"Mordred," Kuch growled while they beheaded a charging wolf. "Did I not warn you that you were pushing yourself too hard?"

  "I know, I know!" the dragon gasped out, struggling to her lance up and her eyes open. She was barely able to react in time to a leaping beast, a weak thrust still enough to skewer the thing. But even then, she could feel her strength slipping away. Fighting non-stop with barely any time to rest as taking a toll, days of continued exertion wearing down even the strongest of monsters. "I'm sorry, I just…couldn't help it."

  Because of course she wouldn't, not when Petula too had been putting herself through the same pace. The vampire noble's sword shook with every swing she made, but was gritting her teeth to power through. And the duke had even joined in this maniac stubbornness, snapping at any suggestion of slowing the pace despite his growing feebleness as the poison crept closer to his heart.

  Kuch let out a sigh and slammed the flat of their blade against another wolf, smacking them aside. All of them, so eager to make the use of their limited time and burn so brightly. Meanwhile they still felt the exact same as they did days ago, the full conversion into a crystal core apparently meaning mental exertion wasn't even much of a fatigue so long as one held interest.

  Had Kai felt the same way? They recalled the puppet player of Lighthouse did take breaks like the rest of them, but also often had more stamina for fights than most of the Ten Lights. So maybe it was part of a game? Or maybe they were just built different? For now, best just attribute it as part of going from a mushy organic brain into a full artificial one that a game could obviously never quite capture.

  "How much further!" the exhausted daughter of the duke panted out. "And why so many...wolves!"

  "Honestly, I don't know. It might just because of how close the place is to the deep woods, comparatively speaking," Kuch told before gesturing. "Relax though. Help is here."

  Petula stared uncomprehendingly, and her moment of distraction costed her. In her exhaustion, she didn't notice the other wolf prowling around. It leapt at her and she realized her mistake too late, sword sluggishly cutting the air in a failed attempt to be brought to bear-

  A blurred figure then abruptly appeared in front of her and lashed out with a kick, the powerful strike sending the wolf flying back. There was a loud crack from where it struck a tree and it fell, still. The vampire blinked, then looked at the...servant?

  Was that their job? Their attire seemed to suggest it, a rather sharp looking one that felt like it should be the costume of somebody who served for a living. Her eyes trailed up to the face then and she stared blankly, sure now that her fatigued mind was playing a trick now. Because there was no way that was Kuch, who standing right over there-

  And taking off their helmet after stabbing the last of the attacking pack. "There. That should do it. Good to see myself," they greeted their doppelganger who seemed to make an amused bow in return.

  "Welcome back home. I hoped my adventurers were quite enjoyable."

  "Oh, am I testing out how to greet guests? I suppose if I am going do the entire 'head butler of the estate' outfit, I might as well commit to the bit. I do look absolutely dashing with the proper silk ribbons and gloves, I should say."

  "I know, right? That spider silk truly is a delight for my fashion. Ah, speaking of which-"

  "I would be delighted to have better hair strands as soon as everything is over."

  Petula tried her best to track the conversation between the seeming twins as best she could, but at some point, their constant usage of self-referencing one another just became impossible to track. She turned to Kuch's companion, Mordred, hoping that perhaps somebody could make sense of this all. Said adventurer was tiredly cleaning her weapon and noticed the pointed baffled look, following the gaze to the source and sighing with only a single bit of advice.

  "You get used to it."

  "Ah, but already I'm failing in my hospitality. You may call me Frie," the newly identified puppet told before studying the duke. A flash of worry crossed their face. "He's finally unconscious. But no matter- we are almost there."

  The thought of finally reaching their destination helped the two women dig deep and find that extra bit of energy left to push on to their final destination. All of them and their horses began to walk forward again, both Kuch and Frie checking their surroundings vigilantly. But curiously, it was Petula they had to stop from wandering off in a different direction. "That's the wrong way."

  "Huh? But...I was sure it would be that way…"

  "Hm? Aha." Frie snapped their fingers in realization. "That might be the ward bricks pushing you to go somewhere else. Though I'm not sure if it's just because she's tired enough to be affected by it, or if it's would function regardless of the being's strength."

  "The latter surely would be most ideal- right, right," Kuch interrupted, noticing the burning dragon's glare on them. "Step right through here. I wasn't kidding when I said we were close. Actually, aren't the wolves wandering a bit too close even?"

  "I'm right, something's off there. What's changed since?"

  The vampire glared at the nonsensical mutterings between the two, wondering if perhaps she ought to be reconsidering her stance on seeking treatment for her father. Especially when her savior was gesturing for them to step right into a tree! Once again, she searched for any source of sanity in this sea of madness, spying Mordred again. The adventurer blinked, shrugged, then walked straight into the trunk, disappeared into it-

  Wait, had that really just happened! Petula watched, slightly numbed when the first horse was led through, also disappearing into the tree. Realizing that she was holding the reins to the steed her father was on, she sucked in a deep breath and walked forwards, encouraged on by Kuch's reassuring nod. The moment her foot crossed the apparent threshold, the seemingly natural grove of trees vanished.

  And in its place was a massive home, a sizable manor that one would imagine a rather rich merchant having as a residence.

  She gaped openly, taken aback by how suddenly she stood apparently in a large clearing in the forest. How could the woman have missed all this?! There was even a simple wall that ringed the entire estate, marking its apparent boundaries or perhaps even future expansion, as there was plenty of space. Petula was almost reminded of how the castle in Gabion was structured, an inner main building with a large courtyard, though the wide open space was quite a bit much.

  "My apologies, but my residence doesn't have a stable and I was unable to construct one before your arrival," Frie mentioned, gesturing to just a simple set of large wooden poles. "I hope this will suffice in its place."

  Petula was waiting for her father to respond before realizing, with a jolt, that she had to speak for him if he was unconscious. "It'll be fine. It's summer, so they should be able to graze," she mentioned, looking around and seeing the grass under in the dim sunset. The vampire's hand instinctively reached up to tug her hood a bit further, to make sure she didn't burn. "So, you're the one who can cure my father."

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "Yes and no, at the exact same time," Kuch responded instead of Frie, doing no wonders for her continued lack of understanding. They gently lifted the duke off the horse and carried him to the large main doors, taking care to never expose him to the light. "Come, I have rooms prepared already."

  "My father's treatment takes priority-"

  The door swung open and to Petula's horror, a third puppet with the exact same face emerged through the crack. "And he will be treated, because I just finished my work." They held up the small vial. "Tah-dah."

  At this point, it was far too much for her already spent mind and Petula fainted.

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  Okay, maybe I was a little too casual with my dolls and myself. Oops.

  Frie stepped forward and gently scooped up the collapsed vampire. "I will take her to a guest room. Mordred-"

  "Shut up, not listening, too tired," the dragon muttered and shambled off in direction of her room. "Going to sleep. Have bread and beer ready when I wake."

  "Of course," I promised, earning a casual hand wave from her. Then I turned to the unconscious duke in Kuch's arms. "No time like the present," I decided and popped open the small potion vial to gently press against the man's lips.

  The effect was immediate. I could tell that his breathing was rapidly easing and his contorted face relaxed significantly. Looks like I'd done it- my potion effectively 'paralyzed' the deadly paralysis itself while also restoring some of the damaged body functions. Now his body, if given time to rest, should be able to use that chance to make a comeback and begin recovering.

  However, Joan would be quite cross if I didn't keep him under observation for a few days too. There was always a chance that the poison was a multi-stage or stack, which had been admittedly rare in FLOW but one could never be too safe. Plus, too much exertion without full recovery could trigger a relapse. So the duke would be my guest for a little while longer.

  Maybe I could convince him to take a small vacation whenever he woke up? Ah, I'd probably have to convince his daughter too, so best have that conversation for whenever they woke up. Kuch and Frie handled tucking them in while I considered the idea. Though I supposed one thing was for certain: my days of isolation were well and truly over.

  I guess I was officially connected with the rest of the world now.

  My dolls returned to me once their duties were complete and we entered the workshop altogether. While I began cutting the silk strands to do Kuch's hair, my doll spoke my thoughts aloud. "Fashion session until they wake up? Just in case it happens to be my last one for...whatever reason?"

  "What better time than when I'm also doing the hair? I also need a more fitting casual outfit when out of armor, those simple hemp cloth won't do anymore!"

  "Oh, I'd like to request a maid outfit while I'm at it. I do like this butler suit for battle, but sometimes a skirt is nice and breezy to when at home too."

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  I was actually interrupted instead when Mordred woke up first from her nap and grumpily demanded food. It was actually pretty good timing as I was done with improving my dolls' hairs and also finished a hasty outfit session. Kuch and Frie could handle dressing up and finding the optimal profile now.

  While the dragon adventurer eagerly devoured my offerings of bread and beer, I made some more simple grain porridge and went to check on the others. Petula was still out of it but from what I could tell, it looked like she was just sleeping now. I set aside one of the bowls of food for her with some water, then moved onto check on the duke.

  I was both surprised and unfazed to find he had already awoken and was standing at the window of his room, staring almost disbelievingly out at the forest beyond my manor. He did notice when I opened the door and his hands twitched instinctively, maybe ready to form claws if need be, but thankfully he didn't do anything while I set the trap down on a small table. "You should be taking it easy," I instructed, pulling out the chair to indicate his seat. "Have something to fill your stomach, then back to bed with you."

  He finally moved, stepping away from the window, and sank into the chair with all the realization that he was still alive. He felt hunger. There was a set of wooden utensils that he grabbed and used to begin eating, not seeming to mind the bland flavor at all. As much as I was tempted to add some fruits or meat to it, Joan would've been punching through time to shake me down for feeding recovering patients such a heavy offering. It wouldn't do to overwhelm his stomach and complicate digestion- simple was best.

  Though I'm not sure her thoughts would've been on how fast he finished off the bowl and greedily drank the water. I guess she would've rolled her eyes and waved it aside, so that's what I'll do too. "How do you feel? Any pain, discomfort, weird sensations?"

  "No, I," he paused, then inhaled a deep breath like a man sucking in fresh air after staying underwater for too long. "I feel...fantastic. Maybe the best I've been in years. The poison is out of my body, then?"

  Hm, I guess a powerful cure like that could've cured or eased up on a lot of other minor issues that could've developed over the years. Or maybe that was the restorative power of the elixir I mixed in. "For now, if you aren't feeling anymore pain, we'll assume so. However!" I stressed, holding up a finger. "We cannot be just lax yet. There could be a relapse, or a hidden factor I haven't noticed. For that reason, I will politely insist that the Duke of Gabion stay under my roof until we know for sure."

  The vampire hesitated, eyes darting for the door. "Petula. Is she here?" he asked and I nodded. "Then forgive us for intruding upon your abode, Kuch. We haven't even done the hospitality rites and you've already done so much for us."

  "We can worry about that later. And I'm not Kuch," I corrected.

  "Hm? But you have the exact same face?"

  Oh, excellent timing, My dolls were finished with their dress-up and were heading my way. I suppose I would indulge just a bit. "Ah, perhaps it is time to make my very belated introductions." At my gesture, the door swung open and the duke froze at the sight of Kuch striding in, now in a set baggy robes that delightfully contrasted, yet matched their plate. "You know already know Kuch here, my very first self.

  "This is Frie, who is my second self." They were now in a maid dress and curtsied, leaving me to pat my own chest in my workshop attire. "And I'm Noel, owner of this estate and the one who made everything you see before you, including my other selves. I'm your neighbor, so let's get along!"

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