Chapter 55 : Hydra’s Malice

Anselm and Marina stood outside the orphanage’s fence, watching the children playing inside.

“Marina.”

Anselm suddenly said: “What kind of person do you think Count Ironstone was?”

After some time, Marina, who had slightly freed herself from the painful, dark emotions, thought for a moment: “He was probably… a somewhat better noble.”

After Anselm allowed her to access broader documents, her understanding of Chishuang

Territory deepened and with Anselm’s explanations, Marina now knew more about Chishuang Territory than most nobles in the region.

Compared to other nobles, Count Ironstone’s actions seemed more like those of a true noble—bearing glory and providing protection.

For instance, this orphanage was established through Count Ironstone’s efforts, helping many orphaned and abandoned children in the outer districts of Chishuang City.

This was evident from his words and demeanor, which, compared to the utterly reprehensible nobles in Hitana’s eyes, made Count Ironstone’s image rather traditional.

“Then what do you think made him one of the better nobles?”

Anselm asked, smiling at a little girl inside the yard who noticed him.

The little girl’s face flushed red, and she covered her face, scampering off with a patter, utterly adorable.

Marina sank into thought.

She always wanted to lose herself in thinking, using it to escape the nightmares that drove her to despair.

“I think… it wasn’t because he was particularly kind.”

The girl pondered the words Anselm had taught her earlier—policies, at their core, were for people, but who were these “people”… and which side did they represent?

“He didn’t act out of a genuine desire to improve Chishuang Territory.”

As someone responsible for buying and selling at the market in her household, Marina had a keen grasp of human nature.

She furrowed her brows slightly, speaking in a low, uncertain tone: “It was more like… a sense of duty, or perhaps… decorum? The decorum of a noble?”

“That’s a good word.” Anselm clapped lightly. “Decorum fits well with Count Ironstone’s motivation. His family has a long history, with ancestors who once shone brightly. Though their influence has waned, that purer ‘noble heritage’ has never changed.”

“Do you remember Bernahl? His ancestors were vassals of the Ironstone family, but for certain reasons, they chose to break away. Not only did the Ironstone family not pursue them, but they continued to support him. Even now, Count Ironstone treats him well.”

The young Hydra stroked his Snake-headed ring: “You know, vassals can’t just break away so easily. Sometimes, no matter how valid the reasons, to the nobles they serve, it’s tantamount to betrayal.”

“After all, in the eyes of most nobles, the lives of their subjects and vassals, everything they have, is granted by them.”

“So—” he turned to Marina, encouraging her with a warm, bright smile, “it’s impressive that you immediately pointed out his ‘kindness’ stemmed from decorum. I told you, didn’t I? You have talent too.”

“…No, ahem, I mean… Thank you for your praise.”

Marina, instinctively wanting to deny herself, blushed slightly, lowered her head, and responded softly with some shyness.

In this world, the one who discovered her, who trusted her absolutely, was Lord Hydra.

Even though I was an ordinary person, less than a mayfly in this world, he was willing to give me such pure, sincere recognition and respect.

Standing by Lord Hydra’s side felt so reassuring.

Thinking this, Marina’s heart raced, and she silently scolded herself for being shameless.

“B-Besides that,” she averted her gaze, trying to calm herself by shifting her focus, “I also think it’s… it’s a way to compete with Count Chishuang.”

“Hm…”

Anselm didn’t comment, as his attention shifted to the yard beyond the fence.

The little girl who had run off blushing earlier returned, holding a flower.

Her cheeks were red as she cautiously approached the fence, looking up at Anselm and saying timidly: “You’re… Lord Hydra, right?”

Anselm crouched down, reached through the fence, and smiled as he patted her head: “That’s me, little miss. What’s your name?”

“L-Lilica.”

The girl enjoyed Hydra’s touch but quickly realized her rudeness.

She closed her eyes, her voice trembling with extreme shyness and nervousness and handed the flower to Anselm.

“My… my headmistress said you gave us lots of coal, or we’d have been freezing in a few days. This is a gift for you!”

“Thank you, I’ll accept it.”

Anselm said warmly, taking the flower and tapping her forehead: “Close your eyes for a moment, let me think…”

“Marina.”

Hydra stood up and whispered in the silver-haired girl’s ear, his warm breath making Marina’s body tremble slightly, her ears burning.

“Do you have a small gift suitable for this lovely girl?” Anselm asked softly, his voice rustling. “I’ll repay you.”

“I… I…”

Anselm’s voice, Anselm’s breath, Anselm’s scent, Anselm’s warmth… it all made Marina’s head spin.

Flustered, she fumbled around, hurriedly taking off her hair accessory. She wanted to step away from Anselm but couldn’t bear to leave that warmth.

With trembling fingers, she placed the hair accessory in Anselm’s palm: “Please give this to her.”

“Thank you for your generosity, Miss Marina,” Anselm’s fingertips brushed her palm as he chuckled lightly. “I owe you one, don’t forget to remind me.”

He tucked the hair accessory into the girl’s small hand, ruffled her hair again amid her joyful cheers, and then left with Marina.

The young nobleman didn’t say much, simply strolling through the streets with the girl, who kept her head down, hands clasped in front of her.

Until the emotions surging in Marina’s heart gradually settled, until Marina wished the road would never end.

She wanted to get closer, even closer, so that her shoulder might brush against Lord Hydra’s, touching and parting ever so slightly.

Before the girl could act on her thoughts, Hydra, walking beside her, suddenly said:

“Marina, so what do you think… What is Count Ironstone’s decorum like?”

“…”

The question left Marina stunned for a few seconds, not because it was difficult, but because of the significance of asking it.

Yes… what was I thinking? Lord Hydra brought me out to broaden my horizons, and here I was, entertaining those thoughts.

…How could I have the right to think such things?

In a brief silence, the gentle, kind girl gathered her emotions, not letting a trace of her sadness or disappointment show.

She answered softly but firmly:“I think there’s nothing wrong with it.”

“Even if he didn’t truly care about the commoners, even if he only cared about his noble honor, even if, like other nobles… he didn’t see us as equals, but as mere insects.”

“But at least he did something. His ‘decorum,’ even if it helped just one more person survive the winter, had value.”

Marina lowered her head: “Because we… don’t have the right or the strength to demand more.”

At this point, she seemed to understand why Anselm asked this question.

“…Lord Hydra,” she mustered her courage, stepping closer to Anselm. “I promise you, Hitana won’t make such shallow, shortsighted mistakes again. I’ll educate her properly, just as you’ve educated me.”

Marina spoke earnestly, solemnly, almost as if making a vow, but Anselm’s response to her seriousness was… indifference.

“…Hm? What?”

Under the girl’s stunned gaze, her revered Lord Hydra paused, then reacted, his lips curling upward.

—As if he took her words as a joke.

“No, it’s fine, don’t worry too much, Marina.”

He said casually: “I don’t mind what Hitana does. She won’t truly anger me and I’ll always forgive her. You can rest assured.”

“After all, she has that kind of value and ability.”

This magnanimity, enough to bring anyone to tears, shattered the already fragmented self-esteem of the clever, ordinary girl.

Yes… we don’t have the right or the strength to demand more.

But she does, doesn’t she?

No matter how shortsighted or absurd Hitana was, she had the value to earn Lord Hydra’s eternal forgiveness and I don’t.

“…Marina?”

Lord Hydra’s concerned voice sounded in Marina’s ears: “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“…It’s just, just the wind. It’s too strong, it’s hurting my eyes. Please don’t worry about it.”

The girl, rubbing her eyes, smiled at Anselm.

She crushed her tears, swallowing her numbness.

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