A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Crack!

Seraphina, impassive, tore off her scorched arm and cast the severed limb into the encroaching blood-tinged flames. She then turned her gaze skyward.

“Where is she?” the girl inquired of Ravenna, hovering above.

“It seems she received orders from Ansel.”

Ravenna replied from her perch on a makeshift airship—a rudimentary floating platform with railings, fashioned from modified hover guns. The vessel carried the final group of rescued fugitives.

Seraphina’s intuition and perception had proven invaluable, leading them to a large group of elderly, infirm, and disabled individuals abandoned during the exodus. Without Seraphina and Ravenna’s timely intervention, they would have perished in the inferno.

Upon hearing Ravenna’s response, Seraphina’s momentary elation gave way to suspicion.

“Orders from… Ansel?” Seraphina gazed incredulously at Ravenna. “Are you sure? Why would Ansel seek her help instead of ours?”

“Let’s distance from this inferno before discussing further,” Ravenna urged, leaping from the airship. She guided the vessel away while floating to Seraphina’s side, urging retreat.

“Ansel always has his reasons. Don’t overthink it.”

“Don’t tell me his reason! We should be the ones he relies on!”

Visible agitation and anxiety etched Seraphina’s features. “How could she possibly help Ansel when we cannot? What if she—”

Seraphina’s voice peaked at “What if,” then abruptly fell silent.

“What if she again, because of…”

Her voice trailed off, uncertain how to continue.

As the blood-tinged flames licked at her heels, Seraphina stepped forward, the resulting shockwave momentarily halting the fire’s advance.

“Damn it!” She strode ahead irritably, Ravenna following with exasperation.

“What are your true thoughts on Marlina?” the scholar inquired. “Ansel’s orders may not be significant. Your anxiety suggests you do care about her.”

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“I’m not caring about her! It’s about Ansel—”

Seraphina reflexively glared at Ravenna, but quickly averted her gaze.

After a moment’s hesitation, she sighed, “Don’t you think Marli’s situation is…terrible?”

“… You mean the Dispute Fortress incident?” Ravenna crossed her arms. “From my perspective, your rebuke was justified; objectively, you were somewhat harsh, even… malicious.”

“Marlina’s perspective, from a mortal standpoint, has some merit. There are aspects we may not fully grasp. Dismissing both her ideology and her person as worthless was excessive.”

“You…” Seraphina’s eyes widened. “I never thought you capable of such words!”

“I was once like that, so I understand how deeply those words can wound,” Ravenna replied calmly, her patience for the wolf girl evidently expanded.

“You’re not like this when scolding me,” Seraphina muttered.

“Do you think I enjoy providing psychological counsel to a theoretical rival?” Ravenna massaged her temples. “Be grateful that in my eyes, you’re more of a pet than a rival. I’m only considering your feelings for Ansel’s sake.”

This acerbic remark was more characteristic of Ravenna. Seraphina relaxed visibly, snorting, “You’re far more pet-like when begging in bed.”

“… Is that realm the only one where you excel?”

“So what if it is?”

The girls glared at each other briefly before breaking into soft laughter.

The worry that had plagued them since Ravenna proposed “fate’s interference” finally began to dissipate.

“Be serious,” Ravenna sobered. “What are your true thoughts on Marlina?”

“… I was blinded by rage then, as you said,” Seraphina’s mood darkened. “Seeing so many friends die, after I’d promised them better lives… How could I speak calmly to Marli?”

“Anyone else would have been killed by me… no, left only breathing at my first sight.”

“And afterwards? Did you never consider speaking with her calmly? Even if not to apologize, at least to clarify which words were spoken in anger.”

Ravenna’s logical analysis wasn’t due to increased emotional intelligence from time with Ansel, but rather conclusions drawn after being sent to her parents to make amends for past selfishness and mistakes.

However, Seraphina’s response was… unexpected.

“I said her situation is terrible,” the girl said gravely.

“Aren’t we back where we started? I know you disagree with her views, but—”

“No, it’s not about her views. Listen carefully,” Seraphina took a deep breath, her gaze increasingly worried.

“I’m not targeting Marli’s opinions or actions, but… her very being, she is terrible.”

“Her very being?” Ravenna cast a perplexed glance at Seraphina.

“I asked her before, if Ansel had instructed her to do those things… Had that been the case, I would not argue with her. I would ask for clarification from Ansel directly.”

As she recalled their altercation, an ineffable mixture of disappointment, sorrow, and… remorse washed over Seraphina. While she didn’t perceive herself at fault, she did regret her harsh words to Marlina.

Especially that cutting remark – Ansel no longer needs you.

“But Marli answered that it was her own idea, unrelated to Ansel… Naturally, naturally, I lost control of myself in that instant.”

Marlina’s admission that she had acted entirely on personal initiative in leading the lower district of Dispute Fortress into chaos was the pivotal moment that shattered their conversation. Seraphina’s emotions spiraled out of control, unable to fathom or accept that her sister would commit such an act.

“Thus far…” Ravenna furrowed her brow, “it still appears to be an ideological issue. Where lies this ‘terrible situation’ you speak of?”

“It’s precisely here!” Seraphina turned to face Ravenna intently.

“It’s her acknowledging that this was entirely her personal decision!”

“…”

Ravenna fell silent, reconsidering the statement. Shortly after, she too discerned a crucial issue.

Would Marlina Marlowe, who had always exhibited unwavering obedience to Ansel, steadfastly executing only his orders… create such an immense, undisguisable disturbance for which she’d be unquestionably culpable, without Ansel’s permission?

Disregarding ideologies and viewpoints, considering only her character… This was plainly an impossibility.

“You’ve realized it too, haven’t you?” Seraphina observed Ravenna’s gradually dawning expression of astonishment. “I believe she didn’t truly want to do this… or at least, not entirely. She just tried to prevent me from thinking Ansel had ordered it, so she herself took all the responsibility.”

“You—”

This time, it was Ravenna’s turn to be shocked. “Is this any kind of conclusion YOU can make?”

“What are you implying? I’m not a fool!”

–>