Chapter 97.

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Translator: thursdays Editor: Yahiko PR: LightBrin

Its the first time Ive seen your face, said the Lady of the Silver Lily.

Did the Constellation send you here without an explanation? Thats rare. Constellations usually try to give an apostle as much information as possible to start with. Do you have a bad relations.h.i.+p with the Constellation?

An apostle?

You really are clueless. Interesting.

The Lady of the Silver Lily opened a drawer. She took out a sandgla.s.s. It looked just like the sandgla.s.s that she had turned over. Ring! The lady lightly pressed a bell on her desk.

The door of the office opened.

Did you call, milady?

Take an extra 15 minutes. The break may last longer, so tell everyone to rest comfortably.

You seem to be enjoying the conversation. Shall I bring some tea?

Yes. Jerenisan tea.

Understood.

The gray-haired servant nodded. He lowered his head and left the room.

I didnt know what to say or how to say it, so I stood there awkwardly. The Lady of the Silver Lily raised her brows at me.

Its fine. Stand comfortably.

She did not tell me I could sit down comfortably.

Which Constellation sent you? Mutia? The Triangle Star? Hesimit Creech? Lazarus? Psyme? Hmm. Looking at your face, it looks like youve never heard of them. Who do you represent?

The Librarian of All Things

My head was befuddled. I did feel that the lady in front of me was not an ordinary person, but I didnt think itd be like this. I racked my brain and tried to recall the Librarians t.i.tle.

No, it was the Corner Librarian who sent me. [1]

A library.

The Lady of the Silver Lily twirled her quill with her left hand.

Corner Ah, is it Hamustra?

Hamustra.

A true name.

This person knew the true name of a Constellation.

Did Hamustra explain nothing to you?

The Librarian tries to avoid involvement in the Apocalypse as much as he can. Rather than giving us information upfront, he wants us to figure things out ourselves.

Apocalypse?

A world with collapsing barriers because there is no Constellation Thats what the Librarian calls a world that is about to end.

The Lady of the Silver Lilys eyes became narrow, like she was amused. Her pupils were red, so her gaze still drew attention even when she narrowed her eyes. Her eyes were a color that could overwhelm anyone she looked at.

As expected of a Constellation, its arrogant. Calling others world whatever he wants. An Apocalypse? Perhaps. Hmm. It isnt wrong that the world will one day perish. But I cant simply hand over my soul.

I blinked.

It seems that you still dont know anything. Did you not possess the butler of the Lady of the Golden Silk to steal my soul?

I shook my head. I had never heard of this before.

.

The Lady of the Silver Lily closed her lips. Her eyes began to moisten as if she was seeing a national treasure. Sc.r.a.pe. The lady continued looking at me as she opened the drawer and took something out. It was a third sandgla.s.s.

Ring.

Did you call for me, milady? I have the tea now.

Rest for another 15 minutes.

Your employees will be very happy today.

The servant went out.

The Lady of the Silver Lily looked at me over her teacup while sipping tea.

Look here, butler.

Uh, please call me Kim Gongja. Thats my real name.

I dont want to. Its impolite. Why are you asking me to call you by your name? Blame yourself for possessing a butler instead of a n.o.ble.

This person had been a little uppity since a while ago, hadnt she?

In any case, I understand that your state is like pure white paper. You probably havent even received a [strategy guide].

What was that supposed to be?

Its like this.

The Lady of the Silver Lily took out a piece of paper from her drawer.

Curvy script was written on a paper approximately size A4.

+

1. The Lady of the Silver Lily is weak in the sunlight. It is better to schedule dates for the evening and night rather than during the day.

2. The Lady of the Silver Lily has dull taste buds, so she likes exciting food.

3. The Lady of the Silver Lily likes white flowers. However, she receives too many lilies. Keep note of this when choosing a gift.

4. The Lady of the Silver Lily is pragmatic. She prefers conversations about politics, diplomacy, and money. Remember that writing love poems will be useless.

.

.

.

10. The Lady of the Silver Lily is a loyal subject of the empire. She may speak poorly of the empire or the prince, but she will never tolerate it if anyone else were to do so. Be careful.

+

I was speechless. This was crazy. What was that?

This is the strategy guide that the apostle who came to conquer me in the 6th session had. He was an apostle sent by a Constellation called Mahos. He called it the [target route].

My mouth opened.

T-target route

I was so shocked that I poisoned him and took it, the Lady of the Silver Lily said calmly.

As he died at my hand, he yelled, [I thoroughly followed the strategy, so why cant I win you over?!] He sounded as if he had been wronged. But I am the one who feels wronged. How could there be a strategy guide for a persons heart?

[The silver-plated heart is expressing her grievances.]

Its looking at people like theyre easy. If someone really wants to win my heart, they need to approach me fair and square. However, a strategy guide or target route? Its rotten to the core.

Thats Thats right.

Im glad you can be sensible.

The Lady of the Silver Lily put down her teacup.

There is a reason I appraised you highly. Its not just that youre smart. Its that you still see the people of my world as [human].

I-is that so? I feel like youre saying something that should be obvious.

There were numerous brutes who could not even satisfy that obvious condition. Mere beasts that do not regard other people as people. And yet, they believed themselves to be human. Filth.

I held my breath for a moment.

The Lady of the Silver Lily touched her chin when she saw me do so.

Hmm?

After humming, she nodded.

Is that how it is?

Thump.

Do these words mean something to you?

Thump.

Have you seen many such beasts as well? Or were you once seen as subhuman by such a beast?

Thump.

If not, is this the case? Someone dear to you said something similar

Milady.

I had to interrupt her speech.

I could no longer stand this feeling of someone splitting open my chest, taking apart my ribs, and staring at my raw heart through a magnifying gla.s.s.

[The silver-plated heart looks at you.]

I had to do something.

I opened my mouth.

Though you say such things, did you not consider me dull because I am in the body of a commoner, not a n.o.ble?

The Lady of the Silver Lily did not even blink.

What, are you that sad I havent called you by your name?

It just seems to me that your ladys.h.i.+p is not in a position to speak down to me.

I am not acting like I am better. Youre merely a poor butler who caused chaos at the academy.

The voice of Lady of the Silver Lily sounded a little merry, somehow.

However, I admit your point is valid.

Then, the lady coughed as if to bring the conversation back on track.

Now, what is it?

Excuse me?

I know that you do not want my soul. In that case, why did you cross the boundaries between worlds to come here? This is a world that repeats every ten days, forever.

[The silver-plated heart questions your true intentions.]

It isnt that the Constellation hated you so much he exiled you. I heard that Hamustra is rather moderate. But you wouldnt have come here for a vacation. Answer me, actor who plays the role of the Lady of the Golden Silks butler.

I am

I will hear no lies. The moment you say anything slightly untrue, I will never give you what you want, whatever your purpose. I will not reveal my heart to anyone who does not show their own first.

I agonized over what to say.

I want to make your world become the 25th floor.

But was this stage really necessary? It wasnt. The situation in the Tower wouldnt be troubled if we chose a different stage.

A fragment of my Holy Sword is in this world.

Did I have to collect all of the fragments and complete the Holy Sword? That wasnt the case, either. Finding s.h.i.+nys sisters will make me stronger as her owner, but in other words, itll just make me a little stronger.

.

The reason I had to stay on this stage right now.

I dont know what love is yet.

What?

Dating or romantic feelings, Im ignorant to all that. Your ladys.h.i.+p may not know this, but the genre of this world is [romance]. I think this is the right place to learn about love.

When Master performed her last dance, Bae Hu-ryeong blocked Masters sword and shouted something.

This Gongja kid still hasnt tasted the wonders of the world.

Cult master, did you know? This kid still has never fallen in love! Hes never been in a relations.h.i.+p!

Those words had made a deep impression on me.

If there is something I lack, I want to learn it. No, I want to know it. Leaving myself ignorant like that? It feels wrong. Its like Im buying something that isnt 100% full.

The Lady of the Silver Lily examined my expression. Maybe I was just seeing things, but her red eyes looked a little disconcerted.

Thats why you want to learn love?

Yes.

With me?

Thats something I dont know.

Explain.

I organized my thoughts.

To be precise, its more like I want to learn love from this world.

The world.

Yes. I want to know what I lack. I want to feel it.

Then, why did you come to me? You have your lady. Wouldnt it be faster with the Lady of the Golden Silk?

The Heretic Questioner.

The Lady of the Golden Silk.

I cannot.

Why not? Do you hate others who are possessed?

Its not a matter of liking or hating. That person is

If I were like you, that person had said.

He had said that.

That person is worse than I am.

.

To learn something, you have to learn from someone who is better than you.

The Lady of the Silver Lily sipped her tea. For a while, it was silent.

I suppose that this times Lady of the Golden Silk is unqualified to teach someone love. Rather, she seems like someone who needs to be taught.

Yes.

But thats still no reason to come to me.

I do have a reason, I said fervently.

The thoughts that I had in the dungeon filled my head.

I want to understand you.

The Lady of the Silver Lily did not seem to expect those words. A drop of tea splashed onto the front of her dress.

She blinked and repeated, Understand me?

Yes. I dont know yet whether its for the prince or for the empire, but Your Ladys.h.i.+p is loyal and has dedicated your life. Im curious how you can do that. I want to know what kind of feeling lies in your heart and what you think. If its because of love, then I want to feel that feeling, just like you.

.

Its a little embarra.s.sing, even shameful. But this is my honest answer.

The Lady of the Silver Lily remained silent for a while.

This

This time, I could clearly see it.

is truly the first time Ive come across such a case.

The Lady of the Silver Lily was fl.u.s.tered.

You want to know love. That comment alone shows you dont know people. But you want to understand me? Understanding is not a word to be said lightly. Its a word that leads people to poison. Understanding is no different than taking responsibility. Yet.

Librarian-nim.

I raised my head and looked into the blank air. Obviously, the Librarian wasnt there.

However, the Librarian and the top Hunters were no doubt listening to our conversation right at that moment.

Please stop broadcasting for a moment.

The air in the office was quiet.

I want to say something to the Lady of the Silver Lily, privately.

After a while, a voice responded to my request.

[The Librarian gladly accepts your request.]

[You are allowed skip the scene for 10 minutes.]

Okay.

I looked again at the Lady of the Silver Lily.

Im a regressor, too.

I continued, But the way my regression works is a little different than yours.

What is the difference?

Your ladys.h.i.+p said that you repeat the last ten days of this life. I go back a day whenever I die.

.

It isnt an ordinary regression, either. If someone kills me, I get a glimpse of that persons trauma.

Trauma?

Yes.

My whispered voice spread through the office.

I can see the scars, memories, and scenes that have affected a person in the deepest parts of their heart. If their wound is about something precious to them being destroyed, I see the memory of it being destroyed.

I didnt need to choose my words carefully. Just by opening my mouth, by letting my tongue loose, I naturally said what I wanted to say. When I told my secret to the Lady of the Silver Lily, I suddenly realized it.

Because of that, I can understand others a little more easily.

I.

I had wanted to tell someone my story.

To someone in the same situation. To someone who lived a life similar to mine.

.

The Lady of the Silver Lily was silent. Her eyes became calmer as I continued to speak. I could feel her listening to me seriously.

Its a kind of skill. A technique. Im afraid that Ill become used to understanding others easily. One of the people I trust most told me, [Never get too used to a skill]. But.

But.

If I alone understand, one-sidedly.

That isnt true understanding.

Still, I cant just let people be. If I do.

If you give up, theyll wither, become twisted, and die.

.

Perhaps its hypocritical, but I want to let you know that Im here, thinking of you and protecting you. If I can just manage that, how blessed would it be? Isnt that it?

My throat felt clogged up for a moment.

Yes.

Its foolish.

The Lady of the Silver Lily closed her eyes.

Understanding is for a single moment, but the responsibility lasts forever.

It was entering a h.e.l.l of your own accord.

The Lady of the Silver Lily muttered that and fell silent.

[The Corner Librarian is announcing that this is the end of the skipped scene.]

The young lady of the duchy opened her eyes.

Very well. Servant of the Lady of the Golden Silk.

She grabbed one of the sand gla.s.ses that she had turned over on her desk. Looking down at the slipping grains of sand, the Lady of the Silver Lily spoke in a quiet voice.

I shall let you know what love is.

~~~

[1]: Sorry for any confusion, but the real t.i.tle of the Librarian is the Corner Librarian. This has been corrected in earlier chapters.