Chapter 86 The End of Childhood - Two (III)

Chapter 86 The End of Childhood - Two (III)

"Everyone... everyone, listen to me." Seraphina's lips trembled incessantly, her nails digging into her palms. She maintained the smile on her face and the confidence that had been so hard to ignite, trying her best to raise her voice: "We don't need that guy... I mean, we don't need Hydral, I can do it, I can help everyone live better, right? By relying on ourselves, with our own hands, we can also become better!" The surrounding noise quieted down, everyone was looking at Seraphina. Still relief, peace, such comforting and peaceful eyes. —But they were like... ruthless ice knives... dissecting Seraphina's personality. "That's great... Seri has really grown up, she's considering for Lord Hydral, Lord Hydral will be very happy if he knows." "Relying on ourselves, hmm... it's a good idea, we might as well do as Seri said, support ourselves for a while, and tell Lord Hydral after a while, maybe the effect will be better! Seri will definitely be more perfect in Lord Hydral's eyes!" "Ah? But I don't want to freeze, the big cold wave just passed, it's too cold these days, I can't stand it." "Shut up! Gleipnir, this is for Seri's good, and for everyone's good! Understand!" "Hmm... should we vote on it?" "What's there to vote on, let Seri decide! Seri, your idea is very good, don't worry about everyone suffering, you've brought so much to everyone, made the village so much better, what's a little hardship for us? Don't worry, everyone will definitely make you better in Lord Hydral's eyes!" "Yes, everyone will help you!" That passion that seemed to ignite the snow layer was so real, everyone was watching Seraphina intently, watching this big girl who had come out of their village and brought a better life for the village and everyone. They were willing, unconditionally willing to help Seraphina, willing to contribute their insignificant strength, how warm and beautiful, how touching. Seraphina was surrounded by such passion and kindness, she must be happy, right—every villager thought so with joy and pride. Even though Seraphina was already so prominent, they, these ordinary people, could also help this good child, how wonderful! Seraphina stood there blankly, hot tears streaming down her face non-stop. "Hey, hey, don't cry, Seri... this is what everyone should do." Rhiannon clumsily wiped away Seraphina's tears, feeling her own eyes welling up. Emotion is always contagious, Seraphina was moved to tears by their passion and sincerity, how could Rhiannon not be deeply moved by Seraphina's unconditional trust and dedication to them? She hugged Seraphina tightly, saying with absolute certainty: "It's okay, everyone will help you, no matter how much hardship we have to endure, we accept it." "As long as you become the best person in Lord Hydral's eyes, the best helper, then everything is worth it." "If Lord Hydral is proud of you, Seri, you must be very happy too!" "Ah... ah..." The wolf, surrounded by love, uttered meaningless syllables so pale and hollow, as if she was intoxicated in this moment of happiness, unable to extricate herself.

*

Ansel was engaged in a discourse on literature and drama with Professor Polonia. "Ah, this Cleophere, I have a vague recollection of him."

The young man stroked the book cover, pondered for a moment, and then quickly realized, "Ah, I remember now, the famous playwright who was the talk of the capital thirteen years ago... only to be later discovered as a revolutionary and publicly executed in the Blue Flame Square."

Polonia's fingers trembled slightly, she fell silent for a moment, and surprisingly asked a question unrelated to literature.

"Lord Hydral, did you just refer to the rebels as... the revolutionary?"

"Hmm?" Ansel looked up, "Is there a problem? If I remember correctly, that's what they called themselves." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Even so, but... your way of addressing them." Polonia seemed to be reminding Ansel, she tactfully said, "It could cause trouble."

Ansel, while flipping through the pages, laughed heartily, "Hydral is not so weak. But in front of those old fossils, I will make the right choice of address, because they are troublesome and disgusting."

"As for me personally, I quite like the term 'revolution' and the name 'New World' that the revolutionary army calls itself."

"A healthy nation needs to accommodate different voices, doesn't it?"

Under the bright gaze of Professor Polonia, Ansel casually said, "As long as they haven't done anything too radical, I will still choose to call them the revolutionary army. Hmm... by the way, Professor Polonia, have you studied the revolutionary army?"

The professor was startled and quickly shook her head, "No, no, how could I understand this... I am just... just a scholar."

"Ah, sorry, I forgot that you don't study sociology. Oh... Frost Tower doesn't seem to have this discipline either, hehe, forget what I said."

"Love, huh."

The young Hydral gazed out the window, he sighed like this, but the corners of his mouth were rising, as if he saw something... a breathtaking view that only he could appreciate.

*

Seraphina Marlowe, in the eyes of the man she loved, was strong and promising.

But it wasn't because she had the power to change the world.

It was because she was a vassal of Hydral.

For the proud wolf, what could be a more cruel love in this world?

Seraphina, my dear Seraphina.

The devil chuckled contentedly in his heart.

How could I possibly use despicable, lowly, unscrupulous means to hurt your family, your friends, and you, whom I cherish the most?

How could I possibly be so desperate as to use such means to coerce you, to force you back to me?

I don't want to hurt you anymore.

So, let your family and friends love you on my behalf.

Let countless loves surround you, let those loves destroy your self, your self-esteem, your self-confidence—

Destroy the dignity and value that you regard as life, as all.