Chapter 1
The Evil God’s Puppet
Kingdom of Savia, Plant District, Capital City of Alova.
Located in the northern part of the kingdom, the city basked in the midday sun. Even though blanketed by snow, one could still feel a trace of warmth.
Standing tall in this snow-covered city was the St. Ruls Cathedral, the most famous architecture in Alova. As the largest Radiance Cathedral in the Plant District, it held an extremely high status in the eyes of local Radiance followers.
At this moment, under the cathedral, gas lamps engraved with pure white script emitted a bright glow, lighting the dark chamber.
Beneath the light, Sylvia sat on a solid wooden chair, flipping through the papers in her hand:
"Notice——"
"Attention to all churches and tribunals of the Savia Diocese——"
"On December 13th, Year 837 of the Common Era, the tribunal of Focanti City in the Plant District had successfully eradicated a blasphemy stronghold and intercepted an evil God summoning ritual."
"However, the vessel intended as the medium for the Evil God's descent was lost during transportation. An ambush."
"This vessel is a late creation of the famous dollmaker, Ms. Camonel Tuya of Ulpus. Description: Light gray hair, violet eyes, and joint connections visible across its body."
"Ms. Tuya named it 'Sylvia'.”
“The doll went missing after Ms. Tuya’s death. After the Focanti Tribunal seized the doll, it was confirmed to be contaminated by the Evil God."
"Following communication between the tribunals and the Holy See, the doll has been temporarily classified as ‘Level Zero Forbidden Object’."
"Extremely dangerous! Approach with caution!"
"All churches in the Savia Diocese are to strictly monitor their jurisdictions. Should the doll be discovered, immediately report to the Holy See and the diocese headquarters. DO NOT attempt to retrieve it without permission."
"Repeating, DO NOT attempt retrieval without permission!"
"Appendix I: The cult worshiped Silquaya the Faceless, an Outer God. No detailed information is available at this time."
"Appendix II: The doll possesses a certain degree of intelligence, though it is currently unknown if it is sentient."
"Supplement: Although the descent ritual was prevented, the possibility of the Evil God's consciousness having successfully descended remains."
After her gaze swept past the final line, the girl placed the paper down on the table before her.
At the same time, she ran her hand with clearly visible ball joints through her light gray hair.
Then, she looked toward the figure standing stiffly before the desk:
"You have read this document. You know who I am." Her tone amused.
"Y-yes."
The voice of the Bishop of the Alova Diocese trembled slightly, but his body did not show the slightest hint of shaking.
Because he could not.
All the joints in his body seemed to be bound by strings, leaving him unable to move on his own, like a puppet to be toyed with.
His fear and panic could be felt in the air, like the sweet scent of a cornered prey.
Seeing this, Sylvia's lips slowly curled upward as she admired the deep marks left on the bishop’s exposed skin, as if she were appreciating a perfect work of art.
"What... what exactly do you intend to do?"
The bishop tried his best to sound authoritative, but both his words and his eyes betrayed him.
Sylvia did not speak. She merely watched him with a faint smile.
Her gemstone eyes, polished from unknown materials, reflected the light from the wall lamps, like crystal balls that betrayed her malevolence. Her fingers, with visible ball joints, tapped lightly on the tabletop, making the atmosphere in the room turn oppressive.
After a long silence, with the bishop’s gaze on the verge of collapse, the gray-haired doll girl finally spoke.
Her fingers subtly changed the rhythm of their tapping.
"Are you afraid?"
"Why? Is it because of me?"
"You have read the document sent by the Radiance Church’s Holy See, and are aware of this doll."
"You judged this doll’s existence?"
"A descending Evil God? Or a terrifying monster born from the power of an Evil God?"
"Or perhaps——"
Sylvia deliberately stretched out the words, savoring the look of frozen terror and questioning in the bishop’s eyes.
"An agent of an Evil God?"
At that moment, the bishop’s face slackened, then rapidly changed expressions, and Sylvia gleaned the answer she sought.
The third it is.
Sylvia nodded slightly in the dark and, with a subtle smile, continued to look at the bishop whose expression had returned to stiffness.
Seeing that he remained silent, the girl leaned back against the chair and spoke leisurely:
"Assuming your guess is correct."
"A question arises:"
"As an agent of an Evil God, what will this doll do to a bishop of a True God's church?"
As soon as her words fell, the bishop’s pupils dilated instantly.
Upon seeing this reaction, the girl’s smile spread wider and added:
"Don't be afraid. Don't be nervous."
"I won’t kill you…. Not now."
"Doesn't mean I'll just let you go either."
Her tone went up and down to a silent whisper.
"Tell me, have you ever considered——"
Again, she deliberately prolonged the sound.
"Changing sides."
Amused with herself, Sylvia shifted her weight onto the broad, solid wood table, her mouth a wicked grin.
"Never! I will never..."
The bishop’s voice was filled with rage, but his terror slipped through; a hint of some other emotions flickered in his eyes.
Seeing this, Sylvia nodded to herself in satisfaction and cut him off:
"You want to say not to insult your faith?"
Sylvia gazed at the bishop with her gemstone-polished eyes. At that moment, the bright light in the room seemed veiled by a layer of black mist.
There was a rich amusement in the doll girl’s gaze:
"But to me, your faith doesn't seem so steadfast."
"Neither to the Lord of Radiance, nor to Hethorik."
Hethorik was the true name of an Evil God.
The deity of hatred and resentment. He had many followers in Savia.
However, when such a name appeared within the halls of the Lord of Radiance’s cathedral, it felt wronged.
The bishop’s eyes widened, his throat bobbing as though he wished to speak.
A few seconds later, his hoarse voice echoed under the pure white lights:
"I don't understand what you are talking about."
Sylvia chuckled softly, and her fingers tapping the tabletop sped up into a light, cheerful rhythm:
"Heh—the world I perceive is quite different from yours. The nauseating aura lingering on you is evidence enough of your taint."
"Moreover, before I waited here for you, I watched the mass you held above."
"You couldn't see me, but I was there."
"And the being that answered you was not Radiance, but carried the stain of the King of Hatred and Resentment."
As Sylvia spoke slowly and casually, the bishop's previously stiff expression grew more and more silent.
At the same time, it carried a near-undiscerning eagerness.