Ch. 185 - Isolation (4)

Chapter 185: Isolation (4)

Tehalan, the capital of Adolevit.

It was quite a famous tourist destination.

Everywhere in the city, you could see the ‘Frost Cliff Palace,’ towering sharply on the distant horizon.

It exuded overwhelming majesty just by its mere presence.

Indeed, it was a splendid city.

Sitting at outdoor cafes, sipping drinks, and gazing at the distant palace gave a charming impression.

The streets of Tehalan evoked memories of 19th and 20th-century London: gloomy black trains traversing the city, gentlemen and ladies in formal attire, and buildings tinged with gray.

It felt like Sherlock Holmes might emerge from a nearby alley with Watson, hot on the trail of Jack the Ripper.

If you were to ask what to do next, the obvious first step would be to infiltrate that palace.

Of course, attempting clandestine entry into such a solemn palace on a mere whim was akin to suicide.

Even though Baek Yu-Seol lacked mana in his body, based on past experiences, mages had sensed his use of Flash and would likely trigger a mana response, alerting the security system.

However, infiltrating the Frost Cliff Palace didn’t have to be strictly covert and criminal.

There were moral and legal methods...

For instance, what if he were to become a ‘servant’?

Although it might seem daunting and unlikely to extract Hong Bi-Yeon within the remaining two to three weeks of summer vacation, becoming a palace insider was easier than one might think.

Thanks to the meticulously document which detail rmany ongoing events stored in Sentient Spec.

First, he sought out the most famous merchant in Tehalan, ‘Heaven’s Trading Company.’

"Oh? A Stella’s student? What brings you here?"

"Good day."

Heaven's Trading Company's office was more akin to a factory than an office.

Dozens of huge automotives were parked, while gentlemen directed loading and unloading, and people attended to their duties or supervised operations.

Baek Yu-Seol slipped into the midst of it all.

"Recently, I heard that there's a shortage of technicians for Antal Oiler. I happen to be quite skilled in handling Antal Oiler technology. Can I offer some assistance?"

Confidently spoken, but…

"What’re you talking about? There's no shortage of Antal Oiler technicians. That guy over there is also an Antal technician, and he's busy loading and unloading because there are so many technicians."

"..."

Failure.

The Sentient Spec wasn’t omnipotent after all.

It was natural.

Events weren’t precisely marked for when, where, or what might happen.

Additionally, countless butterfly effects occurred worldwide based on his actions, leading to different futures, so it couldn't be helped.

Of course, Baek Yu-Seol didn't expect success on the first try.

He continued to explore various places in the city of Tehalan: newspaper offices, weapon shops, magic stores, and so on.

Amid repeated failures, he finally found a place in trouble as indicated by the Sentient Spec.

‘Sunset Bookstore.’

Although it was called a bookstore, in reality, this place with no fame or distinction was one of the suppliers continuously providing books to the Adolevit Royal Family.

However, recently, a problem arose.

It appeared that the librarian, who had been thoroughly managing the supply of books to the royal family, ran away.

This gave the owner quite a bit of stress.

If the librarian had merely fled, it wouldn't have been a big issue, but they left all the related documents in complete disarray, making it difficult to meet deadlines.

"I happen to be quite good at organizing these kinds of things."

"... Is that so? Well, give it a try."

The bookstore owner seemed skeptical of Baek Yu-Seol, but perhaps because of the influence of Stella's mark, he was hired almost like a daily worker.

And within a day, he impressively tidied everything up.

"How did you...?"

"I'm just good at this."

The task itself wasn’t difficult. It was labor-intensive, though. It was a tedious process of sorting through documents one by one and reading them meticulously.

Of course, he wasn't the one reading; it was the Sentient Spec.

Then, he instructed the spec to classify all the documents' contents in order, and all he had to do was follow suit and gather them.

The workload was immense, so he had to skip meals for a whole day, but thanks to Baek Yu-Seol, Sunset Bookstore successfully delivered books to Adolevit, making it a rewarding job.

“This is great. We needed someone to fill the librarian’s position anyway. Did you say you’re working for the rest of the summer? We’re planning to deliver books directly to the royal family the day after tomorrow. Would you like to come along? Your help would be invaluable.”

Of course, not just anyone could enter the palace; you needed a well-established status.

But wasn't Stella's student ID somewhat exceptional?

Compared to the royal family, it wasn't much, but it was enough to be considered a ‘first-class citizen,’ so there wasn't much difficulty in simply entering.

‘If I've come this far, it's half the battle won.’

Yet he hadn't become a palace worker yet, but according to his plan, maybe...

"Wow. Did you three organize all of this?"

"Haha. Surprising, isn't it? But what's even more surprising is that the two of us did nothing, and this student did it all alone."

As the Sunset Bookstore owner shook his head and playfully hit Baek Yu-Seol’s back, the librarian from the Royal Library looked at him with admiration.

"You said you were a part-timer? You have impressive intuition and memory. Your personality is meticulous and delicate."

"Thank you."

"So here's the thing. Unfortunately, our librarian has fallen ill with a severe flu...” Grandpa Librarian said as he subtly glanced around.

"We'll pay generously, so how about trying to work for us during the summer?"

As he expected, or rather, as written in the Sentient Spec.

With the librarian of the Royal Library falling ill, there was a shortage of hands, but in the midst of that, a competent librarian appeared, so... Why not hire them?

"Yes. Of course."

That was how Baek Yu-Seol became able to work successfully at the Frost Cliff Palace.

However, just because he worked at the palace didn't mean he could meet Hong Bi-Yeon right away.

Baek Yu-Seol’s role was strictly limited to managing third-class books at the Royal Library.

He wasn't a citizen of Adolevit, just a traveler, so even reading second-class books like national spellbooks was impossible.

But that didn't mean there was nothing to do.

On the contrary, there was too much, to the point of being overwhelming.

The librarian had been absent for quite some time, and he wondered if anyone could really sort this out, so the Royal Library was in chaos.

It took over a week to tidy up, as the mess was so extensive.

"You really organized all of this. Impressive."

"Hey Librarian. Is that kid the one you mentioned?"

"Yeah. That’s right. Impressive, isn't he?"

"Hmm... "

As if that wasn't enough, administrative nobles who had heard the rumors began to take an interest in Baek Yu-Seol.

Baek Yu-Seol hoped the librarian would intervene, but unfortunately, he had little power.

"Uh, could you help me out when you have time? The documents are piling up like a mountain, and it's impossible to organize them."

".... Sure."

Baek Yu-Seol had planned to quietly pass as a simple librarian.

But he found himself running administrative errands here and there.

Baek Yu-Seol wasn't a citizen of Adolevit, nor was he a noble, and he wasn't even an official palace worker, so he didn't know what he was doing there.

Well, if he had some use, it was like being designated into the South Korean army and making do with whatever came his way.

Still, those things weren't entirely bad.

Although he wasn't an official palace worker, he could become friendly with noble courtiers, especially the maids, who were sensitive to rumors and could hear insider stories from the royal palace.

"Did you hear? The King is going on vacation with the princesses this time."

"Of course I heard. They're going to the coast of Levian."

"Ugh. What a great vacation place.”

Through the conversations of the maids, Baek Yu-Seol confirmed that the situation matched according to his knowledge.

[Extra Episode]

[Vacation of the Adolevit Royal Family]

This was an extra episode instead of an main episode.

But as he mentioned before, it was estimated that the key figure, 'Twelve Divine Moons,' which was presumed to lead this world to the correct ending, was hardly encountered in the main episodes and must be encountered through side stories.

For that reason... Baek Yu-Seol dared to say this episode was more important than any so far.

Because in the Levian coast, where winter never ends.

The Blue Winter Moon of the Twelve Divine Moons lay dormant there.

‘I didn't expect to proceed with this already…’

But ultimately, finding the Twelve Divine Moons was a destiny to be met someday.

Although the timing might not be right, since the situation was as it was, he had to do his best.

———

"... Princess. I'm sorry."

Hong Bi-Yeon kept her lips tightly closed. She silently listened to the words of her guardian knight, Yeterin.

Yeterin, who had always spent time with her since childhood, was Hong Bi-Yeon’s closest friend and protector.

Even in this dreadful palace where everyone seemed hostile, she was one of the few trustworthy figures she could rely on.

Yet, Yeterin was being dispatched.

Wasn’t it truly absurd?

Sending away the princess's guardian knight.

However, since it was a matter personally decided by King Hong Se-ryu, there was no room for reversal.

Until the last moment of packing up and leaving, Yeterin couldn't hide her sorrowful eyes.

Normally, Hong Bi-Yeon would have said something, but today her lips felt unusually heavy, and she couldn't utter a word.

"Princess..."

Despite Yeterin’s call, Hong Bi-Yeon didn't respond.

No, she couldn't.

She was clueless and speechless

She slowly approached Hong Bi-Yeon and whispered softly, "Princess. Even if I'm not here... you'll be able to handle it. The princess I've seen will never falter, and always move forward with integrity."

"I promise to quickly finish my mission and return to protect you, Princess."

After saying that much, Yeterin stepped back, and only then could Hong Bi-Yeon nod her head.

She didn't shed tears again.

There were still many eyes watching her here.

‘I must not appear weak.’

She must always show a strong facade.

Revealing any weakness would make her look vulnerable in an instant.

She might be at the top of the food chain, but at the same time, she was also prey eyed by all the predators.

After Yeterin left, another person took over Hong Bi-Yeon guardian knight position.

She didn't know his name or status, but one thing was certain.

‘He’s not on my side.’

With his short, stiff, and cold demeanor, he looked at Hong Bi-Yeon with a less than favorable gaze.

It wasn't a gaze one could dare to send to royalty, but she couldn't casually dismiss him.

He... was someone directly appointed by the queen.

… Night fell.

Hong Bi-Yeon stepped out onto the balcony wearing her night garments and gazed at the moonlight, feeling resentful towards the rising full moon.

‘What's so good that it's smiling so brightly like that?’

As she gazed blankly at the sky, memories of her sister, who had left long ago, came to mind. She and her sister used to lie on the hill together, and always gazed at the stars.

‘Have you ever seen a shooting star?’

Hong Bi-Yeon shook her head at that time.

It was past midnight.

At that time, no one was looking for her. No one stopped her from climbing the hill with her sister at dawn.

‘On a clear day without clouds, lay down a mat... Try to embrace the sky like this. At the moment you look at the shooting stars, you will be the freest person in the world.’

‘… My sister's words were wrong.’

‘I became someone that could no longer be free.’

‘What's so important about those shooting stars anyway?’

Lonely. Lonely.

Because she learned that unfamiliar lonely feeling.

Because she learned that she could not rely on someone.

This feeling dug deeper into Hong Bi-Yeon’s heart.

There was no one left to support her within the Frost Cliff Palace.

Those who had been by her side had all left.

She was alone. She was trapped in the palace alone.

To pray alone for a lifetime.

That was how she would wither away.

Hong Bi-Yeon leaned weakly against the balcony, closed her eyes, and bathed in the pouring starlight above...

"Ah."

Suddenly, she felt a strange yet familiar sensation on her cheek, causing her to open her eyes.

She absentmindedly brushed her cheek with her hand, but there was nothing there.

"This is..."

Upon further thought, it wasn't one of the five senses.

It was the sixth sense, the familiar scent of mana.

At an ambitious hour when everyone was asleep, Hong Bi-Yeon quietly slipped out of her room and walked through the hallway.

Without knowing where she was headed, she followed that familiar scent.

While walking, she passed through several hallways.

It wasn't until she left the palace that she finally arrived at a place she could call her destination.

It was... the library.

The Royal Library.

It was the first time she had come here in six months since enrolling at Stella.

‘Why am I here...?’

Even though she couldn't understand why she ended up here, she unconsciously opened the door to the library.

She thought it would be locked at this early hour, but strangely, the door was open.

Creak...!

The old, unlubricated door opened, revealing the interior of the library.

The smell of books wafted, but it didn't feel unpleasant.

There was no sign of anyone, but seeing the lights on inside the library, she cautiously took out her wand and headed in that direction.

Shortly after, there was a loud noise.

Thud!

Clatter!

"Crash!"

It sounded like something collapsing.

"What...!"

Hong Bi-Yeon hurriedly ran towards the source of the noise.

When she arrived, there were dozens of books scattered all over the place, and someone was struggling under them.

"Who..."

Just as she was about to ask who it was, a boy suddenly emerged from between the books, revealing his face.

… At that moment, Hong Bi-Yeon’s heart almost stopped.

She thought that this situation might not be real, so she unconsciously held her breath.

"Oh, I'm dead... Damn librarian, just wait until tomorrow to come to work...."

Muttering as he tried to lift the books, Baek Yu-Seol turned his eyes absentmindedly and met the gaze of Hong Bi-Yeon, who was staring at him in her nightclothes.

"Uh..."

A moment of silence.

Then, awkwardly, Baek Yu-Seol chuckled and said, "Haha... Well, instead of staring, why don't you come over and help? Aren’t neighbors supposed to help each other?"

Thud!

"... Huh?"

However, due to Hong Bi-Yeon’s hesitation to sit down, Baek Yu-Seol couldn't even finish his sentence.

"Uh. How… You’re here..."

"Just, um. Part-time job."

He pointed behind himself with his thumb.

"See that? I organized all of that. Isn't it amazing? I'm really skilled at this kind of thing."

Despite his efforts to boast, Hong Bi-Yeon didn't even look at the place Baek Yu-Seol mentioned.

She stared at him without blinking, as if she would forget him if she looked away for even a moment.

"Part-time job...?"

"That's right?"

"Huh. Heh..."

She laughed.

Strangely, though, her expression appeared sad.

"It's a lie...."

She bowed her head deeply.

"It's a lie. Who couldn’t figure... Stupid commoner...."

"Ahem! It's not a lie. Well, maybe there's a little MSG added. But Instant-foods doesn’t always taste good..."

"Don't look over here."

"Huh?"

Hong Bi-Yeon covered her face with both hands.

From then on, Baek Yu-Seol was genuinely at a loss and couldn't speak properly.

His lips seemed unable to move properly, as if caught in an error.

He had no idea she would react so strongly, so he really... couldn't do anything.

It was late at night.

It was an unusually bright starry night.

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