Lady Violet, a name only occasionally heard in the high circles of imperial politics. She lived behind the scenes, with absolutely cruel and extremely efficient means, almost replacing the Count of Red Frost, holding the Red Frost territory in her hand, and walking between the two grand dukes of the North, there was a hidden trend of becoming a faction of her own. And the status and wealth she gained were all built on countless desperate tragedies. The black profit network operated by the Count of Red Frost expanded countless times in her hands, connecting more than half of the North, even if most of the benefits had to be handed over to the real big people, but that web of blood, despair, and terror was firmly held in her hand. Seraphina's trip was not only for revenge, but also for... a closure. "The victor has the right to choose any title for the vanquished." The woman, her regal purple dress in tatters, still exuded an air of elegance and nobility, much like true aristocracy. She smiled, "That is your prerogative, Seraphina."
"Oh... alright, since you've called me by my name, I'll call you by yours."
Seraphina approached Marlina, the distance between them a mere few meters.
"You've changed a lot," Seraphina scrutinized Marlina, "Much more than I had imagined."
Her soft, white hair, a face that could stir protective instincts and evoke desire, was calm at the moment. But her light red lipstick and two amethyst earrings accentuated her mature and charming demeanor, her figure as ripe and full as a peach.
"No wonder your reputation surpasses that of the corpulent pig Cantrell. Any man who sees you would be stopped in his tracks."
Seraphina exclaimed, "It's a miracle he didn't squeeze you to death."
Marlina, laughing, brushed her hair, "I got hold of some of his secrets. We've been in a partnership for two years now."
"Had you not come, I would have replaced him as the representative of the Duke of Gray Tower in the Red Frost territory in a year."
"Oh, impressive, very impressive," Seraphina clapped, "You've committed all sorts of atrocities over the past four years, but at least you've gained something."
"I can't compare to you. Your position in the revolutionary army must be quite high, right?"
"It's only because of my teacher."
Seraphina waved her hand, "I don't get along well with those people. We're just partners."
The two chatted casually, their tones light, as if they were real sisters.
Even though they were sisters.
"You've also changed more than I thought," Marlina scrutinized Seraphina, "At least, the you from before wouldn't have killed everyone in the manor."
"There are only two types of people in this manor."
Seraphina said nonchalantly, "Those who deserve to die a thousand times, and those who wish to die a thousand times. There's no need to spare anyone."
Marlina was silent for a moment, then chuckled, "Four years, and you've changed so much."
"Four years, haven't you changed as well?"
"I thought you'd say a month."
"Don't be silly, Marlina," Seraphina laughed, "I'm not stupid. How could I not understand why you did what you did?"
Marlina didn't speak, just quietly looked at Seraphina.
"Ah..." Seraphina scratched her head, "I thought you'd question me, if I understood, why didn't I come to save you?"
"When you understood, I probably had done a lot of things you wouldn't want to see."
Marlina spoke gently, "At that time, I didn't have any expectations of you."
"Ah... you know me so well."
The two fell silent again.
"Aren't you going to do it?" Marlina tilted her head, "You shouldn't have much of a psychological burden. If you don't do it, my end will be quite miserable."
"That's true..." Seraphina sighed, "But it's harder to do than to think."
"Even if I'm a wicked woman?"
"Even if you're a wicked woman."
Seraphina kicked a pebble at her feet, turned to Marlina and asked, "Got a smoke?"
"There should be some on his body. You can look for it."
"Ew, that's disgusting."
Seraphina rubbed her arm, then looked up at the sky and said,
"You're all I have left, Marlina."
"Hmm? Haven't found a boyfriend?"
"Forget it, as long as they don't kneel as soon as they see me, it's a success."
"What about ordinary friends?"
"I don't need ordinary friends."
"You're such a failure, Seraphina," Marlina sighed.
"Yeah, but you're probably the same."
"Yeah, I'm pretty much the same."
The two women, who had experienced countless hardships and despair, transformed into their current selves and embarked on completely different paths, looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Their distinct laughter echoed over the ruins, over the countless bodies, over this twisted society, this twisted world.
"Do you want a good looking death?" After the laughter subsided, Seraphina tilted her head to look at Marlina.
"No," Marlina shook her head, "It would be used by others, better not."
"Ugh... you're right, the mob can hardly be considered human."
Seraphina placed her hand on Marlina's head and asked softly, "Anything else you want to say?"
"...Seraphina, do you think you've treated me fairly?"
"Of course not, after all, you've wronged so many people, but you've been fair to me."
Seraphina gently stroked Marlina's snowy hair, like a sensible younger sister comforting her older sister. She stared into those eyes that were identical to hers but had a completely different spirit, and said,
"But, if you're going to resist in this way, isn't it a bit too low-level? Don't let my evaluation of you drop before you die, Marlina."
"No, what I mean is, since you feel you've wronged me, shouldn't you promise me something before you kill me?"
"Hmm, as long as it's not too much, there's no problem."
"Good."
Marlina smiled contentedly, she held Seraphina's cheeks in her hands and said gently,
"Promise me, restrain the beast in your heart."
"..."
Seraphina opened her mouth, unable to respond for a moment.
"If you don't understand, I'll put it another way... although you definitely understand, Seraphina, you're a smart girl."
The woman stared into her sister's eyes,
"Promise me, stop killing people. Let me be the last one, okay?"
Seraphina lowered her gaze, involuntarily avoiding Marlina's eyes, "For someone like me... that's quite a demand."
"Is it too much?"
"Of course it's too much, but... I promise."
Seraphina held Marlina in her arms, closed her eyes, and whispered,
"I promise you, sister."
"Good girl," Marlina laughed and patted Seraphina's head.
"Don't see me again, don't come looking for me, it's not where you should go."
"...Okay."
The power that could shake mountains erupted in her palm.
Seraphina looked down at the last of her kin in her arms, who she had shattered into dust with her own hands, dissipating in the wind,
"I'll go where I should go."
The wolf looked up at the sky and responded.
Today, Seraphina Marlowe lost her last kin, her last cherished thing, her last tear.
From now on, despair and suffering will have nothing to do with her. The wolf, transformed on the ruins, on the death of everything she cherished, will embark on the path of the undefeated and supreme ruler.
"This was your original future, Seraphina,"
Ansel said to the girl who had lost her ability to think.
"This is... the butcher's knife that fate has swung at you."