A Sinner’s Chance - Chapter 190

It was appropriate to refer to the document I had picked up and started reading as an observation diary, one that followed me and detailed out guesses about my Skills and Gifts, many of which were correct or very close to being correct. However, there was only a single, mostly incomplete section that was causing me to feel unsure of myself. There were places where there hadn’t been any restoration, but the parts I could read were enough for me to understand how it had reached its conclusion.

– There has been a series of oddities and mutations within Reine’s Pseudo-Soul as of late. She occasionally displays free-will, as if her soul was one that belonged to the Races, and it is taking an increasing amount of time to correct these errors. It seems-

– I believe the source of the errors to be from Vessel 3, the one called Vell, according to Reine’s information. Not only is she a reincarnated being, her soul is bizarre and abnormal, according to the analysis it is almost like several souls have been merged and made mostly homogenous, though like an apprentice blacksmith’s early works, it is full of impurities that prevent it from attaining its full potential. It bears further investigation to see if the technique could be perfected. There are-

– It seems my preliminary thoughts on the imperfection of Vessel 3’s soul was incorrect. Regular analysis provided by Reine through observation and physical contact have proved that her soul is slowly but surely burning away the impurities, rather than calling her an apprentice’s work, she is more like the work of a master who is willing to spend their entire life to perfect a single object. I don’t know what being created the technique that is used on her, but I hope to replicate it to further-

– After much time I have finally concluded that Vessel 3 is the cause of the errors and mutations in the Pseudo-Soul. However, it seems that the effect is not limited to only the Pseudo-Soul, but anyone-

– Not only is it affecting the Pseudo-Soul, but it appears her step-mother, roommate, and several of the young women from the academy  have been pulled into the effects of Vessel 3’s seduction. At first the changes were minor, things like a preference for darker or slightly more exposing clothes, however the longer one remains involved, the more pronounced and noticeable the mutations and forced changes are. Between Reine’s analysis and the help of one of my colleagues, I can confirm that even the most basic parts of a personality are influenced. From their likes and dislikes, even so far as to completely change one’s sexual preferences, it is almost as if she is a parasite that seeks to create the most suitable partners-

– Which of course explains the sudden increase in homosexual women who desire to be dominated. Without proper defensive measures she can even turn those hostile to her into friends, and even lovers. Extended time apart seems to lessen the effects and may even return someone to how they once were, however, the speed is highly dependent on the time spent together and the degree of the seduction. Vessel 3 is a horrifying demon in a woman’s body, and if she isn’t dealt with, I have no doubt that she will slowly but surely bend the entirety of this world to her will-

– There is no choice, Vessel 3 is-

– Immediate capture and suppression is required, I can only hope that-

– hear about this, that group is the last one I need interfering in-

Placing the document back down, I was filled with doubt as I glanced at Ellie who was sleeping peacefully. Perhaps the reason she wouldn’t succumb to Corruption was because she had already been ‘infected’ by a previous Vell, it would explain her reluctance and stubbornness when I had previously faced none with anyone else.

There were several acts that I would and had performed without hesitation if it meant accomplishing my goals and desires, things like murder, torture, and enslavement, however, I only inflicted such things upon those I felt deserving, which essentially only excluded a few people, and yet now it seemed that I had unwittingly overwritten the original personalities of all those I had cared about.

Quietly leaving the room I made my way through the halls somewhat in a daze. I was deeply conflicted because of the things I had just learned about myself. At some point I found myself in the blacksmith’s forge, it hadn’t been used in ages since there was no blacksmith, or really a reason to employ one when the people in the city only cost slightly more in the short run.

It had been quite some time since I actually worked with tools, I had been spoiled with Creation yet for some reason I felt much calmer standing in this place. Deciding it would be good for my mind I fired up the forge, using Creation only to make the required tools and fuel. I locked the door before stripping down and placing my clothes to the side, covering them with a heat resistant blanket, it would be a pain to wash them late and between the use of my carapace and pain enjoyment, forging naked was something I had actually done rather frequently.

It didn’t take long before I lost myself in the process, I didn’t even know what I was making, I was just following my instincts and letting the metal be formed as if it was the one in control. As each blow of the hammer fell, it was like I was not only working out the impurity in the metal, but also the doubts and stray worries in my mind, and eventually I finished my work, my mind having been cleared and my resolve having been set.

I looked at the sword I had made during the process, while it would need to go through the rest of the process of sword creation, the forging was done, and I was confident that it was one of the best weapons I had made to date, and as I looked at it, there was only one person I felt I could give it to.