“Really? You’ll really tell me?”

When I asked again in surprise, the librarian looked rather bewildered.

Judging by his expression, he seemed to think I was overreacting to something trivial.

“…It’s nothing special.”

“Shall we step outside for a moment?”

Unlike regular libraries, the imperial library had no place for conversation.

“Step outside?”

“Could you spare me some time?”

“Time… as well?”

Seeing his somewhat uncomfortable expression, I immediately lowered my voice.

“We might disturb others.”

“But there’s hardly anyone—”

“Just a brief moment will do.”

“Very well. But I can’t spare much time.”

I promptly led the puzzled-looking librarian to the lounge adjacent to the transcription room.

With plenty of people passing by, we wouldn’t stand out too much.

“Thank you for your time. I’m Leonora Chadmon.”

“Broin Iris.”

Though he still looked disgruntled, he sat up straight and faced me.

“I’ll ask directly. Is it really possible for a human soul to leave the body and return?”

“Yes.”

Iris’s answer was remarkably concise.

It must have been a simple question requiring no particular thought or deliberation.

“Is it that easy?”

“Pardon? No, I never said it was easy.”

“I heard that when the body falls into a deep sleep, the soul can leave—”

Before I could finish my sentence:

“What? What did you say?”

“I heard that when the body falls into a deep sleep, the soul can leave.”

“Who told you such nonsense.”

Iris scoffed and shook his head.

“Are you saying it’s not true?”

“Yes, that’s complete nonsense. If souls left bodies during deep sleep, imagine how chaotic this world would be.”

“……”

“That’s the most absurd thing I’ve heard recently.”

“But that can’t be right.”

“Someone must have played a trick on you, my lady.”

But Millean had clearly told me this.

Not to mention, he wasn’t just an ordinary priest but one with holy power second only to the high priest.

“A trick…?”

‘When the physical body falls into a deep sleep, the soul can sometimes leave.’

‘What if the soul leaves? Then where does it go?’

‘There’s no way to know where a departed soul goes.’

‘Could it enter someone else’s body in a similar state?’

‘The probability is very low, but it might.’

Suddenly, everything from the moment Millean entered until he left played like a panorama in my mind.

Right. Millean is a slippery, indifferent liar. I can’t rule out the possibility he was playing a prank.

‘But why would he lie to me like that?’

Whether it was a joke or something else, I understood he had deceived me, but his intention remained unclear.

As I became lost in thought with a confused expression, Iris cautiously spoke.

“Who told you such things, my lady?”

You probably know him.

He’s quite famous.

In my frustration, I almost mentioned Millean’s name but held back.

Acting rashly would do no good. In the imperial palace, the more tight-lipped you are, the better off you are in every respect.

“…I must have been mistaken. Then, librarian, if souls don’t leave during deep sleep, how can they leave the body?”

“There are two methods.”

Iris continued with a rather serious face.

“One is death, the other is using sorcery.”

“Sorcery.”

“But it was forbidden long ago. The descendants of the exiled demon tribe used to practice it secretly.”

“…Demon tribe?”

“Yes, so there shouldn’t be anyone in the Empire capable of it now.”

No, there definitely is someone capable.

“What about those with holy power?”

“If they used forbidden sorcery and incurred divine wrath…”

For the first time, Iris furrowed his brow and shook his head.

“Then… is it possible to exchange souls?”

“In theory, yes. But you’d better consider it impossible. Since no one can do it.”

After answering that much, Iris glanced toward the door.

Thinking he had been away from his post too long, he seemed ready to get up.

“You know everything, librarian. You’re truly impressive.”

When I suddenly complimented him, he gave a barely perceptible smile and replied.

“It’s nothing special.”

“I’ve been curious all this time, but no one gave me proper answers. You’re the first to provide a clear explanation.”

“I actually studied theology before coming here.”

“Ah, I see. You’ve spent a long time on difficult studies.”

“It would have been better if I had become a priest, but working here isn’t bad either.”

“Being surrounded by books suits you well.”

When I clasped my hands and murmured this, he smiled awkwardly and stood up.

“My lady, please come again if you have more questions.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, and one more thing.”

Iris was about to leave but added one more comment.

“Many scholars have studied souls. ‘The Boundary of Life’ is quite professional yet easy to understand, so give it a read.”

“Thank you so much. I won’t forget this kindness.”

I returned to the transcription room to find the book Iris had recommended.

Unlike the solemn atmosphere of the library, the transcription room felt somehow comforting with the quick sounds of pen nibs moving and occasional voices.

‘Why would Millean lie to me like that? It seems strange for it to be just out of laziness.’

Even if I went back to find him, I probably wouldn’t discover anything.

‘It would be ridiculous to confront him about his lie.’

For now, let me try to find some clues here.

I settled at the end of a massive desk and opened the book.

As I turned the pages, hoping to find comparable cases, I heard someone whispering behind me.

“Is that true?”

“Shh.”

Another person seemed to be cautioning them, but the first person continued regardless.

“I’m telling you. Apparently he’s about to be kicked out for getting caught cheating.”

“Didn’t you say his wife comes from an incredible family?”

“Right, they own mines. And besides…”

Though I tried not to pay attention, my ears perked up involuntarily at the salacious content.

“What? Good heavens. To cheat on such a wife, my goodness.”

“That’s why he’s in hot water now. But is it even possible to keep a wife asleep for ten days?”

“He asked you to do that?”

“Yes, I wonder what he takes me for.”

“So what does he plan to do by keeping his wife asleep for ten days?”

Just as I sensed movement behind me, the voices abruptly stopped.

I kept my head buried in the book, pretending to concentrate.

“Let’s go outside first.”

After a while, when the footsteps had completely faded, I cautiously raised my head.

Someone wants to keep his wife asleep for ten days.

They said it was impossible, but…

‘No, I think there must be a way. And… that person seems to know it too.’

Could Sienna be in a similar situation right now?

Did someone deliberately put me to sleep and separate my soul from my body?

The thought sent a chill through me. I didn’t know who was behind it, but I felt I had to find out.

Just then, the lounge door opened and someone walked in. Thinking it might be the men who had left earlier, I reflexively looked up.

“My lady.”

It was Iris who entered.

With a somewhat sheepish expression, he placed the books he had brought next to me.

“I thought you might like these books too.”

“My goodness, thank you so much.”

“It’s nothing.”

I gave a thumbs up to Iris, who was pretending to be nonchalant, and repeatedly expressed my gratitude.

“Um, may I ask one more thing?”

“Yes, if it’s something I know, I’ll tell you.”

“Is it possible to make someone sleep for ten days or longer using holy power or something else?”

He tapped his chin with his finger a couple of times and said:

“It’s possible in theory, but you should consider it impossible in practice.”

“Is that also forbidden sorcery?”

“Of course. Even with good intentions, we can’t guarantee good results, and this is overtly dangerous sorcery. But my lady, why do you keep asking about such frightening—”

“I’m just naturally curious. Thank you, and I’ll read all of these thoroughly!”

I crafted a friendly smile and sent Iris away.

“Phew.”

In the quiet lounge once again, I slowly began reading the book Iris had recommended.

As he said, it was a book that could be comfortably read even by those without theological training or study.

‘I should jot down important passages.’

I was so absorbed in the book that I lost track of time.

“My lady.”

Looking up at the sound of someone calling me, I saw Oz standing there.

“Aide.”

He glanced briefly at the book I was reading and said in a gentle voice:

“His Majesty is looking for you. Shall we go together?”