

Ansel, fastening the belt of his long coat, smiled—his attire was no longer the series of elegant, restrained black formal wear but rather the roguish garb of a carefree adventurer.

"In the future, don't heed Venna's pleas... she's truly lost her mind. Even with Seri, she couldn't handle me, yet she wanted to drag you into it."

He glanced at the seemingly still slumbering Ravenna, a slight smile playing on his lips. "People must pay for their recklessness. Next time, don't stubbornly provoke me, or I might record your pleas for mercy, Venna."

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"..."

The petite female scholar remained motionless, but her slightly curled pink-white toes betrayed her.

Marlina actually wanted to say that such matters could also be part of her duties, but considering her resistance to that kind of ecstasy, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Ansel began to enjoy his breakfast. The food here couldn't compare to the meals at the Hydral Manor, but he ate with great pleasure… a kind of joy from reliving a cherished memory.

"The ruler of this Dispute Fortress is Bryce Palmer Leo, under the command of the Duke of Azuregold. He is known as the 'Whistling Chaos,' a senior member of the Zero Explorers, and a fifth-stage extraordinary being."

As Ansel dined, Marlina narrated the intelligence: "Due to the upcoming annual special competition, many adventurers have gathered at the Dispute Fortress. If not for many adventurers serving as mercenaries in the war between the Duke of Bloodust and Duke of Firmament, there would be even more."

"So, you chose this place as the starting point."

Ansel nodded with a smile. "Very well, continue."

He hadn't planned on bringing a secretary, having already made the necessary arrangements himself. If needed, he could summon Shadewell directly. However… Marlina's analysis and planning made him decide to give her a chance.

"Further arrangements need to be confirmed based on your intentions."

Marlina spoke softly, "If you intend to announce Faust's return directly at the Dispute Fortress, I will immediately start preparing the relevant intelligence."

"And if I plan to continue observing?"

"Then I will contact the Zero Explorers' base at the Dispute Fortress and look for adventurers who have recently returned from the Zero Realm Enigma."

Ansel slowly chewed a piece of beef tenderloin and glanced at Marlina: "With just you?"

A reformed, background-less, non-extraordinary person?

Faced with such a question, Marlina merely smiled. "Mr. Ansel, you won't stay in the inn without stepping out, and besides... there will always be a way."

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