Chapter 37 - Auwiren's Playground

Some more time passed, only god knows how much exactly.

Norn was at his life's peak.

He freely wandered around, doing whatever he wanted.

He even felt happy for the first time in his life, as everything was just right.

He had a beautiful girl next to him, a peaceful place to live at...

Even though he was sleeping in a shed, but he didn't care.

His food ran out a long time ago, and the only source of water was his own water magic.

For some strange reason it tasted quite well, he didn't expect it was almost ready to drink his piss to survive.

Strangely enough, when the doll noticed that he didn't eat anymore...

[Why are you not eating your meal?]

It asked, it wasn't the assumed owner's voice.

When Norn answered that he doesn't have any more food it brought him some.

It was an excquisite meal...

No, not even that, he doubted that gods ate like that.

It was full of strange vegetables that, for some reason, boosted his [Magic] stat the first time he ate them.

It was now a solid 27 point stat! 

Sadly, it didn't matter how much more he ate, they never boosted anything but his love for the doll.

Oh, right... 

Since Norn is quite a freak and any bit of attention he got from a pretty girl instantly made him fall in love...

Well, that happened.

Obviously, he didn't dare to confess or anything like that, he simply appreciated her being there.

Even thought it was simply because she was probably programmed to do that or whatever.

It's not like he cared about those things.

The doll gave him food and allowed him to to see the beauty of the world, what else does he need?

Nothing, really, that's why he didn't even want to leave this place.

He knew that one day he'll probably die of old age if he continued doing it... but so what?

Norn was sure that he cant get a life better than that.

He ate 3 times a day, had a beauty and a nice garden to live in! 

Why bother wishing for something else? 

It's all he needs, just a peaceful and comfy life...

Even though he's sleeping in a shed...

One day, however, he noticed that the doll didn't follow her schedule.

He was curious, as all of the previous "days" he counted she did the same exact thing over and over again.

Watched for the plants, trimmed those that needed trimming, cleaned the place and went inside the mansion.

Now, however, she didn't leave it on time.

More than that, she didn't leave the mansion at all.

"Why?"

Norn couldn't help but ask himself.

He really did like the doll, even if she ignored him most of the time, he didn't care.

Even though that doll didn't do anything significant to him, he still appreciated the fact that she gave him food when he needed it.

Forget about that, he wouldn't think too much if he asked for it himself...

But she noticed that he didn't eat! 

She offered it herself, she didn't even give some dog food, she gave him proper meals every day! 

But now, she's not here? 

Nah, if something happened to her he wont forgive himself for not helping her.

Yeah, he already fucked up with Erika, she probably abandoned him...

But he couldn't know for sure! 

This time he wont have the same fate, he will follow her! 

Thus, he decided to enter the mansion.

She wont kill him if he did that...

At least that's what he thought.

Why would she, anyway? It's not like she harboured any ill thoughts about him...

...

"Damn, this place is just getting better and better!"

Norn thought as he entered the building.

It was just as excquisite on the inside as on the outside! 

It was all white, as if made with white quartz.

There were golden inlays everywhere! 

This place looked like a heavenly palace out of all things! 

However...

It was a bit too empty for such a nice place.

Why would someone abandon it? 

Norn knew from his novels that those dungeons are basically places that are torn from time.

But that just means that somewhere, sometime it existed just like it exists now.

So... Who in their right mind would abandon such a place?

Forget about the mansion, while yes, it's nice and all that...

"Who the fuck would abandon such a beauty? I'd sell both my balls for her..."

Was a thought that Norn got...

Obviously, he doesn't know anything about this place, so how can he know the answer?

He can only assume, that's all.

...

As he strode around the mansion he couldn't help but get a headache.

This whole place was just filled with complex labs and simply godly equipment.

He didn't dare to touch it as he wouldn't be able to talk his way out of it if he did, so he just looked.

Magical artefacts, potions, parts of dolls and even weapons! 

Everything was here, everything looked godly! 

The designs of it were just *mwah*, perfect! (mwah like a kiss sound)

He couldn't even begin to think about it's quality, if it looked that good it must be awesome! 

Sadly, he couldn't touch or test it.

But, he didn't worry too much about it, the only worry he had was the doll.

"Where the fuck is she, honestly? Did she hide from me on purpose or something?"

"Nah, why would she? She must be doing something important..."

"But what?.."

He said as he looked from the second floor at the first...

And then...

"Right, the basement, this place must have it!"

He then ran across all of the rooms on the first floor, not willing to admit defeat.

He couldn't find the doll in the mansion, that just means she's not here! 

Then where? 

Obviously, the only place that's left, the basement!..

Or in the attic... yeah, Norn didn't check it either.

To be fair, it was hidden quite well as it was the place where the owner of this place spent most of his time here.

But, even if he found it he'd simply brush it off as the doll wasn't there.

...

After making several circles around the mansion Norn finally found the entrance.

It was hidden in one of the corridors on the first floor.

To access it one needed to simply touch the wall at the end of it for a few seconds, then it opened.

As for why it was hidden with such a stupid mechanism Norn didn't know, he didn't even want to.

He casted a [Light] spell and started walking further into the basement.

It was dark here, but the interior was the same, as if it wasn't even a basement but just another floor.

Another minute passed, Norn was still walking.

Good thing is - he finally found a soruce of light that wasn't his spell.

Bad thing is - it was red.

Red means danger.

Who in their right mind makes a red light that doesn't signify danger?

That's right, those people dont exist.

As such, he strode carefully towards it. 

Pussying out was the last thing he wants to do now.

Even if he ran away, what can he do? It's not like he had any food...

Forget about food, even if he had it - so what?

He cant leave this place anyway, so why bother with surviving? 

If he can at least check on the doll that would suffice, even if it means death.

Norn wasn't afraid of it in the slightest, he was just apathetic about it for the most part.

As he got closer and closer he started hearing strange sounds.

As if some mechanisms forged something, or just moved, he couldn't tell.

It was just silent *cling*, then a loud *cling* and then finally a loud *clang*.

He couldn't help but wonder what it was...

Soon, his question was answered.

It was the doll.

She worked on something, it was a strange pendant or something, he couldn't see it clearly.

As he entered the doll didn't say anything, she continued working on the pendant or whatever it was.

Norn moved closer to her and finally saw what it was...

It was indeed a pendant, but at the same time not, it looked more like a round shield or an emblem.

He didn't know what exactly it was.

"Key"

The doll suddenly said in a somewhat crispy, but sweet voice.

"So you can talk properly?.."

Norn was a bit startled hearing a new voice, but he soon understood whose it is.

"Upgrade"

The voice didn't get any better, but it was still sweet.

"What is the key for, if i'm allowed to know?"

He couldn't help but ask, it's not like there's a place to put it.

He didn't see one, at least.

"Portal"

She answered immediately.

"Portal? What po... Oh..."

At first Norn was somewhat confused as he didn't see a portal here, but soon he remembered that he was inside a dungeon.

To be honest - he didn't even mind it, he was just too happy living here, for some reason.

It's not like there was some sort of a spell on this area, he just liked it.

He liked the doll, he liked the garden, he liked the food... What else could he want?

Well... The doll herself, as he just looked at her... but he thought that he'll get there eventually.

"Well, i mean, it's not like i want to leave th..."

[Please leave this place]

He couldn't even finish his sentence as the doll responded with a recorded phrase.

"Nope. Not leaving."

He answered without even thinkng.

To him, this place was paradise. 

If he were to leave - he'll take the doll with him.

How? Well, that's a question for later.

"Why"

The doll said once again, without any emotion in her sweet voice.

It was no longer crispy and sounded natural, strangely fitting her appearance.

"Because i dont want to, i like it here."

Norn didn't bother explaining too much, as in his mind it was enough.

"Must leave"

"Danger"

As the doll said it she looked at Norn.

Her face was completely emotionless, but he could see a hint of emotion in it.

He couldn't grasp it, but it was there.

"I dont care if it's not you who's posing danger..."

After thinking for another half a second...

"Well, you know what? If you want me to leave - sure, but i want to take 5 things from this place, how about it?"

He decided to gamble a little, what if it worked?..

"You cant take me"

The doll immediately answered, as if she knew what he meant.

"U're quite fast on the uptake... Fine, let me take some books about magic and i'll leave, okay?"

Norn's expression was ugly now, his voice was fine but he seemed somewhat angry and upset.

Obviously, he liked the doll, why couldn't he take her with him?

So what if she's a boss of this place? He was sue that he'll figure something out.

"Okay"

She said as she looked back at the "key" she's working on.

"Second floor"

"Left"

"Library"

The dool said in sequences, as if talking was a bit hard for her.

Norn didn't bother staying here anymore, so he left the place.

He knew where the library is, as he visited it before.

Obviously, he didn't even touch the books in there, but he made sure to remember that there are lots of them there.

What could be of more importance than books in a place like this?

Nothing, obviously.

Of course, he could take a few artefacts or whatever, but why would he need only that?

What if he found a book about magic?..

Whoever owned this place obviously knew just a little bit more than Norn, so his knowledge was the most valuable thing here...

For anyone else, that is. 

For Norn... the most valuable thing here was the doll, and he wasn't going to just give up on taking her with him.