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Chapter 29
“In the Library”
[In the case of the Esperos territory, the temperature is too low to grow crops easily. What about trying greenhouse farming? Oh, but wouldn’t that be too expensive?]
“Here’s another one?”
The next note was inside a book titled [The Climate and Crops of Esperos].
At the end of a sentence, written in rushed handwriting and followed by an arrow, was a scribbled message:
[Brother says turning all the fields into greenhouses isn’t realistic. He’s firm even with family.]
Two sharp lines slashed across the paper like angry eyes.
“A kid’s talking like this with his older brother?”
It wasn’t even addressed to her, but it felt like a surprising gift.
“Books with notes were mostly about Esperos, and placed on the third or fourth shelf, not too high up…”
She picked out a book titled [Esperos and Lemstone].
Flipping through, she quickly found a note tucked inside—just like before.
“Got it!”
It felt like finding a four-leaf clover in a giant field.
The note read:
[Lemstone output dropped compared to last year. Need to visit Villeron Hill to figure out why. But will Brother allow it?]
“Lemstone output dropped?”
She tilted her head. As far as she remembered, Lemstone production had increased steadily since Zeros cut off trade ten years ago.
“It should’ve been going up, right?”
She doubted the note’s author would make such a beginner’s mistake.
“So what is this about?”
The name Villeron Hill caught her eye.
She picked up a book and flipped through quickly.
[Villeron Hill, located north of Esperos territory, is the main source of Lemstone. Over 60% is mined there, but it’s also a danger zone inhabited by monsters—specifically, Fenrir.]
An illustration showed a steep mountain and a wolf-like monster with silver fur and golden eyes.
She read the section on Fenrir.
“It’s way bigger than an adult male, aggressive, and mostly appears at night…”
The writer warned: if you ever see two golden lights in the dark forest, don’t think—just run. That’s Fenrir’s eyes.
Just reading it gave her chills.
“It’s fine. I’ll never see one… huh?”
Under the passage was a familiar handwriting:
[Could there be a connection between Fenrir and Lemstone production?]
“Why? Because Fenrir showed up near the mines?”
She realized she was talking to a note, and her cheeks flushed.
“Stop. You’re getting way too into this.”
The sun was already setting.
She hadn’t even eaten lunch.
“I came to look for the castle layout, and didn’t even try to find it…”
“Tomorrow, no distractions. Just do what I came for.”
She stacked the books and left the library, determined to find the castle’s blueprint tomorrow.
* * *
The next morning, as soon as she got ready and headed to the library, Mei looked shocked.
‘T-Today too? The library? W-Why?’
Heidi couldn’t exactly say she hadn’t found the castle layout yet.
‘I didn’t finish a book yesterday, and I’m curious about the ending…’
‘…Is it not okay to go today?’
‘No! I mean, that’s fine…’
Mei waved her hands nervously.
Taking it as permission, Heidi nodded and started to walk off.
‘But shouldn’t you eat something first?’
‘I usually skip breakfast.’
Mei bit her lip, then sighed and stepped aside.
Feeling awkward, Heidi quickly left.
“What’s with her today?”
Still confused, she entered the library.
The smell of old paper instantly calmed her.
“Let’s just check one more note before finding the castle map…”
Despite yesterday’s promise, she convinced herself to look for one more note first.
“That’s how everything works—you warm up before doing the real job.”
“What a great excuse,” she chuckled.
But as she turned toward the shelf, she saw a pair of feet.
A chill ran down her spine.
Looking up slowly, she froze.
“Long time no see, Heidi.”
Carriaire Esperos.
She never expected to run into him here, of all places—and this early in the morning.
“I heard the young lady skipped lunch yesterday and holed up in the library.”
He even knew what she had done the previous day.
He stood by the window, backlit by sunlight.
“I didn’t know the young lady was such a book lover that she’d skip meals two days in a row.”
“Th-that’s…”
She stammered. Carriaire stood up straight and walked toward her.
She couldn’t move.
His scent grew stronger as he approached.
Then he glanced at the pile of books she’d used to hunt for notes.
Smirking slightly, he leaned close and whispered:
“If you were curious about Esperos, you should’ve asked me.”
“I’m right in front of you—the master of this cursed land.”
She gasped and quickly tried to explain:
“Th-that’s not why I was—”
“Not because of that?”
“Then what were you looking for?”
“Huh?”
“You just said it yourself. You’re looking for the castle blueprint.”
“What, were you planning to escape and return to Delphiann?”
Her heart sank.
Carriaire’s red eyes pierced into hers.
“Before looking for the castle’s layout, you should’ve thought about what to do with me, Heidi.”
“Whether to stab the man in front of you in the neck…”
“Or maybe the heart.”
His voice dropped dangerously low.
The hatred and rage behind his flat gaze made her throat go dry.
“Am I wrong?”
Her hand clenched the fabric of her dress. Cold sweat soaked her palm.
She swallowed hard, her throat parched.
