I shook my hands in amazement and confusion.
“What? I have done nothing of note. The credit goes to His Eminence the Duke and the knights who risked their lives and fought.”
“If it weren't for your quick wit and courage, people wouldn't have been saved, Miss Dale.”
Carlex looked at me with a smile as soft as a spring, his voice bending with pride and joy towards me.
His blue eyes were no longer lost in a nightmare.
Finally my heart, which had been convulsing with pain, began to beat gently.
I thought for the first time:
I want to stop his nightmares.
“Duke Reinhardt’s words are absolutely true.”
Just then, Crown Prince Ludwig headed towards us with his entourage.
Everyone around us, people and knights, bowed at the same time.
The Crown Prince looked at me with a satisfied smile.
“Thanks to Librarian Erica’s plan, everyone escaped safely. If it were not for your brilliant archery skill and courage, the knights would not have been able to fight with their full strength. Your grace is great.”
The Crown Prince looked around as if seeking approval from those present.
People's eyes turned to me, and one by one they began to turn into admiration and respect.
Even Count Lawrence and the Commander of the Royal Guard who strongly disagreed with my opinion nodded, and the Shadow Knights sent out an applause.
As for Gilbert, who taught me archery, he was wiping his tears like a teacher who rejoices in his student’s growth.
Even Zeke came hesitantly to my side, then bowed to me respectfully, saluted, and left.
Oh, being in the spotlight makes me feel so ashamed and embarrassed!
I was surrounded by people and just smiling with a confused smile, when I heard the sound of horses' hooves shaking the ground.
From behind the competition arena, dozens of knights were riding their horses and quickly kissing.
In the foreground, Director William appeared on his horse.
Carlex frowned as if he didn't like it.
“Director William, will I call after the crisis is over?”
William stopped his horse in a hurry, and descended with a swift movement unbecoming of a magician.
He greeted the Crown Prince immediately, then looked at Carlex.
“I thought you would leave one monster for me, but you got rid of all of them, Your Highness Duke Reinhardt.”
“Next time I'll throw the wild wolf into your office.”
What a violent expression of affection! Stop quarreling.
A friendship may develop between you this way.
The Crown Prince approached William and patted him on the shoulder in greeting.
“Director William, in any case, we thank God for your arrival. We will hear the details of the report from the Royal Guard Commander later, so let us first begin transporting and treating the wounded.”
The knights and magic wizards that William had brought began to move in perfect order.
William, who was heading towards the gathering place of seriously injured people, suddenly turned towards me and turned to me.
He looked at me quickly.
When he was sure that there were no wounds on my body, he let out a small sigh.
“Thank God you are safe.”
I make my pastor worry every time!
I nodded, smiling slightly, feeling guilty for no reason.
William also smiled as if he was reassured, and then continued walking quickly.
***
The magic healers who came as support began moving the wounded to one side and performing magical healing spells.
Knights searched for chariots or horses that could be ridden to transport people.
Crown Prince Ludwig, Michael, and I decided to rest a little at the Knights' Barracks.
Ludving folded his arms and fell into deep thought.
As Michael and I pulled back the covers and drank warm tea, we regained our composure.
My mood was more relaxed, but my body was tired. Because I have been feeling severe pain in my ankle for a while.
Apparently I sprained my ankle in panic when I encountered the monster.
I don't want to embarrass the wizard with a little sprained ankle, so I'll take it for a bit.
At that moment, William and Carlex entered the tent.
“We have completed the procedures for the return of civilians and the treatment of the wounded.”
The Crown Prince nodded satisfied.
"Then, let's discuss the most pressing matter. Why did a wild wolf appear in the heart of the capital? Is there any news from the monastery?"
William whispered as if to start talking, but he stopped for a moment and glanced at Michael.
His looks were asking him to leave the place temporarily because it was a top secret matter.
The quick-witted Michael immediately got up.
“I'm going out for a bit.”
Carlex patted Michael on the shoulder.
“The Shadow Knights are outside waiting. Wait there.”
I got up to follow him, but the Crown Prince raised his hand, smiling.
“The book reader must stay with us.”
"What? I should listen too?"
Honestly, I'm too lazy to get more involved.
Moreover, as a secondary character, I fear that I will be killed to silence myself if I hear secret things.
…It seems I've thought of something similar before.
It must be an illusion.
I reluctantly sat down.
When William gave Carlex a slight nod, he stood at the entrance of the tent to block entry.
Is it such a serious problem that they won't let anyone in? This is a bit scary!
William began his speech in a serious tone:
“We received a report from the monastery that the dimension barrier in the Kraal Mountain Range is deforming. It seems that the consequences of this have affected the capital barrier as well, resulting in the appearance of monsters.”
“This is strange. In the past, monsters used to appear in the suburbs or border areas, but their appearance in the capital... only happened at that time, right?”
Ludving rubbed his chin with a worried face.
At the mention of 'that time', Carlex's eyes flashed with anger and then disappeared.
Are they talking about an incident seven years ago?
“I will investigate further whether today’s events are related to the dimensional barrier. First, let’s check if there is any trace of a small barrier around the knights and the area.”
I am a person who cannot contain his curiosity about what interests him.
I looked for 'Dimension Barrier' in the library, but - strangely - there was no book about it.
As if the barrier itself was a very secret.
“Can I ask a question?”
When I raised my hand like a diligent student, Principal William looked at me with a smile.
“With pleasure, Miss Erica.”
"Does the Dimension Barrier only exist in those mountains? Or does it appear anywhere? Can't it just be made with a magic book?"
“The Dimension Barrier was originally only present in the Kraal Mountain Range, but when the barrier is distorted, a small barrier appears in unspecified locations, often in remote or border areas. Especially this case is so rare that it needs to be reported to academia...”
“William, it's like you're about to write a research paper here.”
Carlex interrupted firmly.
“We should be grateful that the monsters appeared late at night. If they appeared during the competition, there would have been huge losses. Tell the monks and wizards in the capital to manage the dimension barrier more strictly, William.”
Ludving nodded in agreement.
“The Duke’s words are true, and it is fortunate that the Duke of Spurn was evacuated beforehand. If he had stayed, things would have been more complicated and would have exhausted us.”
A questioning expression appeared on Director William’s face.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, the one who first told me about the monster attack is the Duke of Spurn.”
Carlex's outlook changed.
“What do you say? Our knights have sent carrier pigeons.”
“The Spearn family’s servant arrived at the Royal Library first. He came running in saying that monsters had appeared in the competition arena and your carrier pigeon came next.”
Ludving shook his head with an expression that suggested he had suffered an unexpected blow.
“Of course, he is a cautious person. Did he have loyal followers in the competition arena?”
When Franz's name was mentioned, I felt as if I had been hit on the head and was stunned.
It was as if I had drowned alone in deep water, all sounds far away.
His voice echoed in my head:
“You are in a big delusion. The outcome has not been decided yet.”
“I hope you enjoy the feast. Don’t stay away from the Duke tonight.”
Those were words of warning and threat.
He knows that a wild wolf attack will happen in the competition arena tonight.
Maybe he was the one who orchestrated all this.
Horror surged as if my body was freezing, belatedly.
My heart beats fast, as if I'm running without stopping.
I tried my best not to die like in the original story.
I worked as a librarian in the Royal Library to cooperate with the Kingdom and obtain the privilege of immunity.
I tried to avoid association with Franz.
But I still couldn't stay away from him even a single step.
It's like I'm trapped in a nightmare.
I forced myself to swallow my scream.
Carlex looked at me worriedly and looked up at my face.
“Erica, are you okay? Your face is pale.”
I looked at him in amazement as he wiped the cold sweat from my forehead with his hand.
Director William extended his hand to cast a magic spell, while Crown Prince Ludfeng looked on with a worried look.
When I faced the warm, concerned gazes of the three people who worried about me and believed me, my fears and trepidation melted away.
With them...I can talk.
They will believe me, for sure.
I breathed deeply. The words stuck in my throat came out naturally.
“It seems that Duke Franz… was aware of the monster attack.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Ludving inquired sharply.
“He warned me during the equestrian competition. He seemed to know that something would happen during the banquet.”
I told them exactly what Franz told me, without distortion or addition.
Even while telling the truth, I couldn't completely shake my irrational fear.
I was afraid that their views on me would change.
I was afraid they would see me as an accomplice with the enemy.
Above all, I was afraid that Carlex's view of me - that straight look - would change...
Carlex's facial expression suddenly darkened, showing extreme hostility and anger.
He gritted his teeth. Until his blue eyes sparkled.
“Really, we shouldn't have shown mercy to the Spirn family. They should have been crushed from the beginning.”
Carlex looked like he was ready to lead his knights and attack the Spirn Family immediately.
Oh, did I say something wrong? Did I make matters worse?
Couldn't a war start between the two duchies because of my mistake...?
Ludving patted Carlex's shoulder as if to calm him down.
“You're getting too excited. Why do you lose your mind when it comes to Honest Erica? Calm down.”
Ludving smiled slightly as he calmed Carlex down.
After a moment of silence, his blue-green eyes slowly began to light up.
“If it is the Duke of Spurn’s family, they must already know the identity of the book reader, but this time they have crossed the line to dare to threaten Amenti. I will consider this a challenge to the royal authority.”
Sorry? Isn't His Highness the Crown Prince the one who should calm down? Moreover, I am not a court librarian.
To consider threatening a librarian as a challenge to royal authority is going too far!
Instead of the two men about to explode, I looked at the rational and logical William with a look of help.
“Director, can you calm down His Highness the Crown Prince and the Duke?”
William's monocle sparkled with the reflection of light.
He was whispering with a serious expression as if he was reciting something.
He sounded like he was reciting a curse, which was ominous.
"What are you doing now?"
William smiled as if to say don't worry.
Of course, his eyes didn't smile.
“I was thinking about whether there is useful black magic, much of it is forbidden, but it is the most reliable way to get rid of an enemy from a distance in secret. Rest assured. As your shepherd, I will definitely pay for the crime of threatening you.”
William, even you...!
I suddenly had a headache.
Please, someone calm these guys down!
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation