Volume 2

Chapter 25 : The Snake, the Sisters, and the Rat’s Journey to the Imperial Capital

With Ephithand’s game concluded, the transfer of the Babel Tower and Flamel’s arrival, the atmosphere in the Imperial Capital had grown somewhat eerie.

Though most people’s lives remained unchanged, for the transcendent beings at the top, a single misstep could see them swallowed and torn apart by the surging undercurrents, leaving no trace.

“Mr. Anselm.”

Marina, looking hurried, approached Anselm, who was dining, and whispered a few words in his ear.

“…I see.”

Anselm set down his knife and fork, wiping his mouth with a napkin, “Tell them the population from Mirror Lake Territory is sufficient for now. The Hydra territory doesn’t need expansion. As for his other assets…”

The young Hydra pondered for a moment, then chuckled lightly, “I’ll discuss it personally with Her Majesty.”

“Yes, I understand.” The girl bowed slightly, preparing to leave briskly, but Anselm caught her wrist.

“Sit down and have lunch first,” the young Hydra said.

A maid standing in the corner of the dining room quickly departed, and Marina hesitated briefly before obediently sitting beside Anselm.

Lady Elnilisa, who had been chatting with Anselm and barely touched her lunch, turned her gaze to the refined, elegant girl, who could easily pass for a grand duke’s daughter.

“You’re… Marina?”

The mature Hydra lady propped her chin, her eyes glinting, “Little Hitana’s sister, the girl helping Anselm now?”

“That’s me, Madam.”

Marina stood, curtsied to Elnilisa, then sat again, lowering her head respectfully, “It’s an honor to be remembered by you.”

“Oh, our family isn’t too particular about that. Only Anselm… well, if you’re used to it, that’s fine.”

She leaned forward slightly, curious, “What were you two talking about?”

Before Marina could answer, Anselm said calmly, “The Sainthue family’s title has been stripped, and Grand Duke Sainthue himself has been executed. Her Majesty asked if I want to merge his territory and people into the Hydra’s domain.”

As the Empress’s appointed overseer of mechanized armor production, after such a major issue with the project, the unfortunate Grand Duke Sainthue became the Ether Academy’s most suitable sacrificial lamb.

“Grand Duke Sainthue… Nakisai?”

Elnilisa paused, then sighed, “He’s dead, just like that? He was a capable man.”

With the Hydra and Sainthue territories both in the southern region, they had occasional dealings and Elnilisa had some impression of the shrewd, tactful grand duke.

“He’s dead…” the woman murmured, a touch of sorrow in her voice, “The south is going to get chaotic.”

In the twilight of Ephithand’s reign, the Empire’s political landscape could only be described as a mess.

The information erosion from the abyss made her erratic and emotionally unstable, granting and revoking titles on a whim.

Hiding within the Source Flame to resist the chaos eroding her soul, she rarely engaged in governance.

While the grand dukes wouldn’t openly wage war, the chaos and collapse of order were only a step away from actual conflict.

The northern region, with only two grand dukes and harsh living conditions, was somewhat stable.

The eastern port, rich in resources and the only route to the other side of the Tianlu Mountain Range, saw three grand dukes vying openly and covertly.

The western kingdom, a paradise for adventurers, had four grand dukes on the brink of outright military conflict.

Even in the southern region, where the Hydra territory lay, the three grand dukes—now two—were at odds, only restrained by the terrifying magical beast lurking there.

The calmest region was likely the central Empire, where the Empress and the last grand duke resided.

The final grand duke, chosen from the Empress’s generation of royal siblings, served as a way to anchor the Empress’s humanity, offering the royal bloodline—those without divine aptitude—another path, so procreation wasn’t solely for the one with potential.

But most imperial descendants showed little interest, as their lives were predetermined from birth—mere footnotes to their divinely gifted siblings.

Not only the Empress but even most grand dukes disregarded them.

Decades of silent oppression from the Empress, siblings and other powerful transcendents had long extinguished their ambitions.

Only the younger royals still harbored ambitions for power, some even entertaining treasonous thoughts.

“It’s been a while since I left the Imperial Capital.”

Elnilisa sighed sadly, “I wonder what the Empire’s like now.”

“When was the last time you traveled with Father?” Anselm asked, unfazed, as he accepted Marina’s meal from the maid.

“Two months… ugh!”

The beautiful Hydra lady clapped her hands over her mouth, then huffed, “How could you trick me, Anselm!”

“I was just asking.”

“I told you I’ve never left the Imperial Capital!”

“I don’t believe Father would leave you here.”

“…” Elnilisa propped her chin, turning away unhappily, “Mel’s too predictable. Boring.”

“You’re no different, Mother.”

Anselm shifted his gaze from Marina’s slightly flushed profile, meeting his mother’s eyes calmly, “You can’t fool me, so don’t add to your frustrations.”

“What’s wrong with frustration?”

The woman suddenly smiled, as if her earlier displeasure never existed, “It doesn’t mean I can’t be happy… Anselm, you’re playing along with me, aren’t you? Hehe.”

She reached out, poking Anselm’s cheek.

His body stiffened slightly, but he didn’t pull away.

“But… don’t treat me like a child. If you’re bored, you don’t have to bother with me. I don’t want to be seen as an annoying, troublesome woman.”

Elnilisa crossed her arms, speaking earnestly, “A mother needs that kind of self-awareness.”

“I’m deeply touched,” Anselm sighed, “If only you could remember that in ten minutes.”

“You’re such an annoying kid!”

Marina quietly observed the indignant Elnilisa and the slightly helpless Anselm, a smile creeping onto her face as she ate silently.

For Marina, in this absurd, dark world, her family was her only solace.

Familial love was the purest, selfless kind, the root of why Marina sacrificed so much for Hitana, having felt that love from her sister and parents.

She always felt Anselm bore an unspeakable burden, and though she wanted to share it, her status held her back.

As merely a secretary executing Anselm’s orders and handling paperwork, she had no right to speak her heart like Hitana.

But seeing Anselm find support and solace was enough to make Marina happy and fulfilled, even if she wasn’t the one providing it.

Still… Mr. Anselm seems to keep some distance from Madam, though he doesn’t strike me as someone who’d chat and act spoiled with his parents.

But he’s the same age as Hitana, so that feels… a bit unusual.

No, no, stop overthinking.

Elnilisa undoubtedly loved Anselm and though Anselm kept a certain distance in tone and attitude, his emotions were sincere.

That was enough.

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Father and Mother in so long… Baron Blackwater said a teleportation array was being built at the village entrance.

I should be able to visit them soon.

Thanks to Mr. Anselm.

Things seem quieter lately.

Maybe after my studies, I could take Hitana…

“Marina.”

Lost in increasingly vivid thoughts, Marina jolted at Anselm’s call, nearly dropping her knife and fork.

“I-I’m here. What is it, Mr. Anselm?”

Anselm raised an eyebrow at her odd reaction but didn’t dwell on it, “I’m going to find Hitana. Come find me after you’re done eating. Luen, show Marina the way.”

The maid bowed slightly, agreeing softly.

Anselm rose and left the table, leaving Elnilisa, who rested her head on her arms, tilted on the table, and an increasingly awkward Marina.

“Little Marina,” the now-bored Hydra lady blinked after her son left, “Working under Anselm must be tough, huh?”

“Uh, what?”

The question caught the increasingly reserved Marina off guard.

She quickly set down her knife and fork, wiped her mouth, and said earnestly, “Not at all, Madam. Mr. Anselm is very good to me. Serving him makes me… very happy.”

“Oh~”

A sly smile spread across the woman’s face, “Very happy, huh?”

Marina’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn’t deny it, nodding gently, “Yes, very happy… Ah! Madam, please rest assured, I have no presumptuous thoughts. Just being by Mr. Anselm’s side is enough for me.”

Elnilisa didn’t seem particularly impressed or surprised by Marina’s response, clearly having seen too many girls who were “utterly fulfilled just being near Anselm.”

—After all, such girls were everywhere in the Mansion and the Hydra territory.

But as a mother and wife, she keenly sensed something crucial.

Propping her chin on her arm, she asked with interest, “You’re satisfied now, but… you’ve never given up on the possibility of something more, have you?”

“…”

After a brief silence, Marina nodded, saying softly but firmly, “Yes, Madam.”

“Hmm… There are plenty of girls like you, but I’ve ruled out many. Know why, little Marina?”

The question made Marina’s nerves tighten instantly. Her expression grew serious yet calm, “Please enlighten me, Madam.”

Elnilisa couldn’t help but laugh, “I don’t really like people being overly respectful… but you’re a bit special, little Marina. I actually enjoy being treated this way by you. Alright, I’ll share a secret I wouldn’t tell ordinary girls.”

“Among those girls are grand dukes’ daughters, fifth-tier transcendents’ granddaughters, former darlings of the Imperial Capital. In looks, aptitude, lineage, ability… they’re top-tier in every way. Yet to me, they’re still just ‘ordinary.’ Why do you think that is, little Marina?”

Under Elnilisa’s gaze, Marina took mere seconds to give a serious answer:

“Because for you… no, for Mr. Anselm, anything beyond ‘ability’ and ‘aptitude’ holds no value. And the world never lacks people with ability and aptitude. Unless they possess exceptional worth, like…”

“Like little Hitana,” Elnilisa nodded with a smile, “Well said. Go on.”

Marina gathered her thoughts as Elnilisa interjected, then continued steadily, “So, for Mr. Anselm, the most important quality in a follower isn’t their personal attributes but… the act of ‘following’ itself.”

“Like unwavering loyalty, selfless devotion, or a meeting of minds… only these things are worthy of Mr. Anselm’s—and your—regard.”

Elnilisa’s eyes gradually brightened, but she didn’t praise Marina, instead continuing, “But some girls have these qualities too. They’re no longer ‘ordinary,’ yet I still rejected their attempts to connect with Anselm through me. Why?”

“Because…”

Marina fell silent briefly, then slowly clenched her fist under the table. Meeting Elnilisa’s gaze, she said earnestly:

“Truly loving Mr. Anselm isn’t easy.”

“Mr. Anselm has… a kind of magnetism that makes people fall for him, willing to give everything, even debase themselves, for him.”

“And Mr. Anselm is… please don’t be offended by this, but he’s a very ‘cold’ person. To him, those who succumb to that magnetism and lose themselves for him are failures, no longer valuable.”

The girl’s cheeks flushed as she gave a shy smile, “I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, but… I’m a bit captivated by Mr. Anselm’s coldness. Every time I think about how falling into that magnetism would lead to him abandoning me, I feel both scared and… a bit excited. The feeling of constantly reminding myself, of earning his approval with every interaction, of affirming my own worth… it’s addictive.”

“Because loving someone does require devotion and sacrifice, but if it’s only devotion and sacrifice, it’s not love—it’s just a pitiful, one-sided offering.”

Under Elnilisa’s increasingly delighted and satisfied gaze, Marina’s tone grew more composed and confident, “If those loyal to Mr. Anselm, willing to give themselves up, only stop at devotion… never thinking of standing side by side with him, only wanting to be used by him, aren’t they just… pitiable tools? How could Mr. Anselm love such tools?”

“So… it requires ambition.”

The elegant girl laid bare her ambition to the woman before her, “Not just to take a step further, but to stand with Mr. Anselm, to make him… fall in love with me.”

Elnilisa shed her earlier languid demeanor, leaning back in her chair, chin slightly raised, her beautiful face radiating the dignity of a Hydra lady:

“Then how far does your ambition reach?”

“Contract Head,” Marina said without hesitation, “The most important presence in Mr. Anselm’s life.”

“Even though you’re just an ordinary person now, with no transcendent aptitude?”

“Yes, even so.”

Elnilisa gazed at Marina for a long time, then chuckled, her laughter growing louder, filled with pure joy and delight.

“Well done, little Marina. You’re not one of those ‘ordinary girls’ I mentioned. I like your ambition, and I approve of it.”

“But even so, I won’t help you. I’ll only refrain from blocking your path. Understood?”

“Of course,” Marina smiled, “Love is something you fight for yourself, Madam.”

The woman paused, then pushed her chair back, stood and sat beside Marina.

Under the girl’s bewildered gaze, she hugged her tightly.

“Oh, how wonderful! You two sisters are just too perfect! Where did Anselm find you!”

Elnilisa gleefully pressed Marina against her chest, rubbing her face, “This personality is just too adorable, too likable—exactly like me! Well said, love is something you fight for!”

She released a slightly flushed Marina and began chattering about her own story with Flamel:

“Let me tell you, when I first met Mel, that guy was still rolling around in a pile of women…”

Marina smiled, nodding occasionally, listening intently, sometimes showing a genuine smile.

“…Sigh, Anselm’s getting busier and rarely listens to my stories quietly anymore.”

Elnilisa, satisfied with her tale, held Marina’s hand, gently rubbing it, sighing, “Little Marina, you’re such a good girl. I’m liking you more and more.”

With that, she kissed Marina’s cheek as a gesture of affection and encouragement, waving enthusiastically, “Keep it up, I’m rooting for you! Anselm needs a girl with ambition and brains like you.”

“Little Hitana… She's cute and strong, but too silly.”

“Smart people are always lonely,” Elnilisa said softly, holding Marina’s hand, her eyes lowering slightly. “Anselm is too clever and knows too much… Mel and I are destined not to be with him for long. If we’re gone… he’ll be all alone.”

“He’s already very lonely.”

A mother sighed gently in that moment, “I can’t imagine—don’t want to imagine—what he’d be like even lonelier.”

“When he was little, he used to tell us things… things neither Mel nor I could understand, but they seemed profound, important ideas and topics. He’d complain that we didn’t get this or that, but he’d still talk to us often.”

“But… When did it start?”

A hint of confusion appeared in Elnilisa’s eyes, “When did Anselm start becoming so respectful, so polite to Mel and me… and stop sharing those thoughts with us, with anyone?”

“…Marina.”

The woman gradually tightened her grip on Marina’s hand, repeating in a low voice, “Anselm is very lonely. Even with Hitana by his side now, he’s… still lonely.”

“As his mother, I can feel it.”

“He’s lost… he’s given up something very important to him.”

“If you have the ability, please help him. This is my… request. I’m begging you.”

Feeling the warmth and strength of her hand, Marina met Elnilisa’s gaze and nodded solemnly.

“I will, Madam… I’ll do everything I can to help Mr. Anselm. I promise.”

At this, a smile finally spread across the woman’s face, “Good. A clever girl like you must know how to help Anselm… Oh, when you have time, come shopping with me. I bought so many clothes for little Hitana, and you can’t be left out.”

Marina smiled and nodded, but her heart was clouded by Elnilisa’s words.

Is Mr. Anselm… lonely?

She had sensed the weight Anselm carried but hadn’t considered that he might be lonely, let alone that even Hitana’s companionship couldn’t ease it.

Madam said Mr. Anselm… gave up something important.

What could it be?

***

In the training room of the Notun, Hitana, still sweating from exertion, had changed her clothes.

She looked at the scattered puppet fragments on the floor and shook her head.

“Anselm, it’s no good.”

The girl looked at Anselm earnestly, “Puppets alone are worthless. What I need isn’t just combat, it’s…”

She slowly clenched her fist, exhaling the restless energy in her chest.

The intense training hadn’t calmed the fire in her heart—it had only grown fiercer.

“What I need is… slaughter that lets me devour.”

Puppets with power but no “life” couldn’t satisfy the Beast King’s hunger.

Advancing to the fourth tier required a transcendent to choose an element and master it to some degree, grasping the “Scepter” of rules.

For Hitana, the most crucial “Beast” element couldn’t grow in such an environment.

“If it’s useless, stop dwelling on it.”

Anselm smiled, “Rest well for now. Though you’re immensely talented, Hitana, the path of transcendence is still long. Don’t worry about a few days’ gains or losses. Adjusting your mindset is more important.”

“…You’re right, Anselm. Lina!”

Hitana’s expression brightened.

She turned to Marina, standing behind Anselm, and said excitedly, “Since Anselm’s free for a while, let’s explore the Imperial Capital together! We’ve been here for some time and haven’t properly had fun yet! Elnili—Big Sis Elni dragged me shopping once, but, uh…”

The girl rubbed her cheeks, trying to shake off the lingering fear, “Big Sis Elni’s enthusiasm was a bit… too much. It’s better with you, Lina. At least I won’t be treated like a doll, ugh…”

“That means Mother really likes you. She’s kind to everyone, but rarely this affectionate,” Anselm said, turning to Marina, “You talked with Mother for quite a while before coming here. Mind sharing what you discussed?”

“…Huh?” Marina, still pondering Elnilisa’s words, blinked, then quickly recovered, “Madam asked me… about my feelings for you.”

Seeing Marina’s slightly flushed face, Anselm smiled knowingly, not pressing further, and said gently, “So, want to join Hitana and me to explore the Imperial Capital?”

The girl lifted her skirt, curtsied elegantly, and smiled sweetly, “It would be my honor, Mr. Anselm.”

Hitana, arms crossed, tilted her head.

She glanced at her leather pants and the exposed midriff under her crop top, baring her teeth and scratching her head.

Unsure how to mimic her sister’s graceful gesture, she put her hands on her hips and declared loudly, “Anselm, I want to wear pretty clothes too!”

“Didn’t Mother buy you a lot already?”

“Those won’t do!” Hitana’s face changed at Anselm’s words, “I’m not some little princess!”

The young Hydra looked at Hitana with amusement, “But they’re really pretty.”

“Not as pretty as what you make… Make me something new, please.”

Soon, Hitana, now wearing a black belted trench coat, slipped her hands into her pockets, kicked her thick-soled boots, and spun around, delighted.

“How do I look? How do I look?” Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Anselm and Marina.

“You look great…” Anselm said, stroking his chin, “But it reminds me of something else.”

“Something else…”

Hitana froze for two seconds, then recalled her “trench coat adventure,” her cheeks instantly flushing, “Go die! That’s not what I meant, you jerk, Anselm!”

She turned huffily to Marina, calming only after her sister’s gentle, pleasant praise… or rather, her restless heart settled a bit.

“So, where do we start?”

Eager to go, Hitana led the way, her boots clicking crisply on the Notun’s dim, quiet corridor.

“I haven’t been back in three years, so I’m not too familiar with the Imperial Capital’s changes, but…”

Anselm tapped his cane lightly on the floor, calling out in the empty corridor:

“Laurence.”

“Right here, Young Master!”

As soon as he spoke, a plump gray-black rat scurried out from some corner, standing upright and waving its paw at Anselm, “Need something?”

“Hitana, Marina, and I are going to explore the Imperial Capital. Be our guide for now and take us to some interesting places.”

The rat’s tiny red eyes lit up, “The Young Master actually needs me for something… Awesome!”

It rubbed its paws, patting its chest, “Leave it to me! I know the Imperial Capital like the back of my paw—probably only Peregrine knows it better. I’ll make sure you all have a blast!”

Laurence zipped to Anselm’s feet, glancing at the tall, snow-haired girl and the gentle, long-haired one before nimbly climbing onto Marina’s shoulder, “Let’s see… Let’s start with the black market. It’s the liveliest spot, and you might find something interesting!”

“…The black market?” Hitana said, surprised, “A place like the Imperial Capital has a black market?”

“How could it not? Our Empress doesn’t bother with much. As long as the rules are followed and the surface stays clean, the black market’s just another proper market.”

Laurence spoke with a knowing tone, “It’s just that regular folks can’t get in. Oh, Young Master, should we hide our identities?”

“What’s the fun in going out if we don’t?” Anselm said, patting Laurence’s head, “The black market tickets are on you, Laurence.”

“No problem, leave it to me.”

Hitana kept eyeing the seemingly ordinary, talking rat.

She’d wanted to ask about it during the meeting with Flamel and the other Contract Heads but held back due to Flamel’s presence.

Now, with the chance, she couldn’t resist, “Um, Mr. Laurence.”

“Just Laurence is fine,” the rat waved a paw, “What’s up, Miss Hitana?”

“I was wondering… which Contract Head are you?”

“Head of Devouring,” Laurence bared its teeth dramatically, “The ‘Devouring’ that eats stuff. Scary, huh?”

Hitana couldn’t help but laugh at the rat’s cute display, barely stifling it under Marina’s sharp gaze, coughing lightly, “So, um… What does the Head of Devouring do?”

“No harm in telling you. You’ll meet your fellow Contract Heads eventually, so knowing a bit now is fine.”

As the trio and rat headed toward the Notun’s teleportation array, Laurence chatted, “The ‘Head of Devouring’ represents the ‘Beast’ element of the Hydra—control and consumption of life. The ability’s simple: eat someone’s power and use it myself.”

Laurence spoke casually, but Hitana was stunned.

Head of Devouring, Beast element, consuming and seizing others’ power…

Why didn’t I pick that ring back then!

The girl looked enviously at Laurence on Marina’s shoulder, “If only my other Contract Head power was the Head of Devouring.”

“That wouldn’t be good.” “I don’t think that’s necessarily a good thing.”

Anselm and Laurence answered simultaneously.

“…Huh?” Hitana looked at them, confused, “Why not? Didn’t you say, Anselm, that my strongest element is Beast…”

“Have you forgotten what ‘Beast’ is?” Anselm gently ruffled Hitana’s hair, “It’s the unyielding obsession of life, refusing to bow to anything. If your essence touched the Hydra’s Beast element, it wouldn’t be fusion—it’d be a fight to the death.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Laurence nodded, “When you fought Tyr, I felt it… that hair-raising vibe. Kinda dangerous.”

“The Young Master’s eye for talent is spot-on,” it said approvingly, “To make even the Hydra feel threatened in the ‘Beast’ element means you’ve got the potential to rival the Hydra in that aspect, Miss Hitana!”

“But it’s weird. You’re a normal human, so how do you have such a strong Beast element…”

Laurence was puzzled but, seeing Anselm’s calm expression, didn’t press further.

The Young Master surely knows everything, no need for me to say more.

Its next job was to be a dutiful guide, ensuring the Young Master and his ladies had a great outing!

Speaking of… isn’t the black market in chaos over faction disputes since Grand Duke Sainthue’s death?

Whatever, not my problem. I’m just an innocent rat leading the way.

If you folks blindly stumble into trouble and end up forcing the Young Master to take over the black market…

That’s got nothing to do with this rat.

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