The villain's way to tame the protagonist

Who knows, he might even become the biggest help!

Unless he wants to become an emperor, and want to be an existence above everything like the emperor, but without the inheritance of power, even a divine species cannot climb from the fifth level to the sixth level on his own. Since he cannot become that absolute...why bother to be so desperate and become a cannon fodder to die?

If even one person thought this way, the fifth-level extraordinary beings would not be able to unite and strangle Anser.

What's more, it's definitely not just one person who thinks this way.

"If this deal fails, it will be a bit troublesome..."

Grand Duke Qingjin couldn't figure it out for a moment. He even said "I can agree to any conditions", which was equivalent to surrender, so why did Ansher refuse?

According to what he said, shouldn't this whole process be beneficial to Anser without any harm?

He is a most qualified businessman and never cheats in payment. If he owns the Western Country, a land of miracles and opportunities, where not only a large number of secret treasures are produced, but also many adventure associations and mercenary groups...how could the young Lord Hydra refuse?

"What reason did our Lord Hydra give?" the man couldn't help but ask.

"At present, he will not give any of the Grand Dukes ... decisive help in any important matter, whether overtly or covertly, whether it will be known or not."

"..."

Grand Duke Qingjin frowned slightly. "What do you mean, absolutely neutral? Hydra has a deep background, and his own strategy and vision are extraordinary, so he does not need time to accumulate, nor does he need to wait and see to judge the situation... What is the reason for his neutrality?"

Just as Namo was mumbling and thinking about the reason why Anser said so, Julis spoke again:

"He gave me a piece of...very important news and said it was compensation for not being able to reach a cooperation in the end."

"Very important..." Grand Duke Qingjin became interested. "What news?"

Julis's expression changed slightly, as if she couldn't suppress the shock in her heart when she recalled these words:

"He said……"

"'I have encountered adventurers who were haunted by demons and almost died'"

"'But he finally defeated the devil and is destined to return like the blazing sun'"

Chapter 6: Ambition and Food

In fact, Anser's return did not bring any particularly big changes to the Hydra Territory.

From the very beginning, Anther intended to shape the entire Hydra political structure into a state that could operate completely independently without him. Except for some extremely important decisions, Anther did not need to do much in this increasingly mature system.

The biggest problem with this kind of structure in that world is that those in power can be easily sidelined. However, this situation will not occur here - because even if Anser does not handle anything, he will never be sidelined.

However, when it comes to implementing specific matters, various problems are bound to arise. Anser has never expected that all his subordinates can be completely loyal to him, abandon any selfish desires, and devote themselves wholeheartedly to the public. This is obviously impossible.

The Hydra Territory has never been a utopia that has achieved universal harmony. It is just that in horizontal comparison, it is far ahead of the territories ruled by other grand dukes.

Marina, who has been working diligently during this period, knows this very well.

She discovered that Hydra Territory was not as perfect as she had imagined... The greedy people were still greedy, the dark places were still dark, but compared to any other corner of the empire, the order and rules of the entire Hydra Territory seemed more "perfect".

Yes, perfect. The girl thought so while resting on her desk and staring at a pot of flowers.

Mr. Anser made all the rules more reasonable. Although they were not without loopholes, he connected the threads of bondage silently and subtly changed the status quo of Hydra Territory.

Achieving a...delicate balance.

This was a kind of balance that Marina didn't know how to describe. Her still-growing horizons prevented her from seeing the world that Anser saw, so she didn't quite understand why Anser still maintained the status quo when he was sure he could do "better" and could further suppress people's greed and darkness.

It seemed that in his opinion, that kind of "better" was actually inappropriate and not good.

But no matter what, Mr. Anser must have his reasons for doing this.

Marina reached out and fiddled with the delicate leaves. The fragrance of white orchid spread to her nose. When she thought of Ansel's face, she smiled ecstatically.

The origin of [Garden] is actually not too complicated. It's just that Ansel, who founded it at the time, kept his mother's wishes in mind, so he chose to name the organization after Enelissa's hobby, that's all.

Rhine is a smart cat. He follows Ansel's wishes and gives a pot of precious special plants to every official member of the formal garden.

Marina didn't expect Rhine to give her a pot of orchids, and in response to her doubts, Rhine answered:

"Neither greedy for wealth nor thirsty for power - this flower is very suitable for this pure and unrequited loyalty."

This comment made Marina feel a little shy, but also very proud. Giving her this pot of flowers represented Rhine, the person in charge of the garden,'s recognition of her abilities, and this implication represented Rhine's praise for her loyalty.

For Marina, nothing could be more gratifying than this.

"You like this flower so much?"

The cat appeared from nowhere and landed lightly on Marina's desk.

The frightened girl straightened up immediately, and just as she was about to speak, her shoulder was pressed down by a soft pad of flesh.

"Lie down." Rhine said lazily, "Now it's time to rest, just continue what you were doing."

The high-intensity overtime work at ten times the speed in the garden did not last too long, especially after Ansher came back to take over the affairs. Marina was quickly liberated from the hell where ordinary people could not even stay for half a day.

Although the work is still somewhat heavy, this intensity is child's play for Marina, who can withstand the flow of time at ten times the speed and work with a group of extraordinary people.

The girl even missed the time when she was almost crazy, because she could feel that her abilities were improving visibly.

Mr. Anser believed in my abilities. He knew I could handle it and complete the ordeal, and I did.

Thinking of this, Marina couldn't help but reveal a cute smile with a pure girlish charm.

"Are you thinking about Lord Anser again?" Rhine wagged his tail slowly.

Marina touched her face somewhat embarrassedly: "Is it obvious, Ms. Rhine?"

"The only one who can make you laugh like this is Lord Anser."

The cat licked its paw: "Besides him, there is no one else in your eyes."

"Ah... that's true." The girl smiled shyly, "I'm sorry to make you laugh at my wishful thinking, Ms. Rhine."

"It's not really wishful thinking. Lord Anser is still quite optimistic about you."

Rhine changed his posture, squatted up, and looked down at Marina: "But I am curious... Is your loyalty to Lord Anser really so deep that it is almost crazy?"

The twinkle in the bright emerald cat's eyes made Marlena freeze.

"...Loyalty is a quality." The girl's expression changed slightly. She looked at Rhine and said very seriously, "Isn't it the most important condition for following Lord Anser?"

“So I’m asking to what extent.”

Rhine was not upset by Marina's slightly questioning and even wary attitude. He just wagged his tail and said, "You are a smart person, Marina. You should know that Lord Anser actually doesn't like fanatics at all."

"Whether it is the Garden or Shadow Marsh, no mere fanatics are welcome."

"Some people here want to realize the blueprint drawn by Lord Anser, some want to repay Lord Anser for his cultivation, some crave Lord Anser's wisdom that transcends the times, and some even simply follow their desires."

The beautiful and harmless Ragdoll cat looked at the ordinary girl who had fallen into silence, and the mature female voice echoed in her ears.

"We are loyal to Lord Anser's ideals, kindness, talent, and power, and we are also more loyal to our own...ambitions."

"But you are different, Marina. Apart from being loyal to Lord Anser himself, what else are you loyal to?"

Rhine tilted his head slightly and said curiously: "If there was nothing else, Mr. Anser would not put you into the garden, even if your ability is really good. Through observation during this period of time... I found that you seem to be just longing for Lord Anser. Then Lord Anser did not abandon you, just because..."

"Ms. Sitana?"

Marina's pupils contracted to the extreme in an instant.

……Will not.

Of course I have ambitions... I have already talked to Ms. Anelissa, and I already know that Mr. Anser does not need a pure vassal at all.

That's why I want to get rid of Xi'er's influence and prove my value and ability to Mr. Anser, but...

In her mind, a whisper involuntarily echoed:

But what if Mr. Anser came to you just for Xier from the beginning?

In Marina's heart, she had been deliberately avoiding and ignoring this question, because as smart as she was, it was not difficult for her to think of the key role she played in Ansor's taming of Sitana.

Whenever she inevitably thought of this, she could only use one thing to convince herself: that Ansel had told her that she and Sitana were equally important.

It was because of these words that the heart of that simple, innocent and lovely country girl was opened.

Marina firmly believed that Ansel was not lying, so it was impossible for her to be just a tool used to tame Sitana.

"…I'm not sure either, Ms. Rhine."

Marina calmed down and smiled: "Maybe I have some... characteristics that I don't even know about, but Mr. Anser has discovered."

"Maybe. It's not impossible." Rhine meowed, and it seemed that he didn't take Marina's answer too seriously.

The cat's nonchalant disregard did not displease Marina. The time they had spent together was enough for Marina to see through the true nature of Rhine beneath her cute appearance.

Rhine is a pure egoist, because following Anser can realize his own interests to the greatest extent, so he spares no effort to help Anser, and Anser also generously gives him corresponding rewards, never disappointing the cat. In this way, a relationship that is more unbreakable than that of fanatical loyalty is formed - he is the guy who simply follows his desires in his own words.

Marina also knew that the situation described by Rhine was the most correct, healthy and reasonable. If an organization was full of Anser's fanatics, then there was basically no other possibility for the organization except to be destroyed. It was precisely because of the other desires and motivations while being loyal to Anser that the business level of the garden was so high.

Ms. Rhine...what are you testing me on?

The girl whispered thoughtfully in her heart.

What is the relationship between Xi'er and me? My position in Lord Anser's heart? Is this the end of your temptation and inducement?

ambition...

Marina's slender fingers gently rubbed it. She was silent for a moment and said softly:

"Ms. Rhine, I have a question for you."

"Go ahead."

"You know the way to transform ordinary people into extraordinary people..."

The girl stared at the gorgeous emerald cat eyes and asked seriously, "How many are there?"

What I want as an introduction is nothing more than to direct the topic to my "ambition".

Well, as you wish, Ms. Rhine, I will tell you everything, and let me hear what you have to say.

The cute cat didn't show any obvious emotional fluctuations. She just stretched leisurely and said slowly: "Well... there are only three or four."

Marina showed a surprised expression: "Are there so many?"

"Because they are relatively well-known methods, and there are actually not many other options."

With his claws together and stretched forward, Rhine said lazily, "In addition to the most famous Water of Redemption, I also know two other forced promotion paths to the Kingdom of Heaven. However, these two paths are much worse than the Water of Redemption... In other words, the Water of Redemption is the best way to transform ordinary people into extraordinary people."

"You said three or four. What about the other one?"

Marina's voice became very soft and trembling slightly, as if she was using determination to cover up the turbulent emotions in her heart - because she really could not suppress the desire in her heart, so her acting was flawless.

The girl saw very clearly that the corner of the mouth of this harmless cat was slightly raised.

...As expected, you want to use the thing I can't refuse the most to drive me? If nothing unexpected happens, Ms. Rhine, you should say next:

For matters like this, you can ask Lord Anser for help.

"If you want to transform into a transcendent, why don't you go find Lord Anser?"

Just as Marina thought, Rhine was deliberately keeping her in suspense, acting as if he didn't care at all.

After a brief silence, Marina responded firmly:

"You know I wouldn't do that, Ms. Rhine."

"...Well, that's true. How could a person who is so stubborn that he has to distribute nutrient solution according to salary rations ask for a portion from Lord Anser? This is totally not a grace that I can have now."

Rhine resumed his squatting posture and said matter-of-factly: "This is completely dependent on Miss Sitana's relationship."

"Everything is just as you said." Marina lowered her head slightly. "So... even though the possibility is extremely slim, I also hope to grasp that possibility with my own hands."

From the beginning till now, almost every word Marina said in her conversation with Rhine was honest and came from the bottom of her heart, without any suspicion.

At this point...it's time for you to reveal your true intentions, Ms. Rhine.

"Hmm... that's admirable determination."

Rhine clapped his hands with his paw pads, then leaned forward slightly and whispered in Marina's ear in a somewhat seductive tone, just as Marina had expected:

"Then I'm giving you this opportunity now, can you seize it?"

The girl's body trembled slightly.

Without waiting for Marina to answer, Rhine said:

"You have been dealing with the internal affairs of Hydra Territory for some time, and you don't understand our real focus."

"The East Port seems to be hiding some huge secret, and the West Country is now in an increasingly chaotic state... The Garden and the Shadow Swamp. We need to dig out the information and truth that Lord Anser needs from these two places."