A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 13: In A Dilemma As Her

Perched in the central part of the continent, the Celestial Path mountains, with their despair-inducing heights, impeded the empire's westward march.

However, it wasn't the heights that truly vexed the empire, but rather the formidable denizens of the Celestial Path mountains — the dragon species.

These haughty and powerful dragons detested the prying eyes of the empire, just as they feared the magnificent monarch seated on the imperial throne. As a result, the empire's outposts near the Celestial Path mountains were repeatedly decimated and continuously retreated.

This track record was ample testament to the dragons' might, for apart from them, no one had ever managed to attack the empire without being utterly obliterated — even the sea tribes of the Lost Sea had been brutally slaughtered by the emperor for overturning the imperial fleet.

Nevertheless, it was within these sky-piercing mountains, within the sacred dwelling of these legendary creatures capable of conquering the skies, that an uninvited guest arrived.

"Dragons...are merely slightly more formidable beasts after all," came the seductive voice of a mature woman.

Yet, her voice was so strongly imbued with an absolute will and arrogant confidence that it was challenging to concentrate on her alluring tone; instead, one was forced to be subjugated by her purely domineering aura.

"Argh!!!"

"BOOM — !"

With a roar and a thunderous boom at the peak of the Elysian, the main peak of the Celestial Path mountains, the dragon's roar was drowned out by a louder explosion.

Amidst the scattering debris and rising dust, a tall figure gradually emerged.

"Quiet down!"

Another deafening boom ensued, and this time, no roars were heard.

As the dust slowly dispersed, the madwoman who dared to stand on this forbidden ground of the world was finally revealed.

She wore a pale grey cloak overcoat, fluttering in the fierce wind. Underneath the overcoat, a dark armor tightly fitted her skin, fully encasing her perfectly contoured and ample chest, while revealing her slim waistline.

In contrast to her armored upper body, her lower half was clad in black shorts that accentuated her hips, creating a more eye-catching and hotter curve just slightly broader than her shoulders.

With her tight waistline, the curve seemed even more exaggerated. Her muscular legs appeared extraordinarily long due to her eight-head ratio, causing envy and admiration from every woman in existence for their flawless beauty.

She looked down at the dragon whose entire head she had stomped into the mountain, and sneered disdainfully, "And even though it's a bit stronger, it's just that — a bit."

She lifted her head, her gorgeous short white hair dancing in the wind. Her face was no longer the young, innocent face of a girl, but had become more charming. Her features were so distinct that they resembled a sculpture created by a master who had exhausted all possible imaginations of beauty.

But just like her alluring yet authoritative voice, the triumphant expression and contemptuous gaze on her face were enough to discourage anyone from harboring any inappropriate thoughts towards her.

She was Seraphina Marlowe. Not the nameless huntress from the remote village of the Red Frost Territory ——

But the most prodigious warrior in the history of the continent, the war goddess who single-handedly defeated the empire's magic corps, and the unparalleled strongwoman who had faced the emperor and emerged unscathed!

"What a disappointment," she said, looking up at the sky.

"Is this all you can do? It's a miracle you haven't been annihilated by the emperor."

Just as her words fell, a giant shadow that seemed to eclipse the sun itself shot up into the sky!

The eternally howling winds at the peak of Elysian were overpowered by the gusts whipped up by the shadow's flapping wings. The shadow hung high in the sky, its enormous molten-gold eyes even more dazzling than the sun!

"Hahaha, that's more like it!"

The woman stomped her foot, and the solid peak instantly crumbled beneath her. Her figure shot into the sky, carrying a violent momentum that seemed to shatter mountains and rivers, heading straight towards the eclipsing shadow.

"There must be a formidable leader to have stood against the empire for so long!"

"Come on! Fight me, King of Dragons!"

The woman's wild laughter echoed—

Ansel of Hydral awoke from his light sleep.

"..."

Ansel rubbed his forehead, chuckling softly.

"Ah, the Skywolf Emperor indeed."

What he had witnessed was a predestined future, a legendary battle that had taken place in a dream, one that had secured Seraphina Marlowe's esteemed reputation.

She had clashed with the Dragon King, Audruan Kassa, atop the peak of Elysian for three grueling days and nights. Her formidable prowess was recognized by the Dragon King, earning her the friendship of the dragon race. This was her most powerful bargaining chip against the Empire, and it was this that led to her being revered as the Skywolf Emperor, one of the most feared individuals on the continent.

"But that will not be the future you will face, my dear Miss Marlowe."

Ansel rose from his bed, leisurely washing and dressing himself, standing before a full-length mirror to tidy himself.

The young Hydral looked at his reflection in the mirror, murmuring joyfully:

"For I have prepared something better for you."

*

Seraphina returned from her journey bursting with satisfaction. This trip, she had obtained a longbow, two hunting knives, two pieces of clothing, four sets of jewelry, six types of food, eight bottles of wine... and a pile of other miscellaneous items. Her happiness knew no bounds.

"Oh dear, it's inconvenient to carry all these things back."

The girl happily wiped the hunting knife in her arms: "When we get back, mom and dad will be shocked!"

"...Seri." Marlina, sitting next to her, took a deep breath, "I have something to tell you."

"Just say it, why so serious?" Seraphina tilted her head and looked at her.

Marlina stared into her sister's eyes, speaking earnestly: "I want you to continue serving Lord Hydral."

"...Huh?"

Seraphina rubbed her ears: "Did I hear wrong, Marli, what did you say?"

"Seri, you can't waste this opportunity." Marlina's tone became more serious, "I disagree, dad and mom also won't agree with you just leaving like this."

"What!" Seraphina cried out in grievance, "Why don't you guys consider my feelings? I don't want to be involved with him at all!"

"It's exactly because we considered you, so—" Marlina raised her voice a bit angrily, but seeing her sister's expression, she softened again, sighing. She spoke to Seraphina with as gentle a tone as possible:

"Seri, have you ever thought about why these merchants and nobles are so nice to you?"

"Of course, because I'm awesome," Seraphina answered without thinking.

"Because...indeed, that's part of it, but don't you think it has a lot to do with Lord Hydral?" Marlina tried to soften her tone as much as possible.

"What does it have to do with him? He's the one causing trouble." Seraphina looked surprised, "Marli, what are you trying to say to me?"

"I...my meaning is..."

Marlina hesitated for a moment: "Because of Lord Hydral, you have such... opportunities."

"...Opportunities?"

The young girl patted her sister's head: "Because of Lord Hydral, you can have access to a wider world."

"Think about it carefully, Seri. If you were just a hunter in the village, no one would know you; if you kept learning in the Frost Tower without being expelled, you might find a decent job in the Red Frost Domain."

"But that would be about it."

Marlina placed her hand over Seraphina's, speaking in a weighty whisper: "You have the talent to make the North, or even the entire Empire, remember your name, but such opportunities are hard for you to come by, your character... makes it easy for you to be overlooked and forgotten."

"But Lord Hydral is that opportunity, an opportunity you absolutely cannot miss—think about it, Seri, just the events at a banquet alone could get you into the sights of the Red Frost nobles, earning you the respect of those merchants. If you continue to work for Lord Hydral, just how high could you reach in the future?"

"..."

Seraphina opened her mouth, her countenance betraying a striking sense of vacillation.

In comparison to what she had managed to scrounge for herself, the two hundred gold coins given by Ansel seemed insignificant—like the lightest drizzle. Although Seraphina viewed this as her own accomplishment, she could not deny that without Ansel, such opportunities would not exist.

Should such instances occur again, would Seraphina's renown not spread throughout the Northland? That Hydral... he seemed genuinely capable of such feats.

"But I..." Seraphina, still torn, continued, "I truly can't get along with him, Marli. I don't know why... I just hate him deeply. Moreover, I can't perform the duties of a guard at all."

"What does that matter? Would Lord Hydral necessarily require you to serve as a guard? A person like him would surely place you where you best fit."

Seeing her persuasion was effective, Marlina exhaled in relief, then seized the moment: "If you, Seri, continue to work for Ansel of Hydral, the beneficiaries may not just be you. It could be me, our parents, or even the entire village that reaps the rewards!"

"Mmph mmm mmm—"

Seraphina bit her nails as Marlina's words struck a chord. Her brows furrowed, and stuttered, "But, but he seems to not need me anymore. I also, also was..."

"We will plead with him, appeal to Lord Hydral with the utmost sincerity."

Marlina stood up, extending her hand to Seraphina: "If Lord Hydral rejects us, then we return home. But if he accepts... Seri, promise me, no matter how he tests you next, you can't let him down, understand?"

"...Alright, I'll listen to you this time, Marli." Seraphina begrudgingly extended her hand.

She was uncertain whether to feel joyous or disheartened. On one hand, she believed that Ansel of Hydral would certainly reject her, which she was quite content with. On the other hand... persuaded by Marlina, she realized leaving Ansel would indeed be a significant loss.

Hence, Seraphina was dragged by Marlina, running all the way to find Ansel. In the end, under the guidance of a newly arrived musician named Eula, they found Ansel in the courtyard, playing chess with Saville.

"Good morning, young ladies."

Ansel greeted with a smile, "Are you preparing to leave?"

"...No, Lord Hydral." Marlina, holding Seraphina's hand, bowed deeply to Ansel. She tugged Seraphina, forcing her to reluctantly bow as well.

"Please excuse our audacity, but I have a request for you—no, Seraphina has a request for you."

"..." Seraphina, tugged hard twice, fell silent for a moment. She tried to make her tone less harsh, but it was incredibly uncomfortable for her. She fumbled her words,

"Er, L-Lord...Hy-Hydral, could I, um... continue to hang around you?"

Saville remained silent, his eyes lowered, while Ansel rested his chin on his hand, examining the two silver-haired girls, and began to chuckle.

"Let's discuss this in my study, Seraphina."

"It's not possible? Alright then, uh—?!"

Seraphina, who subconsciously assumed Ansel would reject her, was midway through her sentence when she realized what he had said. She lifted her head in surprise, meeting his ocean blue eyes.

Following this, that unbearable chill enveloped her once more. Seraphina instinctively wanted to retreat, but in that moment... she noticed Marlina's hopeful gaze.

"...Alright, I understand."

Seraphina bit her lip.

For some reason, she had a gut feeling... that she might deeply regret the choice she was making in this moment.