Was this... what death felt like?
As my consciousness drifted through a cold, weightless darkness, Verdict’s voice reached me.
"If you have succumbed to fear, never open my book again. I have no use for cowards."
Everything went black.
————
————————————————
Eventually, light bled back into the world.
"Wha—!?"
When I came to, I was back in the Second Library.
The quiet atmosphere, the table I’d been using, the various reference books I’d spread out—everything was exactly as I’d left it.
Except for one thing.
The Bloodline Inscription of the Pure Conqueror, which I had certainly left open, was now shut tight.
It was as if the book itself were rejecting me.
No, that wasn't it.
It was more like a test.
Verdict had said: 'If you have succumbed to fear, never open my book again.' Reading between the lines, he was telling me that if I had the resolve, I should come back and see him.
"Good grief... is he a tsundere or something?"
Though his "tsun" side was a little too sadistic for comfort.
Aside from the book, there was another undeniable change: my physical condition. I felt a terrifying sense of exhaustion. People often use the expression "limbs like lead," and that was exactly it. Even after pulling an all-nighter for work followed by a soul-crushing grind for a gacha game’s anniversary event, I’d never felt this drained.
It felt as though my very soul had been withered.
Was this the price for what had happened in that space?
Just then, a grating feminine laugh echoed inside my head.
—Hohoho! I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the sight of your pathetic display.
It was Shiunin.
"Do you make a habit of peeping? For a self-proclaimed noblewoman, you have quite the hobby."
—The sight of a fool’s struggle is a comedy in its own right. If I did not enjoy such a rare spectacle, I would be doing the fool a disservice.
"Don't you feel any urge to help a poor, pitiable fool?"
—Did I not tell you before? Their world and my world are separate entities. My power cannot reach you there. And even if it could, I would never save a fool.
Shiunin’s laughter continued: Hohoho.
I wanted to tell her to get lost, but this was a good opportunity to confirm something.
"If I die in that world, do I stay alive out here?"
If that were the case, I wouldn't have to be so tense. When I was talking to that Pervert Torturer, Shizel, I had fully resigned myself to death. But if the only cost was this level of fatigue, I could handle it as many times as necessary.
—Hohoho! A fool and an optimist. You truly are beyond saving.
"If there’s a catch, just say it."
—We are able to manipulate the 'Causality of the World.'
A rather majestic-sounding term came flying out of her mouth.
"...And what exactly does that mean?"
—Causality is the link between cause and effect. In other words, we can determine whether or not a 'result' is finalized. I shall put it in terms a simpleton can understand: The only reason you are breathing right now is because that Red King chose not to project 'your death' into reality.
"And if he had?"
—I would be laughing at your corpse right here and now.
Seriously, the guy was a total tsundere.
After beating me to a pulp, he made sure I didn't actually die while essentially telling me, "It's not like you can't come back if you want to see me again!"
Jokes aside, the point was clear: I shouldn't go around expecting a 'Second Grace.'
The Pervert Torturer Shizel would likely kill me with a smile, and as for Verdict, there was no telling how long his capricious whims would last. There was a very real possibility I would be killed for good next time.
...But I suppose he said it with that in mind.
He was testing whether I had the courage to open the book again.
Under normal circumstances, I should never touch it. It was insane to gamble my life on the whims of such a fickle being.
However, I had an answer for that.
So what?
Since coming to this world, I had decided to master Ancient Magic. Giving up was not an option. As a gamer, once you set your sights on a clear, you see it through to the end—no matter how much of a broken, unbalanced shitty game it might be.
"Shiunin, keep watching. I'll give you another show. Once I've recovered, I'm going back to challenge him."
—Hohoho! To walk into the tiger's den of your own volition... Very well. I shall savor the sight of you writhing in agony until the Red King grows bored of you and casts you aside.
Shiunin’s presence vanished.
...Well, she was a bit of a tsundere herself, providing me with all this information while constantly spitting insults.
Now then, the stage was set.
My immediate goal was to conquer Verdict. I had to find a way to persuade him and acquire Blood Ancient Magic. However, it wouldn't be easy. As it stood, I was so exhausted I could barely move, let alone accomplish anything.
And yet, my to-do list was growing.
I still had other Ancient Magic to find, and I hadn't given up on Shizel’s Mind Magic, either.
But I wasn't arrogant enough to think I could handle a capricious king and a pervert torturer at the same time. It was impossible. Seriously.
I needed a different approach.
Simply put, I was shorthanded. This situation already exceeded what I could manage alone. The solution was obvious: I needed to recruit help. I already had someone in mind. To be honest, I wasn't thrilled about the idea—but I was in no position to be picky.
I considered the logistics as I staggered back to the Student Dormitory.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
The next day.
I headed to the cafeteria and found my target eating lunch alone. She was quietly focused on her meal and didn't notice me approaching.
"Luna."
"A-Lord Albert!"
Luna looked up, startled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"...Is something the matter?"
"I have something I want to consult you about. After you finish your lunch, could you come with me to the Central Library?"
"Y-Yes! I'd be happy to!"
Luna nodded with a beaming smile, clearly delighted to be asked for a favor.
If I was going to expand my team...
Then the person who had come closest to the mysteries of Ancient Magic besides myself was the only logical choice.
I was going to pull Luna into this.
...To be honest, after Shizel's warning about the 'Darkness Lurking in Luna's Heart,' I did have concerns that involving another 'dangerous woman' alongside the Tsundere King and the Pervert Torturer would only invite chaos.
But well, I'd cross that bridge when I got to it.
I couldn't afford to keep this card in my hand any longer.