-109- Uncontainable disgust.

"―Banned Dolls."

As the name suggests, they are classified as forbidden, puppets that must never be touched by humans. Regular puppets, no matter how intricate, lifelike, or human-like they are, are merely lifeless objects composed of inanimate materials. They possess life only because of the magical circuits that provide them with self-awareness and intelligence.

Even with that life, they are still inanimate objects, unable to generate magic on their own like humans do.

In terms of Chaldean language, automatons lack life force and the ability to convert mana. They can only function, move, and even battle by being supplied with mana from puppet users, much like a Master-Servant relationship.

Without the mana provided by a puppet user, even the most sophisticated automatons would cease to function.

However, there is an exception: Banned Dolls.

These dolls are crafted using living beings as materials.

The term "living beings" generally refers to human bodies.

Since automatons cannot generate mana themselves, why not use the bodies of humans, which can generate mana, as materials for the dolls? This is the concept behind Banned Dolls.

Due to the presence of living beings within them, Banned Dolls can generate mana to a certain extent. Although the generated mana is much less than that of a human, it allows them to function, move, and even exhibit partial combat capabilities. As long as they activate their magical circuits, they can carry out these functions effectively.

Beyond generating a certain level of mana, the mana affinity of Banned Dolls is extremely high due to the presence of living beings within them. This allows their magical circuits to be activated to the utmost limit, maximizing the effectiveness of magic and making them easier to manipulate and support for puppet users.

The power of Banned Dolls is truly fascinating.

However, using human bodies as materials to create dolls undoubtedly violates ethical principles.

It's worth noting that in this world, unlike Rozen's original world, magicians are not free to study magic without restraint. There is a governing organization that manages magic and enforces rules—the "Mage's Association."

While they refrain from interfering in history and follow a policy of non-interference, they possess combat forces. Within the sphere of influence of the Vatican, they hold significant authority over nobles and rulers. While not as powerful as the medieval's church, they restrain the misdeeds of magicians.

Once someone breaches the forbidden, the Association's combat forces will be dispatched to apprehend the criminals and administer punishment.

Thanks to their presence, the world remains relatively stable, and the actions of magicians are not as reckless as those on the Chaldean side.

However, now Rozen has made a discovery.

Karyusai Shouko, Japan's foremost puppet craftsman, may have been involved with the forbidden by creating Banned Dolls.

This revelation left Rozen completely speechless.

Naturally, those who have been caught in their criminal activities can't just ignore the situation. Her gaze towards him became sharp, causing the flow of mana in the Setsugetsuka dolls to become evident.

Despite the situation, Karyusai Shouko maintained her elegant posture and smiled faintly.

"It seems you possess a pair of high level "Spirit Sight".

Even for most magicians who have mastered the technique of "Spirit sight," it's not something easily achievable to perceive the flow of mana within Banned Dolls. Otherwise, the efforts of the Magicians' Association to suppress such actions would be far more successful.

Even though they use living beings as materials, Banned Dolls are, after all, only composed of a portion of a human body. Their ability to generate mana is quite limited, and creators usually implement protective measures to prevent the discovery of the secret behind Banned Dolls. Trying to use "Spirit sight" to perceive the fact that Banned Dolls can generate mana on their own is an exceedingly difficult task.

Yet, Rozen managed to do it.

Because over the years, Rozen has constantly been honing his skills, never slacking off for a moment.

Karyusai Shouko must be surprised by this, right?

However...

"I never thought the renowned Karyusai would be a criminal involved in the forbidden." Rozen's tone grew stern, laced with sarcasm. "Now I finally understand why the power of Oborofuji left the military astonished."

Even a puppet, controlled by an ordinary person, could exhibit such formidable power as to alter the landscape—Oborofuji.

Now, Rozen finally understood why that puppet had such a profound impact.

"If Oborofuji is a Banned Doll, capable of generating mana on its own, with a high mana affinity, easily receptive to inadequate manipulation, combining the manipulator's mana with its own, maximizing the performance of magical circuits, then naturally, it can reach such a level."

Rozen, speaking these words, completely failed to notice that his tone was gradually becoming filled with disgust.

The initial curiosity and anticipation he had felt to meet Karyusai had long vanished.

But it couldn't be helped.

Human experimentation was something Rozen detested the most.

"To violate ethical principles for the sake of crafting exceptional puppets, to breach the forbidden... So, the rumored Karyusai Shouko turned out to be such a foolish individual. I've come to understand that point as well."

Rozen sarcastically voiced his thoughts without hesitation.

Such overt sarcasm, of course, couldn't go unnoticed.

"Do not be so disrespectful to Master!"

Irori reprimanded in a cold tone, radiating an icy mana from her body.

And if Irori's response could be seen as anger, Yaya emitted an unmistakable aura of hostility.

The source of this hostility was the "Moon" doll—Yaya.

"Sis...Sister?"

Feeling the palpable hostility emanating from her side, the doll affiliated with the "Flower" doll, named Komurasaki, hurriedly called out to her sister.

However, Yaya paid no attention to her younger sister's voice.

"An insignificant human brat dares to speak to Shouko-sama in such a manner...?"

Yaya fixed her gaze intently on Rozen, her eyes revealing an intense pure enmity.

Sensing this enmity, Rozen didn't doubt for a second that he would be attacked in the next instant.

Under normal circumstances, Rozen might have tried to defuse the hostility, using a little tact.

However, upon learning that Karyusai Shouko was a puppet craftsman who didn't hesitate to breach taboos, Rozen held no favorable opinion of her.

So, he spoke out.

"Isn't the mana flowing within you derived from what you call 'insignificant humans'?"

Rozen's words were casual, infusing Yaya's anger.

"Idiot puppet girl."

Those were the words that ignited the fuse.

*Snap!*

When the sound reached Rozen's ears, the tatami mat under Yaya's feet shattered.

The "Moon" doll turned into a black shadow, carrying an aura full of hostility, swiftly approached Rozen.

Then, a small fist swung out.

The speed was astonishingly fast.