The one Third mentioned as someone who “might know about the sigil” was none other than Merlin.
“Was that about the puppeteer?”
“Yes, if anyone, she would definitely know far more information than I do.”
At Third’s words, Luke nodded.
Well.
She may now be just an ordinary puppeteer, but wasn’t she the woman who picked up and raised a wandering Third back in the old days?
In that process, she must have heard things or experienced events, so it was highly likely that she knew much more than Third, who had lost most of his memories about the underworld while re-engraving the circles.
“Teacher, why do you look so troubled? Is there perhaps a problem?”
At Third’s curious expression, Luke shook his head and replied.
“No, it’s nothing. Let’s go see Merlin.”
Though momentarily he thought, “Even so, she’s just a puppeteer in the end, isn’t she?”
Well, if Third says so, then that’s likely how it is.
And, if the place we need to go is where Merlin is, even if this turns out to be a wasted trip, it wouldn’t be entirely bad.
“Hmm, I was thinking of visiting her personally soon anyway because of the puppets. This works out well.”
“Oh ho, is that so?”
In any case, since Arinseia’s cotton farming was nearing its end and funds had been secured to a certain extent, he was considering entrusting the commission for puppet-making soon.
Thus, this opportunity would allow him to optimize his movements by also entrusting the commission to Merlin.
“Alright, lead the way. Third.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
With that, Luke moved forward, following Third’s guidance.
—
Arriving once again at the street of toys.
Merlin’s puppet shop, located on a relatively deserted street with few people, was eerily quiet, as if not even sure whether it was open for business or closed.
“Merlin, it’s been a while.”
“You…?”
At Luke’s sudden visit, Merlin was slightly surprised but greeted him with a friendly response.
“Is that you, Luke? I was waiting for you.”
“Waiting for me…?”
Luke glanced around the puppet shop and was struck by her statement that she was “waiting” for him. Her shop clearly looked like it wasn’t doing well.
“Is business going alright, Merlin?”
Luke’s concern for Merlin’s shop was quite reasonable.
In the first place, it was unclear whether she even intended to do business at all. There was no proper customer attraction; the inside of the shop wasn’t well-decorated either. The dolls placed in front of the window were all in their boxes, covered with dust. The shop’s interior design was almost non-existent, so it felt more like a warehouse where dolls were piled up rather than a place where children could pick out toys.
Moreover, the most decisive flaw in her shop was the absence of a sign.
When will this woman finally hang a sign already?
Without a sign, who would step into this warehouse thinking it’s a puppet shop?
If Merlin were the type to not even clean properly, this place would probably have more insects than customers.
‘At least the chairs and the table are of high quality.’
At least the quality of the furniture was commendable.
However, Merlin smiled lightly as if it was no big deal and shook her head.
“Huh, don’t worry about me. It’s just not the right time yet.”
Her encounter with ‘him’ wasn’t that long ago.
Now is the time to shake off the gaze, not accumulate wealth.
Besides, since she had already set aside enough resources to support herself, material value was meaningless to her, so there was no need to be overly enthusiastic about business.
But, from Luke’s perspective, unaware of this, her words only sounded frustrating.
Waiting for the right time…
Well, he understood that timing is important in business, but he couldn’t figure out what kind of time she was waiting for.
If she just hung a sign, this shop could easily become an overnight sensation. The quality was good, the price was fair, and it was trustworthy.
“Hmm… If that’s how you want it, I’ll just skip this topic then.”
But Luke merely shrugged.
If the person herself says so, there’s no need for him to unnecessarily stir up old wounds.
After all, he didn’t come to her puppet shop to turn it into a better business, so he decided to move on to the main subject.
“The reason I’m here first is this.”
Thud.
Luke took out the bullet from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“Third says you might know about this thing. Is that right?”
“Huh?”
Merlin reached out a hand and picked up the cylindrical object Luke had placed on the table, bringing it closer to her eyes. Then, as she turned the bullet over and examined the sigil engraved on it, her expression gradually became serious.
“Hm… This…”
However, the information about the item seemed unclear even to her, as she looked at Luke with a slightly puzzled expression.
At this, Luke responded nonchalantly.
“It is a bullet used in the dwarf’s cane.”
“What?”
She exclaimed in shock.
“You, where did you get this?”
Before she could ask further, Luke lightly touched his chin and spoke.
“Before you ask, tell me what you know first. I’ll ask if I need more.”
Unlike Third, he wasn’t certain that she was on his side.
Luke had painfully learned from previous events that people are fundamentally the same as they were 5000 years ago. Suspicion was natural.
Therefore, minimizing the information he gave was essential.
After all, if she were well-versed in the Forest of Rienne or Seyeo, she wouldn’t have reacted this way.
“…Alright.”
With that, Merlin began to speak.
“Yes, this sigil. The only ones who incorporate such sigils in enchantments are ‘him.’”
“’Him’?”
At Luke’s question, Merlin quietly added.
“The mastermind of the underworld, ‘The Savior’, ‘The Prophet’. But others merely call him ‘He’, or ‘The Old Man’. I also worked under him once.”
“Hmm, is that so.”
Luke nodded slowly.
Indeed, that’s why Third believed she would know.
She wasn’t an ordinary puppeteer either, apparently.
‘He’…
It’s an intriguing story.
‘The Savior’, or ‘The Prophet’…’
Luke stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Among those who call themselves saviors or prophets, he hadn’t met any who were genuinely worthy. After all, those titles are not given by oneself but by others.
Since others call him ‘He’, or ‘The Old Man’, it suggests that he lacks the qualities of a true savior.
“Then, do you know anything else about this ‘Old Man’? His network, his common haunts, etc.?”
“Unfortunately, I have no significant information on him.”
Every detail about him was shrouded in secrecy. He was unusually cautious by nature and meticulously hid information about himself through bribery, brainwashing, killings, or any other available methods.
Moreover, he was absolutely averse to anything that could even remotely harm him, so very few people had seen his face. Despite possessing unimaginable wealth, magic, and artifacts, he acted like someone terrified of something.
“Hmm…”
Upon hearing this, Luke closed his eyes and thought.
‘Is he truly a fearful person?’
Probably not.
If he were simply a coward, he couldn’t have achieved anything.
There must be a clear purpose behind his cautious actions.
The dragon known as ‘Nidhogg’, the necromancer studying Dopplegangers, and this shadow figure known as ‘The Old Man’—it seemed like some grand conspiracy was underway beneath the surface.
Could the accident in the Forest of Rienne that the engineer had inquired about or the previous runaway black magic artifact also be his doing?
Then, he must certainly know ‘Sigarmata.’
In truth, this was the main reason Luke took an interest in the case.
Because she threatens his very existence.
Could his goal be the resurrection of Sigarmata?
What could he possibly gain from such an endeavor?
At this point, Luke suddenly spoke aloud.
“Ruchest.”
The name James had mentioned offhandedly.
Now that he thought about it, he had certainly said that the company in Ruchest had been forced to withdraw from Draigand in the Demon Realm.
Draigand, the first outpost of demons.
It was said that the Demon Realm’s influence was so prevalent in the current continent that even today, 5000 years later, the area still harbors an ecosystem similar to the Demon Realm.
This didn’t feel like a simple isolated incident.
He instinctively felt this way.
Luke finally opened his eyes, pondering.
‘Certainly, ‘Ruchest’ must have some connection.’
The events were starting to come together.
Good, so the next goal is to uncover information about ‘Ruchest’?
In that case, before that.
“Merlin, now tell me the second reason I’ve come here.”
Luke looked directly at Merlin as he spoke.
“As many dolls as possible are needed. If the materials and the payment I’ll show you are all ready, can we start work immediately from today?”
Merlin frowned.
“…Immediately today? Isn’t that too sudden?”
“I’m in a rush. Anyway, looking at it now, your puppet shop doesn’t seem like it’ll be busy.”
At Luke’s words, Merlin fell silent.
…This girl has a sharper tongue than expected.
‘The tongue of a cat is rough, they say…’
To train novices into ‘puppets’, there’s so much preparation involved. Isn’t he taking it too lightly?
Merlin hardened her expression.
“…Starting immediately today? It’s too abrupt.”
“I’m in a bit of a rush. Anyway, at a glance, your puppet shop doesn’t look like it’ll be busy.”
At Luke’s words, Merlin closed her mouth.
…This girl has sharper words than expected.
‘They say that a cat’s tongue is rough…’
Even if you’re talking about training apprentices into ‘puppets,’ there’s so much preparation involved. Isn’t he taking this too lightly?
Merlin stiffened her expression.
“…Right now? Isn’t that a bit too sudden?”
Luke’s words left Merlin silenced.
