Does the Assassin Girl Dream of the Mana Doll?

The Girl Known as Mana Doll

Indeed, that’s what she said. Mana dolls, the term rang familiar in Egret’s ears. Though only having dabbled in magic to some extent, she had heard of them before.

These dolls were a type of being known as flesh golems, crafted from cultivated organic body parts. While they may not possess the same sturdiness as their stone or iron counterparts, they compensated with agility and remarkable dexterity. In the past, they were created to protect important individuals and serve as companions to mages, or so the stories went.

Among the golems, mana dolls stood out as a peculiar existence.

These dolls possessed an immense amount of mana and wielded it with great intelligence. They were mass-produced and deployed as weapons on ancient battlefields, believed to have played a significant role in wars of the magical civilization. Officially, none were known to exist in the present era.

But the young girl standing before Egret claimed to be one. The circumstances and her magical aura seemed to support her assertion. Everything necessary to recognize her as genuine was in place.

“Is something the matter, Letty-sama?”

“Um… First of all… Who are you exactly?”

“As I mentioned earlier, I’m Ellie, an eliminator. I belong to the combat tactics class of mana dolls. From now on, I will serve you as my master,” she responded smoothly, a radiant smile gracing her face as she respectfully lowered her head.

Egret felt overwhelmed, as if she had witnessed something truly dazzling, and cast her gaze downward. “I have a question… I’ve heard of mana dolls, but what does ‘combat tactics class’ mean?”

“It refers to a combat mana doll specifically designed for engaging targets, ranging from individuals to small and medium-sized groups. My role is to provide suppressive and supportive fire in close to medium-range combat scenarios,” Ellie explained.

“As for offensive capabilities, I’m equipped with a Mana Blaster that can gather magical energy and release it directly at targets. Additionally, there’s the Mana Bolt, which can lock onto multiple targets and unleash guided projectiles.

“Regarding defense, I can deploy a medium-strength anti-physical and anti-magic barrier. These measures offer sufficient protection for both myself and the well-being of my master,” she further elaborated.

“I don’t quite get it, but I understand that you’re powerful, right? Is ‘eliminator’ like a type or race name?”

Maintaining her warm smile, Ellie nodded. “Yes, you can think of it that way. Mana dolls are designed in various forms to fulfill different purposes, and each variant is given a specific name. So, ‘eliminator’ is the official designation for my particular type.

“And if you don’t mind, Letty-sama, I would be delighted if you call me Ellie.”

Egret stared at Ellie, her expression filled with confusion. She was taken aback by Ellie’s cheerful smile and unexpected request.

Never before had she experienced such familiarity upon a first meeting, nor had she been addressed with an affectionate nickname. Furthermore, being referred to as a master was a foreign concept to her. She was more accustomed to being used rather than being in a position of authority.

Lost in her thoughts, Egret decided to address the question that had been weighing on her mind. “Why am I your master?”

“That’s because you went through the activation procedure and underwent blood registration, officially becoming my master. Were you not aware of it?”

“Hm? Well… It was more of an accident. It happened unintentionally.”

“I see… So that’s how it happened…” Ellie blinked in surprise, observing Egret as she awkwardly avoided making eye contact.

There was a brief moment of silence, as if Ellie was contemplating the situation. However, soon enough, a smile returned to her face.

“Nonetheless, since you’ve been acknowledged and officially registered as my master, there’s nothing I can do about it. I hope we can get along well, Letty-sama!” With a cheerful tone, she proclaimed while bowing.

Observing Ellie’s lowered head, Egret couldn’t help but ponder. What should I do in this completely unexpected situation? I have no idea what to do with her.

Then, a sudden recollection of Greg’s message to bring back any treasures she found crossed Egret’s mind. In a way, she can be considered a treasure too. If her abilities are genuine, her worth would probably be immeasurable.

With this realization, Egret looked at the young girl before her. “I understand. Just one thing… Um, could you address me casually? I’m not accustomed to it.” She furrowed her brow, lightly scratching her cheek in a perplexed manner.

Observing Egret’s gesture, Ellie froze for a moment, peering curiously as if quietly contemplating something before snapping back to reality. “I-I understand. In that case… How about I call you Letty-san?”

“I… I suppose that’ll do. Nice to meet you… Ellie.” With those words, Egret—now also known as Letty—extended her right hand. Ellie, beaming with joy, clasped her hand in return.

Unbeknownst to Letty who was accustomed to the ways of an assassin, she had casually offered her right hand without any suspicion. There was no sense of unease within her as Ellie took hold of her hand.

***

Author’s Note:

An unnecessary path. Unnecessary time. It should all be a mere waste, but why does it bring such a sense of fulfillment?

Puzzled by the newfound sensation, it feels too precious to simply cast aside.

Up next: Journey Back Home

The way there may be smooth, but the way back is scary.