Chapter 56 – A Doll’s Heart, Suddenly

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(´；ω；｀) The labyrinth arc is scheduled for the next installment—or the one after that—so if you’ve been waiting for the labyrinth, please wait just a little longer… I’m sorry.

It seems that inside the collapsed building, there was the house of the black-hooded girl.

Should I say something to her?

For a brief moment, I considered it, but I chose to remain silent.

I have lost a home before—something only I could understand.

In such cases, the only one who can make peace with your heart is none other than yourself.

“Ah, aaah!”

The black-hooded girl, with tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, clung to the ruined house.

Soon, I saw her tears begin to flow without end.

She’s a troublesome kid, but not a bad one.

But I did not comfort her.

I did not try to stop her tears from flowing.

If she cries as much as she wants, surely there will come a time when she can look upward again.

Unexpected events always happen.

They may occur again, and when they do, I must be able to stand up on my own; for that, I must overcome them myself.

Just as I did.

That was half the reason; the other half was that offering even a little sympathy might lead her to become dependent on me—and I didn’t like that.

Judging by the fact that her house had been destroyed and she showed no concern for her family, it seems the black-hooded girl was living alone.

Precisely for that reason.

Had she no one else to lean on or seek comfort from, she might have clung to us.

Though we had only just met, I already knew full well that this child had a troublesome nature.

That would be different if I harbored any affection for her, but I did not.

Again, I know she isn’t a bad kid.

But that’s an entirely different matter.

Thus.

I intended to quietly leave this place.

We each have our own duties to attend to.

While I was intrigued by the moving labyrinth, there were tasks to be done, such as finding lodging and purchasing a spear.

“…Is it alright?”

When I began to walk, Ati asked.

“It can’t be helped. There’s nothing we can do. I’m already busy cherishing Ati, and I don’t intend to go so far as to help that child.”

“…”

While Ati had grown quite bold when it came to actions, she still faltered at direct words.

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down.

No matter how time passes or even if we become intimate, a girl will always remain a girl, and I’m sure Ati wishes to stay that way.

I took that as a good sign.

Some might say, “How long will you keep feeling that way?” but I don’t think so.

As long as Ati wishes to remain a girl, I will always treat her as the cute girl she is.

I believe that’s the right thing to do.

“By the way, I’ve heard that the moving labyrinth spits out monsters, but…”

While walking, I looked up at the moving labyrinth.

It’s truly enormous.

“It seems calm now, but when it spits, is it sudden?”

This town may appear small, but there are guards around—their figures visible amid the crowd.

So even if monsters are spat out, it should be manageable.

They’ll take care of it.

However, I did have a concern.

Even if they are spat out forcefully, the monsters are, at best, of mid-tier strength—and that mid-tier strength is still quite formidable.

Generally, only humans of decent strength, working together, can handle them.

Since Ati is strong, my senses might be a bit dulled, but that’s normal. In other words, if monsters of that caliber are spat out, there’s a chance the guards might be overwhelmed.

If that happens, we might have to deal with it ourselves.

“…There is, in fact, a regularity to how monsters are spat out. Basically, the moving labyrinth only spits out monsters while it’s moving. When it’s seated like now, its danger level is low—no different from a stone statue.”

I see…

So for now, does that mean we’re safe?

“The moving labyrinth does vary individually, but once it stops moving, it tends to remain seated for roughly two weeks to a month. Judging by its reactions, it appeared today as well, so it should be fine for a while… However, if you’re concerned, we could preemptively deal with it.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s not impossible. I once shattered a moving labyrinth… You might even obtain some treasure, and your travel funds could increase.”

“I see… Hmm, I might need a little time to think it over. I’ll decide by tomorrow.”

With that, as I spoke, droplets began to fall from above.

The sky was starting to darken.

A distinctive scent that always precedes rain began to fill the air.

For now, before it starts pouring in earnest, we need to find a place to stay quickly.

Autumn is a season of unpredictable weather changes.

This rain will likely stop by tomorrow.

I had planned to take care of it today, but since I dislike getting wet, I’ll postpone the spear purchase until tomorrow.

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We easily found lodging.

Up to that point, nothing had gone amiss.

Yet, why in the world?

How did it come to this?

Selma was staring out the window.

The rain had already begun in earnest.

Water droplets, forcefully hitting the building, streamed down the window in abundance.

Probably, the gutters were like rivers.

“The sound of the rain just won’t stop.”

“Yes… that’s right.”

“It’s such a lonely sound. When I hear it, I feel as if a gaping void has opened up right here—inside me—in a strange, inexplicable way.”

Selma gripped her clothes tightly around her chest.

“I am just a doll. An automaton in service to Master. …When I once saw the liaison between Master and Madam, I dismissed it as nothing more than a fleeting tryst.”

I wonder… when had I been seen?

Perhaps it was on the ship?

Or maybe, when I was outside?

I don’t know.

“I do not understand what a heart is. However, if this gaping void—this sense of loss—is what a heart is, then the Madam embraced by Master appeared so beautiful, radiating warmth. I wish that you, Master, would share some of that warmth with me. I feel as though it might ignite something, filling this empty space.”

“…”

“I cannot comprehend the warmth in a touch, nor the heat when someone breathes on you. But if you, Master, would share some of your warmth with me, I feel as though it might spark something within, sealing this gaping void. Madam is not here now. Please.”

Ati is currently taking a bath.

I had intended to join, but since the bathing areas are segregated by gender, it wasn’t possible.

Echidna is sound asleep in the bag.

In other words… right now, it’s just Selma and me.

“I understand that you, Master, are not one to betray Madam… This is not betrayal, so please rest assured. It is simply that you are, in essence, offering your heart to me—a servant, an automaton.”

Selma slowly drew closer.

“Master…”

This is bad.

I have Ati, and besides, Selma is just a doll.

I don’t know why she has succumbed to such madness, but anyway, that’s not my taste.

So I tried to escape from here— —but my body wouldn’t move.

“Th—this is…”

A sliver of light from outside crept through the window.

Then, I noticed thin, transparent threads winding around my body.

Unable to move, I was flung onto the bed.

“I once mentioned that I can fight. My weapon is thread—these very threads are my weapon. I never imagined that using them to prevent you, Master, from escaping would be its debut.”