Although Duanmu Huai really wanted to take a proper rest, he was still very worried about Olgis. After all, it was rare for the doll girl herself to say something was wrong with her. So even though he was exhausted, Duanmu Huai couldn't calm down. After taking only a short break, he brought Bambi and Milfi back to the Eternal City.
By now, the surface above the Eternal City had already been blown open by a meteor. After reestablishing contact with Olgis, Duanmu Huai quickly descended into the ruined city.
However—
"What the hell is this thing!?"
As the three followed the streets of the Eternal City toward the central Sanctuary of Night, the first thing Duanmu Huai saw was a colossal temple in the distance — and sitting atop that temple, a giant over several dozen meters tall.
The sight made all three of them jump in fright. Duanmu Huai's head throbbed instantly. If this turned out to be another boss fight, he might seriously lose it!
After all, his body wasn't made of iron — three boss fights in one day? That's insane!
Fortunately, when they got closer, they realized that the giant sitting on the temple was long dead — just a skeleton that would never move again. That allowed Duanmu Huai to breathe a sigh of relief. He didn't care to think about who that dead giant might have been. Without another word, he rushed straight into the temple.
"Olgis!"
Pushing open the heavy temple doors, Duanmu Huai shouted loudly — and under the candlelight, he saw Olgis sitting by the wall, looking as though she was injured.
"Ah, Master."
The moment she saw Duanmu Huai, Olgis's eyes lit up. But even so, she didn't stand. She merely sat there and nodded slightly to him.
"Are you alright? What happened? What's going on?"
Duanmu Huai led Bambi and Milfi over to her side and looked her over carefully. To his relief, Olgis didn't seem to have any visible injuries. Could it be some sort of curse?
"...I'm not entirely sure myself…"
Olgis slowly raised a hand, looking confused. Then, to Duanmu Huai's astonishment, she began removing her lace dress.
And what he saw made him freeze in place.
Beneath her gown was not the smooth, wooden, doll-like body she usually had — but the soft, flawless body of a human girl!
Even the smallest details were exactly the same!
"No… what… what is going on here!?"
Duanmu Huai was dumbfounded. How in the world had his doll girl suddenly turned human?
Although, that figure was really…
"Uh, you'd better put your clothes back on first."
"Yes, Master."
Olgis obediently put her dress back on. Duanmu Huai exhaled in relief — thank goodness for his helmet; no one could see his face right now.
"Alright, now tell me everything that happened, from the beginning."
"Yes, Master. It was like this…"
Olgis recounted everything that had happened to her. After hearing her story, Duanmu Huai frowned deeply.
According to Olgis, she had encountered a strange creature that could mimic her appearance exactly. When she finally defeated it, the strange being suddenly leapt onto her and fused with her body.
In other words, while the inside of her body remained that of a doll, her exterior had been covered by that strange liquid substance.
And ever since then, Olgis had begun to feel things she had never felt before — sensations she couldn't describe or understand.
Not sure what had happened, she had chosen to sit still and avoid movement, just in case her body was unstable.
"Something like that actually happened?"
Duanmu Huai frowned.
It was obvious that the mysterious creature was the key to all this — but as for what it was, he had no idea.
Fortunately, there was someone he could ask.
"Anyway, let's get out of here first."
Duanmu Huai lifted Olgis into his arms, then noticed a treasure chest not far away.
Well, better take it along, just in case.
With that, he carried Olgis and returned to the magic tower to meet Ranni once more.
"Yes, this is exactly what I needed."
Taking the small dagger Duanmu Huai handed her, Ranni nodded with satisfaction.
"I didn't expect you, not Blaidd, to be the one to find it… thank you. With this, everything I require is now complete."
As she spoke, Ranni drew out an hourglass-like object and handed it to him.
"This is what we agreed upon. Bring it to the Caria Study Hall, and you will obtain what you seek. As for me, I will set forth upon the path I have chosen."
"Much appreciated."
Duanmu Huai accepted the hourglass, then looked at Ranni again.
"Forgive me, but there's one more favor I'd like to ask."
"What is it? I hope it's not troublesome."
"Just a bit of guidance."
With that, Duanmu Huai lifted his cloak and set Olgis before Ranni.
"She used to be a doll. But in the Eternal City you mentioned, she encountered a shapeshifting monster that mimicked her. After defeating it, the thing fused with her — and now she seems to have… become human?"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Hearing that, Ranni bent down, studying Olgis closely. Then she reached out a hand and gently touched Olgis's cheek — causing the girl to flinch instinctively.
"Hmm…"
Ranni observed silently for a few moments before speaking.
"If my guess is correct, what she encountered was a Silver Tear Mimic."
"What's that?"
"A creation of the Eternal City. They once attempted to use it to forge a king to rule over the Lands Between. The ability to imitate others — that is the Silver Tear's defining trait. Normally, though, a Silver Tear has no will of its own.
If what you say is true, then the one this girl met must have been a particularly unique specimen."
"Then why did it fuse with her? Will it cause her any harm?"
"A fascinating question."
Ranni smiled slightly.
"The Silver Tear lacks a soul — it yearns to find one.
And this girl, though possessing a soul, lacked a human body. Perhaps the Silver Tear sensed her subconscious desire to become human — and thus merged with her.
A soulless shell, and a being with only a soul — are they not a perfect match?"
"So… will this have any side effects on Olgis?"
"The Silver Tear's consciousness has already been destroyed. It will simply act according to its host's will — no danger there.
Of course, now that she can feel pain like a human, that might become a weakness."
Saying that, Ranni closed her eyes.
"What a shame. If I didn't have far greater matters to attend to, this would make for a fascinating research topic."
"Then… how about another trade?"
Duanmu Huai looked at Olgis, then back at Ranni.
"If you agree, I'll assist you with whatever you're doing — in exchange, I'd like you to help me resolve Olgis's condition."
"Master?"
Olgis widened her eyes in surprise, but Duanmu Huai only waved a hand to reassure her. Though he didn't necessarily see her becoming human as a bad thing, the situation was too strange. He knew little of this land, but Ranni, as a witch, certainly understood far more.
And despite their limited time together, Duanmu Huai trusted that Ranni was, to some extent, a woman of her word.
In response, Ranni merely smiled faintly.
"Foolish man. You have no idea what I intend to do — do you really think you can help me?"
"I believe I can."
Duanmu Huai gripped his warhammer and slammed it into the ground. Instantly, crimson-black flames erupted around him.
"The Death Rune…"
Seeing that, Ranni's expression grew solemn.
"You can actually wield the power of the Death Rune?"
Even Ranni was taken aback. The power of that rune was far beyond mortal control. Even she had only dared to channel it through the Black Knives by ritual.
Even Maliketh, who sealed the Death Rune, had succumbed to its corruption.
Who was this man?
"Well? Can we discuss our deal now?"
Duanmu Huai looked straight at her. Ranni's expression shifted uncertainly, but after a long silence, she finally lifted her head.
"This will be dangerous."
"That's what gives it value."
"..."
After a moment of thought, Ranni nodded slowly.
"Very well. In that case… I shall tell you what my true plan really is."
(End of Chapter)