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Chapter 01
The long war that had lasted for three years was over.
Pollen floated through the streets, and cheerful music drifted through the air.
“The war is over! It’s finally over!”
People let out their anger and sorrow. Everyone hoped that this hard-earned happiness would last for a long time.
Negotiations with the Landor Kingdom Failed
Quiet War: The War Has Not Ended
But what was the reality?
Toramde and the Landor Kingdom.
Between the two nations with differing ideologies, there was always a sharp tension. That tension reached its peak when the world-destroying weapon, NOK-ONE, became known to the public.
A bomb so powerful that a single drop could wipe out an entire country.
And the weapon’s developer, Nergal Galline.
Whether fortunate or not, before the weapon could be completed, Nergal died, and the NOK-ONE project was halted.
〈…You must never tell anyone what you saw. Never.〉
That was the extent of what the world knew. Unfortunately, people didn’t know the other facts.
While alive, Nergal had completed the full schematics of NOK-ONE, and his only young daughter had seen it.
And that daughter possessed an eidetic memory—the ability to remember something perfectly, like a photograph, after seeing it just once.
Fourteen years later.
The port city of Kenery in Toramde.
“Hmm.”
Strong sunlight shattered the quiet. I shifted my body and, stretching my arms, was surprised that my hands didn’t reach beyond the edge of the bed.
“…?”
Normally, my hands should have extended past the edge.
I slowly opened my eyes and saw a wide bed.
…Huh? Where am I?
Splash.
The sound of water from inside froze me in place.
Someone else was here besides me.
Yesterday, I had drunk with Lord Costance, and then…
Then… Oh no.
I couldn’t remember what happened next. This meant my memory was broken.
Plop.
The water sound stopped.
After the minute hand of the clock moved three times, the tightly shut bathroom door opened. Simultaneously, pale steam wafted out.
“…Lord Costance.”
The person who came out was, as expected, Lord Costance. His wet hair made his color appear darker than usual. A small face. Eyes and nose with striking depth.
Every time his red lips parted slightly, it was captivating, and his gray eyes were so beautiful they seemed dreamlike.
Where could a man this perfect exist?
Though he still had traces of youthful boyishness, his body was fully grown. Before I could take in his form in detail, Costance hurriedly put on a black T-shirt. The dampness clung to his clothes, revealing his upper body.
“Have you woken up?”
He spoke in a gentle voice.
“I-I… Lord Costance…?”
“Are you feeling well? Any pain anywhere?”
Lord Costance approached the bed. His hand hesitated as it reached my body. Instead, he placed his hand on my forehead.
The warmth made me flinch.
“If there’s anywhere it hurts, please tell me, Vivi.”
The look in Costance’s eyes was unusual.
“N-No, it doesn’t hurt anywhere. I’m fine. So…”
“Are you really sure you don’t have any pain?”
“Yes. N-No, I don’t.”
“That’s a relief.”
Lord Costance exhaled and spoke.
“But, Lord Costance… yesterday…”
“Yesterday… I was happy. I mean… it was really good…”
Damn, damn it…
Lord Costance had started coming to the library a few days ago.
Costance.
Full name: Costance Dite Orsi.
He had become known to the public just a year ago, thanks to a newspaper article.
Top graduate of the Military Academy, Lieutenant Costance Orsi Saves the World
The fear of war still lingered strongly. The newspaper reported that Costance had been caught between his ship and the enemy’s in a dangerous clash.
It was an extremely risky situation. Neither side wanted war, but neither could yield first… (excerpt)
A single mistake could have caused a new world war.
…Yet this situation was resolved by a lieutenant who had only been on the ship for three years.
That lieutenant was none other than Costance Dite Orsi, heir to a marquisate.
“I will do my best for the peace of the nation.”
Costance’s interview was remarkably ordinary. Later it was revealed that the newspaper hesitated to publish, worried that citizens, still fearful of war, might panic.
But once the paper was released, what happened?
It sold like wildfire.
Costance Dite Orsi. The empire’s new hero.
Everyone was enthralled by him…
Costance Orsi was that kind of person.
Top graduate of the military academy, noble bloodline, son of an admiral, and extraordinarily handsome. Even citizens who disliked soldiers welcomed him.
And yet, he had started coming to the library a few days ago. Did that make sense?
Stop Developing World-Destroying Weapons!
Prohibit NOK-ONE Research!
“Ban weapon development!”
“Ban it! Ban it!”
“There is no more war!”
“No more! None!”
Clack.
The sound of the blinds being lowered.
“Those damn protesters. Why are they causing this mess in front of the library? Do they think the library is easy pickings?”
The director spoke, unable to control his anger.
“Director, shh! Lord Costance is talking to Vivi.”
…They can all hear us.
“I want to find books by author Cherdo…”
I looked at Lord Costance in front of me. Kenery was a large city, so odd visitors occasionally came to the library, but a famous person was new.
“…The statue talks.”
“Right? Amazing.”
The seniors whispered to each other in Costance’s deep voice. I heard everything.
Meanwhile, Lord Costance was staring only at me.
“I mean books by author Cherdo.”
“Oh, I’m s-sorry. You mean the one who wrote about religious studies? There are five volumes. Which one are you looking for?”
“All five, please.”
“Could you wait a moment?”
My hands trembled. His military uniform was rarely seen in the library. And he was a famous officer.
Even though the fleet headquarters probably had the books, why did he come all the way to the town’s national library?
“For religion-related books, please use the 200s classification.”
“……”
“If you’re interested in sociology of religion, you can check this shelf.”
I bent down and pulled out the books Costance was looking for from the lower shelf. The titles were full of difficult religious terminology.
Yet when I offered them, he didn’t react. I looked closer and saw that he was staring at me, not the books.
“Lord Costance?”
“It’s nothing.”
He seemed flustered for a moment, then took the books I handed him.
“Is there a problem?”
He examined the books.
“Yes, there is.”
Oh no. I hoped there wouldn’t be!
“W-What’s the problem?”
“You said there were five books by Cherdo, but one is missing.”
“…Ah, one is a thesis, so general access isn’t allowed.”
“How can I view it?”
“It’s a bit complicated.”
It was complicated, but if I decided to, it was easy to let him read. The problem was that the one who had to make that decision was me, the librarian.
Should I pass it to a senior on the excuse of being busy? They were desperate to see Lord Costance up close anyway.
“I’ll ask another librarian. Could you wait a moment?”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t really need to see it, so these books are enough. Thank you… Vivi.”
He glanced at my name tag when he said that. My heart almost dropped. I barely managed to lift it back up.
“Yes, yes. That’s fine. But if you need help, please let me know.”
After a brief greeting, he returned to his desk.
“So, how was it?”
“Huh, huh?”
“What? Why are you so surprised?”
The seniors who had been waiting gathered beside me.
“Seeing him up close, he’s even more handsome, right? Right?”
They seemed to have forgotten they were librarians. The director frowned at the noise from behind.
“It was nothing. And since the director is glaring from behind, maybe you should return to your seat.”
“Oh.”
The seniors hurried back to their spots. But why was Lord Costance…
‘He chose the seat closest to me, didn’t he?’
‘Could it be…’
Had Lord Costance come here knowing who I was?
“Director.”
Unable to hold back, I cautiously called out.
“What is it, Vivi?”
“Um… I don’t have any tasks in the storage room today, right?”
“Storage? Don’t worry. You don’t today.”
I had tried to excuse myself under the pretense of errands, but failed.
“Then… what about errands?”
“Huh? None today.”
Also failed.
“Shouldn’t I clean the hallway?”
“Not at all.”
“Organize the reference room…?”
“Vivi.”
“You have reference room work!”
Finally, success! Then the director let out a heavy sigh.
“Since there’s nothing, just stay in your seat and work quietly.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t think about leaving.”
“…Y-Yes.”
