Chapter 61: He is the great Hydral![5K]

Chapter 61: He is the great Hydral![5K]

The city of Red Frost, and indeed the entire Red Frost territory, had not seen such liveliness in a long time.

This land, though not inherently barren, had been rendered desolate under the oppressive rule of successive lords. Even Red Frost city, the capital, did not seem particularly prosperous.

However, everything changed from that day onwards.

— The day when a headless corpse was hung at the entrance of a mansion beneath the Hydral manor.

From then on, everything in Red Frost city began to fall into place, everything became orderly. The sanitation conditions in the outer city visibly improved, the crowds and traffic in the inner city gradually became incessant, merchants from other territories waited for opportunities, and the nobles of the north began to reassess this land.

"Red Frost is improving," every resident of Red Frost city would agree.

Even the poorest laborers in the outer city began to harbor hopes for the future.

Raul was a stonemason, a skill passed down through his family. Because his village was becoming increasingly impoverished and the young and strong were gradually leaving, he had no choice but to leave his aging mother and young brother to seek a livelihood.

Even a countryman like him knew that in this ravaged land, Red Frost city, stationed under the Hydral mansion , held infinite hope.

Raul crossed the snowfields and traversed the dense forests with great difficulty, finally reaching this city, which once had a notorious reputation in the eyes of the people of Red Frost territory.

When he entered Red Frost city, he found it incredible.

Not because Red Frost city was majestic and prosperous.

On his way to Red Frost territory, Raul passed through several cities. He had no privilege to glimpse the scenes of the inner city or upper city areas. He, who could only stay in the most rundown inns, had seen all kinds of people, most of whom were either cold and dangerous or dark and numb. This was the appearance of the most bottom-level, hopeless people.

But here, in the outer city of Red Frost... these poor people, who were no different from the poor in other cities, wearing tattered cotton clothes, with vivid frostbite on their hands and faces, and dry, cracked skin, were brimming with a...vitality that Raul could not understand.

It was the kind of vitality that only those who are truly alive and still have expectations for life would show.

They may not be friendly, they may not be happy, but they are truly people who will think about the "future".

To think about this, the most luxurious thing for the poor who could freeze or starve to death at any time.

"Is this... the greatness of that lord?" Raul exclaimed with immense admiration and began to look for a small inn to stay in.

He went around and around, almost running through the entire outer city... but couldn't find a single inn to stay in.

— Because they were all full!

"Don't you know?"

The owner of the last inn looked at the dusty young man with some surprise, "Lord Hydral is going to give a speech in the central square today, the inns in the inner city were full yesterday! Some rich people even had to stay in our shabby inns, hahaha--"

The middle-aged owner cheered heartily, "Long live Lord Hydral!"

In the narrow and dirty lobby of the inn, several guys wearing tattered cotton jackets also cheered, "Long live Lord Hydral!"

"But..." Raul smiled bitterly, "Is there really no place to stay? This weather is not something everyone can bear."

The owner shrugged, "Maybe you can try your luck at the church, the Holy Church may not have much influence in the north, but we still have a church here, maybe the priest will take you in for the night."

The owner's suggestion made Raul overjoyed. Although he grew up in the countryside, he had learned about the church from many people who had returned from outside, and thought it was a good idea.

"Thank you! I'll give it a try!" T

he simple and kind young man bowed slightly to the owner in thanks, then quickly turned and ran out.

"Hey, kid, wait! The big cold wave is coming in a few days, don't you want to book a room in my place now--"

"...He runs fast."

Seeing a potential regular customer gone, the owner couldn't help but purse his lips.

"Hey, Lorca."

Sitting on the old sofa in the lobby, a man in a tattered cotton jacket grinned, "Can you give me a room to get through this big cold wave? My house is too drafty."

"Can you afford the coal fee?" Lorca crossed his arms, "If you don't pay, you might as well die outside."

"You heartless bastard!" The man in the tattered cotton jacket cursed, but soon started laughing again, "I'll bring my own coal, you don't have to worry about it, how about it?"

His friends, who all looked quite poor, started laughing together.

"...What do you mean? You didn't steal from that big shot, did you?" Loka became alert, "Don't think about dragging me down!"

"We heard something big from Lambert, you know, the most well-informed Lambert."

The poor man who should have been worried about his life was so confident and happy, "Want to know? If you want to know, leave a room for me!"

*

Raul entered the spacious church, apprehensively surveying his surroundings.

"Greetings, young man," a deep, amiable voice resonated behind him. "What brings you here?"

Startled, Raul hastily turned around, stumbling over his words, "I... I harbor no ill intentions, I merely—" "

Relax," the black-robed priest smiled. "No thief would cower as you do. Is this your first time in a church?"

"Ah... yes."

Raul's gaze fell upon the pendant on the priest's chest—a serpent biting its own tail, forming a circle.

He recognized it as the emblem of the Holy Church.

"There's no need for formality; we don't demand reverence from everyone."

The priest's voice was soothing. "So, do you require assistance, young man?"

"I..." Raul hesitated, then asked awkwardly, "Might I be permitted to... stay here for the night?"

"Of course."

The priest agreed without hesitation. "Though we have no spare lodgings, God tells me you are worthy of shelter within the church."

Raul was bewildered by the priest's cryptic words but was delighted to have a place to stay. Though unsure of the church's insulation, at least he wouldn't be exposed to the elements.

Moreover, Raul harbored a secret—for certain reasons, he wasn't particularly fearful of snowstorms and frigid temperatures.

Subconsciously touching the pendant on his chest, he bowed gratefully to the priest. "Thank you for your generosity."

"I accept on God's behalf," the priest replied with a smile.

With temporary shelter secured, Raul's spirits lifted. With nothing else to do, he followed the priest, curiously examining the church while inquiring, "Father, is it just you in this vast church?"

"There's also a monk, a nun, and six children," the priest replied.

"However, they've all gone to the central square."

"The central square..." Raul paused, then realized, "Is it because of Lord Hydral's speech?"

"Naturally."

The priest's matter-of-fact tone prompted Raul to nod in agreement. "After all, it's the esteemed Lord Hydral... He's truly an extraordinary figure! I never imagined Red Frost City would be like this, as if everyone has found hope."

"Hope," the priest paused, uttering in a tone Raul couldn't comprehend, "Hope is often merely an illusion crafted by the devil."

"...What did you say?"

Raul's mind stalled for a moment, his expression gradually turning apprehensive.

He didn't want the priest's words to mean what he thought they did.

"Nothing, just a spontaneous remark," the priest chuckled. "

Young man, why don't you go watch the speech? Judging by the time, it should be starting soon."

"What?!"

Raul exclaimed, nearly dropping his luggage. "It's starting? I... I intended to watch it, but I didn't think it would be so soon!"

"Could you please watch my luggage, Father?"

The young man's expression was anxious. After all, who in Red Frost territory wouldn't yearn for the great Lord Hydral?

"Go ahead, and if possible, share your thoughts afterward," the priest took Raul's luggage, smiling.

"God seems to have some interest in this."

*

In the comforting warmth of the carriage, Ansel rested with his eyes closed, his expression serene.

Seated beside him was not Seraphina, but Marlina, clad in a heavy, dark black gown.

"Up until now, nearly ten thousand transient individuals have flooded into the city," Marlina, who had just finished compiling the real-time reports, softly informed Ansel. "According to the intelligence provided by Saville, twenty percent of them are investigators from various factions, hailing from..."

Ansel listened quietly to Marlina's report, occasionally nodding gently.

"Based on the data provided by the patrol team, the crime rate this week has decreased by thirty-two percent. Additionally, the sanitation management of the outer city district has been successfully implemented..."

In truth, Marlina could not comprehend many of the terms in the report. Most of the content was not her own work; she was merely reporting it.

However, she was absorbing all the information and knowledge she could access at a terrifying speed that no one could imagine — Even Seraphina didn't know that Marlina hadn't slept for six days. She had requested three bottles of energy potions and nutrient fluids from Ansel, enough to keep her physically healthy for a whole month without sleep.

"...and finally," Marlina's voice changed, becoming hesitant and heavy.

"The funds you allocated to the nobles of the Red Frost territory have all been returned, down to the last penny."

"It seems our Count of Stoneheart is very punctual," Ansel finally opened his eyes and laughed lightly, his demeanor contrasting sharply with Marlina's. "He's an interesting man, and not without skill."

"...Mr. Ansel," Marlina's gaze dropped, "I know it's late, but could you..."

"Is this your plea, Marlina?"

Ansel turned his head to meet Marlina's gaze.

His tone was gentle and slow, yet firm and convincing. "If what you're about to say is a plea to me, then I will agree."

Marlina, who was looking at Ansel, gradually tightened her grip on her skirt, her knuckles turning slightly white. She moved her lips, but she still couldn't utter the words.

"...No, please forgive my rudeness."

She bowed her head deeply. "I deeply regret doubting your correctness."

"There's no need, Marlina. Confidence is an invincible weapon, but only those who can use it correctly can bring out such an effect."

Ansel picked up the scepter beside him and chuckled. "That weapon is not suitable for me. I am more suited to the doubt you speak of, using it to constantly dissect myself."

Marlina nodded as if she understood. These words, which were equivalent to nonsense to Seraphina, always allowed her to further comprehend and perceive... the greatness of the man she had sworn to serve.

"Alright, I've already heard the cheers of the people."

Ansel stood up, his face lighting up with the warm and approachable smile that the nobles couldn't stop praising.

"It's time to start this speech to unite the Red Frost territory before the arrival of the great cold wave."

In another carriage, Seraphina, who was bored and lying on the seat, sprang up with a "pop" at the sound of the carriage door opening outside, and rushed out of the carriage in a posture that almost kicked the door off.

They were now outside the central square of Red Frost City, a vacant lot heavily guarded by the private army of the Count of Stoneheart. The heavily armored guards exuded a stern and cold aura, clearly not to be trifled with.

Seraphina saw Ansel, leaning on his scepter, calmly stepping out of the carriage. She hopped and waved, shouting, "Hydral! Wait for me!"

The young nobleman who always obeyed her indeed stopped and turned his head to look at her with a light smile.

Seraphina grinned warmly, quickly ran to Ansel's side, and then quickly turned into a face of complaints.

"Why do I have to sit in a carriage by myself? That carriage isn't too small for three people."

"Because I have a lot of things to report to Mr. Ansel."

Marlina also stepped out of the carriage, her voice cold, devoid of her usual gentleness. "You would be a nuisance, Seraphina."

"Hmph, even chatting is considered a nuisance."

Seraphina, surprisingly, had no respect for Marlina as she usually did. She crossed her arms and turned her head away. "Pretentious!"

Their relationship had become like this since Seraphina returned from the Count of Stoneheart's mansion.

The reason was simple. When Seraphina excitedly ran back and insisted on rushing into the study to announce the big thing she had done, despite the objections of Ansel and Marlina...

Marlina slapped her on the spot.

Unlike the impulsiveness of their sisterly quarrel, this slap... contained Marlina's cold, clear anger.

For some reason, Marlina didn't explain the reason for the slap, and the two of them had a big falling out over it. They still hadn't made up.

"Alright, quiet down, Seraphina."

Ansel looked at Seraphina, who had changed into a dignified black outfit and draped a black velvet cloak over it, and nodded in satisfaction. "Did you forget? You're going up there with me."

"Oh... Ah! I know, of course I know!" Seraphina coughed lightly, trying to maintain a "I'm very calm" expression. "Don't worry!"

"You always have to get used to the big scene. This is the first time, so perform well." noVe)lb.In

Ansel patted the girl's arm. "Don't be nervous, just stand behind me. If you feel uncomfortable with so many people, don't look, you can keep your head down."

"I don't want to, that's too embarrassing." The young wolf put her hands on her hips. "Wouldn't that embarrass you? Having a guard who's as timid as a quail would be laughed at."

Ansel couldn't help but laugh, his joy and lightness coming from the heart. "What about you?"

"Me? What about me, I don't show up much."

Seraphina answered as if it were a matter of course. "On the other hand, you're always on people's lips, so you have to be the best!"

"Since you say so, Seraphina."

Ansel responded with a radiant smile to this sincerity. "Then I will be the best."

Seraphina, who was looking at Ansel's smiling face, was stunned for two or three seconds, then shifted her gaze away.

"...Yeah, yeah, as long as you're confident, that's fine. Anyway, I... I'm fine."

"Then let's go, Seraphina."

Ansel turned and walked towards the long corridor formed by two rows of armored soldiers, saying meaningfully, "Let all the people of the Red Frost territory get to know you and me."

Seraphina, who didn't catch the implication, clenched her fist excitedly, waved it vigorously, and expressed her determination to Ansel.

At the same time, she turned her head and made a face at Marlina.

Nyah, you'll be so jealous, bad Marlina... It's been so long, and you haven't even apologized. After the great cold wave is over, I'll go home and tell my parents on you!

Marlina just watched Seraphina's face expressionlessly, without any reaction.

It wasn't until her sister turned her head back that she lowered her head slightly and slowly closed her eyes.

She extinguished the last bit of... struggle and pain in her eyes.

When she raised her head and opened her eyes again, all that was left was bone -chilling rationality.

Unaware of the emotional changes occurring within her sister, Seraphina followed Ansel intently, her mind preoccupied with other matters.

The human walls formed by soldiers on either side kept the frenzied citizens of the Red Frost territory at bay. Amidst the cacophony of countless voices, Seraphina's world became equally chaotic and frenzied, yet she felt no irritation or anxiety.

On the contrary, she nearly lost herself in the surging tide of adulation, even though the praise and worship were not directed at her.

Her heart thrummed with excitement, and a fervent desire ignited within her chest.

— She was born to bask in the thunderous applause and adoration.

The wild beast hidden deep within her soul roared with exhilaration, resonating with its master in this moment. Unbeknownst to her, Seraphina entered an indescribable state, where the cheers seemed so close yet impossibly distant, deafening yet ethereal.

She felt the extraordinary element known as ether coursing through her body, surging up her spine and into her brain. The boundless power it brought made the young she-wolf yearn to howl.

Just then, Ansel, who walked ahead, whispered softly, "Keep your emotions in check, Seraphina. Don't steal the spotlight... although I wouldn't mind if you did."

"..."Seraphina hesitated for a moment, nearly missing a step.

Oh, yeah, What was i thinking? This is a speech for Hydral, not a time for me to rush forward and throw punches.

As this realization dawned on her, a resentful and angry growl echoed from the depths of her soul, then vanished without a trace. The turbulent emotions within her and the raging power coursing through her body gradually subsided.

She followed Ansel, step by step, onto the central square's podium.

At this moment, the citizens of the Red Frost territory, who filled the square, chanted in unison, "Hydral!Hydral!Hydral!"

Their cries shattered the winter cold, tore through the clouds, and made the earth tremble with their resonance. The howling northern wind reverently carried their calls throughout the city and beyond.

Under the last clear sky before the arrival of the great cold wave, the young man who had saved the Red Frost territory stood tall, bathed in sunlight.

He raised his hand and gently pressed it down.

The noise dissipated, leaving only the gazes of thousands upon thousands of adoring followers.

"Citizens of the Red Frost territory, subjects of the empire. It seems like it's been a long time since I've spoken to you like this."

The clear, gentle voice, now mature and magnetic yet still retaining a hint of youthful timbre, carried in all directions.

Standing on the podium, Ansel leaned on his scepter with one hand and placed the other behind his back. Facing the multitude of citizens, his opening words were akin to greeting long-lost friends.

"I remember the first words I spoke to the citizens in front of my residence on the day I went to the Red Frost Manor."

With a smile on his face, he spoke softly and gently, "I said, 'I have heard your voices.'"

"Then, I executed the Count of Red Frost, your former lord."

Ansel gripped his scepter and moved forward, approaching the edge of the platform.

He suddenly sighed, "I regretted it a bit that day."

"Regretted smashing his head, causing trouble for the friends who hung him up."

Laughter erupted from the crowd.

"To be honest, my fellow subjects of the empire," the young noble, who spent most of his days in his study, calmly said, "I am not here to boast about my achievements or to spread my fame throughout the northern lands and the empire."

"Because I don't care."

Ansel's words caused some unrest among the people, but he quickly continued, "I know that some of you may be puzzled, perhaps commoners or nobles."

"They will ask—what are you doing this for?"

Hydralsmiled, "I also know that many more will stand up for me. They will say that I am kind, just, and represent absolute righteousness and judgment, always willing to give everything for me."

He casually pointed to a young man in the crowd, "Would you?"

Ansel asked, and the young man, stunned, stood still for a good four or five seconds before the people around him shook him back to reality.

Overwhelmed with joy, he roared, "Yes! Lord Hydral! Molas Landrad is willing to give everything for you!"

"And you?"

Ansel casually pointed to another person.

"I am too!" This person's excited roar was even louder, "It's my honor! I am willing to die for you!"

Ansel randomly chose several more people, and without exception, they all gave frenzied responses.

The surrounding people, the majority of those on the square, saw no issue with this.

They did not fear the fanaticism; on the contrary, they envied and even resented those who were chosen, envious and resentful that they had the opportunity to express their loyalty to the great Hydral.

"Look, this is what I have gained."

Ansel took another step forward, standing at the edge of the podium. With no hint of excitement in his voice, he spoke with a calm and content tone, "I have gained all of you."

Everything fell silent.

The citizens in the square, buffeted by the cold wind, and the nobles in their warm houses, no one spoke.

Until the first cry, that frenzied, tearful cry—

"Hydral!!!"

And so, the towering peaks crumbled under the force of fanatical devotion, and the calm sea was whipped into a raging torrent by the wish of following him.

Countless people surged forward, the relentless waves crashing against the elite soldiers guarding the base of the podium. They shouted Hydral's name like believers invoking the holy name of their lord, with such devotion and madness.

"Please, remain calm, my fellow citizens."

Ansel gently tapped his scepter, his voice still calm and gentle, "I know that some will still wonder what use there is in having all of you, these ignorant, impoverished, weak, and insignificant commoners."

The people gradually calmed down, once again listening to his speech.

"So, I want to tell them."

Ansel raised his scepter, pointing to a person, "I need you to leave the Red Frost territory and join my domain. Are you willing?"

The same scene played out as before, and the answer was still an almost insane affirmation.

Then, Ansel pointed his scepter to the sky and shouted, "Now, I want to see all those willing to leave the Red Frost territory and follow me!"

In that instant, long, short, frostbitten, delicate and pale, dark and wrinkled, incomplete...

Countless hands were raised high, like a forest of swords, like a sky obscured by dark clouds.

Even some of the soldiers couldn't help but raise their hands halfway.

Ansel laughed heartily, "Now they should know the answer. If all of you, these so-called useless commoners, follow me and leave the Red Frost territory..."

The young man waved his scepter, his passionate voice piercing the heavens, "—then where is the so-called Red Frost territory?!"

Cheers erupted once more, never-ending.

Standing on the podium, Seraphina looked ahead, her eyes and her world filled with only that silhouette.

Her cheeks flushed, she longed to rush forward and mount the man she both loved and hated, clinging tightly to him.

Her chest warmed again, her heart pounding, but the feeling was entirely different from before.

"Hydral..."

Seraphina covered her heart, bowing her head and exhaling a fiery breath.

*

"...Ansel," a voice echoed in the opulent room where a group of nobles sat, their gazes fixed through the window on the young noble who seemed to command the entire world.

"This... monster," one of the nobles, his hand trembling as he held his teacup, spilling tea all over the floor, stammered, "He is a monster, he is... a devil!"

"A devil?"

Count Stoneheart stared at the figure bathed in sunlight, his eyes filled with a mad fascination.

"No, he is not a devil, absolutely not," he gritted his teeth, not out of fear, but to suppress the trembling excitement that was almost overwhelming him.

"He is... a god!"

On the podium, Ansel's voice grew louder and more impassioned. Standing at the edge of the stage, he was no longer the elegant figure he had been at the beginning. This was not a performance to conquer anyone, it was a kind of... uncontrollable catharsis.

From the moment he survived the most desperate hell, the existence known as Ansel of Hydral had a purpose worth sacrificing everything for.

Starting from the age of ten, he locked all the advanced knowledge he had seen, all the grand scenes he had witnessed, into the prison of his memory. He began to mingle with the self-proclaimed great nobles, picking up and learning the stupid rules he had once despised, following those old, stale, and rotten things day after day, year after year.

Because he knew that the path he wanted to take, the things he wanted to do, were destined to be full of thorns and sacrifices, not just in terms of tangible things, but even abstract concepts—freedom, future, self, conscience... If he couldn't even do such small things, how could he sacrifice bigger things and face a more brutal reality?

So he did it, for six years, without a single flaw, he became the perfect gentleman praised by the nobles, and he got many things he needed.

Until now, at this juncture, even if he revealed a little of his true nature, it didn't matter. Ansel decided to give himself a chance to indulge.

—This was a decision he would never make in his usual days.

"I know, none of you were born wanting to live in a dilapidated old house, none of you want to grow up only to wear patched clothes, none of you want to endure hunger and cold, none of you want to be so miserable and meaningless, trampled by others, and then die."

Ansel looked at the restless commoners, his voice suddenly calm.

"But I won't say—just work hard, and everything will change."

"I won't say, there are many opportunities in this world, it's you who are willing to fall, never to advance."

"I know fate is ruthless, yes, I am very clear—"

"Fate... is ruthless."

Young Hydral lowered his head slightly, the veins in his hand holding the scepter bulging.

"That's not something you can resist just because you want to."

"Yes, let's just say that."

He raised his head again, the fire in his eyes burning fiercely and madly, making some people extremely fearful, as if they would be burned to ashes in an instant, and making others even more fanatical, willing to throw themselves into it, voluntarily becoming firewood, only hoping that the fire could burn through the sky!

"Let's say, I'm using you—"

The madness in Hydral's bloodline took the upper hand without any restraint, the humble and polite Ansel who usually treated people kindly disappeared, only the beast that had cut off eight heads and sought life from death, showed its fangs to the sky!

"Let's say, with this, I declare war on that damned fate!"

"If it summons the Grim Reaper, wants to take all your lives through the cold wave, I will make you live to spit on its malice and baseness!"

"Citizens of the Red Frost territory, citizens of the empire, all followers who are willing to believe in me—"

The monster, who had lost his sanity and was flowing with the blood of madness, roared:

"If fate makes you kneel, you should respond to it in my name—I will never kneel!"

"Because Ansel of Hydral commands me to stand up!"

After the roar that spread throughout the city of Red Frost ended, there was a long silence.

No one spoke, no one dared to speak again, whether they were fanatics, or those who called him a devil or a god, no one dared to say even a word, make a sound.

Ansel staggered back a couple of steps, somewhat drained, he used his scepter to support his body, after a brief silence, he bowed slightly:

"This is all of me, all of Ansel of Hydral."

He turned around without hesitation and walked down the podium.

The rational him savored his mad declaration just now, and couldn't help but chuckle.

It was... unfortunate.

Just at this time, just at this moment, just at this node, he made such a speech in such a fierce and fanatical manner.

Fate, which had not been able to successfully interfere with him for a long time, gave a nearly fatal blow while ignoring him.

How should he, who had made such a passionate and generous speech from the heart, continue with the plan? If he didn't do it, the preparations he had made before would be wasted, if he did—

How should he face his own heart?

"Do you think... you can defeat me like this?"

Hydral clenched his scepter, the dark light in his pupils... seemed to be able to swallow even himself.

"Ansel!!"

An excited cheer came from behind Ansel. Just as he stepped down the stairs and was at a corner where no one could see him, Seraphina, like a koala, rushed over and hung on Ansel.

If it weren't for her perfect control of strength, the consequences would be hard to say.

"You were so cool! You were so cool just now! Especially the last sentence!"

Seraphina rubbed her face against Ansel's neck, "I knew you must be a good person, you are the best! You are the best!"

"Seraphina, calm down, you'll be seen."

Ansel grabbed Seraphina's wrist, a warm feeling rising in his heart.

"I don't care, let them see, what if they see!"

Although she said so, Seraphina very rarely complied with Ansel's wishes and got off him.

"Tell me about your past stories when we get back!"

The girl with rosy cheeks and bright eyes said, "It must be interesting, very amazing, otherwise how could you be so powerful at this age!"

Past stories...

Interesting... right?

Ansel chuckled softly, under that fake smile, the hesitation that had risen in his heart was completely destroyed.

That was really, too interesting, so interesting that even today, every time I think about it, I laugh.

Yes, what is there to hesitate about? From that moment on, he was ready to sacrifice everything.

Ansel of Hydral was never a good person, the thing called conscience was probably the first thing he sacrificed.

So he is the biggest villain in the empire.