“From a Puppeteer to a Puppet Master...!? Could this really be?”

Memories from my past flashed through my mind.

Back in the Septem Great Labyrinth, during an attack by a Minotaur,
I was betrayed by Nord and left behind.

That was the day when that phenomenon happened to me as well,
the day Flare gained her own will.

It was the moment of awakening as a puppet master.

And now, that same event had occurred to Iris.

Still, questions lingered.

“Awakening aside, why would a stuffed animal gain a will of its own?
I thought this phenomenon only occurred with dolls crafted by master dollmakers, like Flare and the others?”

After all, Flare and the others were designed for combat,
whereas Bran, the stuffed puppy, was fundamentally different in structure.

And yet, Bran had gained a will just like Flare and the others. Why?

I didn’t have the luxury to ponder this for long.

“Bran got so big… What’s happening?”

Understandably, Iris, the one at the center of this awakening, was even more bewildered.

It had been such a sudden development. Her confusion was natural.

The mystery of how Bran gained his will would have to wait.

For now, I knew only one thing.

I spoke gently, trying to reassure her.

“Iris, are you okay?”

“B-Brother! What’s happening? Bran suddenly grew bigger and started moving on his own…”

“It’s probably the same as what happened with me. You’ve awakened as a puppet master.”

“I’ve… awakened?”

“That’s right. I don’t know why it happened with a stuffed animal like Bran,
but awakening requires one thing: a strong bond with your doll.
It must be because you’ve always cherished Bran.”

“Because… I’ve always cherished Bran…”

Iris looked a bit confused but smiled faintly at my words.

She turned her gaze toward Bran, who stood before her.

“Really? Because I loved Bran, he responded to my feelings?”

“Woof!”

As if affirming her, Bran let out a mighty howl.

Iris’s face broke into a radiant smile.

“I see… I’ve become like you, haven’t I, Brother?”

“That’s right.”

I patted her head gently, but there was no time to dwell on the moment.

“Master, the enemy is on the move.”

“I know.”

At Lycia’s prompt, I nodded.

The Lesser Demon, which had been knocked aside by Bran’s charge, rose to its feet once more, advancing toward us.

“You’ve done it now! I won’t forgive you!”

“I figured it wouldn’t go down that easily… But still!”

There was no need to worry anymore.

Bran’s earlier attack, though a surprise, had dealt significant damage to the Lesser Demon.

This suggested Bran’s strength was at least at a B-rank level.

To think he had such power from the moment of his awakening.

As expected of Iris, the daughter of Leen the Hero, to wield such a servant.

Her magical energy was likely far from ordinary.

And Bran, standing protectively before Iris, clearly intended to fight the Lesser Demon.

With Bran’s support, we had enough strength to hold our ground.

“Lycia, Iris, we’re changing tactics. We’ll defeat the demon here and now.”

Lycia nodded with a serious expression, and Iris, though still hesitant, did the same.

“Understood. I will focus on protecting Iris while providing support.
Iris, are you okay with that?”

“Y-Yeah. I still don’t really understand what’s happening,
but I trust you and Brother will handle it.
Bran, please protect my brother and the others too!”

“Woof!”

Bran barked as if to say, “Leave it to me.”

Even from an outsider’s perspective, their bond was undeniable.

“It doesn’t matter how many of you come. I’ll kill you all!”

“Sorry, but that’s not going to happen!”

I firmly rejected the Lesser Demon’s declaration.

And so, amidst the chaos of the town,
the battle between us and the Lesser Demon began.