As Naoto got acquainted with Jayna Storm after warping out of Leiston Fortress, a different scene could be seen taking place around the same time. It no longer focused on Liberl. Within a particular studio on the outskirts of Crossbell City, a constant tinkering of a hammer could be heard. Tink. Tink. Tink.
The soft beat of the hammer echoed in the night as the summer cicadas hummed around the studio. This place was, of course, the Rosenberg Studio. Home to a famous doll maker whose dolls sell for millions of Mira at every auction they get sent to. They belong to prized collections. Its maker? Joerg Rosenberg, also known as a secret collaborator with Ouroboros. He assists what are called the Thirteen Factories. Most Gordias-level archaisms pass through Joerg for finishing touches, or another part of the process. Joerg even does active maintenance on Pater-Mater, the latest Gordias-class archaism that was assigned to Renne.
Presently, it looks like Joerg was tinkering away at some metal-like object, steady and firm. Even though he was in such a secluded residence, many people within Crossbell State knew who the Rosenberg Studio belonged to. A constant bead of sweat dripped down his face, only to fade away into the large white beard that was on his face. As to what his station was, it was a modern day anvil. A heated forge could be seen in the near distance, constantly fanning flames. It made the room quite hot, but such a craftsman was used to this room. Beyond that was a very large hanger. The large, mechanical doll that previously stood here could no longer be seen.
The doll was moved somewhere away from this place. All within reason, as its maintenance was complete, and Renne took it out of Rosenberg Studio. It had officially been given to her. That was why Renne was so excited to show Pater-Mater to Naoto. Apart from Joerg, it was all supervised by the one who managed the entirety of the Thirteen Factories. The sixth Anguis of Ouroboros, Professor F. Novartis.
As Joerg hammered away, the forged ore from the fiery forge beside him slowly began to take shape. If one looked closely, it resembled that of a limb. This limb was much smaller than the giant doll Joerg previously worked on. It looked...more human. It appeared more like a human child's arm. And yet, as he continued forging it, Joerg scoffed.
"Hmph. To think that bastard would partner up with the alchemists of the Middle Ages.", Joerg uttered. "I thought all of them have kicked the bucket by now, but it looks like I was wrong. Zemuria is a wide, wide place. Many hidden lineages have managed to persist. The Crois Alchemists, eh?"
As Joerg said that, he continued to meld the melted ore, and continued forging it into a limb. It was strange for an ore like this to exist, but it did. Most of what Joerg worked with were nothing but the finest materials Zemuria could offer. He knew very well how to use Zemurian Ore, Black Zemurian Ore, Onyx Steel, and other kinds of rare materials. It was because of this that made every single doll Joerg made go for millions and millions of Mira. He used the richest materials he could get his hands on. He had quite the amount of connections, considering Joerg's works get distributed throughout the entire continent.
Some moments have passed in complete silence. All Joerg heard was the crackling of the forge's fire, and his hammer. He was completely focused. Before long, the heated limb, which was entirely red, began to cool down. It soon reached room temperature after dipping it into a coolant. Each move Joerg made was precise. He knew what he was doing. From there, he could grab the limb with his hand, and soon walked toward his work desk. It had several kinds of equipment scattered around. Near its center appeared to be a new doll in the making.
The doll before Joerg was much more human-like this time, much smaller than the mechanical doll Joerg helped build before this. Its size was similar to that of Renne or Tio's height. Perhaps a bit smaller. Looking at the doll, Joerg reached out, and tried to place the limb he had just made into its right arm socket. He saw the limb go into the socket, but it looked a little loose. It didn't perfectly fit, causing Joerg to frown.
Seeing that, Joerg tossed the finished porcelain arm onto the ground. It shattered completely into small pieces. To the side, there were a bunch of broken pieces already. It looks like this wasn't Joerg's first attempt at this process.
"Tch. Still no good.", Joerg uttered, and sighed. "I do not care how long this will take to build this fellow. That bastard dared to show a creation of life that uses a dead form of technology lost through the ages. It goes against the very essence of life that we have come to enjoy. I did not think they could create a full homunculus..."
As Joerg said that, he spent a moment to observe the half-finished creation that he was currently attempting to make "At least, it looks like it was produced in an entirely different workshop, considering I wasn't a part of it at all.", Joerg continued to say, trying to recall what KeA looked like when she stepped into the Rosenberg Studio together with McBurn and Professor Novartis. After he did that, Joerg sighed again.
"Either way, no matter what that bastard attempted to do, these dolls of mine have reached the point where they could match in appearance to that long, lost technology. I do not have the exact requirements on hand, but no doubt you will be my greatest creation to date, little one.", Joerg said, and looked at the half-made doll again. "I wonder, when will you be complete?"
What Joerg saw was a body frame. It had the torso and hips built, as well as the head. It was pretty small overall. There was curly white hair attached, but it was still far from any of Joerg's completed projects, and had yet to resemble any form of life breathing into it at its present stage. After what took place here, Joerg found him in a lull between events. Professor Novartis wasn't there breathing down his neck. For once, Joerg could focus on what he enjoys doing. Making exquisite dolls. He wasn't tasked to build any other Gordias-class archaisms for the time being.
But with this passage of time, it did cause Franz Reinford to pass away before his body was taken over by Black Alberich. In response to that, the work he spent his whole life achieving was passed down to Professor Schmidt. The blueprints for the Panzer Soldats that would eventually make their debut in the October War. These Panzer Soldats would usher in the next era of mechanized weapons, allowing soldiers to pilot them and fight in wars. They would become an essential part of any country's military. It was possible these blueprints could find their way down into Joerg's hands, but that would be for another time.
Right now, Joerg didn't care about what was now in Professor Schmidt's hands. All his focus right now was on the doll in front of him. One of the few companions Joerg had that he could see as family wasn't there, Renne. A while back, Renne had bid her farewells to the Meister, as she now had a new destination in mind. Something that would become the next part of her life. Liberl.
Joerg did feel bittersweet once Renne left the Rosenberg Studio. He could see the determination in Renne's eyes who was ready to move on. Joerg knew he couldn't let Renne stay here forever. She was going to be with the one person she wanted to be beside. The very same person who helped claw her way out of the DG Cult, Naoto. While Joerg hadn't met Naoto in person yet, he knew he wasn't easy to get a hold of. After all, he was Liberl's Crown Prince. A hint of worry appeared in Joerg's eyes, wondering if it was right to let Renne dabble in the world of nobility. She wasn't from there.
"Liberl's Crown Prince, Naoto von Auslese...", Joerg uttered a name. "To think that even someone like him would be in cahoots with those snakes. At least he seems to be of sound mind. He can get a good grasp of the bigger picture.", Joerg continued, only to pause again. His eyes fell upon the half-finished doll again.
"Still, if you dare make Renne cry, I wouldn't mind pulling you down from that throne you will sit on in the future myself and give you a good thrashing. Rank means little to me. Haha!", Joerg continued, letting out a rare laugh. "And I do wonder, with Renne's interest shifting toward Grancel, would this give me an excuse to visit the place?"
Joerg didn't know, but right now, he was currently in the middle of his latest project. Taking a moment, he proceeded to look out at the window further to the side. He realized that sunlight was beginning to peek into his workshop. He had worked through the entire night. This was something Joerg was used to doing, and he saw he was lathered with sweat from the work he had done so far. He disregarded his current appearance. With no one there to berate or yell at him, Joerg had one more look at his current creation.
"Hmm. I think this is good progress already, so I think I will stop here for now.", Joerg said, deciding to finish his work for the time being. He knew he couldn't rush it. Perfection requires patience. Something that Joerg had long since mastered. Otherwise, why else would his dolls be one of the most requested items to be sold at auctions?
The sunlight soon focused on Joerg's face, which gave a clean reflection of his current expression. It was a look of determination, determined to finish this doll no matter what. His lips curved upward, revealing a rare smile.
"I do wonder though. Will you be able to experience that same breath of life just like that homunculus , little Lapis?"
After Joerg said that, he saw the dawn of the next day had begun. With a single hiss of his door, he wandered back into his Rosenberg Studio, leaving the half-built doll alone on the table.
Unaware even to Joerg, a flicker of light appeared in the doll's eye sockets. A pair of monochrome eyes appeared, one colored blue, and one colored yellow. It only lasted for a brief second...