A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

"Ansel of Hydral confronted me with the stark truth that my life is but a fabrication, my existence a mere assemblage, and my pursuits utterly devoid of substance. Even you... even I have come to accept this notion."

Ansel was acutely aware that if Ravenna had not experienced all of this firsthand, but merely observed from a detached perspective… she would not succumb to despair as Helen did.

For there is a profound disparity between being a mere spectator and being immersed, especially in a scenario that verges on self-destruction.

Helen was engulfed by despair, relentlessly pursued by Ansel’s unyielding advance, yet Ravenna... she possessed a space for independent and cool-headed contemplation, a respite that allowed her to breathe.

She was thus able to extricate herself from the pervasive atmosphere of despair, employing her intellect capable of comprehending Ansel, keeping pace with his thoughts, to dissect, deconstruct, and understand—

Just as Seraphina, who had weathered countless trials and deep-seated vendettas, still believed in the inherent goodness and steadfastly adhered to her moral compass, even as she became a sovereign in pursuit of evolution and power.

She found within that abyss of despair a sliver of light… that steadied her resolve, unwavering.

"But why should it be assumed that my convictions, my ideals, are wholly and utterly imposed upon me?"

Confronting her own fallen self, filled with resentment towards everything, Ravenna Ziegler’s voice bore no trace of confusion or timidity.

"Who can declare with certainty that what is given is necessarily false?"

"How can you presume that I, who cannot achieve now, will be unable to achieve henceforth?"

In the alchemist’s workshop, the furnace lay dormant, yet there existed a living forge exhaling waves of heat, forging an indestructible divine weapon from the raw materials of suffering and despair.

"If I cannot guide them correctly now, then I shall ponder and learn; I shall immerse myself among them, approach the humanity that the devil has scorned, the realm I have yet to enter."

"Even if the Tower of Babel was designed by my grandfather, intentionally assembling me into this current form, I have never once doubted my will or my heart. Even if this life was a bestowed design, in these fifteen years, I have never once felt pain for it—if this is not my truth, then what is?"

"And if my belief was void from the start..."

Ravenna tugged at the corner of her mouth, revealing a mocking and haughty smile to Helen:

"I truly wonder why you find yourself in such a predicament... Even you, who believes to have been reborn through self-destruction, still chase after it. If it is void, if it is not the pursuit of your true will, then why do you still hold it as dear as life itself after rebirth?"

Gazing at Helen, whose complexion grew increasingly rigid and whose lifeless eyes trembled, Ravenna Ziegler, who had no friends, no mentors, no companionship, and who ceaselessly elevated herself, absorbing knowledge in the endless darkness and solitude for three full years... like a blacksmith raising the hammer high, delivering the final, defining blow to the anvil.

The sparks that flew were the glimmer of light she found in the absolute despair and adversity!

"When grandfather posed that question, there was no guidance, no predestination, no false beacons set for me."

Her words were deliberate, her typically indifferent voice now resonant and powerful, surging with fervent passion.

"The moment I cast my gaze to the heavens, I told myself—"

"’I will change this world!’"

"This is me, Ravenna Ziegler, never created by anyone, nor will ever be destroyed by anyone... this is the resolve of my being!"

Ansel couldn’t help but admire the luminous brilliance in Ravenna’s eyes, sighing in awe.

Just as he himself faced the reality of having to become the villain, that glimmer of light—

It was precisely the reason Ravenna Ziegler was destined to become a hero.

But then...

"How utterly revolting."

The young Hydral muttered under his breath.

The glory and greatness of a hero had nothing to do with him. Whatever future achievements Ravenna might attain, he was indifferent to them all.

His only concern was whether his friend truly cared about him.

And the answer... was negative.

The dazzling brilliance had no place for him, a cold and dark creeping creature.

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Three years prior, the young Ansel had already understood this.

He realized that Ravenna wouldn’t be saddened by the loss of a friend, but by the loss of "a support that could realize her ideals."

Truly... a greatness that is both selfish and cruel.

Therefore, at that time, Ansel was also very clear that Ravenna, as a witness, was very likely... not to fall completely.

And this was the opportunity Ansel left for Ravenna.

An independent, resolute, unbreakable, and radiant Ravenna, who had completely abandoned him… also had a chance to exist.

As for the other, as for Helen, that brings us back to the earlier topic—Is the current Helen... loyal enough?

No, not yet. Because she is also Ravenna, she possesses... the traits that Ravenna holds at this moment.

Perhaps one day, driven by fate, she will awaken to become the Ravenna of the present.

Therefore, Ansel must be as cruel as Eileen, as... absolute.

—Only a Helen who has self-destructed to the point of killing her past self, only a fallen Helen who can kill her past self who uttered these words, is... absolutely loyal, absolutely trustworthy.

In such a case, if Ravenna survives, then Ansel will gain a "partner" strong enough. Although she despises Ansel, every aspect of her is absolutely controlled by him. And having witnessed all this, she knows that only Ansel can truly help her, a fact that will not change no matter what.

Such a Ravenna is even further from becoming a pact head, but that’s alright, this is the last opportunity Ansel gives to his former friend, the last... fulfillment.

From then on, it’s a complete end. Moreover, once Ravenna, who has faced reality, becomes his temporary partner, he will have all the time he needs to tame her into what he wants.

And if Helen survives, then without a doubt, she will become a follower more loyal to him than Seraphina, a daughter who will never betray him, and in terms of talent and ability, she is no different from Ravenna. The only difference is... she is no longer a hero, no longer Ravenna Ziegler, but Helen, born solely for Ansel.

Whichever outcome it is, for Ansel, it’s all good, no bad, it’s just... eventually, something will be lost.

That’s why, on that night, Ansel could say to Seraphina—

From the beginning, he was in an invincible position.

*