A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 531 Return like the blazing sun - III

Naturally, the most renowned businessman of the Western territory, the Duke of Azuregold, did not send his wife to negotiate with Ansel out of concern for the common people.

"You know this as well, Lord Ansel."

Ulysses carefully put away the young dragon's broken tooth and said earnestly, "Originally, when the Dragon Calamity struck, the Western territory would somewhat unite to fight against the mad dragons. But in the current situation... Bloodust and Firmament are locked in a death struggle, and it is impossible for them to cease fighting and join forces.

Wyvern, always having the upper hand during the Dragon Calamity, remains a bystander. Namo and I cannot hold out alone... In this way, the mad dragons are likely to tear through the Western territory's defenses, sweeping across the entire empire and ravaging countless civilians."

"I think... you would not want to see such a scene."

Ansel did not respond to this amusing pleasantry but instead smiled and asked, "So what does the Duke of Azuregold think should be done? Do you need my help to fight the dragons?"

"No, no... you misunderstand, Lord Ansel."

Ulysses said sincerely, "Fighting the Dragon Calamity is the responsibility passed down through generations of the dukes guarding the Western territory. How could we trouble you to take action? We only hope you can provide some assistance in a certain matter..."

She leaned forward slightly, her ample bosom almost spilling out, her mature and beautiful face radiating deep and sincere anticipation.

"As long as we can seize the Duke of Wyvern's insignia, even with just Namo and me, we can withstand the Dragon Calamity... Moreover, without the Duke of Wyvern exacerbating the conflict between Bloodust and Firmament, the war might end sooner."

"In this way," Ulysses smiled, "the Dragon Calamity will no longer be a problem, and you will gain the most loyal friends in the Western territory."

"Namo and I are willing to accept all your demands... all of them, any of them."

The woman's voice seemed to become moist, as if it could drip with water. She leaned forward, her hands resting on the table, and the taut, bulging objects hung down, resembling large spindles. Her attire appeared to be carefully chosen—semi-transparent fabric that allowed glimpses of the voluptuous flesh-toned skin of the beautiful woman amidst the splendid black veil.

And further down, the rounded, applauding, ripe pinkness, invitingly provocative, was on the verge of revealing itself...

Ansel propped his face on his hand, watching the increasingly flushed face of the mature woman before him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The Duke of Azuregold is the most unique among the thirteen grand dukes. While the three grand dukes of Eastport are also keen on business, they harbor a deep desire for power.

But the Duke of Azuregold is different—he truly just wants to do business, relishing the feel of endless money flowing through his fingers.

In the originally planned future, he defected to the revolutionary army led by the heroines in the later stages of the war, providing countless resources and contributing to the downfall of the empire.

This businessman does not care who is in power, which is why he can make such a pledge akin to selling himself.

Of course, there is another crucial reason: Ansel has crafted a flawless image in the eyes of all the grand dukes, so perfect that even a businessman like the Duke of Azuregold finds it hard to find any fault.

Collaborating with the Duke of Azuregold to seize the insignia held by the Duke of Wyvern, resist the Dragon Calamity, end the Western territory's turmoil, and gain an immense resource warehouse...

It sounds utterly delightful, doesn't it?

...

However... to go up against Ansel of Hydral, to battle that mechanical deity, God from the Machine, that could briefly contend with the all mighty Empress that night, even if they fought to the death and managed to kill Ansel, the problem is, who would be the first to die?

What if someone picks up the pieces afterward? What if someone wavers and betrays at the last moment? With everyone thinking this way, who would step forward?

Isn't it better to support this unique, cooperative, and non-violent young Hydral?

Perhaps he might even become their greatest ally!

Unless he aspires to be an emperor, to become an existence that stands above all like Ephesande, but without the inheritance of power, even a divine species cannot climb from the fifth to the sixth stage on their own. Since he cannot become that absolute power... why would anyone foolishly become a cannon fodder?

As long as one person thinks this way, the fifth-stage extraordinary beings cannot unite to kill Ansel.

Moreover, there will certainly be more than one person thinking this way.

"This failed transaction is quite troublesome..."

The Duke of Azuregold couldn't fathom why Ansel would refuse, even after he had essentially offered unconditional terms, tantamount to a pledge of allegiance.

By his reasoning, this entire process should have been immensely beneficial to Ansel, with no downsides.

As the most qualified businessman, he never shirked on paying his dues. If Ansel were to control the Western territory, a land of miracles and opportunities, he would not only have access to a vast output of secret treasures but also command numerous adventurer associations and mercenary groups...

Why would this young Hydral refuse?

"What reason did our Lord Hydral give?" the man couldn't help but ask.

"For now, he will not provide any grand duke with decisive assistance on any significant matter, whether overt or covert, regardless of whether it would be known."

"..."

The Duke of Azuregold's brow furrowed slightly. "What does that mean, he's absolutely neutral? Hydral has deep foundations, and his own strategy and vision are exceptional, so he doesn't need time to accumulate or observe to judge the situation... What is his reason for neutrality?"

As Namo murmured, pondering Ansel's reasoning, Ulysses spoke again:

"He gave me a... very important piece of information and said it was compensation for the failed cooperation."

"Very important..." The Duke of Azuregold's interest was piqued. "What information? Spit it out!"

Ulysses' expression changed slightly, as if recalling the words still left her in shock:

"He said..."

"'I once encountered an adventurer possessed by a demon, nearly dead.'"

*