The Boy and the Doll

About forty years ago…

In the Duchy of Bordeaux, magitech industry was extremely developed—this was acknowledged across the entire continent.

But this also brought some strange consequences to the region.

Alchemists used specialized furnaces, burning coal to process crystal cores into magical technological products, which were then shipped all over the continent.

This was Bordeaux’s unique situation.

Tall exhaust towers released white smoke into the sky—

From above, it looked as if the land itself was breathing.

At first, this phenomenon was rejected by most alchemists.

But as Duke Mana’s supportive policies expanded—

The more products produced, the greater the subsidies.

Gradually, alchemists abandoned traditional crucibles and began using these strange new “furnaces.”

These were efficiency-driven creations.

A normal magitech artisan could take several days to refine one or two items.

But with these “furnaces,” dozens could be produced in a single day.

Over time, almost all alchemists adopted them.

However, decades later…

Problems finally emerged.

The exhaust turned into toxic fog, covering the blue sky.

The surrounding environment was devastated.

Only then did Duke Mana realize the severity of the issue.

He ordered all alchemists to stop using the massive furnaces—

But the results were minimal.

After all, these furnaces had brought Bordeaux from poverty to prosperity.

How could they simply abandon them?

Eventually, a brilliant craftsman improved the furnace design.

Only then did the environment begin to recover.

But the damage remained.

Even now…

It was seen as divine punishment.

A consequence of reckless resource exploitation.

Perhaps Bordeaux would need decades—

Even centuries—

To atone.

After that, alchemists returned to using improved, standard crucibles.

Efficiency dropped, but subsidies remained generous.

As for the old furnaces—

They were abandoned.

Only their massive shells remained on the land.

They became symbols—

Totems of Bordeaux’s rise to power.

But who knew…

Deep within their cores…

A trace of heat still lingered?

Everything had passed.

They were relics of a bygone era.

It was nearing noon.

Bright, warm sunlight bathed the small town.

Though dazzling, it could not fully pierce the dense canopy of trees.

Patches of light scattered across rows of benches beneath the shade.

A gentle breeze brushed against passersby—

Like a blessing from the goddess herself.

For ordinary people, it was a beautiful day.

Even the busiest had a holiday today.

Everyone should have been enjoying it.

This was the goddess’s gift to Bordeaux.

Even after angering her,

She still granted them sunlight.

Such was her mercy.

It was said—

Even if storms raged the night before,

The sun would always rise the next morning.

Of course…

That was just something the clergy liked to say.

As autumn approached,

Such weather was rare.

Families opened their windows, letting out days of stale air.

It had become an unspoken custom.

Children were free from school,

Playing in the town square garden.

Adults rested in the sun.

Everything should have been joyful.

But one person…

Did not fit into this scene.

She had bright silver hair—

Strikingly beautiful.

Because on this continent,

Silver hair did not exist.

Or at least…

No one had ever seen it before.

Anyone who did—

Would never forget.

She frowned slightly,

Gazing blankly at the blue sky.

Like a lifeless doll.

“Wow! The doll moved!”

A little boy approached her curiously.

He had thought she was just a life-sized doll left out in the sun.

But when he got closer—

He realized…

She was alive.

She only glanced slightly in his direction.

A tiny movement—

But enough for a child to notice.

“I told you! How could a doll like that exist?”

A girl said smugly.

“Hmph! A bet’s a bet!”

The boy angrily handed over two copper coins.

The girl snatched them happily and ran off—

Afraid he might change his mind.

She had long wanted a pink ribbon accessory.

Now she could finally buy it.

“Damn it… what bad luck!”

The boy cursed under his breath.

Why did he even make that bet?

He had just lost his entire fortune—

To his rival neighbor!

Now he couldn’t buy the latest issue of Hero Falmar.

His monthly joy—gone.

It was all because of this “doll”!

He stepped back, wary of her.

“Who taught you that word?”

The silver-haired “doll” suddenly spoke.

The boy jumped.

“Huh? Everyone says it! Adults say it all the time!”

He replied defensively.

“D-Don’t stare at me like that!”

Their eyes met—

And he froze.

Her reddish-brown eyes were moist,

Shimmering strangely—

Almost glowing.

Like something out of his storybooks.

“Oh…”

She turned away stiffly.

And resumed staring at the sky.

She had grown up isolated—

Locked away by her brothers.

She knew little of the world.

Even in school, she had no real friends.

Books never taught her slang.

So she instinctively rejected such words.

“…Sorry. That was my fault.”

The boy suddenly apologized shyly.

It wasn’t fear—

It was embarrassment.

When their eyes met,

He had been stunned by her beauty.

Like a porcelain doll.

His face had turned red because of that.

“….”

She said nothing.

Still staring at the sky.

It was so blue—

Clear and empty.

What was she looking at?

The boy grew curious.

So he sat beside her.

Looking up at the same sky.

“Who are you?”

“A traveler.”

“I meant your name.”

She paused.

Then softly said—

“I don’t have one.”

She didn’t want to explain.

Just days ago…

She had been a condemned prisoner.

Soon, she would be fleeing again.

A name…

Was unnecessary.

“Oh. Nice to meet you, Miss Doll!”

He joked.

“….”

She turned to look at him.

And for a moment—

A faint smile appeared.

“You should smile more. It suits you,”

He said, blushing.

“Why do you say bad words?”

She asked.

“I lost my bet because of you! Now I can’t buy my book!”

He said sadly.

“You want to read?”

She asked suddenly.

“Of course! I love Hero Falmar!”

“What is Falmar?”

“The main character!”

“…Let’s go. I’ll buy it for you.”