episode_0166

Finally, the third reward.

I put it off to the last because I couldn’t use it immediately.

Click-

A rectangular plank, light yet firm, with a surprisingly comfortable grip.

-[Borrowing Permit: Royal Privilege] -Rank: Epic -Allows you to borrow “ – by Ulysses Pertus Naifrantz” from the Royal Library.

It’s been a while since I last held a Royal Library borrowing permit.

Ignoring the grandiose implications, the only thing I felt was my heart pounding.

A kind of初心 (choshim – original intention), I suppose.

Wasn’t the Royal Library borrowing permit an item I received as a reward immediately after awakening my status window?

Nostalgia welled up, unexpectedly evoking old memories, and I lost myself in contemplation for a moment.

“Was it before I even used magic…?”

Truly, one never knows what the future holds.

Thinking I was the center of the universe, I recklessly ran around without a care, only to be crushed by the harsh realities of the world and shut myself up in my room for at least two years. Back then, I truly thought I would die in that dust-filled pit.

There, I met the partner of my life, learned what light was, and began to cultivate myself.

No matter what wall stood before me, I was determined to break through it with my fists, or climb over it with my fingers, setting my sights on the world beyond.

In the end, I became one of the most skilled magicians at the Naifrantz Academy, the kingdom’s best magic academy.

Having hit rock bottom and broken through the ceiling, I now feared nothing, no matter what I decided to do.

Strike while the iron is hot, they say.

I didn’t delay any longer and immediately opened the wardrobe.

I chose a simple outfit from among the clothes Aspi and I had picked out last time, and lightly tidied my hair and face.

As I went downstairs, Yuri, who had finished the dishes, came to meet me.

“You look even prettier than usual today.” “That… should be my line.”

She showered me with compliments upon seeing me in my new clothes, but objectively speaking, Yuri in her apron was far prettier.

Her simple beauty and demure charm couldn’t be hidden even by a cheap cloth dress and a cute apron. In fact, ornate dresses or accessories would only detract from her allure.

This is a universal truth, not only in this world but also on Earth, where I lived in my past life, making it, undoubtedly, an absolute law of nature that transcends worlds, times, and dimensions.

Anyone who dares to refute this will be summarily executed under the Princess Special Law, so you’d better watch your step.

Anyway,

I couldn’t resist pulling the incredibly lovely Yuri into my arms and gently kissing her.

“Ugh, just a moment—”

Worried that the water on her hands might splash on me, she started wiping them on her apron.

Even such small considerations had become second nature to her; every one of her actions was a female move that stirred the beast within my beauty.

At that point, I could no longer restrain myself, so I slipped my hand under her apron and with practiced skill, went to untie the straps of her panties—

Slap-!

Before I could even undo them, I received a slap on the back of my hand from Yuri.

“Tsk. My mother and father are both in the living room right now. Consider the time and place!” “On the contrary, since we could have cute offspring, wouldn’t they support—”

Slap-!

After my hand, it was my lips.

“Seeing you dressed up like this at this hour, you weren’t planning to go out somewhere, were you? It’s okay to be late?” “I tell you what, you…”

That’s why I can’t quit Yuri.

She dotes on me like a devoted lover, yet sometimes acts on her whims. And again, returns to her dutiful and courteous self.

That pattern doesn’t end there; it has dozens, hundreds of variations, just like the successful business model of an ice cream shop that offers 31 flavors—it never fails to excite.

(That doesn’t mean others find her boring).

Any more inappropriate actions seemed likely to have negative consequences, so I decided to be satisfied with a light pat on the head.

“I’ll be going.” “When will you be back?” “Hmm… I’ll be back before dinner. If I’m late, I’ll contact you.”

Leaving Yuri who rushed to the doorway waving goodbye, I cautiously set off toward the royal capital.

Less than a minute after parting, Yuri withdrawal symptoms began, making my hands and feet tremble, but I managed to regain my composure and soared into the air.

The Royal Library is open to the public.

There are no particular access restrictions, and books can be freely borrowed unless they are special books.

The reason for this is, first of all, that it is located within the royal castle.

From the outset, strict inspections are conducted on those entering and exiting the castle. Even from passing through the outermost gate, they check your identity and purpose of visit thoroughly.

Thump-

“Excuse me. Please come over here and follow the inspection procedure.” “Yes~”

Had I come as Princess Narita, things would have been different, but even a noble lady from the provinces is not exempt from inspection.

I went to where the guard was calling, tidied my bangs, and presented my adventurer’s pass.

“Narias… Philbrogue… Yes, identity confirmed. What is your purpose of visit?” “I’d like to use the library.” “Understood. Visiting hours are until 5 PM, so we recommend leaving 30 minutes before that time.”

After delivering the instructions according to the manual, the guard gave me a crisp salute and saw me off.

If the person is related to the royal family, they check the planned visit schedule, and if it’s a wagon, they even examine the contents one by one.

Because they perform a preliminary check like this, it is relatively free inside.

Thump- Thump-

Walking on the paving stones laid over the lawn, I soon arrived at the outer building where the library was located.

The second reason is this.

Since it is located in the outer area, not the inner area where the royal family resides, a separate secondary inspection is not necessary.

Of course, to go further inside, you would have to pass the even stricter guards of the Knights, but if you don’t need to, you can safely roam around the outer area. If I hadn’t been doing shady things, I wouldn’t have had to worry about it in the first place.

Anyway, I passed through the quiet corridor and arrived at the large gate of the Royal Library. Leaning my weight on the slightly creaky wooden handle, I pushed it, and with a screeching sound, it opened, revealing the heavy scent of paper from within.

“Inhale- Exhale…”

The familiar, heavy air. I stuffed all the knowledge I needed to live in the world into my head right after my rehabilitation, so I hadn’t been back since.

Any magic knowledge I needed, I could just experiment on my own body, and if there were books I needed, I could find them in the Academy’s Library.

“It really has been… a long time.”

It became another occasion to immerse myself in memories.

The towering bookshelves, too high for my hands to reach, had been so inconvenient in my shorter days. I even used the mana barrier like an extending hand to reach the books on top.

Thinking back, I made much progress out of those inconveniences.

It was so hot in the summer that I researched cooling magic to lower my body temperature, and in the winter, because it was so cold, I devised warming magic. Studying late at night was so tiring, so I even… researched energy circulation magic for more efficient use of my stamina.

It was a nest and a cradle that accompanied my magical development, and a chrysalis I broke out of to become a butterfly and soar.

Thump-

“My, my… To think I’d see such a miraculous sight…”

And another thing.

The old librarian who was the mascot of this Royal Library, inseparable from it, and who always gave me little help.

He also greeted me in the same way as before.

“Long time no see, Your Highness. Is that new look a new hobby, perhaps?”

Raising his glasses slightly, the librarian chuckled heartily. The way he didn’t show much politeness made him seem like a truly old man, and…

My heart wasn’t as at ease.

“Well… there’s a story behind it. How about… you hear me out?” “Hee hee, very well. My back aches and I was getting bored, so Your Highness truly cheers up this old man.”

However, if I show him that, it might make the librarian feel uneasy as he’s leaving.

I maintained my usual attitude, talking at length about my new life in the Academy after leaving the castle.

“Oh, look at the time.” “Hee hee… It’s a sin to take too much time away from a young person, I’ve made a mistake. I’m sorry.” “It’s alright. Today—”

I pushed back my chair and took out the borrowing permit I had tucked away, handing it to the librarian.

“Actually… I need to get some books.” “Oh dear, it’s been ages since I’ve seen this borrowing permit. Please wait here for a moment.”

After receiving the permit, he straightened his stooped back and headed towards the warehouse inside the counter.

Even back then, using a borrowing permit did take some time. I decided to wait leisurely and scanned through the nearby bookshelves to find something interesting.

Swish- Swish-

“Most things aren’t interesting anymore…”

Was it because of Nix’s influence that I studied all sorts of little pieces of knowledge? I’d cleared those questions that popped up in my mind daily, so nothing particularly caught my eye today.

Then, at that moment.

A large shadow suddenly fell from behind.

“Oh, excuse me.”

A familiar voice and build.

The man who appeared with his huge physique was…

The Third Prince, Glen Haynes Naifrantz. The most loathsome of my f*cking brothers.

He took a book from a high shelf and handed it to me, pulling my chin up sharply.

“Is this the book you were looking for, my lovely lady?”

Did he become so fat that he wouldn’t recognize me? The librarian recognized me at a glance. Anyway.

At that moment, I racked my brain to utilize all my remaining strength and wit.

My mood had been completely soured by seeing that f*cking guy again, so I needed to come up with a way to get back at him.