The villain's way to tame the protagonist

But she never thought that there would be a day like this when she would be able to comfort her friends and relatives, telling them that she had the ability and would definitely take on everything.

The concerns of her family and friends made Xitana's will extremely firm and fiery.

At this moment, she felt the weight of responsibility very clearly, felt the heat in her chest, and felt the long-dormant beast in her soul awakening, eager to show its strength, as well as her strength.

The light she had seen in her dream seemed to be beckoning to her. Hydra? If that future really existed, how could such a powerful woman have anything to do with Hydra?

No need for pity, no need for charity, no need for despicable conspirators, no need for vicious rulers... Xitana Lancemalos will surely achieve her own great cause!

A feat that can overthrow even an empire!

"Everyone!"

Hitana walked to the center of the village. She looked around at the villagers who were looking at her worriedly. The gloom and depression hidden in her hearts for the past few days were burned away by her renewed self-confidence.

Yes, why did she hesitate so much? Would she be unable to continue living without Hydra?

Even though her flesh was scarred, her bones worn and broken, her will tortured, her faith clouded—

However, her knowledge of herself, her trust in her talent, her grasp of her strength… the wolf who gritted her teeth and crawled out of hell, no matter how confused she was, the foundation of her character and self that made her what she is today, never wavered.

——Shitana, firmly believes in her own strength.

How can a weak person who doesn't even trust his own strength be qualified to embark on the path of a hegemonic overlord?

"Don't worry about me. I will find a way to make up for my mistakes and sins."

As Hitana said this, the incomparably pure and high self-confidence that had not appeared on her face for a long time moved the villagers.

"I know that my self-righteousness and willfulness... have caused a lot of trouble for everyone, but from now on, no, starting today, I promise everyone that I will never be so stupid and self-righteous again."

The smile on the girl's face made the villagers, who were originally worried, feel relieved. They looked at the girl in the middle of the open space with relief in their eyes.

This emotional feedback made Hitana even more powerful. She punched hard and her voice was passionate and high-pitched, as if there was a shadow... overlapping her.

"Even without the help of those nobles, I can lead the village and everyone to a better life! Believe me!"

Facing the warm gazes of the villagers, Xitana straightened her chest and said with great pride:

"Because, I am Sitana!"

Ruiyota covered her mouth and stared blankly at her best friend who seemed to be radiating a shining light.

"Xi, Xi'er."

She stuttered, "Are you really... okay?"

"No, not at all!"

Xitana laughed and grabbed Ruiyota's arm, lifting her up high: "I am now in the best condition possible!"

This is what it feels like to grow up! This is what it feels like to really grow up!

Hydra, Marina... growing up is not as disgusting and despicable as you say it is. It is not something that can be achieved by mistreating others!

“Ahhh—I know, I know! Put me down, I’m not a child anymore!”

Ruiyota screamed and after being put down by Shitana, she first glared at her angrily, then sniffed and hugged her crying with joy.

"That's great... I was worried that you would feel guilty for the rest of your life, Xi'er, and wouldn't be able to get out of that shadow. Now that you've gotten over it, then no one else has to worry, right?"

"Yes, yes. I was terrified after hearing the news Hegmar brought back from Blackwater City. I was afraid that a good child like Xier would never recover... It's great that she can get over it."

"After all... how can I put it? In the final analysis, it's still the fault of the nobles. It can't be said to be Xi'er's fault. It was clearly them who killed the person. Why should we blame Xi'er and Master Hydra?"

"That bunch of people really don't know what's good for them. If they have the guts, they can go find the nobles! What's the point of bullying our Xi'er? They think that Lord Hydra is tolerant of the common people and Xi'er is kind to the common people, so they dare to bully her? What did they see? Anyway, they are a bunch of shameless guys. Let them all die!"

After learning that Hitana was fine, everyone discussed the matter happily without worrying about the current predicament.

Xitana was also very happy. Didn't everyone's previous concerns and everyone's current reassurance prove their deep care and trust in her?

"Don't worry, I'll start thinking of ways to make money tomorrow. Let me think, starting with—"

"Hey, since Xi'er you're fine, why are you worrying about this?"

Ruiyota interrupted Xitana's confident words, put her hands on her hips and said, "Everyone is worried that you can't get over it and feel guilty about Master Hydra. Now that you have figured it out, isn't it okay?"

The wolf's bright smile was tinged with confusion because of his best friend's words.

"……Eh?"

"That's right." A young man spat. "Damn it, that son of a bitch Gregory dared to fire me and said that Xitana had ruined the reputation of Lord Hydra. We are going to follow suit... What a joke! Xitana and Lord Hydra have such a good relationship!"

"Master Hydra wants to take the blame for Xi'er's mistake!"

"Yes, those self-righteous nobles thought they could win the favor of Lord Hydra by doing this? They had no idea what Seele meant to Lord Hydra - am I right, Seele?"

"..."

Sitana tried her best to keep a smile on her face, but she couldn't utter a word.

Hydra.

Hydra.

Hydra.

Why... still Hydra?

"Hmph, those idiotic nobles. Now that Xi'er has come out, why not just contact Lord Hydra directly?"

Ruiyota said proudly: "Lord Hydra likes Xier so much. Once they hear that Xier has been wronged, those nobles will be doomed!"

"Hahahaha! Tomorrow I want to see that fat guy kowtow and beg for mercy in front of Xier, and ask her to plead for mercy in front of Lord Hydra!"

"Ah! Maybe if Master Hydra gets angry, he might come right over here! Do we have a chance to see Master Hydra?"

Loud and noisy.

Even though they have lost their favorable living conditions, the villagers are still so confident and excitedly talk about things that are almost like fairy tales to ordinary people.

Why? Why? We have Hitana in our village!

Lord Hydra's Shetana!

"Everyone...everyone, listen to me."

The corners of Hitana's mouth kept trembling, her nails dug into her palms. She maintained the smile on her face and the confidence that she had finally ignited, and tried her best to raise her voice: "I don't need that guy... I mean, I can do it without Hydra. I can also help everyone live a better life, right? With our own hands, we can also become better!"

The noise around quieted down and everyone was looking at Sitana.

Still a look of relief, peace of mind, and happiness and peace.

——But it was like a ruthless ice knife dissecting Sitana’s personality.

"That's great... Xi'er has really grown up. She is thinking about Master Hydra. Master Hydra will be very happy if he knows."

"Relying on yourself, um... that's a good idea. Why don't we just do as Xier said and hold on for a while, and then tell Lord Hydra after a while. Maybe the effect will be better that way! Xier will definitely be more perfect in Lord Hydra's eyes!"

"Ah? But I don't want to be cold. The severe cold wave just passed. It's been too cold these past few days. I can't stand it."

"Shut up! Gletkin, this is for Xier's good, and for everyone's good! Do you understand?"

"Well...should we take a vote?"

"Whatever we need to vote on, we must let Xier decide! Xier, your idea is very good. Don't worry about everyone suffering. You have brought so much to everyone and made the village so good. What's wrong with us suffering for you? Don't worry, we will definitely make you better in the eyes of Lord Hydra!"

"Yes, everyone will help you!"

The enthusiasm was so real that it seemed to ignite the snow. Everyone looked at Xitana with burning eyes, looking at this young girl who walked out of their village and brought a better life to the village and everyone.

They are willing, unconditionally willing to help Shitana and do their best for her. How warm, beautiful and touching it is.

Xitana must be happy to be surrounded by such enthusiasm and beauty - every villager thought so happily and proudly.

Even though Xitana is already so prominent, it’s great that ordinary people like them can help this good child!

Xitana stood there blankly, hot tears streaming down her eyes.

"Hey, hey, don't cry, Xier... This is what everyone should do."

Ruiyota hurriedly wiped away Xitana's tears and felt her own eyes getting red.

Touching feelings can always be passed on. Shitana cried because of their enthusiasm and sincerity. How could Ruiyota not be moved by Shitana's unconditional trust and dedication to them?

She hugged Xitana tightly and said in a very firm tone:

"It doesn't matter. Everyone will help you. No matter how much hardship we have to endure, we will accept it."

"As long as Xier becomes the best person in Lord Hydra's eyes and his best helper, everything will be worth it."

"If Lord Hydra is proud of you, Xi'er will definitely be very happy too!"

"Ah...ah..."

The wolf, surrounded by love, uttered meaningless syllables so pale and empty, as if he was intoxicated in the happiness of the moment and unable to extricate himself.

*

Ansel is discussing literature and drama with Professor Polynya.

"Hmm... I have some impression of this Claphele."

The young man stroked the cover of the book, thinking for a while, and then quickly understood: "Ah, I remember now. Thirteen years ago, he was a famous playwright in the imperial capital... but later he was found to be a revolutionary and was executed in public in the Blue Flame Square."

Polynya's fingers trembled slightly. She was silent for a moment and asked a question that had nothing to do with literature.

"Mr. Hydra, you seemed to have called the rebels... the revolutionary army?"

"Hmm?" Anser raised his head. "Any questions? If I remember correctly, that's what they call themselves."

"That being said, however... addressing him like that will cause trouble." Polynya said tactfully, as if to remind Ansel.

Anser flipped through the pages of the book and laughed heartily, "Hydra is not yet so weak. But in front of those old antiques, I will still choose the right name for them, because they are troublesome and disgusting."

"Personally, I like the word 'revolution' and the name of the 'new world' that the revolutionary army calls itself."

"A healthy country needs to accommodate different voices, doesn't it?"

Under Professor Polynya's shining eyes, Anser said casually: "As long as they haven't done anything radical, I will still choose to call them the Revolutionary Army. Um... Speaking of which, Professor Polynya, do you have any research on the Revolutionary Army?"

The professor was startled and shook his head quickly, "No, no, how could I possibly understand this... I'm just... just a scholar."

"Oh, sorry, I forgot you didn't study sociology. Oh... It seems that the Skyfrost Tower doesn't have this subject either. Haha, forget what I said."

Anser continued to flip through the pages of the book and said nonchalantly, "I have done some research on them, but only a little. According to my investigation, there seems to be a sign of division within the revolutionary army."

"..." Professor Polynya said nothing and tried hard to act like a listener.

"Although the primary goal of both factions is to end Xiangyan's rule, the actions taken after ending the emperor's rule are completely different."

"One faction is led by well-educated intellectuals with high moral standards. They advocate reforming the empire from top to bottom, abolishing the aristocracy, and lifting the monopoly of extraordinary knowledge. They try to make the entire empire leap forward and promote social progress. As far as I know, many of them are aristocrats themselves, or have a lot of resources... It's amazing that the vested interests can have this kind of awareness."

"The other faction is led by people who have been oppressed by the empire and poisoned by the rule of the aristocracy. They advocate completely destroying all the systems of the empire and building a brand new, oppressive country on the ruins. Compared with the former, they lack a stable and practical guiding program and seem to lack visionary leaders, but they have a large base, strong power, and..."

Anser slammed the book shut and looked at Polynya with a half-smile: "Somewhat, unscrupulous, right?"

"I... you said... ah! I'm not, I'm not very clear."

Polynia avoided his gaze, after all, Ansel's words seemed to be hinting at Polynia's identity.

As a professor who only studies academics and has almost no social activities, it is normal for him to be afraid when faced with this big hat put on him by the imperial executioner.

"Haha, sorry, when I talk about these social topics, I tend to talk a lot, you know... young people are like that."

Anser smiled and passed on the topic: "Let's talk about literature and drama again... Yes, we just talked about Mr. Clavelle... His death seems to be very dramatic, isn't it?"

Polynya calmed down and said, "Well... I have some impression that the playwright was exposed because his wife did not sleep properly one night and was preparing supper for him. As a result, that day, Clapham happened to bring his accomplice who was almost exposed into his home to hide, and then..."

"Then his identity was discovered by his wife." Anser sighed and shook his head. "But the dramatic thing is that the wife who loved Crafele deeply did not want to expose her husband's identity, but was afraid that she would not be able to keep the secret, so...she chose to commit suicide."

"Her suicide attracted the attention of the Black Matrix, and with a little help from Hydra, er... my father, the Black Matrix's soldiers arrested Klafele and executed him in the Blue Flame Square."

Polynya remained silent, as if she also had mixed feelings about the dramatic end of this dramatist and revolutionary.

"Love."

The young Hydra stared out the window. With such emotion, the corners of his mouth were raised, as if he saw something... a magnificent view that only he could appreciate.

*

In the eyes of her loved ones, Xitana Lancemalos is powerful and has a bright future.

But it's not because she has the power to change the world.

But it's because she is a vassal of Hydra.

To the proud wolf, is there any love in the world more cruel than this?