Taming the Protagonist

Volume 3

Chapter 33: It Filled Her with Determination

The first round of the selection match ended very quickly; one hundred and fifty Transcenders gathered from all over the West Kingdom stood out, preparing to enter the next round of competition.

Among these one hundred and fifty people, only the final fifteen could achieve a ranking and join the Whistling Legion.

Of course, with the selection match developed to this stage, joining the Whistling Legion was instead secondary; how much of a splash one could make in the match and how great a reputation one could carve out was the key.

And within these one hundred and fifty people, there were actually three fourth-tier Scepter-level Transcenders.

This was extremely rare because fourth-tier Transcenders had no need to use this kind of competition to make a name for themselves; most of them were already powerful individuals with far-reaching fame, and coming to participate in this kind of competition was more or less bullying.

Gamblers also placed the most bets on these three—of course, all this could not escape the manipulator’s planning.

“L... Lady Indote.” The secretary disguised as Mibaita stood trembling in front of Indote’s bed, “The current situation is, is... is just like this.”

“Did he do anything else?”

Leaning halfway on the bed, covered in bandages from head to toe with only her head exposed, Indote’s voice was hoarse: “Still only doing some insignificant commissions?”

“... Y-Yes.”

The brown-skinned woman, like a lioness, remained silent; she slowly stroked her arm covered in bandages, seemingly savoring the deeply felt pain of that moment.

After trembling slightly, Indote stared at the fake Mibaita with cold eyes: “Is there still no news from Bayebop’s side?”

Someone hacked his woman into a bloody person in his own home; knowing this, no matter how important the matters outside were, as long as he was a man, he would definitely rush back even if he went mad.

Moreover, the teleportation array of Strife Fortress was open; it wouldn't take any effort for Bayebop to return, yet this leader of the Whistling Legion made no movement at all.

Even if the opponent was a legendary adventurer, you are at least a fifth-tier; fighting a dozen rounds shouldn't be a problem, right?

If it really doesn't work, can't you still find Lapis Lazuli Grand Duke?

Why act like a cowardly turtle like this?

Therefore, quite a few Transcenders were strange about Bayebop’s reaction, while Indote and the fake Mibaita had already learned from Lapis Lazuli Grand Duke that the master of the Whistling Legion, the capable general under Lapis Lazuli Grand Duke, seemed to already have signs of rebellion.

Adventurers were not like nobles; they had absolutely no sense of honor and belonging to the territory.

Losing a base, just getting another one when the time comes; it was completely indifferent. When Bayebop participated in the war, he took away a large batch of elites, so manpower was also not lacking.

“It shouldn't be...”

Indote murmured in a low voice: “If he wanted to rebel, he couldn't have given up his Mibaita so easily. Reasonably speaking, he should have found an opportunity to contact Mibaita; how could there be no news at all?”

“Or did he already know Mibaita died and planned to directly abandon Strife Fortress? What exactly is the situation... Damn it!”

The woman roared low and smashed her fist on the wall; the entire wall and the room trembled rustlingly, and blood red quickly seeped out of the bandaged arm.

Severe pain and the current situation stimulated Indote’s nerves; she was not good at thinking about complex situations, otherwise, as a similarly ambitious fellow, she wouldn't have handed over the various matters of Strife Fortress to Mibaita to handle.

The only thing she could be sure of was that her own situation actually hadn't changed much; the person riding on her body just changed from Bayebop to Faust.

But...

“He... is stronger.”

Indote looked at the bandages gradually turning dark red, an unnatural flush emerging on her brown skin.

That day, at that moment, through countless pitch-black blades, she could only see Faust’s back.

And that man couldn't even be bothered to leave a sliver of his gaze for her.

The pain engraved on her body, as well as this pure indifference, gave Indote’s heart an incomparably definite answer—Faust was stronger than Bayebop, countless times stronger!

“Hmph hmph... hehehehe...”

The lioness licked the bandages seeping fresh blood, an excited smile emerging on her face.

It didn't matter who rode on her; changing to such a powerful monster... was instead better.

The heterogeneity named transcendence surged like a surging tide in her body and soul, raising waves.

Indote smelled an opportunity, smelled the possibility of going a step further.

She spent some time calming her emotions, then said indifferently: “Doesn't matter anymore; for whatever matters later, just listen to Faust's arrangements. Whatever he wants to do, just let him do it.”

Mibaita looked at Indote somewhat astounded: “Is it... everything?”

“Otherwise? You still want to do something privately? Do you want to disobey that monster?”

“No no no... I don't, I understand, Lady Indote.”

The woman waved her hand wearily: “Scram.”

Mibaita felt as if granted a great pardon, turning immediately to prepare to leave, and just at this moment, someone knocked on the bedroom door.

Indote’s gaze was cast toward the main door; the outstanding perception of a fourth-tier Transcender, even under severe injury, immediately captured the aura of the person outside the door.

It was a tiny, weak bug that could be pinched to death effortlessly.

This aura, Indote was very familiar with, because it was she who made a deal with her back then in the capacity of Faust’s spokesperson.

Without waiting for Mibaita to react, she said coldly: “Come in.”

The bedroom door was slowly pushed open; a thin and weak figure dressed as an ordinary adventurer walked in with calm and steady steps.

“Hope I didn't disturb you, Ms. Indote.”

The comer held the brim of the small beret, raising a smile toward Indote.

Ma Ganlei Brandt... an ignorant, audacious mortal.

Indote loathed this fellow very much, loathed her disgusting smile that seemed to have everything under control, which made one burn with anger.

Even more loathed her... indeed, every sentence could poke dead on her psychological vitals.

It was precisely this young girl before her eyes, whom Indote could smash into meat paste by raising her hand, who reached an agreement with her not long ago, making Mibaita’s death silent, letting “Mibaita” appear in public view as usual, unknowingly controlling Strife Fortress.

If saying Faust’s name only made Indote reluctantly accept the agreement before, then Indote’s current countless wounds were the reason for her true submission.

However, even if willing to submit to that monster with a black blade at his waist, it didn't mean Indote would give the young girl before her eyes any good looks; at most... maintaining an attitude of not being too offensive.

“If you have something, say it directly... also, why haven't you scrammed yet?”

The latter sentence was naturally said for Mibaita to hear, but without specifying the target, it undoubtedly carried a few points of malicious provocation.

Mibaita fled the bedroom immediately, closing the door in passing; only an ordinary delicate young girl and a scarred lioness remained in the room.

As long as the latter was willing, a single thought could tear the former into pieces and swallow her into the belly.

But the young girl, who had been trekking for a long time in the wilderness where beasts lurked everywhere and magical beasts were rampant, could already deal with them more handily.

“Are your wounds better?”

She did not speak directly as Indote requested, but smiled and cared about Indote’s injuries.

The woman sneered, raising that arm wrapped in dark red bandages: “Do I look very well?”

“Ah, truly sorry.”

Marina, hands behind her back, leaned forward slightly, saying somewhat apologetically:

“After all, they are wounds caused by Mr. Faust; recovery will indeed be somewhat difficult.”

“...”

Veins popped on Indote’s temples; she didn't mind Faust saying such words to her, but absolutely detested this woman beating her like this.

Her breathing gradually became somewhat heavy, and the cold light in her eyes also began to turn ferocious and tyrannical.

“Even so, pinching a mouse to death that doesn't know the height of the sky and the thickness of the earth is just a matter of convenience.”

“Smart mice will hide in sufficiently huge shadows.”

Marina revealed a quiet and gentle smile, not annoyed at all by Indote’s such distinct threat: “Finding a mouse in the shadow is very difficult, Ms. Indote?”

“Ha.” Indote sneered, “Is everything before my eyes shadows?”

Hearing this, the young girl asked in return rather confusedly: “Is it not?”

She walked forward step by step, closing into the distance where Indote could choke her throat with one hand, saying softly:

“Mr. Faust is watching you, Ms. Indote.”

“Because I am watching you.”

At the instant of meeting those deep red eyes, Indote actually felt for a moment... her consciousness was swept into some vortex, and in the next second, she broke free from this abnormality, uncontrollable anger instantly climbing to the peak.

—Because this damned fellow before her eyes had no magic at all, nor could possibly know any magic; just now... she was simply purely scared.

On what basis... could she use Faust’s name to intimidate me so unscrupulously like this!

Just at this moment when Indote subconsciously raised her arm attempting to grab Marina’s neck, the young girl trekking difficulty on the wilderness revealed a smile, lifting her chin very cheerfully, as if knowing what she would do, directly bringing her snowy white neck up.

The lioness’s beast claw hovered in the air, stopping at the moment it was about to touch her neck.

“Ms. Indote.”

Marina, however, slowly, gently, placed her hand on her own neck, arranging the five fingers, slowly tightening.

“I know, your anger does not stem from me offending you.”

The young girl’s voice seemed forever gentle, but the accumulated resentment and pain in those red eyes seemed already somewhat difficult to continue suppressing.

“You are angry at why I possess the right to talk to you equally, angry at why I receive Mr. Faust’s favor, angry at why that person... is not you.”

She suddenly sighed: “Actually, I still very much hope you could be angry simply because of my offense, even if just a tiny bit is fine.”

Marina continued forward, but Indote dared not continue extending her arm anymore; she was forced to bend her arm, five fingers also not applying any force.

“How I hope you are angry because ‘this mortal dares to provoke me’, instead of being angry because ‘on what basis does she receive Faust’s favor’.”

“Ah, please do not be angry, Ms. Indote. Being able to receive Mr. Faust’s favor, I feel very happy. And never thought of giving this favor to others, just occasionally thinking...”

Indote at this moment was not so angry after calming down; she was instead somewhat amazed and uncertain, because when this young girl negotiated with her not long ago, she wasn't like this, this appearance... seemingly somewhat out of control.

“Occasionally thinking, is this fate of being disregarded truly unchangeable?”

Thinking emotions emerged in Marina’s eyes, appearing somewhat confused.

However, only for a moment, this abnormality dissipated without a trace; she smiled somewhat apologetically, releasing the hand she forcefully placed on her own neck over Indote’s.

“Sorry, I need to adjust slightly... vent certain emotions in my heart, you should be able to understand; people always have those few days of sentimentality, right.”

Looking at this increasingly weird, baffling young girl, Indote forcefully suppressed the annoyance in her heart, saying in a deep voice: “So what exactly do you want with me?”

Marina, who recovered her dignified posture, said warmly: “Mr. Faust wants...”

She quickly summarized the matter of the air purifier, and Indote was completely stunned.

“Just this kind of thing?”

She looked at Marina somewhat incredulously: “Are you fucking... are you sick? I thought Faust wanted to kill someone again, or wanted me to do something... it's actually just, just this kind of thing? Purifying air?!”

As she spoke, Indote even laughed somewhat angrily: “Are you not joking?”

“Hope you can also say the words just now to Mr. Faust.” Marina revealed a sweet smile.

“... I understand.”

Although feeling incredibly inconceivable, thinking that Faust had been busy with some commissions all along, Indote didn't think much more, waving her hand: “Whatever Faust loves to do, let him do... tearing down the Lower District to rebuild doesn't matter either; for this kind of thing, you just tell Mibaita directly, no need to come find me.”

“So you see... this is where the problem lies, Ms. Indote.”

Marina sighed faintly: “None of you would think this would have any abnormality.”

“... What do you mean?”

If saying for some toys, children more or less could play out some feelings, then the commoners of the Lower District were defective goods thrown aside casually, only fiddled with twice when the interest struck one day.

Only when wanting to play, would one discover—eh, who changed my toy’s appearance?

Then change it into an “interesting” appearance for oneself according to one’s own ideas again.

Indote wouldn't think, to be precise, wouldn't think that Transcenders would slowly discover the environment of the Lower District became better as time passed, only realizing belatedly they had nothing to play with, and subsequently choosing to control the purifiers.

Marina was also too lazy to explain these to her, because wanting to change these people, relying on talking was useless.

Even... relying on force could only solve the problem for a moment.

“My meaning is, Mr. Faust will not stay in Strife Fortress forever, but those purifiers must be effective forever.”

Indote thought for a long time before reacting: “You are worried someone will destroy those things... who would be so bored?”

She herself didn't think anyone would do this, but the fact was someone would do this.

So Marina just smiled: “You just need to know this matter, and at the same time keep firmly in mind... Mr. Faust, will be watching you.”

“Mr. Faust’s name will soon spread throughout the West Kingdom, throughout the Empire; he will not stay here, but you are already in his shadow forever.”

Marina bowed slightly in salute: “Please do not forget this point, Ms. Indote.”

When raising her eyes, the gloominess in those red eyes was completely a terrifying color that a normal mortal shouldn't have.

“Please awe everything about him.”

Having said so, she revealed a sweet and lovely smile again, turning to leave after politely bidding farewell to Indote.

Walking step by step toward the door, the smile on Ma Ganlei Brandt’s face disappeared bit by bit.

Anselm’s orders and requests, she would execute meticulously.

Anselm wanted to satisfy Hitana and Mingfuluo’s little wish, then Marina would do her utmost to make Indote fear Faust a little more, fear Faust a little more again. Thereby minimizing the waste of resources to the greatest extent.

—She lied at that time; Anselm’s gaze would not stay here, but Anselm could very well send people to supervise her constantly.

And the reason for lying was also very simple... merely the Lower District of Strife Fortress, merely the environmental problem of the Lower District, such a place... on what basis should a person trusted by Anselm, devoted to duty, be arranged to supervise?

Anselm now faced so many things and problems, places needing manpower were everywhere; why waste resources on such completely meaningless things?

But since Anselm had already decided so, then this waste became a foregone conclusion.

He wouldn't just say let Marina take a trip and be done with it—Hitana and Mingfuluo wanted it, then respond to them with a one hundred percent perfect vision; this was Anselm’s personality, Marina couldn't be clearer.

So Marina used words, used behavior, intimidated, threatened Indote, deepening Faust’s influence in her heart, only to reduce the waste of resources under Anselm as much as possible... even if Anselm actually didn't care at all.

“... It doesn't matter.”

Marina, walking out of Indote’s bedroom, rubbed her cheeks forcefully; she shook off the anxiety and annoyance in her heart, clenching her fist gently, encouraging herself.

“Strife Fortress, Whistling Legion, Revolutionary Army, Hit, and... Mr. Anselm’s thoughts.”

Marina muttered to herself in a low voice; she had already stepped onto the stage Anselm prepared for her, and she firmly believed this was Anselm’s test for her.

“Start from... Executioner first.”

“As long as it can end perfectly, Mr. Anselm... will definitely look at me with new eyes.”

By that time...

By that time, Mr. Anselm will also listen to my opinions, like satisfying Hit and Miss Mingfuluo’s expectations, right?

Although craving that position shoulder to shoulder with Anselm, she didn't extravagantly hope now, didn't extravagantly hope she could receive treatment like Hitana and Mingfuluo so quickly.

No matter how difficult, no matter how much time it would cost, Marina was willing to walk down step by step using the most solid way.

Her goal at the current stage was only one: as long as Anselm could adopt more of her opinions, reference more of her choices, as long as she was no longer like now, like a toddler learning to walk, only gently led by Anselm, but could provide him assistance... This to Marina was already a great happiness.

The young girl raised her head, narrowing her eyes to look at the blazing sun, sweet reverie rippling in her heart.

The brightness and warmth cast down from the high heavens filled her with determination.