"I—"
My true self keeps taking over, constantly absorbing information, even now. Although human survival depends on taking, I do so more frantically than others. Zepia was right; from this perspective, I am indeed similar to him.
"I—"
This is my essence. I realized this reality a long time ago but kept running away from it. Zepia turned into a vampire and became the Night of Wallachia. What about me?
"I—"
Will I follow his path? Will I turn into a vampire? Become a disaster?
"I—"
Do I hate drinking blood?
As Sion fell into confusion again, Touko spoke up once more.
"Don't overthink it. No need to calculate. High-speed thinking and segmented thinking are unnecessary. Only by completely abandoning rationality and relying on the answers derived from your feelings can you find your true 'self.'"
This theory, incompatible with the environment of Atlas, and this approach, completely contrary to her cognition—an option that shouldn't have appeared—yet it moved Sion deeply.
High-speed thinking halted.
Segmentation thoughts one through seven completely shut down.
Rationality was unnecessary; rely entirely on feelings.
Ask yourself.
Do I hate drinking blood?
The answer—is surprisingly simple.
I hate drinking blood!
I hate drinking blood, and I hate myself. I hate constantly seizing information, and I hate this insatiable body that cannot survive without taking human blood!
Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate!
"It's obvious, isn't it?"
Smoke rings spilled from Touko's lips, drifting into the air like the fog in Sion's heart.
"Hate is just hate. Often, there's no reason because humans are such strange creatures. This is what is called humanity, the so-called self. With a self, even if you and Zepia share the same essence, you are different individuals with different futures. It's time to wake up, confused girl."
"Yeah, it's time to wake up."
Thought areas one to seven recovered.
The constantly repeating voice in her mind grew weaker, gradually becoming noise. This was the correct way to treat external information. It was only due to her weakness that the noise found an opportunity to infiltrate.
When acknowledging her weakness and correctly understanding herself, this noise was merely pure static. I, Shion Eltnam Atlasia, have not shamed myself to the point of being controlled by such a thing.
My weakness is a fact I have long known. Even so, I must learn to be strong, so as not to hate myself more, to bid farewell to my weak self.
Etherlight connected, targeting my body, repair commencing!
The limbs pierced by lightning were stitched and mended at an astonishing speed, finally restored to their original state, leaving Shinji speechless.
"Oh my, does Etherlight have such a use?"
"Because Etherlight was originally developed as alchemy for medical purposes, as a neural simulation, it later evolved into a tool for interfering with thought and reality."
Invisible threads accumulated more and more, first restoring the body, then the damaged clothes.
"Indeed, if even humans can be perfectly replicated, repairing the body and clothes is nothing—have you finally regained your sanity, Sion Eltnam Atlasia?"
"Please correct your statement, Shinji Matou," Sion said, springing up from the ground.
"Although driven by the impulse to drink blood, it doesn't mean I lost my sanity. The brain of an alchemist is not something you magi can understand."
Shinji touched his nose awkwardly at her sharp words:
"Heh, I've been disliked—well, it's only natural to be disliked after using such methods. But even if you dislike me, I still have to say it. Miss Sion, Zepia's legacy involves not only the issue of becoming a vampire but also the truth behind the madness of Atlas's previous directors. I have to be careful—are you ready to accept all of this?"
"Of course, don't underestimate me. I am the heir of Eltnam."
The alchemist who had recognized her true self exhibited an unprecedented sharpness. The intense self-confidence she exuded at all times was eye-catching.
"Great determination and spirit, but let me say this upfront. If you do not escape the fate of Atlas's previous directors and end up going mad like Zepia, I will kill you using methods beyond your calculations and analyses."
The method Shinji referred to was the blood that survived the purging of the Noble Phantasm. It was the blood taken from Sion by Zepia three years ago, originally Sion's human life, which would evolve into the Dust of Osiris if left undisturbed by TATARI.
With this, even if Sion lost control, Shinji wouldn't be afraid. He could just create another Sion to deal with herself—there was a part of Zepia's reward related to this.
Unaware of this intention wrapped in a spiritual barrier, Sion responded confidently.
"When that day comes, I will be prepared. Neither you nor the True Ancestor will have a chance."
"I look forward to it."
Shinji's expression remained unchanged as he extended his hand. A crystal-clear drop formed from aggregated spiritual particles floated in midair.
"Take it. This is the legacy Zepia left for you. I hope you can forge a different path."
"I indeed accept this legacy."
Sion moved her fingers, and the Etherlight interlaced and finally formed a light cocoon that securely enveloped the inheritance crystal.
"Miss Touko, I need a quiet room to digest the information within."
"Follow me."
Touko gave Shinji a look that said, "We'll have a proper talk later," and pushed open a side door.
After they left, Shinji silently walked to the window and let out a long breath.
"Finally, it's over—this chaos and the future chaos. Next, I need to find a way to keep Sion in Japan. I hope the relationship between Riesbyfe and Sion can outweigh their duties and avoid any unpleasant incidents... Oh, I almost forgot. I need to report to Lorelei. This time, it got a bit out of hand. Ah, my low-key plan..."
Saying this, Shinji took out a satellite phone from his pocket and dialed a secret line prepared by the Department of Policies.
"My lady, it's me."
"No, no, I'm not in India right now; I'm in Japan."
"You gave me a mission, right? I found the target, but the Holy Church people got there first."
"That's what I thought too, so I had the Church people record a video with Miss Sion."
"I also have good news for you. Don't be too surprised when you hear it."
"I—I killed one of the Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors."
"Hello, hello, my lady, are you listening?"
...
Tonight, Lorelei was destined to be sleepless.