Chapter 3
The hand that was holding the book froze in mid-air.
‘Did he say he would be angry?’
Dangerous?
Does he mean the library is dangerous? Or this country? If not, then the world?
No. That’s not it.
‘Sir Costance said he would be angry if I got hurt.’
From the low tone of his voice, it was clear he wasn’t saying something trivial.
For a moment, she doubted her ears, but when she looked into those deep eyes that held her gaze, it didn’t seem like she misheard.
Her lips wouldn’t part. The distance was too close to avoid his gaze by turning her head away.
For a while, they exchanged glances without saying a word.
Seeing a man up close like this made everything that had filled her mind go blank. The suspicions she had about him, and the anxious feelings.
It wasn’t the first time she had seen him, but she was mesmerized by his appearance. When those deep eyes seemed to dig into her face, her heart nearly sank.
It seemed like a crazy thought, but does Sir Constance like me?
‘That can’t be. Why would Sir…….’
It’s a ridiculous thought. Yet, this conclusion made Costance’ suspicious actions understandable.
But it’s really an absurd idea.
Apart from this library, she and he had never met.
There was no situation that could lead to falling in love. There wasn’t enough reason for him to fall for her.
Sometimes there were men and nobles who flirted with her because of her appearance… But the man in front of her couldn’t possibly like her.
Then why does this noble-born man keep obstructing my path?
“Vivi.”
Her breath caught. It was at that moment.
“Ban the development of NOK! Ban it!”
“There will be no second war! No second Nergal!”
The voices of protesters and the sound of trumpets from beyond the library interrupted between her and Sir Costance.
“The library is really noisy these days, isn’t it?”
Regaining her composure first, she quickly picked up the books and handed it to him.
“I just remembered something urgent I need to do.”
Of course, it was a lie.
“I’m sorry, but could you please put the book anywhere in the storage over there for me? Pl-please.”
It seemed a bit shameless, but she was in a hurry.
“Thank you in advance. Then…!”
She left the spot as if fleeing.
* * *
She couldn’t concentrate on work at all. One reason was Sir Costance, who returned to his place after fulfilling her request, and the other was…
“Vivi, go and stop them.”
“What?”
She followed the director’s gaze to look out the window. Outside, the protesters were holding signs with excited faces. Recently, there had been NOK opposition protests everywhere, but the protest in front of the library was excessive.
“Ask them to move to another location or hold a silent protest. Please ask them to stop.”
“M-Me?”
“Yes, you, Vivi.”
The director pointed directly at her.
Why me… I just moved a heavy box.
Well, Sir Costance did most of it, but she swallowed the words.
“Then with the guards…”
“They’re all busy with major repairs due to a basement leak. It’s chaos.”
“…What about security?”
“Didn’t I tell you that the Mayor abolished the library security guards while emphasizing the ‘Safety of Canary’ slogan? But don’t worry, Vivi. Canary Village is a safe place with a major naval command base. Just talk to them once, and if it doesn’t work, you can report it to the police.”
When she hesitated, the director added more words.
“Director. Wouldn’t it be better to report to the police from the start…?”
“Vivi.”
The director called her name again.
“In this damn country, if you report to the police recklessly, no one will listen. First, try to resolve it through conversation, and if there’s still a problem, then report it.”
So try your best.
She had no answer to the director’s words.
Going to talk to people who clearly wouldn’t listen? And sending the youngest member of the library?
What tyranny is this? The one who should be reported to the police is not the protesters but the tyrannical director who orders the youngest around.
“What are you doing? Get up.”
“I was just about to.”
She got up hastily, hesitating.
As she stepped out of the reading room, the voices of the protesters were loud. They weren’t just shouting; they were banging drums and blowing trumpets. Hiding behind signs claiming to be victims while causing trouble for others.
It was a complete mess.
“……”
She looked at the protesters in front of her. All seven of them were large.
NOK is the path to world destruction!
Absolutely oppose the second Nergal!
“Ban the development of NOK!”
“Ban it! Ban it!”
“There must not be another Nergal, traitor Nergal must not appear!”
“No more! No more!”
The people shouting at the top of their lungs glanced at her as she approached. She forced a smile.
“Um…….”
They glared at her with distrustful eyes. They already figured out her intention for approaching them.
“What is it?”
“The noise from your protest is too loud. It’s disturbing the citizens reading inside. Could you please move to another location?”
At her words, their faces hardened instantly. They ignored her and continued their protest even louder. Her ears were ringing.
“E-Excuse me!”
The protesters thoroughly ignored her.
“If you continue, I’ll have no choice but to report to the police…!”
“Miss.”
As soon as she mentioned the police, they reacted. Their voices were mocking.
“Are you saying reading is more important than peace?”
She shook her head.
“But you’re disturbing the library.”
“Miss, do you support the development of NOK? Do you want this world to die in war again?”
They spoke with a very aggressive attitude.
“Then could you at least lower your volume a bit…?”
“If we lower our voices, is that a protest? It needs to be loud to reach the City Hall ahead.”
But why are you taking it out on me?
“Then wouldn’t it be better to protest in front of City Hall…….”
“If we could protest there, would we be here? The police are all over the City Hall. This Square is the closest place to the City Hall.”
The protesters didn’t seem like they would listen to her at all.
“Miss, listen to me.”
That wasn’t all. They began listing the problems of this country, trying to educate her.
That’s when she realized she was in the wrong. To them, a girl who seemed naive and unaware of the world was the perfect target. There couldn’t be a better person to indoctrinate with their ideology.
Wondering if the director was watching this situation, she turned her head. But instead of the director, it was Sir Costance who was coming out of the library.
‘But why is he looking at me…….’
She realized. Sir Costance was approaching her.
“Well then, I’ll just…….”
“Where are you going?”
One of the protesters grabbed her arm. Startled, she shook off his hand forcefully.
“Ah!”
In doing so, she lost her balance.
“Vivi!”
She thought she heard Sir Costance’s voice. Without time to regain her balance, she fell to the ground, frowning at her scraped arm.
It stung and hurt.
“What, what the…….”
She heard the bewildered voices of the protesters above her. They quickly hid the hand that had grabbed her arm, as if they hadn’t expected her to fall.
“Why did you fall on your own…….”
She suddenly became someone who fell by herself.
“Vivi, are you alright?”
Sir Constance, who had reached her side in an instant, extended his hand. When she hesitated, he gently supported her waist and helped her up.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re injured.”
After helping her up, he examined her wound. His face hardened as he looked at her elbow.
“I’m fine. Really.”
Not wanting to make a bigger issue, she looked at him. He silently observed her arm before turning to the protesters.
“I-I didn’t do anything.”
“Vivi’s wound is severe.”
“…”
They were afraid of Sir Costance, who was bigger and held a higher title than them. Their attitude was completely different from when she was alone.
“W-We did nothing wrong.”
She felt disgusted with them.
“First, stop your violent protest. And you, come with me…”
“Sir Costance!”
She urgently grabbed his arm.
“Please, step aside for a moment.”
She stood in front of the protesters. Unlike before, they flinched at her eyes, which were now filled with determination.
“War is…… when the strong force their understanding on others because they can’t compromise.”
“…”
“That’s why NOK was developed. Because with NOK, other countries won’t rashly invade with guns. Just like how you become weak in front of Sir Costance.”
The protesters frowned.
“What?”
“What I’m saying is this. If you truly desire peace, please!”
“…”
“Please… protest quietly.”
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WooOngbin
Like the protestors have a massive point, dwag. When people (governments) develop mass destruction weapons it kinda goes over their head and they start itching to use them. True leace will never be achieved if weapons for war are being produced.