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nThe image crystal… Seraphina had only heard of it from her noble “classmates” at the Frost Tower before meeting Ansel.

nIt was an interesting, intricate, and expensive little gadget.

nWhen she rushed out of Ansel’s residence, the slow-witted young wolf realized: She seemed to have no money to get that thing!

nNot only did she lack money, but she also had no connections. This left Seraphina walking down the street with a fluctuating expression.

nWith everything ready, how could she miss such a great opportunity because of a mere stone?

nUndoubtedly, Seraphina is a stupid fool.

nHowever, with her extremely keen intuition, she could always catch a glimpse of inspiration amidst the chaos.

n“Many nobles are afraid of Hydral,” the girl whispered to herself. “So, if the Count of Stoneheart wants to persuade them to oppose Hydral together, he must provide sufficient reasons.”

n“Among these reasons, there might be… the flaws that Hydral deliberately left for the Count of Stoneheart. Otherwise, how could he say that the Count of Stoneheart would understand?”

nBut after thinking about it, she still didn’t know how to get the image crystal.

n“Buying it is definitely out of the question,” Seraphina rubbed her cheeks, squatting by the roadside, watching a gray-skinned puppy wobble past.

n“Using Hydral’s name, they might gift it… Bah! I’m not that shameless.”

nThe second thought arose, and Seraphina pinched her arm hard, her face turning sour.

n“Does that mean I have to… steal?”

nAfter much thought, the not-cunning-at-all young wolf could only think of such an absurd method.

nShe gazed gloomily at the gray-skinned puppy as it came bounding over: “If necessary, instead of stealing from shops, I could steal from those wretched nobles… Hey, don’t eat garbage!”

nThe young girl firmly grasped the back of the dog’s neck, skillfully delivering a resounding slap: “Spit it out! Eating rubbish will make you sick, you stupid dog!”

n“…Wait, rubbish.”

nSeraphina observed the innocent expression on the dog’s face as it regurgitated the garbage, her gaze gradually brightening.

n“Yes, indeed. If I were to steal, why not first test my luck in the ‘rubbish heap’?”

n*

nNight, Manor of Count Red Frost.

nAt the time of the judgment against the Count of Red Frost, all of Ansel’s penalties were directed at the Count himself.

nThe Red Frost Manor was considered the family property of the Red Frost family, not belonging solely to the Count of Red Frost. When the Count’s heir inherits the title, they would also inherit the manor.

nSimilarly, although the Count of Red Frost’s personal property was scrounged, ahem, confiscated, the “family property” in the manor was sealed.

nAs for how this family property was divided… that was another dirty secret of noble politics.

nIt was precisely because of this that the Duke of Gray Tower’s layout in the Red Frost territory was not more severely damaged, and Ansel held the most powerful bargaining chip, allowing their conversation at the Howling Wind Castle to end in a seemingly peaceful atmosphere.

nUnder the cover of night, Ansel stood in the distance, looking at the desolate Red Frost Manor. The Red Frost family was entitled to continue living there, but due to Ansel’s “arrangement” for Saville, they all moved out after the trial of the Count of Red Frost, leaving only the empty manor.

nAnd within it, the incredibly tempting… “family property.”

nAs for why the Red Frost family was willing to do so, on the one hand, it was the tacit understanding and rules among the nobles. When the entire existence of the “family” had not reached the point of absolute desperation, everyone would leave some dignity and not offend each other to death or take everything.

nOn the other hand, when Ansel wanted to do so, it didn’t matter whether they were willing or not.

nMoreover, with the normal guard rotation in place and the Duke of Gray Tower still using these assets to continue his layout in the Red Frost territory, no one would dare to touch the things in the manor from any angle.

nHowever, tonight, not only did such a bold person appear, but… two groups appeared.

n“Has Seraphina arrived?” Ansel, who was alone, suddenly asked.

n“Miss Seraphina is on her way,” Saville appeared behind Ansel, bowing slightly. “However, her handling of her own whereabouts is somewhat… crude.”

n“Have you taken care of it for her?”

n“Please rest assured.” .

nInconceivable to Seraphina, all her thoughts and choices, every possible action… had not escaped Ansel’s consideration.

n— Ansel of Hydral was the person who understood Seraphina Marlowe best in this world, a fact far more profound than the statement itself.

nThrough countless days and nights of repeated research and numerous revisions of plans, under Ansel’s watchful gaze, there was only an irresistible control that surpassed fate itself.

nSuch control manifested in Ansel never being the type to set a plan, sit back with a glass of wine, and watch events unfold with a confident smile, thinking “everything is under control.” In his view, that was not confidence but foolishness.

nIn all his training and planning for Seraphina, Ansel was constantly on guard against any influence that might change the plan, even making adjustments before the influence occurred.

nOtherwise, he would not have borrowed the most special Saville from his father.

n— Among the seven pact heads currently held by Flamelle of Hydral, Saville was the weakest in overall strength and the least capable of ensuring Ansel’s safety.

nHowever, he was the most capable of helping Ansel ensure that all plans were carried out according to his will.

nFrom beginning to end, Seraphina was under his absolute control, only that the young wolf had never realized it.

nIf Seraphina had not found the image crystal during this adventure, Saville would have even directly seized the opportunity to throw it onto her inevitable path.

n*

nAnsel, gazing into the distance at the Red Frost Manor, revealed a satisfied smile, an extremely delightful smile that even Saville could not comprehend.

nOnly Ansel himself knew where his delight came from, and it was not due to his control over Seraphina, but… another matter.

n“Those insects,” the old man’s tone was slightly contemptuous, “are already preparing to infiltrate the estate.”

n“The timing is just right, hehe… Keep an eye on her, Saville.” ”

nYour will.”

nThe butler bowed slightly and immediately disappeared behind Ansel.

nThe only ones who could be referred to as “insects” by a gentleman like Saville, were the absolute opposites of the Hydral. 𝑖.𝘤ℴ𝘮

nAnd the opposite of the Hydral often equated to the opposite of the empire.

nThus, those standing against the empire could only be…

nThe rebels.

nIt was not unusual for rebels to exist in the Red Frost territory under long-term oppression.

nUpon learning of the Count of Red Frost’s demise, they were indeed, in theory, the only force with the courage and reason to take advantage of the chaos and infiltrate Red Frost City to steal the assets of the Red Frost family.

nSo why… did they choose to act at this particular time?

nApplication for the mobilization of Count Stoneheart’s private soldiers— Marlina had been puzzled by this file.

nAfter the fall of the Red Frost family, their sizable private army was forced to disband, and the city defense forces under the Count of Red Frost’s system were in disarray, either switching allegiance or being replaced by other nobles’ men. The city’s defensive strength was significantly weakened, which was the key factor for the rebels daring to infiltrate Red Frost City, a dangerous place where two grand dukes were vying for power.

nThe Count of Stoneheart had submitted an application to Ansel to station external private soldiers in the Red Frost territory to increase the city’s defensive strength.

nMarlina could not understand why Ansel agreed, as it was disadvantageous to him, indirectly reducing his control over Red Frost City.

nBut she did not know that Ansel never cared about such things; who the city and territory ultimately belonged to had no impact on him.

nAlthough the explanation given to Marlina at the time was, “Allowing the Count of Stoneheart to strengthen his forces means that the Duke of Ironblade can further seize the initiative, allowing him to gain more autonomy in the struggle between the two grand dukes.”

nIn reality, Ansel’s true goal was not that.

nIf the rebels who had infiltrated Red Frost City during its weakened defenses had been waiting for the right moment and had not acted, upon learning that a large number of the Count of Stoneheart’s private soldiers were about to be stationed, they would inevitably choose to act immediately. Otherwise, once the troops were stationed, the cost of failure would be too high.

nAnsel only needed to make the security system of the Red Frost estate strict enough to make the rebels feel it was difficult and not dare to act rashly until this day arrived when they had to make their final attempt.

nThus, there were no coincidences or accidents.

nOnly Ansel’s destined and absolute domination.

n“Do not leave a bad impression on the War God who belongs to you, esteemed members of the Revolutionary Army.”

n“Although the first impression may not necessarily determine the outcome, if you don’t start well…”

nHydral chuckled, “Afterward, she may not believe you at first.”

n“Then something might happen that only I would like to see, wouldn’t it?”

nThe shadow of the serpent enveloped the silent manor.

nNo one could escape.

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