VIP Early Access
Eksklusif untuk member VIP
Password Protected
Chapter ini dikunci dengan kode khusus
Chapter 53
“Ah, damn… what the hell is this?”
It had been a long time since I’d last seen Rose, and the first thing that almost slipped from her mouth was a curse.
“Hi?”
I greeted her cautiously, but her eyes blazed with fury, and her expression was icy.
“What’s going on here?”
Ê nu m̊a
Her voice was far colder than usual, her gaze as chilling as if she were looking at an insect.
“And who are those people behind you?”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Rose didn’t look at me but instead glared past my shoulder.
Maxwell Willard, Shane Trier, and Chloe Hendel—everyone from the Secret Pursuit Club was there, except for Drek.
“So… hello?”
Shane offered a small smile and a polite greeting, but Rose didn’t even bother to respond. She only glared harder.
W eb̈ n̈ о́v̇ е̊_l .Е̊_n̆ũ.ṁ а̃
“Leon Jodrick called us.”
Maxwell, realizing in that brief instant that they were unwelcome guests, quickly tried to defend their presence.
“And so you just came here?”
But Rose couldn’t care less about excuses.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Why the hell are these guys here?”
She immediately grabbed me by the collar, yanking me close until our faces were nearly touching.
Ё n ūm̌ а
“Explain.”
Well, in the original story, it was Maxwell who received the invitation from the Cribel family.
This was supposed to be the point where Maxwell started building ties with them.
So, if I wanted events to follow the original flow, I needed to bring Maxwell along—but I had no excuse to bring only him.
“The head of the house invited me, and I thought… since we’re the Secret Pursuit Club, it would be better if we all came to pay our respects together.”
But of course, I couldn’t say what I was really thinking.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“No, Father clearly said to invite you, and I also—”
Rose cut herself off, let out a deep sigh, and forced her anger down.
“Sis… still, since they all came, let’s just… invite them inside first.”
At Viola’s words, Rose narrowed her eyes like a snake but eventually gave a small nod.
“Fine. For now, come in. I’ll have to tell Father we’ve got more guests.”
With that, Rose turned and walked inside, gesturing for us to follow.
Ẽn u̇m а̌
“Welcome…”
Guided by Viola, we, too, were allowed into the Cribel family mansion.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Perhaps because of the sudden increase in guests, the servants moved about busily, and by the time we reached the dining table, the dishes had already been laid out in full.
“Welcome. I am Venom Cribel, head of the Cribel family.”
Venom Cribel was an astonishingly youthful-looking man. At first glance, you wouldn’t think he was old enough to have a daughter attending the Academy.
“Thank you for inviting us. I’m Leon Jodrick.”
W̃е b̆n̊ o̊ v̊е̇ l Еn ūm a
I bowed lightly, and Venom smiled warmly as he extended his hand for a handshake.
“So you’re Leon Jodrick. I’ve heard much about you. I’ve been wanting to meet you.”
He clasped my hand with both of his and shook it vigorously up and down. His demeanor was far too casual for a nobleman, but strangely, that only made him feel more approachable.
“So then… I hear we have more guests. And you all are?”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Venom turned his eyes toward the other members of the Secret Pursuit Club. Chloe was the first to answer.
“I’m Chloe Hendel, eldest daughter of the Hendel family of the Crihaiten Kingdom. I attend the Academy alongside your daughter.”
Wе̂ b́ nоv̀ е l̄ Е̌ṅùm_а̀
“The Hendel family’s eldest daughter, is it? Thank you for coming.”
“I am Shane Trier of the Central Holy Church.”
“Yes, thank you for looking after my daughter.”
Perhaps because this wasn’t the Academy but a social visit instead, they all introduced themselves with their original affiliations.
“I’m Maxwell Willard, first year at Argen Academy.”
Maxwell couldn’t do the same.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
The Willard family had long since fallen. He had no backing left.
“So you’re Maxwell. I’ve heard plenty of rumors. Come, sit down and let’s eat while we talk.”
It seemed Venom had noticed as well, but he didn’t pry.
Following his words, we all sat around the grand table piled with a lavish feast, and Venom spoke again.
“Fortunately, I had plenty of food prepared, so we won’t be running short.”
Just as he said, the amount was more than enough. Even with the unexpected addition of the Secret Pursuit Club, the spread was almost excessive.
W е̇ bn̂ о̇v е l̂ E n̄u m̊ а̄
“So then, I was certain the one my daughter invited was you, Leon, so how did the others end up coming along?”
“I thought you must already be worried, having sent your daughters off to the Academy, so I felt it only proper that the members of our club come together to pay our respects. I apologize for not informing you in advance.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
I offered the excuse I had prepared, and Venom only nodded, seemingly unwilling to scold me.
“You have a thoughtful heart.”
Of course, unlike Venom’s words, the fury in Rose’s eyes had yet to subside.
“In any case, you must all be tired from the long journey. Please, eat.”
Е̂.n̄ǔ m а
With that, Venom picked up his fork and knife and took a bite of the dishes laid out before us.
“Since you’ve come to the Cribel household, you should taste foods you’ll only ever find here.”
“These are certainly dishes I’ve never seen before.”
Even Chloe, who by status must have tried countless delicacies, seemed unfamiliar with these dishes.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
We followed Venom’s lead and began to eat slowly.
The first thing I tried was a lightly steamed fish.
W̊e b̈ nо̌ v̇ е̄l̂ Е̂_n ú_ḿ а̇
“Well? How does the pufferfish taste?”
At his words, the members of the Secret Pursuit Club—everyone except me—froze mid-bite.
Their expressions made it clear they suddenly didn’t feel like eating anymore.
Well, that was to be expected.
After all, “pufferfish” was what Koreans call “fugu.”
“So… this is pufferfish?”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Shane chewed very carefully, swallowed, and asked the question.
“That’s not all. Most of the ingredients on this table are highly poisonous.”
These were the kind of dishes where, if even slightly mishandled, one might cross over to the other side mid-meal.
“But of course, everything has been perfectly prepared. There’s no need to worry. These are flavors that can only be enjoyed in the Cribel family.”
As if to flaunt his mastery over poison magic, Venom smiled and continued eating with gusto.
At first, the members of the Secret Pursuit Club were reluctant, but in time they began to enjoy the food.
Еn̆um̃а
Even Rose’s anger seemed to be soothed somewhat by the meal, her expression softening little by little.
“It’s fortunate my daughters have friends like you. Truth be told, I’ve worried greatly since sending them to the Academy. But as I hear it, isn’t there one more among you?”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“Now that you mention it, where’s that Muscle Pig?”
Venom’s question seemed to finally make Rose realize Drek was missing.
Amazing it took her this long to notice.
“There’s one more, a friend named Drek Evan of Evan Trading Company, but he had a scheduled business trip today and couldn’t attend.”
Ẃêb n̆ о v̄é l̇ Е̌ ñu m̆ ӑ
He was always busy anyway, and I hadn’t felt the need to drag him along.
“Then I should like to see him next time as well.”
I nodded in agreement at Venom’s words.
After dinner and dessert, once our stomachs were full, Venom spoke again in a gentle tone.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“You must all be weary after such a long journey. I’d like to say rest comfortably, but with the sudden increase in guests, not all the rooms are quite prepared yet.”
It couldn’t be helped—the guests had gone from one to four.
Ѐn̆ ú m̄а̇
“At present, three rooms are ready, and one more is being prepared. The others may go up and rest for now, but Leon, I’d like to have a word with you.”
In the original story, Maxwell alone had come to the Cribel household, so this turn of events never existed.
“Please, follow me.”
But before I could say anything, the servants had already taken Maxwell, Chloe, and Shane’s belongings and begun leading them upstairs.
“What do you want to talk about?!”
Rose exclaimed in alarm, but Venom answered with a gentle smile.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“It’s nothing serious. My sweet daughters should simply keep the other guests company.”
He clapped his hands twice, and the servants, clearly accustomed to such orders, lifted Rose up and carried her off.
Viola hurried after her sister, leaving only Venom and me in the vast hall.
“Ah, before I forget—my father asked me to deliver this gift to you.”
To ease the awkwardness, I handed Venom the gift Nox had prepared.
“And this is?”
Ӗ ñum̂ ä
“Some poisons used by our family. They may not be much, but he hoped they’d be of use in your research.”
“Well now, I’ll gladly accept it.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Venom didn’t even check the contents—he simply took it from me and set it on the floor.
“Now then, I’d like to speak with you a while.”
“Of course. Please, go ahead.”
At my reply, Venom nodded and continued.
Êň üm̀ а̄.і̌ d̃
“As you know, my daughters aren’t exactly known for their gentle temperaments. Out of worry, I asked them to send letters regularly, so I’ve been able to gather some sense of their life at the Academy… but…”
Venom gave an awkward smile.
“…one cannot take their words at face value. Stories are never to be judged from a single perspective.”
“I understand.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Good. Judging from the letters, you seem to be the one who’s known my daughters the longest. That is why I wanted to hear directly from you about their Academy life. Truth be told, that’s the reason I invited you today.”
As I expected.
Enum а . id
In the original story, Maxwell had been invited for the very same reason—he was the first to form ties with the twins.
But thanks to the matter of Iblis’s Coil, I had taken his place.
Venom now looked at me steadily, as if it were my turn to speak.
“To be frank, their relationships with classmates are not very good.”
Normally, one might sugarcoat things in this situation, but Venom wasn’t someone who would be deceived by polite words.
Honesty was the best course.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“In the Mage class, their high grades and difficult temperaments have kept them from blending in. They’re usually just together by themselves.”
“As I expected.”
Venom smiled bitterly.
“Viola lacks the strength to assert herself, while Rose asserts only herself. If the two of them could meet halfway, how wonderful that would be.”
“I’ve often thought the same. How can twins be so utterly different?”
“Yet it’s also true their distinct personalities give them their own charm. Both Rose and Viola draw people to them in their own ways.”
Е̃ǹu mа .і̇ d
I took a sip of tea before continuing.
“Rose is tireless in her efforts and will risk anything for the sake of those around her. Viola, in turn, always steadies Rose with her composure. I dare say both are admirable people. That is why our club, the Secret Pursuit Club, came today to pay our respects.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Though they may be outcasts in the Mage class…
“At the very least, throughout their time at the Academy, they will always be with us. Please rest assured.”
Venom smiled faintly at my words.
“Still, they must be quite the troublemakers.”
Е n̂ u m̀а. іd̆
“I am something of a troublemaker myself.”
Venom seemed pleased with my answer and gave a nod.
“I could tell when you showed up with uninvited guests.”
“For that, I apologize again.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“No need. Thanks to you, I got to meet my daughters’ friends. It was a pleasant surprise.”
Venom suddenly chuckled to himself, as if struck by a thought, then cleared his throat a few times before speaking again.
Е̊ n um̂ ǎ . і̇ď
And from his mouth came words that had never once appeared in the original story.
“Tell me, have you ever considered becoming my son-in-law?”
It was the first time in my life I’d ever received such a proposal.
Konten Bab Belum Tersedia
Bab ini belum memiliki konten teks atau sedang dalam proses penyuntingan.
