Taming the Protagonist

Chapter 60: I Am the Great Hitana!

Marina’s thoughts lingered in Hitana’s mind.

The girl unconsciously rubbed the emerald ring on her finger, as if wanting to remove it, yet also lost in thought.

“So, that’s how Lina sees me…”

Hitana wasn’t angry, just sad.

Growing up, Marina had rarely criticized her.

Hitana could never have imagined that beneath her sister’s gentle, refined exterior lay such annoyance and exhaustion.

“But… Did I really do so much wrong?”

She stared blankly at her palm: “Was I so wrong… that I disappointed Lina that much?”

“But Hydra clearly doesn’t care, so why did I—”

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock on the door came with Maid Merry’s greeting.

“Miss Hitana, your lunch is ready.”

“…Huh? Oh, come in.”

Hitana’s finger twitched.

She turned to the door, staring intently at Merry, who entered with a lavish lunch.

[Miss Hitana’s unusually quiet today.]

…Why isn’t she using that annoying nickname for me?

Sitting still, Hitana’s gaze wavered.

She hadn’t expected that Merry, the maid who most openly showed her dislike, would be the first to lack any malice toward her.

“Uh, Merry.”

“What is it, Miss Hitana?” Merry’s face lacked the smiles other maids gave Hitana, only calm neutrality.

“What do you think…” Hitana hid her hands behind her, unconsciously clutching her fingers,

“…What kind of person am I?”

“…?”

Merry paused, her usual professionalism giving way to slight confusion.

[What’s wrong with Miss Hitana? This isn’t like her.]

Hearing this thought, Hitana also heard Merry continue: “Reckless, impulsive, heedless of consequences, relying on the master’s favor to act unchecked, doing whatever you want, rarely considering others’ feelings, extremely self-centered, self-righteous, and—”

“Enough, enough!”

Two veins popped on Hitana’s forehead—Merry was indeed different from the other maids; she didn’t even pretend!

The girl crossed her arms, fuming: “Fine, put the lunch down and go.”

“But I’m not done.” Hitana heard the same words in Merry’s thoughts. Merry tilted her head:

“Don’t you want to hear?”

[She seems in a bad mood.] Hitana heard Merry’s inner voice.

“…You don’t need to comfort me.”

The girl muttered subconsciously: “No need to add a ‘but’.”

Merry was slightly taken aback, sizing up Hitana with narrowed eyes: “I always speak the truth, a fine virtue learned from the master.”

[Not only in a bad mood, but suddenly sharp too. Miss Hitana’s very strange today.]

As the young wolf’s blood pressure spiked, Merry spoke: “Despite your many flaws, I don’t think they’re an issue—not just because you’re favored by the master, but more importantly, you have the ability to repay him and have received his grace.”

She placed the lunch on the tea table, brushing aside a strand of hair from her temple, and said calmly: “This world is awful, Miss Hitana, filled with scoundrels and villains. Compared to them, you’re just more troublesome.”

“At the very least, you have a strong desire to help others—though right now, you’re spending the master’s funds and influence to fulfill your ideas. I don’t think, once you grow stronger, you’ll become one of those detestable people.”

“Being just troublesome isn’t a problem.”

The sincere and thoughtful maid smiled at the stunned Hitana: “As long as you achieve great things in the future and live up to the master’s cultivation and favor, no matter how much I dislike your personality, I’ll always be your most loyal servant.”

Hitana stared blankly at the maid who usually clashed with her, mouth slightly agape, dazed for a long while.

Then, she shot up, grabbed Merry’s shoulders, and shook her excitedly: “Yes, exactly! What’s a few mistakes? I’m a genius! A genius who crushed all the new students at Tianlu Tower at twelve! Even Hydra acknowledges me!”

Encouraged by Merry, Hitana abandoned reflection, dismissing the self-doubt sparked by Marina’s negative words, convinced she’d done nothing wrong.

With my talent and ability, what’s a few small mistakes?

How dare Lina criticize me like that?

Can she do what I’ll do for Hydra in the future?

“You seem troubled,” Merry said calmly, despite being shaken. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“…Uh, well… hold on.”

Hitana thought Merry may not give me good looks usually, but she’s pretty smart and seems well-connected in Chishuang Territory…

“Say, if I want to help Hydra with something.”

The young wolf coughed twice: “But if it’s not handled well, it might hurt Hydra. What should I do?”

“Just handle it well, and there’s no problem, right?”

“…” Hitana humbly looked away. “I, I’m not too confident I can handle it well.”

Regarding the Shadow Crystal, she was at a complete loss.

Expose it and Hydra’s reputation takes a hit.

Don’t expose it and she couldn’t get past her own moral hurdle.

Plus, fully implementing the policies would benefit Hydra too, wouldn’t it?

But how to make the policies happen without hurting Hydra…

“In that case,” Merry pondered, saying tactfully, “I suggest addressing the problem at its source, rather than indulging in pointless mental tangents.”

In other words, handling things and strategizing aren’t your strengths, and Merry’s thoughts echoed this.

But Hitana froze.

Address it at the source… at the source…

If no one else sees the recording, is it really useless?

Merry’s advice, combined with Anselm’s constant urging to think, sparked a new direction in Hitana’s mind.

Indeed, showing it to just one or two people is useless, but what if… I show it to the person involved?

What if I show it to that Count Ironstone who thinks he’s figured out Hydra’s intentions?

If I threaten him with exposure unless he implements Hydra’s policies, what would he choose?

He has no choice!

If this blows up, he’s the one who’d take the fall for damaging Hydra’s reputation.

Even if Hydra finds out I exposed it… so what?

—You think you can compare to me in Hydra’s eyes?

At worst, I get a few shocks. You? You’re done for!

No need to show anyone else—just solve it at the source!

I don’t even have to wait to help Hydra; I can do it now.

Since Marina said my suggestions waste Hydra’s money, I can also use this to force Count Ironstone to cover the coal costs, so Hydra doesn’t have to spend a dime!

The gap I caused for Hydra, I’ll fix myself right now!

And with this ring, I’ll know exactly what he’s thinking. He’s completely in my grasp!

“I get it, I get it! You’re a genius, Merry!”

Ecstatic, Hitana hugged Merry and bolted out of the room, skipping lunch entirely.

Merry watched Hitana run off until her footsteps faded, then clutched her chest, exhaling softly.

“Even knowing in advance, aligning your heart and mouth is tough. Thankfully, I didn’t fail the master’s trust.”

The maid bowed slightly toward Hitana’s direction: “May you perish in that confidence and fervor, as the master wishes, Miss Hitana.”

“I pray for you with utmost sincerity.”

***

Count Ironstone sighed softly, enjoying afternoon tea amidst elegant classical music.

That lord is truly whimsical.

“Let Chishuang Territory’s poor survive the great cold wave”—no matter who said it, even a Grand Duke, he’d laugh it off.

In this world, probably only His Majesty the Emperor and Lord Hydra could make him toil over such an absurd task.

Honestly, Count Ironstone didn’t want those too poor to afford coal to survive.

Such destitution marred the territory’s image, making him seem incompetent.

He was rather pleased that a cold wave was coming.

It would clear out the masses of the poor created by Count Chishuang’s foolish policies.

Once he took over, he wouldn’t need to deal with them, and Chishuang Territory would shine anew.

Sadly, that idea was dashed by that lord’s whims.

Even so, Count Ironstone was the first to heed Anselm—because he saw at a glance that

Anselm was utterly serious in action.

“Meeting Lord Hydra and me is your luck.”

Count Ironstone shook his head, sighing: “But the thought that mere bugs, meant only to glorify me, receive such grace is somewhat irksome.”

Comfortably seated in the tea room, he gazed through the floor-to-ceiling glass at the mansion’s garden.

Truthfully, he wished Lord Hydra would turn his benevolence toward the nobles.

Though Hydra was their ally, he kept wasting resources on commoners.

If those resources were given to noble blood like them, Count Ironstone was certain he could bring Hydra returns a thousand times more valuable than meaningless praise.

As he dreamed of earning Hydra’s favor, rising above his peers to restore his family’s glory, an armored guard rushed in.

“…” Count Ironstone’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t chide the breach of etiquette, only asked, “What’s wrong?”

“That, that Miss Lansmarlos.”

The guard’s expression was grim: “She’s here to see you, likely… with ill intent.”

Count Ironstone’s demeanor shifted sharply. In Chishuang Territory, everyone knew the reckless, arrogant, wolf-like girl was Anselm’s favorite.

In a way, she even represented Hydra’s will—because even if she erred, Hydra would cover for her.

“To the reception hall… no, wait.”

Count Ironstone calmed instantly: “Not somewhere so open. Here. Let her wander the mansion first. Remove all gold and silver decorations, replace them with hunting trophies and sandalwood pieces.”

“All tea sets switched to wood. Bring in more armor and weapons.”

Standing, Count Ironstone said coldly: “Ten minutes.”

The guard nodded and left.

Exactly ten minutes later, the haughty girl, showing no guest-like manners, swaggered into Count Ironstone’s tea room.

Upon entering, Hitana was briefly stunned by the room’s austere decor.

“Miss Lansmarlos, your visit honors me greatly.”

Count Ironstone greeted her warmly and sincerely, then felt a probing sensation.

He paused inwardly but didn’t show it, thoughtfully glancing at Hitana’s hand and spotting the familiar emerald ring.

…Cantrell’s foolish mind-reading ring, why is it on her?

Meanwhile, Hitana was startled—the ring didn’t work on Count Ironstone?

Is his rank higher than mine? Third-tier Throne?

Impossible! That guy was shaking like a quail when Anselm was attacked!

Uncertain yet guilty, Hitana recalled Anselm warning her that if her rank was lower, the other party would notice.

In truth, Count Ironstone’s rank wasn’t higher—also Crystal Ladder—but with such a ring, counter-magic alchemical items abounded.

The rustic wolf hadn’t considered this.

Even without the tool to dominate negotiations, Hitana wasn’t too nervous. Her trump card wasn’t the ring.

“I’m here to talk.” Hitana plopped into a chair. “Get your people out. You don’t want them hearing this.”

Cutting straight to the point, Hitana didn’t give scheming nobles a chance to dance around.

“…” Count Ironstone paused, then waved: “Everyone, leave.”

The servants and guards exited, and as he meticulously poured tea, he asked gently: “So, what does Miss Hitana wish to discuss?”

“About Hydra’s policies for you a lot.”

Hitana crossed her arms, leaning back, mimicking Anselm’s leg-cross but lacking any commanding grace, more like an old man at a street stall.

“You and those nobles have no intention of following through, do you?”

Count Ironstone’s brow furrowed briefly but smoothed out: “I think I understand your meaning, Miss Lansmarlos, but we have no intent to defy Lord Hydra. If he didn’t allow it, how could nothing have happened by now? If you doubt me, ask him for the truth.”

“Hmph.”

Hitana sneered: “You think I’m here to reason with you?”

She pulled the Shadow Crystal from her pocket, activated it, and played the recorded footage.

When Count Ironstone saw himself on the screen, he shot up, his face ashen.

He didn’t need to watch further to know what it was.

Seeing his unconcealed fear, Hitana smugly raised her chin: “You don’t care? Hydra doesn’t care? Sorry, I care.”

She leaned forward, gripping the Shadow Crystal tightly: “Starting today, Hydra’s policies must be fully and completely implemented. Otherwise… I’ll expose this footage.”

“…Miss Lansmarlos.”

Count Ironstone exhaled deeply, his expression shifting: “Do you realize what you’re saying?”

“Of course I do. That’s why I’m doing this.”

Hitana shrugged: “If Hydra’s reputation takes a hit, you’re the ones who’ll suffer. You think he’d punish me harshly?”

“It’s all because you got cocky, spouting nonsense here.”

The young wolf smirked disdainfully: “Hmph, even if you take the blame yourselves, it won’t matter. One way or another, his original policies will be enforced.”

She knew this noble wouldn’t dare. Nobles feared death most, and Count Ironstone wouldn’t risk gambling on Hydra’s wrath.

“Oh, and one more thing.” Hitana, getting no response, pushed further: “The coal Hydra’s giving to the poor—you cover the cost.”

She spoke lightly, as if buying cabbages at the market.

“You—”

Count Ironstone’s noble upbringing and restraint kept him from exploding.

Hands on his knees, he said deliberately: “Do you know what an astronomical sum that is?”

“Astronomical? You’re a noble. Don’t nobles have tons of money?” Hitana looked at him with disdain. “So stingy. Fine, if you can’t afford it, half’s enough.”

“…”

Count Ironstone fell silent.

After a long pause, as Hitana grew impatient, he stood, eyes downcast: “Excuse me, I’ll be back shortly, Miss Hitana.”

His voice was cold: “I’ll give you an answer, rest assured.”

Hitana, waiting forever, nodded smugly: “That’s more like it… Hurry up, I don’t have time to waste.”

Count Ironstone ignored her, striding out of the tea room.

Outside, he said expressionlessly to the waiting servant: “Bring the communication crystal. I need to contact Lord Hydra.”

For Count Ironstone, a self-styled true noble, failing to discern a superior’s intentions and having to ask directly was a disgrace.

But at this moment, he couldn’t care less.

He truly couldn’t tell if Hitana came with Anselm’s will.

This matter absolutely allowed no room for error.

Soon, someone brought the communication crystal. Count Ironstone infused it with Ether, awaiting a response.

“Lord Count, you reaching out to me is quite rare,” Anselm’s gentle voice came through. “What’s the matter?”

“…Lord Hydra, I believe you may already know, but out of caution, prudence, and respect for you, I’ve taken the liberty of disturbing you.”

Count Ironstone carefully chose his words: “Miss Lansmarlos… she suddenly visited my manor.”

His words stopped there, not mentioning a single detail of Hitana’s demands or behavior.

Sweat beaded on the man’s forehead as he awaited the response from the crystal, like a vassal waiting for a king’s decree.

“Lord Count,” after about three or four seconds, Count Ironstone heard laughter from the crystal.

“Do you know why I came to Chishuang Territory?”

This was an utterly baffling question, one that no noble had figured out.

Why? Why would Hydra forgo the fertile central lands to come to this remote northern territory and stir up chaos?

Count Ironstone didn’t know. He and his advisors had studied day and night, yet they couldn’t discern Anselm’s purpose—or rather, it seemed he had no purpose at all.

Beyond his pursuit of reputation in Chishuang Territory, he sought nothing else.

But Count Ironstone knew this lord would never raise meaningless topics or provide irrelevant information in conversation.

Regarding the wild Miss Lansmarlos, the information Lord Hydra offered was… [why he came to Chishuang Territory].

“…”

In that instant, Count Ironstone felt a chilling dread surge from his spine to the back of his head.

His mind raced, recalling every action Anselm had taken in Chishuang Territory.

From entering the territory and slaughtering officials and minor lords, to publicly executing Count Chishuang, taking over the territory, and managing it methodically…

And most crucially, everything about Hitana.

Events, actions, outcomes; Hitana’s behavior, personality, transformation—

And that ring, inexplicably in her possession.

Now, her impulsive folly displayed before him.

Anselm’s pursuit of reputation, the series of incomprehensible major moves he’d made recently.

All of it pointed to an answer Count Ironstone could barely fathom, dared not imagine.

He began to tremble, both from fear and… excitement.

“I understand… I understand, my lord.”

This middle-aged man, determined to revive his family, educated in the finest institutions and weathered by countless storms, spoke with a quivering voice: “To think I have the honor of witnessing such boundless ambition…”

“Ambition? I’m merely doing a small thing. No need to get so excited, Lord Count.”

The young Hydra’s voice remained ever calm and natural: “Since you say you understand, do you know what you need to do?”

“Yes.”

Count Ironstone bowed deeply, as if facing Anselm in person, replying with utmost respect:

“Please allow me to contribute my humble aid.”

“Heh, don’t say that. You’re a vital part. Do your best.”

The devil, whom Count Ironstone nearly revered as a god, chuckled lightly:

“On my behalf, give Hitana a gift she’ll never forget.”

***

Hitana wandered boredly in the tea room, touching this, poking that.

“What’s he doing? Did he go tattle to Hydra?”

Hitana irritably kicked a stool, then smirked smugly: “Hmph, as if tattling to Hydra would help. You think he’d care about you?”

At that moment, Count Ironstone pushed the door open, his expression calm and composed, with no trace of the earlier grimness.

“You’re finally back. What took you so long?”

The impatient young wolf looked annoyed: “Hurry up and answer. I told you, I don’t have time to waste.”

“Miss Lansmarlos,” Count Ironstone, unfazed by Hitana’s rudeness, smiled, “You mentioned I should cover the cost of coal to help the poor survive the cold wave, correct?”

“Yeah, figured it out?” Hitana’s face lit up.

Haha, Hydra, I saved you so much money without even hunting!

“To be honest, it’s a burden I can hardly bear.”

Count Ironstone said with difficulty: “You don’t quite understand the vastness of Chishuang Territory or its… prior darkness.”

“What’s that got to do with me?” Hitana said unreasonably, sounding like a villain. “Am I discussing this with you?”

“No, no… I mean, I can’t do it alone, but that doesn’t mean the entire noble class of Chishuang Territory can’t.”

The man’s lips curled slightly, hiding deep malice:

“I can rally all the nobles to protect their own subjects, so not a single coin of Lord Hydra’s need be spent.”

“Rest assured, I’ll tell them it’s Lord Hydra’s will.”

“…Right! How could you manage?”

Hitana’s eyes sparkled: “Make those penny-pinching nobles bleed too!”

The girl gleefully waved her fists: “You’re sharp, Stone Count! Great idea! This way, Hydra doesn’t spend a dime and gains huge prestige!”

The thought made Hitana’s smile even brighter.

Can Lina do this? That sneaky critic in her head? All she does is scribble in the study.

Can she scare a count into submission like me?

She wasn’t wrong! Even if she made mistakes, they were nothing compared to what she could achieve!

“Oh, even if you came up with this idea,” Hitana, amidst her joy, didn’t forget the main point, “I won’t budge on the key condition. You must fully implement Hydra’s policies!”

“Your care for the commoners is admirable, but on this point…” Count Ironstone sighed, “Miss Lansmarlos, I believe my approach is better suited for Chishuang Territory now.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Hitana looked at him like he was insane: “Hydra gives the commoners tenfold benefits, you give them twofold, and you think you’re fine? Have some shame.”

“Do you think they’ll thank you?” Count Ironstone countered.

“…Thank me? I don’t need their thanks. I just want them to live well.”Hitana scoffed.

“Do you believe your own words, Miss Hitana?”

Count Ironstone smiled: “Do you truly, deep down, not care what they think of you after helping them?”

Hitana instinctively touched her ring, then snapped angrily: “So what? Why wouldn’t they thank me or Hydra? You think they’re beasts like you?”

Count Ironstone didn’t react to her blunt insult. He raised a hand, saying calmly: “Yes, they’ll be grateful. And then?”

“And then, if Lord Hydra lowers his standards even slightly—”

The man lowered his hand, smiling with deep sarcasm: “They’ll harbor… hatred you can’t even imagine.”

“So, starting with low standards and gradually raising them to a certain limit is undoubtedly better for the territory’s stability.”

Count Ironstone said frankly: “If your sister were here, she’d surely agree with me.”

“Go to hell, you bastard!” Hitana roared. “What are you saying!”

The count ignored her, continuing with odd words: “You may not believe it, but three years ago, during an inspection, I saw her. She was discussing taxes with a merchant. Curious, I chatted with her.”

“Her wit and intelligence left a deep impression,” Count Ironstone mused. “I saw great potential in her and invited her to my manor, hoping to bring her into the family. Sadly, she had reservations and declined.”

“It wasn’t until she approached me on Lord Hydra’s behalf that I realized—this refined, elegant noble lady was that little village girl.”

“Don’t judge us by your standards! And don’t insult my sister!”

Hitana was truly enraged, her face contorted, veins bulging: “No one’s that shameless. Stop spouting nonsense! Lina would never agree with your shameless views or policies!”

“Is that so? I’d bet on it.”

Count Ironstone placed a hand on his shoulder, bowing slightly: “If Lord Hydra’s ‘perfection’ has even a single flaw—no, it doesn’t even need a real flaw, just a whisper of baseless rumor—among those commoners he so gently saved, countless will breed doubt and resentment.”

“Get lost!”

Imagining that scenario, Hitana was furious beyond measure, feeling something blaze in her chest, her soul’s beastly rage roaring.

“No one would treat Hydra like that! I just want your answer—do it or not!”

“Fine, since you insist, I’ll try to fully implement Lord Hydra’s policies, but it’ll take time.”

“…Hmph, you’d better. I’ll be watching.”

The she-wolf’s gaze was ferocious, clutching the Shadow Crystal tightly: “Don’t even think about playing tricks.”

Count Ironstone only smiled: “Shall I have someone escort you?”

“Get lost. I’m not walking with you filthy-blooded scum.”

Hitana snorted coldly, turning to leave without hesitation.

One minute, two minutes, ten minutes.

Half an hour passed, and Count Ironstone still stood there.

In his mind, he constructed the stage for the upcoming drama, envisioning the grand play about to unfold, his body trembling with excitement.

“Miss Lansmarlos…”

Durham Ironstone let out a quivering breath of excitement:

“Should I pity your tragedy or envy your fortune?”