As the puppet floated in the air, Lucilia’s old doll fell onto a nearby table, reverting to an ordinary toy. Lucilia’s soul, now a faint white mist, merged into the hovering puppet. Since she had prepared for this, the puppet was already dressed in suitable clothes, though they hung loosely on its frame. As Lucilia’s soul melded with it, the simple humanoid puppet began to transform.
The uncarved head began to form a face, features gradually appearing. Its single diamond-chip eye transformed into vibrant green eyes. A pair of slender, pointed ears emerged from its sides, and emerald hair quickly grew from the top of its head, cascading down to its waist. The plain wooden body began to mold itself to Lucilia’s former physique, becoming shapely and filling out the clothes draped over it. The exposed wooden parts transformed into tender, fair skin. This skin gained a subtle luster, becoming soft, living flesh.
Finally, the puppet transformed into a small humanoid figure about thirty centimeters tall—quite a sizable doll.
Lucilia opened her eyes, her body gradually settling onto the table. Perhaps because this body too closely resembled her former flesh and blood, Lucilia’s legs buckled, and she nearly fell backward. Alka immediately stretched out his hands, catching Lucilia and holding her gently in his cupped hands.
He frowned. "Is it too realistic? Is it affecting the puppet’s legs?"
After all, soul and body influence each other. If the body is too realistic, verging on perfection, it can fully reflect the soul’s true state. For Lucilia, being too perfect or too realistic was not necessarily a good thing.
Sitting in Akka’s cupped hand, Lucilia waved, her voice having returned to its former youthful tone. "No, but it is indeed very real, very perfect. I’m just not used to it yet."
As she spoke, Lucilia propped herself up on Alka’s palm, trying her best to stand up. Since she had been using a doll’s body for a long time, Lucilia was merely adapting to this new one. One moment she would stand, the next she would wobble and tumble into his palm. Luckily, Alka’s hands provided a cushion for her.
It didn’t take long before she could stand and move around. Her delicate, fair feet padded back and forth on Alka’s palm until she finally confirmed that she could stand securely. She patted Alka’s fingers, signaling him to place her on the table.
Alka complied. He carefully watched Lucilia walk a few circles on the table, and only after confirming there were no issues did he withdraw his hands.
Then it was Lucilia’s time to explore on her own. She began to run around the entire creation hall, quickly adapting to the changes in her body; after all, it was crafted from the flesh of powerful monsters and various Spell Materials. This new body was much stronger than her former one. She continually described her sensations, while Alka stood beside her, taking notes and looking for any areas that might need improvement. This update is available on n0velfire.net
After confirming that this was almost the most perfect form achievable at the current stage, Alka finally wrote on the cover of his notebook, naming the puppet:
Flesh Puppet 1.2 Version
However, despite being called a puppet, the materials it contained had little to do with wood. Most of it consisted of flesh tissue from First Stage beasts, along with some metallic and plant-based Spell Materials.
With a few nimble jumps, Lucilia climbed up Alka’s clothes and settled on his shoulder.
"This body is much heavier than the previous puppet, and taller too," Alka couldn’t help commenting, feeling the new weight on his shoulder. After all, the previous puppet had been very light, just like a regular doll, and only about twenty centimeters tall. Now, Lucilia, sitting on Akka’s shoulder, was tall enough that the top of her head easily surpassed his.
"But it also has more strength, and its constitution is stronger," Lucilia said, clenching her small fist. Then, she playfully swung her fist and said to Alka, "Alka, how about you make some suitable weapons and equipment for me?"
She rather missed the long needle-like weapon she used to use.
"No problem," Alka said with a smile. Though, making clothes, equipment, and weapons for something resembling a doll felt a bit like playing house. Speaking of which, were Lucilia and Chadite so eager to make clothes for the little doll for the same reason?
This phase of work was finally complete.
Alka, with Lucilia on his shoulder, returned to the upper open-air deck. As soon as they arrived, they saw Julia leaning against the ship’s railing, strumming her harp. The Music Ship resonated in harmony with her tones. Her melodious singing drifted to their ears. Chadite was beside her, listening in admiration. She held a drink and a small cake, enjoying the sea breeze and occasionally exchanging soft words with Julia amidst the music.
Hearing footsteps from behind, Chadite turned her head just in time to see Alka and Lucilia walking up from below deck. Her gaze immediately fell upon Lucilia, who was perched on Alka’s shoulder and waving at her.
Seeing Lucilia’s new appearance, Chadite’s eyes widened in surprise. She hurriedly stuffed the remaining cake into her mouth, gulped down her drink, placed the empty glass aside, and rushed over.
Lucilia, equally excited, waved back and then leaped directly from Alka’s shoulder.