The Villainous Son Loves His Mother - Chapter 92

◆

Throughout the Great Yggdra Forest, dolls moved like shadows, blending seamlessly into the darkness.

『Forest, deep within, foul odor.』

One doll murmured into the void.

『But the stars shine so clearly tonight.』

・
・
・

Duke Calliste’s Estate, Study.
In the dimly lit room, dolls began to stir one after another.

『Hehe, the Undead King has emerged, I hear.』

A boy doll chuckled gleefully.

『I’d love to see the humans’ faces right now.』

A doll in military uniform crossed its arms dramatically.

『Hmph! Pathetic fools! Frightened by a mere handful of undead!』

An old woman doll cackled.

『It’s only natural. They fear death because their lives are finite.』

A young woman, doll gracefully unfurled her fan.

『But it’s precisely because life is fleeting that it shines so brilliantly—』

The girl doll leaped into the air.

『Hey, let’s tell that woman! If we don’t, everyone will die!』

◆

Imperial Capital Gainesfreed, Prime Minister’s Office.
Digitalis finished reading the report and let out a deep sigh.

“Undead King Fabian…”

Her expression was grim.
For the past few weeks, the Empire had been under relentless attacks from the remnants of the Demon Lord’s Army in the east—aerial bombardments by Dragonkin and surprise assaults on ground forces.
Though the damage was minimal, it had forced the Empire to deploy a significant portion of its military to defend the eastern border.
Now, a new threat loomed from the west.
The timing couldn’t have been worse.

“At this rate, the Duchy of Yggdra will fall.”

Digitalis quickly calculated the consequences.
If Yggdra fell, the Empire’s western territories would be exposed to immediate danger.
The Duchy of Calliste would also be in danger.
She immediately summoned her attendant.

“Prepare the Third and Fifth Legions for deployment.”

The Third Legion was one of the Empire’s most mobile units. Though numbering fewer than three thousand, half its forces consisted of Dragon Cavalry. These elite warriors, mounted on Wyverns, could move at three times the speed of ordinary cavalry.
The Fifth Legion was also a rapid-assault force, composed primarily of lightly equipped infantry.

“Y-yes!”

The attendant hurried out of the room.
Digitalis glared at the map.

“The problem is time… Even if we rush, it will take five days.”

She picked up a quill pen and began writing orders to Duke Calliste.
[Hold out at all costs until reinforcements arrive.]
[Your Puppet Brigade is hereby ordered to cooperate with the Yggdra Army.]
[The situation is critical. Consider deploying yourself if necessary.]

“To Duke Calliste, with utmost urgency,”

Digitalis instructed, watching the bird take flight.

“I hope they can make it in time.”

◆

Duke Calliste’s Estate.
The atmosphere among the dolls shifted as Digitalis’s reply arrived.

『Oh dear, she seems to be panicking too.』

The boy doll tilted its head.
The military uniform doll bristled with indignation.
『Five days?! What sluggishness! It used to take only three! Have they forgotten the lessons of the Great War?!』

[ Now, now, ]

The woman doll soothed.

『They’re only human, after all. We can’t expect too much.』

The silver-haired doll declared,

[ The order is clear: cooperate with the Yggdra Army. ]

[ We can’t allow the Undead to overrun our territory and defile our lands, ]

The old woman doll cackled ominously.
The girl doll clapped her hands.

『Then let’s go play! People watching!』

New orders were transmitted to the forest dolls.

◆

The next morning, the Duchy of Yggdra.
At the royal palace, Webster was conducting final confirmations with the National Army’s senior officers.

“Then we’ll launch the attack at noon.”

Marshal Vargas of the National Army nodded.

“Very well. Mobilize eighty percent of our forces.”

Just then, a messenger burst into the room.
It was a scout from the National Army’s advance guard.
The Adventurer’s Guild wasn’t the only group moving.

“Reporting! We’ve confirmed a strange group in the forest!”

“Strange?”

“Those who made contact—they identified themselves as ‘Dolls.'”

A name flashed through Webster’s mind:
Duke of Calliste, Idra Ira Calliste.

“This is likely reinforcements from the Gaines Empire. Duke Calliste must have made his move.”

Vargas nodded in agreement with Webster’s assessment.

“They’re here sooner than expected. Still, their arrival is welcome—”

“Reporting!”

The messenger’s shout cut off Vargas’s words.

“What is it now?”

Vargas demanded, his tone impatient.
But—

“Reporting!”

“Reporting!”

“Reporting!”

“Reporting!”

The messenger repeated the same word over and over.
Webster turned his back to Vargas and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
In the next instant, the messenger’s head twisted unnaturally in a full circle.
One hundred and eighty degrees, then another ninety.
The grating sound of bones grinding against each other echoed through the room.
The surrounding knights drew their swords in unison.

“Monster!”

One of them shouted.
But the messenger no, the Doll—calmly rotated its head back to its original position.
Click, click, as if adjusting a hinge.
The sight sent a wave of intense discomfort through the onlookers.

“My apologies, ufu, my synchronization failed. I’ve shown you a rather embarrassing display.”

The Doll said in fluent speech.

“I am an envoy from Duke Idra Ira Calliste.”

It bowed respectfully, its movements flawless yet somehow inhuman.

“With the resurrection of Undead King Fabian, my lord proposes an alliance with your nation,”

The Doll continued in a calm, emotionless voice.

“We have already deployed fifteen units into the forest and are prepared to support your military operations. While our Dolls possess physical capabilities surpassing those of humans, we are not without limitations. Some units that have already engaged the Undead are no longer capable of continuing combat. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to coordinate our actions.”

Webster stepped forward.

“We are grateful for your offer. The power of Duke Calliste’s ‘Doll Legion’ has reached even Yggdra. We gladly accept your cooperation.”

“A wise decision for a human.”

The Doll bowed its head again.

“Furthermore, our Dolls are… somewhat unique. Please inform your soldiers in advance to avoid any confusion.”

With these parting words, the Doll turned and departed.
As the Doll’s figure disappeared from sight, Vargas sighed and issued an order:

“All units, take note: engagement with the Dolls is strictly prohibited. They are allies.”

◆

Midday, the Guild’s Grand Hall.
The hall was filled with the fervent energy of assembled adventurers.
Webster stepped onto the dais.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to embark on a campaign to defeat the Undead King.”

Silence fell.

“There is no guarantee any of us will return alive. Yet, are there any among you who will still go? Are there any heroes willing to risk their lives to protect this nation?”

In the next instant, a thunderous roar erupted.

“We’ll go!”

“We’ll defend Yggdra!”

Many adventurers rose to their feet.
But simultaneously, Webster noticed others heading for the doors—those who were fleeing.

“Hey, cowards!”

Someone shouted.
But Webster calmly raised his hand.

“Let them go,”

The hall fell silent.

“Let those who wish to leave depart. We will not force anyone.”

His voice remained calm.

“Bringing those who cannot overcome their fear would only hinder us all.”

The fleeing figures vanished through the doors.
Webster surveyed the remaining adventurers.

“Then, let’s move out.”

A cheer erupted.
But Webster’s mood was heavy.

(We have reinforcements. But can we truly win? Against the Undead King…)

He would never voice such dark thoughts, but they lingered in his mind.

◆◆◆

Meanwhile, Hein was…

“After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to use the Night’s Dew.”

He declared to Feri, whom he had summoned to his chambers at midnight.

“Was its quality poor after all?”

Hain shook his head.

“I’ve learned from someone that the best gifts are those given with heartfelt sincerity. I believe that to be true. Well, if that’s the case, I suppose I should just pour my heart into something of exceptional rarity—”

Hein gazed at the Night’s Dew.

“But there seems to be some impure intent clinging to this.”

When Feri looked, she couldn’t deny sensing a faint, lingering resentment.

“This isn’t worthy of Mother—or rather, I worry that the sentiment I poured into it will be tainted.”

“You are absolutely right, Young Master.”

“But Mother’s Day is almost here. We have barely a week left. That’s why I’ve been thinking—”

Hein raised his thumb and pointed to his own chest.

“Could I create a gem resembling Night’s Dew using myself? After much deliberation, I’ve concluded that it’s theoretically possible. It’s an extreme method—it will be painful and agonizing. But that doesn’t matter. Love sometimes requires sacrifice. However, I’ll need tools. Feri, bring me books from every bookstore in the Imperial Capital—books with content like this. Preferably ones that make me feel deeply uncomfortable. Erase the authors’ names. I might go after them otherwise.”