Floor 30: Revenge of Chaldea's Original Modeler

Hmm.

？！

I feel like I am forgetting something.

Like what?

That is just it. I cannot remember.

I think it is something fundamental to this whole situation, butHm?

Ah-keeey-baa! Nero Nero, everyone! Are you all Akibaing it up?

Curse that doll! To think I cannot escape her heavenly voice even all the way upWait! That's it!

The original!

The original?

Do you not remember? The reason that doll exists in the first place is because I commissioned a life-size figure of myself to be placed in front of the station.

So maybe the artist who made her will know something about the circumstances of her becoming human.

Really, I should have asked her about that from the beginning.

Whoever made that figure must be an expert sculptor. I can tell.

Though it certainly helps that this artist had such a good model to work with.

Come now, easy with the praise. You are making me blush.

I tell you what. If you ever wish to become an honorary upper-class Roman citizen, just say the word.

So, who did you have make that doll, anyway? Is it someone we know?

Umu. Naturally, I employed the services of Chaldea's most talented modelera first-class mage who can make the impossible possible.

Her.

？！

Aah! What do you guys want?

There is something I wish to ask you about the special life-size (bride ver.) figure of myself I commissioned from you!

...I thought as much. That's actually why I'm here, too.

What do you mean?

I was just as shocked as you probably were when I first found out.

I made the figure you wanted, just like you specified, delivered it to the station myself...

...And then, out of nowhere, it just comes to life, walks away, and starts an idol career? That's odd, even to me.

Does that mean you don't know much about how that happened either then, Medea?

Of course not. I can understand what brings you all here, but if anything, I'm the one with the real score to settle.

I have a very good reason for wanting to meet this King of Figures person myself. He has no right to mess with other people's creations, much less give them life...

Well, all right, I suppose I can see the need for some minor adjustments when she started moving around...

And I have to admit that his skills are truly godlike... BUT! I am still going to give him a piece of my mind!

And while I'm doing that...

I wish to get up close and personal to see his modeling skills...so I can steal them for myself!

Hmm, her sheer intensity is a little much even for me. This is why artists, myself included, can be so frightening when they snap.

I can absolutely understand your frustration at someone else tampering with your work. It simply shouldn't be done without permission.

Hm? Oh, you must be... Wow...

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

I wish I could display you in my room, right next to my dear little blonde. You two would be the picture-perfect gold and silver pair... Hehehe...

...Thank you.

Basically every fan of art and figures has this reaction when they meet her, huh? I mean, I did too...

There's just something about her that speaks right to your tamasoul!

Well, King Pygmalion did originally create Galatea as his vision of the perfect woman.

So for people who have similar tastes, maybe it's no surprise they'd treat her the same way as Cleopatra or Yang Guifei.

So you're a sculptor too then. Regardless of what the King of Figures may have adjusted later...

I must say that your work on Akiba Nero was truly spectacular.

As far as I'm concerned, you can never have too many skilled doll makers, so I hope you'll continue to polish your skills.

Hehe. Why, thank you. I don't know how sincere that was, but it's nice to hear, anyway.

Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt while you two are getting to know each other, but I just want to make sure of something.

Does this mean you'd be willing to come with us to see the King of Figures, Medea?

...No, it doesn't.

？！

Honestly, I don't mind going along with you.

But for reasons I cannot fathom, I feel like I need to fight you all first.

Especially you.

Me? Did I do something to offend you?

No, you didn't. Nnn, you know, I really don't know why I feel this way.

I definitely don't have the slightest desire to damage or destroy such a beautiful work of art as you.

I guess this is just about proving which of us is a better modeler...? Eh, we can go with that.

So you wish to fight to determine who the better artist is, do you?

Since I have always been the undisputed emperor of art, I myself have never had such immature impulses...

But I can understand where you are coming from.

So that's the way it's gonna be, huh? Fine! We've come too far now to let another modeler stand in our way!

Let's get her, Ma-chan!

？！

I've got it!

You're connected to Aphrodite! That explains why... Ow, ow, ow...

Yes, that's right. I was brought to life through King Pygmalion's love and Lady Aphrodite's power.

I think this chisel once belonged to the gods, too. Why? Is that a problem?

I have nothing against you personally, but Aphrodite... Well, to put it MILDLY: I detest her.

No wonder every fiber of my being was screaming at me to attack.

Ugh, I can't believe I ran into someone else connected to Aphrodite so soon. We JUST finished that whole Valentine's Day mess with Eros...

I see... I'm sorry to hear that. I've not met her myself, and I have nothing but gratitude for the role she played in my creation.

...Hmm. Well, regardless of how I feel about her, I shouldn't have taken it out on you. You didn't do anything wrong, after all. I'm sorry.

If you want to keep going, I won't stop you.

Though I would appreciate you leaving enough of the King of Figures around for me to give him a piece of my mind when you're done.

So, you only want to give him a piece of your mind? I see...

May I ask you something? Do you not desire to have him turn a doll you love into a person? At all?

...

No, I don't.

Why not?

Hmm. I can't say I've ever thought about it before...

But, I think what I love about beautiful models, and the act of creating them...

...is that the work is done entirely by human hands.

For example, I might want to take a certain attractive blonde Saber and turn her into a silent doll...

But only because I want to appreciate her good looks on a more stable, inanimate form.

I definitely don't see any point in going out of my way to breathe life into my existing collection.

Hmm. I can understand that. There is certainly much satisfaction to be gained by appreciating art for its own sake.

...I see.

I'm sorry you feel that way. It's a terrible shame.

I think you'll need to change that way of thinking before you can be as skilled as King Pygmalion.

You think? Are you sure it's not just a matter of different styles?

Maybe, but given who I am, I can't help but think as I do. I'm sorry.

？！

Thanks. I appreciate that.

All that aside...Galatea's modeling is undeniably perfect, but there was something else I only got a brief glimpse of in her magical energy:

Markings so fine that only a first-class modeler-slash-mage like myself could ever hope to notice them.

Marks left over from a restoration? ...No, they didn't look right for that. Then, could they have been...?

Aww, thanks, everyone! I Akiba all of you, too! Hope to see you all again at my next concert!

Great job today, Lady Nero!

You still have some time before your next event. How would you like to spend it? Would you like to get a bite to eat, perhaps?

Hmm. Let's see...

...

You know, I'm not very hungry right now, so maybe I'll go visit the King of Figures☆

Besides, it feels like a good time to check in.

What do you mean?

Oh, I just get the sense new guests are about to arrive.

Ahh, I see. So someone else with deep affection for dolls is about to reach the top of the tower and be granted an audience with the king?

Then we should have a new colleague joining our ranks from among this town's beloved dolls soon. How wonderful!

...Yup, it sure is♪

Anyway, I'm gonna get going now! See you later☆

Later!

...Oh, and Lady Nero? If you have the time, it would be a big help if you could make some headway on the lyrics for that new song we discussed!

Oh yes, don't worry, I've got that covered! It's much easier to come up with ideas when I'm out on a walk♪

Ah-keeey-baa!