Test and Punishment

On the journey towards the safehouse of the Baron of Howling Wind, Seraphina found herself subjected to the relentless adulation of the guard captain towards Hydral, giving her a case of goosebumps. 

The most crucial aspect was that she distinctly felt this flattery was different from the usual platitudes of the nobles towards Hydral; it was sincere, heartfelt, viewing Hydral as the perfect being they portrayed him to be, which Seraphina found utterly unacceptable.

Thankfully, halfway through their journey, others arrived to greet them, and the captain of the small squad, who was but a common captain in the city guard of Howling Wind, was no longer a significant presence. 

Upon news of Ansel's arrival, the relevant welcoming party promptly appeared.

The person who came to greet Ansel was an enchanting housekeeper with a seductive sway to her walk. Her provocatively swaying hips and twisting waist irked Seraphina. 

— Your lord had been nearly assassinated and was teetering on the brink of death, yet you dared to perform such a lewd dance in front of strangers! What a bitch!

"The Baron's condition is currently stable," the female housekeeper told Ansel, "But we still haven't caught the ringleader. Lord Hydral, I deeply regret that you've been embroiled in this..." 

Ansel responded calmly, "That's fine. Now that I'm here, no one will be able to claim the Baron of Howling Wind's life from my hands. You can rest assured, Miss Seram." 

"As for the death of the Baron of Iceberg... I can only express my regret."

The young nobleman quietly sighed, "We were just a step too late." 

Too late, yes... too late. 

Packing, leaving his mansion, and heading to the transportation circle in Red Frost City, it took approximately half an hour.

The reason Ansel decided to depart immediately was that Saville reminded him that, half an hour earlier, both the Baron of Iceberg and the Baron of Howling Wind had expressed their anxiety. 

That is to say, the Baron of Iceberg arrived in the city of Howling Wind, was assassinated, and the Baron of Howling Wind was also targeted, all within a single hour. It was so swift that... it was laughable.

Ansel, the corner of his mouth slightly raised, caressed his scepter, disregarding the seductive housekeeper in front of him completely. 

In his eyes, there was a vision of a future that only he could see, refined from experience, wisdom, and, most importantly, intelligence discrepancy. 

If he utilized this chaos properly, perhaps...

The young man turned his head to Seraphina, who was looking around while carrying her luggage, suddenly picked up his scepter, grabbed the bottom of it, and hooked the sneak head onto Seraphina's collar, pulling the young girl all the way to his side. 

Before the young wolf could react, Ansel whispered in her ear. 

"Seraphina, I suddenly want to give you a test."

"If you pass, I will give you a paid vacation of seven days. You can take Marlinna back to your village to visit your parents and show off your current achievements to your old acquaintances. In addition, I will provide the transcendental elements you need for your training, as usual." 

This statement made Seraphina so happy that she forgot about Ansel's rudeness. She shouted excitedly, "Really - Ah, I know it must be true, so what do you want me to do? Beat up and capture all the assassins?"

The housekeeper, Seram, possessed commendable professional ethics. Without deviating her gaze, she continued leading the way, pretending not to hear Seraphina's words, although the expressions on the surrounding guards' faces were somewhat subtle.

"No, it's a very simple test," Ansel leisurely whispered into her ear. 

"Before we return to Red Frost city, you have to ensure that I don't take any proactive action in battle — not even the simplest form of action, which means using the cannon that Gleipnir transforms into is not allowed."

Gleipnir was the name of Ansel's scepter, which he almost never left behind. Although Seraphina didn't know this, she was very clear about what the "hand cannon" was and had seen the commotion when Ansel fired it. 

Upon hearing Ansel's words, she couldn't help but laugh out loud. It turned out that this was just her regular job! 

As if this guy ever took the initiative in battle!

"You have three chances. After I take action three times, your test will be considered a failure, and you will have to accept my... punishment." 

The young Hydral spat out his tongue, revealing his venomous fangs as he smiled.

The word "punishment" made Seraphina's heart skip a beat. The humiliation of that time made her blood surge, and she felt an unspeakable sense of unease and inclination to retreat.

Yet, it was this inexplicable timidity that made Seraphina extremely irritable—what was she afraid of? Why should she be afraid? If she was frightened now, wouldn't it be admitting that she couldn't even do her current job well? 

Not to mention, the rewards were so substantial!

"Very well, I accept!" Seraphina raised her head, "You just wait to give me my magic crystal!"

Ansel, who had already begun to consider how to "punish" Seraphina, wore an innocent smile, "I look forward to it, Seraphina."

"Hold on, you're smiling so slyly, you wouldn't sneak into a corner and fire three blank rounds, then say it counts ughhhhhh— "

To prevent Seraphina from uttering some brainless remarks and getting a hefty shock, Ansel zapped her before she could speak, showing his well-intentioned concern.

.

The Baron of Howling Wind resided in a castle. Under the guidance of Seeram, Ansel finally arrived at the safe house where the Baron of Howling Wind was currently residing.

Within the web of dark interests constructed by the Count of Red Frost, the Baron of Howling Wind, a tall and robust man in charge of the looting routes around the Red Frost territory, was more of a burly warrior than the corpulent Count of Red Frost. Indeed, the reality was just so.

Heavenly Road Stage Three, the Throne.

This powerful individual who could independently absorb and utilize transcendental powers without relying on rituals and tools, now lying on the bed, catching his breath.

"…Lord Hydral."

As Ansel approached the Baron of Howling Wind's large bed, the man, whose upper body was wrapped in bandages, opened his eyes wearily. 

He looked at the handsome young nobleman in front of him and sighed with relief.

"You're here. I'm sorry, I can't stand up to greet you. But… it doesn't matter anymore."

His eyes were filled with fear, yet also relief.

"You will keep your promise and grant me your mercy, won't you?"

Ansel, leaning on his scepter, smiled and said, "I will, Baron of Howling Wind, but before that… I need to clarify something."

"Who killed the Baron of Iceberg, who wants to kill you—later, I also want to inspect the unfortunate corpse of the Baron of Iceberg."

"Lord—"

"I promised you," Ansel interrupted the Baron of Howling Wind, "Since you have fulfilled my demands, I will grant you the mercy I promised."

"But now, someone has prevented me from fulfilling my promise."

The composed young man spoke softly, yet the Baron of Howling Wind heard thunderous rage from his calm words.

—His anger was real, the Baron of Howling Wind thought.

"For Hydral, this is an unacceptable disgrace," Ansel commented, "So I need to ascertain the truth. After that, I will grant you mercy. But before that, no one can take your life from my hands."

Seraphina, who had no idea what Ansel was talking about, tilted her head in boredom. Without any intuitive warning or sense of hostility, she felt listless and idle.

"Thank you for your… grace," the Baron of Howling Wind managed a smile, "I will do my best to assist."

"Good, your condition shouldn't pose a problem now, I'm going to inspect the body of the Baron of Iceberg first."

Nodding in acknowledgment, Ansel pivoted, readying himself to depart. 

Observing Ansel's imminent departure, Seraphina preemptively spun around and commenced her exit.

Then, in an instant, she was subjected to an immense roar detonating beside her ear. 

"..." 

The young girl swiveled her head in a rigid motion, only to find Ansel maintaining his turned posture, yet his arm leveled backward, and Gleipnir, transformed into a hand cannon, still wafting gunpowder smoke from its muzzle.

The direction facing the mouth of that hand cannon was the area above the shadow cast by the Baron of Howling Wind. 

— There was a "person" who had suddenly appeared, its upper body almost entirely shattered.

There was no blood splattering, no chunks of flesh scattering. The violent aesthetics unique to Hydral disallowed the transformation of murder into such a disheveled state. 

The assassin's remaining body parts that hadn't been blasted apart scattered across the ground like building blocks, a scene of grotesque horror.

"I've said it, Baron of Howling Wind," the young Hydral chuckled as he transmuted the hand cannon back into a scepter, his voice warm. 

"No one shall arbitrarily seize your life any longer. "

"Because I won't permit it."

In the silence, Ansel turned his head once more, raising his index finger to Seraphina. 

The first time.

This was not like the farcical assassination attempt the other day, Miss Marlowe. 

Observing Seraphina, whose expression was even more stupefied than the Baron of Howling Wind's, Ansel laughed merrily. 

Are you prepared to accept your punishment?