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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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I picked up a history book, even though I wasn’t interested.
Flipping through the pages, I heard a soft giggle.
“Hee hee.”
Eve, having closed her book, was watching me, her chin resting on her knees.
“How long have you been watching?”
“Not long.”
She didn’t seem inclined to get up, still giggling softly, though muffled by the library’s quiet atmosphere.
We were the only ones there besides the librarian.
“There are so many fascinating books here. Even rare, out-of-print ones.”
She looked at the stack of books beside her with satisfaction. If knowledge filled you up like food, she’d be stuffed.
“Why are you here, Daniel? Looking for something specific?”
“Uh…”
I hesitated.
I shrugged and offered an excuse.
“Can you recommend a book?”
I placed the history book back on the shelf. Eve’s eyes lit up, and she stood, brushing off her skirt.
“Let’s go!”
I followed her, enjoying her enthusiasm.
“You like informative books, right? Biographies, philosophy, monster studies, herbalism, cultural customs… You read fiction sometimes, but there isn’t much here.”
Having recommended books to me before, she knew my preferences.
“Yes, but today is different.”
“Hmm? Looking for something different? I understand. What are you in the mood for?”
I smiled.
“A book you really enjoyed.”
“Huh?”
“A book you loved so much you reread it multiple times.”
“Ah… well, it’s a romance novel…”
She blushed and scratched her cheek. I nodded without hesitation.
“Do you think they have it here?”
“I saw it earlier. Just a moment!”
She scurried off, and I followed. She pulled out a thin book.
[The Umbrella of Livain]
I recognized it. I hadn’t read it, but I’d seen it recommended in bookstores.
“It’s a bit old, so the language might feel stiff, but it’s a classic. I was surprised they had it here.”
“Yeah, it seems so.”
The royal library seemed to minimize its fiction section. Its presence here spoke volumes.
I took the book and sat against the bookshelf, just as Eve had been doing, and opened it.
“A-are you going to read it now?”
“Why?”
“Don’t you have things to do?”
“Not really.”
The preparations were almost complete. The towers were built, the dragons were on standby, Eris had her staff.
I’d initiated the plans, but others were handling the execution.
And Eris was currently training. It was harsh, but necessary.
I had some rare free time.
I relaxed, inhaling the scent of old books, savoring the words, imagining the author’s world.
The book was captivating.
Eve returned with another book and sat beside me, adjusting her glasses.
“This is like a library date,” she said, blushing.
“I suppose so.”
“Oh…?”
She blinked, surprised by my answer. I pretended to be engrossed in the book.
We read in comfortable silence.
Rustle.
Rustle, rustle.
The rhythmic turning of pages was like a quiet melody, a silent duet.
After a while, the rustling stopped. Eve was looking at me.
“What is it?”
“Is the book… good?”
She seemed worried it wasn’t to my taste. It was good, though not my usual genre.
But the real pleasure came from…
Learning about Eve through this book.
Would she have been moved by this scene? Would she have admired this sentence? Would she like this character?
I was getting to know her through this book.
That’s why I enjoyed it, losing myself in its pages.
“Yes, it’s good.”
“Really?”
She smiled, and I saw a glimpse of the timid girl I used to call “little bird.”
She’d matured since then.
“Do you have any plans after graduation?”
I was curious to see what she’d become.
She tilted her head, then replied softly,
“A writer.”
“A writer, huh?”
I wasn’t surprised. It was one of the possibilities I’d considered. But she seemed embarrassed, as if she’d revealed a secret.
“I’ve had so many experiences with you, Daniel. I thought it would be fun to write about them, fictionalized, of course.”
“I doubt anyone else has had as many experiences as you in such a short time.”
Thanks to the state of the continent.
“Right? I haven’t planned anything concrete, but I’m thinking about it. I’m even planning to take Professor Bertio’s playwriting class.”
“Professor Bertio? He’d be a great help.”
He was renowned even among elves for his playwriting.
“That’s good.”
I smiled, seeing her plans taking shape. She wasn’t just thinking about stopping the apocalypse, but about what came after.
“So, Daniel…”
She fidgeted.
“Go ahead.”
She looked away.
“Can I… use you as the main character?”
“Me?”
“Of course, I’ll change your name! But I want to base his personality and speech patterns on you!”
She spoke quickly, emboldened by her confession. I didn’t mind.
“Do as you please.”
“Really?”
“Yes, as long as you change the name.”
“Thank you!”
She pumped her fist excitedly.
I tried to return to my book, but she suddenly asked,
“What about you, Daniel? What will you do after graduation?”
“Me?”
Graduation…
I used to think I’d return to being a Sherpa.
But now…
“I don’t know.”
A quiet anticipation for the coming calamity.
The Fresia Royal Palace was the eye of the storm.
A black-haired girl sparred with knights in the training grounds.
Hayun’s twin swords pressed against a knight, who looked flustered. He’d been expecting an easy training session.
“I… I yield.”
“Haa… good work.”
He surrendered.
Would the outcome have been different if he hadn’t underestimated her, or if he’d been wearing his full armor?
Perhaps, but Hayun’s skill was undeniable.
She’d held her own against the Time Priestess and was supposedly capable of fighting a dwarf berserker.
My training had paid off.
“You’re incredibly skilled for your age.”
“Just lucky.”
“No, truly. Your swordsmanship is beautiful.”
The defeated knight’s eyes shone with admiration. He seemed genuinely interested in her swords.
“Perhaps we could discuss swordsmanship over dinner sometime?”
Or perhaps he was just interested in her.
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