Taming the Protagonist

Chapter 72 : The End of Childhood · Part Two

Another dream, and again, that devil with half his face shrouded in shadow.

“Good evening, Hitana.”

Hydra tilted his head slightly: “It’s been a day.Did you miss me?”

“…”

Hitana looked expressionlessly at this figure sharing the darkness with her, unwilling to speak.

Over the past few days since returning to the village, Hydra appeared in her dreams every night, refusing to grant her peace.

When she woke, the memories of the dreams were vague and hazy, but Hitana was certain this was Hydra’s doing.

“You’re awfully persistent.”

The girl sneered: “Does the great Lord Hydra need me that badly?Need a little girl who’ll never grow up?”

“Of course.”

Hydra raised his chin slightly, and strangely, even with this motion, his face remained shrouded in shadow.

But this was a dream, and nothing in a dream was particularly surprising.

“Haven’t I told you many times, dear Hitana?I recognize your talent, your strength, and see you as my equal.”

He strolled toward Hitana, his words brimming with unfeigned sincerity: “I bear the weight of your mistakes, share my glory with you, provide you with ample resources, and teach you without reservation.Hitana, why do you still doubt my trust, or… do you think you’re unworthy of my expectations?”

“Go to hell, you self-righteous bastard!”

Hitana exhaled the flames of her fury.

Though she could think somewhat calmly during the day, in her dreams, she always became so volatile, emotional, and uncontrollable: “If you need me… you shouldn’t be arbitrarily arranging my life!”

She stepped forward, grabbed Hydra’s collar, her knuckles whitening with force, and lifted the scoundrel, saying word by word: “Stop playing your domineering games… I don’t have time for this!”

Hydra laughed delightedly: “As long as you think of me even for a single day, I’ll never leave your dreams.”

“Ugh!”

A jolt of electricity made Hitana groan, and she fell to her knees.

He placed a hand on her head, gently stroking.

“From your perspective, I’m indeed a self-righteous guy, Hitana.”

“I’ve never thought to make excuses for myself, just as I never lie to you.”

He lifted Hitana’s chin, locking eyes with the furious and pained wolf.

In Hitana’s eyes, that shadowed face seemed to grow slightly clearer.

“Whether you love or hate me, my attitude toward you will never change.”

The devil gently embraced the girl, his form vanishing into the boundless darkness, leaving only his gentle voice echoing in Hitana’s ears.

“—No matter when, I will never give up on you.That is my promise to you.”

Kneeling on the ground, Hitana stared blankly ahead, unsure when her arms had reached out, embracing the void before her.

But the Hydra she hated seemed never to have existed, that unreal shadow and image merely her illusion.

In this boundless darkness, she was alone.

This was a dream, yet it felt like the reality she faced.

As if only by leaving behind all the beauty around her could the matured wolf break free from the happiness that numbed her, critiquing herself and confronting her heart in this way.

“…No, no.That’s not it.”

Hitana clutched her chest, panting heavily: “This is… Hydra, it’s Hydra’s trick.Don’t be fooled, Hitana, it’s all fake, all fake…”

An endless chill began to creep over her skin, seeping into her flesh and bones, spreading relentlessly.

This cold sharpened Hitana’s consciousness, pulling her from the chaotic black sea of the dream, rising toward reality.

Before waking, Hitana repeatedly warned herself—

Never, ever become Hydra’s puppet again.

Even if it meant death, she would never be his toy.

With this resolve as strong as death itself, Hitana awoke from the dream.

“Hiss…”

Still groggy, Hitana shivered involuntarily before she could recall the dream.

She got up, lifted the thick blanket, and saw the fireplace still burning, but her mother, who had shared the blanket, and her father, who had slept on another sofa, were nowhere to be found.

“…”

The magic crystal still hadn’t arrived after a night.

Hitana rose silently, the thoughts and feelings from the dream somewhat blurred but mostly intact.

Sensing something, she walked toward the door, her hand just touching the handle when it was pushed open.

Hitana saw the unconcealable worry on her parents’ faces.

The honest man and gentle woman stared blankly at their daughter, unable to change their expressions in time, knowing she had seen their distress.

“Mom, Dad.”

Hitana said calmly: “From now on, will there be no more magic crystals?”

Orlan opened his mouth but couldn’t find words to say to his daughter.

After a brief silence, Yarlana forced a smile: “Don’t think too much, Hit.We… We know you did it for Lord Hydra.Everyone makes mistakes, don’t they?”

“Mistakes…”

Hitana mulled over her parents’ words, understanding many things at that moment.

Ah, if that’s the case, it seems… only natural.

Because I made a mistake, tarnishing Hydra’s reputation, it’s only reasonable that those nobles,who’d give their fortunes to please him, would stop favoring me and the village.

Reasonable… heh, reasonable.

Tormented by that all-controlling shadow, Hitana didn’t find this reasonable at all.

The wolf’s lips twitched slightly, her eyes lowered, her inner whispers filled with loathing and disdain.

Hydra… no matter how nicely you put it, I won’t be fooled by you again.

Cherish?

Never give up?

Sure, who’d give up such a useful tool?

One that can please you and take the blame for you—you sure… cherish me.

Cherish me so much that you’d resort to such despicable means to force me back!

“It’s okay, Mom, Dad.”

Hitana smiled, her dark red eyes blazing with fire.

The scarred wolf rested peacefully in her simple, ordinary nest.

She might have abandoned her ambitions, lost her drive, and tamed her wildness, but the one thing… The one thing she never lost was her absolute, pure confidence.

She was Hitana Lansmarlos, the genius warrior who, despite being tormented and schemed against by that devil Hydra, still stood tall!

“I can help everyone, believe me.”

The girl confidently waved her fist and strode outside.

“Hit, Hit—wait!”

Yarlana called out worriedly, trying to stop her daughter, but Hitana had already marched off with her head held high.

Orlan gazed at his daughter’s back, following silently without a word.

You think this will make me submit, Hydra?

You think you can use my care for everyone, my only weakness, to make me bow to you again, become your puppet?

Hitana stepped onto the shallow snow, the self that had wavered between peace and pain these past few days breaking free from its chains, almost making her want to laugh out loud.

That vile, hypocritical guy could only resort to such tactics!

If Hydra had kept the village’s peace intact, over time, she might have been persuaded by her parents and friends to return to his side, as that was her only weakness.

But now… this arrogant, foolish guy had willingly given up his greatest advantage, trying to force her compliance with such laughably despicable means.

Since you’ve gone this far, what do I have to worry about?

Do you think I can’t make the village’s lives better without you?

And on the other hand, for Hydra to go to such lengths to force her back, didn’t that prove her potential was limitless?

Most of the villagers had left their homes, gathering in the village.

When they saw Hitana, the worry in their eyes far outweighed any complex thoughts.

Because they all knew what kind of person Hitana was and understood the despair her mistake had brought her.

“Hit, Hit, you…”

Ruiyota ran to Hitana’s side, looking at her dear friend with deep concern and heartache in her eyes.

“I’m sorry… I thought you came back to have fun.I didn’t know… didn’t know how much you were hurting inside.”

The girl sobbed, regretting what she’d done these past few days.

Her friend was in so much pain, yet she kept dragging her to do this and that—something a friend shouldn’t do.

“It’s okay, Yota.”

Hitana patted her friend’s head.

She had imagined returning home in glory, proclaiming her grand deeds amid cheers and praise; imagined basking in the sunlight, being tossed high in the air and embraced by the love of her kin; imagined holding that person’s hand, announcing to everyone she cherished, under hugs and kisses, that she had a cause worth dedicating her life to, a person worth trusting with everything she had.

But she had never imagined there would come a day like this, comforting her friends, her kin, telling them she had the ability and would definitely take on everything.

The worry from her family and friends made Hitana’s resolve burn with unparalleled determination.

At that moment, she keenly felt the weight of responsibility, the heat in her chest, and the awakening of the long-dormant beast in her soul, eager to unleash its—and her—power.

The glimpse of that vision she had seen in her dream seemed to beckon her.Hydra?

If that future truly existed, with her so powerful, where would there be even the slightest trace of Hydra in her?

No need for pity, no need for handouts, no need for vile conspirators, no need for malicious dominators… Hitana Lansmarlos would surely achieve a greatness that was hers alone!

A greatness that could topple even the Empire!

“Everyone!”

Hitana stood in the center of the village, looking around at the villagers watching her with concern, the gloom and anguish hidden in her heart these past few days burned away by her rekindled confidence.

Yes, why had she been so indecisive, so hesitant?

Could life not go on without Hydra?

Even if her flesh was scarred, her bones worn and broken, her will tormented, her beliefs in chaos—

Her understanding of herself, her trust in her talent, her grasp of her strength… The wolf that had crawled out of hell with gritted teeth, no matter how lost, had never wavered in the foundation that shaped her character and self today.

—Hitana firmly believed in her own strength.

How could a weakling who dared not trust their own power ever be worthy of walking the path of a supreme conqueror!

“No one needs to worry about me. I’ll find a way to atone for my mistakes and sins.”

Hitana spoke, her pure, soaring confidence, unseen on her face for so long, moving the villagers deeply.

“I know my arrogance and willfulness… have caused a lot of trouble for everyone, but from now on—no, from today—I promise you all, I will never be so foolishly self-righteous again.”

The smile that rose on the girl’s face reassured the worried villagers one by one, their eyes filled with relief as they looked at the girl in the center of the clearing.

This emotional response filled Hitana with even more strength.

She swung her fist fiercely, her voice passionate and resounding, as if a shadow… overlapped with her form.

“Even without the help of those nobles, I can lead the village, lead everyone, to a better life!

Believe in me!”

Facing the villagers’ warm gazes, Hitana stood tall, declaring with immense pride: “Because I’m Hitana!”

Ruiyota covered her mouth, staring blankly at her radiant friend.

“Hit, Hit.”

She stammered: “Are you… really okay now?”

“Absolutely, completely fine!”

Hitana laughed loudly, grabbing Ruiyota’s arm and lifting her high: “Right now, I couldn’t be better!”

This was… the feeling of growth!

This was true maturity!

Hydra, Marina… growing up wasn’t the disgusting, vile thing you made it out to be, not something gained by trampling others!

“Aaah—I get it, I get it! Put me down, I’m not a kid anymore!”

Ruiyota flailed and shouted, and after Hitana set her down, she first glared at her huffily, then sniffled and hugged her tightly, crying with joy.

“That’s great… I was so worried you’d be consumed by guilt forever, unable to escape that shadow. Now that you’ve moved on, no one has to worry anymore, right!”

“Yeah, yeah, I was terrified when Hagmar brought back news from Blackwater City, scared that a good kid like Hit would never recover… It’s so great that you’ve moved on.”

“After all… how should I put it? In the end, it’s the nobles’ fault.It’s not Hit’s fault at all.They’re the ones who killed people, so why blame Hit and Lord Hydra?”

“Those people are so shameless.If they’ve got the guts, go after the nobles!What’s the point of bullying our Hit? Think they can ride over her because Lord Hydra is lenient with commoners and Hit is kind to them?A bunch of spineless… What's that phrase? Anyway, shameless jerks, they should all just die!”

Relieved that Hitana was okay, everyone discussed happily, not the least bit worried about their current predicament.

Hitana was overjoyed too.

Every bit of their earlier worry, their current relief—didn’t it prove their deep love and trust in her?

“Don’t worry, I’ll start figuring out ways to make money tomorrow.Let me think, starting with—”

“Oh, come on, Hit, if you’re okay, why worry about that?”

Ruiyota interrupted Hitana’s confident words, hands on her hips: “Everyone was worried you couldn’t move on, feeling guilty toward Lord Hydra.Now that you’ve figured it out, there’s no problem, right?”

The wolf’s radiant smile took on a tinge of confusion at her friend’s words.

“…Huh?”

“Exactly.”

A young man spat: “Damn it, that bastard Gregory fired me, saying Hit ruined Lord Hydra’s reputation, and we’re all screwed because of it… What a joke!

Hit and Lord Hydra are so close!”

“Lord Hydra even wanted to take the blame for Hit’s mistake!”

“Yeah, those self-righteous nobles think they can win Lord Hydra’s favor by doing this?

They don’t even know what Hit means to him—you agree, right, Hit?”

“…”

Hitana used every ounce of strength to maintain the smile on her face but couldn’t utter a single word.

Hydra.

Hydra.

Hydra.

Why… still Hydra?

“Hmph, those idiot nobles.Now that Hit’s moved on, just contact Lord Hydra, and it’ll all be fine.”

Ruiyota said smugly: “Lord Hydra likes Hit so much, once he hears she’s been wronged, those nobles are done for!”

“Hahaha!I want to see that fat pig groveling at Hit’s feet tomorrow, begging her to plead with Lord Hydra!”

“Oh! Maybe if Lord Hydra gets mad, he’ll come here himself!

Could we get to meet Lord Hydra?”

Noisy, chaotic.

Even having lost their comfortable living conditions, the villagers remained so confident, excitedly discussing things that, for commoners, were almost fantastical.

Why?

What’s there to ask?

Our village has Hitana!

Lord Hydra’s Hitana!

“Everyone… everyone, listen to me.”

Hitana’s lips trembled, her nails digging into her palms as she maintained her smile and the confidence she’d barely rekindled, raising her voice with effort: “We don’t need that guy… I mean, we don’t need Hydra.I can do it too, I can help everyone live better, can’t I? With our own strength, with our own hands, we can make things better!”

The clamor around her quieted, and everyone looked at Hitana.

Still with relief, reassurance, such comforting and peaceful gazes.

—Yet they felt like merciless ice blades, dissecting Hitana’s very being.

“That’s great… Hit’s really grown up, thinking of Lord Hydra like that.He’ll surely be pleased when he hears.”

“Relying on ourselves, hmm… good ideaHow about we do as Hit says, hold on for a bit, then tell Lord Hydra later?That might work even better!Hit will look even more perfect in his eyes!”

“Huh?But I don’t want to freezeThe great cold wave just passed, and it’s too cold these days.

I can’t stand it.”

“Shut up, Grekin!This is for Hit’s sake, for everyone’s sake!Got it?”

“Hmm… should we vote on it?”

“Vote on what?

Hit decides!

Hit, your idea’s great.

Don’t worry about us suffering.

You’ve brought so much to us, made the village so much better.

What’s a little hardship for you?

Rest assured, we’ll make sure you shine even brighter in Lord Hydra’s eyes!”

“Right, we’ll all help you!”

That enthusiasm, almost enough to ignite the snow, was so genuine.

Everyone looked at Hitana with burning gazes, at this girl who came from their village, bringing better lives to the village and to each of them.

They were willing, unconditionally willing, to help Hitana, to contribute their meager efforts.

How heartwarming, how touching.

Surrounded by such enthusiasm and beauty, Hitana must be happy—every villager thought with joy and pride.

Even though Hitana was already so distinguished, they, ordinary people, could still help this good kid.

How wonderful!

Hitana stood frozen, hot tears streaming endlessly from her eyes.

“Hey, don’t cry, Hit… this is what we should do.”

Ruiyota hurriedly wiped Hitana’s tears, feeling her own eyes well up.

Emotion is contagious.

Hitana cried because of their enthusiasm and sincerity; how could Ruiyota not be deeply moved by Hitana’s unconditional trust and devotion to them?

She hugged Hitana tightly, saying with utmost conviction:“It’s okay, we’ll all help you.

No matter how much we suffer, we’re fine with it.”

“As long as you become the best in Lord Hydra’s eyes, his greatest ally, it’s all worth it.”

“If Lord Hydra is proud of you, Hit, you’ll surely be happy too, right?”

“Ah… ah…”

The wolf, enveloped by love, let out meaningless syllables so pale and hollow, as if lost in the happiness of the moment, unable to break free.

***

Anselm was discussing literature and theater with Professor Polynea.

“Hmm… this Clafeller, I have some recollection.”

The young man rubbed the book’s cover, thought for a moment, then quickly realized: “Ah, I remember now.A renowned playwright who filled the capital with fame thirteen years ago… but was later discovered to be a revolutionary, executed publicly in Blue Flame Square.”

Polynea’s fingers trembled slightly.

She was silent for a moment before asking a question unrelated to literature.

“Your Excellency Hydra, you just referred to the rebels as… the Revolutionary Army?”

“Hm?”

Anselm looked up: “Is there a problem? If I recall correctly, that’s what they call themselves.”

“That may be, but… such a term.”

Polynea, as if reminding Anselm, said tactfully: “It could cause trouble.”

Anselm flipped through the book’s pages, laughing heartily: “Hydra isn’t so weak as to care about that.But in front of those old fossils, I’ll choose my words carefully, because they’re troublesome and disgusting.”

“Personally, I quite like the word ‘revolution’ and the name they call themselves, [New World].”

“A healthy nation needs to accommodate different voices, doesn’t it?”

Under Professor Polynea’s gleaming gaze, Anselm said casually: “As long as they haven’t done anything extreme, I’ll still call them the Revolutionary Army.Hmm… speaking of which, Professor Polynea, have you studied the Revolutionary Army?”

The professor jumped, quickly shaking her head: “No, no, how could I know about such things… I’m just… just a scholar.”

“Ah, sorry, I forgot you don’t study sociology. Oh… Tianlu Tower doesn’t have that discipline either, haha, forget I said anything.”

Anselm continued flipping through the book, saying offhandedly: “I’ve done some research on them, though only a little.From my investigation, there seems to be a split within the Revolutionary Army.”

“…”

Professor Polynea didn’t speak, trying to maintain the demeanor of a listener.

“Though both factions aim to end the Flame-Feasting Royalty’s rule, their actions after overthrowing the Emperor are entirely different.”

“One faction, led by well-educated intellectuals with high moral standards, advocates for top-down reform of the Empire, abolishing the nobility system, ending the monopoly on supernatural knowledge, and pushing the Empire toward progress and societal advancement.

From what I know, many of them are nobles themselves or control significant resources… It’s impressive for vested interests to have such awareness.”

“The other faction, led by those oppressed by the Empire and poisoned by noble rule, advocates for completely destroying all of the Empire’s systems and building a new, oppression-free nation on the ruins.Compared to the former, they lack a stable, concrete guiding principle and visionary leaders, but they have the advantage of vast numbers and immense strength, and…”

Anselm snapped the book shut with a “bang,” looking at Polynea with a faint smile: “They’re somewhat unscrupulous, aren’t they?”

“I… what you’re saying… ah!I’m not, not very clear on this.”

Polynea’s gaze darted away, as Anselm’s words seemed to hint at her identity.

As a professor who focused solely on academia with little social interaction, it was only natural to fear the label of such a grave accusation from the Empire’s executioner.

“Haha, sorry, I tend to get carried away talking about social issues.You know… young people are like that.”

Anselm smiled and moved past the topic: “Let’s get back to literature and theater… right, we were talking about Mr. Clafeller… his death was quite dramatic, wasn’t it?”

Polynea steadied herself: “I… have some recollection.It seems this playwright’s exposure was because his wife didn’t sleep as usual one night and was preparing a midnight snack for him.

That night, Clafeller happened to bring a nearly exposed comrade to hide in their home, and then…”

“And then his wife discovered his identity.”

Anselm sighed, shaking his head: “The dramatic part is, his wife, who loved Clafeller deeply, didn’t want to expose her husband’s identity but feared she couldn’t keep the secret, so… she chose suicide.”

“Her suicide drew the attention of the Black Matrix, and with a little help from Hydra, um… my father, the Black Matrix’s soldiers arrested Clafeller and executed him in Blue Flame Square.”

Polynea fell silent, seemingly conflicted by the dramatic fall of this playwright and revolutionary.

“Love, ah.”

The young Hydra gazed out the window, sighing, his lips curling upward as if seeing… a spectacle only he could behold.

***

Hitana Lansmarlos, in the eyes of those she loved, was powerful, with a bright future ahead.

But this wasn’t because she had the power to change the world.

It was because she was Hydra’s vassal.

For the proud wolf, was there any love in this world more cruel than this?

Hitana, dear Hitana.

The devil chuckled contentedly in his heart.

How could I possibly use vile, despicable, unscrupulous means to harm your family, your friends, and you, whom I cherish most?

How could I be so pathetic as to resort to such tactics to coerce and threaten you to return to my side?

I don’t want to hurt you anymore.

So, let your family and friends love you in my place.

Let countless loves envelop you, let that love destroy your sense of self, your dignity, your confidence—

Destroy the dignity and value you hold as your life, as your everything.