Ravenna has been frequently lost in reminiscence of late.

The words once spoken to her by Ansel echo in her mind, compelling her to discern the extent of deception within them.

Were those promises and affirmations also falsehoods?

“Ansel… I’m so bored…”

In the alchemical workshop, designed for two, an incongruous third party has emerged.

However, judging by the interaction frequency of the other two, it is Ravenna who should be considered the third wheel.

Seraphina, resting her head on Ansel’s leg, rolls about on the couch, declaring her boredom while sniffing Ansel’s stomach.

Ravenna cannot comprehend why Ansel’s first pact head, possibly the most significant in his eyes, would be such a… humanoid animal.

While she cannot deny Seraphina’s strength, but Ansel of Hydral, of all people, least requires power.

If she herself were to collaborate with Hydral, they could usher in a grand era beyond anyone’s imagination. But what could this creature, who rolls around sniffing Hydral’s stomach, possibly contribute?

Fetch toys thrown hundreds of meters away for Hydral?

… Despite these thoughts and her verbal disdain for Seraphina, deep down, Ravenna knows she doesn’t entirely believe this.

Anyone chosen by Ansel must possess unique qualities.

Regardless of how poor her impression of Seraphina Marlowe is, there must be some trait that warrants Hydral’s treatment.

But then…

“Ansel, what exactly are you playing with?”

“Ansel, who is opposing you? Who do you want to fight? Can I join?”

“Ansel, are we to stay here all the time? I fear I might accidentally break something.”

“Ansel, I…”

Screech —

Ravenna abruptly stands, her chair scraping the floor. Seraphina instinctively shrinks back, then turns to Ravenna with a puzzled expression.

“Ansel…” the young girl whispers into his ear, her arm around his neck, “She doesn’t seem to welcome me.”

“It’s not a matter of seeming,” Ansel replies, smiling as he ruffles Seraphina’s hair. “But she can’t do anything to you.”

“Provided she doesn’t interfere with our work,” Ravenna’s voice echoes from the workbench.

“And what if she does?”

Before Seraphina can respond, Ansel raises an eyebrow. “Ravenna, you’ve misunderstood something. I’m not forced to be on the same side as you. I’m here out of kindness to assist you.”

Ravenna remains silent for a moment, then turns to Ansel. “Aren’t you afraid of ruining the image you’ve built in front of others?”

“Why would it crumble?” Ansel laughs lightly. “Is it so hard to shift all the problems onto you?”

“…” Miss Seraphina scratches her head, finding the conversation oddly familiar.

“Moreover, I’ve generously agreed to your request — I will only focus on you, Ravenna.”

“However,” the wicked Hydral gently strokes the soft, firm waist of the girl in his arms, “only during work time.”

Hearing the girl’s suggestive wet sigh, Ravenna lowers her gaze, remaining silent.

Work time… Ansel’s work time is not the same as hers.

Even if she could understand Ansel’s ideas in the shortest time, turning them into reality requires a long process for Ravenna.

And Ansel? He is only responsible for outputting theories and constructs. In theory, this should be as challenging as practical operations, but he always provides clear creative ideas and specific plans for each stage with ease, as if there was no research process at all.

It’s as if he had completely deconstructed and mastered the entire thing long ago, turning it into a perfect masterpiece that drives people mad.

So, every time Ansel explains a stage of the concept to Ravenna, she spends a lot of time experimenting, while he has, well, nothing to do because as soon as Ravenna finishes, he can immediately provide the complete idea for the next stage.

This is just like three years ago, when they were in the simple alchemical workshop in the small basement.

The only difference is that back then, no matter how idle Ansel was, he only had Ravenna to chat and play with, so their relationship was intimate.

But now…

“Peace, Ansel!” A timid whisper echoed in the alchemy workshop, “Don’t… Ah!”

“…”

Ravenna remained silent, continuing her work. The concept of this new “weapon” inspired her, but it also made her sense a certain… danger.

An indescribable intuition told her that she could not continue to research this dangerous thing.

But regardless of intuition, the fact is, if this concept can be realized, it would probably be the only savior of the Tower of Babel at present.

So it must—

“Wait… you’re not allowed…”

The emotional breath and subtle words once again interrupted Ravenna’s contemplation. The woman closed her eyes, took two seconds to adjust her breathing, and when she opened her eyes again, her expression was calm. freeweɓnovel.cm

Control oneself, annihilate emotions, Ravenna was already accustomed to this. As long as it was necessary, she would not be swayed by emotions, let alone in this situation where Ansel was clearly trying to influence her?

“What, are you shy?”

“…You, you’re talking nonsense! She’s not Marli, I, I don’t want…”

“Just cover your eyes, and you won’t see her.”

“Why don’t you cover her eyes!”

“Do you mean that it’s okay as long as she can’t look at you?”

“I—”

“Enough.” Ravenna’s cold voice echoed in the alchemy workshop.

She didn’t turn her head, still staring at the workbench, but her work stopped.

Ansel, who was holding the panting Seraphina, had a slight smile at the corner of his mouth: “What’s wrong, Ravenna?”

“You, you two.” Ravenna, with her back to the two, spoke in a chilling tone, “You’re interfering with my work.”

“Hmm? This doesn’t sound like you, Ravenna.”

Ansel’s fingertips traced Seraphina’s neck, and a slight current intermittently flowed from the collar to the girl’s limbs, causing her to occasionally make a cute whimper like a puppy.

Ansel, still doing as he pleased, said cheerfully, “The old you wouldn’t be disturbed by such a small matter.”

Those deep sea-blue eyes, however, concealed a coldness that Ravenna could not see.

He spoke in a tone of jest that was completely opposite to that coldness, “Even if you see me as a traitor, do you still have any lingering feelings or expectations for me? Just like I said, do you indeed see me as the most special person? Then I am somewhat, hmm… flattered.”

“Ansel… Ansel…”

Seraphina gently nibbled and licked Ansel’s neck, unbuttoned his inner lining with her teeth, then gently kissed his collarbone, murmuring in a somewhat dazed manner:

“Can you stop talking to her… Seri is much better than her…”

–>