Chapter 88: An Unbelievable Twist

With just over ten hours until the Red Ice Python’s awakening, it would burst from the earth, unleashing its ether beast fury.

Chishuang Territory felt an unnatural pressure.

In an unknown place and time, a pivotal extraordinary battle loomed.

As the net tightened, everything progressed as Anselm desired, except…

He still hadn’t made that critical decision.

The Red Ice Python battle was my grand stage, Anselm’s declaration to the Empire, the world, and fate—Anselm Hydra was stepping into history’s tide.

But I, unascended to the third tier, facing the Python was a fantasy.

After that night’s talk, Anselm prepared but hadn’t decided, torn by hesitation and caution.

A past wrong choice brought him deep despair.

Now, facing another hesitant choice, Anselm refused to err again.

He couldn’t make a wrong call at this tense juncture.

Even if I stayed as is, even if this long-planned drama ended absurdly rushed, Anselm wouldn’t force a choice.

“Hitana, Hitana…”

He murmured my name. Since I returned heartbroken from his office, we hadn’t spoken.

Even now, with the Python’s threat looming, there was no movement.

“Binding Hitana with reason, changing her fighting and thinking, failed.”

Anselm reviewed cautiously before a mirror, as if speaking to another: “She found her true path. Her dormant beast soul reawakened. Normal third-tier ascension will awaken her Spiritual Essence unavoidably.”

The Water of Redemption appeared in his hand. Hydra stared at the viscous liquid: “I must use this inferior Beast-element Water to force her ascension, bypassing her Spiritual Essence.”

The Water of Redemption, a rare Concordant Church product, could elevate anyone—even the talentless—to third tier instantly, holding a key to fourth tier based on its element.

It could create fourth-tier extraordinaries.

To Anselm, this ascension was shoddy, but now… exactly what he needed.

This forced ascension would deny me a perfect soul-body union, preventing my Spiritual Essence awakening.

With love and desire binding me, Anselm could ensure I wouldn’t become an unyielding beast.

Anselm didn’t need a mindless puppet or a supreme beast king. He needed a loyal ally with strong will, yet never betraying him.

Did he trust me? Of course. But for how long? Beyond human growth, the 【Beast】 essence demanded preparation.

“Tonight, I must bind Hitana with love.”

His tone was flat: “After, have her drink the Water of Redemption to ensure… her loyalty.”

Anselm Hydra sacrificed so much—why not my future?

He’d already chosen.

Anselm glanced at the study’s clock, stored the Water in his ring, and walked to my room.

After a brief self-analysis, he executed his plan without hesitation.

He weighed the outcome, its benefits, and unavoidable downsides.

It was the undeniable best solution.

Ensuring my strong self while preventing 【Beast】-driven changes cost only my power and future—the Celestial Wolf Empress would cease.

As he told me, he didn’t need such a terrifyingly powerful being. To Anselm… it was too dangerous.

Only he knew what facing the Flame-Feasting Emperor meant.

“This is, undoubtedly, the right choice.”

At my door, Anselm murmured.

As he touched the handle, the door swung open.

It was… Marina who walked out?

She was usually working at this hour, with no reason to suddenly return to the bedroom and leave.

In that instant, Anselm easily caught the… panic on Marina’s face.

“…Mr. Anselm.”

Marina, thinking she hid it well, bowed slightly: “Are you looking for Hitana?”

“Yes.” Anselm smiled. “And you, Marina? Were you chatting with Hitana?”

“Yes, work’s been tiring.”

I tilted my head playfully: “Hope you don’t mind me slacking off.”

“If you actually slacked, I wouldn’t worry about you collapsing at your desk.”

Anselm patted my shoulder: “Rest, okay?”

“Alright, I won’t disturb you and Hitana.”

Marina bowed again and left quickly.

Anselm entered the bedroom, closing the door, looking at me sitting cross-legged, munching fruit, ready to deliver his meticulously crafted speech.

First, apologize to stir my guilt, then light physical contact, avoiding ascension talk, just chatting about our time since meeting, evoking my emotions.

When the moment was right, escalate to intimate touch, focusing words on emotional expression, deepening my love for him.

Though I’d asked to pause that night, Anselm hadn’t abandoned his strategy, just toned it down. In this state, I’d surely be moved.

Then, naturally, take my body and heart fully.

Finally, have me willingly drink the Water of Redemption, don the Ring of Power after ascending, making me his first Contract Head, sealing everything.

The entire plan was perfectly clear. Once he spoke, the conversation’s rhythm would be his.

But…

“Hey, Anselm.”

I looked up from my fruit, beaming: “You’re here!”

“…”

Anselm froze slightly.

My mood… wasn’t low. Marina? Did she manage to cheer me up?

Anselm quickly grasped the situation and prepared his backup plan.

“Yes, Hitana, you seem… less upset.”

He sat beside me, saying gently: “Sorry, I—”

“Sorry? For what?”

I tilted my head, confused: “Why are you apologizing?”

“…Because I forced you to cancel—”

“Oh, that.”

I wiped my wet hands with a cloth, grinning: “I thought it was something big. You’re more hung up on it than me, Anselm.”

I scratched my head, incredulous: “You didn’t come see me these past days… because you were fretting, right?”

“…” This time, Anselm fell silent.

“Really?”

My eyes widened.

“…Yes.” Anselm smiled helplessly at my accidental hit. “Indeed.”

“Anselm…”

I stared, then shouted, tackling him to the ground.

“Anselm, Anselm!” I called joyfully, rubbing his cheek. “I knew you were the best to me!”

“…Hitana, you didn’t come to me.” Anselm tried to pat my head but couldn’t. “Why?”

“Huh? No need.”

I sat up on him, saying matter-of-factly: “You’d handle it, right… I was curious why you took so long, but whatever! Because you…” I giggled.

My joy at Anselm’s “fretting” was so pure, so beautiful.

“I’ll definitely… handle it.”

Anselm repeated my words softly.

“I’ll definitely handle it, so you don’t care at all, Hitana?”

I gave him a “what’s that nonsense” look: “You’re handling it, so why care? I just follow, right?”

“…”

After a brief silence, Anselm asked softly:

“What if my plan is wrong?”

“I’ve never seen you mess up.”

I tilted my head: “Besides, so what if it’s wrong? Everyone messes up. Didn’t I screw up all the time?”

“But if you follow my wrong plan, you’ll get hurt.”

“So what.” I grinned fearlessly. “I got hurt, big deal. I’m tough, it’s fine.”

“I mean—”

“Oh, Anselm, you’re asking if I’d blame you.”

“…”

Seeing Anselm silent again, I froze, a bit annoyed, then burst out laughing, collapsing into his arms, laughing louder:

“Pfft… hahaha, Anselm, Anselm! You’re so weird today, thinking like this—so unlike you… but so cute.”

I nuzzled his chest, voice soft yet firm:

“Why ask that, Anselm? You forgave me so many times, helped me so many times, always stood by me.”

“Like you’ll always forgive me.” I looked up, winking.

“I’ll always forgive you.”

Reason.

Analysis.

Planning.

Anselm found ways to challenge fate over six years by freezing and dissecting his emotions, finding his true thoughts, choosing the absolute right path.

“Anselm.” I poked his cheek. “So, why’d you come? Not just to apologize, right? Ascension tomorrow?”

“…Anselm, Anselm? Are you zoning out?”

It was a long, long silence.

So long I felt something was off, but I said nothing, just lay quietly on his chest.

“…Hitana.”

In that long silence, Anselm finally spoke.

“You trust me like this?”

“What a dumb question, Anselm.” I punched him. “Don’t you trust me? Isn’t it the same?”

“Yeah… haha, you’re right.”

“You’re right.”

Anselm chuckled, relieved.

He held my hand, voice gentle: “Hitana, I’m here to help you ascend to third tier.”

“Huh? For real?” My eyes lit up. “How? What’s your special method?”

“This.”

The young Hydra raised the Contract Head ring to me.

A third choice, outside his plans.

I stared, stunned, as he said: “The Head of Power’s ring can transform your body directly, bypassing soul-driven reshaping.”

“Theoretically, you can ascend to the third tier without awakening your Spiritual Essence.”

But only… theoretically.

For critical matters, Anselm didn’t gamble recklessly—showing me his memories was a calculated move, not truly a gamble.

This chance was less certain than using the Water of Redemption post-ascension.

Yet Anselm chose it.

“…Really?”

I stared nervously at the ring: “Can I… wear it now?”

“Of course.” Anselm patted my head lovingly. “You deserve it, Hitana.”

My face flushed. I reached for the ring he held, then pulled back.

“Anselm, I…”

I looked up, eyes hopeful: “Can you put it on me?”

Anselm smiled, sitting up, helping me upright, taking my left hand, slowly and firmly sliding the ring onto my index finger.

It settled at the base.

“This is… the Contract Head ring, so pretty!”

I held my ringed finger like a treasure, rubbing it happily: “Now I’m your Contract Head, the first! Hehe… hehehe!”

“But…”

I raised my fingers, puzzled, eyeing the ferocious Snake-headed ring.

“Why don’t I feel anything?”

“…A Contract Head’s change is subtle.”

Anselm rubbed my head: “By tomorrow, you’ll feel it. The Red Ice Python, too—”

“Leave it to me!”

I hugged him tightly, grinning: “First battle, I won’t let you down.”

“I trust you, Hitana.”

Anselm hugged me back, confident, but soon let go.

“Rest well,” he said gently. “Prepare for tomorrow.”

“You too, Anselm.”

I stood, hand on hip, proud: “Tomorrow, watch me!”

Anselm nodded, smiling, and left my bedroom.

The moment the door closed, his expression turned utterly cold, even… furious.

For the first time, Anselm lied to me.

Because even with the ring—

I still wasn’t his Contract Head.

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