A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 324: Ansel’s Gift - Five (I)

Upon crossing the threshold of the blood-flame portal, Seraphina was utterly transfixed by the vista that unfolded before her.

The horizon was cloaked in a verdant expanse of foliage, with dense canopies obstructing the sunlight, casting a somber shadow over the jungle. Vines and creepers clambered over the trees, intertwining with the underbrush on the ground to form verdant barriers.

The fresh scent of wood mingled with the fragrance of vegetation, filling Seraphina's nostrils. This aroma, distinct yet brimming with the same vibrant vitality, was starkly different from the modest snow forest surrounding her village.

Her heart raced with excitement; this land bore no trace of human intervention, and the wild growth stirred the primal beast within her soul, urging her to explore this new world.

"Such... such a vast forest, and the sky above!"

Seraphina exclaimed in awe and disbelief, craning her neck to take in her surroundings. "How could the outer hall possibly contain it?"

"Her Highness Evora possesses an unparalleled understanding of the essence of space," Ravenna whispered softly.

"Creating such a secluded space is no difficult feat for her. The challenge lies in... crafting such a perfect ecological cycle."

To Seraphina, the former was more astonishing. She couldn't help but ask Ravenna, "But, is a fifth-stage truly that formidable?"

Ravenna paused for a moment, then adjusted her glasses with a calm tone, "Miss Marlowe, it seems your time with Ansel has led to some misconceptions about those of the crown stage... extraordinary beings."

"To ascend to the [throne] is to perceive and manipulate the essence; to wield the [scepter] is to touch and control the rules; to don the [crown] is to govern the extraordinary, to dominate the essence."

"Reaching the crown signifies that, in one or multiple essences, the extraordinary being has reached the pinnacle that the Heavenly Road can accommodate.

The Duke of Luminaris, who was executed by Her Majesty as well, could theoretically obliterate a city the size of the capital with a single strike using forbidden magic at full power, and Soren Canaster, who can effortlessly manipulate the very essence of an extraordinary being's soul—even after the soul has merged with the body from the third stage onwards—without causing the slightest harm, should he choose to."

Under Ansel's protection, her life had become so comfortable that she had grown complacent about broadening her horizons.

Ahhhhh! Birthdays should be joyous occasions. Ansel already prepared such a surprise for me; I should be happy. Why am I dwelling on these thoughts?

Seraphina stamped her foot, shook her head vigorously, and cast her gloomy thoughts aside... Ansel might be watching from somewhere; she couldn't let him think she was unhappy.

Although she thought this, Seraphina etched the shock and clarity of that moment firmly in her mind.

"Ravenna... Ravenna?" she called out.

Receiving no response, Seraphina turned to look at Ravenna, who was lost in thought, and asked with concern, "What's on your mind?"

Ravenna snapped back to reality and, upon meeting Seraphina's dark crimson eyes, quickly averted her gaze, murmuring apologetically, "I beg your pardon, Miss Marlowe, I was just lost in thought."

"Hmm... Ah, I was also thinking something, it's nothing," Seraphina replied, scratching her cheek and observing Ravenna, who seemed reluctant to meet her gaze.

After hesitating for a moment, she added awkwardly, "You,You needn't call me as Miss Marlowe; I'm not used to such formalities. Just Seraphina will do."

"... Very well, Seraphina," Ravenna nodded in agreement.

Having regained her composure, Seraphina slapped her cheeks, refocusing her attention on the vast and unknown world before her.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and a smile of eager excitement spread across her face.

"This is... the smell of life and freedom," she exclaimed.

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