Ch.204The Doll Does Not Shed Tears (1)

-Snakus family.

-Go there. To where you originated.

The day after receiving advice from the Dean.

I finished preparing to head to my family’s mansion without delay.

Whatever answers I might find, at least some of my questions should be resolved.

I had already informed my usual companions about this.

“I’ll be going to my family home for a few days due to personal matters… Would you like to come along?”

The responses were unanimously affirmative.

Of course, not everyone could accompany me.

If everyone left their posts, there would be no one to protect the Academy in case of emergency.

In the end, Neria volunteered to remain at the Academy. This was a reasonable decision.

She was our greatest asset and already knew most of what there was to know about my family.

She seemed to have made this sacrifice for the sake of the others.

-I will remain here to protect the Academy.

-You’ve placed your trust in me, Master. I want to live up to that.

-Regarding your family… I’ve already heard stories from you in the past.

-I’ll be prepared for any emergency.

How admirable of her.

In return, I promised to tell her anything new I might learn beyond what she already knew.

We could stay in contact through the crystal ball, and if necessary, I could rush back through a portal.

My companions and I boarded the carriage heading to my family home.

“Young Master… what kind of place is the Snakus family?”

“I’m curious too. That family is so secretive that very little is known about them publicly.”

The children seemed quite tense.

Perhaps they were nervous.

They were about to meet my father unexpectedly, so they might be feeling pressured.

I swallowed my complicated emotions and offered a simple explanation.

In truth, I didn’t know much about the Snakus family either.

I had spent more time away from home than in it.

“There’s nothing particularly special. We’re just one of the families located on the outskirts of the Empire. However, the family has left significant achievements in the field of alchemy. It’s thanks to those accomplishments that the Snakus family was able to rise to prominence.”

“Come to think of it, finding Judas as a student was quite surprising. Until now, the Snakus family was known more for their strength with the pen than the sword.”

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

The Snakus family was reclusive.

They didn’t particularly associate with other families, and even the Imperial family left them alone.

All that was publicly known was that they were a family of eccentrics who researched alchemy to its extremes.

As such, my companions couldn’t help but be curious.

Moreover, they might eventually form connections with this family.

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

“H-how should I address your father, Young Master?”

“You’re showing your commoner roots with such a simple question. ‘Count Snakus’ should suffice.”

“But is it really okay for a commoner like me to face a Count…?”

“You’ve been getting along just fine with a duke’s daughter, an earl’s son, and even princesses… Why are you suddenly so nervous?”

“B-but this is different! He’s the Young Master’s father…”

“Stop that. You’re making me nervous too. If you’re that concerned, just call him ‘Father.'”

“W-what?!”

The protagonist and villainess were bustling about as usual.

Lezia was visibly stiff.

Ameila, despite her curt responses, also seemed tense.

Next to them sat the imperial princesses side by side.

“Sister… I don’t think it’s a problem that can be solved so easily.”

“No, I learned this from a book. In situations like this, you kneel and recite a line.”

“Why would you kneel… wait, what line are you talking about?”

“You say, ‘Father, please give me your son.'”

“What kind of books have you been reading…?”

“Let’s do it together, Elise. If we both do it, the effect will be doubled.”

“Absolutely not. Don’t even try to convince me.”

Sharlotte once again veering off in an unexpected direction.

And Elise sighing while pinching the bridge of her nose.

It was a scene showcasing the chemistry between the sisters.

Selena, caught in the middle, was observing the spectacle.

She seemed to quite enjoy this lively atmosphere.

‘I feel a bit sorry.’

I swallowed a bitter smile.

A visit to the family home. Everyone seemed to be expecting something, but it wouldn’t unfold that way.

If anything, it would be closer to something gloomy. Even I wasn’t certain about many aspects.

I maintained my silence only to avoid breaking the mood.

“Miss Irene.”

While everyone was busy, I whispered to the fox sitting beside me.

It was because of a promise I suddenly remembered.

It was right before I left for the kingdom, wasn’t it?

-I need to be away for a while.

-When I return, I’ll tell you a story about myself.

-About the past I’ve always avoided discussing.

A conversation from two seasons ago.

With a gentle smile, I spoke.

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

“About telling me your old story? You remembered.”

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

“For such a promise, it took quite a while. It’s been several months already.”

“It required some courage on my part. There’s a lot I don’t know myself.”

“Hmm… that’s unexpected. To think someone like you would need courage.”

“Where in life doesn’t one need courage? It’s just a matter of degree.”

“Well, I’m glad you found your courage now.”

The fox laughed playfully.

Her orange hair leaned slightly against my shoulder.

Then she mischievously poked my cheek.

“Still… I’m a bit disappointed.”

“Hmm?”

“I didn’t expect you to bring along all these women. I thought you were only going to tell me.”

“Oh my.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I don’t mind this noise anymore.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried since you seemed reluctant to open up to others…”

“Well, I know some compromise is necessary. For everyone to get along.”

“That’s gracious of you. And admirable too.”

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

“How to explain… it’s difficult. You’ll understand when you meet them. They’re quite peculiar.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

After traveling for several hours in the carriage,

We arrived at the edge of the Empire in just half a day, thanks to the portal carriage provided by the Academy.

Outside the window, a colorless mansion awaited us. The atmosphere of the family home seemed unchanged.

Charitably speaking, it was classical; less charitably, it lacked vitality.

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

“Welcome home, Young Master.”

The same butler who had seen me off when I first left the mansion to attend school.

“Welcome to the rest of you as well.”

The old man bowed stiffly.

Having received our advance notice, everyone seemed to be expecting us.

I awkwardly stepped through the main gate. How long had it been since I last set foot here?

I hadn’t returned since enrolling in the Academy, so it had been nearly a year.

The butler began to formally guide us into the mansion.

“This way, please. The master is waiting.”

A mechanical tone.

A voice that might be perceived as cold.

Between the young master returning after a long time and the butler, there wasn’t even a hint of casual conversation.

Despite the expectation of at least a few words being exchanged, only a chilly atmosphere prevailed.

Perhaps sensing this mood, the others seemed to be reading the situation.

The anticipation that had filled the carriage had completely subsided.

“”…””

Though I felt somewhat sorry for this atmosphere, I had no intention of easing the awkwardness.

The truth we would soon face—to avoid being too shocked, it might be better to remain somewhat subdued.

I crossed the familiar scenery with unfamiliar steps.

The butler’s guidance soon led us to the basement.

“The master is in his laboratory.”

“Thank you. Your guidance is sufficient from here.”

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

The old man promptly withdrew.

A response that was, in some ways, unsettling.

Regardless, I led my companions down the stairs.

Walking through the basement corridor, eerie sights caught our attention.

Test tubes were lined up along the corridor as if on display.

From behind, a slightly trembling question was heard.

“Y-Young Master, are we going the right way…?”

“Of course. Just follow me without worry.”

Bubble, bubble—

Green liquid filling the test tubes.

Bubbles constantly rising like in an aquarium.

Between them, unidentified tissue samples were contained.

The familiar scent of chemicals tickled my nose.

At the end of the gloomy corridor stood a firmly closed iron door.

It was the passage leading to the laboratory. I placed my hand on the layered barriers.

Then I recited the password.

“Book of Truth, Chapter 3, Verse 14. The doll does not shed tears.”

A verse from a scripture of unknown origin.

Soon, with the sound of heavy hinges, the door began to open.

Creeeeak—

“……”

I quietly stepped through.

True to its name as a laboratory, the interior was even more chaotic.

Test tubes scattered everywhere, books strewn about, and an even stronger chemical smell…

In the center of this mess stood a man.

A man with green hair and eyes, wearing a white robe.

“Count.”

I addressed him quietly.

His gaze slowly fixed on me.

Like the butler, his eyes were impassive.

The man, who had paused momentarily, soon put down the book he was holding.

Then, with his characteristically lifeless voice, he responded to my call.

“You’ve come.”

He stared only at me.

As if the companions standing beside me didn’t even exist.

“I’ve been waiting, Pinocchio.”

The man’s name was Gepetto Snakus.

The current head of the Snakus family.

“My most perfect creation and homunculus.”

At the same time, he was the [Creator] of this body.

I meet the gaze of his emotionless green eyes.

Inwardly, I contemplate the alias he just used.

‘■■■■.’

Pinocchio.

That was the name this body was called in the laboratory.

My companions and I were standing in the center of a doll’s house.