Leave a comment

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Like a straw hut caught in a raging tornado, the Imperial Palace was torn asunder in an instant. A single attack had shattered the protective barrier, splintered its towering pillars, and reduced its centuries-old foundation to ruin.

Oliana had narrowly escaped annihilation—thanks to her father. The moment disaster struck, he had instinctively pushed her to the ground, shielding her with his own body.

Trembling, Oliana lifted her head. Above her, eight swords hovered in midair, forming an impenetrable wall between them and the devastation beyond.

“Are you unharmed, my daughter?”
“Yes… Thank you, Father.”
“You should be thanking them, not me.”

Even in such dire circumstances, a faint smile remained on the Emperor’s lips as he gazed toward the encroaching «Void Mist».

Following his line of sight, Oliana turned to see the blonde knight standing as their shield. He had positioned himself between them and the destruction, a massive kite shield now firmly in his grasp. The intricate design bore the image of a woman’s face—a relic of great power, though Oliana had no way of knowing its true nature. (It was, in fact, «Aegis», a Super Rare drop item.)

However, the knight’s pale complexion and trembling form betrayed his exhaustion. He was already half-kneeling, struggling to hold his ground. Behind him, the mage girl clung close, as if seeking refuge, pulling down the brim of her pointed hat while gripping her wand tightly in the narrow space between them.

Because of him, they had survived.

Yet, beyond the line of scorched earth where his shadow fell, the once-magnificent Imperial Villa—an estate with over 300 years of history—had been utterly erased.

Had it not been for the knight and his swords, they would have suffered the same fate. Their deaths would have come so swiftly, so mercilessly, that even the pain would have lagged behind, failing to reach them before oblivion took hold.

“Ah… what a shame. I was rather fond of that piece. And now, it’s completely gone.”

The Emperor stood, brushing off the dust as he muttered to himself.

Oliana followed suit, accepting his offered hand as she rose. For a moment, she wondered what exactly he was lamenting. Then it clicked—he wasn’t mourning the palace or their near-death experience.

He was mourning his lost painting. A wry smile tugged at her lips.

“You’re more concerned about a painting… than your own life?” The mage girl scoffed in disbelief, pulling her wide-brimmed hat back into place. Yet, despite her words, her gaze never left the direction of the «Void Mist».

It wasn’t just her. The blonde knight, her father—even as he held onto her—they were all locked onto the same point in the distance. Something about their unwavering focus sent a chill down Oliana’s spine. She followed their gaze, her breath catching as an overwhelming sense of unease washed over her.

No one had seen it arrive. Yet, there it was—a lone figure standing at the edge of their vision, framed against the ominous backdrop of the «Void Mist». She couldn’t make out its features, but there was no doubt in her mind. This was the one responsible for the attack.

The figure was draped in a pitch-black robe, its hood concealing its face, gloved hands hanging motionless at its sides. From this distance, Oliana couldn’t discern its identity. Its height and vaguely humanoid shape suggested it was a man, yet something about it felt… wrong.

It had no presence. Though it stood so close, she couldn’t perceive it as a living being. A fleeting thought crossed her mind—was this truly a person, or was it merely an illusion?

The shadow’s subtle yet animated gestures sparked a flurry of doubts in Oliana’s mind.

“…Oh? Now, this is unexpected. I never imagined the so-called ‘God’ would be so akin to my kind. The world is full of irony—or rather, you’re still something half-baked. Frankly, your very existence is revolting.”

Emperor Valfang VII remarked, his gaze dripping with sarcasm and pity as it rested upon the black shadow—presumably the Azure God.

The shadow’s gaze darkened, scrutinizing the emperor’s sharp features. Yet, Valfang said no more, offering nothing but a look of quiet pity.

“…Insolent. Do you truly believe you understand me, Emperor? Then watch—and pay the price for your arrogance and confinement.”

A deep, ominous voice seeped from beneath the hood. The shadow’s gaze then shifted from the emperor to his subordinates—the knight and the mage. “Lubbock, Tamegoro. End the princess—immediately. Do this, and I will overlook your past defiance.”

The emperor’s grip on Oliana tightened, his hand trembling ever so slightly at the black-hooded figure’s words.

“Hmph. You’re not one to beg for your own life, Emperor, I’ll give you that. But can you remain indifferent when it’s your precious daughter at risk? Fool. If I’m half-baked, then you’re a complete failure. Love and emotion are nothing but signs of weakness.”

Yet, despite the blatant mockery, the emperor did not lash out. Instead, the pity in his eyes only deepened. “So, this is what it comes down to… You once believed in love and emotion this deeply, didn’t you?”

“Enough! Your insolence knows no bounds!” The Azure God spat back, his voice laced with venom, making no effort to conceal his irritation at the emperor’s fleeting, knowing gaze.

Watching the exchange, Oliana had a sudden revelation. She didn’t know what trials the Azure God had endured, but he must have suffered endless betrayals. That was why he rejected the so-called virtues of humanity—love, compassion, trust. Yet to her, his words felt like an elaborate soliloquy. After all, the more fervently one denies something, the clearer it becomes that they still believe in it.

“Hey, you. Spouting all those grandiose lines—did you really think I wouldn’t notice? You keep calling Miss Hiyuki ‘My Wife’ and ‘My Significant Half.’ Honestly, listening to your creepy rambling makes my skin crawl. And let’s set aside the fact that you reek like roadside dog s̲h̲i̲t̲—how is that any different from love?”

The mage-like young girl—‘Tamegoro,’ as the Azure God had called her—snapped, her words cutting deep.

“—Hiyuki, huh?”

Oliana’s eyes widened at the unexpected mention of her friend’s name.

“…You’re right. I love Hiyuki. She’s incomparable to any other.” The moment Hiyuki’s name was spoken, the Azure God’s waning presence erupted, surging with newfound vitality.

“But that’s just a fraction of it! More than anything, I want to make her my plaything—tease her endlessly until she submits, body and soul! I’ll ravage that delicate form until she’s nothing but a broken doll! Ahh… Just the thought sends shivers down my spine. Yes! I had nearly forgotten—this feeling… This is ecstasy!”

“You…! You’re even filthier than a pile of s̲h̲i̲t̲! You disgusting creep! You won’t lay a finger on Miss Hiyuki or the Princess—I won’t let you!” Overcome with fury, Tamegoro—the young mage—sprang out from behind Lubbock, unable to restrain herself any longer.

“Wait—Tamegoro! Get back here!” Lubbock reached out to stop her, but Tamegoro paid him no heed, stepping boldly to the front to face the Azure God head-on.

“Hmph.” The Azure God scoffed in disdain at her reckless bravado. Without a word, he reached into his robe with his left hand and drew out a crystal ball. Within its smooth surface, a brilliant flame flickered, bathing the orb in a crimson glow.

“Stand down—now!”

Suddenly, heavily armed Imperial Guards stormed in, swiftly forming a protective circle around the emperor. So absorbed had they been in the escalating confrontation that no one had noticed their arrival. Then again, with the uproar shaking the very air, it was only natural for the knights stationed nearby to rush in at the first sign of turmoil.

Support Us

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