Leave a comment

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“……”

Closing the book as if to savor the action, I returned it to the pedestal, but my hand was slick with unpleasant sweat.

The content, as I read further, grew increasingly disordered. Despite that, the writer’s relentless determination was palpable.

“Can this account be trusted?”
“As for the nature of the ghost ship, we have no way to confirm it. After all, everyone who approaches it ends up dead.”
“That’s true. So, there’s a chance this book is nothing but wild tales, then.”
“Indeed. However――Aldebaran bears clear signs of having a portion of the city severed.”
“…What?”

I picked up the book from the pedestal again and flipped to the relevant page.

Sure enough, there was a description of how, after retrieving a cursed fragment from the ghost ship, they had cut off more than half of the contaminated city.

Could this “severed” actually mean they physically excised the cursed land, and not just metaphorically?

“Ah… I see. My capacity to comprehend this is about to reach its limit. Let’s leave that topic for now.”
“Understood. Do you have any other questions?”
“How is it that you, of all people, know so much about the inner workings of the Umravolf family? No offense, but as the eighth wife, you’re not exactly in a position to hold this level of information, are you?”

The ghost ship, a monstrous entity that even the First and Second Wives, despite forming factions and vying for control, had failed to fully grasp.

Yet, here she was, standing alone, having uncovered the truth and holding this secret underground chamber. Her position seemed all the more perplexing.

“I investigated.”
“You investigated?”

I parroted her words dumbly, but the wife just smiled as if she didn’t mind at all.

In contrast to my bewilderment, she tilted her head slightly as though to say, “Isn’t that only natural? Instructor, have you ever been in love?”
“No, unfortunately, I’ve lived a life far removed from such things.”
“I see. Well, when you do fall in love someday, you’ll understand. When you love someone, you want to know everything about them.”

Her flushed cheeks gave her the appearance of a young girl in love, rather than a mother. There was an innocence in her expression that belied her age.

“I love my husband. That’s why I investigated everything on my own, so that he would come to love me. Eventually, he approached me, and that’s how we became husband and wife.”
“…I see.”

The way she spoke, full of joy, made it hard to see it as an act.

I had a million things I wanted to point out—how on earth did she avoid being socially destroyed? Or, what kind of investigative skills does she have to uncover things that even nobles keep hidden with all their might? But I didn’t have the energy to voice any of it.

The power of a girl in love is truly terrifying.

✦✧✦✧✦

“…Oh, you’re late, Master! Wait, why do you look so exhausted?”
“Yeah, a lot happened. But you didn’t have to wait this whole time. You could’ve had breakfast without me.”

When I finally dragged myself back to the guild, utterly worn out, I found Momo slumped over the table, waiting with an empty stomach.

We had already missed breakfast by a long shot. Given her appetite, her stomach must have been long empty by now.

“It’s fine. I wanted to eat with you, Master!”
“Now I feel like I’m in the way or something. Sorry about that.”
“Yeah, go home.”
“Knew you’d say that!”

Ignoring Nova, who for some reason was seated at the same table, I took an empty seat.

Despite the fact that he was sitting there like he was free and clear, Nova was still waiting on a decision about his situation. He wasn’t exactly someone I expected to be sharing a meal with.

“Mr. Nova was sent on an errand by Ms. Roche, for us,” Momo explained.
“Come on, I’m here to learn from you, so you could be a little nicer to me…”
“Sorry, but I never agreed to take on a disciple. So, what did the Saint ask you to bring?”
“Teach… that’s… me…”

Peeking out from behind Nova’s overly large back was Stell, the biggest victim of the recent incident.

After what had happened last night, Stell had been examined by the Ascles followers, just to be safe. It seemed that was over, and she’d been escorted back here with Nova.

“Right, and this too. It’s a mix of medicinal herbs. What’s it for?”
“Ah, they even provided these? Great, all the materials are here.”

The sack Nova handed over was filled with various herbs, all neatly separated into different portions. They were exactly what I needed to treat Stell, with more than enough in case something went wrong once or twice.

“Ah, thanks for your hard work. Have you had breakfast yet? If you’d like, Stell, why don’t you join us?”
“Mm… I’ll eat…”
“Why do you treat me so differently from her?!”
“Now now, Mr. Nova, you should join us too. Excuse me! We’ll have everything from here to here, in large portions, please!”
“Momo, you know we haven’t received the reward from the quest yet, right?”

Well, Momo had done her part and worked hard, so I suppose I could overlook it this time. After all, hard work should be rewarded. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if they had enough food in stock to meet her appetite.

“What will you order, Master? Oh, this ‘Spicy Chicken’ was really good.”
“I don’t like spicy food. Just a light snack will do. After that, I’ll take a nap before I start Stell’s treatment.”
“Eh, you should eat more if you want to grow taller!”
“None of your business. And if you eat that much, you’ll gain weight.”
“Wow, no tact at all! What do you think, Mr. Nova?”
“Don’t drag me into this. You master and pupil go ahead and bicker all you want.”
“I’m not her master. Momo’s just calling herself my disciple.”
“Teach… eat more…”
“Now even Stell is saying it…!”

The lively table in the corner of the guild bustled with noise, but compared to the rest of the chaos around us, it was a minor disturbance.

There was no anxiety or confusion lingering from last night’s events. Today, just like yesterday, Aldebaran was full of life.

How many people here knew of the truth that awaited beyond the city walls? And how many, once they knew, would remain as they were now?

As I savored the peace of this day, precariously built on a thin layer of ice, I swallowed the thought down.

The only ones who knew the truth were the Saint of Aldebaran, the Umravolfs, and a few others, including myself.

Do not learn, do not look, do not approach. Even now, beyond the closed sea, the cursed ship drifts.

Support Us

Unlock Early Access ------- Select Project ------- Project Gender Bender Project Necro ∴ Support your favorite series and unlock chapters before the public release.