CH 39

‘I never thought I’d come back here.’

Livia stared blankly at the massive building in front of her. The place she had returned to was none other than the Mercedes Library.

Actually, she was planning to ask Chelsea. Coincidentally, Chelsea had mentioned that she was briefly out running errands for Winston.

So, Livia considered asking Winston instead, but then she realized that Winston, the butler of the villain’s estate, probably wouldn’t have enjoyed the festivities.

But she couldn’t ask Cardien. Truly, she doubted he would know.

As Livia eliminated one person after another, this person was the only one left.

It was a bit awkward, but…….

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

Recalling the time when she hurriedly escaped the library, her face inexplicably flushed.

But still! Anyone would have been startled and run away in that situation.

Besides, it was Raymond’s fault for not informing her that Cardien was in that room.

His mistake was a big one.

So, she didn’t need to feel guilty at all.

And truthfully, there was another reason why Livia came to the library.

There was something she wanted to find.

“…….”

As she had that thought, her heart grew heavy again. But she couldn’t dwell in contemplation indefinitely, so Livia presented the access and borrowing permit she had received from Winston to the knight.

After her previous visit, Livia had returned the permit to Winston, but he told her to keep it, as there might be more reference materials she would need for her classes in the future.

It was a good thing Winston is so serious about education.

“Verified.”

The knight who returned the permit soon opened the massive iron gate. Every time Livia saw it, she was amazed that it could be opened.

She stepped inside and the door closed behind her. Livia looked around the library in amazement.

It was still an impressive place.

The sunlight streaming in, the floating dust, and the scent of aged paper made her mind and body inexplicably calm.

Phew. After taking a deep breath, Livia approached the reception desk.

“Mr. Raymon?” 

She looked around, but there was no sign of the man with the platinum hair.

‘Where did he go?’

Usually, when a librarian goes out, they would leave an “out for a moment” sign at the entrance….

‘Did he momentarily leave his post?’

That was a possibility.

Last time, he also went to the storeroom to organize the books.

Then that meant he would be back soon, right?

Livia thought about sitting down and waiting for him, but then she turned to look for the book she wanted.

Without delay, Livia headed towards the bookshelf that housed books related to “temples.”

Fortunately, finding the bookshelf was not difficult.

During her time at the academy, Livia had helped librarians organize books, so that experience came in handy.

However, as she found the bookshelf, she momentarily froze in surprise.

“All of these books are about temples?”

It was a vast collection, almost filling an entire floor.

Well, of course, since they’re temple related, she did expect there to be a lot.

This was even more than she thought. Livia thought there could be more books on the temples than the Empire’s history books, even with a little exaggeration.

However, that didn’t mean she planned to look through all of those books. Livia just needed to find books related to ancient temples.

She lowered her gaze.

Ever since Cardien’s magical outburst, it has been bothering her constantly. The patterns of that ancient temple that she saw in the dream.

Livia recalled information from the original novel, but there was no mention of an ancient temple anywhere.

“Besides…….”

What they were using on Cardien was clearly some sort of divine power. But they said strange things while using that power on Cardien.

‘If we succeed in the ritual, we will obtain a doll named Mercedes.’

If they succeed in the ritual, they would obtain a doll named Mercedes…. That statement bothered Livia deeply.

One thing was certain, it was not just a simple nightmare.

‘Come to think of it…….’

Livia walked slowly between the bookshelves, thinking again about Cardien’s backstory.

Cardien had been living on the streets before he came to the Duchy of Mercedes. So, something had happened in the years between, something to do with the nightmare.

And a doll.

It could be a coincidence.

‘But it might be related to Cardien’s downfall.’

In fact, if Livia were to ask Cardien himself, she might hear something convincing.

But she couldn’t just say, ‘I’ve seen your dream and I have questions.’

Even she found it difficult to explain the nature of her abilities, let alone expect someone else to accept it.

So, she had no choice but to find out by herself.

The sight of the vast array of books in front of her made her a little dizzy. But she was more confident in reading books than anyone else.

Livia calmly began to sort through the books and pick out the ones that might be relevant.

It took her a full half a day to sort through them all.

* * *

Dusk was beginning to fall.

There was a shadow that leaped over the heavily guarded windows of the Mercedes Duchy’s library.

Avoiding the knight’s gaze, the figure that jumped through the window sighed as if annoyed.

“Why did it have to be the position of a librarian? Such a hassle.”

Librarians were not allowed to leave the library for long periods of time. That condition led him to perform the unusual act of window hopping.

‘But.’

“Being able to hold a position in Mercedes Duchy as a librarian is something to be grateful for.”

Raymon smiled faintly.

As the master of the Rune Information Guild, he had all the information on the continent in his hands. Except for one place.

‘Except for the Duchy of Mercedes.’

Although he didn’t have to make much effort to obtain information about the Mercedes Duchy up until the current generation, the current Mercedes Duchy was extremely cautious, and even if he tried to infiltrate, he was quickly driven out.

~ Translations by Lurelia | Editing by Valpal | Read only at moonlightnovels.com ~

However, excluding the Mercedes Duchy, which was one of the main pillars of the Empire, it was impossible to discuss information, so the Master himself had to infiltrate.

Of course.

“Though I was caught quickly.’

Raymon, or rather, Lemon, recalled that moment, his expression turning grim. 

He had successfully disguised himself and infiltrated the Mercedes Duchy, but he was soon discovered by Cardien.

Upon realizing that he was the Master of the Rune Information Guild, Cardien immediately tried to expel him. However, Lemon, being desperate, proposed a deal.

If he would allow him to stay in the manor, he would help the duke in his time of need.

‘The offer of assistance from the Rune Information Guild would have been fascinating enough to captivate anyone else.’

In the world of nobility, information becomes a powerful weapon.

But Duke Cardien Mercedes…….

‘I don’t need you, so leave immediately.’

He turned away as if it wasn’t worth listening to.

If he hadn’t known that the Duke of Mercedes’ family heirloom had been lost, he wouldn’t be here today.

In the end, Lemon was allowed to stay here, at the Mercedes manor, as a librarian, on the condition that he would assist in the search for the heirloom.

But Cardien did not grant him this privilege out of kindness. It was simply giving him a position that allowed him to stay in the duchy, and if he neglected his duties, he could be dismissed.

As a result, a situation arose where Lemon, the master of the Rune Information Guild, was sneaking around like a thief, climbing in through the windows.

“But whatever.’

The effort was rewarded with valuable information about the Mercedes Duchy.

Moreover, there were still many secrets here that he had not uncovered, providing a sense of solving puzzles and amusement.

‘Though one more has been added recently.’

As he entered, Lemon suddenly noticed that there was another presence in the library besides himself.

A woman who had fallen asleep with books piled up on her desk.

‘That woman…….’

Lemon recognized her at once. She was the subject of a recent story in the Duchy of Mercedes.

‘Why is she doing this here?’

Sliding casually into the seat in front of her, Lemon looked over at Livia, who was sleeping with her chin resting on her arm.

His gaze then shifted to the stack of books.

‘All the books are related to temples.’

“Do you want to be a priest or something?”

A former tutor to the Duke of Mercedes who became a priest.

It was possible.

That would be quite hilarious.

Lemon chuckled uncontrollably and stared at Livia.

’So, this is the woman who uncovered Anna Lever’s misdeeds.’

Not only that, but she’s been in and out of Cardien’s chambers, and the so-called ‘little devil of the Duke of Mercedes’ has been following her around.

‘Perhaps I should have made more of an impression and tried a little harder at our first meeting.’

A flirtatious kiss on the back of the hand upon their first encounter.

Livia had thought it was a simple mistake, but in fact, it was more than that, it was a ploy by Lemon.