Chapter 33

“Wait, Lewen, you’ve got it wrong. I…”

 

I stepped backward, trying to explain the situation to him. I didn’t want to use my powers against someone who had been good to me.

 

Ignoring my words, Lewen quickly chanted an incantation. A small, lightning-like flash sparked from his hand. A flash-like arrow of light flew straight toward my head.

 

“Die for this world, transmigrator.”

 

My stomach turned, sickening me to the point of wanting to vomit. He was someone who had been kind to me. To think he would try to kill me the moment he found out I was a transmigrator. To them, a transmigrator must never be allowed to exist.

 

“Damn it, the one with flowers in their head was me.”

 

I was naive and foolish to think I could resolve things peacefully with them.

 

Dodge-rolling away from the incoming arrow of light, I drew my dagger.

 

Could I escape safely here without killing them? Even if I managed to dodge, there were hundreds of mages and elders waiting outside. If they attacked together, I’d be dead before I even made it out of the Kral Mountains.

 

Lewen rushed toward me at high speed. The glowing lightning in his hand struck my right arm squarely. A scream tore from my throat as my arm burned.

 

“Agh…!”

 

The stench of burning flesh filled the air. My right sleeve was completely scorched, and my forearm was burned, the skin torn, shriveled, and blackened with congealed blood.

 

Yet, just as quickly, my skin began to regenerate at a terrifying speed. The charred skin transformed back into unblemished, fair flesh.

 

“Th-the power of a monster!”

 

Witnessing my regenerative ability, Lewen’s eyes bulged in shock.

 

I closed in on Lewen, leaping off his shoulder as a stepping stone. Spinning halfway in the air, I struck the back of his neck hard with the hilt of my dagger.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Lewen collapsed straight to the ground, knocked out cold. At that moment, Palia lunged at me, aiming for my heart.

 

“I’ve been waiting for you to attack, Palia.”

 

Twisting the corner of my mouth, I readied the edge of my dagger.

 

At the tips of Palia’s fingers, a dark red mana sphere formed. Three or four spheres flew at high speed.

 

I ducked down low, nearly touching the floor, to dodge the spheres.

 

Behind me, explosions echoed one after another—the sound of bookshelves collapsing, of walls caving in.

 

Palia’s attention wavered for a split second. Seizing the opening, I rushed toward her and swung my dagger.

 

My plan was to inflict a critical wound on Palia and then retreat. Dragging things out here would only be my loss.

 

“You think I’ll let you!”

 

Palia’s expression shifted as she deployed a barrier, blocking my dagger.

 

Boom!

 

The impact against the barrier left my hand stinging with numbness. As I bounded backward, Palia’s mana sphere whipped past my cheek like an arrow.

 

“Ugh.”

 

I felt a deep cut slice across my cheek. The moment a droplet of blood fell from the wound, it healed right back up.

 

Palia narrowed her brow and panted heavily.

 

“Erika, if you don’t die, this world dies.”

 

“Ha? Don’t make me laugh. You want me to sacrifice myself? Cut the nonsense and just fight.”

 

I gripped my dagger tighter and assumed an attacking stance.

 

Before me, a flash of pure white robes blocked my path. Soft brown hair fluttered in the air. My warm, gentle sanctuary—William.

 

“Director, it’s dangerous. Step aside.”

 

You don’t have to protect me unconditionally, you know.

 

William didn’t seem to hear my voice. He spread both arms wide, shielding me, and cried out in agony.

 

“I cannot! Please don’t kill her, Lady Palia!”

 

Palia glared at William with cold, icy eyes. She spat the words through clenched teeth.

 

“William, if you don’t want to die, step back.”

 

William shook his head fiercely.

 

“This is all my fault!”

 

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

 

Palia sneered in response. William’s shoulders began to tremble violently.

 

“I am the one who… brought her to this world. She has committed no crime. So please, do not harm Erika!”

 

It was a desperate confession, sounding as though he were coughing up blood. For a moment, my ears went deaf.

 

What did you just say, William? A joke doesn’t suit this kind of situation.

 

I could see his back, standing like a wall to protect me. It looked precariously unstable, on the verge of collapsing at any second.

 

My mind went blank, as if hollowed out. This was all too surreal. My tongue felt stuck; I couldn’t utter a single word.

 

With immense effort, I parted my lips.

 

“Director?”

 

At that faint sound, William reacted immediately. Turning back toward me, just as he always did.

 

His gentle eyes were crushed and tormented by guilt. Meeting those eyes made me realize the reality I had desperately refused to accept.

 

‘Everything—my very presence here—was because you called me?’

 

I trusted and relied on him as my sanctuary, only to find out I was here because of him?

 

The ground shook beneath my feet, and my head spun. It felt as though a tidal wave from the ocean was crashing down to swallow me whole.

 

I bit my lip to swallow a scream threatening to burst out. A bitter taste of blood trickled past my dry throat.

 

“How is that even possible, William!”

 

Palia’s shocked outcry rang out. The muscles around her mouth trembled with rage.

 

“How could you summon a transmigrator? Could it be you activated the dimensional shifting magic circle? Only Berna was capable of that, so why…”

 

Instead of answering, William cast a protective barrier. A hemispherical, opaque shield enveloped me.

 

At that moment, the dimensional barrier began to tremble once more. A pillar of light soared high into the sky like the sun tearing through darkness. The sound of the barrier swirling echoed through the Kral Mountains—a majestic sound, like a giant weeping.

 

The shockwaves reached the monastery library, and the floor began to tremble. Heavy bookshelves swayed powerlessly like paper, and books spilled onto the floor.

 

Crash!

 

As if hit by a bombing raid, the library windows shattered all at once.

 

Alarm bells signaling an emergency rang out sharply. Mixed in with the bell tolls, the screams of mages followed.

 

A deafening roar that shook heaven and earth continued to resound. Cracks began to appear across the library ceiling.

 

Crack, snap.

 

Parts of the library wall collapsed powerlessly, and thick dust obscured vision. Through the broken wall, the monastery could be seen descending into chaos.

 

“Damn it!”

 

Palia shoved two grimoires into her robes and dashed at high speed toward the dimensional barrier.

 

Sensing the opening, William deactivated the barrier. He grabbed my hand tightly and began to run in the opposite direction. Being dragged along by his hand, I ran while calmly calling out to him.

 

“Director, stop.”

 

Without making eye-contact, William pulled me with brute force and hurried onward.

 

“Stop. William.”

 

I pressed my dagger to his neck. The sharp blade gleamed against his throat.

 

Behind us, the roar from the dimensional barrier still echoed, accompanied by the endless, terrified screams and despairing cries of people.

 

Dark, thick rainclouds covered the sky above the dimensional barrier. Rapidly churning, ash-gray clouds twisted in a spiral, as if trying to swallow the sky whole.

 

William grabbed the dagger leveled at his neck with his bare hand. His hand grew stained red with blood.

 

“William!”

 

Twisted by betrayal, fury, and grief, I screamed his name.

 

I wanted to kill him right then and there.

 

I wanted to demand why it had to be me.

 

I wanted to drop to my knees and beg him to send me home.

 

He wore a gentle yet sorrowful smile.

 

Ah, *that* smile.

 

A sad smile, weighed down by deep guilt and pain.

 

His bloodless lips moved with great effort.

 

“I will tell you everything. First, we must escape safely from here. Erika… no, Seo Ae-rin.”

 

“……!”

 

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

 

For the first time since transmigrating into this world, I heard my real name. The name falling from his lips sounded as foreign as if it belonged to a stranger.

 

Like a puppet on strings, I was led by William’s hand, stumbling as I followed.

 

Hurrying down to the monastery entrance, I saw the carriage we had arrived in. The coachman was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Hurry and get in the carriage. There’s no time!”

 

William tried to push me into the carriage. Only then did it feel like cold water had been splashed over me, snapping my mind awake.

 

Resisting and refusing to climb inside, I shouted, “What about the dimensional barrier? The people at the monastery are in danger!”

 

“It’s because you are here that the barrier is shaking even more.”

 

“What? What does that mean?”

 

William’s unwavering eyes locked straight onto mine.

 

“Because you, a transmigrator, are here. If you want to save the people, you must get as far away from this place as possible.”

 

His gaze lingered briefly around my neck.

 

“Where is the necklace I gave you?”

 

“Palia smashed it.”

 

William let out a soft sigh.

 

“As I thought. That necklace had the power to suppress your magical energy. Without it, your mana has run even wilder, causing the dimensional barrier to react.”

 

“Wa-, wait!”

 

Roughly grabbing William’s lapels, I pulled him close. He stood there silently, offering no resistance.

 

“You knew, didn’t you?”

 

Beneath lowered eyelashes, his brown eyes wavered.

 

“You knew I possessed the power of a monster. Exactly when?!”

 

My hands, clutching his lapels, trembled violently. I wanted to choke him right then and there—this man who had toyed with me and deceived me with a benevolent face.

 

Emotions of fury, betrayal, and resentment swirled within me, making my voice shake. Anger welled up, constantly blurring my vision with tears—dammit!

 

William’s hand wrapped around mine. The familiar gentleness of his touch made me furious while simultaneously bringing tears to my eyes. I felt pathetic that I was still comforted by that touch.

 

“My life and my death belong to you. Do as you wish. So please, get in the carriage.”

 

In the end, I collapsed onto the seat inside the carriage.

 

“Hold onto the seat tightly; the turbulence will be severe.”

 

With those words, William closed the carriage door and climbed up onto the driver’s seat himself. When he cracked the whip, the carriage bolted forward, kicking up the ground.

 

Clinging to the carriage window, I looked back at the monastery, which was rapidly receding into the distance.

 

A single ray of light shot out from the dimensional barrier, piercing the sky, while gray storm clouds churned and swirled above it.

 

The distant echoing roars kept ringing in my ears.

 

The carriage rocked violently, like a ship adrift on a stormy sea.

 

Having exhausted nearly all my mana, my stamina had hit rock bottom. Sleep threatened to overwhelm me, but I held on, gripping the carriage’s leather upholstery.

 

Outside the carriage window, the Kral Mountains, bathed in the red sunset, grew smaller and smaller. Twilight had already descended, plunging the road into darkness.

 

***

 

Waking and sleeping repeatedly, I drifted between dream and reality.

 

At last, the carriage stopped in front of the Royal Library. The carriage door opened, and William extended a hand with a fatigued expression.

 

I rejected his hand. It was no longer a warm, reassuring hand to hold onto.

 

“I’ll get down by myself.”

 

William answered with a bitter smile and took the lead. Two guards holding spears stood watch at the library’s main entrance. Stepping inside the library, William cautiously checked on me.

 

“Are you perhaps hungry? It must have been hard riding in the carriage for so long. Let’s rest for a moment.”

 

“I’m fine. Just lead the way already.”

 

My stomach churned and my head swam, leaving me with zero appetite. Simply suppressing the rage threatening to erupt took everything I had.

 

Instead of heading to the office, William went straight to the 4th-floor magic archives. The stairs to the 4th floor were shrouded in deep darkness and profound silence.

 

As William chanted a spell, the white wall blocking the end of the staircase vanished like an illusion.

 

“Let’s go up.”

 

At the end of a long corridor stood a door decorated with antique carvings and gold. The inscription engraved upon the door emitted a soft, golden glow.

 

‘A book is a door into a new world’

 

Right now, my mood made me want to slash an ‘X’ across that inscription with my dagger.

 

When the magic archive door opened, the chandelier lights turned on automatically.

 

The archive was as luxurious as a royal reception room. Gold-decorated bookshelves, master paintings hanging on every wall, and carpets imported from the East. The magic tomes preserved on the shelves were adorned with silk and jewels.

 

William returned holding a book from the shelf. It was an ordinary, everyday book.

 

“What is that book?”

 

“This book is… a special and precious one.”

 

William gently stroked the cover of the book. His gaze held a distant longing and sorrow.

 

As he moved his hand away from the cover, the title was revealed. It was neither in Ruberian nor in the language of magic. It was the language of the world where I was born and raised—a language too familiar.

 

‘The Librarian’s Diary’

 

“What on earth is this book?”

 

The moment I saw the title, I snatched the book away from him. Verifying the title, I opened the first page with trembling hands.

 

***

 

Erika Diel slowly opened her eyes after losing consciousness.

 

Wincing at the bright light piercing her vision, she noticed light emanating from a pure white ceiling.

 

“Librarian Seo Ae-rin, are you alright? Why are you passed out here?”

 

A woman in her 40s with short black hair and black eyes. A face with unfamiliar features. She wasn’t a Ruberian—she possessed the foreign face of someone she had once seen in a book.

 

Her attire was unfamiliar, too. Instead of a librarian’s uniform or a dress, she wore a shirt and form-fitting pants. Strange clothing usually worn only by men.

 

Around the unfamiliar woman’s neck hung a necklace with a face printed on a square piece of paper. Below the face, letters were written.

 

‘Librarian Kim Ju-young’

 

To be able to read something that wasn’t in Ruberian… Erika couldn’t hide her bewilderment, though she tried to remain calm.

 

The librarian named Kim Ju-young asked again.

 

“Are you alright? Did you pass out from working late at night? Does anything hurt? We should probably go to the hospital.”

 

Erika barely managed to part her dry lips.

 

“M-, my head hurts a little. Can I go home?”

 

“Shouldn’t we go to the hospital first?”

 

“Resting will make it better. Could you take me home? It’s hard to go alone…”

 

“Should I call your family? Oh, that’s right, you said you live alone, Seo Ae-rin?”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Erika nodded instinctively.

 

“First, rest for a bit. I’ll drive you home.”

 

Librarian Kim Ju-young hurried out the door. Left alone, Erika finally took the time to slowly look around her surroundings. It was a small library.

 

Bookshelves were packed tight with books, the ceiling was low, and the space lacked any decorations, making it stark and bleak. Completely different from the grand and majestic Royal Library. For Erika, who had lived as the Viscount’s daughter Diel, it was an unfamiliar and novel place.

 

Erika walked over to a desk in the library. Resting on the desk was a necklace identical to the one Librarian Kim Ju-young had worn. Below the face of a young woman in her 20s, a name was written: ‘Seo Ae-rin’

 

Examining the desk, she spotted a palm-sized mirror. With trembling hands, Erika picked it up to check her reflection.

 

Black eyes, a slender face, long black straight hair. A woman with a calm demeanor—her appearance was entirely different from Erika’s own, yet carried a somewhat similar vibe.

 

Erika Diel, the Viscount’s daughter of Ruberia, had transmigrated into Seo Ae-rin, a librarian at a small library in 21st-century Korea.

 

***

 

“What, what on earth is this?!”

 

I wanted to throw the book away immediately, yet at the same time, I couldn’t bear to stop reading.

 

I quickly flipped to the next page. Sweat dampened my fingertips as I turned the paper. I couldn’t take my eyes off the text.

 

***

 

Having suffered an accident where bookshelves collapsed while working the night shift alone at the library, Erika visited the hospital at a colleague’s recommendation and was diagnosed with temporary amnesia.

 

With the help of her fellow librarian, Erika took a leave of absence and lived alone in a studio apartment.

 

Looking around the unfamiliar room, Erika realized she had truly fallen into an unfamiliar world and an unfamiliar woman’s body. But she did not tremble in fear.

 

Instead, she smiled with anticipation and excitement, realizing she could finally live the life she had always wanted.

 

***

 

“Why is Erika in this book? Why?”

 

My vision turned hazy, making it difficult to read the letters properly. I strained my eyes to hold back the tears.

 

***

 

After transmigrating, Erika gained one ability: exceptional memory. At an astonishing speed, she learned and absorbed all the knowledge of this new world.

 

Within a month, she mastered the knowledge, rules, and lifestyle required for modern society and returned to work at the library. Erika adapted rapidly to Seo Ae-rin’s life.

 

A peaceful and trivial routine unfolded: working as a librarian, taking public transportation, grocery shopping at the mart, and drinking beer while watching dramas at home.

 

Erika considered her life in Ruberia to be a horrific nightmare, and Seo Ae-rin’s life in this world to be her true existence.

 

***

 

I hurriedly turned to the next page, but it was completely blank. Only half of the book was recorded; the rest consisted of empty pages.

 

As I inspected the blank pages closely, the letters squirmed and moved around, coming to life. It was as if someone were holding a pen and writing out Erika’s life in vivid detail.

 

***

 

Erika hurried to prepare for work. She thought to herself that she would really be late at this rate.

 

***

 

Strength drained from my hands. The book dropped heavily onto the floor. My heart constricted and I choked for air, unable to even let out a scream.

 

‘Erika is living her life in exchange for mine. And I’m stuck here!’

 

Fury surged like a seizure. Driven by bitterness, I screamed at William.

 

“What is this book?! Why is Erika running around living in my place? Explain right now!”

 

William carefully picked up the book that had fallen to the floor.

 

“This book records the life of Erika Diel, who transmigrated into Seo Ae-rin. Her daily life—working, laughing, conversing, thinking, and even falling asleep—is recorded naturally.”

 

“You’re lying, right? How is that even possible?”

 

My shrill voice echoed powerlessly in the empty space. What on earth was I hearing right now?

 

“Because this is a magic archive. Right now, our conversation and our lives might also be recorded as a book on a shelf in a library in another world.”

 

William’s words only spun around in my head, failing to register properly. I needed to sort out the tangled mess inside my mind first. I frantically tried to recover my memories.

 

How did I transmigrate again?

 

I had been working the night shift at the library, reading <Secret Love at the Royal Library>.

 

And then, light suddenly poured out of the book, and I lost consciousness.

 

After that, realizing I had transmigrated into Erika, I had lived frantically just trying to adapt. But how could I forget that day?

 

“On the day I transmigrated into… Erika, I wasn’t at Viscount Diel’s estate…”

 

A terribly raspy voice escaped my lips.

 

“When I opened my eyes, there were gorgeous bookshelves, a chandelier… I saw a magic circle. Glowing with a blue light…”

 

At each point of the geometric pattern, old books had been placed. I had sat there dazed, huddled in the center of the magic circle. My vision was blurry, my head was dizzy, and I had thought I was having a strange dream.

 

“Someone was standing beyond that magic circle…”

 

Through my wavering vision, someone had been looking down at me. A man in gray robes with soft brown hair.

 

With pitiful and sorrowful eyes, he had whispered in a gentle voice:

 

“I look forward to seeing you again at the Royal Library.”

 

I raised a hand and pointed at him as if to pierce through him.

 

“It was you!”

 

William remained silent. He stood there with a face filled with guilt and sorrow.

 

I staggered toward him.

 

“On the day I transmigrated, you were right in front of me.”

 

A beast-like howl erupted from my throat. I grabbed William by the collar and shoved him to the floor. He collapsed powerlessly, and I climbed on top of him. Gripping his collar, I shook him violently and wailed,

 

“Why! Why did you forcibly drag me here? What did I do wrong?!”

 

William looked up at me with sorrowful eyes.

 

“I committed an unforgivable sin.”

 

He continued haltingly, as if confessing a crime.

 

“I couldn’t ultimately overcome my pity and sympathy for Erika, my arrogance regarding my own abilities, and my ambition as a mage.”

 

I leaned in close to his face and growled low.

 

“Tell me everything. How this happened, down to the very last detail.”

 

***

 

With the moon obscured by clouds, the capital of Ruberia was plunged into profound darkness.

 

Not a soul walked the streets, and though a glimmer of light showed through the tightly shuttered window blinds of the grand mansions, it struggled to beat back the dark. Only the Royal Library glowed faintly, casting a dim luminescence.

 

Director William looked down at the dark streets from his office window.

 

On his desk lay an envelope and a piece of stationery that had just been opened. Having finished reading the letter, he let out a heavy sigh to release his burdensome heart.

 

It was an urgent telegram sent by Erika Diel, the only daughter of Viscount Diel, who had been his benefactor and patron.

 

Following the death of Viscount Diel, the Diel household had fallen into severe trouble regarding the succession. With no eldest son to carry on the family line, Erika, the sole remaining bloodline, was unmarried, and her future match had not yet been decided.

 

The only remaining heir, a cousin named Verdi, was a greedy scoundrel burdened with heavy gambling debts.

 

In the letter, Erika pleaded earnestly for help, stating that her cousin Verdi was trying to marry her off as the second wife of an elderly aristocrat.

 

William felt deep pity and sorrow for her situation. He had been pondering deeply on how he could possibly help her.

 

Should he find a suitable match for her, or formally petition the House of Lords regarding problems with the succession of the Viscount Diel household?

 

He figured that as soon as dawn broke, he would visit the Viscount’s estate and meet Erika. But immediately afterward, he clicked his tongue.

 

Perhaps unsettled by the sudden telegram, he had momentarily forgotten his most important duty. Right now, the Five Great Grimoires were all gathered in one place within the magic archives. This fact was a classified secret unknown to anyone else in the library.

 

The Five Great Grimoires had been smuggled into the library in secret, disguised under the covers of ordinary books. Every five years, the grimoires scattered across the Ruberia continent were gathered in one place to be inspected. This task was the gravest duty bestowed solely upon the Director of the Royal Library.

 

William let out a deep sigh. As much as he pitied Erika’s plight, his duty came first. Thoroughly inspecting the grimoires and safely returning them to their original locations would take at least a month.

 

In the meantime, he decided to dispatch a guard knight to ensure that a scoundrel like Verdi could not arbitrarily force Erika into a marriage.

 

William hurriedly sat down at his desk, pulled out a new sheet of stationery, and picked up his quill. First, he would write to ask for her forgiveness for not being able to visit immediately, promising to become her patron and put a definitive stop to the forced marriage.

 

As he dipped the nib in ink and wrote down the first letter, tap, tap. The calm sound of a knock caused his pen to tremble slightly. The black ink dripping from the nib fell onto the paper, spreading into a dark blotch.

 

Who could it be at this hour of the night? Was there a staff member who hadn’t left yet? Or perhaps James, who was on duty today?

 

William thought for a moment before telling them to enter. Replacing the stationery, he asked without even lifting his head.

 

“What is the matter at this hour?”

 

“You were writing a letter. Is that perhaps a letter meant for me?”

 

It was the voice of an unfamiliar woman. Surprised, William raised his head.

 

It was someone draped in a brown hooded cloak. The slender lines of her body beneath the long cloak made it obvious at a glance that she was a woman.

 

“Who are you? Why have you visited my office in the middle of the night?”

 

Without losing his composure, William asked calmly.

 

The strange woman slowly pushed her hood back. Thick yet soft brown hair and brown eyes. A woman in her early twenties with a calm and neat impression.

 

Her expression was confident, and a strong inner light could be felt in her gaze. Above all, her vibe was overwhelmingly reminiscent of someone he knew: his benefactor, Viscount Diel.

 

William bolted up from his desk.

 

“Could you possibly be Lady Diel?”

 

“That is correct. My name is Erika Diel.”

 

Erika curtsied with refined grace.

 

The last time William had seen Erika, she was still a young girl. He remembered having dinner at the Viscount Diel estate and chatting with her briefly before leaving for the monastery.

 

When had such a shy young girl grown into such an elegant lady?

 

Surprised as he was, William could not hide his warmth. He felt as glad as if he were meeting a younger sister he hadn’t seen in a long time.

 

“Lady Diel, how did you come here in the middle of the night? Has something happened?”

 

The Viscount Diel estate was a long distance from the capital. For a young noble lady to visit the library all alone, without an accompanying maid, filled him with immediate worry that something might have happened to her safety.

 

Erika’s expression remained calm and unshaken.

 

“I came to hear the reply to my letter.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

William doubted his ears, wondering if he had misheard.

 

“If the Director were to send a reply, it would take at least three or four days. I don’t have time to wait. So I came to see you, despite the rudeness.”

 

Only then did William take a good look at her appearance. Her shoes were covered in mud, and her robe was damp, as though she had caught the night dew.

 

Droplets of sweat beaded her forehead, and her hair was tousled. Beneath the opening of her robe, a riding dress was visible.

 

“Surely… did you ride a horse all the way here alone?”

 

“A carriage would draw too many people’s eyes.”

 

“Still, traveling the night roads must have been dangerous. How could you…”

 

“My life is on the line. I was prepared to face that much danger.”

 

William decided to completely erase his previous impression of Erika as a pathetic and pitiful maiden from his letters. She was a strong, courageous young noble lady.

 

Clearing his throat softly, William nodded.

 

“Please, have a seat first. You must be exhausted from traveling in such a rush, so let us have some tea.”

 

Erika calmly sat down on the sofa. Placing a kettle on the brazier, William kept his gaze on Erika.

 

Even though she was a young lady barely past twenty, she sat upright without cringing at all, staring straight ahead.

 

His initial thought that he needed to comfort her felt foolish and embarrassing.

 

As he poured the tea, William fell into deep thought. How should he explain his position that he could not help her immediately?

 

The two exchanged conventional greetings over tea. Just as William was debating whether he should speak first, Erika set down her teacup.

 

“I apologize for making a personal request when you must be extremely busy, Director.”

 

“Ah? Not at all. Naturally, I must help you, Lady Erika, seeing as you are the daughter of my benefactor.”

 

“How do you plan to help me?”

 

Taken aback by her straightforward question, William soon spoke with a solemn expression.

 

“First, I will prevent Viscount Verdi from forcing this marriage.”

 

“By what right?”

 

Erika retorted with an icy expression.

 

“Verdi is the head of the Diel household. As the head, it is his natural duty to decide the marriage partner of his cousin. If he counters that he is simply fulfilling his duty, you, Director, will be exceeding your authority.”

 

“Th-that is correct.”

 

Cold sweat trickled down William’s forehead. Erika’s words were entirely correct down to the last detail, leaving him utterly speechless. He even felt a sense of guilt for having casually judged her situation.

 

Erika calmly took another sip of her tea.

 

“The Director must have pondered several solutions. Unfortunately, under Ruberian regulations, there is no way for you to help.”

 

“There must surely be a way. I will help you somehow.”

 

William spoke urgently out of a sense of pity. Erika stared at him with a blank expression.

 

“By what means? Will you marry me?”

 

“Th-that is…”

 

William momentarily lost his words. Watching him, Erika offered a bitter smile.

 

“I have a conscience and a sense of pride, too. Rather than asking the Director to shoulder such a troublesome favor, it would be better to become a second wife.”

 

“Lady Diel.”

 

“Director, I read a book in my father’s study about a great wizard.”

 

With a gentle expression, Erika changed the subject, adopting a casual tone as if they were discussing the weather or flowers. William was inwardly bewildered, but he humored her remarks.

 

“I remember. The Viscount showed a deep interest in magic, so I gifted him a few books on the subject.”

 

For the first time, the set corners of Erika’s mouth curved slightly upward.

 

“I enjoyed reading them, too. In particular, the ‘Dimensional Shifting Magic Circle’ created by a wizard named Berna was quite fascinating. The hypothesis that one could travel to another world through a magic circle was truly wondrous.”

 

A wave of ominous foreboding washed over William, but maintaining his composure, he spoke smoothly.

 

“That is merely a hypothesis. Even the wizard who created that magic circle never completely succeeded.”

 

Despite William’s skeptical attitude, a satisfied smile played on Erika’s lips.

 

“Success or failure does not matter, Director.”

 

“Pardon? What do you mean by that, Lady Diel?”

 

“Because it is the only way for me.”

 

“You call the dimensional shifting magic circle a way… I haven’t the slightest idea what you are talking about.”

 

William tried hard not to lose his composure. From the start, he was simply being dragged along by this young lady. It had been a long time since he had encountered someone who could sway him so willfully.

 

Why on earth was this bold young lady bringing up the dimensional shifting magic circle? Furthermore, that magic circle was a forbidden piece of magic known only to a tiny handful of wizards. The Guardian Wizard strictly prohibited the use of the dimensional shifting magic circle. Even William had never attempted it.

 

Erika straightened her shoulders. Reflected by the lamp on the table, her gaze shone straight and stubborn.

 

“This world is not going to change anyway. Nor will my life. I realized it after my father passed away: I am merely a bird in a cage.”

 

Erika paused for a moment to catch her breath.

 

“In this world, I am a decorative bird with no power, forced to obey commands and live as I am told.”

 

“Lady Erika, but…”

 

As William tried to offer words of comfort, Erika let out a faint, derisive scoff.

 

“Spare me your clumsy sympathy.”

 

Abruptly, she leaned forward, getting close enough for their faces to almost touch.

 

Erika’s calm breath reached the tip of William’s nose. In her brown eyes, hidden beneath long eyelashes, flickers of burning anger danced.

 

Erika whispered as intimately as if she were confiding a deep secret of the world to him alone.

 

“I cannot change this world, nor destroy it, nor turn it upside down. Frustrating though that may be.”

 

Though Erika’s whisper was low, an unfathomable madness and hatred boiled beneath the surface.

 

William felt a sense of fear and intimidation from this ordinary noble lady.

 

“Even if it’s just once, I want to live freely by my own strength. Therefore… send me to another world.”

 

Hurily avoiding her gaze, William made up excuses.

 

“I don’t quite understand. I possess no such ability.”

 

“Hh, no ability? You must not lie to me, Director.”

 

Erika lightly brought a hand to the corner of her lips and smiled softly.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

William asked back with a trembling voice. Erika’s eyes narrowed as she persistently pursued him.

 

“I read all the letters exchanged between my father and you. Explaining Berna’s dimensional shifting magic circle, you stated that you wished to implement the magic circle someday. Those letters radiated the ambition and spirit of a young wizard.”

 

Erika creased her eyes into crescents and smiled brightly.

 

“I believe the Director can certainly create a dimensional shifting magic circle. If you truly wish to repay your debt of gratitude to our family, help me.”

 

William’s face paled, and strength gripped the hands resting on his knees. He was terrified of this woman who calmly drove him into a corner and interrogated him.

 

She saw right through the inner desires he had kept deeply hidden.

 

Although William served the Crown Prince as the Director of the Library and a tactician, he was, at his core, a wizard. Recognized for curing the King’s illness with exceptional healing magic, it was not truly the path of a wizard he longed for.

 

He had a deep yearning to research powerful, new magic. The dimensional shifting magic circle was a realm any wizard would willingly trade their soul to complete.

 

William closed his eyes tightly and groaned deeply, then shook his head with great difficulty.

 

“I cannot. Upon a wizard’s honor, I cannot recklessly create a forbidden magic circle.”

 

“Is that so? Very well.”

 

William was baffled by Erika’s docile response.

 

“Lady Diel?”

 

With a blank face, she quietly stood up and drew a dagger from behind her back.

 

It was not a lavish decorative dagger worn by noblewomen. The hilt was wrapped in leather, and the leather sheath was old and crude, yet worn with the marks of long use.

 

William’s expression wavered greatly at the sight of the dagger. That was the kind of weapon knights or mercenaries used in combat. Why on earth did a young woman possess such a thing?

 

When Erika slid the blade out of its sheath, a sharp dagger was revealed. She brought the blade right up against her own neck.

 

“This is dangerous. Please, put the weapon down!”

 

William tried to snatch the dagger away, but Erika quickly stepped back.

 

“My father gave me this dagger as a 10th birthday present. Usually, women are given decorative swords, but my father gave me a knight’s dagger. He taught me that I had to become strong enough to protect myself.”

 

Erika’s gaze shifted to the dagger leveled at her throat, filled with a proud and affectionate look.

 

“Our household could not afford to hire a knight to teach me swordsmanship. So I trained all by myself. Without missing a single day, I swung the dagger until my hands bled. Though my skills are lacking, I am at least capable of handling a scoundrel or two.”

 

Chinning up, Erika stared at William with a confident gaze.

 

“When I watched that bastard Verdi enter my estate just because he was a male heir, act like the master, and usurp my status and honor, I wanted to use a sword for the very first time. Slashing that bastard would have been child’s play. But I didn’t. Do you know why?”

 

Erika asked as if whispering to a lover. William’s brow twisted in agony.

 

“…Because you could not kill the successor of your own family with Lady Diel’s own hands. It would mean the self-destruction of the household.”

 

“That’s right, Director.”

 

Erika smiled brightly like a young girl. William stared at her as if spellbound.

 

“I spent ten years chasing a vain dream and trying my hardest. The illusion that I could protect myself and live my own life. Now, the only choice left for me is to end my life with this dagger.”

 

Before William could stop her, the hand holding the dagger moved. The blade grazed shallowly across her neck. Droplets of blood trickled down along the steel.

 

“Erika! Stop!”

 

Erika’s eyes shone with fierce determination—the kind of bitter, hardened gaze one might see from a knight who had survived a battlefield.

 

Fascinated by her intense eyes, William forgot how to breathe.

 

“If I walk out of this library, nothing awaits me but a hellish life. I would rather take my own life right here. If you want to keep me alive, create the dimensional shifting magic circle, Director.”

 

***

 

Having recounted up to this point, William let out a deep sigh. His gaze was soaked in grief. Frowning, I glared at William.

 

“So, you created the magic circle because Erika threatened to commit suicide?”

 

A self-deprecating smile formed and vanished at the corners of William’s lips.

 

“Blinded by sympathy for Lady Diel and a wizard’s greed, I made the wrong choice.”

 

“Hh. Even the lofty Director is no different.”

 

“I am merely a greedy and foolish man. I deserve to be pointed at for the rest of my life.”

 

I had meant to be sarcastic on purpose, but seeing William self-flagellate even more made irritation well up alongside pity.

 

“So, what happened next?”

 

“I succeeded in creating the dimensional shifting magic circle using the Five Great Grimoires. And finally, I opened another world.”

 

When I had been reading <Secret Love at the Royal Library>, dazzling light had poured forth. Had those two worlds connected at that moment?

 

“Even though the dimensional shifting magic circle opened, Erika did not disappear. Believing that a person would physically travel to another world through the circle, I concluded the magic had failed. Erika had merely lost consciousness and fallen into a deep sleep.”

 

“By then, my soul and Erika’s had already swapped, but the Director had no idea at all.”

 

Looking ashamed, William lowered his head.

 

“At the time, I knew nothing about the dimensional shifting magic circle. I secretly carried the passed-out Erika back to the Viscount’s estate and asked her nanny to send a telegram informing me of her condition. Through the nanny’s telegrams thereafter, I sensed that Erika had changed.”

 

“How did you find out my real name?”

 

“The nanny told me. You kept speaking an unfamiliar name in your sleep—that you were not Erika, but Seo Ae-rin… That was when I realized something had gone wrong. I frantically searched the magic archives and discovered <The Librarian’s Diary>. Only then did I realize the real Erika had gone to another world.”

 

Finishing his words, William knelt before me. His sudden action caught me off guard.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“I committed a grave sin against you because of my own fault. If I had not created the magic circle, Seo Ae-rin would never have come to our world.”

 

He closed his eyes like a man who had resigned himself to everything.

 

“Do as you wish. I will atone for this with my life.”

 

Looking down at William, I tried to steady my quickening breathing. The anger that had surged to the top of my head gradually cooled and gave way to calm as I listened to the whole story.

 

Because of Erika’s choice, I had been forcibly dragged into this world. And I had almost ended up living the life of a caged bird meant for her.

 

If I could meet her in person, I felt like I wanted to slap her across the face. And… pat her on the back.

 

Though I hated Erika to death, I couldn’t hate her forever. Because I could somewhat understand the choice she made just to survive.

 

I let out a deep breath. My shoulders, heavy from the weight of anger and tension, felt a little lighter.

 

“Why didn’t you just tell me honestly from the beginning?”

 

“I couldn’t bring myself to tell you, fearing it would deal a massive shock to someone who was trying so hard to adapt to this world. Besides, you were performing your duties as a librarian wonderfully.”

 

William’s words also made sense, so I nodded.

 

“Well, true, as soon as I got hired as a librarian, there were so many incidents and accidents that I didn’t even have a moment to breathe.”

 

Running around looking for books with Calix, meeting the female lead Freesia, fighting a monster at the jousting tournament, recuperating at the Reinhardt Duke’s estate, getting promoted to head librarian, running the book club, and slaying a monster while dancing at the royal ball.

 

In such a short period of less than a year, there had been quite a colorful array of events. But what pissed me off was that I had been working without even getting paid overtime. I needed to pick this issue apart piece by piece and claim every last bit of my allowance.

 

“If a book recording my life exists in that other world, the title would definitely be something like this: <The Overworked Death Diary of a Royal Library Librarian>.”

 

I pouted and grumbled. Seeing that, William smiled, but then stiffened his expression as if thinking he had been rude to me.

 

“You said you’d do anything for me, didn’t you?”

 

“Yes, Seo Ae-rin.”

 

“Then send me back to my original world.”

 

I demanded of him boldly. As if he had been waiting for it, William nodded firmly.

 

“I will return you there, risking my life. However…”

 

William bowed his head with a troubled expression.

 

“It will be difficult right away because we need all Five Great Grimoires to create the dimensional shifting magic circle. I am truly sorry.”

 

“I know. Palia stole the <The Book of Ignis> and the <The Book of Undine>, and we haven’t even found the <The Book of Phoenix> yet. So, we only have two grimoires left.”

 

“That is correct.”

 

A sigh escaped naturally. When on earth were we going to find all three grimoires? Ah, there was that method! Using a fox to hunt a fox.

 

“How about telling the Guardian Wizard Elders that Palia stole the grimoires? Won’t they pursue her and retrieve them?”

 

After pondering, William resolutely shook his head.

 

“If we tell the Elders, your identity as a transmigrator might be found out. There is definitely a reason Palia hasn’t exposed your true identity. We need to find out whose backing she has and who she’s cooperating with.”

 

I let out a light sigh and nodded.

 

“I understand. I’ll cooperate in recovering the grimoires, too. That’s the only way I’ll get back to my original world.”

 

A thirsty man digs the well. The one who needs it has to make the moves.

 

“And Director, please keep the fact that I’m a transmigrator a secret from everyone. I don’t want to cause confusion among people.”

 

“I fully understand your feelings. However,”

 

William’s gaze filled with worry for me.

 

“Will you truly be alright? Without telling Calix?”

 

I couldn’t answer right away. Could I really hide it from him until the end? Those cobalt-blue eyes that were always turned toward me. Could I really mask my churning emotions and racing heart perfectly even when meeting his gaze?

 

“I’ve decided to leave this world anyway. I don’t want to tell him anything.”

 

I spoke calmly, without any change in expression. Every single word flew back like an arrow and pierced my heart, but I didn’t let the pain show.

 

“Let’s get out of here now.”

 

I turned around to leave the magic archive. At that moment, a wave of vertigo struck. Strength suddenly drained from my body, and my legs wobbled.

 

“Erika!”

 

William quickly caught me and supported me.

 

“Are you alright? I will cast healing magic right away. Let’s go to my office.”

 

Lacking even the strength to answer, relying on him was all I could manage as I stood there.

 

Was this the aftereffect of consuming so much mana to stabilize the dimensional barrier? Supported by William, I barely managed to enter his office.

 

He carefully seated me in the armchair as if treating a fragile glass cup. Warm light bubbled forth from William’s hands. It was healing magic.

 

As I quietly accepted that light, the tension left my whole body, and my muddled mind cleared up. It felt as though the Goddess of Light was gently stroking my entire body and granting me strength.

 

Drawing a deep breath, I closed my eyes and sank into the armchair.

 

“I dare not ask for forgiveness. I am simply grateful to be allowed by your side.”

 

William’s voice was as calm as a lake, but beneath the surface, guilt and remorse were swirling. Opening my eyes slowly, I met his gaze.

 

“William, tell me honestly. Did you like Erika?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Perhaps it was an unexpected question, but his pupils shook like a storm. I pressed him further, driving the wedge in.

 

“You liked her, and that’s why you sent her to another world according to her wishes?”

 

William powerlessly dropped his head. His shoulders were trembling faintly.

 

“I am not entirely sure what that emotion was.”

 

He was confused by a strange emotion he hadn’t even realized himself.

 

“Seeing Lady Diel was limited to when she was a child and that night in my office. She was the first person I had ever seen who was so desperate and strong-willed. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Watching her, so intense and beautiful, I was swept away by a feeling as if my heart were burning.”

 

William looked down at his own empty palms. His gaze was steeped in a deep sense of loss.

 

“That emotion, felt for the very first time in my life, slipped through my fingers like sand. She wanted to leave this world. I had no choice but to help her.”

 

I let out a deep sigh. Now I finally understood the meaning of the gaze he had given me.

 

“I see. You saw Erika through me.”

 

“No!”

 

Flinched by his sudden, firm outburst, I startled.

 

“From the moment you said you would become a librarian, I swore to protect and care for your life until the very end. Until the moment I die.”

 

His calm voice even carried firm resolve. But that wasn’t the answer I wanted. I slightly frowned.

 

“Never say you’ll die in front of me. And you know how strong I am, right? You’re the one who shouldn’t become a dead weight, William.”

 

I spoke bluntly on purpose, enough to make him feel awkward. Despite my scolding, William offered a gentle smile.

 

“You are a strong and kind person. You are still thinking of someone as sinful as me.”

 

William hasn’t changed a bit. To think he can spout such cheesy lines like breathing even in this situation.

 

I got up from the armchair and moved to the wide sofa across from it.

 

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I couldn’t stop the encroaching wave of sleepiness. In the end, unable to hold it back, I let out a long yawn.

 

“I’m so tired. I’m going to get some sleep.”

 

“Then, I will escort you back to the official residence right now.”

 

William hurriedly stood up, but I waved a hand.

 

“How am I supposed to go in the middle of the night? You must be exhausted from driving the carriage the whole way, too. I’ll just sleep on the sofa. Wake me up when morning comes.”

 

“That will not do.”

 

William panicked and didn’t know what to do with himself. By now, his ears had turned red. As expected of our innocent and pure Director.

 

What should I do about this? I was too tired to move even a single step. I wasn’t in a position to be picky about where I slept. If I could just lie down, I could sleep on a patch of newspaper on the street.

 

Using my arm as a pillow, I closed my eyes. The sofa was roomy and soft enough for me to lie down on.

 

At that moment, something with a warm and soft texture wrapped around my body. Opening my eyes slightly, I saw that William was draping his robe over me. When our eyes met, he flinched like a thief caught in the act.

 

“Aren’t you going to sleep, Director?”

 

William avoided my gaze with a somewhat troubled expression.

 

“A lady is in my office, so I cannot simply sleep.”

 

“You’ll definitely regret it. You’re past the age where you can pull an all-nighter and still look fresh.”

 

At my half-serious joke, William let out a low chuckle.

 

“I am still at a healthy age, so I will be fine. I will keep watch by your side so you can sleep comfortably.”

 

Ah, right, William is just as stubborn as anyone. Shaking my head slowly, I closed my eyes.

 

“Aren’t you resentful of me?”

 

William’s cautious voice came from behind my back. Pulling the robe up over my face, I mumbled, “Are you asking even though you know? I hate you to death. I even tried to choke you earlier. I meant it, you know.”

 

“Please… never forgive me. I have no right to do so.”

 

His voice trembled unsteadily like a frightened boy. It was enough to make my heart soften. Well, nothing could be done. I couldn’t just leave him be anymore.

 

Sighing, I stirred and sat straight up on the sofa.

 

“Life never really goes the way you want it to, does it?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

At my casual remark, William’s eyes rounded like a surprised rabbit.

 

“Even though I ended up transmigrating by chance, I met a lot of precious people here. They became a warm sanctuary for me.”

 

Staring blankly at me, he looked as young as a lost boy.

 

Just as I had wandered and lost my way after transmigrating, he must have spent countless days tormented by guilt after using the dimensional shifting magic circle, endlessly self-reproaching.

 

“I can’t hate the Director to the end. Because you, too, are a precious person to me.”

 

The corners of William’s eyes grew red. His eye wrinkles folded softly and gently into a crescent shape. The smile, freed from the weight of guilt, was clearer and more tender than ever before.