Volume 4 Chapter 104: The Vessel

“… I kind of wanted everyone to be called together…”

“Huh?”

When I invited Tesea into My Garden for the time being, she dropped her shoulders slightly and gave a sheepish smile. As I tilted my head in confusion, the members of the Sextet surrounded her, flitting around as if to welcome her.

In particular, the strawberry-blonde light, the pale-purple light, and the golden light moved as though they were stroking her.

Tesea reached out hesitantly toward them, her smile a mix of awkwardness and amusement.

“Ah, w-wait… hahaha.”

“Did I mess up somehow?”

“Um… well, outside, everyone was talking about who would be called in first…”

“Ah…”

It seemed like it was similar to the situation when I had woken up last time. I see.

“Sorry, Tesea.”

I apologized. I’d just wanted her to check on everyone’s condition first, but I remembered how Mina got herself tangled up in a similarly awkward situation before. I should have thought this through more. Although, who could’ve guessed they’d be out there debating who’d get called in first? Normally, you’d think they’d all be called in at once. Why would they assume they’d be called in individually? The world truly is mysterious.

“It’s fine. At first, I thought it might cause some friction, but… given the situation, I’m sure everyone will understand.”

Taking a step back from the swirling lights, Tesea bowed her head.

“I’m Tesea Arlens. Nice to meet you all.”

Then, before I could ask her anything, she activated Analysis, adjusted the rim of her glasses with one hand, raised her index finger with the other, and smiled brightly.

“Let me take a closer look.”

The strawberry-blonde light—Magis-chan—reacted immediately, floating closer to perch on her raised finger. Tesea chuckled softly before turning a serious gaze toward the light.

After observing Magis-chan closely for a while, Tesea let out a small breath, closed her eyes, and shook her head. Deactivating Analysis, she turned her gaze to me.

“I can’t… I don’t understand it well. Maybe it’s because they’re in a pure soul state… Their forms are too blurry or fragmented, and there’s hardly anything clear to read. They don’t seem unstable, but… sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. Just knowing their current state isn’t an issue is enough. Thanks, Tesea.”

I patted Tesea’s head in gratitude. The strawberry-blonde and pale-purple lights floated lazily around us, as if seeking attention, but I couldn’t do much to address them.

Apparently growing impatient, Magis-chan charged at my chest—only to pass right through.

The realization left her stunned as she wobbled to the ground in despair. She wasn’t the only one shaken; the others approached my body, one by one, and passed through it as well.

It seemed they couldn’t return to my body.

“Noil…”

“Yeah, uh… Release.“

I removed my hand from Tesea’s head and spoke the keyword to release the binding of My Garden. Normally, this would allow someone to leave whenever they wished, but in their case…

“Try again.”

At my suggestion, the members of the Sextet once again flew toward my body.

This time, instead of passing through, I felt a distinct sensation of something re-entering me.

As each light returned, my body grew heavier, but I also felt an indescribable warmth, making me smile reflexively.

When all had returned, my chest pulsed once, deep within.

Looking down at my hands, I let out a relieved breath. I hadn’t been overly worried, but it was reassuring to know they could still return.

“Let’s call everyone together again. I mean… there’s not much else I can do right now, but I’ll reintroduce everyone to you, Tesea.”

“Okay!”

Tesea nodded with a bright smile.

“Um… these are the members of the Sextet.”

Standing before the members of White Road, Elle, and Sophie, I gestured toward the six-colored lights by my side.

“Starting with me: this is Magis-chan, Hunter-chan, Coachman-san, Guardian-san, Healer-san, and Reformer. As you can see, they can’t talk, but they can respond with basic affirmations or denials. So if you have any questions, uh… feel free to ask…”

The atmosphere felt… heavy.

Aside from Tesea, no one was smiling. Well, Noel was smiling too, but it felt more like she was exuding pressure. Why did introducing my friends have to feel so nerve-wracking? The world truly is mysterious.

“Yes.”

“…What is it, Noel?”

I asked nervously as Noel raised her hand.

“Going forward, what will happen to them? Now that they’ve left your body, will they stay in My Garden?”

“Ah, no… They can return to me anytime, so I guess things will continue as they have been…”

“I see.”

For a moment, Noel’s smile seemed to falter. Magis-chan flitted around her teasingly, but Noel’s unflinching smile was oddly intimidating.

After circling Noel for a while, Magis-chan returned, and Elle shrugged.

“Doesn’t seem like we’ll be having any productive discussions like this.”

“… In short, all they need is a vessel.”

Sierra placed her hand on her lips, deep in thought, and spoke softly. Everyone’s gaze turned toward her.

“… A vessel to contain their souls, other than Onii-san, is what’s needed.”

“Well, yeah, but…”

I’d thought about that too. If they could leave my body, all we’d need would be appropriate vessels for each of them, and the problem would be solved. Everyone could gain their freedom. However, the vessel couldn’t just be anything.

If I had been sharing my mana with them, the vessel they’d inhabit would need to have a sufficient amount of mana as well. For a moment, I thought about the dolls Elle has. They’re almost human in quality—close enough to pass. But without mana, they can’t function as vessels.

And, at the end of the day, they’re just dolls. No matter how lifelike, they can’t move, express emotions, or speak. No one would want to inhabit a body like that. It wouldn’t be much different from being trapped in an inanimate object.

We’d need something with enough mana, indistinguishable from a human, and capable of replicating everyone’s appearances. A temporary body like that could work… but it’s not like such a thing would just conveniently exist.

“… There’s an automata that woman used.”

“Automata…?”

“That’s it! Great idea, Sierra. She could create bodies for them!”

“… I wasn’t looking for praise from you. I wanted Onii-san to acknowledge me.”

“She…?”

As I tilted my head, trying to process it, Elle clapped her hands as if she’d figured it out. Sierra glared at her sideways, clearly annoyed. I didn’t entirely understand, but apparently, they had a lead for vessels for the Sextet. They intended to ask someone to create these automata, but could they really prepare something suitable for everyone?

I didn’t doubt them, but creating something comparable to a divine artifact would be no small feat. It might be possible for someone skilled in crafting magical tools, but—

“Ah.”

As I thought about it, one person came to mind. Undoubtedly, within this capital—no, among all the creators in existence—there was one individual who stood out.

“Alice, right, Noil? If it’s one of her creations, it’ll work perfectly as a vessel. I saw them myself—they’re practically human.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Of course.

The moment I thought of her, Noel provided the explanation. Just the thought of asking Alice for a favor felt exhausting. Even today, she caused me so much trouble. To be honest, I had no desire to involve myself with her again. Who knows what price she might demand in return?

But still…

I looked at the six glowing lights floating gently by my side. I could tell they were watching me.

With a sigh, I steeled myself.

I didn’t have a choice.

I’d have to talk to Alice.

“If this works, I’ll ask Alice for help,” I said.

Tesea looked thrilled. She beamed at me, her earrings—the ones I gave her—swaying.

“By the way… Tesea-chan, I’ve been curious. That earring—”

“It’s from Noil!”

Before Fiona could finish her question, Tesea blurted out her answer, almost cutting her off. Then, as if realizing what she’d done, she placed her hand over her mouth.

Ah, Tesea’s the type who says everything when she gets excited. It’s not like she said anything bad, though.

“I… see,” Fiona replied.

“Oh… really?”

Fiona and Noel both turned to me, their expressions stiffening slightly.

“Onii-san, what about me?”

Before I realized it, Sierra had appeared right in front of me. Magic, maybe?

“That’s a magical tool Alice forced on him. It’s not a gift with any special meaning,” Sophie explained, her tone perfectly neutral.

“That’s exactly right,” I agreed immediately.

Always by Elle’s side, Sophie must have known the backstory. With her usual expressionless face, she discreetly flashed me a peace sign near her hip. She had my back. Sophie was definitely growing as a person.

Tesea nodded in agreement.

“Well, regardless of the circumstances, the fact remains that Noil gave a woman an accessory. That’s all that matters,” Sophie added.

If you’re going to help, finish helping!

Sophie, looking somewhat proud, now held up both hands in a double peace sign. She probably thought she’d explained everything perfectly. Maybe Sophie wasn’t growing after all—she was just becoming cheekier.

Tesea slumped her shoulders in disappointment.

“Well, I have my thoughts on the matter, but I’m just glad Noil gave away Alice’s creation. Since it’s Tesea, I’ll accept it,” Elle said, shrugging.

She kept glancing at me as if expecting something, but I decided to ignore it.

For now, the situation seemed to settle down. But what if it hadn’t been Tesea? And those earrings… they weren’t really a gift. I just sort of took them without permission. But whatever.

“Onii-san, what about me?”

One person clearly wasn’t satisfied. But whatever.

With a cool smile, I gently patted Sierra on the head, ignoring her outstretched hands. I’d get her something next time.

The strawberry-blonde light fluttered around me as if to protest the head-patting.

“Hmph.”

But Sierra flashed a triumphant smile, knowing the light couldn’t do anything to interfere.

“Noil, could I have a moment?”

“Ah, sure.”

Just as I was thinking things might get complicated again, the Manager, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke up.

Arms crossed, she fixed her gaze on the Sextet. Even Magis-chan, who had been flitting about earlier, fell silent, almost as if she wanted to have a conversation with the Manager.

“Could I speak with them for a bit? If they can hear me, that will suffice.”

“Uh, I don’t mind, but…”

I glanced at the Sextet. They seemed to nod in agreement.

Seeing this, the Manager unfolded her arms and began walking.

“Good. Then follow me. Let’s talk over there.”

The six-colored lights obediently followed her.

As if remembering something, the strawberry-blonde light briefly returned, brushed lightly against my cheek, then followed the others after the Manager.

Sierra kept swatting at it, though it had no effect.

“What could they be talking about…?”

Watching the Manager and the lights disappear into the plains, I muttered under my breath.

At the same time, I grabbed Sierra’s hands, which had sneakily been reaching toward me.