Fun, oh, so fun! Right after I came back there are so many different things for me to do. There are experiments I'd love to run which I easily got permission for. Aurelya asked me for a way to bind someone to her will and Bereul wanted to know if there was a way that I could easily transport large numbers of people across the land. I believe that I might have a solution for these requests. Hmm, I probably should start with Aurelya's, as she can be quite scary when she wants to, better to stay on her good side.

I suppose the easiest way would be to twist the soul by injecting the body with pieces of other souls. Although, I don't believe she would like that very much, as then, they might as well have become different people. She probably wants to have those elves specifically under her control... Which means I probably should just create a pain rune for all of them? It is possible... If I use soul as base for the rune and give it a few simple rules. For example,, whenever they go against her will, they will be punished. Obviously I should also make it so that she can punish them any time she wants. I should try that.

I happily hum while I draw the appropriate rune in the dungeon with a few gnome souls I have. I let the consciousness slip to the other world, but I firmly keep the power in place. Ah, there, perfect!

“Might I ask what are you doing?”

Curious, is she? For a prisoner that just begged for her life and was granted that, she does sound nervous. Well, she does have reason to be. Perhaps she is realizing now that being tortured to death might have been a better ending for her than what she is about to go through?

“Making sure than you won't go against Aurelya even if she's not nearby. You see, she really wants some guarantees if she is to let you people walk around free. Surely, you won't be opposed to that? Although I suppose you don't have a choice.”

I am going to bind elves, so, I probably should go with an elf's soul, right? Good thing I just collected a lot of those. Here it goes! I insert the a medium-quality soul of an elf in the rune, then I connect it to all of the elves here. They moan and groan in pain as I bind them all, but it doesn't take long. I then bind the rune to a small ring that I will give to Aurelya.

“I... What have you done to us?”

Should I really explain it to them? Meh, probably. Although they might later realize that sometimes it's better not to know some things.

“I've bound your souls to this torture rune. Any time you do something that you know is against Aurelya's will, your soul will suffer directly, causing untold amounts of pain to you, much worse than what you just felt. Also, if she feels like it, she will be able to make you suffer even if you completely obey her every whim. Enjoy the life you have now!”

I can hardly stop a laughter as I leave the dungeon. Poor elves, but then again, that's what you get when you anger someone as powerful as Aurelya. She seemed very satisfied as I gave her the ring and explained what I did.

“Hmm, I see. As always, your work is impeccable. I thank you for this. You may go now.”

Oh, after taking the ring the first thing she does is go towards the dungeon. Probably to test it, eh. I'd go with her, but I guess I should probably go and start my other experiments.

First, I head for one of the valleys in the kingdom, somewhere big enough for a good amount of crops to grow. Then, I take one of the higher quality dwarf souls I have and infuse it in the ground. Twisting and controlling it, I can make it create a suitable totem from the earth. After that, I take an elf soul and insert it into the totem, connecting it not just with the earth around, but also the plants. I order it to grow crops here, some of which should never grow in this climate. Now, I need a few days before I have a definite result. So I probably should go on with other experiments.

I set up many other experiments. A totem to fatten and protect animals, another to slowly absorb surrounding life without killing, one to kill everything around it, among many others. So many ideas, so many tests to do, what is the limit to my powers I wonder. Before, when I was just wandering aimlessly I didn't really have the opportunity to try these things without being found out, but now, with our very own kingdom, I can do anything. It really was the right choice to listen to that voice and cooperate with Aurelya. I will be able to learn so many things. Oh happy days!

“So, did you find a solution for what I had asked of you? I'd really like to stage the first raid before the end of this month you know?”

Oh. I had completely forgotten about Bereul's request. How embarrassing.

“Hmm, unfortunately, I have been a bit busy lately, so it seems I did not have the time for it, so please forgive me. But no not worry, I will prepare it until the end of the month!”

He sighed before leaving. I think I heard him mumble something about me really having forgotten about it. Come on! It's just not as interesting as the other things I am working on, really. To teleport... I probably just need to create a space from which I can connect to different points... If I create the portal with souls and... They don't need to be high quality for it. Hmm, this might be harder than I thought? Eh, whatever.