13. New World

“Should I say it’s close to a trial?”

“Trial?”

Kiriel raised his eyebrows. The Head Librarian nodded and elaborated.

“Yes. You two will enter a specific novel together, solve the problem, and return. Then Lord Kiriel will maintain his existence, and we’ll arrange for Miss Round to settle in this world with 40,000 star points.”

“……The Otherworldly Library wouldn’t make such a good offer to a supporting character. Is there a trap?”

Kana’s eyes narrowed after finally composing her emotions. Though the conditions were extremely favorable, considering the Library’s past behavior, suspicion arose rather than joy. The Head Librarian pretended to sniffle.

“Oh my, it hurts my feelings that you doubt my sincerity. Despite appearances, our library always considers the convenience of our supporting character actors.”

“Fine. Then will we not be restricted in our abilities in that novel?”

“Yes, that applies to both of you.”

The Head Librarian nodded repeatedly. Without ability restrictions, they should have relatively more freedom of movement.

‘Hmm, does that mean the task will be that difficult?’

She maintained vigilance in one corner of her mind while continuing her questions.

“When we return after finishing the task, won’t time and space get tangled?”

“You’ll return exactly to this point in this space.”

“Then what are the disadvantages if we fail?”

“If you fail, Miss Round will lose 5,000 star points, and Lord Kiriel will be erased.”

The Head Librarian’s eyes flashed ominously. The penalty was harsher than expected. Especially for Kiriel. Finally, Kana decided to postpone her decision and raised her hand.

“Wait, this makes it hard to decide right away. Could we have time to discuss between the subjects?”

“Very well.”

As the Head Librarian fluttered both arms, the background instantly changed to a room with a table set with tea. In that small space, the two sat facing each other without the librarian.

Kana, her body slightly stiff, swallowed and spoke first.

“Before discussing the task, we should understand the situation first. How much do you understand?”

“Well, Miss Kana belongs to a library and is a kind of role actor dispatched to specific worlds to complete missions and earn currency called star points? Those points are needed to remove restrictions and settle down.”

Kiriel tapped the table with his finger. Though he had only heard fragments of conversation, he had grasped the core.

While she quietly marveled, he lowered his eyebrows and added.

“……You received disadvantages because of being involved with me?”

“It’s not your fault. The responsible librarians must have messed up.”

“So that cloth doll is the Otherworldly Library’s librarian, and librarians are like administrators?”

“That’s right.”

Kana nodded and explained carefully to him with appropriate boundaries. Kiriel listened intently to her words until the end with a serious expression.

He gently caressed her hand placed on the table.

“I see. You’ve been through a lot.”

“You’re not very surprised.”

She was amazed at his composure in this situation, since she had been very shocked when she became a supporting character. Kiriel smiled softly while shaking his finger side to side.

“Honestly, I’m very surprised, but there are many things in the world I don’t know about. With spatial magic existing openly, other worlds could exist too. As a mage, it’s quite an interesting topic.”

“Even at a time like this, maintaining such a scholarly attitude—Lord Kiriel, you’re really hopeless.”

Kana chuckled while shaking her head. The tense atmosphere relaxed considerably. Kiriel’s eyes sparkled as he snapped his fingers.

“That part too, but I’m glad to learn more deeply about you, Miss Kana.”

“What?”

Kana’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. Kiriel took a moment to catch his breath before continuing slowly.

“How should I put it… After hearing the explanation, I understand those strange restrictions in detail and comprehend your actions. Looking back, all your words and actions had reasons.”

“……That’s right.”

Kana blinked. Having an open conversation with someone other than supporting characters and librarians felt unfamiliar yet relieving.

Kiriel muttered as if to himself.

“By the way, originally I was supposed to fall for Her Highness the Crown Princess? I can’t imagine myself clinging to someone else while leaving you.”

“I couldn’t imagine this situation more. So when our hearts connected, though my feelings were complicated, I was a little happy.”

“If you said it didn’t feel real, I would have made it feel real.”

Kiriel responded slickly to Kana’s words with a mischievous smile. Kana turned her head slightly and cleared her throat politely while changing the topic.

“Ahem, more importantly, now that we generally understand the situation, let’s decide which method to choose.”

“I like the last method.”

The method where they enter a specific novel together. He chose the method with great disadvantages to himself without a moment’s hesitation. Kana asked in shock.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. Since there are disadvantages no matter which method we choose, putting that aside, the last option has the best conditions. Which method would you like to choose?”

“I still prefer the second method.”

The method where she pays a large amount of star points. Considering both their situations, it was the most moderate and safe option.

Kiriel’s hand twitched. He swallowed his anxiety and raised his eyebrows as he asked.

“Why? Do you dislike being together with me that much?”

“No. I don’t want to lose someone precious. I’d rather you forget me but live well than fail and have your existence disappear.”

Kana gazed straight at him while expressing her true feelings. Kiriel made a strange expression before ruffling his hair and refuting awkwardly.

“Well, I’m not sure I could live happily without you, Miss Kana. Not to brag, but I have good intuition, so I think I’d feel empty even without memories. How could I live like that.”

“……”

“And why are you already assuming that we’ll fail? We can succeed, return, and keep living together.”

Kiriel clenched his fist tightly. His attitude showed confidence and dignity that they could definitely succeed. Kana fiddled with the teacup handle while looking at his firm purple eyes.

“That may be true but……”

“Come with me, Miss Kana.”

“Alright.”

What could she say when he held such firm resolve and desire? Finally, Kana took his outstretched hand. Kiriel held her hand firmly while looking around.

“Now that we’ve decided, how do we get out of here? Where is that Head Librarian?”

“Hoho, I’m outside.”

Suddenly only the Head Librarian’s voice rang out, then the scenery changed with the sound of fluttering cloth.

The frozen fountain came into her view. The gray cloth doll swayed side to side under the pale moonlight.

“Since you chose the last method, now……”

“Wait, there are points we need to clarify first.”

“Please speak freely.”

The Head Librarian remained composed despite Kana’s sharp gaze. She immediately threw out questions.

“Will our appearances and entry point location be fixed?”

“Yes. You’ll go together to a fixed point in that appearance.”

That was fortunate. If their appearances changed and they got separated despite entering together, finding each other would be difficult before even starting the task. Kana reflexively touched the ruby on her ring finger.

“What happens to our possessions?”

“You can only take currently equipped items and what’s in your spatial storage. Of course, you can’t pack anything more at this point.”

Slightly disappointing, but better conditions than everything disappearing. Anyway, her core items were still in the ring’s spatial storage, and Kiriel should have things stored in his spatial storage too.

Kiriel, who had been watching silently, stepped forward to ask.

“Are there no separate explanations or precautions about the task?”

“You’ll find out when you enter.”

This was typical Otherworldly Library handling. Not being able to see keywords or plot in advance was inconvenient, but regrettably there was no choice.

While Kana clicked her tongue, Kiriel examined the Head Librarian.

“Surely we won’t be in immediate danger right after entering?”

“Since people’s perception of degree varies, I can’t give a clear answer…… but not to that extent.”

“I see.”

“I’ll only take questions up to here. For now, let’s go and see the work directly!”

The Head Librarian clapped loudly. The exit door that remained after Alderaan left disappeared and changed into the familiar library magic circle. Kiriel’s eyes narrowed.

“Hmm, the magic circle looks blurry. But I can tell it’s quite high-level.”

“Maybe because it’s for moving to another world. It’s similar to the one in the Otherworldly Library, but even supporting characters who played mage roles couldn’t interpret it.”

“Really? That’s interesting.”

Kiriel touched his chin like a proper mage and made an intrigued expression. The Head Librarian watched the whispering pair and waved gently.

“Having a friendly chat is nice, but please hurry onto the magic circle. Time is pressing.”

Kana took a slow deep breath and stepped onto the magic circle with Kiriel. Pure white light enveloped them.

When the light faded, nothing remained in that place. The gray cloth doll floating in empty space also smoothly disappeared.

* * *

The background changed. They were sitting side by side on a sofa in a clean, spacious mansion.

Their attire had changed slightly—Kana wore a white shirt with a long navy skirt, while Kiriel wore a white shirt with plain black pants and even a dark gray cloak.

While she looked around, he opened his mouth.

“Miss Kana, it seems we’ve arrived at a new place. Now what task do we need to do here?”

“Well, if this trial is similar to previous work, I think a notification text should appear soon.”

No sooner had her answer finished than text appeared in mid-air.