"Snap out of it. This isn't the time to worry about things like this."
'It must be a book that was misplaced.'
Of course, I know that a book like this couldn't possibly be misplaced in the thoroughly managed <Non-Public Area>, but I tried to calm myself, thinking that if I didn't, I might even doubt the existence of <Ayla's Medical Book>.
'Let's put it back.'
I didn't see anything. I didn't see anything...
"Huh?"
As I was mentally trying to brainwash myself while putting the book back in its place, I noticed something strange in the spot where <Arista and Ellesa: Hearts Across Borders> had been.
Something... a very subtle misalignment in the wood grain.
It was so subtle that I would normally have passed it by without noticing.
Could it be that, just like <Arista and Ellesa: Hearts Across Borders> was hidden, this was also some kind of device to hide something?
"No way..."
Even as I thought that, my hand was already reaching for it.
I hesitated for a moment, then pressed down hard on the misaligned spot.
...
But there was no reaction.
"I guess I was just imagining th-"
Click.
"...Huh?"
Without any warning, the bottom panel opened.
And,
Thump-
A book fell to the floor.
What is... going on?
'It actually worked?'
I stared at the fallen book with a dazed expression before shaking my head to regain my senses.
I immediately picked up the book.
It was a leather-bound hardcover that looked very old at first glance.
As I brushed away the crumbling leather fragments with my hand, a title that was worn and vaguely shaped came into view.
I pointed at each letter with my finger and read.
"A, y, l, a...'s Me... Wait, could this be?"
My breath caught in my throat for a moment.
No way. Is it real?
With trembling eyes, I read the remaining letters.
"Ayla's... Medical Book."
Gulp.
I swallowed hard.
And immediately tucked the book securely inside my clothes.
'I absolutely can't lose it!'
I finally found it...!
'It was hidden.'
That's why it was revealed to the world so late.
"I almost didn't find it either..."
Thinking that, <Arista and Ellesa: Hearts Across Borders>, which had seemed so strange, looked different.
Why was <Ayla's Medical Book> hidden under that particular book?
Could it be that there is something special hidden in that book too?
In the first place, it's suspicious that such a romance novel was sitting alone in a place where only such old books are collected.
Besides...
'This book was also hidden.'
It could be a camouflage trick to hide <Ayla's Medical Book>...
"Just in case..."
I pushed <Arista and Ellesa: Hearts Across Borders> into my chest along with <Ayla's Medical Book>.
'I wish I could take more, but...'
Boom-!
A heavy impact, as if the ceiling had collapsed, echoed throughout the building.
I clenched my fist tightly.
And immediately tried to leave the room.
Flutter...
"Huh?"
A butterfly that had been circling around suddenly flew inside the room.
I stared at the butterfly that had moved away from me with a bewildered expression.
Thanks to the light of the mana storm, the surroundings outside the room were bright, so I no longer needed the butterfly's help, but...
For some reason.
-Flutter flutter.
It feels like that butterfly is calling me again.
Boom, thud!
At the same time as the loud noise, this time the floor shook.
There's really not much time left before the building collapses.
I need to get out quickly...
"Haa..."
I let out a long sigh.
And.
"Okay."
I turned and walked towards where the butterfly had flown.
'I know it's reckless.'
In a situation where every second counts, moving on the absurd assumption that the butterfly is calling me is an extremely reckless and foolish act.
But...
'I found the Crown Prince thanks to that foolish act.'
The one who was being swallowed by darkness.
And he appeared when I was in trouble and helped me with his light.
So this action will not be completely meaningless either...
'I believe it.'
The frequency of the building shaking gradually increased, but I didn't turn back.
The butterfly stopped in front of a pure white fireplace across the room.
"You're telling me to check here?"
Flutter flutter.
As if in response, the butterfly's wings flapped even more.
"Okay."
Now that I've decided to trust the butterfly, there's no room for hesitation.
I immediately examined the fireplace.
The pure white fireplace, with its delicate engravings, felt like it had been made with great care at first glance.
Probably made only for the owner of this room.
Then a question suddenly arose.
'Who is the owner of this room?'
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness and the butterfly's light spread out, the appearance of the room... the Non-Public Area came into view.
It was a cozy and peaceful room that didn't match the grand and impressive name of <Non-Public Area>.
The windows, sealed so they couldn't be opened, were arched, and a deep red carpet was spread out on the floor. In the center of the room was a dark green sofa and a small table, and across from it was a fireplace.
Now that human hands hadn't touched it and the light was out, it had a somewhat bitter atmosphere, but... it was still a room that made me feel comfortable for some reason.
It seems that the owner of this room and I have quite similar tastes.
'Taste, huh.'
Pfft.
To think that the day would come when I would have 'taste'.
I felt strange for some reason.
'But it happened.'
For example, I like red scarves. Walking on snow-covered paths that no one has stepped on is fun... I don't like green tea.
'I like cocoa. It's a little sweet, though.'
Besides, someone's arms are very warm and make me feel comfortable, my developing senses are exhilarating, and strawberries are delicious...
I've been running only towards survival, but the memories and experiences I've unknowingly accumulated have become so precious.
I want to keep them and never lose them forever.
The reasons why I want to live are increasing...
So much so that I'm afraid.
That's when it happened.
"Ouch."
Something sharp brushed against my fingertip.
I flinched and pulled my hand away, and blood was coming from the tip of my finger.
Drip...
A drop of blood fell inside.
'Was there an unfinished part?'
It's hard to believe that there's an unfinished part in this fireplace, which is like a very precisely made work of art.
'It could have been worn away by time.'
I decided to think that way.
Anyway...
"What should I do about this?"
I looked at the red bloodstain that had marred the white floor of the fireplace with a troubled expression.
It was only one drop, so it wasn't too dirty, but it was noticeable.
For some reason, I felt uncomfortable, as if I had trespassed into someone else's room and made a rude intrusion.
"I'm sorry."
I first pressed down on the stain with the handkerchief I had to erase as much as possible, then got up as it was.
In the end, I didn't find what the butterfly wanted from me here.
Boom...
'There's really no time now.'
It's a shame, but let's give up.
It's not even certain what's actually in that fireplace.
As I turned around.
Thud.
I heard something falling behind me.
Startled, I turned around.
The butterfly... flew inside the fireplace and illuminated the surroundings.
Inside there was.
"A pendant necklace?"
There was no doubt.
It was definitely the item that Giles Smore had brought from the study when I was hiding in the bushes watching the mana storm.
At the same time...
'The source of the mana storm!'
If I just take that out, I can quell the storm.
"How is this here..."
I was more dazed than happy because I didn't expect it at all.
Still...
'I can stop the collapse of the library!'
Tada!
I immediately took the pendant necklace.
And I reflexively looked up, looking for the butterfly.
"..."
The butterfly was gone.
I couldn't see it anywhere.
Just like when it guided me to the Crown Prince and disappeared, it disappeared without a trace, as if it had done its duty this time as well.
Did it really try to tell me about the existence of this pendant necklace?
What on earth... is the identity of that butterfly?
'Even the Crown Prince didn't know the identity of the butterfly.'
Boom!
I was curious about the identity of the butterfly, but now was not the time to worry about it.
'Let's get out of here!'
I shoved the pendant into my pocket.
I hurried out of the room.
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