A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Another key point is that Ansel's question can be applied to himself.

He says his pursuit of ideals is a lie, but I know very well that it is definitely not a lie.

So... where does Ansel's sincere passion come from? As a divine species, why is he so... special?

Fate, the fate-knowing Ansel, who possesses knowledge beyond the times, in character and thought, is nothing like a divine species, nothing like a noble, such a different Ansel.

And... it seems he can anchor the unknown, fully understanding the development of so many things.

I feel that I am not far from the truth.

...

...

To further push the outside me into submission, I am now trying my best to interfere with her recovering memories, making those memories only increase her guilt towards Ansel.

And Ansel and that me played a game...n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Two territories, but unrelated to war, a game that benefits both territories without harm.

I thought for a long time and still couldn't figure out what Ansel could use from this game. He set extremely strict rules for the game, no extraordinary beings involved, and all competitive means must be legitimate.

If the game didn't have these restrictions, I could guess how Ansel would use it, but once these restrictions are set... isn't Ansel just simply doing good?

What exactly is he planning? I hope this game will have a good outcome.

What exactly does he want to do? I hope this game will have a good outcome.

[Day One Hundred and Thirty Seven.]

I have lost completely.

My perspective and Ansel's perspective... were never on the same level from the beginning.

This was a disaster, yet I foolishly believed it was a miracle. From start to finish, it was nothing but a disaster.

So many sacrifices, so many costs, and in the end... in the end, all we got was a bottle of redemption water?

I intended to make alchemical tools that could benefit ordinary people, but the greatest beneficiary used it to gain extraordinary power.

They care about nothing; they only want to become one of the extraordinary.

Not only do I feel a sense of void, but I also don't know how to achieve that ideal, even with tangible tools in hand, even with Ansel eliminating so many threats for me... I still can't do it.

Damn it... damn it! Damn it!

Ansel wants... to destroy me.

He wants to destroy this immature, foolish, empty version of me.

Even… even as a bystander, I felt that despair... the despair of being nothing, of having a worthless life.

But I will not fall... I will not, I cannot.

Perhaps it is not because I must persist in that ideal, but because... Ansel is waiting for me.

[Day One Hundred and Thirty Eight.]

The outside me tried to follow Ansel's instructions and exchange soil enhancement potions from Evora. But she was severely injured by Evora... This is an opportunity, an opportunity for the already faltering me to completely lean towards Ansel.

Taking advantage of this serious injury, I need to manipulate the memories she recalls, to implant a false, decisive memory among those real ones.

So, I made Ansel appear angry in that memory, very angry, questioning me if all the emotions he invested were false.

Read new adventures at empire

—This was what I originally imagined Ansel would say, but he actually didn't say that... even at that moment, he didn't want me to be sad.

This memory is enough to become the final winning move. She is now completely emotionally dependent on Ansel, and thus... Ansel should be reassured.

...

Grandfather's death... I do not want to record this part. This diary is to ensure I can help Ansel with a clear mind and to show proof to myself, nothing more.

Therefore, I do not want to record that pain.

I can only note that I finally understood Ansel's plan. He wants to create a new me, a me whose life revolves solely around him, a me who sees him as absolute, supreme, and everything.

[Day One Hundred and Fifty Two.]

I should leave now, finally able to see the light of day again.

After these days of calm, I have deduced Ansel's next step. He has created a "Ravenna" who completely relies on him, and then... he wants me to confront that "Ravenna," who is Helen.

Only one of us, Helen or I, can exist. Now, according to his understanding, I should be eager to destroy Helen.

Perhaps I can show that I have awakened, no... Ansel might be expecting my "awakening," but I cannot do that.

I lack Helen's absolute dependence. Even if Ansel still... favors me, without that "absolute," I might not get the truth. Maybe he will tell me, but it is just... maybe.

I cannot let any accidents happen.

The next action is simple, just wait for Helen to gain Ansel's complete trust.

*

This diary should end here, and my task is now complete.

These final words are for you, who will take over this diary... I do not know whether to call you Ravenna or Helen, but I believe that after reading this diary, you will undoubtedly be me.

I can only... tell myself, tell you, tell Ravenna, tell Helen.

You may be empty, and perhaps... I am indeed empty as well.

You and I, born of the same soul, our lives are designed, false, and worthless.

But Ansel... can make it real and vibrant, can make it valuable.

He can inspire my creativity, he can guide me forward, so it does not matter if I understand nothing.

Because he truly shares the same vision as I do, he has truly... put in so much effort for that vision.

Ansel, you keep saying that everything is a lie.

But who would go to such lengths for a lie? Who would train their subordinates to such elite standards for a lie? Who would turn the lands of Hydral into a realm admired by the world for a lie?

It was never a lie; it was clearly... your cry for help.

And I heard it, Ansel.

...But you might still be somewhat disappointed.

After all, my assistance to you is not entirely for you, it is still for myself.

Because as long as you are by my side, my life will not be empty.

You may not be my entire life, but you can become the meaning of my life.

*