A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Approximately half an hour after the Duke of Bloodust’s demise, the council reconvened.

This time, the countenances of all the extraordinary beings no longer bore the serenity they had displayed earlier.

“So, how exactly did he perish?” inquired the Duke of Wyvern, his visage grim as he interlaced his fingers. “Osius, were you able to reconstruct the events?”

Osius, the leader of the organization known as the Path of Transcendence and a renowned fifth-stage extraordinary being in the empire, shook his head solemnly. “Regrettably, the Duke of Bloodust’s soul has been utterly shattered, leaving naught behind.”

“The assassin’s subsequent measures were remarkably adept. I managed to detect only faint residual shadow element fluctuations, leaving us bereft of other clues, though we might be able to trace from this point. The sole certainty is that Odelia, that traitor, was also involved.”

“Merely a traitor?”

“The secret chamber, potentially housing records of the ritual’s methodology, has also been obliterated. Is the intent not glaringly apparent?” A chaotic evil extraordinary being sneered. “Someone is decidedly averse to the Duke of Bloodust’s plans coming to fruition.” Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire

“At this crucial juncture, once this opportunity slips away, we’ll once again be toyed with like insects by those fire-playing assholes! Yet some still fret over materials? You fools deserve to live miserably under the shadow of the Flamefeast!”

This extraordinary being clearly believed that those who opposed the refinement plan had collaborated to slay the Duke of Bloodust.

“Ahem, when hurling insults, it’s prudent to specify your target,” the Duke of Azuregold cleared his throat, casting his gaze towards the youth resting with closed eyes in the main seat.

His tone was nuanced as he continued, “Lest one be misunderstood, Lord Tarral.”

The extraordinary being Tarral instinctively followed the Duke of Azuregold’s line of sight, his expression momentarily freezing. However, it didn’t alter much, remaining full of derision: “Lord Hydral never intended to refute the Duke of Bloodust’s plan. Some merely believed they could propose superior methods. So now… can you present better protective measures than the Duke of Bloodust?”

“Two more days,” the president of the Alchemy Association, Pablo, declared gravely. “We can forge superior shields.”

“Two days?” Tarral laughed mockingly. “Do you hear yourself, Pablo Celsus? Why not wait until that wretched Evora regains consciousness and flees? Or until she assimilates that power and returns with a vengeance, before unveiling your ‘creation’?”

“The Feast Flames are not so easily neutralized! Blatcher Bloodust’s plan, even disregarding its cost, was riddled with fallacies!”

“Nonsense! His plan was the most effective and efficient!”

The conference room gradually filled with tension. The extraordinary beings, already at odds with one another, began to trade accusations. Despite having a formidable enemy looming over them…

or perhaps precisely because of this overwhelming threat, coupled with the Duke of Bloodust’s untimely demise, the pressure on everyone had reached its zenith, threatening to explode at the slightest provocation.

“Enough, gentlemen. Now is not the time for discord,” the young Hydral gently rapped on the conference table, his tone measured. “Nor is it the moment to squander time.”

As he spoke, wielding absolute authority in this chamber, all fell silent.

“Let us first address the conclusion. The Duke of Bloodust is deceased, and all records pertaining to his ritual have been utterly destroyed. Therefore, his plan is no longer within the realm of consideration,” Ansel stated.

Pablo’s face lit up with joy. As a former student of Flamelle, he knew Ansel would never support such brutal methods. However, the other extraordinary beings were far from pleased.

Ansel’s apparent lack of urgency began to make them anxious.

If Evora truly escaped and later returned with a vengeance, Ansel, rumored to have unclear ties with her, might remain unscathed. The two, potentially already collaborators, might even join forces!

“…Lord Hydral, I believe—”

Before the extraordinary being could finish, Ansel raised his hand and continued calmly, “However, Lord Pablo’s plan is also untenable.”

“Two days is far too long. Disregarding the possibility of Evora regaining consciousness during this period, the mere spread and conflagration of the Feasting Flames would completely engulf the entire West Land. This is unacceptable to me and to the empire.”

Such distinct gravity and solemnity appeared on Ansel’s face. At a time when everyone was discussing how to eliminate Evora, he was still contemplating… the empire?

The assembled extraordinary beings wore varied expressions, yet none could perceive the young Hydral as insincere.

His unwavering love for his people over the past decade was well-known. Even now, he was arranging for his subordinates to evacuate and disperse the population, even sending out his most crucial pact heads to save lives.

Who could doubt his genuine devotion to the empire when he expended such effort to rescue commoners at a time like this?

“Of course… perhaps it’s not the empire I’m concerned about,” Ansel said with a smile, to the astonishment of all present.

“What I care about is a certain order, one not arbitrarily manipulated by some tyrant, but an order that satisfies everyone.”

“However, that’s a matter for after Evora’s elimination.”

The young Hydral didn’t dwell on promoting his ideals and thoughts at this moment, instead touching upon them lightly, clearly distinguishing between primary and secondary concerns.

Yet the flickering emotions in the eyes of the numerous extraordinary beings proved that his seemingly casual words carried considerable weight.

“The Duke of Bloodust’s plan cannot be implemented, and Lord Pablo’s proposal is unreasonable. As this is no time to waste, I certainly won’t reject these two plans without offering an alternative, leaving you all waiting in vain.”

“Although somewhat rash, I too… have a method to help you all resist the Feasting Flame.”

He rose with a smile, gently tapping his cane on the ground with his left hand while looking towards the door.

“Please enter, our esteemed legendary adventurer.”

As the other fifth-stage extraordinary beings were momentarily stunned, the Duke of Wyvern’s pupils contracted instantly, and the Duke of Azuregold’s expression froze slightly.

The conference room doors slowly opened, and a black boot stepped onto the luminous, luxurious floor within.

Black clothes, black hair, black blade.

–>