100CIM - Chapter 109



It was well past dinnertime when Simone and Abel returned to the Illeston mansion.

Of course, Louis successfully destroyed the jewel and decided to stay by the Emperor's side as he struggled to regain his body.

The reason Simone and her party returned, even though the Emperor could not regain his body or get rid of the evil spirit, was simple.

Anyway, Simone has to go to the Imperial Palace again tomorrow to visit the Imperial Library.

'If there's a problem, Louis will contact me.'

There was no need to rush so much, as the Emperor's situation could be checked again tomorrow.

No, more than that, she wanted to get out of the castle first.

‘I was running around so hard in my dream...’

Just being in the castle made her sick and even started to feel motion sickness.

Perhaps that's why the Illeston Manor outside the castle walls felt more like a breath of fresh air than the large city.

'Home is the best, after all.'

Simone never thought the day would come when she would fall in love with this dingy mansion.

Simone, who entered the mansion in a cheerful mood with a smile on her face, felt that the atmosphere was not good as soon as she entered her room.

As soon as she entered the room, shr thought they would all gather around and ask how things were, if everything was okay, and if the food was delicious. But it was very quiet.

“Why is everyone like this? Is a curse being activated?”

Simone was taken aback by the quieter atmosphere in the room than she had expected and tried to joke around lightly, but received no response.

How could this be? 

At that moment, Simone was flustered and realized why the atmosphere in the room was so cold.

“They said you collapsed in the castle.”

Florier was sitting at the table in the room, drinking tea and looking at Simone with a cold face.

“Why are you just standing there? Sit down quickly.”

Simone nodded unnaturally and sat down across from Florier.

'Who said I fell?'

Wasn't Florier always the one who secretly nagged Simone to study, go for a walk, or exercise?

She must have come to nag Simone and worry after hearing that she collapsed.

As Simone sat down at the table opposite Florier, keeping an eye on her, Florier smiled gently and poured tea in front of Simone.

“Did you solve it well?”

“So-so. It’s not completely resolved yet, so I have to go back and check and finish it up, but the big issue has been resolved.”

“That’s fortunate. But Simone, I’m worried that you might be working too hard without taking care of yourself.”

Simone was speechless at Florier's words. She's indeed been working without sparing herself lately. Especially since she did something crazy like dying and coming back to life twice today.

Simone isn't intentionally pushing herself too hard. She just has no choice but to push herself too hard because the more she does something, the more difficult it becomes to solve.

'Actually, I haven't really thought about overdoing it until now.'

Unlike before, today she died a couple of times and realized that she was taking on some really absurd tasks.

“Are you okay?”

“...”

How can I tell you that it's not okay to stay here?

Actually, it's so hard, she feels like she's going to die and she doesn't want to do it.

If Simone says that, Florie will say that it's enough, and then she will be kicked out as useless?

In that case, she has to say that it's okay, but she doesn't want them to think that it's really okay.

So Simone didn't answer.

As always, Florier quickly changed the subject when Simone didn't respond.

“If you have a hard time, tell me anytime. Anyway, this is why I came to you today.”

Florier held out a piece of paper full of something written in it in front of Simone.

Simone scanned the writing on the paper.

A sentence made up of about twenty lines of unknown words. After each line, there was someone's name written along with the author's name.

“Is that the name of a book?”

"Yes."

Florier nodded.

“These are forbidden books that can only be found in the imperial library.”

“Is it a forbidden book?”

Simone tilted her head. 

Why is she suddenly giving me a list of banned books? 

As she stared blankly at the paper, Florier spoke in a calm voice.

“These are the forbidden books that the Dark Wizard asked me to bring him in the past. They are mostly books about Anasis and books containing the techniques of necromancers.”

Perhaps the black magician thought that people of the Grand Duke's level could easily obtain a forbidden book of this level.

And that thought was half right.

There were many ways to obtain it, such as bribing the imperial librarian or using informants, hunters, and adventurers willing to take on dangerous tasks to obtain it from outside the continent.

But Florier didn't give him what he wanted.

It was not because of her own free will, but because she had lost her mind to the point where she could not give him what he wanted.

That may have made the Dark Mage's treatment of Jace and Florier even more severe.

Florier put the events of that day out of her mind and focused on Simone in front of her.

“Unlike that person, those forbidden books might be helpful to you. They are books about the same necromancer.”

If it were a book that a black magician with great power would want to read, it wouldn't be a book that only contained ordinary information.

A book containing information about real necromancers, unlike fake books published based on mere rumors about necromancers.

“The Imperial Library is the only place where you can read forbidden books. Go there and see. What kind of books did he want to read?”

“Thank you for your concern.”

There were about twenty books. Among them, the one that caught Simone's eye was the one titled [The Art of the Magician Who Awakened to Death].

The subtitle of this book is -Necromancy and Necromancer-.

It seems to be a book that covers the techniques of a necromancer in earnest, so since a high-ranking enemy called Anasis has appeared, it would be a good idea to read it at least once, as Florier said.

“Simone.”

Florier called out to her, who couldn't take her eyes off the paper. When Simone looked at Florier, she said with a worried face.

“Take care. Whatever. If you need anything, just let me know.”

Then she awkwardly patted Simone's head and got up.

“Then let’s go.”

“Oh, Your Highness.”

Florier, who was turning around, stopped at Simone's call.

“It seems that Young Master Jace has the power to bring about curses. Are you aware of this?”

“...I know. I received a report from the servants. We will find a way to resolve it, so you do what you have to do.”

She left the room with a soft yet bittersweet smile.

***

The next day, a carriage bearing the royal emblem was parked in front of the Illeston Mansion.

The person who got out of the carriage while clearly showing off that he was a member of the royal family was Louis.

He greeted the guard who came running to open the door in surprise with a wink of his eye, then walked through the garden with a familiar gait toward the building.

Even though the Crown Prince had entered the mansion, there was no butler to specifically follow him and guide him to his destination. Louis also passed by the servants with quick steps as if he had no intention of receiving guidance from anyone.

His destination is Simone's room.

Louis stood in front of the room, straightened his clothes, and knocked on the door-

Knock knock.

Anna opened the door and stammered a greeting.

“Oh, you’re here? Wren, no, that...”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Simone told Anna, who was at a loss, what to call him, and then sat down and looked at Louis.

Although he was the Crown Prince and Simone was a commoner, there was no need for formality based on status between the two.

Louis approached her with a grin.

“Good morning, Simone.”

Then Simone said bluntly.

“We were planning to go to the Imperial Palace today anyway. If you have something to say, why don’t you just say it at the castle? Why did you come here?”

The distance between the Imperial Palace and the Illeston Mansion must be considerable.

To her words, Louis replied slyly.

“I went to work. Is that okay? I didn’t receive notice of dismissal.”

“I didn’t give you notice of dismissal, but I guess you’re busy?”

“I am not the kind of person who easily cuts ties with others just because my work is done. Anyway, I came today to deliver something to the Grand Duke by order of His Majesty. While I am here, I will take you to the castle.”

“While you’re here?”

Oh, really. Simone stopped laughing in bewilderment at Louis' prank, then opened her eyes wide and asked.

“Has His Majesty risen?”

Louis' expression brightened even more.

“Yes, he came back after just one night.”

A few days later, news of the Emperor's awakening reached the Grand Duke of Illeston.

Actually, Louis could have sent someone to the Duke of Illeston to send a letter, but he wanted to tell Simone the news, so he came to see her in person.

He doesn't know about other people, but he feels like he should tell the benefactor of the royal family directly.

Simone's expression also brightened.

“It worked out really well!”

The Emperor risked his life to protect Simone even though he knew it would be useless in a dangerous situation.

With the return of the Holy King, the empire will also be saved from the crisis of destruction.


Previous            Next



Support Novellate!

        Buy Me A Coffee

Comments