The villain's way to tame the protagonist

Yes, her family, her friends, everything she held dear, loved her.

This love is not mixed with anything impure because of the transition from poverty to wealth. At most, it is filled with pure gratitude.

But Hitana, the powerful hunter who made the village and every villager proud, no longer exists.

The only person alive now, in their eyes, is "Hydra's Sitana".

[Lord Hydra] - this prefix has become a heavy and cold shackle, a chain that strangles Shitana. Every time it is lifted or pulled lightly, it is enough to make Shitana feel suffocating pain.

And Sitana...seems like she'll never be able to get rid of it.

Because she never wants the smiles on her family and friends' faces to disappear. Their lives are so wonderful now, and this beauty should not be destroyed by her own willfulness.

This is what Hydra owes me. Why should I reject it all because of my boring self-esteem?

The wolf can only use this reason to bite this twisted pain, as well as the emptiness and resentment born from this distortion, with all its might.

*

"Your skills in aether manipulation are truly astonishing."

Professor Polynya did not return to the Skyfrost Tower. At Anser's enthusiastic invitation, she stayed in Red Frost City for two days. These two days alone were enough to make her choose to stay on the third day.

This scholar possesses a very simple and compassionate heart, perhaps because she herself was born into a common family and found a glimmer of hope for a comeback in the Skyfrost Tower, or perhaps because she focuses on academics and rarely gets involved in the darkness of this absurd society.

In short, she is that rare person who hopes that the world can become a better place in a moral sense.

Therefore, when seeing the incredible changes in Red Frost City, Polynia hoped that she could see more hopeful and better scenes.

When Anser read the books of that world and studied the thoughts of that world, he often admired the great people who left a significant mark in the history of that world.

For that world, "capital" is extremely important. To some extent, at the stage of development of that world at that time, it can be equated with the extraordinary power of his world. A great man once put forward such a view - capital will alienate people.

Although his theories still cannot be implemented in this world, Anser has, to a certain extent, adapted many of his views to local conditions.

Capital alienates people, and so does power, or rather... the alienation of power is more direct, more terrifying, and more... deformed than capital.

The extraordinary will extract people from the original social concept, distort them, and turn them into something else, something that is incompatible with the society that gave birth to the elements of "human beings".

Therefore, people like Professor Polynya and Sitana, who have not been alienated by the extraordinary, are extremely rare and precious.

Back to the topic, at this moment Polynya is in the backyard of Ansel's mansion, showing him her unique way of manipulating ether.

"It's just some immature techniques that haven't been perfected yet."

Although he was quite old, the professor, who did not often interact with people, seemed a little embarrassed: "In your eyes, it's nothing."

"It's not like that now." Anser pointed at his head and smiled, "Until now, I only have one head, so I can't be considered a strong man."

The choice of Hydra's head was no secret among the high-ranking officials of the empire, or the first and second echelons of the strong, and they were all wondering why Anser had not chosen a head. You know, almost 99% of Hydra's power was split up in this way, leaving only the original essence that the end beast could not cut. Although it was equally powerful, if the other "heads" had not been born and had not grown, then this origin would not be able to support itself.

Polynya looked at Ansel's smiling face and gradually clenched her fists, as if she had made up her mind.

"Hydra... Your Excellency!"

This professor, who was destined to become a top-level expert, seemed so humble and insignificant in front of Anser. He asked with a trembling voice: "Can I ask a question about your... Qi Shou?"

"Of course." Anser raised his eyebrows. "As long as it's not something too secretive, I won't refuse to answer."

"You know, what you did during this period has spread widely in the North and the Empire. By the way... the name of Xitana's child has also entered the vision of many people."

Polynya lowered her head slightly. "Actually, many people came to me and wanted to know about her. I turned down many of them. But some people... you know, I, even the principal, may not be able to refuse them."

"Well, I can understand that, and so does Sitana. Besides, her situation isn't really a big secret, is it?"

Hydra smiled and didn't take Polynia's "betrayal" of Sitana to heart: "She is a genius, and the deeds of a genius are brilliance that cannot be concealed. Even if you don't tell them, they will find out in plenty of ways."

Polynya was silent for a moment, then said bitterly, "Thank you for your tolerance, but... that's not what I wanted to ask."

"I...I heard from their conversation and the news that has been circulating recently..."

"You have already regarded Xitana as your confidant, right?"

His former student became the chief of Hydra, which had existed throughout the empire for a thousand years and had even played an important role in the Zhengtian Dynasty, the predecessor of the empire. What an extremely enviable honor!

But Polynya's eyes and expression revealed the scholar's inner panic and anxiety.

What was she worried about? She might think she was the only one who knew, but Anser, who saw it all, raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

Young Hydra did not expose the professor's anxiety, but answered generously and frankly:

"Yes, I recognized Sitana and regarded her as my sibling and a part of me."

He raised his palms, looked at his hands which were only wearing a ring, and sighed: "This place has been empty for sixteen years. It's time to add a brand new ring."

"Xitana, she has an amazing physique that can rival that of an etheric monster, an extraordinary intuition that can create infinite possibilities, and an immortal will that will never succumb to any suffering."

Anser's smile grew brighter. He ignored Polynya's increasingly uneasy expression and proudly declared:

"And so, she, after bearing the power of Hydra's tail that can shatter mountains, a body that even dragons cannot tear apart, and the ability to heal herself even if burned by the flames of feasting... transformed into the 'chief of power' that controls Hydra's huge body -"

At this moment, Ansel's passion and joy were not false at all.

"Xitana will become the greatest warrior ever, the strongest chariot that can crush everything for me."

"I promise you, Lady Polynya."

Hydra smiled with narrowed eyes, and the phantom composed of shrewd malice spat out its snake tongue at the "professor".

"Xitana will have a bright future with me."

"Ah...ah...ok, that's...wonderful."

Polynya's eyes dodged and she bit her lip lightly: "I believe you, Lord Hydra."

Anser smiled and said, "Well, is there anything else? I can take you to other cities."

"..."

The professor was silent for a moment. She seemed to be about to say something, but she held it back.

"I want to ask you... Do you know where Xitana went?" she asked so tactfully.

"Ms. Polynya, do you want to see her? Now?" Anser shook his head. "This is not a good choice. Xitana needs to calm down. I am willing to give her space and time. I don't want anyone to disturb her."

"I... I'm sorry." Polynya sighed, "I miss her so much, really, I want to apologize to her, and I have so many things to say to her."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Anser's smile was sincere and warm, which made people feel at ease. "When Xitana calms down, she will come back to me. Then you will have a chance to see her."

"After all, under my watch, who has the reason and ability to hurt her?"

*

In the end, Hitana and her group failed to find the treasure in the Blackwater Forest and were on their way back to the village.

“Yota, are you serious?” A tall, muscular young man said indignantly, “We have gone to the deepest point that Dad and the others don’t allow us to go in, but we still didn’t find anything.”

"Then Carver, tell me why there was such a strange thing in the Blackwater Forest, but the people from the city said there was no special reason." Ruiyota retorted, "It doesn't make sense no matter how you think about it. Maybe the treasure has been dug up."

"Then we have come here for nothing! It's boring! It's so cold, it would be nice to stay at home, it's so warm."

"Idiot! Is it boring to go on adventures with everyone? You have been so slow and stupid since you were a child!"

"What! You black coal ball, say it again!"

The fat dog Will barked around Sitana. The girl, who became the backbone, covered her forehead with her hands, and said speechlessly: "Why don't you just have a fight? It's so noisy."

Ruiyota made a face at Carver and hid next to Xitana: "Did you hear me? Be careful or I'll ask Xitana to beat you up!"

Carver's face was full of anger, but seeing the sidelong glance from Sitana, he decisively chose not to bother with the woman.

Xitana felt all of this, listened to her friends' conversations, laughter and scolding, and the lingering shadow in her heart faded a lot.

If everything could become so good just by adding "Hydra's" before her name, it would not be impossible for Hitana to accept it - of course, the premise is that she would still not have any contact with Anther and would never do anything for Anther again.

Although that guy is evil and insidious, he is generous. With Marina working for her, the village will not become worse even if she leaves Hydra.

Living like this until death seems like a good idea, Sitana thought.

"Oh! We're finally in the village." Carver cheered, "I can't stand it anymore! I'm going to enjoy the warm current!"

"Hey! We still have a snowball fight... Carver! Come back!"

Ruiyota yelled angrily at the boy's running back and stamped her feet in frustration.

"That guy is really annoying... Don't you think so, Xitana... Xitana?"

The girl noticed that her best friend was staring at a corner of the village gate in a daze, so she also looked over there.

There was a tall, strong, intimidating guy carrying some wood.

"Who is that guy?" Xitana stared at the man who was as strong as a beast and asked in a low voice, "Why haven't I seen him in the past few days? There is no such person in the village, right?"

"Oh, you mean the snow monster."

Ruiyota, who was also looking at the tall man, said with a clear expression: "He went to cut wood whenever he had time a few days ago. Of course you didn't see him."

The wolf stared at the man carrying the huge piece of wood, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Is he a new member of the village? He doesn't look like an ordinary person."

"Well, I guess so. I remember it was... two weeks ago, or was it earlier? I forgot, but the big snow monster collapsed at the gate of our village, almost starving to death. Grandpa Wonkad couldn't bear to see him, so he brought him in and fed him a meal."

"Aren't you afraid of bringing bad guys into the village?" Shitana turned her head to look at Ruiyota. The fierceness that flashed across her dark red eyes scared the girl so much that she took a half step back.

"Because, because Xitana, you are Lord Hydra's person, how could anyone dare to..."

Two veins popped up on Wolf's forehead. She took a deep breath, then closed her eyes and said, "I'm fine. What next?"

Seeing that Xitana was in a better mood, Reyota's voice became a little less cautious, and she continued, "Then the snow monster woke up. He told us that he escaped from the edge of the Red Frost Territory, the one called... Mirror Lake Territory. His family was killed by a noble warlock. The warlock made fun of him and fed him some strange medicine, which turned him into this scary appearance."

Ruiyota gestured at the snow monster's sturdy body: "He is very strong, but the snow monster said that he will not live for many days. The villagers saw how miserable he was, so they took him in temporarily. Anyway, Xier, you are--"

"I'm from Hydra, I know!"

Xitana interrupted Ruiyota and tried to keep her expression in a "normal dissatisfaction": "But this is too dangerous. The village is so rich now. What if he is a bad guy?"

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. People come to Blackwater City every few days. They are either warriors or sorcerers. They bring us a lot of things. The village chief is of course cautious and asked the sorcerer to help check it out. The snow monster is indeed a pitiful person. I heard that his internal organs are deformed. It's very scary!"

Ruiyota waved her hand nonchalantly: "That noble from Blackwater City is trying his best to please us. Now that you are here, Xitana, I think that guy will definitely come running over as soon as you make any request!"

Xitana's attention was all on this "snow monster". She was slightly relieved when she heard that this guy had been examined: "So, what's going on with him now? Making money by cutting trees?"

"Well, he's staying at Grandpa Wonkad's house temporarily, and he's paying for his board and lodging by cutting wood. Although Grandpa Wonkad doesn't care, we don't care either. Since he's also a poor man oppressed by the nobles and he doesn't have many days left to live, there's nothing wrong in taking him in."

Ruiyota crossed her arms and said nonchalantly, "No one in the village would be interested in that little money anyway."

Hitana watched the "snow monster" carry the wood away. Although the doubts in her heart were slightly dissipated, there was still a cloud of doubt left.

After all, the shadow cast by Anser's words on her was too great.

The feeling of powerlessness and despair that everything she thought, did and did could not escape his control made Hitana overly sensitive and afraid to think deeply.

Because she was afraid that the happiness and joy she had now were all fake.

"Well, forget it, we've had enough fun. Let's go home and rest. I feel a little cold too."

Ruiyota stamped her feet and hugged Xitana: "I will come to your house for dinner tonight. Remember to ask Aunt Yalana to cook my favorite rabbit leg meat!"

After coming to her senses, Sitana also hugged Ruiyota and said with a smile: "Okay, that's a lot to ask for."

The ordinary country girl smiled and trotted happily back to her home.

And Hitana took one last look at the "snow monster" that was as strong as a ferocious beast, and while remaining alert in her heart, she walked towards her home.

"Ah, Xier!" A woman who was knitting in the sun in the open space in the middle of the village stood up in surprise and waved to Xitana, "Come here, come and see how this scarf looks for you... It's so beautiful! Xier has become a beautiful girl!"

The girl who was forced to wear a scarf smiled shyly: "Thank you, Aunt Kailin!"

"Why thank you? I haven't thanked you enough, kid. Come to my house for dinner tomorrow. You can't say you're busy. It's my turn anyway."

The woman pinched the girl's cheek and said, "You always made trouble at my house when you were little, but now you don't even want to be close to me."

"No way... I will definitely come tomorrow." The girl said vaguely.

Along the way, everyone who saw Xitana greeted her, gave her gifts, or invited her to their homes. What made Xitana feel truly happy and relieved was that these warmth and kindness were not out of utilitarianism, but a kind of joy and pride from the heart.

If this were not the case, how could Shitana's character become what Anser called "protection and recognition of one's own kind", and how could Shitana sink back and forth between happiness and pain?

I think that as time goes by, the wolf who licks his wounds alone will eventually let go of those things and live peacefully with his family and friends with complete relief.

Finally arriving at the door of her home, Xitana, holding a bunch of gifts, rubbed her hands and opened the door excitedly: "Mom and Dad, I'm going back - huh?!"

The warmth that I had become accustomed to in the past three days did not appear.

Inside the exquisite villa, there was only a numbingly cold wind blowing.