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nUnfolding before Seraphina’s eyes, and deep within her heart, was an incredible scene almost indistinguishable from reality. It was like the “crystal image” Ansel had once shown her, but what she saw now was far more real. Seraphina clearly remembered the Count of Red Frost bringing her and Marlina to the grand hall, where scantily clad maids filled the room, and no outsiders were present.

nJust over a month ago, she and Marlina had barely spent a few minutes here before someone hurried in, whispered something in that pig’s ear, and his expression changed instantly, filled with fear and indecision as he looked at them. Then, Seraphina and Marlina were taken away, lost consciousness, and woke up naked on Ansel’s bed.

nNow, the person who had interrupted the Count, the factor that changed everything, had not appeared. The beautiful sisters with snow-white hair and delicate features stood helplessly in the grand hall.

n“Truly… exquisite merchandise.” Said the pig, whose head should have been blown apart by a gunshot from Miss Eula, as he stroked his chin. His smile made Seraphina, watching all these, shudder involuntarily, not out of fear, but disgust.

n“Which of you is the elder sister?” he asked, squinting.

n“…I am, my-my lord,” Marlina replied timidly, raising her hand. “May I ask… what do you need us to do?”

nThe Count’s eyes brightened slightly. “A clever girl, I see. I do like intelligent and beautiful girls. You, come here.”

nMarlina’s body trembled, and she bowed her head, taking difficult steps forward.

nThen—

n“What are you going to do to Marlina?!” The other girl in the hall glared fiercely, her words filled with ruthlessness and threat, almost completely unrestrained.

nIdiot! Seraphina, who was watching herself, cursed under her breath, wishing she could rush into the scene and silence the girl who looked just like her. She knew the man was dangerous, but she couldn’t hold back for a moment. If she spoke like that, wouldn’t it—

n“…Hmm?” The Count exhaled through his nose, his eyes narrowing. “What do I want to do…”

nHis face twisted into a cruel smile. “You, stop.”

nMarlina trembled again and halted.

n“Do you know what to do?”

nThe Count waved his hand lazily. Seraphina hesitated for a second, then roared furiously, her eyes filled with rage: “Bastard! You—”

nShe had barely taken a few steps forward when one of the scantily clad maids rushed out from among them and pinned her to the ground.

n“…Master.” The maid, while restraining Seraphina, looked up at the Count with a slightly surprised expression. “Her strength is extraordinary.”

n“Oh?” The Count’s eyebrows rose, his delight and surprise becoming more evident. “What an unexpected pleasure… So, little girl, did you hide your strength to protect your sister?”

n“Scoundrel… beast… don’t touch Marlina!”

nThe young wolf pinned to the ground struggled and roared, her wild and ferocious appearance no different from a beast.

nSeraphina, who was watching all this, felt an indescribable sense of absurdity and… sorrow.

nIs this… me? This wretched, reckless, foolish girl… is this me?

n“I like this play… Hmm? Why haven’t you moved yet?” The Count turned his gaze to Marlina, tapping the armrest lightly. “It seems you didn’t hear my command just now… Number One, give her sister a little punishment.”

nCrack! The maid restraining Seraphina emotionlessly broke her forearm, and the girl let out a pained howl, her words becoming even more crazed and vicious as she struggled desperately, as if she wanted to tear her opponent apart with her gaze alone.

n“You bastard noble, I will…”

n“Seraphina!” Marlina’s shout interrupted her sister’s words. The plain girl with braided hair trembled all over. “Don’t speak anymore.”

nSeraphina, controlled by pain and hatred, stared at her sister in disbelief.

n“Marlina, you…”

n“I said, don’t speak anymore!” Marlina closed her eyes and screamed hoarsely.

n“…Marlina… Marlina! You—!”

n“Shut up!”

nThe shout came from both Marlina and Seraphina, who was watching everything unfold.

n“Fool!” Seraphina, who was observing her own “fate,” growled furiously. “What are you doing… You’re going to get Marlina killed! Why are you making yourself sound like a victim? Damn it… damn it!”

nIn this mental space, there was nowhere for Seraphina to vent her anger, so she could only curse herself so furiously. If, in her original fate, she and Marlina were to face a fate a hundred times crueler than now, Seraphina could accept it.

nBecause she had already guessed, to some extent, what would happen when Ansel didn’t come to the Red Frost territory and she and Marlina were captured by the Count of Red Frost.

nBut Seraphina couldn’t accept her own stupidity, nor could she accept that the Count of Red Frost in reality had already been shot dead by Ansel, his brain blown apart without any pain. That death was too easy for the beast!

n“Do you want to continue watching, Seraphina?” Ansel’s voice sounded in her ear. “Some things, it’s enough to know the outcome. You don’t need to understand the process…”

n“…Continue.”

nSeraphina stared intently at the scene Ansel had shown her. If this were reality, she might have already bitten through her lips and tongue.

nShe repeated, word by word, with pain and anger: “Continue.”

n“Then, as you wish.” The scene continued to play, and as it did —

nSeraphina, who was numbly watching everything, wanted to strangle herself in the scene countless times.

nWas this the future she would have faced? Was this her?

nSeraphina tried hard to convince herself that it was fake, a malicious illusion created by Ansel. But as she looked back on her experiences over the past month, she realized… that person, that foolish and incompetent girl, was her.

nThe selfish and foolish Seraphina who had never met Ansel of Hydral.

n*

nWithin the conference room, a conversation was unfolding that Seraphina wished not to overhear. “Sir… I believe Seraphina is not yet prepared…”

nPrepared? Seraphina was uncertain of what Marlina meant by ‘prepared’, but she had a vague sense that Marlina was trying to shield her.

n“Not ready yet? Lina, what excuse are you going to use to convince me this time?”

n“Heh… Sir, how can you call it an excuse? Seraphina is both brash and barbaric, she is simply not suited to be favored by you.”

n“But recently, I’ve been increasingly intrigued by her. The process of taming this wild dog should be quite enjoyable. Don’t you think so, Lina?”

nThe female voice fell silent for a moment, then began to laugh lightly and frivolously, “You’re right, it must be quite fulfilling… However, I have a small suggestion, sir.”

n“Oh? Say it.”

n“As you know, Seraphina possesses an extraordinary talent… Although the second stage extraordinary beings are not true extraordinary beings, they still hold considerable value. She’s more formidable than many of your guards, isn’t she?”

n“Hmm… I can’t deny that.”

n“So, you could first utilize her power to handle some matters for you. After all, the more extraordinary beings you can use, the better. After a while, when she believes she has gained dignity and status with her abilities, you can personally take everything away from her. Wouldn’t that be… more delightful?”

n“Heh heh heh… Hahahaha! Excellent idea! What a splendid idea! Lina, I’m beginning to suspect you’re her sister, how did you come up with such a cruel and delightful idea?”

n“Sir… How can you call it cruel? It was Seraphina who made me what I am today, I just want her… to experience my feelings.”

n–>

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