Does a Doll Deserve to Live a Happy Life? (Patreon)

Chapter 44: Trust Forged in Fire

It took us a few minutes, but we eventually managed to find a safe enough spot away from the presences I could feel around the city and came to a stop.

“Alright, this should be good enough for now,” Olga said with a nod, placing her hands on her hips before turning to me with a stern look. “Now, what did you want to discuss with me, Candidate 48?”

Blinking, I realized that with everything that had happened, I hadn’t even properly introduced myself to the woman, even if she likely already knew my name having looked it up earlier.

“Ahem. Before I begin, let me properly introduce myself. I’m Sieg Schneider. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Director. I hope we can get along despite our first meeting.” I bowed my head slightly.

“Hmph. I didn’t ask for your name,” Olga immediately shot back with a small glare. “And I would have a better impression of you if you didn’t have the audacity to fall asleep during our meeting.”

Looking off to the side awkwardly, I scratched the back of my head. “But I was awake the whole time…” I muttered under my breath.

A small hand patted my back a moment later. Turning, I gave Mash a thankful smile for her support.

“Anyway, get to the point already!” Olga snapped, raising her voice slightly.

When I looked back at her, I noticed a faint blush on her cheeks, which made me blink.

‘Did she hear what I said and realize she might have jumped the gun?’ I wondered.

Deciding it was best to keep that thought to myself, I simply nodded.

“Right. There’s… no easy way for me to say this, but…” I began, my expression turning serious before I hesitated.

Mash looked between us with growing concern, but a moment later, she gave me a reassuring look, silently telling me she trusted me.

Olga, on the other hand, only grew more irritated.

“Spit it out already! We don’t have all day! In case you’ve forgotten, we’re inside a Singularity!” she snapped again.

Letting out a quiet breath, I cleared my expression and met her gaze.

“What I’m saying, Olga—” I used her name, causing her to blink in surprise at the familiarity, “—is that the fact you’re standing here right now… could only be described as a miracle.”

My words had an immediate effect.

Mash gasped behind me, while Olga’s anger vanished completely. Her golden eyes widened as realization, and dawning despair, slowly took hold.

“W-What n-no… what nonsense are you talking about?” she stammered, shaking her head in denial. But I could already see the pieces falling into place for her.

Someone as smart as Olga could probably quickly piece together the strangeness of her presence here, when she wasn’t compatible as a Master Candidate before this.

“What do you mean, Senpai?” Mash asked softly, tilting her head while glancing worriedly at Olga.

I let out a small sigh, keeping my gaze fixed on the Director.

“When I was looking for you, Mash, I was also searching for the Director… but I couldn’t find her body anywhere,” I explained quietly.

Olga’s expression trembled, the despair finally surfacing.

“Y-You must have missed it… that’s all,” she insisted, even as her eyes reddened and tears gathered.

“My guess is… the Director was probably at the center of the explosion. Her body was completely vaporized… leaving only her soul behind, which somehow Rayshifted here,” I continued, my tone steady.

“Wait… doesn’t that mean—” Mash gasped again, but Olga cut her off.

“That even if the Singularity is resolved… I won’t be able to return to Chaldea.”

Her voice was hollow.

She sank to her knees, the last of her composure shattering as tears finally spilled over. Her gaze dropped to the ground, her expression utterly devastated.

And for a moment… I was reminded of Sakura at her lowest.

“Can’t you do something, Senpai?” Mash looked at me with a hopeful expression. “Your Mystery was able to heal me, after all… even though I was at death’s door when you found me.”

A small smile finally formed on my face as I turned to her and gently patted her head, earning a cute blush and a small squirm in response.

“Yeah, don’t worry,” I reassured her with a nod. “I wouldn’t have brought it up if I didn’t have a way to help her. Chaldea still needs its Director, after all.”

A quiet sigh of relief escaped Mash as her shoulders relaxed.

“Thank goodness…” she murmured before looking up at me with a shy smile, her blush returning. “I’m really glad you came to Chaldea, Senpai. You’re amazing~”

I felt my own cheeks warm slightly at her honest praise. Smiling a bit wider, I pulled my hand away from her head.

“I’m glad I came here too,” I replied, quietly pushing aside the small pang of guilt in my chest. My reasons might have been selfish… but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t do everything I could to help the people around me.

Turning back to Olga, I stepped closer.

She hadn’t heard our conversation.

Instead, she was quietly muttering to herself, her voice trembling as tears continued to fall.

“I haven’t even accomplished anything yet… From the moment I was born, I’ve never been accepted by anyone… No one’s ever even praised me for anything…”

My chest tightened at hearing that and especially how sad she sounded.

Kneeling in front of her, I gently reached out and took her hands, giving them a soft squeeze. The sudden contact made her snap her tear-filled gaze up to me.

“Olga,” I said quietly but firmly, meeting her eyes, “I know we just met, and you might not trust me… but I have a way to save you.”

It took a moment for my words to reach her.

She stared at me in confusion, not even reacting to the fact that I was holding her hands, something that told me more than enough about her current state.

“…What?” she asked numbly.

“I said you’re going to be okay,” I repeated, more firmly this time, giving her hands another reassuring squeeze. “I have a Mystery that can heal you. Our first meeting might not have gone well, but even someone like me, who’s only been in Chaldea for less than a day, can tell that it needs its Director.”

As I spoke, I frowned inwardly.

My words weren’t reaching her.

Not really.

The despair in her eyes didn’t fade. If anything, there was something worse there now—resignation. Like she had already accepted her fate.

And sure enough, she lowered her gaze again without responding.

…Damn it.

‘What is it with this universe?’ I thought bitterly. ‘Why does every girl I meet seem to carry some kind of tragedy?’

My thoughts drifted briefly to the girls back home.

Every single one of them… the same.

‘Am I some kind of magnet for those type of girls or something…?’

Shaking my head to clear those thoughts, I refocused and realized I would have to be a bit more forceful if I wanted to get through to Olga.

“I’m sorry for this, Olga… but you can yell at me as much as you want later, once were back at Chaldea.” I muttered as I let my Shroud manifest once more, golden tendrils unfurling behind me.

My words, and especially the tendrils, caught Olga’s attention. She blinked in confusion, her eyes widening slightly as they began to surround her.

“W-What are you doing?” she asked, panic creeping into her voice as she tried to pull back.

I tightened my grip on her hands, not letting her retreat.

“I’m going to heal you,” I repeated patiently, offering her a small, reassuring smile.

She frowned in confusion, still struggling lightly against my hold.

“Please trust me. Once we’re back in Chaldea, safe and sound, I’ll explain everything,” I added softly as the golden tendrils wrapped around her, cocooning most of her body while leaving her upper torso free for now. I gave her hands another gentle squeeze.

For a moment, Olga hesitated.

Then I saw it, the shift. As if my words were finally hitting home and the realization behind it.

Her gaze moved from the Shroud… back to me.

“…You were actually telling the truth?” she asked quietly, her vulnerability barely hidden beneath her usual sternness.

“Yes,” I answered immediately, without hesitation. “I’m still new to all of this, so I’ll need your help to resolve this crisis. I can also tell… that beneath that stern exterior, you’re an incredible Director, Olga.”

“That’s why I’m going to save you.”

A faint blush spread across her cheeks despite everything.

She looked away briefly… then back at me, nodding shakily.

“A-Alright… I’ll place my trust in you this once, Sieg. Don’t disappoint me.”

Her fingers tightened slightly around mine.

“And don’t call me Olga!” she added sharply, as if remembering herself, shooting me an embarrassed glare.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“I won’t let you down, Director. Now… just relax.”

With her permission, I let the Shroud fully envelop her.

Just like with Mash, I didn’t let go of her hands, not even for a second.

I could feel them trembling.

So I squeezed them gently, grounding her as the Shroud did its work.

A moment later, a soft ping echoed in the back of my mind.

It was done.

Without wasting time, I willed the Shroud to recede.

Golden light faded away, revealing Olga once more.

She blinked in confusion, then awe, clearly feeling the changes within her body.

“There,” I said with a small smile, rising to my feet and helping her up along with me before finally letting go of her hands. “All done, Director.”

“W-What did you do to me?” Olga asked, her voice filled with astonishment as she stared down at her hands.

Unfortunately, our brief moment was interrupted when the device on my wrist began beeping and blinking. A moment later, a magic circle formed, and a hologram flickered to life, revealing Romani.

“I finally got through! Hello, can you hear me?” Romani exclaimed in relief, looking slightly frazzled as his gaze focused on Mash and me.

“Dr. Roman,” I greeted with a small smile.

“Sieg, Mash… so you did get caught up in that Rayshift,” he said, closing his eyes as he let out a relieved sigh. “Without being in a Coffin, you had to withstand the conscious—”

He was suddenly cut off.

“Why have you taken control, Romani? Where’s Lev?”

Olga stepped forward between us, fixing him with a stern glare.

“D-Director!? You’re alive!?” Romani blurted out, genuine shock clear in his voice.

As Olga began speaking with him, I glanced at Mash. We shared a small smile, both of us recognizing that Olga was already slipping back into her usual self.

Turning my attention back, I listened as Romani explained, his tone growing more serious, that he had taken operational command because there was no one left who outranked him.

“What about the Master candidates? What happened to the 47 people in the Coffins!?” Olga demanded, worry slipping into her voice.

“All of them are in critical condition. At this rate…” Romani trailed off, his expression darkening.

“Don’t give me that. Transfer them to cryopreservation immediately! Our top priority is ensuring their survival!” Olga snapped without hesitation.

As Romani moved to comply, Olga bit her finger nervously, muttering under her breath.

“I can’t possibly carry the burden of 47 lives on my back…”

“I knew you were a good Director,” I said, placing a hand gently on her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly. “And you just proved my point.”

Olga blinked, then flushed red and slapped my hand away.

“S-Stop touching me so casually, damn it! Just because you saved my life doesn’t give you the right to act so familiar with me!” she snapped, glaring at me.

But there was no real bite behind it.

Just her usual tsundere pride trying to reassert itself.

I was just about to tease her to lighten the mood—

—when my expression suddenly sharpened.

A presence was fast approaching.

Without hesitation, I scooped Olga into my arms in a bridal carry, immediately putting distance between her and the direction of the incoming threat.

“W-What are you doing!?” Olga yelped, her face turning even redder as she found herself in my arms.

Mash didn’t hesitate.

The moment she saw my expression, she shifted instantly into combat mode, stepping in front of us with her shield raised.

“What’s the matter, Master?” she asked, her tone sharp and ready.

“Mash,” I said, my voice turning serious, “we’ve got a Servant approaching.”

I tightened my hold on Olga slightly.

“Prepare for battle.”

“Hai!”

A moment later, a feminine voice rang out in front of us.

“Well, well… what a shame. I was hoping for easy prey, but it seems I’ve found a somewhat competent Master.”

The voice echoed just before her figure fully materialized, revealing a face I recognized instantly.

“Be careful, Mash! That’s Medusa from Greek legend, in her Lancer form!” I called out immediately.

Mash, Olga, still blushing in my arms, and Medusa herself all blinked in surprise, the latter quickly narrowing her eyes.

“I see… so you were able to immediately recognize me,” Medusa said with a small sneer, tightening her grip on her lance. “Not that it will do you any good!”

She launched forward without another word.

Steel met steel as her spear clashed against Mash’s shield.

I gently set Olga down, not noticing the lingering flush on her face, and stepped forward to support Mash.

“Be careful of her weapon, Mash, that’s Harpe! Any wounds from it won’t heal properly!” I warned.

At the same time, I slipped my hand into my pocket and flicked a handful of small pebbles toward Medusa.

She reacted instantly, slicing them apart midair—

—only for them to explode.

“Thank you for the support, Master,” Mash said as she retreated a step, raising her shield again in front of us.

“I am your Master, after all,” I replied with a small smile, pulling out several rune stones I had prepared in advance.

I could use more advanced runes due to Scáthach’s teachings, even her Ancient Runes, but this wasn’t the time to reveal everything so soon into this mess.

“Tsk… I hate competent Masters,” Medusa muttered as she stepped out of the smoke, almost completely unharmed save for a shallow cut on her cheek.

A moment later, she pulled back her hood, revealing her long purple hair and glowing, inhuman eyes.

Her Mystic Eyes activated.

But—

Nothing happened.

Between Mash’s defenses as a Shielder and Company Defenses, her ability failed to take effect.

Medusa frowned.

“Huhuhu… seems it won’t be so easy to take you down~”

With a dark chuckle, her hair shifted, snakes transforming into chains that lashed out and stopped us from escaping.

“If my Mystic Eyes won’t work… then I’ll simply wear you down,” she said coldly. “And eventually kill your Master.”

She lunged again.

Mash met her head-on.

Watching the clash, I narrowed my eyes, analyzing the flow of battle.

Mash was stronger, far stronger than this version of Medusa thanks to my Shroud and enhancements.

But she lacked one crucial thing.

Experience.

And because of that…

Medusa was slowly gaining the upper hand.

“Senpai… please take the Director and run,” Mash called out, struggling as she blocked another rapid strike from Harpe. “I can’t defeat her!”

I frowned and glanced at Olga.

She stood behind me, visibly nervous but holding her ground, a finger raised and ready to fire a Gandr.

“Director, stay here,” I said firmly. “I’m going to assist Mash.”

Olga hesitated, clearly uneasy at being left behind, but after a moment, she nodded stiffly.

“R-Right…”

I gave her a reassuring smile.

Then, without thinking, I reached out and patted her head.

“S-Stop that—!?” she squeaked, her nervousness instantly replaced with flustered embarrassment.

“Please don’t worry too much. I promise that as long as I’m here, I won’t let either you or Mash be harmed.”

With that, I unsheathed my blade and stepped forward, catching Olga’s attention despite her lingering embarrassment, probably just noticing I was carrying a sword.

“Mash, keep up the pressure,” I ordered firmly.

Being the good kouhai she was, Mash responded instantly, pushing Medusa harder and forcing her back.

“Hoh… feeling confident because your Master is supporting you?” Medusa taunted, even as she gave ground.

That’s when it happened.

Her foot stepped over a rock—

—and it exploded.

The blast obscured her vision completely.

Using my Raptor Authority, I vanished from sight.

A moment later—

—a sharp gasp.

—and the unmistakable sound of steel piercing flesh.

When the smoke cleared, I was already standing behind her, my blade buried between her shoulder blades, straight through her heart.

“W-What kind of… M-Master are you…?” Medusa asked weakly, turning her head just enough to glimpse my expressionless face.

Mash stood frozen, eyes wide in shock.

“One who protects those he cherishes,” I replied calmly.

With a firm pull, I withdrew my blade. Her body was already beginning to fade, returning to the Throne of Heroes.

“I hope that the next time we meet, it will be your Rider… Saber… or your true Lancer form,” I added quietly as I sheathed my sword.

Medusa blinked, then, for the first time, a genuine smile touched her lips.

“I never did get your names…”

Stepping forward beside Mash, I placed a hand on her shoulder as we both watched Medusa fade.

“My name is Sieg. And this beautiful girl here is my reliable junior, Mash Kyrielight.” Cue blush from Mash.

“I see…” she murmured softly. “If you do meet my other selves… please take good care of them.”

And then she was gone.

The chains vanished with her.

Silence followed.

“I-I didn’t know you were that strong, Senpai~” Mash said, turning to me with sparkling eyes. “I didn’t even see you move!”

“A Master and Servant are meant to fight together, Mash,” I replied with a small smile. “In my case… that’s a bit more literal.”

Footsteps interrupted us.

We turned to see Olga approaching, more like stomping, toward us, a scowl firmly in place.

“Alright, mister, just who are you!?” she demanded, stopping in front of us with one hand on her hip while pointing at me with the other.

“What you just did is way beyond the capabilities of a ‘commoner’ like you. So start talking.”

She shifted, both hands now planted on her hips, foot tapping impatiently.

Olga might not have noticed, but her posture practically screamed tsundere.

I had to fight back a smile.

Despite her tone, thanks to Conjunction, I could feel no real hostility, just frustration and curiosity. If anything, the Shroud was already doing its work, nudging her toward trusting me.

“I don’t mind explaining, Director,” I said with a nod.

Then my expression sharpened slightly as my gaze shifted past her.

“But… perhaps we should save that conversation for later. It seems we have an audience.”

Right on cue, a chuckle echoed through the air.

Olga instinctively stepped behind me, while Mash moved forward, shield raised.

“I’ve gotta say… that was some impressive swordplay, kid.”

The air shimmered—

—and then he appeared.

A tall man dressed in blue, with matching hair, red eyes, and a wooden staff resting casually in his hand.

“The little miss wasn’t half bad either,” he added with a grin.

Caster.

Cu Chulainn.

“Hello, Caster,” I greeted calmly, stepping up beside Mash. I met his gaze evenly. “How about a little proposition?”

He let out an amused snort.

And inwardly, I couldn’t help but think—

‘So I finally get to meet my fellow pupil face to face.’