A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 597 In Marlina's Eyes - IV

"So... I am truly pitiful," Marlina sighed softly.

"Even with utmost effort, even with Mr. Ansel's assistance, just the offer of this condition makes my heart waver... If there were no other choice, I would agree, even if it meant burning all my efforts to ashes."

She looked at Nerilia and softly said, "To regard someone like me, who is so vastly different from you, with such esteem, I am deeply grateful, Lady Nerilia."

Nerilia's offer was essentially a gamble for Marlina. Read latest stories on empire

If Marlina could, under such uncertain circumstances, establish a vast network of control in the Western Lands using only the name "Faust," enabling Ansel to easily make changes, such an achievement would be sufficient for her to request a method to attain extraordinary status from Ansel.

But is this really so easy to achieve? Would Ansel continue to provide such crucial support as he does today? Everything remains uncertain.

Nerilia, however, offered Marlina a more secure path. By relinquishing her current efforts, she could attain extraordinary status. If Marlina's ultimate goal was simply this, then choosing to step back now was evidently the better choice.

Ansel might be disappointed by Marlina's retreat, but he was never a leader to abandon someone over a single disappointment. With the qualifications of an extraordinary being, Marlina's capabilities and talents would surely allow her to regain Ansel's favor in the future.

And...

"I know that cat Rhine over at the Garden will undoubtedly offer you the same terms."

This was Nerilia's final trump card to prevent Marlina's rise, and she had considered it with utmost thoroughness: "And what it requires is not hard to guess. Miss Seraphina is currently 'imprisoned'. If you can help Miss Seraphina escape, stabilize her afterward, and continue to oppose us, it would surely be willing to bestow upon you the means to ascend to extraordinary status. However..."

"Marlina, you, who, no matter what, do not wish to rely on Miss Seraphina, nor hope to gain any advantage due to her presence," the woman leaned closer, gazing into Marlina's eyes, "Do you have the resolve to use her as a stepping stone to climb higher?"

Marlina quietly regarded Nerilia, but just as she was about to respond, an enthusiastic shout echoed from afar:

"Marli, uh—Margarete! Why are you taking so long? I suddenly had a brilliant ide—hmm?"

A tall, lively girl, who had been sprinting joyfully and causing passersby to flee in terror, gradually slowed her pace.

"Hey, you."

Miss Fenrir, known and feared as the Wicked Wolf, narrowed her eyes slightly as she approached Nerilia step by step.

"Creature neither human nor ghost... What do you intend to do to my sister?"

Fenrir's words caused Marlina's expression to stiffen, while Nerilia, after glancing at Seraphina, calmly said, "My promise remains. If you wish to see me, seek out the Snake Attendant."

"Hehehe, it's alright, I'm just speaking to you... quietly~"

Marlina glanced at Seraphina, whose face was brimming with happiness, and suddenly said, "Miss Fenrir, shouldn't you check on them?"

"Check on them? No need. Marli said we shouldn't let them get undue advantages because of my presence; they need to work and live for themselves."

Seraphina cheerfully replied, "I think Marli is right! Though they suffered... they must learn to survive on their own. After all, I will eventually leave, and besides..."

She kissed her sister's cheek, grinning mischievously, "Besides, with Marli being so reliable, I'm sure they'll be just fine even without checking."

"I trust Marli the most! Just as much as I trust Ansel!"

"..."

Could Nerilia really not sense that Seraphina had arrived?

As an elite of the Shadewell, could she fail to react to such a thing?

No, it was impossible. She was simply conveying a message to me—look, Marlina, see how much your sister cares for you, how deeply she loves you.

Are you truly willing to use her despite not wanting to depend on her?

Marlina gently withdrew her arm from Seraphina's embrace. As Seraphina pouted in displeasure, she calmly said, "We must keep our distance, Miss Fenrir."

"You... hmph!"

Use her? Why would I need to use her? I am merely resolving Seri's problem.

Mr. Ansel has provided me with this stage, and if I cannot even solve Seri's problem perfectly, how can I ever hope to follow in Mr. Ansel's footsteps?

It's only when one lacks the capability that sacrifice becomes a necessity, and I will never sacrifice Seri.

Lady Nerilia, in the end, you have underestimated my abilities.

And you have also underestimated... my ambition.

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