“I thought as much. Since His Majesty became an Awakener, you must have had many questions. But you likely didn’t have anyone you could comfortably learn from or ask, did you?”

“Embarrassing as it is... that’s true.”

Ah.

Now that her husband had become an Awakener, it was only natural that, as his family, she’d wonder what had changed and how she should respond. But even most Awakeners themselves didn’t fully understand what Awakening was. Who could she have turned to for a clear answer?

“Not just His Majesty—Awakeners will continue to increase across the Empire, and they are citizens of Orr all the same. It’s only natural to want to know more about those we must live alongside. And to hear directly from the hero of Orr about them... I imagine that would be a rare joy.”

Hearing the Empress’s confession, the Emperor smiled gently and nodded.

“Kishiar is right. And so are you. Then let it be done.”

“You’ve made the right decision. Officially, we’ll state that the Cavalry is dispatching a security unit to the palace once a week to oversee operations. The lessons can be held during that time. Observe for a few months and gauge the public response.”

“So what you’re saying is... since the Baron feels burdened, don’t drag him into anything too quickly. Just let us grow closer slowly through the lessons.”

“I never said that.”

“Enough. I understand. Now off you go.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kishiar turned without a trace of hesitation and gave Yuder a discreet smile.

‘He really...’

He knew everything. That deep down, Yuder didn’t truly want to reject the Emperor and Empress. But he had hesitated to build a personal connection without Kishiar present.

Following Kishiar’s suggestion, Yuder wouldn’t have to sit awkwardly on edge—he could continue seeing the Emperor and Empress without strain. They’d be able to spend time together far more naturally.

‘Teaching about Awakeners is something I’ve always done anyway, so it won’t be hard.’

It was such a small matter. And yet, the feeling it gave him—

Yuder chuckled quietly. Then, with a heart far lighter than before, he spoke up.

“...Your Majesty, Your Highness. I’ll say this in advance—my lessons aren’t particularly entertaining.”

“Hmm?”

“But if it’s about Awakeners, I promise I can teach you better than anyone. I’ll prepare thoroughly.”

The Emperor and Empress looked at each other. A moment later, the Emperor’s eyes crinkled softly behind his glasses.

“That’s the most [N O V E L I G H T] reassuring answer I could hope for. I’m pleased. Spoken like a true hero—one who never loses spirit, no matter the situation.”

“......”

“And that only makes it more regrettable...”

As he said this, the Emperor cast a strange, sidelong glance at Kishiar, sighed shortly, and shifted the mood.

“I look forward to my teacher’s next lesson.”

***

On the way back—

Yuder didn’t get into the carriage heading straight for the Cavalry. Instead, he walked through the palace with Kishiar. It was something he’d intended to do even before coming here—something he was finally about to carry out.

“I’m glad His Majesty didn’t ask why we weren’t taking the carriage right away.”

“Would it have mattered if he had? I’d have just told him.”

The secret archive hidden deep within the imperial palace library. It held all kinds of forbidden tomes and records forbidden to most. That’s where they were headed now—to search for ancient scriptures of the Black Moon Cult.

“Not yet. Even the information we have isn’t certain.”

Kishiar smiled as he said this.

“I respect and love my elder brother, but he doesn’t easily believe in unrealistic things or uncertain possibilities. You remember how hard it was convincing him before, right?”

‘Hmm...’

He recalled how persuading Emperor Keillusa to attempt Awakening had been one of the hardest parts.

‘He was definitely stubborn.’

“Have you ever been to the imperial library before?”

Kishiar asked with a lilt in his voice as he turned a corner. Yuder considered for a moment before nodding.

“A few times.”

“Oh? For what?”

“It wasn’t just to read books. I was hoping the information I needed might be there. Though I didn’t find much...”

Naturally, he’d been looking for information related to the apocalypse.

He’d wanted to find the cause of the increasingly frequent and destructive disasters. A way to counter them. Evidence that could convince others.

But in the end, he’d found nothing.

“Did you get into the Forbidden Archive?”

“No. I wasn’t allowed in, and...”

Yuder paused, then answered honestly.

“...I couldn’t even find a way in. No one seemed to know.”

That’s right. If he were the kind of person to quietly accept being denied access, he’d never have started down such a mad path to begin with. He simply hadn’t found the entrance.

It was said the Forbidden Archive of the imperial library was hidden by magic, and only the direct royal family, the Head of the Palace Mages, or the head librarian—descended through generations—knew how to access it.

Naturally, the only one of those Yuder could approach was the librarian. But that’s where the problem arose.

The previous librarian had been considered a loyalist to the old royal family and was ousted without proper handover. The newly appointed librarian had been so terrified of Yuder’s threats that he peed himself and gave directions to what turned out to be a fake Forbidden Archive.

Even Yudrain Aile, who had no particular interest in forbidden tomes, could tell the books there were too trivial to be real. When he pressed again, the man burst into tears and confessed.

“I really don’t know! They said you could only find the real entrance with a magical key... but I never received it! Neither His Majesty nor the Mage Commander ever gave me a new key—what was I supposed to do?! How is that my fault?!”

Was it really possible for a great imperial institution’s historic library to be in such a state?

It was absurd—but what could he do? That era had been plagued by rushed attempts to erase every trace of the old royal family, and mishaps like this were common. It was no longer surprising.

In any case, that was why the only books Yudrain Aile had been able to access in the imperial library were the more common ones.

As the absurd memory came back to him, Yuder barely suppressed a scoff—and Kishiar’s eyes curved with amusement.

“I see. Then this will be your first time in the real Forbidden Archive, yes?”

“Yeah, I suppose.”

“Good. Then I’d better make it worth the anticipation.”

Anticipation? What for?

Yuder wondered, but changed his mind as soon as they entered the library.

“Welcome... wait, no. Second Prince. What are you here to steal this time?”

The imperial library was vast and silent. Unlike an ordinary library, it was filled with lush greenery between the shelves, and countless magical fireflies flitted through the air—a mysterious place.

A sharp-eyed old man appeared, seemingly waiting for them, and glared at Kishiar as soon as he spotted him.

“Steal? Come now. You make it sound like I’m always stealing books.”

“Am I wrong? Just recently you walked out with a pile of dangerous, restricted texts, and now—”

“That wasn’t theft, it was borrowing. A discreet loan between you and me—if we keep quiet, no one will know.”

“That’s absurd! If His Majesty had found out, I’d—!”

Before the old man could rage further, Kishiar quickly pulled Yuder in front of him like a human shield. Only then did the old man notice Yuder, blinking in surprise.

The man wore a monocle on his nose and had a look that made his age impossible to guess. His long white beard made him seem ancient, but his unwrinkled face and candid expression made him appear younger than Tais Yulman or the Head Chamberlain.

On his chest was a gold cloth badge reading “Librarian Oesten.”

‘So that’s him. The librarian who was dismissed early in my past life.’

“...And who is this?”

“Baron Yuder Aile, hero of the Empire. Even someone like you who’s always buried in books must’ve heard of him.”

Still crouched behind Yuder, Kishiar poked his eyes out from behind his shoulder, speaking cheekily. Not that he could hide—his tall frame made that impossible—but Yuder didn’t bother to push him away.