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nAs Ansel escorted Seraphina to the village entrance, the villagers who had searched for her all night were dumbfounded, doubting whether they were experiencing an illusion. After all, the situation concluded with the villagers’ most desired outcome: the nobles resumed supplying resources to the village, and Seraphina, under Ansel’s guidance, embarked on a grander journey.

nAnsel once asked Seraphina if she wanted her parents to be brought to Hydral’s territory, where their safety could be maximally ensured, but she declined. The young girl reasoned, “If I only bring my parents, what about the others? If I were to bring everyone, wouldn’t that be overstepping?”

nHer words surprised Ansel, who had not anticipated such growth in Miss Seraphina. “However, Ansel, how shall we deal with that serpent?” Seraphina inquired curiously, nestled close to Ansel in the warm carriage.

nRegarding the future Ansel had shown her, the moments that led Seraphina to transform and fall into despair were vivid. Among them, the awakening of the Blazing Ice Viper and the ensuing battle between the revolutionary army and the serpent, which resulted in the village’s destruction, was a crucial turning point.

nThis directly led to Seraphina losing the chance to find another home, grow healthily among like-minded individuals, and face the world’s dangers alone, struggling and growing amidst her downfall. Naturally, Seraphina was deeply concerned about this but not overly anxious, as she knew Ansel would find a solution.

n“After you left Darkwater City, I took care of some matters,” Ansel said, his hand resting on Seraphina’s smooth, firm, and healthy thigh. “The Blazing Ice Viper, which was originally going to awaken in the Darkwater Forest, will now awaken elsewhere. Rest assured.”

nSeraphina’s cheeks flushed, and she instinctively tightened her thighs, attempting to appear unembarrassed. Clearing her throat, she said, “I know Ansel is reliable.”

nAnsel glanced at her, chuckled, and withdrew his hand, speaking earnestly, “Of course, how could I let Seraphina down?”

nThe fading warmth from her thigh left Seraphina feeling a sense of loss. Why did Ansel stop touching me? Did he no longer like my legs? If not, why did he touch them in the first place? No, no, what am I thinking?

nAlthough prepared to defy fate, Seraphina’s emotions, after being vented the previous night, did not plunge into a bitter or vengeful state. Instead, they remained as normal as ever. Perhaps it was due to her personality, or perhaps it was because, standing beside Ansel, she feared nothing in the world.

n—Thus, it was not surprising that her mind began to fill with peculiar thoughts. “So, in the end, it’s up to you, Seraphina, to defeat that creature. Do you understand?” Ansel asked.

n“Uh-huh… Huh? Ah! Leave it to me!” Seraphina first instinctively patted her perky chest, then gradually became bewildered under Ansel’s amused gaze. “Wh-What am I supposed to defeat?!”

n“The Blazing Ice Viper,” Ansel replied nonchalantly. “Didn’t you just agree?”

nMiss Seraphina fell silent.

nThe Blazing Ice Viper, a unique etheric creature of the Red Frost territory, was born from the territory’s distinctive etheric flow and appeared once every one to three years. Seraphina had not known about it because it had not appeared in any populated areas, and the forces of the grand dukes of Ironblade and Gray Tower would promptly subdue it.

nAlthough a fourth-stage creature, the viper was extraordinarily powerful under the influence of the Red Frost territory’s etheric flow. Otherwise, the two grand dukes and the revolutionary army would not have needed to expend significant manpower to subdue it.

n“How about it?” The young Hydral looked at the hesitant Seraphina and chuckled, “Are you scared?”

n“I’m not scared!” Seraphina immediately retorted, “This is… this is a reasonable hesitation, alright? The gap between me and that creature is too large.”

nAs she spoke, her voice grew quieter. After a brief silence, she irritably nudged Ansel with her slender, fair thigh. “It was you who told me to think carefully.”

nAlthough there was no need to think about it, Seraphina’s attitude pleased Ansel. “Don’t worry,” he said, patting her head. “It won’t be a match for you.”

nA mysterious ring appeared between Ansel’s fingers, twirling as he moved them. The ring’s design was nearly identical to the snake-headed ring on his thumb but larger and more imposing, exuding a palpable presence and emanating an aura of ferocity and violence.

n“What is this…?”

n“You should be well aware of Wendigo’s words and the events in my memory,” Ansel said with a smile, flicking the ring into the air. “This is the proof of the pact head.”

nBefore he could finish, Seraphina, like a dog watching its owner throw a ball, leaped up and ferociously lunged for the airborne ring. Unfortunately, she grasped at nothing.

nThe half-risen girl clenched her paw several times, confirming she had caught nothing. Annoyed and frustrated, she straddled Ansel and began gnawing at his neck, shaking her head vigorously. She appeared quite angry.

n“I’m not denying you, Seraphina,” Ansel said, tugging at her tender nape to signal her to release him. “It’s just not yet time to give it to you.”

nSeraphina finally let go, carefully wiping away the residual saliva on Ansel’s neck with her sleeve while grumbling, “When will it be time?”

n“About that…” Hydral smiled mysteriously. “It depends on your performance.”

n“…Why are you suddenly being so secretive?” Seraphina asked, deflated. She shook Ansel twice. “Am I not qualified to be your pact head now?”

nHer dissatisfaction was not directed at Ansel but rather her own current strength, which she found lacking. The beast within her soul, craving power, roared with delight and excitement.

nThus, although Seraphina appeared disheartened, she quickly regained her spirits, her eyes alight with pure, rational confidence. 10:39

n“Hmph, just wait until I ascend to the Throne,” she declared, raising her head. “My… spirit is extraordinary, right?”

n“It’s a power even the next emperor acknowledges,” Ansel replied, laughing. “Of course, it’s exceptionally strong. To some extent, it might even rival mine and Flamefeast’s.”

nIn the group of four heroes, the Sky Wolf Emperor’s power was unparalleled, symbolizing absolute martial prowess. During the process of dismantling the empire’s old order, she made the most significant and direct contributions.

nAlthough the future peak Sky Wolf Emperor would still be no match for the emperor in a one-on-one confrontation, she alone could challenge the emperor in the imperial capital and retreat unscathed, nearly on equal footing, with unparalleled grace.

nAnsel’s approval filled Seraphina with immense confidence. While she remained proud of her power, she gradually learned to scrutinize its projection in reality with caution and discernment.

nShe learned not to be arrogant about her unfulfilled potential. Only the abilities Ansel genuinely acknowledged and evaluated would earn Seraphina’s unwavering trust.

n“In that case, isn’t it perfect?” the satisfied girl nodded. “Since I’ll become incredibly powerful after ascending to the Throne, becoming your pact head will surely make me a formidable force!”

n“Indeed, that would be a metamorphosis even I cannot foresee,” Ansel agreed, his hand twitching as if to ruffle the excited Seraphina’s hair but ultimately refraining. He spoke gently, “If you decide to become the pact head after achieving the Throne and awakening your spirit, that would be wonderful too.”

n“How long until the viper awakens?” Seraphina asked.

n“A little over a month. Is that enough time?”

n“More than enough!” The spirited Seraphina confidently waved her fist. “Ansel, just watch me as I smash that creature to pieces!”

nThe young Hydral nodded with a smile, “I’m looking forward to it.”

nBoth Seraphina and Ansel eagerly awaited the coming month. The former anticipated her official rise as a formidable force, standing side by side with Ansel. The latter awaited the victory, the moment when the awakened Seraphina would defeat the Blazing Ice Viper in an unparalleled display, leaving his mark on her—

nThat would be the first time Ansel of Hydral truly defeated fate.

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