A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

[Day Ninety-Six.]

I discovered a similar spell in a tome about souls. It is extremely difficult to cultivate, and I am unsure if it will be effective, but having it is better than nothing.

The fate seems can now make the outside me ignore the crux of the problem, so at any time, it could expose my intentions to Ansel. I must possess the ability to control the situation... The cultivation of ancient soul spells must also be prioritized.

[Day Two Hundred Eighty-Nine.]

I have found the core key to etheric armor, but my current abilities are insufficient to forge it independently. Perhaps once I leave here, I will have the capability to fully create it.

But this may still not be enough... The third stage, the third stage of mechanical armor that only Lord Flamelle can achieve, can I accomplish it?

The soul spells have also shown some rudimentary results... It seems that the outside me and I indeed share the same soul but are absolutely independent individuals. I can hardly influence the outside me through most of the spells in that tome. Our connection... seems will only become closer as the soul fragments are increasingly consumed, becoming fewer, and finally start craving my own soul.

Thus, I must wait.

[Day Three Hundred Twenty-Seven.]

As expected... the outside me has already fallen into the quagmire of violence. The Tower of Babel is gradually becoming a workshop for Evora to manufacture violence. I did not foresee this flaw at the time, and the outside me has no other choice.

The design of the floating cannon is indeed something only I could create, and she has hidden it well... She has not exposed the mechanical armor but is secretly researching it. Is she preparing a fallback for herself?

...That is indeed something I would do. The talents and gifts the outside me possesses are no different from mine. Perhaps if Ansel returns later, that me will have already figured out how to create etheric armor.

[Day Four Hundred Forty-Six.]

The outside me has become accustomed to manufacturing violence, and the proliferation of firearms is a foregone conclusion... Both of us believe this is a necessary sacrifice to maintain the Tower of Babel.

There will be many such sacrifices in the future.

If Ansel's problem can be solved, we would not need to take these detours.

Do not slack off, Ravenna, for Ansel, and for... that future.

[Day Four Hundred Ninety-Seven.]

Four hundred ninety-seven days, I have visited my grandfather's grave four times. Each time, I encounter beneficiaries of the Tower of Babel's alchemical devices around the cemetery, all ordinary people.

Even through the projection, I am somewhat moved... But is this really normal?

The existence of fate makes me doubt this is a coincidence. If IT arranged it this way, what is its purpose? To make me more humane?

Yes, I have always been like this, focusing only on the value of things, always able to make choices and sacrifices, but I do not see a problem with that, and neither does the outside me.

If I speak coldly... Is it because Ansel is more valuable than me that I want to save him? ...Perhaps. I am not sure, but in any case, Ansel should not be the one to be sacrificed.

But why does fate want to make me more humane? If IT truly exists, it knows that I am watching everything here. Does making the outside me more humane have any meaning?

No... the outside me will not become more humane because of such trivial matters. What must be sacrificed will still be sacrificed.

[Day Six Hundred And Six.]

The onslaught from the Etheric Academy is becoming increasingly fierce, and the situation for the Tower of Babel is worsening. I am not adept at creating sheer violence; the development of mass-produced floating cannons might be the last resort to continue gaining protection from Evora for another six months to a year.

Does this mean Ansel might have to return to the imperial capital? I cannot stand by and watch the Tower of Babel collapse like this. I hope the me outside can handle everything—no, she will handle everything.

On my end, I should be able to advance to the fourth stage in about six months. Ansel has been exceedingly kind to me... He does not hinder my advancement in the extraordinary ranks, but there are still restrictions on alchemical tools, which confines all my current creations to mere fantasies—this is too fatal.

Unstable tools cannot be used; I will need more time after I get out to turn what I have accumulated over these three years into actual power.

Will Ansel give me this time?

[Day Seven Hundred and Twenty Three.]

It has been almost two years since I last saw Ansel. I think of him not out of loneliness, but out of concern for his current state.

Compared to me, he has endured even more unbearable pain in solitude for two years... What has he gone through? What changes have occurred? Has his madness alleviated, or has it deepened?

...It seems I do not have the leisure to worry about him now. By perceiving myself from this angle day and night, I can see so much more clearly. I have also fallen into a colder and more indifferent mindset. More dangerously, both the me outside and the me here are self-aware, but... neither intends to change.

The only difference between Ansel and me is this "self-awareness"; in other aspects... there is truly no difference.

The good news is, this version of me undoubtedly fits the unfeeling image Ansel has in his mind. As long as nothing unexpected happens, Ansel will not suspect that me.

But the bad news...

The bad news is, if this continues, one day I will truly, coldly weigh Ansel's value on a scale like a machine.

Experience tales with empire

I will truly become the image he sees.

I must resolve Ansel's issue before I fall into such indifference.

I do not wish to change, but Ansel... does he not wish to change, or is he unable to change?

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