Now that things had come this far, Fu Qian had more or less figured out why this task existed. He also understood why Madam Madeline was the perfect doll.
The key was what the girl had said: she was always quiet and still, never speaking and never leaving.
That meant she had never taken part in the free hunts where they let loose their true nature.
Everything pointed to one thing: Madam Madeline most likely had no self-awareness.
In other words, when she separated from the girl, she hadn't taken along any fragments of the girl's divided consciousness.
She was a true, pure doll.
And that made her a perfect vessel.
Fu Qian looked at Madam Madeline in the girl's arms. Even as disaster loomed, she showed no reaction.
Pure white and flawless, with delicate features, she looked just like a real toy doll.
From what Mr. Luo had said earlier, dolls were special by nature and easily drew the attention of higher beings.
And it was very possible that, to higher beings, self-awareness was an obstacle.
Thus Madam Madeline, born without self-awareness, had become the ideal vessel for power to descend into.
In the years before now, Madam Madeline might have escaped notice thanks to her special concealment effect, which was why she had seemed more or less normal so far.
But if she were ever exposed, something terrifying might descend into her without any side effects.
"I'm sorry."
Looking at the girl clutching the doll, Fu Qian sighed.
"Madam Madeline's existence will attract dangers that are difficult to control."
"But that isn't her fault. She hasn't done anything!"
The girl stared at Fu Qian.
"That's true. But sometimes, perfection and purity themselves become a kind of sin."
Fu Qian stepped closer and pointed at her face.
"That's also