A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Helen... no, rather, Ravenna Ziegler within the Tower of Babel, before Hendrik's very eyes, narrowly escaped a deadly assassination attempt.

A beam pierced through her spine, shattering a segment of her vertebrae and tearing open her chest, coming less than two millimeters from utterly destroying her heart.

These two millimeters were the result of Helen's self-preservation mechanism, a cautious layer of protection she donned following an assassination that remained unknown to all.

By employing etheric flow disruption, she deflected the lethal strike, the last line of defense after preparing six layers of various spells and alchemical devices, all of which were penetrated almost instantaneously.

It was an assassination so cunning that not even a fifth-stage extraordinary being could detect it, nor could they discern the method of attack.

"Is this true?"

After hearing Marlina's report, Seraphina, sitting cross-legged on the ground, expressed her shock: "The dwarf nearly got killed in her own lair?!"

"From the intelligence provided, I'm inclined to believe it was a provocation, or perhaps... a declaration."

Marlina, head bowed, scribbled her thoughts on a clipboard, speaking to Ansel, who seemed utterly unconcerned with Helen's predicament as he read a book: "If the assassin possessed means undetectable even to a fifth-stage extraordinary being, or too swift to react against, he could have easily achieved a fatal blow had Miss Helen been alone."

"Moreover, during that assassination, had he chosen to destroy Miss Helen's brain... he might well have succeeded."

The dignified young lady in a black dress, hands clasped, placed the clipboard against her abdomen, pondering aloud: "But... as a person valued by Mr. Ansel and a key figure of the Tower of Babel, who would dare such a nearly suicidal provocation?"

Seraphina's ears twitched, and she sprang up: "I know! It must be that snooty Elder Princess! She just wants to spite Ansel!"

"...No," Marlina shook her head, "Although Lord Evora and Mr. Ansel have a tense relationship, it would be senseless for her to commit such an... excessively foolish act."

Ansel closed his book, smiling at Marlina: "Then Marlina, who do you think would commit such an act?"

Ansel's gaze and questioning immediately invigorated Marlina, who straightened her posture, her chest, which seemed in the midst of development slightly puffed out: "Lord Evora has always been wary of Mr. Ansel. Although she frequently provokes him, she is acutely aware of the boundaries that should not be crossed.

If this incident appears to be the work of Lord Evora, it could very well be someone… attempting to stir up conflict between you and the princess."

Chapter Find:

Seraphina, observing Ansel's satisfied smile and then looking at her sister, scratched her cheek, hesitating to speak, unsure of what to say — She felt herself out of place in this scenario

"However, I think this possibility is quite unlikely."

Marlina quickly contradicted her previous statement: "Based on what Mr. Ansel said when you left the Tower of Babel..."

She recalled the reminder Seraphina had given her, and thought of "Helen"... as perhaps not the entity Mr. Ansel truly desired. After a brief silence, the young girl gathered her courage and earnestly responded:

"I believe it's more likely... your arrangement."

Seraphina, who was lying on Ansel's lap and reaching for fruit on the small round table, spat out the fruit in her mouth in shock.

"An, Ansel wouldn't order someone to kill that dwarf, Marlina, are you mistaken—"

Seraphina's words were cut off as she too realized the possibility, recalling her own similar experiences.

The battle with the time-manipulating assassin was among the most perilous she had ever faced, nearly costing her life. If it were Ansel... committing such a vile act was not beyond possibility.

Miss Seraphina, who had grown accustomed to viewing Ansel through a beautifying filter, was infuriated by this realization. That assassination had been the catalyst for her fallout with Marlina at the time, and thinking back, Seraphina felt a deep resentment.

She bit Ansel's wrist and muttered, "Ansel, what Marlina said... it can't be true, can it?"

"Yes and no," Ansel replied with a light laugh, gently stroking Seraphina's soft nape. "I did not arrange for anyone to harm Helen. If anything, it was merely... a lack of intervention."

Though his tone was soft and tender, Seraphina felt an indescribable chill.

When she instinctively looked at her sister, she realized that Marlina was not disturbed by the cruelty implied in Ansel's words but accepted it as a matter of course.

As long as it was Mr. Ansel's decision, it was the right one—Marlina's gaze at Ansel conveyed such a message.

But this... this wasn't right, this wasn't... the right thing to do.

Being gently stroked on the nape, Seraphina couldn't help but say, "But, but… isn't this going too far? She almost died."

"If Helen were to die just like that, then the game would end in the assassin's victory, just like that."

Ansel said with a smile, "Seri, didn't you quite dislike Helen? Why are you so concerned about her now?"

Seraphina couldn't help but look at Ansel, staring at his gentle smiling face, her mind somewhat dazed.

Ansel had been too kind to her, so much so that she easily forgot the cruelty and pain he had inflicted on her.

However, these cruelties and pains, in Seraphina's view, were deserved, because she had been too stubborn, too arrogant, too foolish, and she had made too many unforgivable mistakes, deserving of punishment.

But... Ravenna, did she need to pay such a price? Did she need to endure such cruel methods from Ansel?

If not, then why would Ansel—

"Ansel... I, I'm not concerned about her."

Seraphina carefully reached out to touch Ansel's cheek, "It's you... you said, you would give her a choice, you said... you actually care about her a bit."

"But why does it seem like now..."

Ansel was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but laugh joyfully. He reached out and pinched Seraphina's cheek, responding with a gentle voice:

"You're thinking too much, Seraphina. I've been arranging everything just as I told you, I am indeed giving Helen, giving Ravenna choices."

"Soon you'll understand what I'm talking about, don't worry, I'm fine."

"... Really?"

"Of course." The young Hydral tilted his head slightly, "Have I ever lied to you, Seri?"

Hearing this, Seraphina finally relaxed and smiled happily, kissing Ansel's cheek, "Hehe, that's good! I'm going to train now, I won't disturb you and Marli talking, bye!"

With her mind at ease, Miss Wolf jumped off Ansel's lap, humming a tune happily, bouncing out of the lounge.

Once the door closed, Ansel, resting his chin on his hand and watching the direction Seraphina had left, finally spoke:

"Marlina, am I protecting Seraphina too well?"

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