The villain's way to tame the protagonist

He murmured this subconsciously, only to feel something stuck in his throat.

After an unknown amount of time, Anser closed his eyes and asked softly:

"Marina, this is my final weakness in your eyes, right?"

"……Yes."

The witch standing behind Ansel could actually touch Ansel's shoulder with just her hand. She knew how... unstable Ansel's emotions were right now. She could just hug him gently from behind and give him the comfort he needed most, but Marina didn't do that.

Her Mr. Anser was not so fragile, and she did not want to be so mean as to take away the woman's efforts and achievements.

Marina stood behind Ansel and responded softly, "Like Miss Xin, I am sure that the enemy you hate is not Effisand, whose life or death is unknown, but we cannot confirm what it is."

"But no matter what, even if I didn't accept your sermon, I know that if you continue like this... it will never work."

Belief is the cornerstone of progress, and there is no right or wrong in belief.

However, different beliefs will lead people to different paths. Marina believes that Ansel’s belief is more indestructible than anything in this world, but the question is...is the ending led by this belief really perfect for him?

From coldly and cruelly exploiting everything, to helplessly sacrificing the one he loves, to indecisive hesitation, and finally to the determination to kill himself... Just as Xin said, Ansel is becoming softer and stronger.

So strong that pain and despair were no longer harmful to him, so strong that his mind was able to completely not care about himself.

For Anser, if the price is only himself, then no matter how high it is, as long as he can fulfill his long-cherished wish, he will be happy to do it. In his opinion, that is what he needs and the most right thing for him.

But this is not the case for Marina. She does not accept Ansel's sacrifice, nor does she accept the "correct" ending that is only for Ansel. If Ansel's story is to end, then she must make sure that this story has the most perfect ending.

So she, who always acted on her own, made the most daring assumption - Anser's belief had led him to a path of inevitable destruction from the very beginning, and to change this ending, she had to... reset it.

"So I guided Miss Xin to make her care about you more and more, and let her feel that she loves you."

"Like you, I don't believe in so-called duties and missions. Compared to those things, I hope to use tangible things to anchor her feelings for you."

"…That's why her mood changes towards me are so abnormal."

Ansel unconsciously twitched the corners of his mouth, and the scenes of when he and Xin were together seemed to reappear in his eyes.

Those confused, nervous, obsessed, crazy, and finally... turned into gentle pictures.

"More importantly, it's you, Mr. Anser."

Marina stared at Anser's profile and said, "I just guided her. It can only be regarded as bewitching at most. It is not mind control. Even if it is effective, it is impossible to make Miss Xin have feelings that are completely impossible."

"She had ten thousand reasons to fall in love with you, but she just couldn't understand. I just...made her understand."

"Why--"

"Why?" Marina asked in confusion, "Is there any special reason why I fell in love with you?"

Anser was silent.

At this moment when his mind was so clear, he realized that there was no need for him to think so much about his feelings for Xin.

He is the person Xin cannot understand, the person Xin must save, the person who allows Xin to understand the world again, and the person who allows her to... touch her emotions again.

For Xin, who is essentially no different from a child, is it strange that she falls in love with such a devil?

Obviously not, not at all, but Ansor was unwilling to believe it at that time, because the curse of the abyss corrupted his will, and his hatred of fate made his judgment on some things lose its due level.

For Ansel at that time, nothing made him more vigilant and resistant than "fate", and Xin's "love" came too simple, but it was this simplicity that was obviously the most normal.

But that was not fate, it just happened naturally.

"You and Xin both don't think I will accept what you say." Anser sighed, "It's true... absolutely true."

Marina has always refused to reveal the truth to Ansir, and Xin must use this method to achieve her salvation because they know very well that this weakness... Ansir Hydra, can never be awakened by words.

As for the changes in his heart, Anser believed in himself and only himself. Because in the past, it was not that he could not perceive it, but he could not make a decision; of course, in his view, as long as he could easily make a decision, it was definitely not a problem.

And fate... just took advantage of this, taking advantage of his heart which was indeed growing stronger day by day but still had huge hidden dangers.

Seeing that Anser had gradually calmed down, Marina leaned closer and spoke in a complicated tone that was unusual for her:

"But in my estimation, Miss Xin... will not be able to discover it. Because you should be more powerful than her. I am sure that she will fall into your temptation."

Marina believes that Xin can never be Ansel's opponent. She is destined to be unable to break through the barrier that Ansel himself is not aware of. She really only thinks that Ansel needs to be loved.

"When she wants to save you and tells you the wrong answer, she will only see you who is unshakable... and then, I will tell you the real answer, and Miss Xin will definitely understand that she is wrong. She will collapse, and you can easily capture her completely."

"Even if you can't be as resolute as you are now," Marina said softly, "she is still a good reference. At least you won't ignore my words and will think about this problem. And when Miss Xin becomes the head of your soul and purifies your corruption, you will definitely be able to face yourself more objectively and correctly...

As she said this, she subconsciously touched her eyes.

Marina's current burden was greatly reduced as Ansher was purified of most of the erosion. She also became much more normal and rational. After explaining the entire plan, she sighed softly.

If Marina's plan goes according to plan, Xin will definitely submit to Ansel, and Ansel will eventually realize his own problems, and the key is that she can use this to get what she wants most.

If it was she who said those words to Anser, if it was she who made Anser change, it goes without saying what kind of change Anser's attitude towards her would have in the future. The whole plan was to address Anser's weakness and to use Xin as a stepping stone to win Anser's love.

"So, Xin is never wrong in judging people."

Anser chuckled and turned to look at Marina: "You really are never satisfied, Marina."

"..."

When she met those ocean-blue eyes, Marina was stunned.

No matter what Ansher is like, cruel or tyrannical, Marina doesn't care. Even if he is eroded by the abyss and becomes chaotic and crazy, Marina will still love Ansher.

But when she saw those clear and bright ocean-blue eyes, and saw the gentle smile on Anser's face without any malice...she could understand what kind of mentality Xin had when he said that at that time -

You still look best like this.

Her love is to go to the abyss with Anser without fear of sinking, and Xin... is a love that seeks no return and is pure and flawless.

Even Marina's love is not unrequited. What she wants in return is Ansel's love for her. However, even if Ansel will not give it to her, she will try her best to fight for it.

But... Xin really didn't seem to ask for anything in return. She just hoped that Anser could have a chance to choose again and that Anser could love her well. That was all.

Just seeing Ansher so awake made her feel happy.

Marina would not rank her love for Anther in any way. She did not think that her pure love for Anther was higher than that of Sitana and Ming Furo, nor did she think that her obsession and persistence were inferior to theirs. But this time, in the witch's heart, only in her feelings for Anther, she really had a sincere admiration for Xin.

"Compared to Miss Xin... I am indeed a very bad woman." She did not feel any resentment or jealousy, but just sighed with emotion.

"Saint, redemption without asking for anything in return... Miss Xin is truly an amazing person."

"Nothing in return?"

Anser suddenly laughed, walked over and knelt on the ground, his eyes empty and a resolute and determined smile appeared on his face.

"That may not be the case, Marina... go find her and get the answer."

As Anther said this, he pressed Gleipnir against Ji's throat. His eyes were very calm, without any overly emotional sarcasm and mockery, nor the condescending contempt and trampling of a winner.

"Sir Dormer, lead the way." Hydra, who was in an unprecedentedly perfect state, lifted Ji's chin with the sword. "Xin is your masterpiece that took you eight hundred years to create. She is also the head of the soul appointed by me. You and I both know that her soul is not so fragile."

"The body that carries her soul...where is it!"

Xin's existence is always like a ghost, difficult for others to reach, and at the same time elusive. Rather than being a physical entity, it is better to say that he is a... concrete soul.

After Xin showed her power, Anser confirmed this point. Xin must have a specific body, but this body might not be...normal. But no matter what, Xin was definitely not dead, but her vitality was seriously damaged, and it was difficult to maintain that perfect out-of-body state, so she had to return to the body that she might not have lived in since she was born.

"...Are you still not satisfied?" Ji looked at Anser with despair in his eyes. "You have already destroyed the Saint, and you can even destroy this tower easily. What else do you want?"

"I want a lot of things, and I also need some...your help."

Anser smiled and narrowed his eyes: "Sir Dormer, you can't imagine how much I have thought through in such a short time just now."

"This is not your final destination, nor is it Xin's. Don't worry, I will give you a more important mission than that foolish wish. But before that... return Xin to me first."

Ji lost his composure and yelled, "When did the Saint become yours?"

"Because that's what she chose, and..."

Anser leaned forward slightly and whispered softly in Ji's ear:

"Do you think such a poor disguise can fool me now?"

Ji's pupils suddenly contracted, and at the moment when his mind was lost and shaking violently, a force that made him feel extremely familiar yet extremely unfamiliar, awkwardly but violently intervened in his soul!

"you--"

The old man had barely uttered a syllable when his eyes gradually lost their luster.

"Don't forget which one I left with you... Your Excellency."

"Where is the thing that houses Miss Xin's soul?"

The witch's slightly hoarse voice came from behind Ansher.

"Tower... bottom floor... space... isolation..." Ji muttered a few words in a daze, then suddenly woke up and looked at Anser in disbelief.

Hydra... The Devourer! When, when did that witch capture and plunder the Saint's power!

"Hmm... can you only control it for a while?"

"The power that could be captured at that time was too little." Marina held up her face and looked a little distressed. "Besides, Bishop Ji is not an ordinary fifth-level transcendent."

Anser shrugged. "After all, the decision was made when I just woke up. Xin almost couldn't hold on at that time... But it doesn't matter. Even if I can't lead the way, having the answer is enough."

The moment his mind became fully clear and he realized that Xin was about to disappear, Ansher immediately let Marina consume Xin's remaining power, both to track down Xin's true form and to interrogate Ji.

Ji's behavior just now was actually just to deceive Anser and delay time. As for the reason for doing so...

"Are you planning to transfer Xin away, or..."

Although Xin had clearly recovered her original mind thanks to the erosion left by Anser in her body, it was hard to say whether this could be maintained. After all, Anser had originally intended to completely infect Xin and make her completely corrupt, so that no matter how effective the means set by the church were, Xin would have no way to turn back. But in this situation, coupled with Xin's trauma...

"What a familiar situation." Anser muttered to himself, "I think I roughly know what I will face in the end."

The situation has developed to this point, and Anser has eliminated the last demon in his heart. Is this what fate wants to see?

Obviously not, because at this moment, Ansel has found the path he really hopes to achieve, just as Xin expected, the path that fate never wants to see.

Fate could be avoided, but He did not do so because He did not want to continue to be entangled with Ansher like this, because He had... no way out.

Xin will draw out His killer move in the final game, just like when Anther was forced to face Ephisand in the imperial capital.

But how could Ansel give in at this time?

"It's at the bottom of the tower... Oh, the subtle spatial fluctuations, I found it. Although it's well concealed, it's still a little short. I forgot to tell you that when we were in the West Country, Marina took a few bites of the out-of-control Ivora... a little more than the ones just now."

"Mr. Anser..." Marina looked at Anser with some resentment, "Please don't describe me like that."

"Hmm? I think it's a cute way to describe it. Don't you like it, Marina?"

"...Ms. Xin hopes that you will become a better person, not a bad person, Mr. Anser."

"She's just like you. She'll like me no matter what I become...but she can't open it? She's become a lot weaker."

Anser tapped the ground lightly with his cane, and the ripples on the ground suddenly twisted in a circle, but in the end nothing happened.

The elimination of erosion is not without cost. Erosion itself is both a curse and a gift from the abyss. Eliminating it naturally means a reduction in power. Even Flamel cannot avoid such a price. If he wants to get rid of the curse, he must give up the power of the God Seed.

Although Anser's power certainly wouldn't plummet, it was obviously much worse than when he was under the full blessing of the Abyss Preaching... But at this point, he actually had no need for power. As long as Xin became his chief, he would have the last piece of the puzzle.

"A lot of Ether went to Aro... It's almost close to the consumption of the Deus Ex Machina? They fought fiercely with Ivora."

Anser stared at the empty space in front of him, concentrating his ether with rare concentration. Whether it was the weakened strength or the demand for ether during the fierce battle between Mingfrohitana and Ivora, it took Anser some time to break through this folded space.

"Marina, go outside and absorb the turbulent ether. The sooner the better."

"Are you sure you don't need a quicker way?"

The witch cast her eyes on the dejected old man: "If you are in a hurry--"

What the North lacks the least right now is ether. The Devouring Head devours the wasteland at will, and through the special connection between her and Anther established through the Abyss Sermons, she can completely cheat and turn Anther into a perpetual motion machine... However, if a large amount of ether is required instantly, this ready-made fifth-level extraordinary being is obviously a more suitable ration.

"No, they have other uses, and no matter how fast or slow they are, the end result is the same."

Although the secret space was not broken quickly, Anser remained calm.

"...Yes, I understand."

Marina lifted her skirt and saluted, her figure turning into a shadow, preparing to go directly outside the tower to absorb the ether. Just as she was about to leave, she heard Anser's voice again.

"Marlina, after this is all over, I will tell you the truth, and... I'm sorry."

"I should have told you this earlier." The boy sighed helplessly and turned to look at Marina, who had turned into a shadow. "Can you forgive me?"

"..."

The shadow made no sound, but instead rushed out of the tower in an instant as if running away.

"I took it as your consent!"

The subsequent sounds made her speed up her escape.