Taming the Protagonist

Chapter 63: Witnessing Hell

The great cold wave arrived.

After Anselm received updated weather reports, he issued another alert.

Three days after his speech, it swept through Chishuang Territory, right on schedule.

Hitana, sprawled by the window, stared at the white, snowy void and sighed:“It’s terrifying every time I see it… Anselm, what kind of person could survive a cold wave like this?”

“Actually, a third-stage extraordinary, with Ether equipment, could endure it.”

Anselm, sitting by the fireplace reading, replied: “Of course, that’s assuming it’s a cold wave weakened by the Eternal Flame Tower. If it’s the true chill from the northern Ether vortex, only a fifth-stage Crown could ensure survival.”

“Huh?”

Hitana’s mouth fell open in disbelief: “You mean, even I could stand out there and not freeze to death after some time?”

“If it’s you, you might not freeze even now,” Anselm said with a smile.

“…Seriously?” Hitana pinched her arm. “Am I that tough?”

“You underestimate the gap between extraordinaries and mortals, Hitana.”

Anselm flipped a page, not looking up: “Get the third book from the top on the coffee table. You need to finish the first three chapters today.”

Though reluctant, Hitana obeyed.

—The condition for spending time alone with Anselm in this small room was studying under his guidance, the most tedious task.

“Turn to page five, read from start to finish. Ask me if you don’t understand something. If there’s no issue, keep going until page twenty-seven. I’ll quiz you later, so don’t think you can fake it.”

Hitana slumped onto the sofa, flipping pages listlessly.

[Extraordinaries are beings who transcend the limits of ordinary life systems, evolving toward a higher state of existence in a way that can only be explained by Ether studies.]

[The extraordinary system, beginning with the creation of the Heavenly Path eight-six-three hundred years ago, formally symbolizes humanity and the Empire moving toward…]

Half a page in, Hitana was already drowsy, with no desire to continue.

Ether, life states, all this nonsense… What's the point? In the end, fighting’s just one punch, two punches, three punches.

If she had to study, learning about weird spells and how to counter them would be enough.

Why all this?

With no heart for studying, Miss Hitana glanced at Anselm, covered in a blanket, and quietly scooted to sit across from him.

She coughed lightly, her face slightly red, slipped off her shoes and socks, and slid her pale, delicate feet under his blanket.

Anselm looked up at her.

“M-My feet are cold. What’s wrong with warming them?”

Hitana clutched her book, trying to sound firm: “Don’t you dare touch them, not even a little.”

Anselm sighed, pulled the cushion from behind him, placed it under the blanket, and set

Hitana’s feet on the soft pillow, saying softly: “Read your book.”

He set his book aside, propped his head with one hand and closed his eyes for a nap.

Hitana couldn’t resist wiggling her feet but stopped, afraid of waking him.

She stole glances at his sleeping face, that face which had charmed countless noblewomen and young ladies, made even more captivating by the firelight.

Hitana completely lost interest in studying.

How can you just fall asleep like that?

What am I supposed to do now!

Staring at Anselm, her face grew redder.

With no other choice, she flipped open the book, searching for something interesting.

Though most of it was incomprehensible and boring, she found content about the “third stage.”

Hitana had no real grasp of extraordinary rank breakthroughs.

She just felt she’d been stuck long enough and didn’t want to hold Anselm back, so she figured she should break through and needed to learn about it.

“Throne… hmm… soul, uh… Spiritual Essence? What’s that?”

The girl furrowed her brow, her finger tracing the text as she read softly:“Spiritual Essence is… the essence of the soul. Though called such, it doesn’t directly represent one’s soul, but it’s closely tied to their character.”

“Historically, there have been cases where Spiritual Essence starkly contrasted with one’s personality.”

“Oh, wait, I skipped ahead—the explanation’s earlier—”

Curiosity piqued, the girl scratched her cheek and read again: “In achieving the Throne, the union of spirit and flesh, a rare few awaken ‘Spiritual Essence.’”

“It’s a power unrelated to extraordinary rank, closer to a rule, with the highest priority, an unsolvable force… What’s priority?”

“The cause and conditions for awakening are unknown. The only certainty is that heirs of divine bloodlines inevitably awaken Spiritual Essence, such as the Dragon Clan, Callers of the Deep, the Flame-Feasting Clan’s sole sixth-stage existence at birth, and every generation of Hydra, who are certain to possess Spiritual Essence.”

“Hmm… Hydra.”

“Huh?!”

Hitana’s eyes widened as she kept reading.

“Among them, Hydras are unique, as they do not awaken Spiritual Essence at birth, but rather ▇▇▇▇”

A sharp pain shot through the girl’s mind and she found she couldn’t read further.

At the same moment, Anselm’s eyes snapped open.

“You seem to be reading something you shouldn’t, Hitana.”

The young Hydra narrowed his eyes, making the young wolf girl feel intensely guilty.

“I… I’m reading, like you told me to.”

“Knowledge is a great treasure and a deadly poison.”

Anselm leaned forward slightly, taking the book from her hands.

“You should be glad I’ve acknowledged you. Otherwise, something very bad would’ve happened the moment you read it.”

"This... what does this mean?"

Anselm closed the book and casually set it aside. "Those who are unworthy cannot pry into our existence. Some secrets, we don't wish for others to know."

He stretched lazily, speaking in a nonchalant tone: "You can think of it as this: [No one can casually record, understand, or perceive the secrets of the Hydra]—this rule was carved into the world's laws by my ancestors. A simple little trick. The Emperor could do it too, and even more ruthlessly."

"And this book—"

"This book, of course, could only have been written by a Hydra."

Anselm raised an eyebrow. "Do you think the books and documents I consider part of my collection are some common reading material you’d find in a library? I only give you the best, Hitana."

This was only natural, for the book Hitana had just been reading was authored by Anselm’s father.

If it were ever sold on the market, the old fossils at the Ether Academy would send their young lackeys to snatch it up.

The entire Alchemical Association would go mad for it and even Babel Tower, the forefront of modern etheric studies, would fight tooth and nail over it.

"Okay, okay, stop saying that. I know I was wrong, alright..."

Hitana muttered softly, her soft little foot gently nudging Anselm’s side. "Just give me the book. I’ll read it properly."

"...No, let’s call it a day."

After a brief silence, Anselm shook his head with a smile. "You’re not in the mood to study right now. Forcing it won’t help."

He gazed out the window at the seemingly endless white. "The great cold wave will likely last three to four days before moving on from Chishuang Territory to the next place. I had planned for you to study hard these few days, but now that I think about it... it’s not like we’re short on time."

"Do something you want to do, Hitana."

Anselm said gently to her: "During these few days of peace, I’ll keep you company."

Hitana slowly pulled her foot back, stepping onto the soft carpet.

She stood up, staring intently at Anselm.

"Really?"

"I never—"

"Anselm, you’re the best!"

Before he could finish, the young wolf girl cheered and threw herself into his arms, rubbing against him enthusiastically.

Anselm laughed and ruffled Hitana’s hair. "Speaking of which, when did you start calling me by my name and getting so close to me?"

"Um, uh, well... it’s that thing, what’s it called?"

The girl’s cheeks flushed with a charming blush. "When the water flows, it carves its own channel."

For Hitana, everything had happened so naturally.

From hatred to anger, from anger to embarrassment, from embarrassment to confusion, from confusion to being accepted and embraced, and from that to now—complete understanding.

"Mm, that makes sense."

Anselm nodded. "If I didn’t know you act this clingy with Marina too, I’d think you meant something else."

"..."

Hitana’s expression froze, her heart swirling with mixed emotions.

"Don’t... mention her," she mumbled sullenly. "So annoying."

"What, still haven’t made up?"

"She doesn’t give me a single kind look, so I won’t make up with her either!"

In truth, this was already an enormous concession for Hitana.

If Marina showed even the slightest hint of warmth, Hitana would immediately throw herself into her sister’s arms like a puppy—despite, from an outsider’s perspective, Hitana being the victim, slapped without explanation and treated coldly.

She thought so too.

Resting her head on Anselm’s lap, Hitana suddenly spoke, as if to forget her annoying sister.

"Anselm, you said I could do what I want, right?"

"Don’t go overboard."

"I know! I’m not some wrecking maniac!"

Hitana giggled, jumping up and grabbing Anselm’s hand, dragging him out without a second thought.

"Then you don’t get to deal with any paperwork either. Come play with me properly!"

***

Great Cold Wave Diary, Day One.

I don’t write diaries because writing is hard, troublesome, tiring, and my handwriting is ugly.

But I’m so happy, so I have to write. (Note: This sentence has six corrections.)

In the morning, I woke up alone, had breakfast with Anselm.

It was delicious meat cutlets, don’t know what kind, but I’d never eaten anything like it before.

Now I eat with Anselm every day.

Went with Anselm to a small room to read books.

Not fun, but Anselm is nice to look at.

As expected, finding a boy better-looking than him is too hard.

Anselm said I didn’t have to read and could do what I wanted.

Super happy! He’s the best to me, but it feels a bit strange.

I’m a girl, aren’t I pretty?

Cleared out a room, had Anselm compete with me in archery.

He’s amazing, like he can do anything, but of course, he’s not as good at archery as me. (Note: A little stick figure with hands on hips is drawn here.)

After archery, Anselm suggested he’d organize a game, and I agreed.

Then he cheated! He challenged me to make fireballs with magic.

I can’t, but he made a huge one.

I lost, but I was so happy.

Evening, dinner, Anselm took me to hear Sister Yura play the piano.

It was nice.

I fell asleep halfway through. I don't know why Sister Yura changed clothes.

She has so much free time.

I trained on my own, ended the day and am now writing this diary.

So excited for tomorrow.

***

Great Cold Wave Diary, Day Two.

Woke up early today, saw Lina carrying a bunch of books down the hallway.

Don’t know when she started calling Anselm "Mr. Anselm." She did it before me, so I’m not happy.

When did they get so close?

And I don’t know when she started liking black.

It feels a bit uncomfortable.

Asked her if she had breakfast, but she ignored me. Hateful!

The house is warm, with those heating... barriers? Spells?

Don’t know, but it’s warm.

Some places have fireplaces.

Don’t know why, but Anselm seems to prefer fireplaces.

He always sits by the fire reading, so quiet, so different from usual.

My heart beats fast. Am I... (Note: This part is scribbled out.)

I didn't play with Anselm today, but the old butler found me two crickets.

I don't know where he got them, but watching them fight all afternoon was fun.

In the evening, went to bathe, saw Anselm in the bathhouse and got startled, but his body is so nice.

Bathed with Merry, ate a snack in the hot bath.

So relaxing, but Merry said I have no manners. I said her figure is way worse than mine, hehe.

Trained before bed as usual.

Can’t find that feeling from that day, but no rush.

I’m a genius.

Anselm came to see me before I slept.

He asked if I was happy.

I said I was very happy.

Super happy! (Note: The handwriting here is crooked and huge.)

***

Great Cold Wave Diary, Day Three.

The snowstorm seems less intense.

I could vaguely see the house and outlines of things frozen on the street.

So scary.

Anselm said I wouldn’t freeze to death.

Am I that amazing?

Today, Lina ate breakfast with us, talking to Anselm about stuff I couldn’t understand.

She glanced at me once.

I don't know what it meant, but it put me in a bad mood.

After breakfast, Anselm took me to see something called a crystal projection, shown through a Shadow Crystal.

A long story, all about fighting and killing.

Anselm said it’s all staged, not real.

It was really thrilling.

Speaking of, where did Anselm put the crystal I brought back from that treasury?

Lunch, new ingredients again.

I don't know how much food is stored here, but I’m happy.

I can eat whatever I want.

Last cold wave, I went hungry for two days because I can go without food, but Lina can’t.

After lunch, Anselm said to change my clothes.

My old ones were too thin, and it’d be cold after the cold wave ends.

Anselm’s amazing, prepared so many clothes. He seems to have everything.

Accidentally broke a warm, furnace-like lamp used for heating.

Anselm said it’s fine, there’s plenty more in storage.

In the evening, Anselm watched me train.

I sweated a lot.

He touched my leg and I accidentally hit him. (Note: A crying face is drawn here.)

Before bed, Anselm came to my room.

He said I wasn’t slacking, that I’m working hard, and studying can come slowly, no rush.

He doesn’t lie to me. He gives me everything.

Anselm is the best to me.

Suddenly, so many people are freezing in the cold wave.

I felt a bit sad.

Then remembered that Anselm gave them coal, so they can at least survive.

The cold wave seems to end tomorrow, so I felt better.

I’ll make their lives better. (Note: The neatest handwriting in the diary.)

***

On the morning of the fourth day of the great cold wave, Hitana read her diary, giggling and hugging it like a treasure.

These three days were the most precious and memorable since she came to Chishuang Territory.

She had passed three days free of scheming and troubles, so peaceful, comfortable, and happy.

No responsibilities to bear, far from all worries and sorrows.

Under Anselm’s gentle guidance and arrangements, everything brought joy that never grew tiresome.

Today, the cold wave ended, and the snowstorm subsided—some irrational and malicious part of her even wished these days could last longer.

Of course, that thought was fleeting, and she quickly reprimanded herself.

These beautiful moments were etched in her heart.

Now, the early-rising Hitana was off to enjoy something else.

The dressed-up girl dashed downstairs, rubbing her hands excitedly before the front door.

She wanted to beat Anselm to it, to hear the praises and gratitude of the people blessed by

Anselm, who had survived this great cold wave.

She wanted everyone to know, to acknowledge, that Anselm Hydra’s integrity and kindness were not false but carried the weight of undeniable truth.

"Come on, everyone in Chishuang Territory."

Hitana joyfully pulled open the door. "Let’s welcome a brand-new—"

Crack—

The smile on the girl’s face froze, as if locked by the lingering icy wind.

The moment she opened the door, an ice sculpture toppled inward, shattering into pieces with a soft thud.

It wasn’t an ice sculpture.

Limbs, fragments, and vividly human tissue, even covered in frost, told Hitana this was no sculpture.

This was a person, a corpse.

Hitana’s pupils began to tremble violently, not just because of the shattered body but because of... the scene before her.

"What... is this?"

She stepped outside shakily, unable to feel the slightest chill.

The cold radiating from her very soul had already frozen her senses entirely.

Outside the gates of Anselm’s mansion—

Standing, crouching, kneeling, falling...

"Ah!!!"

Hitana screamed, frantically running out of Anselm’s residence, standing on the empty, snow-buried street.

Yes, empty.

Yet one by one, scattered everywhere, in various poses, but all, without exception... in their final moments of life, reaching out toward Anselm’s manor, toward the paradise that had brought Hitana such fulfillment and joy... ice sculptures.

Hitana Lansmarlos, Anselm’s follower, the future Azure Wolf Empress, a willful girl who had never truly grown up, a girl who had never truly experienced suffering, on the first day after the great cold wave ended—

Witnessed hell with her own eyes.