“Wh-what now? What is that infernal racket?”
As he listened, Kaito dashed headfirst through the torrent of splinters. He was covered in wounds as he rolled into the throne room, but he was able to distance himself from the entrance to the Treasury. The doll staggered forth. Her gait and pale skin made her the very image of a revenant.
It seemed Elisabeth had gotten herself some wine, as she did a spit take. She wore a rare expression as her voice was alight with flustered fury.
“You worm! Just how far down did you slither?! That thing is an automaton, made in poor taste by my foster father! In the absence of orders, it simply destroys everything in its path! Why would you activate such a thing?!”
“I mean, I’m sorry for just turning it on, but how was I supposed to know?! I only took off its shackles, and it turned on by itself!”
“Taking off its shackles is how you turn it on, you imbecile!”
Elisabeth tossed aside her wineglass, as well as the round side table she’d taken out to pair with it. It seemed she’d been treating herself to a little rest and relaxation, but that tranquility had long been shattered.
“Ah, how vexing! To think that I should have to busy myself over a mere doll!”
She rose from her throne, irritated, and rapped her heel twice on the floor.
Darkness and crimson petals billowed across the floor like mist. A mass of thorns shot up from within it. But the doll’s reflexes were superb, and her jumping power was like that of a beast. She leaped over the thorns, cleanly evading them. By clasping a thorn between her palms and the soles of her feet, she managed a landing that avoided injury entirely.
“My… To think you would dodge that.”
Murmuring in admiration, Elisabeth held her hands behind her, then swung them forward. An iron ax made specially for decapitations launched from the darkness, flying over the thorns and aimed for the doll’s neck. The doll’s head, however, swung down, almost as though it had been dislocated, and just barely managed to evade the ax’s blade. Elisabeth’s eyes widened in surprise.
The doll’s legs clicked as they bent, and she leaped again, this time landing directly before the throne. She closed in on Elisabeth. Elisabeth seemed to be timing her movements, though, and she snapped her fingers.
“Ducking Stool!”
A chair sprouted from the floor and cleanly scooped up the doll’s behind. Leather belts strapped her into place. The Ducking Stool resembled the Iron Chair Kaito had once been made to sit in. However, its seat had no spike holes. In their place, long chains were affixed to the chair’s back.
Suddenly, a rectangular section of floor around the doll disappeared. The space beneath her was filled to the brim with water, crimson flower petals floating on its surface.
With a grand splash, the doll was plunged underwater.
Perhaps the doll was struggling, because the water’s surface bubbled and frothed. But after a period, she stopped moving. The chains rattled as they dragged the chair out of the water. The doll was still.
Water dripped from her silver hair. Elisabeth breathed a sigh of relief.
“Good heavens, at last it’s quiet again. However, this thing can pump water off its body. No doubt it will resume function shortly. Perhaps it would be best to destroy it before it gets its gears turning again.”
“Hey, wait a minute. Do you really have to destroy it?”
“I thought this was obvious, but failing to destroy it would be incredibly dangerous! Unless it was your intent that I spend the rest of my days evading a homicidal doll, that is. In that case, would you like to serve as my shield? Hmm?”
“No, I mean, it was my fault in the first place that it got turned on, after all… I would feel really bad if you had to destroy something so well made… Can’t you just turn it off, like it was before?”
Kaito attempted to pacify Elisabeth. As terrifying as the automaton had been, he was to blame for turning her on in the first place. And he was reluctant to destroy something that had been so elaborately crafted to appear human. Not to mention how expensive the doll looked. He doubted his ability to make financial reparations.
“Hmm? One moment. As you say, it would be something of a waste. Perhaps we can make use of it after all.”
As Elisabeth pondered, the doll began trembling before her. An unpleasant squeaking noise rang out as the doll’s head shook at an impossible angle.
Ominous light returned to her emerald eyes. Elisabeth then spoke quietly, almost in song.
“Halt, O gears, for thou art eternally fair.”
The doll suddenly froze. The next moment, her entire body visibly relaxed. Seeing the doll transform at a few words, when Elisabeth had had so much trouble restraining her, startled Kaito quite a bit.
“Wh-what’d you just do?”
“An incantation to make it register a new master. Heh. For it to have worked means the doll’s old settings have all been overwritten. I should be able to set a new master for it now. In doing so, the new master’s orders will take top priority. That should make it stop attacking people haphazardly. Now, then…”
Elisabeth made to open her mouth again. Before she could, the doll clicked her head into motion.
Clack, clack, clack. Distorting her neck, the doll looked at Kaito. He gave a small hop in surprise. However, the doll did nothing more but silently train her emerald-green eyes on him. Kaito looked back in bewilderment. Her gaze seemed almost entreating. Elisabeth gave a short whistle in admiration.
“Well, well, well… It seems to have made the choice for me. Count yourself fortunate. Apparently, after being saved by you twice over, it has taken a liking to you. Very well, then. You shall be its master. One problem remains, however.”
“Me, its master? Wait, and there’s a problem, too?”
“Upon becoming this thing’s master, a ‘relationship’ must be established. Its creator had an unfortunate fondness for putting people on the spot, you see. Of the four relationships, namely: ‘parent and child,’ ‘siblings,’ ‘master and servant,’ and ‘lovers’—only one is correct. Should one select incorrectly, the automaton will turn on its master and try to kill them. A trivial matter for me, but you would most certainly perish.”
“One in four is pretty harsh odds. What should I do?”
“Oh heavens, I haven’t the faintest idea. ’Twould be quickest simply to destroy it, but you seem to find that option distasteful. Ah, well, here… Among ‘parent and child,’ ‘siblings,’ ‘master and servant,’ and ‘lovers,’ select the one least likely to betray you.”
Elisabeth smiled a devious smile, then resumed her position on the throne as if her work here was done. Picking up her wineglass and side table, she leisurely turned around. Apparently, she planned on observing this as a detached spectator.
Elisabeth seemed to be set on simply enjoying herself. Kaito frantically racked his brain. After all, his life was on the line. He knew he would rather die than pick “parent.” He didn’t know much about siblings, but his memories of the one time he’d met a guy he was related to were thoroughly unpleasant. And after looking at Elisabeth and considering his relationship with her, “master and servant” was definitely out. Only one option remained.
“I guess I’ll pick ‘lovers.’”
“Well, there’s a virgin for you.”
A rude assertion. But before Kaito could protest Elisabeth’s verbal abuse, the doll began shaking more violently than ever. Unable to withstand the convulsions, the belts restraining her popped off. Hot steam burst out of the openings in her ball joints.
Her response had been so severe that Kaito, despite himself, was more worried for the doll than for himself.
“Hey, uh, are you sure it’s not broken?”
As he peered tentatively at the doll, her eyes snapped open. She tore off the Ducking Stool’s leather belts, then leaped over the water tank and landed in front of Kaito.
Kaito braced himself for death, and the doll acted.
The doll
knelt in front of Kaito, sinking to one knee.
“Huh?”
“I apologize for keeping you waiting. O my dearest, my darling, my destined one, my master! My one true love! O my eternal companion!”
The doll shouted, overcome with emotion. It was the first time he’d heard her voice, but it was oddly pleasant. She clasped his hand in hers and looked up at him.
Her face was surrounded by silken silver hair, and it wore the first expression Kaito had seen out of her.
Her emerald-green eyes drooped, becoming soft and viscous, and her white skin grew flush with blood. Her features were clean yet somehow amorous, and the expression on her sweet face was nothing short of enraptured.
She stroked Kaito’s palm with her cheek in a deeply human display of affection. Her smooth skin was as warm and as soft as a human’s. With an expression of absolute bliss, she whispered ecstatically.
“Henceforth, until the moment these limbs are plucked from me, and my head is removed, and my steel heart stops beating, I shall be your companion and your lover. I shall live only for your sake, and I shall break only for your sake. For whether you wish to love me or destroy me, both privileges are now yours and yours alone.”
She looked up into Kaito’s eyes, then gave a small, bashful smile.
“By your own will, would you please cherish me until the end of time?”
Her words piled up like roaring waves, and Kaito and Elisabeth were as stiff as boards. Unconcerned with their reactions, the doll continued stroking Kaito’s palm with her cheek. Her adorable actions were like those of a fawning puppy.
Eventually, Elisabeth whispered quietly.
“Um… Well, you seem to have pulled it off successfully. Are you…pleased?”
“…I dunno. This is a little…”
He felt that this was somewhat troublesome in its own way.
But after looking at the doll’s blissful smile, he swallowed his words.
4
An Envoy from the Church
“This is delicious!”
Fork and knife in hand, Elisabeth burst into a smile.
It was the first time Kaito had seen her smile without even a shred of malice. The situation was so abnormal, he was getting goose bumps. It wasn’t just her, either. It was the entire table.
The long table had been furnished with a stately arabesque tablecloth, and the empty seats were decorated with colorful flowers. The line of alternating gold and silver candlesticks was all lit, gently illuminating the silverware.
And the aroma of a number of elaborate dishes wafted up from the plates.
There was hog’s-head jelly with brioche. There was a delectably sour salad with intestines, a bowl of lamb tripe minestrone, and a golden-brown kidney pie. And the main course was finished off with some foie gras terrine.
Finally, for dessert, there was a tart, topped with thin apple slices in the shape of a flower.
Elisabeth stuffed her cheeks with the freshly prepared dishes one after another. Large, exaggerated tears of joy welled up in her eyes.
“This is delicious, I say—truly sublime! True delicacies! You have my praise, doll!”
“For it to have met your tastes is an honor, Lady Elisabeth, master of Master Kaito.”
The automaton stood at the ready by Elisabeth’s side. Her emerald-green eyes gleamed kindly, and a gentle smile appeared on her face. Between her long, classical maid uniform and her adorable little maid cap, she gave the impression of having served in this castle for many years.
It was hard to believe that she was the same person who had been going on a rampage the day prior.
Although he was still somewhat afraid of her, Kaito asked her a question.
“So you don’t just fight, but you can cook, too?”
“Indeed. In addition to combat data, my Self-Recording Device contains thousands of recipes, as well as many other useful skills. From cooking and cleaning to playing games and accompanying you at night, I can fulfill any of your desires, Master Kaito.”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, you don’t need to go that far. I don’t need that kind of extra service.”
Kaito waved his hands from side to side. Whenever he interacted with this doll, he often found himself at a loss. And whenever he did, the doll hung her shoulders with such dejection that he could practically see dog ears and a tail drooping from her head and waist.
“Is that so? Well, should you ever change your mind, please do not hesitate to instruct me as you see fit. I exist solely for your sake, Master Kaito, so no matter the time or place, doing whatever you want with me is my ultimate pleasure.”
“Wait… ‘No matter the place’…? You mean, like, outside?”
“Of course—outside is fine, too!”
“What in the world might you two be going on about?”
Munching on a huge slice of pie, Elisabeth raised her voice in exasperation. After enjoying the delicate blend of the sweet, crunchy crust and the gaminess of the meat, she finished eating.
She courteously wiped her mouth with her napkin, then turned to the doll as if to praise her.
“See, when my irredeemable butler booted you up, I thought I’d have little choice but to destroy the two of you together. But your aptitude for cooking proved quite splendid. Every cloud has its silver lining, they say. My congratulations, Kaito. Your life may yet continue.”
“Geez, I had no idea I was on the verge of death for such a stupid reason.”
“In short, you are saying that I was of use to Master Kaito? My deepest thanks. I can think of no greater honor, no greater joy!”
“But enough of that. You are a servant of mine. Nay, in respect to your desires, I wish to welcome you once more as a servant of my servant, but… Hey, Kaito. Give this thing a name.”
“A name?”
“You would do well to stop being befuddled by contrivance. All things need names. And it is most inconvenient to be unable to call for your possessions.”
“I mean… I wouldn’t call her my possession. Even if she’s a doll, she’s still a girl.”
Kaito shook his head vigorously. Owning something that was practically human was too big a responsibility for him. But the doll stepped forward, her fists balled up and her cheeks puffed out.
Curling her lovely lips into a pout, she pleaded with him.
“While it may be imprudent of me to say, I am most certainly your possession. Ever since the fateful moment you chose me as your lover, I have been your eternal lover, your faithful companion, your soldier, your weapon, your love outlet, and your sex doll. Come what may, I shall forever remain yours and yours alone. I beg you to remember that always.”
“A-all right, I get it. Just try not to say stuff like that. But yeah, either way, it would be nice if you had a name. Uh…”
Kaito scrunched up his forehead as he thought it over. He fumbled through his memories for something to use as a reference. But he’d never so much as named an animal before. Also, he hadn’t been allowed much social interaction. He could recall the names of a few of the women who had spent time with his father, but none who he had any desire to use as references. Even the woman who had made him purin had left in the end.
It was then Kaito recalled a soft, nuzzling sensation.
…Oh yeah…her. There was that one time. There was someone who loved me unconditionally.
A snow-white puppy floated up from the depths of his memories. She had belonged to one of his neighbors. She had become attached to him, and every time he visited, she would wag her tail and lick the tears off his face. He had been able to play with her for only a short period before he had to move again, but Kaito felt that was for the best. If his father had found out about his affection for the dog, he would have likely tried to kidnap and kill her.
She had been a good, kind girl. And her large, droopy eyes slightly resembled the doll’s.
Despite some reservations, Kaito recalled the dog’s name and spoke it aloud.
“‘Hina’… Ho
w does ‘Hina’ sound?”
“It sounds incredibly arbitrary, much like you plucked it from a hat.”
“Hey, I put a lot of thought into that!”
“You’re brilliant, Master Kaito! It’s the finest name in all of heaven and earth, surpassing that of any human, demi-human, beastfolk, mythical beast, or god! My deepest thanks! From now on, I shall bear the name Hina. Hina… Hina. I am Hina. The name that Master Kaito blessed me with… Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee.”
Hina’s shoulders began quivering oddly. She seemed to be happy, but her reaction was a bit frightening.
Just as Hina’s christening was complete, the Butcher made his appearance. Elisabeth purchased a large quantity of organs from him, then handed it all to Hina. While she dealt with that, Kaito began piling the plates from the table into his arms.
Apparently, having a good cook around loosened Elisabeth’s tongue. After bowing to Elisabeth, who was engaged in a lively conversation with the Butcher, Kaito and Hina headed for the kitchen.
Once they reached the kitchen, Kaito carried the dirty dishes to the sink. Hina, using the meat she’d received from the Butcher, began making preliminary preparations for dinner.
Watching her line up with utter certainty the jars of seasoning she would need, Kaito called out to her.
“So wait, you can tell which ones are which flavors?”
“Oh yes, I have registrations for most of the seasonings that exist in this world. I can also use their scent to analyze whether or not they’ve degraded over time and the minor changes in flavor resulting from the manufacturing process, so I can adjust the quantities I use as necessary.”
“Wow. That’s really impressive, Hina.”
Kaito nodded in earnest admiration. Hina’s cheeks went flush with embarrassment.
“I receive your praise with great honor. On a related note, um, Master Kaito, what kinds of dishes do you like?”
“…Uhhh, I don’t really have preferences when it comes to food. As long as it’s not rotten or poisoned, I’m pretty fine with whatever.”
Torture Princess: Fremd Torturchen, Vol. 1 Page 9