episode_0006

John, who came to the library, kept looking around with his eyes wide open.

Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations since it was a library in a mansion in the zodiac…

‘This is beyond my imagination.’

The scale was great, and the number of books was also countless.

“… The library is much larger than I thought. It seems like a large library.”

John expressed his honest feelings.

It was on such a grand scale that my mouth fell open, so I couldn’t help but be honest.

Francia chuckled and leaned her head on Johan’s shoulder, smiling faintly.

“Right? It’s the library my father prepared for me when I was attending the academy. It’s all copies, but it has everything I need.”

Certainly. A library like this would have most anything, except magic books that the state has banned.

It was the environment that John needed most.

“Can I take a look for a moment?”

“Of course. Take a look around.”

John took a step forward to examine the magic books. In the process, he had to let go of Francia’s hand, and she puffed out her cheeks as if she was sorry about that.

“Shall we just look around together?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Francia naturally took Johan’s hand and locked it with hers. They walked side by side, their shoulders closer together than before.

“The basic magic book is over there.”

“Ah. The basic magic book is fine.”

“Yes? Then─”

“I’ll go over there.”

The direction John pointed to was basically an area with magic books that could be understood by those who had reached the level of a great magician, beyond the average magician.

“Oh, over there… … .”

“Go.”

Francia followed John as he walked briskly.

Johan took the book out of the bookshelf and slowly rolled his eyes, reading the runes without any problems.

“That’s okay.”

“Can you interpret this?”

“It’s a little difficult, but it’s not a problem.”

John smiled and put the book away. Then he walked away again to find new books.

Then I discovered a strange book. There was nothing drawn on the cover and it didn’t even have a title.

“What is this?”

“Ah- That? It’s a strange magic book. There aren’t any runes written on it.”

Francia continued her explanation.

“When I first saw the book, I thought I couldn’t see the runes because I wasn’t yet at the level I wanted to be. But… …I’ve reached the beginner level of wizarding, and I still can’t see the content.”

Feeling interested, John raised his eyebrows and opened the book, which had no decoration or cover.

‘This is… … .’

A magic book with no visible runes, only formulas and symbols drawn on it.

John knew this well.

‘It’s a forbidden book.’

It’s a forbidden book that needs to be sealed.

The reason I could tell right away was because Cassis had a hobby of collecting forbidden books.

As a reader, John could not help but be familiar with the characteristics of forbidden books.

I just don’t know why this is here.

‘Is this Cassis’ doing?’

That couldn’t be true. When I heard the story, it turned out that this book had been around since Francia was attending the academy.

John asked.

“Where did you get this book?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. Should I ask the librarian?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Tinkle. Francia snapped her fingers and the bell rang. Hearing the sound, the librarian quickly approached and asked.

“What brings you here?”

“I want to know the source of this book.”

John handed over the book he was holding, without a cover. The librarian looked at the cover, opened it, and carefully examined the contents before tilting his head.

“This book is not handled by the Pervace Zodiac Library… …I don’t know why it’s here. Sorry.”

The librarian said so and bowed deeply. As a librarian, not being able to remember the books in the library was a sign of lack of ability.

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”

But Francia was generous. She smiled kindly and patted the librarian on the shoulder.

“Thank you for your consideration… … .”

John, who received the book back from the librarian, looked over its contents in silence.

Then I was able to discover a pattern.

‘Thunder?’

It was lightning. It might be a book about thunder. John continued to look through the book.

‘It’s not just a book of brain magic. Here, the earth is turned upside down, and there, the sky is turned upside down.’

Here John could see what this book meant.

‘Book of Disaster?’

A book written by those who walked the path of magic to raise their level, which is said to bring disaster.

‘Wouldn’t that be useful?’

John had no intention of walking the path of the devil, but the possibility of learning the Book of Calamity was a different matter.

‘I have to fight against crown princes and dukes who have been taking elixirs and potions since they were young.’

In that respect, it would be a good idea to learn at least one ultimate skill like the Book of Disaster.

“Francia, can I take this book and study it?”

Francia smiled at him. It hadn’t been long since I’d seen her, but it was a meaningful smile I’d never seen before.

‘what?’

John tilted his head slightly. Was it possible to smile like that? I don’t know since it hasn’t been long since I met her.

“Okay, you can take it. After all, it’s a book that the Pervace Imperial Library doesn’t have.”

“Thank you.”

John smiled, holding the book in his arms.

‘If only I could learn this.’

Even if you are in a great crisis with the Crown Prince and the Little Duke, you will be able to create an escape route.

I still don’t know exactly what magical powers are contained in this Book of Disaster, but…

‘Because each and every one of the Books of Disaster contains powerful magic.’

It wasn’t called a forbidden book for nothing. It must have contained powerful magic.

“Then shall we look at other magic books?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Johan walked alongside Francia, gathering the magic books he needed immediately and studying proper magic for the first time.

* * *

Late at night. Before Johan returned to his family home, Francia finished her meal and went out onto the terrace to enjoy one last moment with him.

Unfortunately, the Duke did not attend the dinner. I heard that he had many matters to attend to before returning to his estate, and that he had no choice.

Francia, sitting on a terrace chair, smiled and pointed to the sky.

“There are a lot of stars out there today.”

“That’s right. It makes me feel at ease when I look at it.”

The night sky seemed to be wrapped in a deep, dark velvet curtain.

Countless stars twinkled as if sprinkled with diamond dust.

The Milky Way flowed like a mystical river across the sky.

The moon appeared between the clouds, emitting a soft light like a giant pearl.

The occasional passing meteor seemed to contain someone’s wish, drawing a fleeting light and then disappearing.

“The moon is beautiful.”

John said.

“That’s right. When John enters the civil service in a month, I’ll be able to look up at the night sky like this again, right?”

Francia held John’s hand tightly. He smiled lightly and answered.

“I won’t take too long. The family business will be over soon.”

Before entering the imperial civil service, he had to meet with his father, the head of the household, and settle the matter.

“Harsen Youngshik, the carriage is ready.”

At that moment, the voice of his aide, Enrique, was heard from behind. Johan nodded immediately and stood up from his seat.

She said, sitting on the chair and still not letting go of John’s hand.

“The time has finally come… … .”

John stroked the back of Francia’s hand, drawing a line at the corner of his mouth.

“As I said before, it won’t take long. I’ll finish the work quickly and go up to the zodiac.”

“Yes… … .”

Francia nodded, poking out her lips.

“Then I will go. I will see you off later, when we meet again.”

So John left the Perbace Palace and returned to the Harsen Counts.

* * *

It took a whole day to get to the Harsen mansion.

Compared to the Pervace Imperial Mansion, it was a very inadequate mansion, but to John, it was a more comfortable place than any other place.

“Are you here, my lord?”

“Yeah.”

As I got out of the carriage, the butler who had been waiting bowed politely.

“What about your father?”

“He is in the office.”

“I need to meet you right away.”

John took off his coat, handed it to the butler, and strode into the mansion.

When he appeared in the mansion, the female servants were busy blushing.

‘Shall we go?’

John, who had arrived in front of the office, took a deep breath.

dripping.

-Come in.

Click. As I opened the door and stepped inside, I saw Count Harsen – Balder Harsen – examining documents with a magnifying glass.

“Did you enjoy the party?”

“Yes. Thanks to that, I was able to show my face at the church without any problems.”

“Okay, then that’s fine.”

It is unusual for a writer to provide support in this way to Yohan, who is only the third son of a swindler.

Looking at the path John has taken so far, the choice of Count Harsen was excellent.

Because I graduated at the top of my class in social studies from the Empire’s most prestigious Academy, St. Rosino.

It was essential to broaden one’s horizons and build connections by sending oneself to social parties attended by nobles.

“Father. I’m so sorry all of a sudden.”

“Sorry?”

Feeling a strange sense of unease, Count Harsen raised his head and took off his magnifying glass.

“I think I should get married.”

“… What?”

Count Harsen blinked. His face looked like he had misheard.

“The date hasn’t been set yet because I don’t know when it will be… … .”

John continued, scratching the back of his head.

“I have a lover to take responsibility for.”

“What the…?!”

Suddenly, Count Harsen, who had been sitting, stood up with all his might.

“What are you talking about! John, you… … .”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

But John continued,

“Because I have to take responsibility for what I did.”

“Uhh… … .”

The Count sat down on the desk in his office and held his forehead.

“Breaking up is impossible?”

“Yes.”

“… I did something I shouldn’t have done.”

Hoo. The count asked with a sigh.

“Who is your opponent?”

“… … .”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

John carefully brought out the name.

“This is Princess Pervace.”

“What?!”

The Count’s eyes widened once again. His heart sank when he heard that his son, who had a promising future, had to get married, and now it was that Perbache…

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Hoo.”

Thud. The count, whose legs had lost their strength, sat down on the chair in his office and asked.

“So, the most important Duke Pervace? Did he give permission?”

“They said they would give me a chance if I entered the imperial civil service.”

“Civil servant… ?”

The Count tilted his head.

“What did you learn to enter the civil service?”

“I plan to enter as a special wizard.”

“Huh. A guy who hasn’t even learned magic.”

The Count frowned. His third son had been like that since he was little. You couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and he was overly precocious.

“There will be no harm done to the family.”

John continued.

“Please believe me.”

“… … .”

But even if his son gets into an accident, it is his duty as a father to protect him.

The Count nodded reluctantly.

“… You’ve been doing well so far, so I’m sure you’ll do well. I’ll trust you.”

The reason he had no choice but to trust his son, John.

Didn’t you graduate at the top of your class in social studies from St. Rosino Academy without any support?

There he also predicted the future of the market, and thanks to that he was able to revive his family.

The help was not limited to one time, as the first and second sons entered the Count’s household as assistants.

‘He’s a guy I had high expectations for.’

“I can’t help it if you take responsibility,” said the Viscount, waving his hand and sending John away.

“I will leave everything necessary for the marriage up to your choice. However, it would be best not to expect any special support from the Harsen family other than the marriage.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah. You must have been tired from coming here. Why don’t you go and rest? ”

“Yes.”

John left the office with a smile.

‘Fortunately, my father gave permission.’

In fact, there was no choice to disallow Perbache’s name from being mentioned.

‘I didn’t need any help other than marriage anyway.’

As before, all you have to do is teach yourself magic and become a top-notch magician.

‘What’s left is… … .’

Book of Disaster.

It was time to read a book that had been banned by the empire.

‘Let’s learn it for later.’

Clearly, Crown Prince Fedelian and the Little Duke of Cassis would be after Francia.

No, they might still be aiming for it now. Francia has already entered the civil service.

‘so.’

Build up your strength to prepare for them.

That too, overwhelmingly.

* * *

The Crown Prince’s residence, located in the east wing of the palace.

As you pass through the tall, gilded doors, a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling softly illuminates the room.

The bookshelves lining the walls were filled with precious books.

In the center stood a heavy oak desk, on which stood a pen and a piece of parchment.

“Francia… … .”

The man sitting at that desk and softly calling her name was the one and only crown prince of the empire, Fedelian Rosino.

He was in love. He had a fiancé who promised him a future, but he was captivated by a woman named Francia Perbace.

‘How can I make her look at me?’

Fedelian stroked his chin, his eyebrows narrowing.

In the past, if there was something he wanted, all he had to do was ask, and the women he wanted to meet were completely obsessed with him, so there was no problem.

But Francia Perbace doesn’t even pay attention to herself.

Fedelian had no idea what to do at a time like this.

But that worry didn’t last long.

‘Is it really necessary to do this? You could have just forced them to look at you.’

Fedelian smiled meaningfully and nodded his head haughtily.

Then a figure emerged from the shadows and appeared before him.

“Did you call?”

“Recruit magic practitioners. They will be used in the den reconnaissance in a month.”

“Yes.”

Sarak.

Inyoung disappeared with a soft sound.

Crown Prince Fedelian smiled faintly.

‘Francia, since you caught my eye, you are mine.’