A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 173: Puppet Repairer Ansel - V

Within the alchemical workshop of Hydral Manor, Ansel was scrutinizing Ravenna, who lay bare before his eyes.

Ravenna, devoid of skin except her head, the entire body emanating a faint metallic sheen of silver.

"Upon closer inspection, the craftsmanship of this puppet surpasses my initial expectations," Ansel mused.

His alchemical carving knife traced the contours of Ravenna's form, her body, though resilient and uncannily lifelike, was cold to the touch, devoid of the warmth of living flesh.

"The neck has been repaired, what are you still doing?" Ravenna inquired, her face expressionless.

"The puppet's injuries are not limited to that area alone," Ansel retorted.

He dissected the puppet's abdomen, revealing an intricate internal structure. The etheric circuits intertwined, the magi-metal constructs filled the hollow interior in a whimsical fashion, eliciting a sigh of admiration from Ansel.

"Such a beautiful internal structure... but the damage is quite severe. She first collided with you, then strangled your neck, hmm... it seems Seraphina held back her strength, otherwise you would have been completely shattered."

"Oh, the etheric circuit here is damaged... and here too."

The blade of the alchemical carving knife glowed faintly. As the knife moved, the etheric circuits were repaired one by one, and Ravenna's perception became increasingly sharp.

The puppet's condition was undoubtedly improving, and Ansel's skill in puppet craftsmanship seemed to have advanced, which was unexpected to Ravenna.

After all, for Ansel, puppets held no significance. He did not seek to learn more profound and valuable alchemical techniques from his father, but instead devoted his efforts to this field, for reasons unknown.

"Speaking of which..."

Ansel's gaze slowly shifted. "You really didn't install that thing in the puppet, did you?"

"..."

Ravenna followed Ansel's gaze downwards, remaining silent, not wanting to speak.

"Well, I'm repairing you anyway," Ansel lifted his head, raising an eyebrow, "How about I help you fill in the missing parts?"

Now, Ravenna had no choice but to speak.

She stared intently at Ansel, articulating each word clearly, "That is an unnecessary part, not, a missing part."

Ansel chuckled, "Don't tell me, your body doesn't have that part, does it?"

"Even if—"

"You forgot, your soul is now in the body of a puppet," Ansel interrupted her, "There is already a strong repulsion reaction. The best method at present is to make this puppet as similar to your body as possible."

Hydral spread his hands, laughing lightly, "From the perspectives of alchemy, etheric studies, and soul studies, am I wrong?"

"Even so..." Ravenna articulated each word, "I should do it myself."

Ansel handed the alchemical carving knife to Ravenna, cheerfully saying, "As you wish."

The woman silently gripped the carving knife, slowly lowering the blade.

"Speaking of which," as she made the first incision, Ansel suddenly said, "Have you really paid attention to that thing?"

"..."

Ravenna lifted her bowed head, staring intently at Ansel's face, "Hydral, don't… push your luck any further!"

"Push my luck?" Ansel furrowed his brows, "What are you talking about, Ravenna? Am I not repairing your puppet, helping you better adapt to this body?"

He questioned assertively, "What strange thoughts are you harboring?"

At this moment, if it were Seraphina, she would have disregarded Ansel's words due to her emotional impulsiveness, and would have thrown a fit on the spot, preferring to perish with Ansel rather than let him proceed.

But Ravenna was different. Ravenna... was genuinely considering Ansel's words, because there was nothing wrong… with what Ansel said.

Yes, it was merely the sculpting of the puppet, what could possibly be the issue?

The woman closed her eyes, handed the alchemical carving knife to Ansel, and fell silent.

Then... she felt a certain part taking shape, felt the further completion of the etheric circuit. Originally, she who only used her five senses to control the puppet didn't need this redundant design, but now that her soul was confined within this puppet, any additional strength was welcome. Ravenna was such a pragmatist.

The fullness outlined by the carving knife, the rise and closure, as the etheric circuit was further activated, the puppet's body began to tremble slightly.

Even now, Ravenna had blocked her perception, but the surge during the engraving and activation of the etheric circuit was inevitable.

It had been this way since three years ago, when he was thirteen. He always… manipulated her puppets without any hesitation or restraint, controlling his own body.

Ravenna thought so.

She didn't harbor any extra feelings for Ansel, because her academic and research life didn't have room for such meaningless things, but whenever such things happened, strange emotions would always sprout in her heart.

But Ansel always had a reason, and she always found herself unable to refuse, just like now.

When the outlining was completed, the etheric channel opened, Ravenna felt a sudden stiffness in the puppet's body after she thought everything was over.

Because she felt something penetrating deeper, and it wasn't the etheric carving knife, but... Ansel's finger.

"...Hydral." Ravenna slowly clenched her fist, "What on earth are you doing?"

"Adding more complex etheric circuits for you."

Ansel's response was so matter-of-fact: "I'm just trying to enhance your power. Or do you think it doesn't matter if you have less self-protection ability?"

"..."

In the silence, the wicked Hydral chuckled. His index finger gently and tenderly outlined the folds... I mean, the etheric circuits, faithfully fulfilling his promise.

And with the creation of each etheric circuit, Ravenna could feel the surging sensation very vividly.

Ten minutes, a full ten minutes later, Ravenna's repair was finally completed.

She refused to let Ansel escort her, instead letting a random maid in the mansion send her away, then she turned around and left the alchemy workshop without making eye contact with Ansel even once.

In the alchemy workshop, Ansel watched Ravenna leave, happily twirling the alchemical carving knife.

Ansel was very fond of a quote from a female writer in that world.

The path to a woman's soul is —

So in the training of Seraphina, as long as there was an opportunity for physical contact, Ansel would not hesitate.

Due to Seraphina's personality, Ansel always maintained a gradual style, but Ravenna... was different.

When the reality in front of her was reasonable enough, Ravenna would not let her emotions take over, she would always accept—as long as Ansel could convince her.

In the eyes of that woman, this was just "reasonable", and had nothing to do with anything else.

Of course, this was not all in Ansel's plan. What really dominated was naturally the spiritual chastisement and conquest, but...

Just like ascending to the third stage, entering the real transcendent world requires the combination of spirit and flesh, in Ansel's plan, whether it's the base desire or the malicious control, both are indispensable.

Control without desire is dry and tasteless, desire without control is nauseating.

Ansel looked at his fingertips, recalling everything that had just happened, and couldn't help but laugh.

Because to some extent, Ravenna just now was clearly more absurd than him.

But there's nothing wrong with that, or rather... it's very good.

Ravenna, who uses so-called reason and rationality to control everything, is so similar to his previous self...

Would she also, like him, eventually fall for Seraphina's love, fall into the abyss of his own making in the process of endlessly convincing herself with reason?

"Indeed... it's something to look forward to, Venna."

*