Chapter 60 – Shapes

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–

After consuming many resources, I obtained a new core.

Thanks to that, the number of dolls I could handle at once increased, but it was still difficult to use them immediately in actual practice.

The reason was simple. Controlling two dolls simultaneously was much harder compared to moving just one.

I clearly ordered both to move forward, but one would suddenly jump, while the other would start swinging its arms wildly in place and attack. They moved completely on their own whims.

Still, since my experience controlling dolls hadn’t disappeared, I was able to get the hang of it with practice, but controlling them simultaneously was no easy task.

It was like drawing a circle with one hand while drawing a triangle with the other.

The problem was that the shapes I needed to draw kept changing with each different command.

After drawing circles and triangles, I’d have to draw triangles and squares, and then suddenly stars and diamonds.

Of course, this was just a metaphor—in reality, it was even more difficult.

“Haah…”

I’d reached my limit. I withdrew the mana thread due to the pounding headache that couldn’t be ignored.

The dolls, which had been moving exactly opposite to my commands, fell lifelessly to the floor with a thud.

Still, it was tremendous progress compared to when I started. Except for moving in the opposite direction, they were properly recognizing my commands.

“Ungh…”

When would this headache ever stop? If I got used to controlling them, I wouldn’t even feel such headaches.

Is it childish to say this after only five days of practice? I continued suffering for quite a while longer before finally calming down enough to get up.

Actually, I wasn’t completely calm. It was more like a lingering discomfort. It felt as if someone was lightly pressing a small stone against my forehead.

It wasn’t unbearably uncomfortable, but I couldn’t help becoming sensitive.

“Haah…”

Surely I wouldn’t have to go through this trial and error every time I increased the number of dolls? The thought suddenly occurred to me.

If controlling two dolls simultaneously was this difficult, what about three, four, or more… just imagining it made my head throb.

No, it was actually throbbing. I let out a groan as I staggered forward.

I wanted to dive straight into bed, but I simply couldn’t bear it.

Lying down in this state would only frustrate me until the headache subsided.

I put on the robe hanging on the coat rack, thoroughly concealing myself, and immediately left the house.

The sky was dyed red with the sunset. I usually didn’t go out at this time, but since starting practice recently, I had no choice but to go out frequently.

The reason was, of course, the headache. Although it would naturally disappear if I lay in bed, it took too long, forcing me to suffer for hours.

That’s how bad it was for me to go out at this hour. It was simply inhuman. If only there were headache medication like in the real world, but there wasn’t even a pharmacy here.

Of course, in place of a pharmacy, there was someone much more amazing.

Arriving at the cathedral with quick steps, I immediately went inside through the back door.

Clunk-

“Eek!”

The dull sound from inside as soon as I opened the door made my already sensitive body react more violently than usual. After my startled jump settled down, irritation followed.

“W-What…?”

Despite my irritation, my voice came out timidly.

Of course, I knew what the sound was. Undoubtedly, it was the sound of a coffin dropping into the resurrection room because someone had died in the dungeon. When dining with Andreina, I’d occasionally hear such sounds, so it was hard not to recognize them.

Anyway, a coffin dropping in the resurrection room meant Andreina would be heading there too, so naturally, I headed in that direction as well.

But when I arrived in front of the resurrection room, someone else was standing there instead of Andreina.

“Hik.”

W-Who is this person? Where’s Andreina?

“Hmm?”

Having just emerged from the resurrection room, the large man who was closing the door looked at me cowering there, thought for a moment, then suddenly realized something and pointed at me with wide eyes.

“I remember now! You’re that little kid who was next to Yuika at the window! Right?”

“Eek…!”

“I’d heard rumors, but you really are small! You!”

Hahaha-! I couldn’t help but tremble at the sight of the man laughing loudly at something I didn’t understand.

Already sensitive from the headache, it was only natural when a scary Viking-like man suddenly recognized me and burst into laughter for no apparent reason.

Fortunately, a hand of salvation approached quickly.

“Mr. Olson. Please maintain silence in the cathedral.”

Having heard the loud laughter even from afar, Andreina approached with a slightly displeased expression.

Of course, on the surface, she wore her usual smile, but to my eyes, which had faced Andreina often, it looked that way.

Normally, I would have straightened my posture out of consideration for Andreina’s feelings, but now I had no mental space to care about such things.

“Ah, Andreina-nim…!”

“Hmm? Mari? Again at this hour- Oh?”

Before the words were finished, I hurriedly hugged her, and Andreina made a puzzled sound.

Even in such a moment, she kindly patted my head, which was so typical of Andreina.

As I felt comfortable from that touch, a slightly chilly voice came from above my head.

“Mr. Olson. May I ask what you did to Mari?”

“What do you mean by ‘what I did’? I’m hurt by such words, Saintess. I merely expressed my delight at meeting the protagonist of the rumors…”

“Protagonist of the rumors…?”

At Andreina’s puzzled expression, the man called Olson made an “oops” face, then cleared his throat and continued.

“Ahem. Anyway, I didn’t do anything as Andreina-nim thought.”

“…I see. I can roughly imagine the situation.”

“By the way, Mari is her name, I see.”

My body involuntarily flinched when my name was suddenly called. Then I felt the arms of Andreina, who was holding me, tighten.

“Yes, but do you have business with Mari?”

“Not particularly business, I just wanted to introduce myself casually… but looking at the situation, it doesn’t seem to be the right time.”

“As you can see, Mari is somewhat shy, so it might not be possible right now.”

“Then I’ll have to look forward to next time.”

I don’t particularly want to meet him…

“See you next time then!”

While I was thinking that inwardly, Olson left with a cheerful farewell.

As his footsteps departed without any lingering regret, I cautiously raised my head and asked.

“…Is he gone?”

“Yes. He left very energetically.”

“Thank goodness…”

He wasn’t someone who meant me harm, but facing a stranger while in a sensitive mood was stressful in itself.

As I exhaled in relief, Andreina stroked my head and said:

“Did you come because of a headache today too?”

“Yes… I’m sorry for coming at such an hour…”

“Don’t say that, Mari. I never think of you as a burden.”

“Andreina…”

Really, how would I have survived on the Floating Island without Andreina…

I would certainly have been living a more miserable life than now.

–

Whoosh—A bright light descended upon my head.

This is it… Along with the subsiding headache came a sense of relief, and as my face relaxed, Andreina let out a small laugh.

“You have a pleased expression, Mari.”

“Heheh…”

How could I not be in a good mood when the throbbing headache that had been tormenting me non-stop had disappeared, and moreover, I was receiving a blessing that put my body in the best condition?

Additionally, Andreina’s lap pillow was nothing short of heavenly. If Andreina would allow it, I could stay like this forever.

Though even Andreina wouldn’t grant such a request.

But staying like this a little longer would be okay, right…?

Though I had fully recovered long ago, I deliberately pretended I wasn’t completely better and lay there a bit longer.

“I-I’m fine now. Thank you, Andreina.”

Of course, I couldn’t stay like that for long.

Because deceiving Andreina and being spoiled pricked my conscience, I got up after about 5 minutes.

“You’re getting up already? You can stay a little longer.”

“…N-No! If I keep lying down, your legs will go numb, Andreina-nim…!”

I was tempted for a moment by Andreina’s words, but I came to my senses and shook my head vigorously.

Coming here every evening was already imposing on her, so I couldn’t do that.

Besides, if I kept using Andreina’s lap as a pillow, I might fall asleep right there, so it was also dangerous to keep lying down.

…For a moment, I thought perhaps it would be better to pretend to fall asleep, but I hurriedly shook my head to dispel the thought.

No matter what, that wouldn’t be right. Nope.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you so much for reading today too!!

Well… there was a minor mistake, but I think it’ll be fixed by tomorrow…

Why? Why is there no button to edit the announcement?

Why?

Whhhhhhy.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Because to live is to suffer, dear author~

Oh yeah, the last 3 chapters have been done using claude 3.7, so if the quality is better, do let me know!

Not that it matters since it’s just a trial run and I won’t ever use it again…

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