Chapter 94
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Someone Else's Home, My Home (4)
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The next morning, in the largest reception hall of the Yoo family estate.
Last night's secretive commotion might as well have never happened—the meeting with the Yoo family proceeded smoothly.
The air was heavy and solemn.
'Looks like they didn't mention the doll incident.'
When I glanced at Yoo Seolhyeon, she abruptly averted her eyes.
She really had her cute side.
Meanwhile, seated beside Yoo Seolhyeon was the family head, the elderly Yoo Janghyeok—his expression inscrutable, whether from listening to her persuasion all night or plotting something else entirely.
Behind him stood the clan's key elders like a folding screen, watching me with sharp eyes.
'Right in the heart of enemy territory.'
I wasn't intimidated by their aura in the slightest and offered a polite bow.
"It's an honor to meet you so early in the morning, Patriarch. And esteemed elders."
Yoo Janghyeok snorted in response instead of answering.
"I hear you filled my granddaughter's head with nonsense. A doll that holds the memories of my deceased daughter? What an absurd claim."
Snickers and murmurs erupted among the elders.
I simply smiled calmly, as if I'd anticipated every reaction.
"As the saying goes, seeing is believing. You can verify the truth of my words yourself, Patriarch."
"That's precisely why I summoned you here."
I pulled out Yoo Yejeong's doll from my robes once more.
The same miracle as last night.
The small wooden doll transformed into the form of a living person.
'Even if it's just a clone.'
The elders' murmurs shifted to gasps of astonishment and stunned silence.
A crack finally appeared in the patriarch's stony expression.
When Yoo Yejeong fully materialized before them in her complete form...
The first to react was the elder who'd scoffed the loudest.
"Hah...! Y-Yes, Lady Yejeong...! It's truly her, exactly as she was!"
"Impossible...! That's just an elaborate illusion spell!"
"No! That mana flow—it's no mere illusion!"
This wasn't merely a doll mimicking her appearance.
It was Yoo Yejeong as they remembered her—several years ago, in her most beautiful and powerful prime. Precisely that version.
At last, the silent patriarch called her name in a trembling voice.
"...Yejeong."
Yoo Yejeong slowly turned at the sound of her father's voice.
And from her lips came his name, after so very long.
"Yes, Father."
"...Hah. So this is really happening."
I could sense the atmosphere shifting.
The suspicion and hostility filling the reception hall were morphing into shock, awe, and faint hope.
I seized the moment and stepped forward.
"Patriarch, and esteemed elders. This doll project was originally conceived with a grand vision: to replicate humanity's greatest talents and create new pillars to protect us from the Great Rifts."
I paused to catch my breath, scanning their faces one by one before continuing.
"But in the process, we of the Maker Sect committed grave errors. Due to poor communication and hasty execution, we inflicted irrecoverable wounds on many clans. I know this better than anyone. Allow me to apologize once more on this occasion."
I bowed deeply and respectfully.
But I infused my voice with conviction, emphasizing the boundless potential of this technology. No need to joke about summon limits or how my clones were all cock-sleeves. That would kill the mood.
There was only one thing I needed to convey right now.
'You could have one too.'
Stoking their desires.
"From our failures, we discovered new possibilities: these memory-infused dolls. As you see, for anyone alive, we can craft their doll and converse with them in real-time, no matter the distance. Furthermore, even if the doll is destroyed, it preserves all memories up to that point. Applied cleverly, it could revolutionize interrogating captured enemies. It's still just a prototype, as you can see."
"Oho... That does sound useful."
"Indeed. But to perfect this technology, we desperately need the wisdom and support of the Yoo Clan. Please grant us one more chance. Let's overcome past pains together and forge humanity's future—with your unwavering sponsorship and investment."
As my words ended, a heavy silence descended once more.
All eyes turned to one person.
The patriarch, old man Yoo.
Everything hinged on his decision.
For a long while, he stared silently at his daughter—Yoo Yejeong's doll. His face, aged a decade in minutes, brimmed with profound anguish and sorrow.
He clutched his chest with a suddenly withered expression.
"It's been so long... since my heart ached like this."
He murmured softly. Then, slowly, he turned to me. Gone from his eyes was anger or hostility—replaced by a complex, subtle emotion.
"For someone as young as you to lead this monumental project... it must mean your skills have dramatically elevated its feasibility?"
"I'm ashamed to admit it, but yes."
I answered as humbly as possible.
"If... if I accept your proposal... could you hand over that doll—my daughter—to our clan forever?"
His voice quivered pathetically.
I hesitated briefly.
After pondering how to respond, I decided honesty was best.
"I'm sorry, Patriarch, but this doll is a precious asset of the project. Given our goals, fully transferring it to any single clan is impossible. However... if the project proceeds smoothly, lending it out might be feasible."
I added,
"Give me a few months. My skill proficiency is still low, so maintaining it grows unstable at distance. But with enough time, I can make it freely active in this estate even without me here."
He sank into deep thought once more.
Finally, as if resolved, he rose and turned.
"Very well."
He issued a solemn command to the elders behind him and his granddaughter Yoo Seolhyeon.
"From now on, coordinate closely with this young man to ensure the project advances without hitch. Provide full clan support. This is my order."
'Success.'
With his decree, the tense air in the reception hall dissolved like a lie.
No sooner had he left than the elders swarmed me competitively.
"W-Well then, could I possibly... inquire about crafting a doll of my son, who fell in battle long ago?!"
"We said the deceased are impossible, but..."
"I need one too! Make my frail wife plump and lively again—!"
"Uncle, have you finally lost your marbles?"
"Forget such trifles—restoring our clan's great ancestors takes priority! If we could borrow their wisdom once more...!"
Amid the sudden marketplace clamor, I stood dumbfounded.
Then Yoo Seolhyeon stepped forward, blocking their path.
"Everyone, stop!"
Her firm voice quelled the elders' babble.
"Mr. Kang Ihyeon is now an important partner of the Yoo Clan. Don't burden him with personal requests. Everything will proceed through official clan channels."
She handled the chaos masterfully, then turned to me.
"This way, Mr. Kang Ihyeon. Per the patriarch's orders, we should discuss specifics."
She led me to a smaller, quieter room adjacent to the hall.
It was unexpected.
I'd thought yesterday's incident would make her avoid talking to me.
"Not bad for an acting heir. Those elders had some real presence earlier."
"It's nothing. They're always rowdy."
She replied curtly, but a faint blush colored her cheeks.
We sat facing each other in the quiet room.
She promptly spread out documents, diving into business.
"Then, regarding project support specifics..."
"Before that—thought about what I said yesterday?"
I cut her off with a sudden question.
"T-That kind of talk, here and now...! Please separate business from personal feelings!"
"Fine, one business question then. You hate me hugging your mom's doll all the time?"
"What does that have to do with business?!"
"Answer?"
"O-Of course I do! Who wouldn't hate it?!"
"Hmm, too bad. I plan to keep hugging it."
"W-What?!"
I chuckled at her reaction.
"It looks like you, and as you heard last night, your mom wants it too. She said she wants cozy couple time."
"D-Don't... don't do that."
"Why?"
"Just... I don't like it. If you must... make... m-my doll instead..."
She trailed off, realizing what she'd said, and clamped her mouth shut.
"...Forget it."
"What, jealous of a doll?"
My blunt question left her speechless.
She just hung her head, fiddling with her fingers. It was clear affirmation.
"You... really love teasing people, don't you."
She finally lifted her head, glaring resentfully.
"And your reaction's adorable."
"You're incorrigible."
She sighed in exasperated surrender.
"Fine. Do whatever. It's just my mom's doll anyway..."
As I stood and approached, she flinched and pushed me away.
"What? Still not in the mood?"
"N-No...! N-Not here! Someone might hear!"
"Like you did yesterday?"
"Ugh, f-fine. If... if I... relieve you from now on... you'll stop with Mom's doll... right?"
Her face burned crimson.
I smirked at her cute proposal.
"Alright, here's the deal: doll play."
"Doll play?"
"From now on, pretend you're my doll. Call me 'Master,' serve me like one I control. Then I won't touch your mom."
At my words, Yoo Seolhyeon involuntarily imagined kneeling at my feet, calling me 'Master,' maybe even licking my shoes—her body shuddered.
"So, hate it?"
Her shoulders twitched at my teasing.
She stayed silent for a long time, head bowed.
Finally, in resignation, she whispered clearly, if softly,
"No helping it. To rein in a playboy like you... I guess I'll have to."
"Playboy? Harsh. I just cherish my dolls."
"Quiet! So... if I do that... you'll really leave Mom alone?"
"Of course. Why hug a fake when I have my 'real doll'?"
Two dolls.
One fake, one real.
What would Yoo Yejeong think if I introduced her to Yoo Seolhyeon the 'doll'?
Just imagining it was delightful.