This House Has A Delicious Restaurant - Chapter 3 - The Queen of Opera - Part 5

Zerdan, who came to check on Khan, stopped the situation from getting any worse.

 

He was still neatly dressed in a white suit and black shirt, despite planning to go to the opera today. His ability to remain calm in such a bizarre situation was as admirable as my face.

 

With a slight headache, he briefly touched his forehead. Khan coughed uselessly as he returned the axe to the shadow. It seemed like there was a prickly corner.

 

Zerdan didn’t get angry and gestured for Khan to come out. As he opened the door and started to leave, Khan asked.

 

“Do you want me to tie her up too?”

 

Khan’s question naturally turned Zerdan’s gaze toward me. His clear golden eyes somehow felt cold.

 

He hesitated for a moment with his hand on his chin. I couldn’t even think of escaping, staring blankly at his art-like figure.

 

“It looks like she’s not capable of using her ability, judging by her still wearing earrings. Let her go. I don’t want to hurt a lady who catches my eye.”

 

“I’m worried, but… She doesn’t seem to be a quiet girl.”

 

“Then I’ll take her with me.”

 

Zerdan smiled and approached me. He reached out his hand towards my ear, touching the earring. I felt his hand touching the earring.

 

“We seem to have a connection. I didn’t expect to meet you so soon.”

 

“…I thought you were going to the opera, but I didn’t know the queen was the purpose.”

 

“She’s special.”

 

Special?

 

Following Zerdan’s guiding hand, I walked towards the door. Glancing back, Luke looked at me with an anxious face, tied to the chair. It seemed like I was the only one being taken away.

 

I subtly raised one corner of my mouth to reassure Luke, but he shook his head deeply in shock.

 

What’s wrong with him? What misunderstanding has he gotten into?

 

Unable to resolve the misunderstanding in the current situation, I decided to rescue Luke later and followed Zerdan. Khan, who followed behind, had a discontented expression.

 

“Where are we going?”

 

“I’ve always thought that the lady is quite curious in situations like this. We’re heading to your friend.”

 

Zerdan then tapped his forehead.

 

It means Diswen.

 

Zerdan guided me to a room similar to where I had been. Inside were two bound women.

 

“You are…”

 

Anise, who was tied to a chair, glared at Zerdan as he opened the door, then at my appearance, holding his hand.

 

She looked at me with an expression that soon turned to betrayal. It seemed she, too, had misunderstood the situation just like Luke. It was sad not being able to explain.

 

And another woman was sitting beside Anise. She looked like she had fainted, her neck hanging back. From the clothes she wore, she was Diswen.

 

She didn’t seem dead, but there was something strange. A small golden flower bud bloomed near her chest.

 

The small golden flower bud seemed like a tattoo as if it was rooted around her chest.

 

I frowned at the unfamiliar ability, but Zerdan approached Anise.

 

Still holding hands, I followed along with Zerdan, feeling like I had become the hostess of this criminal organization.

 

Oh, how sinister must I appear to him…

 

“I told you. If you listen to my request, I’ll release you safely.”

 

“What should I believe about you? Kidnapping people… It looks like you’re up to something with this woman, but I can’t let you. Kill me instead.”

 

What ability does Anise have for Zerdan to react this way?

 

Zerdan hesitated for a moment at Anise’s response, then looked at me.

 

Why, what?

 

“It’s quite difficult…”

 

“.…..”

 

I wanted to say something, but he seemed so pitiful, deeply immersed in his thoughts. The way he lowered his eyes slightly and spoke with such regret, I almost wanted to torture him.

 

Actually, Zerdan’s ability might not be seduction.

 

“I will grant you a special wish if you will allow my plan to come true. Something that helps me get out of here.”

 

The last words were deliberately whispered, perhaps to prevent Anise from hearing.

 

Suspiciously, Anise and I met eyes.

 

The woman sitting in the chair and me looking down at him. In this strange situation, I smiled.

 

Sorry, I’m always someone who prioritizes my life and safety.

 

“You seem to be close to the person you came with, wouldn’t you be able to come to your senses if we torture him in front of you?”

 

“Is that kid here too?!”

 

Anise asked me in surprise, but I pretended not to hear. I just twisted my short hair with my finger, tilted my head slightly, and looked down at her from an oblique angle.

 

Unconsciously smiling, Moa Ablon’s appearance seemed more sinister to Anise than Zerdan’s.

 

“Well, if you don’t continue to comply with his requests, I’ll make sure to verify it. Of course, I can’t promise to verify it in perfect health.”

 

“So… you approached me with this intention from the beginning. That’s why the sign…”

 

“He genuinely admired you. I was curious. What will you do, Anise? Don’t worry. No one dies like you’re worried about. There is no torture. It’s just something to check, so you don’t have to feel guilty. What matters to you isn’t anyone, but the little kid who came along.”

 

From behind, Khan’s voice whispered to Zerdan about scouting and Zerdan’s slight laughter could be heard, but I ignored them.

 

“…You will pay for this.”

 

Anise glared at me, holding back tears. Without confirming her decision through her response, I turned my gaze to Zerdan, who looked at me with an interested face and lightly kissed my forehead. Anise’s gaze became even more intimidating.

 

Zerdan moved away from me and approached Anise. He placed his hands on her body and reached out to Diswen with his other hand.

 

Is he performing some kind of ritual?

 

I couldn’t grasp anything and just stared blankly. At that moment, a strange sensation began to emanate from Anise. The sensation was directed solely towards Zerdan.

 

At that moment, a chilling sensation exploded from Zerdan, filling the room to the brim.

 

“It’s more effective than I thought.”

 

The flower bud near Diswen’s chest grew larger and soon began to bloom brightly. Its golden brilliance made it seem almost sacred.

 

Zerdan approached and plucked the flower, holding it in his hand. Then, without hesitation, he crushed the flower in one hand.

 

“Her mental ability was strong, causing trouble. Thanks to that, I got a good puppet.”

 

Slowly rising from her seat, Diswen’s eyes were empty. She looked the same as before, but the atmosphere was different.

 

I had believed she was alive, but she had already died. Speculating, Zerdan seemed to have turned Diswen into a puppet by using Anise’s power to amplify abilities.

 

Diswen’s ability is brainwashing. Then what actions will he take in the future?

 

The murder of me and Anise, who witnessed the situation? No. I don’t know, but Anise will use her powers by manipulating her through brainwashing.

 

With a plan that seemed obvious, I quietly approached Anise while Zerdan checked with Khan to see if he could use his brainwashing powers through Diswen.

 

Anise glared at me, but I ignored her and quietly spoke to her.

 

“If you want to live, use your ability on me right now, strongly. No matter what happens, don’t stop.”

 

“What? How much more…”

 

“Luke is also bound. That man will never release you because of your ability. And Luke and I will die. The choice is yours.”

 

Anise was silent at the mention of Luke.

 

It would be difficult for her to trust me. But as a defenseless person tied to a chair without attack or defense ability, and hearing that Luke’s life would be at risk even if she survived, she closed her eyes and soon used her ability on me.

 

Zerdan and Khan looked at us with surprise.

 

At the same time, my earring broke with a golden glow. Without hesitation, I reached for the necklace.

 

“Hurry!”

 

Anise, startled by my shout, hastily amplified her ability on me without stopping.

 

With the broken earring and usable ability, and the amplified ability pouring onto me.

 

I emitted my ability strongly. Khan took a step back, either because Anise was more powerful than he thought, or because the sensation of hairs standing up all over his body was creepy.

 

Meanwhile, Zerdan frowned at me.

 

The ability that I hadn’t yet verified, combined with the amplified ability. Seeing me holding the necklace, he raised the corners of his mouth.

 

“The more I see, the more I like it. Khan, since we’ve achieved our goal, let’s withdraw. Bella will come soon.”

 

Khan nodded, spreading shadows around Zerdan and the motionless Diswen. As they sank into the floor, Zerdan and I locked eyes.

 

“Until next time, Moa Ablon.”

 

Addressed not by “Miss,” but by my proper name.

 

Zerdan genuinely seemed to like me.