Dormitory rooms at Arcana Academy were far from equal; as a princess, Eliana was assigned the most prestigious quarters.
Outside the window, night had long since fallen, but the interior was bathed in the ample glow of the magical lighting.
In that room, Eliana was leafing through a document.
The title read: Investigation Report Regarding the Death of Professor Merlin.
The pages were filled with exhaustive analysis and verifications from every conceivable angle.
The conclusion could be summarized as follows:
—A tragic accident.
Professor Merlin had lost his footing on the stairs and, in an unfortunate stroke of luck, struck his head with enough force to cause instant death.
Eliana set the report on her desk and leaned back into her chair.
"One thing is certain: Albert will begin to move again now."
Her surveillance of Albert von Kronstadt had never ceased.
Consequently, she was well aware that his constant presence in the libraries meant he was "conducting specific research" with "some kind of intent."
She also knew that Professor Merlin had placed restrictions on every library except the Central Library specifically to counter Albert’s movements—
And Eliana had labeled that an "interference."
Since Albert had secured his position as the top of his class with overwhelming grades, he was an indispensable figure in the unavoidable Demon King Subjugation Battle.
His progress was something that must never be hindered.
Thus, Eliana had once questioned Merlin directly.
"Why are you interfering with Albert von Kronstadt?"
"…I cannot answer that just yet. Please, wait a little longer."
Vague and unyielding—
It was not a response that particularly pleased her.
(That 'little longer' will never come for you now, Professor Merlin.)
Merlin had been a useful asset in the field of Ancient History.
She felt a flicker of regret, but only a flicker.
(Unfortunately, you are a small thing compared to the great cause of the Demon King Subjugation. Since you chose to meddle, it was only natural that you were swallowed by a fate of retribution.)
Halting Albert’s progress was a sin.
With his power, the subjugation of the Demon King would shift from a pipe dream to reality. With Merlin’s death, that path would surely become far smoother.
"It is almost time for the protagonist to take the stage."
The "protagonist" Eliana spoke of was neither Hero Leon nor Albert.
It was herself.
She believed herself to be the true lead in the story of the "Demon King Subjugation." To manipulate the Hero, to utilize the profligate noble, and to lead them all to the completion of their arduous task—
Only through her own talent could such a grand role be fulfilled.
"Now, let the performance begin. Leon, Albert, and the rest of you. Let us race straight toward the happy ending!"
The upcoming summer vacation would be the touchstone.
Visualizing the countless plans swirling in her mind, Eliana allowed a thin smile to play across her lips.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
A few days later, I headed to the Second Library and signaled the librarian.
"Albert von Kronstadt. I'd like to browse."
"Yes, please sign the register here."
Yessssssssssss!
I finally cleared this hurdle! It’s been ages!
I hadn't been able to get in since Merlin issued that ban. Every time I’d tried to come here, I’d been turned away by a librarian looking like they’d just kicked a puppy.
"Congratulations. I'm happy I can finally show you in today."
"I see."
I gave the librarian a cool, detached response, but inside I was screaming with joy. I was practically doing a mental victory lap.
With that, the search area for my Ancient Magic quest had finally expanded.
This school was massive and had libraries scattered all over the place, so I’d have to make the rounds. It was going to be a lot of work.
For now, I decided to center my search here.
If I remembered correctly, the archive here held the "Ancient Magic of Blood."
From that day on, I spent every waking moment in the library, hunting for books.
Day after day.
It felt just like a gacha pull. Nope, dud. Next! Next! Since I wasn't burning real money, it was actually quite a generous system.
Eventually, I pulled a winner: a volume titled "Bloodline Inscription of the Pure Conqueror." I glanced at it casually, and then—
"…Hm?"
I felt that same prickle of dissonance I’d experienced with the pervert Shizel’s book.
My subconscious began picking up on something hidden beneath the text. There was a subtle misalignment between the words my eyes were reading and the information expanding in my head.
This is it!
Sensing a definite hit, I immersed myself in the "Bloodline Inscription of the Pure Conqueror."
For days on end, I did nothing else.
Then, after pouring a massive amount of focus into it, the day finally came.
—The characters began to dance across my vision.
The hidden codes within the text began to dissolve into my mind.
Before long, the world began to warp and liquefy.
"Ha, hahaha… Here it comes…!"
I wasn't surprised or panicked anymore. There was no mistaking this sensation.
It looked like I’d received an invitation from the other side.
I wasn't afraid. This was exactly what I wanted. I’d been rotting in this library for this exact moment.
It felt like seeing the rainbow animation for a guaranteed SSR in a gacha!
Now then, I wonder what kind of ultimate card I’m about to draw?
—The world was completely rewritten.
I wasn't in the familiar Second Library anymore. I stood in a magnificent throne room. The ceiling was impossibly high, massive stone pillars lined the hall, and a crimson carpet stretched across the floor.
At the far end sat a young man on a throne. He was dressed in a vivid red military jacket and tight black trousers.
From behind his flame-like long hair, crimson eyes glared down at me.
Just like when I faced Shiunin or Shizel, a suffocating tension rampaged through my lungs.
…Ah, this guy is one of them.
A transcendent being who could kill someone like me in the blink of an eye if the mood struck him.
"Ho. To think there was one capable of stepping into my world. You have some promise, boy."
With those words, the man stood.
The smile on his lips was that of a predator that had finally found its prey.
"My name is Verdict. And yours?"
"…Albert von Kronstadt."
"Albert. A lowlife’s only purpose is to amuse the King. See that you work hard at it."
It happened in an instant.
The man in red vanished, and in that same heartbeat, a presence and a surge of murderous intent erupted behind me.
—!
I spun around in a panic to find the man standing there, smiling. In his right hand, he now gripped an elegantly shaped red sword that had appeared from thin air.
"Too slow. Far too slow."
Before I could even attempt to put distance between us, a flash of red streaked through the air.
Before I could even register the pain, my severed left arm spinning through the air was the first thing to enter my field of vision.