Chapter 81

Chapter 81

District 5 of Eldain Academy houses the renowned Imperial Library.

This place is a hub, attracting individuals from all backgrounds.

It provides everything from fundamental texts about martial arts and magic to advanced academic works.

You can locate some of the most elusive texts here; the deepest corners hide rare treasures.

This rings especially true for the Arcane Library, which opened exclusively for the premier contributors of the Demon Raid.

In fact, I had just set foot in the Arcane Library.

“Insane. It’s miles apart from my in-game experiences....”

Its sheer majesty inspires awe.

My time playing Inner Lunatic reminded me of scavenging items from a dusty Arcane Library.

Evidently, the place has significantly transformed since the game became a reality.

Stacks of books form towering mountains. Bookshelves brim over in every direction.

A light source suspended like a distant star in the infinite sky.

This isn’t a library. It’s a cinematic masterpiece.

“Follow me,” urges Lars von Celestia.

As a revered senior professor and an influential figure in the academic community of the academy, Lars is the one guiding me. Lars has granted me personal access to the Arcane Library as his apprentice.

With a firm stance, Lars proceeds to unlock a series of complex doors. Each door has a tedious magical lock, requiring an exceedingly long runic password.

As a player, memorization isn’t a requirement.

‘If any unworthy soul dares to intrude into the Arcane Library, Noah will instantly spot the fraud... so knowing the password doesn’t really matter.’

It’s unfortunate, though.

You either use it or lose it. The more cards you hold, the better.

If I could impersonate Noah at the most critical juncture and gain access to the Arcane Library...

Just as I found myself in this treacherous train of thought, Lars interrupted abruptly.

“When I first heard the news, I was shocked. You, vowing a hundred-year commitment to Princess Penelope... I nearly incinerated my entire thesis using [fire] magic or something.”

“Um... yeah... that’s accurate...”

The conversation was taking a detour, and I was attempting to veer it back on track, but alas, Lars didn’t relent.

“Hmm... The Princess must have recognized something. As gifted as you are, you possess a distinct influence on those around you. It seems inevitable that you’ll end up a spouse. Well, congratulations.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your insight.”

“Interesting. This is bound to stir the pot within the Steiner household. I know the Princess’s command is final, but weren’t you already engaged? As you’re aware, repairing a strained relationship in aristocratic society can be quite a challenge.”

Lars, for some reason, seemed to be carefully selecting his words.

And, rightly so.

Damn. It’s been two days since I returned from the Imperial Castle.

Even after the orientation and the start of regular classes, the entire scenario feels like a dream.

Why did this happen to me?

I’ve stopped questioning.

Who is the protagonist in a world that lacks one?

It’s me.

But what kind of person does the protagonist in various media turn out to be?

I’m the catalyst for all unfolding events.

That’s correct.

I’ve become that very character.

The one who attracts all the aggro, always targeted first by the enemy.

Damn.

‘Penelope... she’s a woman intoxicated by power, and here we are, sharing a carriage. Is this her way of setting me up?’

Now, I’m in the worst imaginable predicament, thanks to Penelope broadcasting a scandal that isn’t even mine.

Has my list of adversaries tripled overnight?

It doesn’t seem plausible.

‘Because regular people don’t amass this level of hatred...’

I had a handful of people who bore resentment or disappointment towards me.

The situation with Talia, in particular, had turned quite dire.

-‘Miss Talia, your professor has already granted you a two-day leave. You should return home today.’

-‘I understand it’s not my place to inquire, Maid, but did something transpire in the Imperial City?’

Talia couldn’t keep up the pretense regarding the Princess, and retreated to her chambers, but her attempts proved futile.

She wouldn’t even open the door to me.

I couldn’t muster the courage to confide in her maid, Emma, about the situation.

After all, I had no right to ease Talia’s resentment.

“Hah.......”

A sigh escaped my lips, and Lars shot me a knowing look.

“Been there, my friend. Every guy heaves a sigh like that until they get hitched... Do you smoke, by any chance?”

A shudder ran through Lars as he reflected on his past.

I contemplated his offer, then dismissed it.

“No thanks, I’ve quit.”

“You must have been quite mature, taking up smoking at such an early age.”

“I suppose so. There wasn’t much to look forward to then.”

Memories of my past surfaced.

Before I got entangled in the game.

I was a nobody.

I don’t know how you might interpret this, but it’s the truth.

Yoochan. He was trash.

Not as a human being.

Just...

A man robbed of his life, struggling to get through each day, a victim of his circumstances. That’s how I felt.

That may be why.

Sometimes, life here feels more authentic.

Ultimately, surviving each day and grappling with challenges is the essence of living.

‘Never did I expect Master Knox to become entangled with Princess Penelope...! What do we do now? How can we persuade her?’

Seeing Talia lock herself in her room is unbearable.

What is my role in all this?

I am a maid whose duties involve supporting Talia and guiding her forward.

However, there’s more to it. Right now, Rover von Steiner, the family patriarch, must be beside himself.

Where has my daughter gone...?

Most likely, he’s brooding, honing his blade.

Ready to bisect Nox at the earliest opportunity.

Rover’s affection for his daughter has made him less than amicable toward Nox. He was ready to draw his sword against Nox when Talia showed an interest, despite having suggested their engagement.

Yet, the news of Nox abandoning his daughter is bound to provoke him even more.

This may seem irrational, but it’s a common sentiment among fathers with daughters.

Threaten to take my daughter, I’ll sharpen my sword; ignore her, I’ll still sharpen my blade.

Emma’s father, currently residing in the countryside, shares a similar disposition...

‘Oh, the complications! You’re damned if you do, and you can’t flee because you’re a lady’s maid! I have to somehow persuade Lady Talia...’

While engrossed in these thoughts.

Suddenly, Talia forced herself up from the bed.

...Or more precisely, she tried to rise, but her feet got entangled in the sheets, causing her to fall flat on the floor.

Emma asked in the gentlest tone possible, trying to mitigate her embarrassment.

“Ouch. Miss...? Are you alright? You’ve hit your head.......”

Gasp.

Talia scrambled up, straightened her back, and stared at Emma wide-eyed.

Usually, a minor fall would result in Talia making a fuss for several minutes. Why was today different?

Despite that, her forehead reddened from the impact.

Talia’s voice was a mere murmur, her eyes dull, or rather, devoid of life.

“Emma.”

“Ye-yes!”

Emma answered, startled. Had Talia ever sounded like this before?

It was so unnerving that Emma hesitated to approach her.

As Emma watched in dismay, Talia clenched her fists.

“I’ve finally matured. I’ve realized that someone can take what’s mine. My father always used to say. You have to be strong to ensure nothing gets taken from you, not even your life.”

Talia managed a smile, her eyes unfocused.

“You agree too, don’t you, Emma?”

“.......”

Emma couldn’t admit that Nox had never belonged to anyone. That there was a spark of life in her young mistress’s eyes.

She knew better than anyone.

* * *

[Woof! Woof! Dost thou dare to touch this thing, knowing what it is?]

“Hand over the book, Gluttony.”

I made my demand calmly, as Gluttony rambled on, having already concealed the book I sought.

Well, I anticipated this, so it didn’t surprise me.

I cleared my throat.

“I repeat, give me the book.”

This time, however, Gluttony just shook his head.

[“Woof! I can’t fathom why a man would want this, Woof, but... I’ll never hand over this book. Choose something else when you have the opportunity to pick a book as a reward. I’ll grant you another chance. Woof!]

“No, I insist on this book. So just hand it over.”

There followed a moment of silence. Then Gluttony posed a question.

[Woof! Why do you insist on this book, when so many other splendid books abound.......]

“You won’t care even if I tell you I have permission from the Dean himself...”

[Woof! Indeed. For daring to select this book... and... for intruding into the library and waking me... You already know this book’s secret, don’t you?”]

I sure do, asshole.

That’s why I chose this unattractive, bland, unmarked tome. It’s one of the few cunningly concealed pieces in Inner Lunatic.

It’s truly a matter of taste and preference.

A game-changing item, if wielded correctly, and one critical to the path I intend to follow.

That’s the worth of this volume.

I unsheathed my sword and aimed it at the canine guardian of the book.

[Woof! Woof! What are you doing? Weren’t you here to acquire the book?]

“You’re planning to lop off one of my arms when I attempt to retrieve it, aren’t you?”

[......Woof! I don’t know how you deduced that, but you’re astute for a human. Woof! In that case, I’ll have to reciprocate].

Gluttony, initially in a dog form, swelled up, transforming into a gargantuan wolf. He stuck out his long tongue and chuckled.

[Bite me].

“Here we go.”

[But first.]

Gluttony paused, then added.

[I’ll relocate us, because I don’t know what that madman Noah will do to me if I wreak havoc here].

Just then, the library’s preset magic activated, teleporting Gluttony and me to an entirely different location. A flash of darkness filled my vision, but I didn’t flinch and swung my sword.

Identifying the source of the sound, I struck with precision.

Slash!

(Seogeog!)

Blood sprayed.

I didn’t need to see it anymore.

My enemy fell to my sword.

When I opened my eyes next,

I found myself standing in a void.

{1} : Gluttony uses “Woof!”(왕/wang) like a dog’s bark, which also means king.