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nThe Count of Stoneheart’s eyes narrowed slightly, the other nobles were silent, but they had already started to calculate in their hearts.

nBut those three foolish nobles didn’t have the leisure to think so much, they just kept thanking and praising Ansel’s mercy.

n“Since Baron Herewood says he is willing to give up everything.”

nHydral stroked his scepter and smiled harmlessly:

n“I think this proposal is very good.”

n“Your territory, your subjects, your wealth, your everything — I need these things to belong to the Revolutionary Army, hmm, the other two are the same.”

nIn the silence, Ansel said cheerfully, “In these four days, I have conducted a key investigation in the Red Frost territory and found… this is indeed a very suitable land for the growth of the Revolutionary Army.”

n“I think it’s time to give these eager spectators under the stage some opportunities to perform.”

nThe Count of Stoneheart opened his mouth. He wanted to say something, but he remained silent.

nHe had no idea why Ansel was doing this, but one thing he knew very well — that is, Ansel’s considerations must be far more long-term than his own, and any doubts about Ansel are stupid.

n“But, I, this…”

nBaron Herewood squeezed out a smile with great difficulty: “Even if, even if I really give up, those rats in the sewers of the New World… wouldn’t dare to occupy the noble’s territory.”

nThe two grand dukes of the northern lands seemed, on the surface, to be unconcerned with the activities of the Revolutionary Army, allowing them room to grow in the region. However, should the self-proclaimed “New World” revolutionaries overstep their bounds, such as brazenly attacking cities and plundering territories, the elite forces under the command of the two grand dukes could annihilate them within three days, or so the nobles believed.

n“Such matters are no longer your concern.” Ansel said, his smile unwavering. With compassion, amiability, and tolerance, he gazed down upon the haughty nobles in his domain, his voice gentle: “You need only consider whether to accept my benevolence…”

n“Or bear the consequences of betraying my trust.”

nBaron Herewood, terrified, met those deep azure eyes. In that instant, he seemed to glimpse his own future: not dead, but drained of all value, no longer worthy of being called “human.”

n“Thank you… thank you for your mercy, your grace…” The villain, despised and cursed by countless commoners, wept and kowtowed incessantly before Ansel. His gratitude was genuine.

n*

nUpon returning to his manor, Ansel reclined on the plush sofa in the lounge, while Eula stood behind him, gently kneading his shoulders. “You ought to rest, young lord,” Saville murmured softly, “You’ve expended a great deal of energy these past four days.”

nAnsel couldn’t help but chuckle, “Saville, you underestimate me.”

n“No, but—” Saville opened his mouth to protest, but ultimately shook his head in resignation, “I support all your decisions, but your recent work has been rather excessive.”

nHe looked at Ansel earnestly, “I can assure you, your father was no different from most of the other nobles before he had any pact heads, not like you are now…”

nAnsel raised his hand, signaling Saville to stop. “What my father was like is irrelevant to me.” freēwēbηovel.c૦m

nThe young Hydral half-closed his eyes, speaking softly, “I am simply doing what I must.”

nThe old man fell silent, no longer speaking. Even now, he was unsure of what was driving Ansel forward. His father was the greatest alchemist in history, his family, the Hydrals, could crush any enemy. In this world, he could command as many as seven fifth-stage beings, second only to a handful of sixth-stage beings. Even the great empress on her throne looked upon him favorably. Saville couldn’t understand what his young lord was thinking, what he was anxious about… Perhaps the trauma from when he was ten years old still hadn’t healed, but why, at this age, was Ansel still like a monk among nobles? Even his so-called “indulgences” were merely playing with women, and he was even overly gentle. “However, driving that big fellow away was indeed tiring.”

nAnsel tilted his head back slightly, and Eula, ever considerate, raised her hands to massage his temples. “Trying to control it without a pact head was indeed too much.”

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n“I hope Miss Seraphina is worth all this effort,” Saville sighed. “She is definitely worth it.”

nAnsel confidently raised his eyebrows, as if showing off a precious treasure, “She is the best, well… one of the best.”

nThe young man turned to look at the silent Marlina, “Don’t you agree, Marlina?”

n“…Seri’s talent,” the young girl lowered her head, “I don’t understand the world of extraordinary beings, but I think, she should be… very strong.”

nShe hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, “Mr. Ansel, I—”

n“By the way, Marlina, what do you think was my intention when I spoke to you before entering the reception hall?”

nAnsel’s sudden question interrupted Marlina. The girl was taken aback, and after careful consideration, she answered seriously:

n“Compared to the explicit requests, fulfilling your ‘hidden’ thoughts is obviously more valuable, more pleasing to you, and more proof of the nobles’ loyalty to you.”

n“So, you deliberately mentioned these things to me. The nobles who heard those words will put two hundred percent of their energy and investment into rebuilding after the disaster in Red Frost City and helping the civilians of Red Frost City, because this is the result they think they have figured out.”

n“They will even rush to do this, so… compared to you directly proposing at the meeting, it is more efficient for the nobles to take the initiative to do this, and it will not waste your resources.”

nAnsel laughed heartily, “Your progress is becoming more and more obvious, Marlina. I told you, you have talent not inferior to Seraphina, isn’t it obvious?”

nMarlina smiled shyly, she seemed to only show this expression in front of Ansel, “You flatter me… no, thank you for your recognition.”

nShe bowed slightly to Ansel, her eyes burning like fire. It doesn’t matter, even if I’m not an extraordinary being, it doesn’t matter. Now, I can also help Mr. Ansel, I have value… just like Seri. *

nAt this moment, after a long journey. The weary wolf finally returned to her hometown.

n*

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