A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 633 Artist and Monster - III

When Hydral resolved to kill the Duke of Reverie, a cataclysmic war that could alter everything might erupt.

After a prolonged silence, the vast hall echoed with the sound of a scepter gently tapping the ground.

"That's better, much better, dear Duke of Reverie."

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The steel colossus, the fearsome hand cannon, the abyssal shadows—all the terrifying manifestations from the young Hydral vanished in an instant, as if they had never existed.

He still stood there with his scepter, speaking in an exceedingly gentle tone: "As long as you acknowledge the truth, as long as you cease these absurd actions... how could I possibly harbor enmity towards the pillars of the empire?"

"I was merely enraged by your presumptuous belief that you could easily quell my fury. Since the esteemed three dukes of Eastport have recognized this... though the necessary price must still be paid, let this matter end here."

He smiled, uttering words that were simple yet perfectly anchored the thoughts in the dukes' minds:

"After all, I am not Her Majesty."

This statement provided clarity to the dukes.

Ansel of Hydral had not changed; he had simply grown, as was expected.

He had acquired formidable and terrifying power, and in the absence of the Empress and Flamelle, it was only natural that he would not tolerate mere dukes thinking they could placate his wrath. It was entirely logical. If it had been the Empress, she would have annihilated the families of the three dukes without leaving a single survivor.

But Ansel did not take lives, and that, fittingly... posed no issue.

He was always the outlier among the Hydrals, an anomaly among the divine species. Though the term "merciful" could never be applied to a divine species, it somewhat... suited him.

Thus, this was not a display of weakness, and at this moment, no one perceived Ansel as weak.

For he was Ansel of Hydral.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

*

At this point, the Duke of Azuregold's thoughts broke off again.

"No... but Ansel of Hydral is exactly that kind of person."

The man held his head and muttered to himself, "He is indeed the type to slowly explain his motives to others, methodically clarifying everything from a superior position. That's not a lie."

—But what if it is a lie?

This thought abruptly flashed through his mind.

Under normal circumstances, the Duke of Azuregold would never entertain such thoughts. Who could maintain a false persona from the age of seven or eight, nine or ten? It seemed impossible and baseless. However, given the necessity to consider all possibilities now, the Duke found a sliver of "rationality" in pondering this scenario.

"If this is all a facade..."

The very thought made the Duke of Azuregold tremble.

"As the inheritor of divine power, could he have, in his childhood, begun such a long-term preparation and groundwork for a moment in the future?"

After that meeting, those who harbored ill intentions towards Hydral would undoubtedly retract their ambitions completely. Hydral would enjoy an extended period of stability, during which he could accomplish an immense amount.

Everyone believed Hydral possessed an extremely terrifying trump card, fearing no one. Even though he had the power to kill directly but chose not to, no one found it suspicious!

Creating a flawless image in the eyes of others, just to leverage it at an uncertain point in the future—could it be possible?

Strategies exist to compensate for the lack of strength... Reconsidering this phrase now, it was practically Hydral mocking those fools.

They thought Hydral had enough brute force and didn't need stratagems, but in reality... he was the one truly manipulating with cunning!

"Ansel of Hydral."

The Duke of Azuregold leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply and helplessly.

"What kind of monster are you?"