Though she had stared for quite some time, the question was surprisingly simple.
‘What could be the true purpose behind this question?’
Blinking briefly, Iris glanced down at the book.
‘Ah, maybe it’s because he wants to borrow this.’
Had he conceded to let her use it first?
Perhaps he wanted to remember her name in advance, just in case she returned the book late.
A vague feeling of disappointment washed over her.
At the same time, she was glad the conversation was at least this straightforward.
‘Now he knows my position.’
Facing Cedric like this made her painfully aware of the distance between them.
With a calm smile, Iris extended the book.
“You can take it first. I’m not in a hurry.”
In truth, she had no intention of lending the book.
It would take some time, but memorizing the entire text had been one of her talents since childhood.
Yet this was not the answer Cedric expected.
He raised one eyebrow—a subtle signal that only Iris noticed.
‘He looks troubled.’
But troubled by what?
Blinking silently, she met his gaze as Cedric returned the book to her arms and said,
“No, I’ve already finished reading it.”
“Oh. I see…”
Awkwardly, Iris hugged the book closer to her chest.
‘Then why did he ask for my name?’
The question lingered, but Iris chose to bury it deep within herself.
She was about to leave, thinking ‘That’s enough for now,’ when Cedric spoke again.
“May I have your name?”
His repeated question once more held her in place.
Iris’s expression darkened slightly as she clutched the book tighter.
“Must I really tell you my name?”
Though she didn’t understand why Cedric pressed her, unease gripped her heart.
‘I was trying not to get entangled with you any further.’
Perhaps the change in the destined ending was because of her.
That was why she tried to stay away from his side as much as possible.
After all, she was nothing more than the wife the Emperor had married for political alliance—no more, no less.
For the original fate to unfold, Iris Valentine had to marry Cedric and then vanish without a trace.
‘I’m sorry.’
But this time, I won’t let your feelings or your love be the death of you.
I won’t let you sacrifice the protagonist’s life just to protect someone like me.
With a lonely smile, Iris stepped back.
‘This is the past I want to change.’
That included their marriage.
‘Because then everything might flow perfectly.’
All the more reason she couldn’t reveal her name.
Of course, Cedric probably wouldn’t remember her name deeply either.
Better to be cautious than careless.
Cedric said nothing in response to her refusal.
Leaning her head down, fearful to meet his eyes, Iris heard a gentle voice whisper close to her ear.
“My name is Cedric.”
“...Cedric.”
Unconsciously, Iris softly called his name.
Realizing too late what she'd said, Iris quickly closed her mouth—but Cedric had already heard everything.
Trying to gauge his expression, she forced herself to smooth things over with the most natural face she could manage.
“…That’s a good name. Cedric.”
She dipped into a polite bow, bending slightly at the knee to show proper respect.
But even then, she couldn’t quite bring herself to meet his gaze.
“I’ll tell you my name next time we meet.”
She said it while thinking about how the book ended.
And before he could stop her again, she decisively turned and walked away.
Cedric watched her retreating back, unable to move or call after her.
He scratched his cheek lightly and muttered:
“She’s quick on her feet.”
Thinking of the woman who had just left, he raised a hand to cover his mouth—his ears had turned bright red.
Was I too hasty asking her name?
Why did I even do that?
It was embarrassing to admit, but Cedric had never been the type to show much interest in others.
If someone was around, so be it. If not, then fine. That was the extent of his attention.
But this was the first time.
The first time someone had left him so stunned that his mind went blank.
“This is driving me crazy…”
The library was so quiet, he could hear the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.
He ran a hand through his bangs, but Iris’s voice lingered in his head—
“Cedric.”
And suddenly, those clear, lake-like eyes flashed through his mind…
Her fair cheeks, tinged with a soft blush…
He couldn’t forget that face. No matter how hard he tried.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Have I really lost it?
He had no idea he’d just fallen in love at first sight.
Iris waited until Cedric had left the archives before letting out the breath she’d been holding.
The unexpected encounter had left her flustered—she couldn’t even remember what she’d said.
Quietly, she looked down at the book he’d placed in her arms.
Why was Cedric reading this book…?
In the original cultivation novel, Cedric had no interest in the Sacred Sword.
It was stated clearly: the only reason he read it was because it just
happened
to be there as he wandered past.
Was it all just coincidence, then?
Iris couldn’t bring herself to believe that.
The story didn’t deviate from its path easily.
Every character lived according to the script. Even throwaway jokes often echoed the plot’s intent.
Except for her—the only one who knew it was fiction.
So Iris wasn’t sure if something labeled “coincidence” could really be called that anymore.
Maybe this was the author’s way of hinting that Cedric is the true wielder of the Sacred Sword.
〈
Sacred Sword I
〉
The book was bound in soft suede leather.
Aside from slightly worn corners, it was pristine—barely touched, likely unread.
She untied the strap and flipped open the cover.
At the very center, written in elegant calligraphy:
“Find the key. That is where it begins.”
“The key…?”
She flipped the next page.
But it was blank.
So was the one after that.
And the one after that.
Other than that first page, the entire book was empty.
What is this?
Alarmed, Iris flipped through every single page again.
At first, she wondered if a special method was required to reveal the text—
She tried every trick she could think of, but nothing worked.
“But this book has to be the right one.”
Cedric had definitely read this text.
“What exactly did he read?”
Perhaps it was a kind of tome that revealed its true contents only to its rightful owner.
This time, Iris picked up the second book. Its title was not the expected continuation,
Sacred Sword II
, but rather
A Study of the Sacred Sword Legends
.
Fortunately, the script in this book was visible.
“But the content is surprisingly shallow.”
Though it detailed some uses of the Sacred Sword, the section on Awakening was noticeably missing.
Just as Iris prepared to study the text thoroughly,
Crash!
From the rear of the shelves came the sound of a pile of books collapsing.
Then came the harsh voice of a man.
“You foolish brat!”
Iris quickly hid herself among the books, watching the direction of the commotion.
There, two figures were grappling.
At that moment, a sharp mental flash entered her mind, as if the empty novel’s missing pages were suddenly filled:
“‘The plan failed? Cedric is defending the barren lands better than expected.’
Emperor Ludwig muttered with a stoic expression.
‘Then we must prevent him from climbing any higher.’”
In a shadowy space where Cedric was absent, Emperor Ludwig and the man from before conversed.
Though no direct words of conspiracy were spoken, Iris, having reincarnated, knew exactly what it meant.
‘The counterfeit currency incident.’
It was the first major incident that occurred a year after her marriage.
That such a conspiracy had formed so early was troubling indeed.
Iris fixed her gaze silently on the pair, her expression hardened.
Since their initial mistake, they had become quieter and more cautious.
But that only made their movements easier to observe.
“They’re moving books.”
It had to be a meaningful act.
Her steady gaze caught the titles—specifically, the first characters of the titles.
‘They’re communicating through the book titles.’
They held up books to each other, using the first letters of the titles as coded messages:
[Counterfeit, Currency.]
[Preparation, Midst.]
[Location.]
[Bank, Vault.]
Fortune smiled on her.
Just as she understood their meaning, they were revealing the exact location.
After exchanging more secretive words, the two disappeared.
‘Thank heavens.’
Iris had hidden well enough that they hadn’t noticed her presence.
She moved to another place as soon as they left.
‘How can this incident be resolved?’
In the past, Cedric had solved the counterfeit currency case but gained nothing—only trouble.
‘Even if I try to change it, the chances of altering the ending are slim.’
Neglecting a small threat could allow it to flare up like wildfire and disrupt the final conclusion.
Above all, she couldn’t stand by and watch so many vassals suffer.
‘But I want to save as many as possible.’
Clutching the brooch containing the Sacred Sword with a troubled expression,
Another sharp mental flash carried the story in her mind forward. Unlike before, the writing on the first page had changed.
And along with it… the story itself was starting to shift.
The power of the Sacred Sword… had altered the original narrative.
“No way.”
The counterfeit currency subplot, which was supposed to unfold next, was starting to blur and fade, turning translucent on the page.
With trembling hands, Iris quickly flipped to the final page.
But the ending remained unchanged.
Does this mean… I can rewrite it?
Gripping the brooch tightly in both hands, Iris slowly closed her eyes.
To any onlooker, she would have appeared to be deep in a devout prayer.
“I hate you.”
I hate you—for making me realize the truth.
I hate you—for throwing Cedric away like that.
I
loathe
you.
Iris was no saint from the legends.
She possessed no sacred qi or divine cultivation.
She wasn’t a destined heroine.
But can I take this—this weapon you've given me—and see it as a chance instead?
As if responding to her unspoken words, the Sacred Sword embedded in the brooch gave off a faint glimmer.
She didn’t notice—but the sword
heard
her.
Then now the problem is this book…
《
Sacred Sword I
》
Though it contained no visible text, Iris couldn't bring herself to simply leave it behind.
This book was the last remaining clue tied to the awakening of the Sacred Sword.
But taking it with her was a huge risk.
There would be records. Questions. Suspicion.
Even borrowing a book about the Sacred Sword could raise eyebrows—
And in this place, some books were forbidden to leave the archive entirely.
It might not even be eligible for checkout.
Some texts from the restricted archive could only be read on-site.
Removing one without permission could draw the wrong attention.
Wait a second…
Iris quickly grabbed
《
A Study on the Legends of the Sacred Sword
》
and flipped through the pages.
“...Some objects have been said to vanish into the Sacred Sword itself, to be retrieved later…”
A technique.
The Sacred Sword had the ability to store objects inside its inner realm.
In the book, this was mostly used for storing weaponry.
But it never said it
had
to be weapons.
Iris summoned the Sacred Sword from within the brooch.
Even if I’m not the rightful master… will it still obey me?
That doubt lingered as she brought the blade toward the book.
But it turned out her fears were unnecessary.
The book shimmered—its form dissolving into a dusting of stardust—and was absorbed into the sword without resistance.
Then… now.
Iris slowly closed her eyes again and began to attune her senses—
Stretching her spiritual perception outward, sensing the flow of qi, and searching for the presence of others nearby.
Chapter 7
Translator's Note:
🎧 Check out the audio versions on my YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/@novel-tube-w2f?si=UqMphhId_8DH80Ns