[...At long last, a significant milestone was achieved—the birth of another specimen. This time, however, the gender diverged from the previous two. It was a boy, a pivotal development that marked the true commencement of my grand experiment...
...Surprisingly, the newborn displayed remarkable potential even in its infancy. From the moment it opened its eyes, its gaze held a familiarity, as if attempting to etch my face into its memory. It exuded an undeniable charm, stirring an unexpected surge of paternal affection within me. The vessel, having just given birth to the boy, radiated joy—a natural response, considering her role as the mother. The firstborn, the second specimen, observed the arrival of the third with an inscrutable expression. The growth exhibited by this specimen had been substantial, attaining fluency in speech by the tender age of two. Meanwhile, the first specimen stood dutifully by the door, positioned as a guard according to my instructions. It, too, had undergone significant development, as evidenced by its success in executing my orders to take human lives at a mere four years old.]
As Sandra continued her relentless pursuit of the enigma surrounding Ciel, her curiosity was piqued by the mention of the third specimen—the young lord himself. Despite her best efforts to remain detached, an inexplicable intrigue compelled her to seek answers.
Cian, the subject of her curiosity, had already captured her attention with his exceptional intellect and unrivaled mastery of chess. His prodigious skills were nothing short of awe-inspiring, allowing him to effortlessly engage and triumph over seasoned professionals. It was as if he possessed an innate genius, an otherworldly aptitude that defied conventional understanding.
Inevitably, Sandra found herself compelled to uncover the truth behind Cian's remarkable abilities. What lay beneath the surface of this young lord's prodigy? She couldn't help but wonder if he, too, had become a specimen of Ciel's perverse experiments, molded into a formidable force through twisted manipulation.
[...After two long years of experimentation, the third specimen appeared to be nothing more than a failure. No notable progress had manifested throughout my time spent conducting the experiment. Could this truly be my child? The notion seemed impossible, for there was no trace of the extraordinary that courses through its veins. It defied logic to think that such a specimen could possess my blood. Perhaps my wife, the vessel who claimed to be mine, had deceived me with infidelity. That treacherous woman!
...However, upon closer scrutiny of the specimen's capabilities, a startling revelation unfolded before my eyes. Though lacking physical prowess, this specimen possessed an intelligence and reasoning ability that exceeded all expectations. It was as if its intellectual capacity knew no bounds. I could not fathom that such a child was not a product of my own bloodline. Indeed, this specimen showcased the very essence of my lineage. Not only did it attain intellectual prowess that others could only dream of, but it also exhibited an uncanny comprehension of others' thoughts. This was evident when I harbored ill intentions toward its mother, suspecting her of betrayal. In that crucial moment, the specimen met my gaze, boldly defending its mother. It seemed to possess a profound understanding of my intent. It was in that moment of revelation that I realized—the perfect specimen for my experiment had been before me all along.]
"..."
As Sandra absorbed the words on the pages, a mix of astonishment and revulsion swept over her. It became evident to her that Cian, the third specimen, possessed innate abilities and intellect that surpassed the limits of ordinary individuals. He was a natural genius, exhibiting critical thinking skills far beyond his tender age. Sandra couldn't help but feel a surge of pride, even though the circumstances surrounding his creation were morally reprehensible.
[Five years had elapsed since the birth of the third specimen, and the progress of the previous two specimens had been remarkable. The first had become an expert in the art of killing, a lethal weapon awaiting my command for protection. The second exhibited extraordinary charisma, destined to lead my house to greater heights, perhaps even as a skilled politician.
However, it was the third specimen that stood on the precipice of becoming my magnum opus. Its ability to think critically surpassed that of any other, exhibiting a level of rationality and cognitive prowess far beyond its tender age. The way it perceived the world and processed information set it apart from not only children of its age but from anyone in general. It was to be expected, considering it was my own blood running through its veins.
...And then, after some time, a decision arose within me to dispose of my so-called wife, or rather, the vessel that bore my children. She had served her purpose and was expendable. At first, I contemplated offering her body as a reward to bandits, but such an act seemed wasteful. After all, I was the sole individual who had tasted her essence. A peculiar possessiveness arose within me, desiring her to be mine and mine alone even in death. It appears that perhaps I possessed a sliver of compassion, more than I had previously acknowledged.]
"Compassion?! Is that what he calls it?!"
Sandra's disgust intensified as she grappled with the unimaginable cruelty of the man's actions. He had callously taken the life of the mother of his children, treating her as nothing more than a disposable tool, a means to an end. Despite serving her purpose in bearing his offspring, he had still seen fit to end her life. The sheer callousness of it all left Sandra seething with anger.
Yet, despite the overwhelming revulsion coursing through her, Sandra couldn't tear her gaze away from the unfolding revelations. She pressed on, determined to uncover the full extent of Ciel's depravity.
[...As I delved deeper into my experiment, a realization dawned upon me—an insight my father had failed to grasp. It was this very oversight that led to his own experiment's downfall. You see, desire and intelligence are fundamentally at odds...
...Intelligence, with its unwavering pursuit of knowledge, reason, and logic, stood as a pillar of enlightenment. Its pristine clarity clashed vehemently against the raw and unruly nature of desires, which defied the neat confines of logic and rationality. These opposing forces waged a constant battle within the depths of the human psyche, threatening to undermine the fragile balance of the mind.
Armed with this profound understanding, I resolved to address this critical flaw, ensuring that such failure would never befall my experiment. To achieve this, I implemented a stringent regimen, effectively barricading all desires, including the most primal of all—sexual desires. By secluding the specimen within the confines of its own room, I sought to shield it from the corrupting influences of the outside world. Witnessing the demise of its mother served as a stark reminder of the consequences that awaited should it venture beyond the safety of its solitude.
However, an unforeseen anomaly disrupted my meticulously controlled environment. A girl, of the same age as the specimen, somehow infiltrated the manor and found her way into its secluded sanctuary. As I arrived on the scene, my anger surged within me, realizing that the careful cultivation of my prized creation had been tainted by the presence of an inconsequential intruder. To further compound my fury, I witnessed the unthinkable—a kiss shared between the specimen and the girl, a gesture accepted willingly by both parties. In that moment, my meticulously constructed world crumbled before my eyes.
Infuriated by this unexpected turn of events, I resolved to eliminate this threat without hesitation. But to my astonishment, the specimen, with unwavering resolve, positioned itself defiantly between me and the girl, shielding her from harm.
And do you know what the specimen said to me?
It said: Don't harm her. She poses no threat to your ambitions, nor does she possess the power to obstruct them. You have no valid reason to end her life, do you? Besides, even if your intentions were somehow compromised by this girl, you hold the power to erase them, don't you? Surely, there exists a tool capable of purging our memories, including the latent desires that have accumulated within me during my five years of existence.
The audacity of its words struck me with a mixture of surprise and amusement. It had anticipated my intentions all along, and before succumbing to the corruption I sought to bestow upon it, it yearned to taste the forbidden fruit of carnal pleasure. Such audacity was to be expected from my own flesh and blood.
Driven by a twisted curiosity, I led the two of them to my laboratory. There, I administered a mysterious elixir, rumored to possess the power to cleanse one's thoughts, including the allure of sexual desire. Although uncertain of its efficacy, I was willing to put it to the test. After consuming the elixir, they fell into a deep slumber, five days passing before they finally regained consciousness. To my astonishment, it became evident that their memories of the intimate encounter had indeed vanished. An overwhelming sense of exhilaration consumed me.
...Upon reflection, I couldn't help but notice the extraordinary beauty possessed by the girl, despite being merely five years old. Perhaps she could serve as one of the vessels to conceive my future progeny. However, such considerations would have to wait. I resolved to allow her time to grow and mature further before pursuing such possibilities.]
"You dare harbor such sinister intentions towards Maya as well? You vile and twisted demon..." Sandra's revulsion deepened as she uncovered the extent of his despicable plans.
[Recognizing the little girl's potential as a future vessel, I allowed her to serve as the personal maid to the specimen. With their memories of that ill-fated kiss erased and their carnal desires extinguished, it seemed safe to have them in close proximity. Furthermore, I have already identified another vessel and initiated the process of impregnating her with my seed. After fully enhancing the capabilities of the three existing specimens, it only makes sense to add another to our ranks. After all, the more enhanced beings at my disposal, the greater my chances of conquering the world, just as my predecessor desired!]
Sandra's heart raced as she reached the final page. Despite merely scanning through the contents, it felt as though she had absorbed every chilling detail. Yet, amidst the unsettling revelations, she made a startling discovery at the very bottom of the page—an unexpected message directed at her.
[Are you done reading it? Miss Assassin, Sandra Bloodrose?]
"...!?"
The message was addressed to her, leaving Sandra in a state of astonishment and disbelief. How was this possible? Had Ciel somehow foreseen her arrival and anticipated that she would uncover and read this damning document?
[As you've already formed your own judgment, there's no need for me to ask how my experiment fared, is there?]
Ciel's words echoed in Sandra's mind, sending a chill down her spine. She couldn't deny that she already held a damning verdict in her heart regarding his despicable experiment.
[Now, if you would kindly go back to the very first page, the one you skipped over entirely, you'll find something of interest... a message I've left specifically for you.]
Curiosity mixed with apprehension, Sandra turned back to the first page, her eyes scanning the bottom section until she stumbled upon the hidden message directed at her. The words sent a shiver down her spine, despite her attempts to remain composed.
[After I'm finished with the personal maid, I will come for you.]
As fear gripped Sandra's heart, an overwhelming presence saturated the air, heavy with a palpable aura of bloodlust. The sound of echoing footsteps descending the stairs intensified her unease, each step growing louder and more foreboding.
Sensing the imminent danger, she instinctively extinguished the light of the lantern, plunging the room into darkness.
As an experienced assassin, Sandra was well-versed in the art of combat and had faced numerous formidable opponents. However, the oppressive aura that now permeated the air was unlike anything she had encountered before. It whispered of a power beyond her own, rendering her acutely aware of the futility of attempting to confront such a force head-on. The sheer magnitude of the threat compelled her to seek refuge, to conceal herself from the approaching danger.