A rumor had been circulating in Orario lately.
Deep within a secluded, hard-to-find alley, there was a rather peculiar Doll Shop.
Step inside, and you might glimpse petite dolls flitting through the air—though the moment you enter, they'd drop lifelessly onto the countertops as if their strings had been cut.
Of course, no one had ever actually seen one of these dolls hit the floor. They didn't care about lying around on the ground, you see, and they certainly didn't want anyone knowing they had minds of their own.
Sometimes, though, you wouldn't see any dolls flying about, nor any perched behind the counter. Instead, what greeted you was a life-sized, exquisitely crafted doll in the shape of a young girl.
But the figure before you wasn't a doll—it was the dollmaker herself.
Facing this doll-like artisan, you could make a special request, and she would craft a doll just for you, tailored to your desires.
No matter what you asked for, this girl—as delicate and finely made as the dolls she created—could make it happen.
Naturally, the more complicated the request, the more it would cost.
After all, even dollmakers have to eat.
But once you held that custom-made doll in your hands, no matter the price, you'd know it was worth every coin.
Because that doll would save your life when you were in gravest danger.
--+--
Alice's Shop.
Tucked away in the deepest, most hidden corner of the most concealed alley.
How Alice had managed to find such an out-of-the-way location was beyond Tione's understanding.
It was near the Loki Familia's home base, true—out on the edges of the district—and Tione had been to Alice's shop more than once.
But every time she went, it felt like wandering into a maze.
Even searching for someone in the Daedalus Street residential area wasn't as tricky as finding Alice's little store.
Today, though, she found it quickly and easily. Because today, she'd brought her Familia's Goddess along.
So no matter how strange Alice's shop might be, with Loki's sharp eyes, she'd surely see through it all. Their Goddess might be… lacking when it came to women, but in other areas, she was plenty reliable.
"Hey, hey, Tione—is this doll shop owner really as cute as you say?"
Loki eyed Tione skeptically.
Tione glanced back. "She's truly beautiful. She could give Ais a run for her money—maybe even outshine her. When you see Alice, especially when she's making dolls, it's almost like standing in front of Goddess Freya herself."
"You know I'm devoted to our captain, but around Alice, I feel myself being drawn to her, almost against my will."
Every time Tione visited Alice, she felt this pressure, this fear that she might end up falling for Alice instead.
"Freya, huh… Now that's saying something. I'm getting more and more excited to meet this Alice." Hearing Tione's words, Loki grew eager.
"But this alley is way too long! No wonder hardly anyone comes here. This place looks shady as hell—who'd even want to come?!"
After walking for what felt like ages, Loki stared down the deep, narrow alley and couldn't help shouting.
"So… how much further?" Tione asked, glancing at Loki.
With Loki leading the way, the journey felt smoother this time—at least they hadn't gotten lost wandering through random side paths. Still, it was hard to say how much longer they had to go.
Gazing into the alley's depths, Loki slumped wearily. "Another five minutes or so, I'd say."
"Moo! Tione, I'm tired—carry me!"
Loki plopped down on the ground and held out her arms.
Seeing Loki act like a child, Tione felt a headache coming on…
Carrying Loki on her back, the two soon arrived in front of a small shop.
A doll shop—and a doll shop hidden in a dark alley, no less. Inside, the dolls were so exquisitely made, it was as if they contained human souls.
And there were clusters of them, gathered together in groups.
The scene was both eerie and unsettling.
Even Loki, a goddess, felt a chill the moment she stepped into Alice's shop. After all, even gods have things that unsettle them.
But Loki adjusted quickly.
Because if you looked past the eerie atmosphere, the dolls Alice made were incredibly lifelike and adorable.
Especially when she spotted the Hourai Doll acting as the counter attendant—Loki's eyes lit up, and she rushed right over.
"Hey, hey! Tione, Tione! Look! A doll with a soul! And it's pretending to be a normal doll! So cute!"
"Ah, yes, it is a doll."
"I wonder if this one's for sale—I want it! No matter the cost, I've gotta have it!"
Hearing Loki's words, Hourai understood: this strange, flat-chested big sister knew she could move. And now that Loki wanted to buy her, Hourai panicked.
She floated right up into the air and flew toward the loft where Alice was.
"Aah! The doll's getting away! Tione, catch it! I want that doll!"
Seeing Hourai fly off, Loki yelled urgently.
Watching Loki behave like this, Tione lifted a hand to her forehead.
"Loki, we talked about this before coming. No going after the dolls that can move. That's the Hourai Doll, and there's also the Shanghai Doll—those two are Alice's favorites. She won't sell them."
"Ehh?! Seriously?!"
Hearing Tione's explanation, Loki instantly deflated, slumping to the floor.
"But it's such a rare treasure—a doll with a soul! I'd love to collect it…"
"I'm sorry, but Hourai is very important to me, so I'm afraid she's not for sale. However, if you have a custom order in mind, feel free to tell me. I'll do my best to fulfill your request."
A light, graceful voice sounded from the loft.
Alice descended the stairs and spotted Tione in the shop below. Her eyes brightened.
Customers were few and far between, so regulars like Tione and the others who came to place orders were some of the only humans Alice ever got to see.
Happy to see Tione, Alice greeted her warmly.
"Long time no see, Tione. Here to order another doll? And this is… a young gentleman?"
"Pfft—!" Tione couldn't hold back a snort.
"No!!" Hearing Alice's words, Loki immediately sprang up, rushing over to her. "I am the Chief Goddess of the Loki Familia, the Goddess Loki! You'd better remember this: I'm a woman! Not a man!"
"Huh? A Goddess?"
Alice looked blankly toward Tione. Seeing Tione nod, Alice turned back to Loki with an embarrassed expression and quickly bowed in apology.
"I'm sorry! My sincerest apologies!"
"Hmph! Not nearly sincere enough! As an apology, you should join my Familia. If you don't, I won't forgive you."
"Yes!"
"Huh?"
"...??"
Alice lifted her head, staring at Loki in confusion.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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