A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

"Your timing is wonderful, Venna, come and assist me."

Anse's voice was light and airy, a stark contrast to the calm he had maintained during his conversation with Annelisa. Ravenna approached silently, noticing that he was meticulously carving an ether circuit.

"I've just conceived a rather intriguing notion."

The young Hydral looked up, glanced at Ravenna with a smile, and said warmly, "But I suppose the practical aspects are not quite my forte; it would be better suited for you."

"You are free to use the equipment here. Let me first explain what I intend to do—I think—"

"Ansel," Ravenna interjected softly, halting his speech.

"Hmm? What is it?" Ansel raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Could you do me a favor?"

Ravenna lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Ansel.

"This is indeed... unusual."

Ansel expressed his surprise, "The cautious you, who would avoid asking for my help for fear of incurring a debt you cannot pay, is now seeking my assistance? But of course... I am more than willing."

He laughed cheerfully, "What is it? Surely it's not about your grandfather's affairs? Be mindful, the cost of that is beyond your means."

"No, not at the moment... it's not necessary," Ravenna shook her head, "I wish for you to design a weapon."

Under Ansel's slightly frozen gaze, miss puppet stated calmly:

"A weapon capable of slaying a deity."

"..."

In the alchemy workshop, a profound silence fell between the two.

After what seemed an eternity, Ansel burst into laughter, "Slay a deity? Can you really craft such a thing, Venna? That's not like the civilian alchemical devices you've made before, nor is it like the firearms that can be mass-produced. The Etheric Academy only managed to create mechanical armor with the support of Her Majesty, possessing the power of a fifth-stage warrior...

What made you think of creating such a thing?"

"And besides, don't you detest making weapons the most?"

"But now, it is necessary," Ravenna replied.

"What necessity?"

"The necessity to kill a deity."

The petite scholar gazed intently into Ansel's eyes, her gaze unwavering.

"If there's a necessity, I will act upon it, and as for whether I can achieve it... for me, it's merely a matter of time."

To slay a god, to kill an emperor.

Such a reckless, absurd, laughable, foolish decision, Ravenna made without a moment's hesitation.

From a rational standpoint, the empress might well be the ultimate barrier to her ideals; emotionally, she had too many reasons to continue standing by Ansel's side.

...Even if he neither needed nor cared for it.

Ravenna did not know whether this was atonement or something else; she only knew that it was the right thing to do.

"You are truly confident…"

Ansel tilted his head slightly to regard Ravenna. Despite her outwardly indifferent demeanor, her resolve was unmistakably clear.

He spoke with a serene tone, "But it's beyond my capabilities to create a weapon that can slay a deity; such an artifact is out of my reach. Although I'm uncertain of your intentions, abandon such delusions, Ravenna."

Ansel was, of course, fully aware of her implications. His casual refusal was simply an affirmation of his stance—I have no need for you.

As he had stated, "Abandon such delusions."

It was only to be expected. Who would readily accept the aid of a traitor? Especially when Ravenna, in her current state, lacked any such privilege.

As for ability, who can truly articulate its bounds?

Ravenna fell silent for a moment before inquiring, "Then, what is it that you require now?"

"..."

Ansel glanced at the object of his recent attention, fell silent for a brief spell, and then a smile unexpectedly graced his features: "I no longer require your assistance. What I need from you is an answer—what did my mother impart to you just now, Venna?"

Ravenna paused, momentarily taken aback. Lawrence's warning still echoed in her ears, and she hadn't anticipated its relevance so soon.

If it's Ansel who's asking, then there's no issue... The woman's voice trailed off into silence before she responded, "Madam informed me that you possess..."

"Unspeakable tribulations, an immense burden, and you find me in a most precarious situation, thus I require your earnest support—is that it?"

The young Hydral spoke with a nonchalant air.

"...Yes."

Ravenna was stunned, not expecting such a reaction from Ansel.

"And what about you?" Ansel countered, "Do you believe what she told you?"

Ravenna gazed into his clear yet unfathomable azure eyes and replied softly, "I have no reason to disbelieve."

"None at all? I think there are plenty. I deceived you in advance, betrayed you, and you are a victim. From that standpoint, you have no reason to empathize with me, do you?"

"Or is it..." Ansel tilted his head slightly, his tone laced with derision, "that the most impossible has occurred? You believe that I am of greater significance than all that you uphold?"

Observing Ravenna's silent demeanor, Ansel spoke with a tinge of boredom, "Of course, the impossible remains just that. If you truly changed in such a way, you wouldn't be Ravenna, would you?"

"But suppose, just suppose, I could be of assistance to you." Ravenna's voice took on an urgent tone, "If the threat looming over you were to be resolved, you wouldn't have to—"

"What do you consider yourself to be, my dear Venna?"

Ansel expressed his astonishment, "A god within the alchemy field capable of surpassing my father? The fifth divine species? With what means do you propose to assist me? And..."

"What right do you have to assist me?"

Ravenna, you forfeited such a right three years ago.

Those eyes imbued with a chilling detachment, etching these harsh words deep into Ravenna's heart.

Ravenna yearned to speak, yet the moment her gaze met Ansel's, all words were choked back, unable to find their way out.

When she was almost without hesitation ready to commit to aiding Ansel, he, with an air of indifference, rejected her.

Was this punishment? No, it was the inevitable cost.

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