◇◆◇
The Original Tome of Light—
In the end, it was nowhere to be found.
I had Nana and Yuka help me search every nook and cranny of the room, but we found neither hide nor hair of it.
"……Well, I suppose these things happen."
It was strange. Truly bizarre.
But I suppose such things do happen in this world. Probably. Most likely.
……Actually, I wouldn’t know if they really do.
Eventually, I decided to settle the matter with a simple "whatever." There was no point in overthinking it, and I had more important things to attend to right now.
I sat at my desk and opened a letter.
The wax seal bore the familiar crest of Duke House Noctear. The sender was, of course—Fia.
"As always, her penmanship is exquisite."
Neat and meticulous, yet retaining a certain charming clumsiness, her beautiful script filled the paper.
The content focused primarily on a report regarding the recent situation in the Royal Capital. It seemed the capital had settled into a state of calm without any major turmoil since we left for the Holy Theocracy. The Academy had reopened, and the city had reportedly regained its former vitality. I suspected Orbis had a hand in dictating the formal parts of the report.
The latter half was filled with plenty of adorable personal notes. I was relieved to see that Fia herself seemed to be doing well.
"Heh."
Naturally, my expression softened. There was something truly heartwarming about receiving a letter from family.
"What does it say?"
Nanalicia peered over my shoulder with interest.
"The Royal Capital seems peaceful. It sounds like Fia is doing well, too."
"Fia…… the maid girl, yes?" Nanalicia said with a smile.
"And then……"
I continued reading. There, I found a sentence that was very much in character for her.
'Master, please come home quickly.' 'And please, do not forget to bring a souvenir.'
"……Yeah, that’s Fia for you." I couldn't help but chuckle.
"What did she say?"
"She told me to come home soon and not to forget her souvenir."
"I see. That is quite lovely."
It certainly was. Knowing there was someone waiting for me—that I had a place to return to—was enough to make my heart feel warm.
"We’ll be heading back soon, so I’d better make sure I find a really good souvenir for her."
I’d look around for something that would truly make Fia happy. With that thought, I carefully folded the letter.
Outside the window, the setting sun cast a gentle hue over the city. It was a tranquil moment. A peaceful, ordinary day.
……Well, I’d put the matter of that disappearing book aside for now. Surely, it was just some strange, one-off occurrence.
◇◆◇
"……So, it has come."
In a heavy, stone-built room, a man muttered in a low voice.
Surrounding him were several youths—the Hero Candidates. Clad in various armaments, they projected an aura of profound tension.
"Is the information confirmed?" one girl asked. Her voice was calm, but a hint of wariness seeped from its depths.
"Yes," the man nodded. "The Original Tome of Light has been activated."
The air in the room froze at those words.
"……Hmph." Someone let out a soft breath.
"Who was it this time?"
"It wasn't me, at any rate."
A buzz of voices spread. It was only natural; they knew the threat of the Flame Original Tome that had assaulted the Royal Capital. They also knew of the white tome that stood as the counterpart to that black one.
"The location has been identified," the man continued flatly. "It is within the Holy Theocracy."
Everyone accepted this as a matter of course.
"More importantly, what about this attack? How did it turn out in the end?"
"There is a high probability that the Hour of Ash was involved."
It was a quiet assertion, and no one moved to argue. If anything, a sense of grim understanding spread through the group.
"So, what’s the plan?" another boy asked, crossing his arms. "We aren't just going to ignore this, are we?"
The man narrowed his eyes slightly. "Of course not."
Then, he added, "However, the Trial will begin shortly."
All eyes fixed on him.
"……The one chosen in this Selection is not a Hero Candidate."
"……What?"
"But at the same time, it remains a device for Selection. It grants the Trial only to the chosen."
"I understand that, but what does it mean? To be chosen from outside the Hero Candidates……"
"The current Selection Targets are eleven Hero Candidates and one other."
"……!"
"Elphiria, you do not have the right to participate in this Trial."
"……—Yes."
Elphiria Seraphina, 11th in the Hero Candidate rankings. She had been excluded from the Trial.
"Wait. Then who is the final participant?"
The question came from Leonis Alseid, the 7th-ranked Hero Candidate.
"I do not know. None but those of you who meet during the Trial will know for sure."
"……I see."
Burdened by the shadow of the Hour of Ash and the irregular factor of the Trial, the day drew to an uneasy close.
'All participants have been assembled.'
'Days remaining until the start of the Trial of the Original Tome: ■'