Chapter 62: Witnessing Greatness

Anselm’s speech plunged Chishuang City into a sea of fervor, and Hitana, who witnessed it all up close, felt an immense sense of pride.

She was supposed to return to the manor with Anselm to make final preparations for the great cold wave, but unable to contain her excitement, she stayed at the central square.

[Long live Lord Hydra!]

[God… Thank you! Thank you for sending Lord Hydra to Chishuang Territory!]

[I’ll become the strongest… no, not just in Chishuang Territory, but in the north, in the entire Empire! I’ll be Lord Hydra’s greatest asset!]

Anselm might misjudge many things, but he could never misjudge Hitana.

The young wolf girl’s craving for feedback, for [praise], was overwhelming at her age and stage of maturity.

She could never resist the temptation to peek into others’ hearts or that curiosity.

“Tch, keep dreaming. Anselm already has me.”

Hitana scoffed at the inner voice she overheard.

The strongest sorcerer in the Empire… ten years? No, five years! Even if it’s the world’s strongest sorcerer, I could knock them out with two punches! Anselm doesn’t need any other help—I’m enough!

Anselm’s actions gave Hitana every reason to support him wholeheartedly.

Her once-wavering heart was now completely, unreservedly tied to him.

For Hitana, there was no more need for worry or hesitation.

She no longer needed to use methods she disliked to threaten others.

From now on, she could focus solely on becoming stronger.

“Speaking of that feeling when I stepped onto the platform…”

The girl clenched her fist, puzzled: “Was that what Anselm meant by the union of spirit and flesh? Was I… almost breaking through to the third stage?”

She didn’t know her words would make countless extraordinaries scoff, nor did she realize how insane it would drive them to learn it was true.

The third stage, ascending to the pinnacle of the Crystal Ladder toward the Throne, was the most critical transformation in the six-stage path to the heavenly realm.

It meant an extraordinary could harness the Ether in the atmosphere without external aids, fully breaking free from the mundane.

This process required vast materials to construct rituals, ensuring the stability of the soul and body’s fusion with Ether—a difficult and dangerous process beyond words.

How could there be a monster who, while walking, suddenly gained insight and reached the Throne?

Yet she existed, a destined hero who could defy even the extraordinary itself.

But now, the tyrant who, in the original timeline, stood unrivaled atop the world, battled the Dragon King on Aling Peak, and fought to the death with the Flame-Feasting Emperor in the imperial capital, was scurrying about like a puppy, seeking out words and thoughts praising her master.

The near-endless praise made Hitana giddy.

Though no one mentioned her, the mysterious girl who shared the stage with the great Lord Hydra, she knew clearly… Her help to Hydra was immense!

In the long term, Anselm’s benevolent policies would be fully implemented; in the short term, the coal funds distributed to the poor… she had saved them all!

Only at times like this did Hitana feel it was an astronomical sum.

She did want to boast a little about her contributions… mainly the former, since saving Anselm’s money wasn’t related to the commoners. But ensuring his policies were fully enacted? That was entirely for the people’s good!

That scheming Anselm had deliberately played things up with Count Ironstone, claiming grand deeds when they amounted to so little… fooling so many commoners into singing his praises.

But all that had been changed by her, Hitana!

The young wolf girl thought smugly, wiping away the slight dissatisfaction she’d felt toward Anselm.

In that sense, she had made a significant contribution to transforming Chishuang Territory!

“Too bad no one would believe me if I said it now… and I can’t steal Anselm’s spotlight.”

Hitana scratched her snowy hair: “I’ll tell Mom and Dad when I get back!”

She was so excited and happy, thrilled that she had accomplished what she wanted, helping the commoners who were always despised and struggled to survive.

Hitana took pride in her strength and talent, which had caught Anselm’s eye, chosen her and gave her the chance to realize her kind-hearted vision.

“From now on, whenever people mention Anselm, they’ll think of me!”

The girl indulged in her anticipation of the future, imagining herself and Anselm teaming up, punching marquises and kicking dukes… Wait, which is higher, a marquis or a duke? Whatever, it doesn’t matter.

As long as I’m with Anselm, no one can stand against us!

She pushed through the crowd, having had her fill of cheers and praise.

Hitana decided to seek fresher sustenance—she needed to see more people and events to share with Anselm later.

She walked a long way, not just in the central square but along the four main roads leading to it, all packed with people excitedly discussing Hydra’s deeds.

On a whim, Hitana pulled up the hood of her black velvet cloak.

Though her snowy hair wasn’t rare in the north, the increasingly self-conscious Miss Hitana didn’t want to be recognized.

“That Hydra you’re talking about.”

She slipped into a group’s discussion: “Is he really that great?”

“…Miss, you’re not from around here, are you?”

The middle-aged men debating heatedly gave her unfriendly looks.

“Yeah, I am.” Hitana feigned nonchalance. “I heard about this guy and came to Chishuang Territory.”

“No wonder.”

Their expressions softened, even becoming friendly—like Hitana, who never tired of eavesdropping on praise for Anselm, they were eager to preach Hydra’s greatness to an ignorant outsider.

“Let me tell you, after he came to Chishuang Territory, he killed over a hundred corrupt officials on his way here!”

“…” Hitana blinked for two seconds. “That… that many?”

“No way, not that many!” his companion interrupted. “It was only fifty-something!”

“Bullshit, it was thirty-something! Lofro, who shoveled snow at Lord Hydra’s manor, said so himself!”

“It was forty-six! Don’t you know…”

They began arguing over how many officials Hydra had executed, until someone cut in: “Anyway, he brought us justice! After arriving in Chishuang City, he slaughtered that fat pig Count Chishuang!”

“Damn it.” A middle-aged man spat.

“When that guy first took over, he said all the right things, promising to make Chishuang Territory richer. But he didn’t even pretend… Old Varnal next door went mad after Count Chishuang took his daughter.”

“Nobles are all like that.” Hitana nodded in agreement.

“Right, nobles are—well, except Lord Hydra.”

“He reformed the outer district’s patrol team. If I remember right, it was just three days after he took over Chishuang Territory’s affairs. He executed that bastard Butcher Krenfka, who treated the outer district like his personal kingdom.”

“Haha! I remember! That guy pissed himself before he was hanged, like a dead dog!”

At this, the crowd cheered again: “Long live Hydra!”

“Speaking of the outer district, can you believe it? That stinking place, where even the cold wind couldn’t clear the rot, it’s like it’s been transformed! I’d bet even tearing it down and rebuilding wouldn’t have worked as well!”

More people joined the discussion, sharing things Hitana had never heard. Only now did she realize—Hydra had done so much for Chishuang City and Chishuang Territory.

By then, Hitana, the “outsider,” was irrelevant. The people passionately exchanged their respect for Hydra, and Hitana heard not a single insincere thought.

It was the purest gratitude and kindness from these ordinary, unremarkable people.

This warmed Hitana’s heart while making her utterly disdain Count Ironstone.

She still couldn’t fathom what made that man so confidently claim that commoners were ungrateful, greedy beasts, or that Marina would agree with him.

His brain must be full of dung!

Throw him out here and see if he dares repeat that nonsense!

Hitana was certain that if Count Ironstone kept talking like that, he’d be beaten to death on the spot.

“Oh, do you remember that thing? About Lord Hydra’s follower, that girl who’s always causing trouble?”

“…” Miss Hitana’s face stiffened.

“You mean when she hurt someone on the street? I know! Lord Hydra actually went to jail himself, saying it was his failure to discipline her, that his sin was greater! I tell you, I know a guard there, and they said Lord Hydra really ate the pig slop in the cell… damn, stuff even pigs wouldn’t touch! Lord Hydra actually ate it!”

Her face burning, Hitana couldn’t bear to listen anymore. She pulled her hood tighter and hurried away.

The crowd didn’t notice the outsider girl’s departure, continuing their talk: “Speaking of, what happened to that unlucky merchant?”

“Him? Don’t even mention it,” a seemingly well-off young man said with pity. “He was ruined by Miss Lans. He brought his entire fortune to Chishuang City to start a business, but after a week, he barely made a few coppers. He’s done for!”

“Why?”

“Why else? Because Miss Lans refused to settle and insisted on going to court. Going to court is like slapping Lord Hydra’s face. No matter what Lord Hydra thinks, do you think nobles and merchants would let him continue?”

“Oh… that’s really unfortunate.”

“Yeah, who told him to cross that calamity-bringing Miss Lans?”

“…Speaking of that Lans, didn’t she extort Safer from the east street weapon shop?”

“Something about yelling why a dagger was so expensive? Scared Safer so bad he tried to give it for free, but she wouldn’t take it. In the end, he had to sell it at a price ‘she thought was fair.’”

“Why does Lord Hydra favor her so much? Could it be…”

“Don’t even think about it. With all the women Lord Hydra could have, he’d pick an ill-mannered wild dog?”

“Ugh, forget her. Let’s keep talking about Lord Hydra. Have you heard the rumor? They say he plans to help the entire territory’s poor survive the great cold wave by distributing tons of coal.”

“You’re insane! Do you know how much that would cost? Even for Lord Hydra…”

“But he said it in his speech just now!”

“Haha, my old man said he’s seen too many lords like Hydra, doing a few good deeds on stage to fool us. If Lord Hydra really does this, I’d love to hear what he’d say then!”

“Long live Hydra!”

***

Though Hitana usually wandered around after training, she had no clear understanding or concept of Chishuang City’s infrastructure, so she didn’t notice any outward changes.

But walking from noon to dusk, Hitana felt utterly content.

After Anselm’s speech, the entire Chishuang Territory seemed to plunge into a grand celebration.

People in every street and alley repeated his name endlessly.

Shops inexplicably began offering discounts, children acted out stories about him, and adults teared up in heated discussions.

Some danced in the streets, some strummed strings and sang, some recited praises with open arms, and others stood on the toppled statue of Count Chishuang, shouting Hydra’s name.

She didn’t need to see Chishuang City become grander or more refined.

Seeing these people, once without hope or expectations for the future, now stepping into the streets with courage, faith, confidence, and anticipation, Hitana felt it was all truly wonderful.

“Anselm…”

The girl sat casually on roadside steps, one hand propping her chin, the other touching the ring on her finger.

As if struck by a thought, her face suddenly flushed. Her lovely face, gently bathed in the sunset’s glow, was charmingly radiant.

“If I’d met you earlier, how great would that have been?”

Hitana pressed her legs together, daydreaming foolishly: “If at twelve, instead of going to that school, I’d been found by you, would I already be someone as incredible as you?”

“And…”

She awkwardly pinched her cheek, her voice drifting softly:

“And if so, four years… that’d probably be enough…”

“Aaah—stop thinking about it! It’s not too late now!”

Hitana slapped her cheeks, standing up and shaking off those absurd, tender thoughts.

“Now’s not the time for this. You’re meant for big things, Hitana, big things with Anselm!”

“Time to head back. It’s almost dinner… Hmm, if I ask Anselm to eat with me, he’d agree, right?

Hehe, I’ll tell him about everything I saw today. He’ll definitely be thrilled!”

With that, the excited girl took off running without a second thought, nearly knocking over a passerby, though her quick reflexes saved the day.

“Hey, you okay?” Hitana glanced at the young man after dodging.

“Uh… yeah, I’m fine. You okay, miss?”

“If I wasn’t, you’d be long gone.”

Hitana boasted about her sturdiness, but the young man clearly misunderstood, giving a stiff, dry laugh: “S-Sorry, I’ll go.”

“Hey, wait, why’re you so nervous?”

Hitana eyed him suspiciously: “Everyone’s so excited, but you look like you feel nothing.”

“I… I…”

Raoul was stumped: “Should I… be excited?”

“Shouldn’t you be?” Hitana said, a bit annoyed. “Anselm… Hydra’s words didn’t make you happy?”

“Oh… oh! That’s what you mean?”

Raoul, somewhat relieved, exhaled: “No, I—I really admire Lord Hydra. His speech was… incredible. I’ve never heard anything so stirring.”

Arms crossed, Hitana nodded absently while listening to his thoughts. Confirming their sincerity, she was about to walk away when she caught another:

[But in such a short time, who can say if it’s real or fake?]

The she-wolf spun around, her dark red eyes flashing with brutal coldness, scaring Raoul so much his legs gave out, and he collapsed.

“You… forget it!”

Hitana suppressed her irritation and stormed off.

Probably some village kid who doesn’t know Anselm’s greatness… Fine, I was like that too, but now I get it, don’t I?

Anselm is, without a doubt, the best!

Humming a tune and casting aside her minor annoyance, Hitana headed home in the last rays of the setting sun.

When she reached Anselm’s manor, it was nearly dark.

The maids were still busy in the courtyard, sorting and labeling piles of gifts.

Hitana glanced at them, pursed her lips, and headed for the main house’s door.

“Hope I’m not too late. Anselm hasn’t eaten yet, right… I don’t want to eat alone.”

Muttering to herself, Hitana gripped the doorknob and pushed hard.

The boy leaning on his cane came into view.

He seemed a bit surprised but soon smiled gently, with a hint of teasing: “I was worried you’d been kidnapped, Hitana.”

Hitana froze, her face flushing as she met his gaze. In the past, she’d have snapped back, but now she looked away, mumbling awkwardly: “W-Were you going to come find me?”

“Of course not.”

Anselm shrugged: “My maids have been busy from afternoon to evening. I need to let them rest.”

Annoyed at her own assumption, Hitana punched his chest: “Can’t you just humor me?”

Hydra tilted his head, blinking with a light laugh: “But I never lie to Hitana.”

“You! Fine… don’t say stuff like that so casually.”

Her brief temper vanished, and Hitana, head lowered, lightly tapped her right heel with her left foot, swaying slightly: “I trust you, okay.”

“Have you eaten anything before coming back?”

“Nope, I’m starving.” Hitana stuck out her tongue.

“Then why’re you standing here?”

Anselm extended his hand, saying softly: “Go wait in the dining room. I’ll be back soon.”

The hall’s soft candlelight reflected in Hitana’s glistening eyes, where the image of the handsome boy filled her vision.

“…Okay!”

Hitana nodded vigorously, taking Anselm’s hand and gripping it tightly, her smile radiant:

“Hurry up, or I’ll eat all your food!”

“Alright, dear Miss Hitana.”

The utterly content young wolf crossed the threshold, holding that warm hand tightly, stepping into the warm, bright hall.

Toward the beautiful future she longed for.

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