Chapter 162 Nilu

Duncan quietly stared at Nilu who was placed in the box.

It was just an ordinary joint doll, very much in line with the court girl style that was popular in the city-state a century ago. With beautiful golden curly hair and a lace-encrusted dress, the joints of her arms were more pronounced in an old-fashioned spherical structure than Alices. Her face was made of ceramics, and her mouth and eyes showed the signature seam structure of old-fashioned dolls.

To be fair, the doll was so delicately crafted and well-kept that its hard to believe its been lying in a box for a century. Although its far from being a life-like doll like Alice, the little one named Nilu could also be described as beautiful.

A hundred years ago, Lucretia once bought another doll called Luni who was paired with this little one from this store, and now, Nilu, had come before Duncan. He didnt mean to make this encounter, but it just happened.

Destiny was a wonderful thing

It doesnt look like its been preserved for a century, Duncan said thoughtfully, shes only a little bit old.

Elven products have always been known for their durability; after all, we usually use them for a long time. My puppet-making skills should be beyond many of my peers, and I dont want my carefully crafted children to be separated from me after only a century or two.

I understand, but its an antique in terms of human years. Duncan raised an eye only to realize this well-preserved doll wasnt some simple commodity, I dont think I can afford this.

He hasnt forgotten about the profit he earned from selling the dagger to Mr. Morris and reporting the cultists, but in comparison to this beautifully crafted piece of craftsmanship, he knows it couldnt be cheap.

Antique? I wasnt thinking about that until you mentioned it, the shopkeeper smiled with a pleasant expression on her chubby face, its not expensive. In fact, if you buy that wig and matching silver hair accessory, I can sell you for a hundred and forty-two solas.

This time it was Duncans turn to be surprised: Why?

Maybe its just fate, the shopkeeper said slowly, Nilu has been lying quietly with me for so many years. I do not want her to remain lonely forever like this. Then you came along. Its rare to find someone who loves dolls as much as you do these days. So consider this fates guidance

Fate The corner of Duncans mouth visibly twitched. He usually liked to use this word to fool others in his own store, but he didnt expect to have this phrase used on himself! So the real situation is that you cant sell it, right?

Shopkeeper: Its fate.

Because its more or less connected with the cursed Abnomar family, so it cant be sold at all, right?

Its really just fate.

Does this doll have other traits like curses? For example, will it come back if you toss it away? Or they will go to the kitchen while you are sleeping and grab the kitchen knife

The old womans eyes finally widened, and her voice now sounded an octave higher: I specifically asked the priest to exorcise any evil spirit from it! I kept all the certificates too

Duncan chuckled: See, its really because people suspect this doll is cursed. Thats why it cant be sold, right?

Old woman:

I opened an antique shop in the lower city, Duncan exhaled, an antique shop in the lower city, you get what I mean~?

Thats why I dont like dealing with businessmen, especially those like you, the old woman grumbled and sighed. Alright, fine, its exactly because of that reason. She keeps getting older and older. Eventually, Nilu can only sit in my storage room. If you really want her, Ill forget about giving a discount and sell you at cost for seventy-five solas. At least let me recover the fee for calling the priest to perform an exorcism.

Deal, Duncan didnt wait for the other party to finish and agreed.

In any case, he did have a huge interest in the doll. So even if there was no evidence of any connection between the little one and Lucretia, he figured he should buy her merely based on the fate factor alone.

This was his knee-jerk reaction after learning he actually had a pair of children in this world. Perhaps the kids would one day pop up from god knows where. At that point, bringing out this twin doll would help get the conversation going. In addition, he might even be able to find a connection using this doll. After all, the supernatural of this world often delivers itself in the strangest fashion. Its not in his interest to assume too much otherwise.

Then Nilu is yours, the old lady was a little stunned by Duncans quick response. Shes probably regretting why she didnt keep a higher price and shoved the doll box forward. You have to take good care of this child Although I can see that you are a gentleman who really loves dolls, I still want to warn you not to think of Nilu as a cheap commodity.

Of course, Duncan took the wooden box, closed the lid, and then looked up at the wig and hair accessories he had just chosen, How much do those two add up?

425 solas, upfront price. Duncan now got a toothache.

In the lower city, this was the living expenses of a whole family for two months! But in the upper city It was only enough to buy two accessories for the luxury of the rich. To be honest, to say Duncan wasnt shaken was a lie. But before his wavering heart could falter, he steeled himself to pay the price.

It was a gift he had promised Alice, and considering the gain he got from this doll shop today, the price seemed acceptable.

After comforting himself, Duncan exhaled softly and prepared to pay the money obediently.

Its just that when he was paying the money, he suddenly remembered something again and couldnt help but ask: By the way, why did Lucrecia only buy Luni back then? Did she know about Nilu as a sister?

Do you really want to know? When the shopkeeper heard this, she showed a slightly unfathomable expression, This matter is another secret related to the Abnomar family.

Duncan subconsciously inched closer: Then Im even more curious.

Then settle the bill first.

Duncan was taken aback by the demand but quickly adjusted his face into a smile while handing the money over: Can you tell me now?

Oh, its actually nothing, the old lady said casually while collecting the money, those two children didnt have enough money back then. Lucretia was in tears when she left and said she would take Nilu with her when she had the money in the future. But from the way things look, it seems the lady had forgotten the matter

Duncan:

Is this old lady in front of me just special, or are all the elves in this world sick like this?

Back on the Vanished, which swayed slightly due to the undulating sea, Alice had returned to the upper deck after transporting the last of the things to the cabin.

Captain~ Miss Doll happily leaned over at the thoughtful-looking ghost captain, I sent everything to the cabin! Ingredients and kitchenware were delivered to the kitchen. Everything else Ive left to the captains quarter!

Well done, Duncan returned to his senses and sighed softly. Then focusing his eyes on the doll, Youve worked hard.

Captain how are you now? Alice peered up at Duncan and asked hesitantly, Your face suddenly became very strange before. Are you really okay?

Duncan shook his head: Dont worry, just some small problem.

His mind was actually still a little bit troubled over the troubles that might arise from Tyrian and Lucretias existence. Then looking down at the cursed puppet in front of him and the connection she has with the Frost Queen, he couldnt ignore the sheer coincidence of it all. As the old saying goes. When there are too many coincidences then its no longer a coincidence.

Heaving a long sigh, Duncan forcibly calms himself to stop the irritation. Then he turned to the resting bird on the deck and summoned her. In a flick, Ai burst into flame and disappeared from the ship again.

Did Ai go to deliver goods again? Alice eyed the spot where the flame was mere seconds ago.

Mhmm, not much this time, Duncan nodded slightly, then looked at Alice with a hint of a smile, Its a gift for you.

Alices eyes lit up: Gift? A gift for me?! Captain, you really

Before Miss Dolls voice could finish, a green vortex of flame suddenly appeared above the deck to cut her off. Ai had completed her teleportation from Pland with a new batch of materials. This time, shes carrying a wig that instantly enraptured the dolls eyes