"What is this?"
The Banshees could not help but set down the jewels in their hands and gather around the box containing the girl.
Ash's tail released the iron chest. After hesitating for a moment, she carefully reached out and touched the girl's cheek.
The Banshees held their breath.
Her fingers touched the girl's face. Her skin paled slightly beneath the gentle pressure of the fingertips, but the color returned once the fingers were withdrawn.
Her skin still had elasticity, and it felt no different from flesh and blood. The box around her was lined with soft padding, and the girl lay within it without moving.
She looked as though she had only just fallen asleep, quiet as a painting.
The surrounding Banshees looked at one another.
Some time later, in Castel, Theus listened to the Banshees recount their discovery in the underwater treasure vault and looked at the blue-haired girl before him in surprise.
"You found her in a pirate treasure chest, hidden among the deepest and most valuable batch of treasures?"
Ash nodded.
Theus narrowed his eyes at the girl, rubbing his chin as he fell into thought.
He had no idea what use this doll-like girl had, but since the pirates had hidden her away with such care, she had to be extremely valuable.
Moreover, the girl gave him a strong sense of déjà vu. He planned to ask the people from Moth Chasing Flame about her later. Perhaps she was connected to some transcendent power.
"Other than her, what else did you find in Gem Bay?"
Ash nodded and handed over a sheet of paper densely covered in writing.
It was the list of spoils compiled by the Banshees.
After finding the girl, they had transported her back along with the final batch of supplies. Their