DLRV 21

Fortunately, the man not only accepted my lie without suspicion but also started rambling on with explanations I hadn’t even asked for.

“Oh, you’re applying to be an assistant researcher! I-I am too!”

He was a regular visitor to this library. According to his explanation, after I had snuck in while hiding my identity and caused a disturbance, the library had completely revised its visitor management system.

The area I had been searching was open to general visitors, but it supposedly contained almost no useful information.

To access proper materials, one had to verify their identity and obtain a regular visitor pass. Thanks to the man’s pass, I was finally able to enter the proper section.

“I didn’t know the library had visitor tiers. I’ve always studied alone in the countryside… I only came up here recently after seeing the assistant researcher recruitment notice.”

“That makes perfect sense!”

“If it weren’t for your help, Mr. Brown, I would’ve left empty-handed. I’m truly grateful.”

“M-Monster studies require field experience too, and Miss Mary, you must be really incredible!”

“Since I lived in the countryside, I ended up gaining experience unintentionally.”

I casually made up an excuse while scanning the book spines. The books here were noticeably thicker than the ones outside.

“What was your research field again, Mr. Brown?”

“Oh, I study the durability of small magic tool materials.”

So he knows nothing about monsters.

“Thank you. From here, I can manage on my own.”

“I’ll help!”

“No, it’s alright. You need to study too. The selection exam is coming up soon. Let’s make sure we both pass and meet again as assistant researchers.”

I smiled warmly and encouraged him, and Brown, his face bright red, nodded eagerly.

“If you need anything, just call me anytime.”

Even after saying that, Brown lingered near me for quite some time.

I did my best to focus on the books and ignore him, and only then did he reluctantly step away.

Instead of heading to the reading room, he hovered around a nearby bookshelf, clearly intent on staying close. I no longer had the energy to care, so I focused on searching for books in earnest.

After several trial-and-error attempts, I finally discovered a book with detailed information about Dullahans.

Finally!

The author had compiled content from historical texts, theological writings, and various other records into one comprehensive volume.

Checking the table of contents, I was certain the information I needed was inside. I memorized the book’s title and immediately flipped to the section on the origin of Dullahans.

“There’s so much…”

There were an overwhelming number of theories about a Dullahan’s origin. No one had successfully conducted proper research on the topic, and even the author admitted that their goal was simply to compile scattered information.

If they were going to research it, why not be more thorough? How could a so-called scholar lack so much academic dedication?

I sighed internally and turned the pages.

Among the many origin theories, two were the most prominent. One suggested that a fallen spirit, banished from the spirit realm, became a Dullahan. The other proposed that the soul of a holy knight, forsaken by God, wandered the land as a monster.

“The soul of a holy knight forsaken by God…”

Maybe it was because of my current situation, but that theory seemed strangely convincing.

Feeling uneasy, I skimmed through the Dullahan’s characteristics and historical records.

I didn’t have enough time for a meticulous analysis, so I focused on memorizing key points and quickly flipped through the pages—until I suddenly stopped.

An illustrated map showing regions where Dullahans had been sighted had appeared.

It was essentially a record of their habitats.

I really want this… Can I just tear it out?

As I hesitated, running my fingers over the map, a smooth voice spoke from behind me.

“You mustn’t damage the book.”

Startled, I quickly withdrew my hand and turned around.

A tall man wearing glasses was staring straight at me. A librarian?

“I wasn’t going to damage it.”

“Well, that’s a relief. But I don’t believe I’ve seen you before. We haven’t accepted new members recently.”

His gentle tone was pleasant to listen to. And strangely familiar, too. Had I met him before when I visited under a different identity?

A staff member with long hair loosely tied back and glasses… No one came to mind.

“…A friend of mine is a member and offered me a favor. Was there a rule against bringing a companion?”

“Well…”

“Ah, Administrator!”

Brown hurriedly intervened. He seemed to recognize the tall man before us, which confirmed that he was indeed a library staff member.

“She’s with me! She just arrived to prepare for the assistant researcher selection exam, so she’s not familiar with the place yet!”

“Ah, I see. But if she’s preparing for the exam, why is she looking at these books?”

“She’s applying for the monster research field. She even has field experience! Isn’t that amazing? Haha.”

Brown added unnecessary details, proudly showing off his association with me.

I moistened my dry lips with my tongue and quietly listened to their conversation. The so-called administrator tilted his head slightly, then silently observed me.

His red eyes, accentuated by his glasses, seemed to gleam.

His appearance was perfectly ordinary, yet something about him felt… off. What was it?

“I see.”

He smiled faintly and nodded. Then, he turned to Brown and said,

“I don’t mean to doubt you, Mr. Brown, but first-time visitors must at least fill out a visitor’s reading card before accessing these materials. I’ll have to accompany her for a moment.”

Brown couldn’t bring himself to stop that as well and slumped his shoulders. It was a disappointing outcome for me, as I had hoped to use him as a shield somehow.

A visitor reading card? Is this some kind of separate identification process? There was no such procedure when I came here before.

It seemed my previous disturbance had led to the library implementing a bunch of unnecessary procedures.

Sure, I made a little fuss, but to create such rigid regulations? These mages and researchers are all so inflexible and rigid.

“Could you come this way for a moment?”

Though I was uneasy, causing a scene wasn’t an option, so I reluctantly followed the administrator. As he walked slightly ahead of me, he spoke in a casual tone.

“So, you’re preparing for the assistant researcher selection exam?”

“Yes.”

Whether it was a visitor card or a reading card, I needed to fabricate some plausible information.

As I was trying to anticipate what kind of information I’d be asked to provide, the administrator spoke in a voice laced with amusement.

“That’s strange. I heard that the upcoming selection doesn’t include a monster division.”

“…You must have heard wrong.”

“That’s absolutely not the case.”

“…Then I must have misunderstood. I should have checked the announcement more carefully.”

Damn it. I bit my tongue, trying to keep my expression neutral.

At the same time, my mind raced. If I were still on the first floor, I could have found an escape route easily.

No, wait! I have my magic tool! I can simply change my appearance and claim I got lost and wandered in here by mistake. Then I could walk out without suspicion.

Having made my decision quickly, I turned to the administrator and spoke.

“Excuse me, but I just remembered something I need to take care of—”

“If you cause a disturbance this time, you’ll definitely be caught.”

Before I could finish, the administrator had already reached his destination and calmly cut me off as he opened the office door.

“After the commotion you caused, the mages completely remodeled the Grand Library.”

He glanced back at me and nodded toward the room, as if telling me to step inside.

As I stood frozen, surprised by the sudden shift in his tone, I finally recognized the familiar voice.

We hadn’t interacted often, but I had encountered him on occasion in the imperial palace.

Realizing that resisting would be pointless, I obediently stepped into the office, with him following behind.

“I’m not planning to report you. It’s just that there are too many eyes out there, so I moved us somewhere more private.”

Saying this, he closed the door and removed his glasses.

As the frame slid smoothly past his ear, his once ordinary hair gradually shifted into a shimmering platinum blonde. His long hair seemed to dissipate like a mirage.

The indistinct features from before disappeared, revealing sharp and well-defined facial features. His red eyes curved elegantly.

“This room automatically activates a soundproofing spell when the door is closed, so we can speak freely.”

It was undeniable now.

He was the man known to have gone into seclusion after losing the crown prince position to Maxell.

Before that position had been filled, he was also frequently mentioned as my potential fiancé—First Prince Heinley.

…Why on earth are you here?

“It’s been a while, Lady.”

I had no idea why he was here, but he clearly recognized me.

I debated pretending not to know him, but I quickly gave up on that idea and spoke reluctantly.

“I never expected to meet Your Highness in such an unexpected place.”

“Likewise. I didn’t expect someone who was supposedly kidnapped to be leisurely reading books here.”

“How did you recognize me?”

Was my magic tool defective? If it were an illegal product, maybe, but this was an officially sold item, so it shouldn’t be faulty.

As I unconsciously fiddled with my necklace, Heinley chuckled and replied.

“How could I not recognize you? You were once a woman I might have been engaged to.”

Well, technically, that wasn’t wrong…

Heinley had been an outstanding prince, but in the end, he had lost to Maxell in the struggle for succession.

According to rumors, after Maxell was officially crowned prince, Heinley was nearly forced into confinement in his palace.

He was lucky to have even preserved his life. Many of his siblings hadn’t been as fortunate.

Even that fate was precarious.

Once Maxell ascended the throne, Heinley would likely be exiled from the empire—or worse, executed under some pretext.

Given that he was in such a desperate situation, it seemed reckless for him to be wandering around freely. Had he simply given up?

“There was a possibility, but in the end, it didn’t happen. Nothing ever progressed between us, so I’d say we’re more than distant enough to not recognize each other.”

We weren’t close enough to be greeting each other so familiarly, were we?