The reason they did not participate in the battle was simple: firstly, it would have heightened Ephesande''s vignce, increasing the instability of the situation; secondly, in Ansel''s eyes, the safety of melle and Annelisa was paramount.


    Who could guarantee that fate wouldn''t y another trick? Thus, their sole mission now was to protect melle and Annelisa at all costs.


    Although they had lost the power of the pact head, they were free from the Abyss''s influence. While they were no longer the invincible powerhouses and were no longer able to crush any fifth-stage extraordinary beings as they once were, they remained among the top-tier strong.


    Focused on being "reasonable", fate, no matter how much it wanted to kill melle, it was impossible to harm him under the protection of five top-tier fifth-stage guardians.


    As a trade-off, Ansel would lose five powerful allies, but this was a small price to pay for his parents'' safety.


    "Therefore."


    Ravenna floated to the back of the sofa and sat down, extending her small foot wrapped in ck stockings to gently tap Seraphina''s buttocks. Under thetter''s re, she said indifferently:


    "What do you n to do next? If there''s nothing for me to do... I''ll go back to my research."


    "Next, of course, is to handle the affairs within the territory and, well… move the Tower of Babel from the capital to my ce."


    "You!"


    Ravenna''s eyes widened slightly, and Seraphina, who had been stepped on her butt again, shouted angrily, "What are you trying to do, you little dwarf!"


    Ansel, with an expression ofplete justification, said, "Since we''ve already contacted Leiden and the others, it makes no difference to contact Hendrik and his group as well, does it?"


    He smiled and hooked his little finger, "You promised me, Mrs. Monster."


    "..."


    The petite Mrs. Monster''s chest heaved slightly. After a moment of silence, she threw out a "You annoying brat" and floated away.


    Seraphina looked at the departing Ravenna with a puzzled expression and muttered, "What a mysterious idiot... Ah, Ansel! Are you nning to handle political affairs next?"


    "Would you like to join me?"


    Understanding his wolf girl''s clingy nature all too well, Ansel smiled, "Thene along. I''ll first familiarize you with the manor."


    He took the hand of Seraphina, who had joyfully jumped off the sofa and bounced over, and said gently:


    "From now on, this will be your home."


    "Hehehe... Ah!"


    Seraphina, who had just started tough foolishly, suddenly let out a strange cry because she saw a blurry head suddenly peek out from behind Ansel''s shoulder.


    "And what about me?" Ravenna, who had somehow returned and was now pretending to be scary, said in a ghostly tone.


    "I thought you were going to care for your own business."


    "Watching over you is my business."


    The phantom solidified into a physical form, and Ravenna lightlynded, holding Ansel''s hand with an air of entitlement.


    "Let''s go," she said indifferently, "Show me my new home."


    Seraphina almost grabbed Ravenna''s cor on the spot, but after thinking it over, she restrained herself.


    How could she always lose control because of this little dwarf!


    I, Seraphina, am already a mature woman!


    Clearly, the great "defeat" she faced after blindly joining the fray due to Ravenna''s provocation that night had taught Miss Seraphina a lesson.


    Holding Ansel''s arm, Seraphina snorted lightly, no longer paying much attention to Ravenna''s actions, and instead asked:


    "Ansel, Ansel, where is Marli now?"


    "Working in the administrative building outside the manor."


    "...Eh?" Seraphina was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ansel with great anxiety, "Ansel, you... you won''t me Marli for noting to the imperial capital with me, will you? She''s just an ordinary person, she couldn''t help it!"


    Ansel couldn''t help butugh, "Who told you I would me her for such a thing?"


    "But..."


    Seraphina thought for a moment, realizing that Ansel indeed wasn''t that kind of person, which made her even more confused.


    "But isn''t Marli your... secretary or something?"


    The girl scratched her head, "She''s supposed to stay by your side and help you handle matters. Why don''t you let Marli stay by your side anymore?"


    "Because cing Marlina there is beneficial for her growth," Ansel answered leisurely.


    "Oh... I see!"


    Seraphina didn''t think further, her eyes sparkled as she asked, "Then can I go find her? If I go on my own, will it trouble you, Ansel?"


    Ansel ruffled her hair, "What are you thinking? You can go anytime."


    However...


    The young Hydral added in his heart:


    She might not wee you, though.


    In truth, Ansel cared about Marlina, but not excessively so.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Although Marlina''s talent and abilities were undeniable, in reality...


    Ansel had the least shortage of people like her around him.


    *


    Marlina had been at this administrative building for a week.


    A week ago, still in the Red Frost territory, she finally received Ansel''s notice to return to the Hydral territory to prepare.


    Without much thought, the girl immediately set off for Hydral.


    But as soon as she stepped out of the teleportation chamber, she was stopped.


    "Marlina Marlowe?"


    The ones who stopped Marlina were a man and a woman. The man wore a well-fitted ck uniform, with no distinctive features, exuding an air of propriety.


    The woman, on the other hand, wore a gray long coat and ady''s hat. She was tall, with slightly heavy makeup, and her light ck eyeshadow gave her a somewhat cold and stern appearance.


    Marlina bowed slightly with grace, "That''s me. May I ask who you are?"


    The woman, with an exceptionally beautiful face, as cold and aloof as a winter lotus, scrutinized Marlina and nodded, "Not bad. Come with us."


    Marlina did not move but responded gently, "Could you please tell me your identities?"


    She smiled serenely, with aposed and dignified demeanor, exuding an inner pride and confidence.


    Marlina was not one to be arrogant due to favor, especially since she had not received much of Ansel''s favor. She was simply proud of her identity in the Hydral territory.


    The man and woman exchanged nces and then simultaneously chuckled.


    "Alright, Ms. Nerilia, you win."


    The man shrugged, "That agreed case is yours."


    "I told you, women understand women better."


    The woman named Nerilia said indifferently, then turned around without looking back, "Alright, Miss Marlina, follow us."


    "Wait... you haven''t told me—"


    "Mind your status."


    Nerilia suddenly stopped, slightly turned her head, and with eyes made even more oppressive by the light ck eyeshadow, cast a cold, chilling nce.


    Marlina, who could converse with numerous nobles in the imperial capital without changing her expression, instinctively took a step back from just one look.


    "Marlina Marlowe... you must understand, you are merely fortunate, never superior."


    The stern woman in the coat left this remark and walked away.


    The man patted Marlina''s shoulder and, seeing her bewildered look, shrugged slightly:


    "Who isn''t just a talent working for Lord Ansel?"


    *