The villain's way to tame the protagonist

Her friend, now the Grand Duke of Deep Blue, put the cup on the table and smiled very calmly: "Sorry Ella, I'm a little, um...out of control."

Lian De's expression now was very natural, without any sign of losing control. She openly admitted her previous gaffe, making it seem as if she was simply too shocked and had no other emotions.

But no one knows what she is thinking now.

Elalo looked at Lian De for a long time, then sighed and said, "I didn't expect His Royal Highness the Regent would give me this important task. Just digesting and controlling the family power is enough to keep me busy for a long time. There is also the destruction and killing brought by my brothers and sisters waiting for me to make up for."

"I am far inferior to you in ability, so I sincerely refuse the offer from His Royal Highness the Regent."

"Aren't you doing great?"

Lian De showed a surprised expression: "To be able to gather the family power in such a short time and restore order in Kaixuan Port City... Your Highness the Regent must have a vision far better than you and me. Maybe you do have some kind of talent?"

She seemed to fully support Elalo becoming the dictator of Eastport and did not show even the slightest resentment.

Elalo shook her head and stared into Liande's eyes. The sincerity and purity in his eyes, which could almost be called the best, was something Liande had never seen before.

Lian De even doubted for a moment that the woman in front of him was not his best friend of more than ten years.

"Lian, there are more important things waiting for me to do than ruling."

"……what?"

"Heavy taxes, collusion between officials and businessmen, intertwined forces... everything under the family has gradually grown stronger over hundreds of years of development, but it has also accumulated stubborn poison."

The redeemed and sublimated woman lowered her eyes and whispered, "I want to change all this. Everyone who is protected by the Kaixuan family deserves a better life. This matter will consume all my energy. I can't take care of the entire East Port."

"It's just to improve people's livelihood, there shouldn't be any need to be so exaggerated..."

"No, it's different from any conversation we've had before, Lian."

Lian De saw a light blooming in Ella's eyes... a light that she couldn't even look at.

"This time, I do not agree to any so-called necessary compromise, concession, or sacrifice."

Lian De had never felt that his best friend was so strange.

Of course, they had discussed countless times about improving people's livelihood and eliminating filth, and each conversation was extremely in-depth, and was by no means like the empty talk of those good-for-nothings at banquets and salons.

Taxes, healthcare, education, business...they talked about a wide range of topics, but no matter which topic, there was a consensus - that is, changing these things is definitely not that simple, and the gray areas in any field are destined to be impossible to eliminate.

Human hearts are uncontrollable and always tend toward interests. It is undoubtedly reckless and destabilizing to remove the rotten flesh and sores with drastic measures.

What is the premise for making everything better? It is their rule, the rule brought by them, the only true nobles with consciousness.

Once their rule is shaken and destroyed, there will be no peace and happiness. Therefore, any change must be made on the premise of ensuring the stability of the rule.

But what was Elalo talking about now? No so-called compromise, concession or sacrifice? Did she want to be like those idiot civilians who didn't understand politics and order at all, thinking that killing all the villains and corrupt officials and clearing all the gray areas would make everything better?

This is simply crazy! How could a man of great descent, destined to be a leader and protect his people, have such childish fantasies? When did ruling become a joke that could be achieved by just talking?

But Lian De could clearly see that her friend was serious. She wanted to change the situation of the people under her rule at all costs, even if it meant shaking the rule of the Triumph Family.

Logically speaking, as a friend, Lian De should persuade Ella Luo. After all, she not only regards Ella Luo as a friend, but also as a like-minded comrade who can be won over to the revolutionary army.

But after staring at her best friend for a long time, she slowly, slowly revealed a gentle smile.

"I feel your determination, Ella."

Lian De reached out and wrapped his hands around Elalo's. With unprecedented emotion, he expressed his admiration for his friend: "I have always believed that the kindness and justice in your heart are far beyond my reach. As a friend, I can't think of any reason not to support you in realizing your vision."

She could foresee Ella's failure, the inevitable failure.

This is not something that can be accomplished simply by relying on the regent or the name of Hydra, because even if it is Ansher himself, it is impossible for him to do as Elalo said and refuse all compromises, concessions, and sacrifices, because this is simply not what can be said from the perspective of a ruler.

But Lian De also knew that she had no way to stop Ellalo. Yes, it was because she could feel that she could not stop her friend. It was not that she wanted to watch her friend go to doomed failure, but she just couldn't stop it.

She would comfort her friend immediately after Elalo's failure, maintain the rule of the Triumph Family for her, and correct her mistakes. It didn't matter, after all, they were best friends and there was no competition between them.

Even if Anser really forced Elalo to become the ruler of East Port, Lian De would be able to rest assured... no, he would accept it calmly.

"Thank you, Lian."

Facing the blessing from his best friend, Elalo smiled gently: "I know this will be very difficult, and may even disappoint His Royal Highness the Regent, but... I have to do this. This is the real reason why I want to control the family."

"It's just that I will be devoting myself to this matter soon, and I won't be able to help you with many things. If you need anything from me, tell me now and I will do my best to help."

Having calmed down again, Lian De smiled easily, poured tea for himself and Elalo, picked up the teacup again, and said elegantly: "It's nothing, not a big deal - the last rebel attack should have left a deep impression on you."

Elalo was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly, with a guilty look on his face: "If I had kept a close eye on those three rebels, you wouldn't have had such a headache, Lian."

"Seizing power over the Triumph Family is more important than anything else. You have done your best to spare your limited manpower to look after them. Don't blame yourself."

Lian De comforted Elalo in this way, and at the same time his expression became a little more serious: "But don't worry about who killed them. I already know the answer."

She told Elalo her views and speculations about the church in full, then took a sip of tea, her eyes gradually turning cold:

"They want to replace you and me in Donggang and take this land that our ancestors have managed for nearly a thousand years for themselves. They are really... too smart for their own good."

"Ella, I need you to use all your means to dig deep into all the church forces in and around Kaixuan Port City. I heard that there is the largest church in East Port near Kaixuan Port City? It would be a good place to start from there... No, it is better to spread outward from the port city. Too much fanfare might alarm others... Ella, Ella?"

Lian De's call brought Elalo back to her senses. She frowned slightly and said in disbelief: "Lian De, why are you so sure that it was the church who did it? They could also be real rebels."

Of course, Lian De couldn't tell her friends that she was the biggest rebel leader in Donggang. She could only use "irrational" to explain the behavior of the revolutionary army, emphasizing: "Compared to the church, the rebels obviously have no chance of knowing Miss Zeger's plan, and it is impossible for them to pay such a high price to stop it. The biggest motive can only be the church."

"But the Church..."

Elalo couldn't tell Lian De that the church could not be the culprit of the attack, the culprit could only be the revolutionary army.

"Didn't the church... reach an agreement with His Royal Highness the Regent? How could they do such a ridiculous thing in the middle of a war?"

This was the only way she could indirectly eliminate the church's suspicion.

Lian De had obviously considered this. She shook her head and said, "Is this the first time you've met His Royal Highness the Regent? As long as the church can make enough contributions in the war, he won't care what kind of conspiracy the church has devised to fight for power. If we lose, it will prove that we are nothing special."

"What we consider to be a struggle for power and a fight is nothing more than a minor fight in his eyes."

People only believe what they want to believe. Ella Luo knew that there was no way he could convince Lian De.

But Ella Luo could not have imagined that from Lian De's perspective, she was not just wishful thinking. The entire logical chain she built on the existing intelligence was undoubtedly rigorous, complete and absolutely correct.

The two of them were unable to exchange truly accurate information because of their biggest secrets, which also meant...

Once a conflict arises, they lose the only possibility of reconciliation.

Elalo was still reluctant to investigate the church. As a believer, she didn't want to cause trouble for the priests and other believers. She also didn't want to waste manpower on useless work. So she tried hard to persuade them: "But what if the church really didn't do anything? If you force them to investigate like this, it will only provoke conflicts and cause more trouble..."

"There's no such thing as a chance, Ella. Why do you think there is a chance?"

Lian De interrupted Elalo and said solemnly: "I have made my words very clear, don't you understand? It is our common enemy. Think about it, if this outsider really rules Donggang, then the great achievements of our ancestors for nearly a thousand years will be destroyed, and all the civilians in Donggang will not know what kind of life they will live. Is this what you want to see?"

"...I understand." After a long while, Elalo sighed and said, "I will arrange for someone to investigate the church."

Hearing this, Lian De smiled again. She gently held Elalo's hand and said, "Don't worry too much. Once you have dealt with the church's affairs, if you encounter any problems that you can't solve, you can always come to me and I will definitely help you."

Elalo also smiled: "If there is, I will definitely trouble you, Lian."

The two stood up and hugged each other intimately, face to face, so close and intimate.

"Then I'll go back first, Ella."

Lian De returned to his original high-spirited appearance: "Besides the troubles of the church, I have a lot of plans to make, so I won't bother you anymore."

Elalo smiled and waved gently: "Goodbye, Lian."

She watched her friend leave, and after about half a minute, a look of sadness gradually appeared on her face.

"Why would Lian suspect the church... Never mind. After all, it's impossible to find out anything. It's just a waste of manpower."

Lian De thought that Elalo was moved by his words, but in fact, Elalo knew that the church would not be able to find any problems no matter how hard they investigated, so he gave in a little.

In the eyes of the redeemed Elalo, she had too many more important things to do, and it was wrong to waste manpower like this, but there was nothing she could do.

Now she has no desire to fight for power. She holds power only to better realize the inhuman kindness in her heart. In fact, Ella Luo can vaguely feel her best friend's thoughts, but she doesn't care.

Lian De is her friend, and she doesn't need the power that would be a burden to her now. Since Lian De wants it, just give it to her.

Thinking this way, Elalo came to the study. Like Lian De, she had to make a lot of plans and preparations, but their directions were completely different.

Just as Ellalo was about to sit down and put the surging fire in his heart into action, his body froze when his eyes fell on a letter on the desk.

Even though it was just a tiny emblem, the pattern of the nine-headed demon snake was still awe-inspiring.

*

Although Lian De left the residence of Grand Duke Triumph, he did not leave Triumph Port City directly.

She is indeed an excellent ruler. Her attitude towards her territory and people is impeccable. She never makes decisions based solely on what is on paper. Field inspections have long been a common occurrence for Lian De.

Lian De, who has regarded all the territories under the Grand Duke of Triumph as her own, naturally needs to take time to inspect the Triumph Port City. Although she already has enough understanding of this place, the fight between the Triumph family has just ended, and the situation here has obviously changed dramatically, so a re-inspection is necessary.

Lian De took in the orderly order of Triumph Port City. She was somewhat amazed at Ellalo's ability. It was extremely difficult to make the civilians recover from their trauma and return to production and life in such a short time.

"You obviously have this ability, but you want to do such a ridiculous thing..."

The Grand Duchess shook her head and sighed with regret: "What a pity, Ella, why have you suddenly become so unwise."

Although Liande's political sense allowed her to vaguely sense that something seemed wrong with this order, she obviously had no idea how this order came about due to the lack of information, and could only attribute it to Ellalo's outstanding skill.

"The port market is also very prosperous. Very good, very... huh?"

Lian De came to the seaside port and originally just wanted to check out the order of the market here. However, the moment he saw the two figures, his brain froze for nearly a second.

"Why don't you like shells, A Luo?"

Anser held up a beautiful pink shell curiously and cracked it with his hands: "Isn't this beautiful?"

Ming Fuluo watched Anser pinching the shell and immediately remembered the scene where this damn kid used this thing to pinch a certain part of her body in the sea. Her tone was filled with murderous intent: "You know why I don't like it!"

"Well, what about the conch? I think this conch is pretty good—"

"Your Highness the Regent, Miss Zeger."

Lian De carefully integrated into the cognitive distortion position held by Ming Fuluo, and bowed to Anser and Ming Fuluo: "I didn't expect to meet you two here. It's my luck."

"Hmm..." Anser put the conch on the stall and looked at Lian De with interest, "Why is Ms. Lian De here?"

Don’t blame me... Your Highness Ansir doesn’t blame me!

Of course, Lian De was not so stupid that she had no eyesight and didn't know when to say hello to Ansel. Her sudden insertion was just a test to test her position in Ansel's eyes.

The feedback he received made Lian De excited and happy.

"I just discussed some things with Elalo, and took the opportunity to check on the latest situation of Kaixuan Port City..."

Feeling Ming Fuluo's cold gaze, Lian De did not flinch. Instead, he responded calmly, "Prepare for the future."

"You're as reassuring as always, Ms. Lian De." Ansher smiled and clapped his hands gently.

Lian De, whose heart was getting sweeter, didn't have time to speak before she heard Ming Fuluo's cold and disdainful sarcasm: "But Anser, you still plan to let the one from the Kaixuan family manage Donggang. In this case, don't let this woman be so self-indulgent."

Miss Scholar has always been extremely aggressive towards outsiders, and this is doubled towards people she doesn't like. The corners of Lian De's mouth twitched slightly because of this sentence.

"That's not the case, A'lo. Lady Liand is a reliable duke, and her ability is unquestionable. With her help, Elallo Triumph will do better."

Hearing this, Lian De, who was already prepared, did not lose his composure again. Instead, he bowed his head humbly and politely: "If Her Royal Highness the Regent needs me to assist Elalo, then I will do my best to help her."

Anser, who had been holding hands with Ming Fuluo from beginning to end, raised his eyebrows slightly: "Don't you think it's unfair for me to make the decision on my own?"

"I told you this at the very beginning." Lian De smiled very freely, "I just want to do my best for you, for the empire, and for my people. It doesn't matter if I am not the one who controls East Port. Your decision must be more correct than mine. There is no doubt about that."

"Well... then at least I have to give you a reason, right?"

The enlightened and non-dictatorial Regent Prince generously gave the reason why he chose Elalo: "Since you were also looking at the current situation of Triumph Port City just now, you should also realize how well Elalo has done."

"Yes, Your Highness, Ella is an amazing girl." Lian De did not hesitate to praise her, and at the same time, he did not forget to speak for himself, "I am also very glad that I can muster up the courage to recommend her to you."

"Yes, to be able to restore order to this extent in such a short time..."

Anser sighed, "I don't know how she did it. Not only that, I also saw in her a true, pure, unadulterated kindness that has never appeared in aristocrats."

"This is very valuable, Ms. Lian De. I think Donggang needs such a special ruler. Her kindness may bring changes to Donggang that no one can imagine."

Anser's words made Lian De stunned for a moment, and then he instinctively felt a sense of rejection, resistance, disapproval, or... jealousy.

How could Ella's stupid idea deserve such praise from His Highness Anser?

This made Lian De respond almost subconsciously: "But ruling is not that simple... I mean, at least we still have to face the coming of war, and I don't know if Ella can-"

"Don't worry about the war."

Ming Fuluo interrupted Lian De's words again. She looked at the thoughtful Grand Duchess expressionlessly. She had already guessed the truth and did not hide the sarcasm in her eyes: "The one from the Kaixuan family is much more sensible and cooperative than you. I will take care of everything."

Anser coughed lightly: "Don't be so rude to Ms. Lian De, Luo."

Ming Fuluo just snorted coldly and said nothing.

"Ms. Zeger is of such a disposition that this is not considered disrespectful, Your Highness the Regent."