A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Ravenna, seated in the adjacent chair, remained silent for a moment before turning to Hendrik:

"Hendrik," her expression was impassive, but her tone was earnest, "would you mind stepping out for a moment?"

Hendrik, momentarily taken aback, then nodded gently, "Of course, have a good talk with His Grace, Ravenna."

The leader of the Tower of Babel left his office, and the Duke of Magus Primus, intrigued, raised an eyebrow, "What is it? Do you wish to propose some sort of private transaction?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

Ravenna lowered her gaze slightly, "Before we proceed, may I inquire about the terms you are prepared to offer?"

"I appreciate straightforwardness."

The Duke of Magus Primus nodded in satisfaction, snapped his fingers, and a severed head dropped onto the floor.

"Bynar Kailunster of the Luminaris family, a fifth-stage retainer."

The grand duke, perched at the pinnacle of the empire, rested his chin on his hand, "You may not be aware, but the mad young dude of the Luminaris only hired one fifth-stage from the Zero Explorers to trouble you. The three fifth-stage retainers of the Luminaris are currently scattered and well-hidden."

"..." Ravenna, observing the head on the floor, replied after a moment of silence, "Your Grace, are you suggesting they will come to kill me?"

"No one knows what orders Conrad has given them, but since that mad dude failed... it would be normal for them to seek revenge on you and the Tower of Babel."

The Duke of Magus Primus tilted his chin slightly, "So, it's not just you who will be unfortunate. The Tower of Babel is not the Etheric Academy. If they were to go on a rampage and indiscriminately slaughter..."

At this point, he tugged at the corner of his mouth, "You might think I'm being alarmist, but if this were to actually happen, consider the losses and casualties that would result."

"I've taken care of one of the three for you, as a gesture of goodwill and a sign of my sincerity."

His tone was casual, "Agree to my terms, and I will take care of the other two as well. That's the first condition."

"... And the second?"

"The second is, of course, the most basic of resources."

The Duke of Magus Primus gestured with his hand, "Whatever you need, contact me. Whether it's large quantities of basic resources or rare and valuable ones, for the next six months, name your price; I set no limits."

This overly generous attitude made it clear that the Duke of Magus Primus was not here solely for the data system.

As expected, he added, "Of course, with Ansel's support, you might not be in need. The specifics can be worked out between my people and Ansel's, to fill in any gaps."

Observing Ravenna's continued silence, the Duke of Magus Primus slightly furrowed his brow, yet he did not display any impatience. He went on to add, "Thirdly, regarding the matters of the Tower of Babel within the Etheric Academy, I shall collaborate with the other two factions to resolve them for you. Naturally, this will take some time."

Upon hearing this, Ravenna finally spoke, "For Your Grace to propose such terms, what you desire must extend beyond mere templates and methods of using the data system."

"Indeed, what I seek is... everything," the Duke of Magus Primus revealed a hint of avarice in his eyes.

"From the most fundamental, the most basic, the most essential ideas, to the entire process of bringing them to fruition, that is what I desire."

"I am aware that you have concealed something. Its potential is not as limited as you have presented in your lectures. It represents a path that is remarkably novel, and I intend to explore its very essence—"

"I apologize, Your Grace," Ravenna interjected calmly, "but on this matter, I cannot acquiesce."

...

The Duke of Magus Primus narrowed his eyes slightly. As a fifth-stage extraordinary being and a grand duke of the empire, it was unthinkable for him to lose his temper with a young woman. However, the subtle emotions he did reveal were more than most could bear.

Ravenna's expression remained unchanged, still that of unyielding indifference.

"Ha, you certainly possess audacity," the Duke of Magus Primus chuckled, but he did not waste words on trivial inquiries like "Are you sure?" Instead, he straightforwardly lowered his demands, "Then, I shall take a step back. Provide me with a data system inclined towards the integration of spells. A foundation will suffice; I wish to test its malleability."

"Agreed," Ravenna affirmed, locking eyes with the Duke of Magus Primus.

"Your Grace, you may reduce the weight of other transactions, and in addition... I would like to propose a private trade, as you mentioned earlier."

"My grandfather, Eileen Ziegler—what do you know of his death?"

Ravenna's question momentarily stunned the Duke of Magus Primus. After a few seconds, he burst into laughter, "Ziegler, Ravenna Ziegler, you truly are courageous, inquiring about this from a former adversary is not the wisest of choices."

The Etheric Academy and Eileen were once at odds, and Ravenna's boldness in posing this question to the Duke of Magus Primus was indeed audacious.

"If the Etheric Academy were an impenetrable fortress, the current situation would not have arisen."

Amidst the Duke's laughter, Ravenna remained composed, "And as the first to engage with us among the supreme nine seats, the likelihood of your involvement in my grandfather's death is naturally minimal."

Great figures care about interests, but those who would disregard personal feelings and reputation are a rare few.

Especially for a noble of the Duke of Magus Primus's stature, it would be nearly impossible to shamelessly seek the inheritance of the Luminaris from a former "archenemy."

This implies that within the factions of the Etheric Academy, the Duke's previous attitude towards Eileen was not neutral, but at least it was not overtly hostile.

"Hmm... you do have a point."

The man crossed his legs, adopting a more relaxed posture, "I didn't expect this to be your request... haha, there's no need to include this in our trade. If you pursue this matter, it will surely displease my old friends, which would also be advantageous for me."

-->