episode_0204

-Snakers Family. -Head there. To the place you originated from.

The day after receiving advice from the Dean. I wasted no time, preparing to head to the main family’s mansion. Whatever the answer might be, at least a few questions would be resolved.

I also informed my usual companions. “I’ll be returning to the main family’s estate for a few days due to personal matters… Would you like to come with me?” The answers were all a resounding ‘okay’.

Of course, not everyone could accompany me. If all of them were absent, the academy couldn’t be defended in an emergency. In the end, Neria volunteered to stay at the academy. It was a rational decision. She was their greatest asset, and at the same time, she already understood most things about my family. It seemed she made the concession for the sake of the others.

-I will remain here and protect the academy. -My Master has placed his trust in me, so I wish to live up to it. -As for matters concerning the family… I’ve heard stories from my Master long ago. -I will prepare for any emergencies.

She was truly commendable. In return, I promised to tell her various things in addition to what she already knew. We could contact each other via scrying orb, and if push came to shove, she could rush over through a portal.

My companions and I boarded the carriage heading to the main family’s estate.

“Young Master… What kind of place is the Snakers family?” “I’m curious too. That family is so reclusive that not much is known about them publicly.”

The children showed strong signs of stiffness. Were they nervous? Perhaps they were feeling the pressure, unexpectedly about to meet my father.

I swallowed my complex emotions. Then, I offered a simple explanation. To be honest, I didn’t know much about the Snakers family either. Since I had spent more time wandering outside than staying at the main estate.

“There’s nothing particularly special. They’re one of the families located on the outskirts of the Empire. However, they are said to have left a grand legacy in the field of alchemy. It’s also said that the Snakers family was able to rise to the ranks of a prestigious house thanks to their achievements in that field.”

“Come to think of it, when I first met Yuda, it was quite unexpected. Until now, the Snakers family has had a strong reputation for being more skilled with the pen than the sword.”

“My Master is correct. I was an unusual case.”

The Snakers were a reclusive family. They didn’t really interact with other families, and even the imperial family left them alone. All that was known to the public was that they were a family of eccentrics who researched alchemy to its extremes. As such, my companions seemed unable to help but be curious. Moreover, it was a family they might form ties with in the future.

The tense atmosphere was clearly conveyed through the children’s conversation.

“Y-Young Master’s father… What title should I use?” “As expected of a commoner, what a bland question. ‘Count Snakers’ should be fine.” “But… is it really alright for a commoner like me to meet the Count-nim…?” “You get along fine with the eldest daughter of a ducal family, the eldest son of a comital family, and even the Princesses… Why are you suddenly getting nervous?” “B-But still…! This is different, you know. It’s the Young Master’s father…” “Don’t keep doing that. You’re making me nervous too. If you’re really worried, just call him ‘Father-in-law’ or something.” “W-What…?!”

The protagonist and the villainess bickering as usual. Regia looked visibly stiff. Emilia, too, though she answered primly, seemed rigid.

Next to them, the Princess sisters were also seated side by side.

“Unnie… I don’t think it’s a problem that can be solved that easily.” “No. I learned from a book. In times like these, you just need to kneel with a line.” “Why on earth would you kneel… No, what’s this ‘line’ you’re talking about?” “It said to say, ‘Father-in-law, please give your son to me.’” “What kind of books have you been reading all this time…?” “Elize, let’s do it together. If we both do it, the effect will be double.” “Absolutely not. Don’t even try to tempt me.”

Charlotte, as usual, veering off into unexpected directions today. And Elize, sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose in response. It was a scene that showed the sisters’ chemistry, so to speak. Selena, caught in the middle, was watching the scene. She seemed quite pleased with the lively atmosphere.

‘I feel a little sorry.’ I swallowed a bitter smile. A visit to the main family. Everyone seemed to be expecting something, but such a development was not planned. If anything, it was closer to something grim. Even I wasn’t entirely certain about it. However, I simply maintained silence so as not to break the mood.

“Irene.” While everyone was busy, I whispered to the fox-like girl sitting beside me. It was because of a promise that had suddenly come to mind from some time ago. Was it just before I went to the Kingdom?

-I might have to be absent for a while. -When I return, I’ll tell you one story about myself. -About the past I’ve always avoided talking about.

It was a story from two seasons ago. I spoke with a soft smile.

“That promise I made… I can finally keep it now.”

“The old story you promised to tell? You remembered.”

“How could I forget? It was a promise I made with someone precious.”

“For something like that, it took quite a long time though. It feels like several months have already passed.”

“It was something that required a bit of courage. In truth, there are many parts even I don’t know.”

“Hmm… That’s surprising. To think even someone like you needs courage sometimes.”

“Is there anything in life that doesn’t require courage? It’s merely a matter of degree.”

“In that case, I’m glad you finally found the courage.”

The fox-like girl smiled playfully. Her orange hair gently leaned against my shoulder. Then, as if teasing, she poked my cheek.

“Still… it’s a little disappointing.”

“Hmm?”

“I didn’t expect you to bring so many women along. I thought you’d tell just me.”

“Oh.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. This kind of noisiness isn’t so bad anymore.”

“Then that’s a relief. I was worried you didn’t seem to open your heart to others very often…”

“Well. I know that some compromise is needed. For everyone to get along.”

“That’s a thankful thing to hear. And commendable at the same time.”

“More importantly, what kind of people are your family members? I feel like I should make a good impression first.”

“Well… it’s hard to explain. You’ll know when you meet them. They’re… unique individuals.”

“I’ll look forward to it then.”

The carriage then ran for several hours. It was a distance at the edge of the Empire, but thanks to the portal carriage provided by the academy, we arrived in half a day. Outside the window, a monochromatic mansion awaited us. The main family’s atmosphere seemed unchanged. To put it nicely, it was classical; to put it badly, it was lifeless.

Outside the carriage, a white-haired butler was waiting.

“You’ve arrived, Young Master.”

It was the same butler who had seen me off when I first left the mansion to enroll in the academy.

“I welcome the rest of you as well.”

The old man bowed stiffly. As if he had confirmed the prior contact, everyone seemed to be waiting for us. I awkwardly passed through the main gate. It had been so long since I set foot here. Since I hadn’t returned after entering the academy, it was my first time back at the main estate in nearly a year.

The butler respectfully began to guide us into the mansion.

“This way. The Master is waiting.”

A mechanical tone. Perhaps even a cold voice. Between the Young Master who had returned after a long time and the butler, not a single personal word was exchanged. Even though a few words might have been exchanged, only a chilling silence flowed. Perhaps sensing that atmosphere, my other companions also seemed to be looking around nervously. The anticipation that had filled the carriage had completely subsided.

“……”

Although I felt a little sorry about this atmosphere, I didn’t particularly try to alleviate the awkwardness. The truth we were about to face. To avoid being too surprised, it would be better for them to be somewhat subdued. I crossed the familiar scenery with unfamiliar steps.

The butler’s guidance soon led to the basement.

“The Master is in the laboratory.”

“Thank you. The guidance is fine up to here.”

“Yes, Young Master. Please call if you need anything.”

The old man immediately withdrew. A reaction that was even unsettling in some ways. Regardless, I led my companions and ascended the stairs.

As I walked through the basement corridor, gloomy sights caught my eye. Test tubes lined the hallway as if someone had put them on display. From behind, a slightly trembling question was heard.

“Y-Young Master. Are we going the right way…?”

“Of course. Just follow along without being nervous.”

Bubbling-. Green liquid filled the test tubes. Bubbles continuously rose as if in a fish tank. Between them, even unidentified skin tissues were contained. A somewhat nostalgic chemical smell wafted past my nose.

At the end of the gloomy corridor, a tightly closed iron door stood. It was the passage leading to the laboratory. I placed my hand on the layered barrier in front of it. Then, I recited the password.

“The Book of Truth, Chapter 3, Verse 14. A doll does not cry.”

A bible verse whose origin was unknown. Soon after, the door cracked open with a heavy creaking sound. Creak-.

“……”

I quietly stepped beyond. Befitting the name “laboratory,” the interior was even more chaotic. Test tubes scattered everywhere, books lying about, and an even stronger chemical scent…

In the center of that mess stood a man. A man with green hair and eyes, clad in a white robe.

“Count-nim.” I spoke softly. Then, his gaze slowly fixed on me. Like the butler, his eyes were expressionless.

The man, who had been momentarily still, soon put down the book he was holding. Subsequently, with his characteristic lifeless voice, he responded to my call.

“You’ve come.”

He gazed only at me. As if the companions standing beside me were of no consequence.

“I’ve been waiting. Pinocchio.”

The man’s name was Geppetto Snakers. The current Head of the Snakers family.

“My most perfect creation, and a homunculus.”

And at the same time, the [Creator] of this body. I met his placid green eyes. Inside, I ruminated on the epithet I had just been called.

‘■■■■.’ Pinocchio. That was the name this body was called in the laboratory. My companions and I stood at the heart of the doll’s house.