Chapter 126: Viktor’s Secret Dolls

"Besides, if we’re talking about that Saintess, she was probably related to Viktor."

"Huh?"

"I do not know the details, but apparently that Saintess was an Elf. When it comes to Elf nobility, there is the Silvermere family. And you are from Silvermere, aren’t you, Viktor? You never seem willing to talk about the details. Not that I intend to pry."

!!!

Qiu Nuoya recognized the name "Silvermere." On the day he first challenged the Dungeon Castle, the Guild Master of the Adventurer’s Guild had definitely mentioned that name to Viktor.

At the time, Viktor had said that he had severed all ties with Silvermere. Qiu Nuoya had never heard anything more about it.

Of course, it was because Viktor had been unwilling to talk about it. Still, Qiu Nuoya felt that with every piece of the puzzle that fell into place, he was gradually beginning to see the bigger picture of Viktor. He looked down at Viktor who was still clinging to him and sniffling pathetically.

"Speaking of which, Nuoya, could you release me from this already? Is it still too soon?" Igor who is still trapped in the rings of light said this with a playful expression.

Qiu Nuoya did not approve of the fact that Igor had deliberately forced alcohol on Viktor, but he figured Igor had probably only wanted to show Long what Viktor was like in this state. He also doubted Igor would force Viktor to drink any more. With that judgment, Qiu Nuoya released both Igor and Long from their restraints.

"Just so we’re clear, there is no more alcohol after what’s already been poured! Also, the two of you are responsible for this whole mess, so I’ll leave the cleanup to you!"

Since dinner had also served as a welcome party, there had been more dishes than usual on the table. Now the plates were covered in scattered leftovers, and empty bottles were rolling around everywhere. It was probably what one would expect from a drinking party, but cleaning up afterward was still a lot of work. The two of them could at least take care of that much.

Qiu Nuoya guided Viktor who was completely out of it to his room. Viktor had probably not drunk for quite some time, and perhaps he had become unaccustomed to alcohol. It had gone to his head remarkably quickly. As soon as Qiu Nuoya got him to the bed, Viktor collapsed forward and suddenly began giggling.

Qiu Nuoya had thought Viktor was completely the type to become a crying drunk, but apparently he was also the type to become a laughing drunk.

"You’re having fun, aren’t you, Viktor? Let’s take off your robe before it gets wrinkled." Qiu Nuoya helped Viktor out of his robe and hung it on the hanger hook attached to the wall. As soon as he did, Viktor called his name.

"Yes? What is it?"

Viktor beckoned him closer, then held out both arms with a quiet, "Mmm."

The childish gesture left Qiu Nuoya confused. Was Viktor asking for a hug? No, surely not. Just as Qiu Nuoya was wondering what to do, Viktor unsteadily sat up and snapped his fingers.

Snapping his fingers was a common way to activate a spell without chanting. Qiu Nuoya wondered what Viktor was trying to do when he heard the faint creak of the closet door behind him.

"Nuoya." Viktor called his name again. Something inside the closet moved in response.

"Um, is there something inside the closet?"

"Hehehe. Come here." With those words, something that could only be described as a child burst out of the closet. Its beautiful bluish black hair fluttered as it leaped straight into Viktor’s arms.

"Huh? What!?"

"Nuoya, welcome home." Viktor paid no attention to Qiu Nuoya as he hugged the child and gently stroked its head.

Qiu Nuoya stood frozen in place. He completely unable to understand the situation.

What on earth was happening right in front of him?

Suddenly, the child turned its face toward him. Its features looked similar to Qiu Nuoya’s. No, rather than simply resembling him, it looked as though someone had deliberately made it resemble him.

When Qiu Nuoya looked at the child closely, he realized that even the things the child was wearing were all items similar to his own belongings. However, its eyes were glassy and devoid of any emotion.

"A doll...?"

Yes. It was a life sized doll of Qiu Nuoya. There was no other way to describe it, because its appearance was far too similar to his own.

Once again, he heard something move behind him. When he turned around, he found two more identical dolls standing there, staring at him.

A chill immediately ran down Qiu Nuoya’s spine.

What is this? This is terrifying! Scary, scary, scary, scary!

The two dolls were different sizes. The one Viktor was currently holding was the smallest, and Qiu Nuoya guessed that their sizes had grown along with his own physical growth.

The other two dolls stood silently inside the closet staring fixedly at him.

"Wait, Viktor! What on earth are these!?"

"They are substitute dolls of Nuoya." Viktor showed no sign of embarrassment as he continued hugging the childlike doll of Qiu Nuoya tightly. "Isn’t he cute? Even though I know I no longer need them, I just can’t bring myself to get rid of them."

"No, no, no! They’re scary! First of all, explain why you made something like this!"

This was bordering on madness. Had Viktor finally gone crazy because he was too obsessed with him?

"Explain? As I said, it is a substitute doll. Whenever I had to travel somewhere alone so that the Church would not discover where you were, I would take this child with me. It is very well made, isn’t it?"

"It certainly is well made, but..."

So that was it. Three years ago, when they were being pursued by the Church, Viktor had deliberately traveled from place to place to accept requests so that their location could not be traced.