Volume 6 Chapter 37 Army Of Dolls
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It had been a dull detour, just as Big Castor said. Still, I managed to collect quite a bit of information. I confirmed the location where the kidnapping, detention, and brainwashing training orchestrated by Little Castor was taking place. No doubt, it’s a criminal act. But I’m still unsure how I should approach it… The matter is serious, and I can’t make the decision alone. Perhaps I should consult with Miss Floria first.
Meanwhile, the work piling up as part of my royal duties—more precisely, the approvals waiting for my review—has reached a troublesome level. If I don’t return by the day after tomorrow, Shea-Shea will definitely be angry.
One possible route would be to officially marry Shea-Shea and grant her more authority. However, Miss Floria has cautioned me that it’s still too soon for that. Apparently, once Shea-Shea gains power beyond her current means, she tends to lose control. She needs to build her foundation gradually, through experience, by relying on her own strength.
That girl truly is stubborn. Once she sets her mind on something, she tends to go too far. And when she gets angry, she becomes frightening. No one can stand up to her in that state.
As expected, Miss Floria reads people well. Perhaps, while talking about Shea-Shea, she was actually giving me subtle advice. If I suddenly became king, there’s a real chance I’d lose myself in it and become a tyrant.
It’s a common tale across all worlds—people change when they gain power.
Is power really such a good thing? All I see is more work.
I’d prefer to divide both work and power into small pieces and delegate everything to others.
Ms. Nina might be waking up soon. I was considering staying in the capital for a while longer, but I got caught up in some unnecessary trouble at the worst possible time.
Still, maybe this is a good chance to change the system. My subordinates aren’t fully used to their jobs yet, but if I keep thinking like that, I’ll never be able to step back.
Maybe I should start trusting everyone more and let them take on responsibilities. I need to come up with ways to keep Shea-Shea from carrying all the weight on her own.
* * *
The butler opened the door at the top of the stairs leading down.
Beyond the door was a tunnel deep underground… or so it seemed. In truth, it was just an ordinary basement. Huh? Is this the end already?
The suspicious area where Radar Scan was being blocked extended much deeper, but apparently, that too was just a decoy.
A strange scent hung in the air. The underground prison had reeked of filth, but this was different—an unfamiliar chemical odor. The scent reminded me of Ms. Mahal’s shop and the alchemy guild. It was similar to that unique aroma.
Bundles of herbs were hanging from the ceiling. Possibly medicinal. Dozens of them, like some professional-grade potpourri. Normally, a damp underground space wouldn’t be ideal for storing herbs, but…
Well, there are herbs sensitive to ultraviolet light but resistant to humidity. Maybe this place was meant for those kinds.
Among the unfamiliar herbs, I recognized a good amount of mugwort. It’s cheap, but extremely versatile. It sees use in all sorts of medicine.
The aisles were lined with shelves, neatly displaying rocks and animal bones.
There were plenty of items, but unlike Ms. Mahal’s shop, this place felt well-organized. It gave the impression of a skilled witch’s laboratory. Considering Little Castor was involved in brainwashing, I wondered if they were making potions to aid in that.
Potions that influence the human heart are banned under national law and international treaties. But in truth, that law is just a cover. These forbidden potions are one of the key income sources for the elite. It’s essentially a hidden tax collected by the royal family, high-ranking nobles, and the upper echelons of the alchemy guild—using underworld connections.
Naturally, I’ve had such offers made to me as king. I’ve turned them all down. There are plenty of legitimate ways to raise funds—no need to get involved in shady business.
Selling such drugs brings quick profits, sure—but it also brings misfortune to others. I legalized alcohol only because I couldn’t afford to make enemies of the dwarves.
Why are drugs bad but alcohol allowed? If someone asked, I’d struggle to give a reason. If I had to say—it’s because I’m the one making the laws?
By that logic, if the Castor family becomes lords, would their actions be considered legal? Big Castor is clearly aiming for lordship.
* * *
”Hey! Kunya! Are you up? The master’s arrived!!”
The butler stood before a somewhat stylish wooden door, banging on the knocker.
Kunya must be in charge of this level. Judging by the decor, I’d guess it’s a woman.
”Yes, I hear you. I’m just touching up my makeup. Give me a moment.”
So it is a woman. Her voice had a certain elegance to it. Could she be a beauty? Maybe even one of those timeless types?
”I’m not here for you! Bring the girl out, now!! Don’t keep me waiting, or I’ll kill you.”
Big Castor had a notoriously short fuse. With him, threats weren’t just empty words. He really might kill someone.
I often wondered how anyone followed a man like that. Yet, strangely enough, they did. It wasn’t quite charisma, but there was something about him. A kind of strength that made people feel they couldn’t go against him.
That kind of presence is essential for a bandit leader. In a way, feudal lords aren’t so different.
Losing foreign wars brings ruin, so lords who fight well earn the trust of their vassals. Even leaders without combat experience sometimes act aggressively to gain that same trust.
In Big Castor’s case, since he’s not a lord, perhaps it’s just his personality.
The current Duke Mineley is a kind-hearted man, but too soft for the role. Many believe Big Castor would be a better fit as successor.
But if the lord is unreliable, shouldn’t the solution be supporting him properly?
Both Big Castor and his brother seem to crave power far too much. Neither appears content with working from behind the scenes.
The Duke’s weakness is a problem, but Castor’s ambition is equally dangerous. Maybe the real issue lies with the previous Duke—for choosing an unfit successor.
Had Castor been formally appointed as Duke, perhaps he wouldn’t have turned to darkness. Or… maybe the previous Duke decided an incompetent heir was still the lesser evil.
That’s the curse of hereditary succession. If every successor is flawed, it becomes a real headache. Adopting talented outsiders could be the solution. Is that why the Duke’s daughters died under such suspicious circumstances?
At this point, Ms. Shirakaba should be the rightful heir to House Mineley. Where is she now? And where’s the other one?
A world without cell phones is painfully inconvenient in moments like this. Some communication tools exist, but they’re expensive… Maybe it’s time we seriously consider adopting them.
* * *
”Thank you for waiting, Your Excellency.”
We really kept him waiting. The impatient Castor is clearly in a foul mood.
The woman who opens the door… she must have been stunning about fifty years ago. Now, she’s just an old lady. She’s clearly trying to look younger, but she honestly looks even older than my grandmother, who’s already over seventy.
Her voice alone sounds oddly youthful—it’s unsettling. She’s probably been training it; I remember seeing something about voice exercises in a special program on voice acting. That must be it.
There’s also a chance that she’s actually a young woman pretending to be old. But from what I can tell, her bone structure definitely belongs to someone elderly.
She’s wearing some kind of magic tool that distorts perception, though it’s not working quite right. If it were perfect, it would probably make her look like a beautiful woman. It’s likely based on the same principle as those illusions fox spirits use. Pretty fascinating stuff.
”What happened to that girl?”
”She’s already being treated like a princess, under careful confinement.”
The old woman jingles a large bunch of keys, almost like she’s showing off. So there’s a dungeon on this floor too. Still, this one looks clean—probably better than the tiny room Castor uses.
If she’s being treated like a princess, maybe she is some kind of princess? Kidnapping the daughter of a powerful noble isn’t a small matter. No, it seems that little Castor is already holding and conditioning the daughter of a knight family.
Why do villains always go out of their way to do dangerous, risky stuff? Wouldn’t it be easier to just live quietly?
* * *
The child brought out from the private cell—which looked more like a sitting room turned into a prison—was just a bit taller than Sar-Sar. Her slim frame almost made her look like a young boy, but with her long pigtails, she’s probably a girl.
What really stood out were her glasses. Round lenses, thick like the bottoms of milk bottles. In this world, she’s a rare type: a glasses girl.
Glasses imported from Earth are insanely expensive here.
As far as I know, Mr. Ginchi—the dwarf who hates other dwarves—is the top expert when it comes to optical lenses. But… did he ever make glasses at his Ginchi Workshop? I don’t think it’s impossible to order a pair, but it would definitely be expensive. I doubt commoners will be able to casually buy glasses anytime soon.
Anyway, if she’s wearing glasses, then she must be a rich young lady. Maybe even an actual princess.
”Hurry up! I want to sleep already!”
Big Castor suddenly started yelling in a strange voice. It was like a child throwing a tantrum. The butler looked flustered, but the old woman handled it with graceful ease, like wind blowing through the willow trees—just what you’d expect from someone with years of experience.
If he wants to sleep so badly, maybe he shouldn’t be planning shady things in the middle of the night.
I still don’t get what Castor, the father, is planning—but if he’s locking up a girl like this, I wouldn’t blame justice’s crew for taking him out.
He treats his own daughter with so much love… So why is he doing things like this? She could’ve had a peaceful, happy life just by living normally. Why go to such extremes?
Seems like they just came to get the glasses girl. Now that she and the old woman have joined the group, they continue moving even deeper underground.
Looks like we’re finally about to uncover the real secret, huh?
They stop in front of an iron door covered in strange Magic Formations. The old woman starts chanting some kind of spell. It really gives off the vibe of a forbidden door. I’m kind of excited.
When the door opens… what is this? An elevator? I know dwarves use elevators to move ore in their mines, but I didn’t expect to see one here.
The butler rolls out a cart that looks like it’s meant for transporting cargo. But instead of goods, four people climb onto it. I sneak in behind them—it’s a bit cramped.
I’m nervous since I almost touch the old woman. My Stealth skill should be flawless, but she’s got good instincts. That’s a little scary.
If I had to stay close to someone, the spaced-out glasses girl might be the safer choice.
The butler starts turning a hand crank with effort, and the elevator begins to descend slowly. It seems to be running on physical force, not magic.
I was worried we’d be here all night, but once it picks up speed, it keeps going steadily without any more cranking.
Apparently, the crank doesn’t actually move the elevator. It just adjusts the weight balance so it can go up and down. I hear water flowing somewhere—maybe they’re using a water tank as a counterweight.
With a setup like that, my extra weight should’ve been noticed, but luckily, the butler doesn’t seem like the observant type.
Hey… this could work as a security system. Even without magic, it could detect someone hiding with Stealth skills.
I’m getting more ideas for anti-intrusion systems. Just from this trip alone, sneaking in here was totally worth it.
The elevator comes to a sudden stop with a heavy thud. Are we there? Doesn’t anyone here know what a “soft landing” is? Use brakes, at least!
Wait—maybe there was an automatic brake. I heard something squeaking before we stopped. It probably didn’t work right because of poor maintenance.
We’ve gone down a long way. Maybe ten meters, maybe even more.
Radar Scan is still being blocked, but as long as I keep tracking my current location with my Editor skill, I’ll know exactly where I’ve been. It’s starting to feel like one of those auto-mapping features in games.
I caught a strange smell just before I saw a big Acetylene Lamp hanging on the wall, casting a bright flame.
Is it even safe to have open fire underground like this? Do they have enough oxygen?
”It’s always eerie, coming into a fuel stone mine. Feels like I wandered into the land of the dead.”
”You must be a poet. That’s right. This is an ancient ruin, after all.”
So this really is a fuel stone mine? It feels more like the ruins of an underground town.
Notes:
• Miss Floria – Elegant, silver-haired noblewoman in her 40s, referred to as an ‘older sister’. Judge of the Supreme Court and Baroness. Former tutor of Princess Auroora. Initially stern but warms up, showing a playful side. Close with Ms. Nina (Princess Auroora’s doll copy), treating her like a sister. Trustworthy and explains legal matters clearly.
• Shea-Shea – Mauro’s daughter. Hurt by Alexander. Became an eager fiancée after advice from protagonist.
• Ms. Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Ms. Mahal – A talented alchemist and old friend of Mr. Zenom’s; she is knowledgeable about homunculi and leads the protagonist to a secret underground passage.
• Mahal – A talented alchemist and old friend of Mr. Zenom’s; she is knowledgeable about homunculi and leads the protagonist to a secret underground passage.
• Kunya – Female. A woman in charge of a level in the underground facility. Her appearance is described as stylish, and she has a sultry voice. She is likely a beauty, possibly a timeless beauty. Her relationship with Big Castor is one of subordination.
• Shirakaba – A paladin who seems to be a skilled fighter. He’s introduced as someone with a strong defense and healing abilities.
• Ginchi – Male. A dwarf, scientist, artist, and seeker of truth. Ms. Mahal’s acquaintance. He is a skilled artisan, researcher of homunculi, and monopolizes high-precision glass tubes. He is wealthy, rational, and critical of both dwarfs and Earth’s civilization. He has a rivalry with Mr. Zenom.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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