“I ask you three to stop and focus. In the end, you only have unsubstantiated suspicions.”
I looked at them with my arms crossed, as they reacted with needless violence.
William, the most rational among them, relieved the situation with a shy cough.
“It seems that the Spirn Family anticipated the monsters' appearance in advance, or perhaps they intentionally opened a breach in the dimensional occlusion to release them.”
Ludving regained his usual witty smile.
“Does the Spirn family have a wizard that powerful?”
“According to the information available so far: No. The number of werewolves that appeared was approximately ten, so it is most likely that a small loophole was opened.”
Ludwig gripped the armrest of his chair so hard that it almost broke.
“There must be a thorough investigation. Monsters have appeared in the heart of the capital! Ruberia almost faced a catastrophe. Whoever is behind this act must be exposed and prosecuted.”
The prince's red hair seemed to glow like a flame, and his blue eyes held a raging storm of anger.
I now realize why he was called the “Prince of Flame” in the original text.
His wrath will not abate until his opponent is completely destroyed.
William tilted his head in surprise:
“An act that does not resemble that of the Spearn family. If they were behind it, they would not have informed us of the monster attack in the first place.”
Carlex showed a serious expression as he clenched his jaw.
“If it were their way, they would have dealt with it with more certainty, even if it required annihilating the knights on the competition field. But the monsters that appeared this time were not fatal to us. This incident seems like...”
“Either to sow chaos, or to check something.”
The words came out of my mouth confidently without my knowing it.
The three's eyes gathered on me.
"If it's the former, they've succeeded. When the news arrives tomorrow morning, the entire capital will be in chaos."
Ludving pressed his temples like someone suffering from a headache.
William's calm gaze turned silently to me.
“I agree, Miss Librarian Erica. Maybe they were trying to open a small loophole to release the monsters intentionally, but it is strange. We had no information about the presence of a high-ranking wizard in the Spirn family.”
Ludving's gaze turned to Carlex.
“Duke Reinhardt, how are the Spirn family’s movements lately?”
“The health condition of the head of the family is getting worse, and there are no military movements. Prince Franz assumes the duties of acting duke, and manages official business. There are no major external problems.”
The corner of Ludving's mouth rose.
“A ducal family, whose head is ill, is secretly colluding with a high-ranking wizard to conduct monster-releasing experiments. If this is true, it would not be surprising if the entire Spirn family were annihilated tomorrow.”
“The problem is there is no evidence, Your Highness.”
When Director William gently reminded him of this fact, Ludving clutched his head in frustration.
“Ah, that's irritating!” We doubt the identity of who is behind this, but there is no physical evidence and we do not know the motive! As if we were puppets dancing on a stage they had prepared!”
Motivation.
Suddenly, something came to my mind.
Perhaps Franz had noticed that I came from another world?
And if he knew that I wouldn't die if I faced monsters?
Isn't it possible that he released the monsters into the arena to test this?
This may be a far-fetched guess. But…
“Librarian Erica, do you have another hunch?”
I could not say anything to William who inquired about my opinion.
Just moments ago, I intended to be honest with them.
But this particular word, this particular truth, I cannot reveal.
I came from another world.
Like those monsters.
I shook my head in a confused manner, as if I were a doll hanging by a string from my shoulders.
“I don't know either.”
I lied for the first time.
A feeling of anxiety crept over me.
Maybe I should lie to the end.
In the end, I... I'm acting like in the original, right?
William let out a deep sigh.
“So, what remains is to deal with the traces. We will search for any trace of opening a small breach in the ocean, and investigate the recent movements of high-ranking wizards. There must be a wizard who helped open the breach.”
Ludving shrugged resignedly.
“Take care of it, please. Let us leave now. Count Lawrence is waiting impatiently.”
They got up with deadpan expressions as if nothing had happened.
The air of seriousness and heaviness that had prevailed a moment ago had disappeared.
Did they end their meeting so quickly? Is that all? Shouldn't there be preparedness plans?
Seeing the three of them acting so indifferent made me even more worried about them.
“Mm...what are you going to do now?”
I asked, trying to suppress my trembling voice and hide my guilt.
The three looked at me simultaneously.
“Shouldn't there be plans to prepare or respond? That's the norm.”
Carlex looked at me with a gentle, calm look.
“Today you have made a great sacrifice. Leave what follows to me, and I hope you can get some rest.”
Prince Ludving tried to slap my shoulder, laughing, but Carlex quickly intercepted him, putting him down in disappointment.
"Don't worry, Librarian Erica. Things like this are a matter of everyday life. I've been attacked many times, and I've been poisoned a few times. A year ago, a rebel group tried to assassinate me every time, and I was protected by my faithful knight and wise administrator. This time will be no different."
William calmed me like he would calm a worried sister.
“Don't worry at all, go back to the headquarters and rest well, Erica.”
Will it be okay like this? I haven't said the most important thing yet.
Anxiety slowly spread like poison in my heart.
It was a poison that Franz planted inside me.
I shook these thoughts from myself with effort, and raised the curtain.
When we emerged from the tent, Count Lawrence and the captain of the guard were waiting nervously.
I also saw the Shadow Knights.
Count Lawrence came running over to ask what the next steps were.
“Your Highness, how will we deal with the monster attack incident? Even if we impose silence on the knights, the number of witnesses is too large.”
“Ah, I think of how a session of the Council of State will erupt, and it makes my head hurt, Count.”
“Obviously, the reactions of the other nobles will be a source of concern. They will definitely be looking for any loophole.”
Ludving thought for a moment, then put a playful smile in his eyes.
"We cover the bad with the good. Anyway, let the rumors spread like a heroic legend. It's also a good idea to issue a news bulletin and inform the entire capital. (Hero Reinhardt fends off the monster attack)... How about this?"
The court assistant took up a quill pen and began to write down the prince's words on paper.
Suddenly Ludwig stopped talking and his eyes fixed on me.
“I almost forgot.”
He smiled broadly, as if a predator had found its prey.
“Write also that the assistant of the Royal Librarian, Miss Dale, saved people from monsters with the courage of a true knight and the wisdom of a great witch.”
Prince Li nodded with a wink with one eye.
Wait a minute what? Isn't the Newsletter that yellow magazine popular among the capital's high society?
The newsletter fulfills a role similar to a newspaper, publishing court news and various gossip or events in noble society.
It is also distributed weekly to the library.
If I were published in it, it would only be a matter of time for everyone in the capital to know me.
I want to live quietly in the library! Please leave me alone.
“Your Highness, excuse me for interrupting, but please refrain from writing my story in the newsletter.”
"What's the problem? It's the truth. If it weren't for you, a huge tragedy could have happened."
Ludwig took my hand elegantly and kissed it.
It was a movement so natural that I couldn't avoid it.
Do nobles learn the skill of “kissing the back of the hand”? Why do they touch so easily?
My eyebrows furrowed involuntarily.
I quickly wiped the back of my hand on the hem of my dress.
It seemed that the kiss on the back of the prince's hand did not confuse me alone, as Carlex and William's faces suddenly became frowning.
“You were strong and beautiful, as if a lady of war had come, and as you shot arrows of fire, I would like to ask the court painter to draw you for all the people of Ruberia to see.”
Ludving whispered in a sweet voice, like a lyric poet praising a woman.
Oh, I'm so embarrassed that I can't lift my face.
My profile picture? My whole body shivers.
“Please stop! If that flyer is published, I will burn them all!”
“Hahaha, don’t be shy. I will give you a big reward soon.”
Ludwig climbed into the carriage, laughing with annoying confidence.
Before closing the carriage door, the prince looked at Carlex and William with a look full of deep confidence.
“I entrust you with the following.”
The carriage sets off with the royal court guards, while the knights salute them.
I stared at the dust-filled cart pulling away, clenching my fists tightly.
If they gave me something like a really selfie, I'd kick them in the shins.
Give me a palace or jewels instead.
Or a permanent privilege of immunity.
I will quit and live comfortably.
“Miss Erica, are you okay? Are there no injuries?”
Director William quietly approached me to ask.
"Ah, yes. I'm fine."
“You don't have to lie to me. I heard everything from Carlex. Show me your hands, please.”
Did you already tell him during this time?
I glanced at Carlex and found him issuing orders to the Shadow Knights.
William looked at the wounds on my palms and looked pained, as if he was the one who was hurt.
Then he started using a healing spell before I could stop him.
“I heard you fought monsters, why did you do something so dangerous?”
His voice was calm, but I felt he was holding back anger.
“It was a situation in which I had to act.”
“Brave knights would have fought even if you were not. And most importantly, there was Duke Reinhardt. Please...don’t get hurt again.”
His voice, which had sounded stern, eventually turned into a pained plea.
I felt sorry for making my pastor worry again.
“I'll be careful next time. Really.”
William looked at me for a moment, then stood up with a resigned sigh.
“Let's go back now.”
I quickly nodded and turned around.
Then, I suddenly stood still.
Only one mortally wounded werewolf remained in the contest arena.
He was trembling as if he was taking his last breath, and it looked like he was going to die soon.
I walked towards the fallen monster as if I was attracted.
His pale yellow eyes stare at me.
Although he should be a petty beast rabid to kill, the werewolf's eyes held emotion.
Why... do I feel this way? Why would I know that?
I wanted to ignore him.
The feelings of a vile monster, less than a worm.
But at the same time, I wanted to run.
I wanted to run and scream.
Why are you looking at me with those eyes?
As if…
“Getting too close would be dangerous.”
William's arm blocked my way.
I stopped walking and stared in amazement.
The blue dawn began to withdraw, and the bright sun began to rise.
Its rays extended to gently sweep the competition arena.
The monster breathed his last.
The sparkle in his eyes went out in an instant.
The monster, touched by the sun's rays, turned into a handful of ash and disappeared.
As if it didn't even exist.
“Why do monsters...turn into ash and disappear when they die?”
I stared at the scene in amazement and asked.
William answered me calmly:
"Monsters are beings that should not be in this world. They are not even allowed to rest. When they die, they simply disappear."
The monsters I encountered in the equestrian competition arena definitely avoided me.
It was not because they did not see me, but because they recognized me as a similar being, as their counterpart.
Like that monster who kept looking at me until his last moment.
So, will I too turn to ashes and disappear when I die?
Because, basically, I'm a being who shouldn't be here.
The threads in my mind intertwined and mixed like a ball of yarn.
I suddenly felt hot in my ankle, as if it was burning.
In the end, my strength gave out and I swayed.
Like a doll whose string has been cut.
“Erica, what's wrong?”
It was the familiar low voice, it was Carlex.
My pulse was beating so violently that I could not hear his words.
My vision swiveled and my eyelids grew heavy.
The warmth of a strong arm holding me fast.
I clung to that arm like a drowning person, and lost consciousness in a deep abyss.
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation