The one who offered a quick solution when Nanahoshi was stumped was Zanoba, but in fact, he had actually unraveled one of the doll's secrets a little while before that.
This was about a week before Nanahoshi lost it.
---
"Master, please take a look at this."
That day, when I entered the laboratory, Zanoba came over carrying a box, looking absolutely delighted.
His expression was several times more smug than usual.
"What's that?"
"It's the arm from that doll."
Zanoba set the box on the table and pulled out the cloth-wrapped contents.
When he unfolded the cloth, there it was—literally, a doll's arm. Except it had been sliced crosswise, like a block of yokan.
"When I looked closely at the worn paint, I noticed a seam. So I thought, 'Could it be?' and split it open—and this is what I found."
Zanoba showed me the cross-section of the sliced arm.
A pattern resembling a QR code had been densely inscribed across it.
A magic circle.
Completely different from the ones Nanahoshi drew.
An intricate, curious pattern.
And it appeared on every single cross-section.
Front and back alike.
Each pattern was slightly different.
No two cross-sections were the same.
"I see… magic circles densely packed even inside the arm. And each joint surface is slightly different—that's fascinating."
It looked like a cross-section of meat. There was something almost visceral about it, as if a human body had been sliced apart.
"Still, I can't believe there were seams. I never noticed."
"They were painted over. Even I wouldn't have noticed if the paint hadn't worn off."
"I see."
Zanoba seemed quite thrilled with his first major discovery.
I should stay calm. I already knew the doll wouldn't move without some kind of special technology.
"So it needs this many magic circles packed in just to achieve that level of precise movement."
"Oh? Master, do you know what kind of magic circles these are?"
"No, I don't."
Whether these magic circles were solely for moving the arm, or whether they had to be inscribed even in places like the arm to control movement—or something else entirely. That would require further research to determine.
In any case, this thing wanders the house at night, cleaning as it goes. It detects and eliminates enemies. When cleaning is done, it returns to its charging station and recharges.
That's what it can do.
Not even a Roomba is this high-performance.
If it had enemy elimination, it would already be a RoboCop.
You can't just scribble a few magic circles on the head or torso and call it done.
I don't want to build a Roomba.
What I want to build is a moving doll.
I want to see one myself, and if I could make one, it would sell. Probably for a pretty hefty price, too.
No, it's not that I particularly want a fortune. I'd like a normal amount, but if someone like me had money, I'd just waste it.
Using dolls to restore the honor of the Spelled Clan is a separate matter, though…
This is a dream. A dream maid robot.
"There should be magic circles controlling movement in the head or torso. If you're going to 'split' those open, be careful."
"Yes, Master."
Zanoba nodded and wrapped the sliced arm back in the cloth, placing it in the box.
---
It was precisely because of this kind of background that Zanoba was able to come up with his proposal. Because he made that proposal, Nanahoshi's layered magic circles were completed. Even the interdimensional summoning that had nearly been abandoned was a success.
Surely, the maid robot would be completed before long.
The realization of this dream wasn't so far off.
And if that was the case, I was getting motivated too.
So today, as always, I headed to Zanoba's laboratory.
My steps were light.
"Zanoba, I'm coming in."
I knocked once and entered Zanoba's laboratory.
There, a woman stood like a gatekeeper.
She was by no means a beauty, but she had the look of someone who could take care of things.
"Oh, Ginger. It's been a while."
She had been eyeing me with suspicion, but once I greeted her, she composed herself and bowed.
"This is Lord Rudeus. It's been a while."
A former knight of the Siiron Kingdom, once part of Third Prince Zanoba's personal guard.
Ginger York.
How nostalgic.
"I had been meaning to come introduce myself, but things have been rather hectic."
"No, I'm the one who should apologize. You escorted my sister without charge, and I never even thanked you…"
"Lady Aisha provided me with an efficient journey. If anything, I should be the one thanking you."
Ginger let me through, and I entered the laboratory.
Zanoba and Julie were each busy with their own work, as usual.
Zanoba was transcribing the cross-sectioned magic circles, and Julie was carving a figure with a sculpting knife.
Julie looked like she was closer to finishing, so I checked on her work first.
"How's it coming?"
"Yes, it'll be done soon, Grand Master. How is it?"
"Not bad. This Zanoba doll. But isn't it a little too cool?"
"Master, it is cool."
Mm.
It was still rough around the edges, but it had a nice feel to it.
I pointed out a few minor things, but she clearly had an eye for this and should keep developing her skills.
Zanoba's side would take a bit longer.
I happened to notice Ginger staring at me.
"…What is it, Ginger?"
"Oh, it's nothing… It's just, you've grown quite a bit."
"It's been about four years since we last met, hasn't it? Well, I'd hope so."
Lately, I'd been getting called "cool" by various people.
Maybe I was starting to develop some masculine charm.
If I hadn't married Sylphie, would I have a harem by now?
Nah, a harem situation sounds like its own kind of trouble.
It's not like I could casually hop into bed for the sake of making children.
"Come to think of it, what are your plans going forward, Ginger?"
"I intend to remain by Lord Zanoba's side."
"So you're returning to your bodyguard duties?"
"Yes. My mission has been completed."
Her mission had been to safely escort Lillia and Aisha. She had faithfully carried out that mission, which had spanned several years.
That was admirable loyalty.
Zanoba should reward her more generously.
It was a matter of favor and service.
"Zanoba, shouldn't you give her some kind of reward?"
"Well, Lord Rudeus, I…"
"Hmm. Indeed. Ginger, is there anything you want?"
Zanoba asked in an exaggerated manner.
Ginger looked bewildered.
She had probably never received anything from Zanoba before.
After a moment's thought, Ginger knelt on one knee and bowed her head.
Then she spoke.
"Then please grant me permission to educate Julie. She may be Lord Rudeus's disciple, but her manners are rather lacking for someone who serves Lord Zanoba."
"Mm, permission granted."
"Ha! What a blessed fortune!"
Permission for education.
That wasn't what I expected.
In the end, wasn't this still for Zanoba's benefit?
No, maybe it was just that slaves weren't typically given advanced education.
Humans were banished from the Garden of Eden because they ate the fruit of knowledge. Until they gained knowledge, they never questioned being members of the Leaf Corps.
For those in power, the dumber the subordinates, the better.
That's why they don't educate them.
It reduces the risk of rebellion.
Of course, it also reduces the potential for development.
Well, whatever.
I'd be in trouble if she started demanding land or something.
I didn't mind a relationship of loyalty where neither side asked for too much.
"Well, let's get back to research. How far have you gotten?"
"I was thinking of moving on to the legs next."
"I was thinking it might be better to finish studying the arm's magic circles first. You can't put it back together once you've sliced it, right?"
"Hmm, that's true."
"If we showed it to Cliff or Nanahoshi, they might be able to figure something out."
Zanoba and I were chatting away as we prepared to dissect the second arm.
Just then, Ginger suddenly appeared at my side.
She had an expression like there was something she wanted to say.
"What is it?"
"Lord Rudeus… Zanoba is, after all, a member of the Siiron royal family. No matter how close your master-disciple relationship may be, isn't it rude to speak to him in that manner?"
"Huh?"
Rude.
Come to think of it, I had been talking to Zanoba casually all day.
I'd usually been meaning to keep some level of formality, but maybe Aisha's words the other day had made me let my guard down.
As a retainer, it must be infuriating to hear someone speak carelessly to your lord.
Oh well. I'd have to keep up the formal speech around Ginger.
"You're right, I apologize. I was getting too comfortable with Lord Zanoba's kindness and was rather careless—"
Just as I was saying that—
Zanoba moved.
"GINGERRRR!"
Zanoba grabbed Ginger by the throat.
He lifted her up and slammed her against the wall.
There was a loud bang.
Julie flinched and stopped what she was doing.
"You! Master has been kind enough to open his heart to me, and this is what you say! Take it back! Apologize to Master!"
"Guh… gukgh…!"
Ginger looked like she was in pain.
Wait.
Hey, are you seriously choking her?!
That's way too far!
"Zanoba! Zanoba! Let go!"
When I shouted, Zanoba immediately let go.
The imprint of Zanoba's hand was clearly visible on Ginger's neck.
She tried to reach for her neck and winced. Her arm wouldn't go up—had she broken a shoulder bone when she was slammed against the wall?
I immediately chanted a healing spell and mended her injuries.
Ginger knelt on the spot and bowed her head to me.
"Cough… cough… Lord Rudeus, I am truly sorry."
She apologized. To me. Despite having been the one choked.
"…"
I felt a pang of guilt.
Wasn't she apologizing to the wrong person? The one at fault wasn't Ginger.
I turned to face Zanoba.
"Zanoba! Are you an idiot?!"
"Wha…? B-but Master, she was saying whatever she pleased without understanding the bond between you and me…"
"You handle that with words!"
Ginger had served him faithfully for years.
She had spent four years in a distant land, protecting my family.
Despite all the hardships she must have endured over those years, she had gone out of her way to return to Zanoba's side.
And for a single slip of the tongue, she had her throat crushed and her shoulder shattered.
That was too much.
It was clear she treasured the bond I had formed with Zanoba.
That made me happy too.
But that was no reason to disregard this fiercely loyal woman.
"No, Lord Rudeus, it's fine. It seems Lord Zanoba has grown in the time since we last met. I have no complaints whatsoever."
Ginger said this with a composed expression.
…Wait.
Was I in the wrong here?
I thought she deserved better treatment than this.
Was it unseemly for me to say so?
"…Zanoba."
"Yes, Master."
"I think of you as a good friend."
When I said that, Zanoba's face lit up.
"But Ginger protected my family. It's been about four years since we parted ways? The whole time. You could call her a benefactor. Please don't treat her so carelessly."
"Understood, Master. Ginger, I'm sorry."
Zanoba looked contrite and nodded.
But then Ginger spoke.
"No, Lord Zanoba. Such words are unnecessary. I have sworn my loyalty to you, Lord Zanoba. Even if it meant my death, I would not harbor a single complaint. For overstepping my bounds, I am truly sorry."
At Ginger's submissive posture, I couldn't say another word.
So this, too, was the master-servant relationship.
Would she even be able to properly remonstrate when Zanoba was in the wrong?
Well, whatever. It wasn't my concern.
If I stuck my nose into Siiron's hierarchy, I'd only make things messier.
---
Setting aside the relationship between Zanoba and Ginger—
The research on automatic dolls was progressing smoothly.
"I said we should start with the arms, but go with whatever you think is best."
"No, let's go with your plan, Master. It would be safer to make a new arm first rather than taking one apart and then reassembling it."
And so, we proceeded with analyzing from the arm onward.
Whether to have Cliff and Nanahoshi help, or to let Zanoba proceed on his own—I left that to him.
I wanted to meddle in various ways, but if he could handle things on his own, I had no business interfering.
"Leave it to me. It seems I have a talent in this area."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Even I'm surprised, but lately every day has been fulfilling."
Spending all day doing the research he loved.
With his personal figure-maker sculpting dolls right beside him.
For this guy, it was the perfect daily life.
Still, what would he do after graduation?
Would he settle down here?
Well, that wasn't my decision to make—even if I was part of the reason Zanoba was here in the first place.
"Well, keep at it. I'll come see you again."
"I await your visit from the bottom of my heart."
"Be kind to Ginger."
"Of course."
With that exchange, I left the laboratory.
---
And so, the research on dolls continued to advance.