Chapter 25

According to Fisher, the library is situated in the East Wing, specifically on the second floor. It’s easy to spot, as it’s the only room on that level with three double doors, and it is always open.

Cielo had learned about the East Wing from Alistair. This area mainly features guest accommodations and recreational facilities for the nobility, including a music theater and a ballroom on the first floor. Currently, the prince is hosting only two guests who are waiting for Konstantinos’s arrival, wherever the prince might be at the moment.

Fisher smiled, pleased to see the young man’s excitement.

“You’re always welcome to reach out, my boy. Please don’t hesitate to ask about anything at any time, and I will do my best to provide an answer.”

Cielo greeted the elderly man with a friendly smile but chose not to make any promises. He understood Alistair’s wariness about developing close ties with the staff, as some might serve as informants. After all, things are not always as they seem. Therefore, he decided to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“Ah, so the prince gave you the name Fisher?”

“Yes, that’s right. We first met at a… lake where I was fishing.”

“I had a feeling that was the case.”

The two gentlemen engaged in a pleasant conversation while tending to their duties.

***

Cielo discreetly navigated the East Wing during the late hours of the night. Given Fisher’s information that the library operates around the clock, this seemed to be the most opportune moment for him to visit.

He wore a completely black outfit he had found in his wardrobe, likely left there on purpose by Alistair. A black hat hid his long hair, and his signature sunglasses completed the look. If his complexion hadn’t been so pale, it would have been harder to spot him in the darkness. However, that was the result of spending three years indoors.

Cielo hid behind the curtains on the first floor, watching the hallway.

The South Wing buzzed with activity even at midnight, while the East Wing was so quiet that one might think they were in entirely different places, even when they were merely separated by long corridors.

‘I heard that two people are staying there.’

However, he didn’t know which floor they were on. Cielo just hoped they weren’t on the second floor.

He climbed the stairs with quiet resolve, eager to reach the next level.

The second floor was entirely deserted, lacking any servants. The only light in the corridor came from the softly flickering candles scattered throughout, casting long, distorted shadows on the walls and creating a chilling atmosphere that heightened his senses. He found it odd that none of the candles showed any signs of having melted.

‘This seems rather suspicious.’

Could this be a trap? Perhaps Fisher had set this up to ensure his removal, harboring a hidden contempt for someone like him. His mind raced with possibilities, each more sinister than the last.

Cielo wondered if he should take advantage of this moment. From his hidden vantage point, he had a clear view of the double doors Fisher had mentioned, their polished surfaces glimmering in the dim light.

‘Still, it is a public space. Surely, they wouldn’t mind if I use it?’

Taking a deep breath, Cielo weighed his options.

With a final glance down the empty hallway, he made his decision. He quickened his steps until he reached the door handle.

As he stepped into the library, he was taken aback by its grandeur. It was much larger than the library in the West Wing, stretching across three rooms and boasting two levels, creating a vast open space. Unlike the West Wing library, there was no librarian in sight. One might expect the area to be filled with servants leisurely reading, yet it was surprisingly empty.

Cielo moved silently through the aisles, looking for the sections on magic and history.

‘My magic lessons were on hiatus because I can’t see mana, but Newcastle encouraged me to keep trying.’

However, he couldn’t take the books from the West Wing outside, which is why he needed to find magic and history books in this library. Given the library’s enormous size, he found it challenging to navigate.

Cielo paused, captivated by a stunning image that adorned the walls. A magnificent painting dominated the area, illustrating the entire map of the Fides Empire.

‘Jackpot!’

He quickly made his way to the spot where the map was shown.

The map’s intricate details were mesmerizing, accurately depicting every city, region, river, and mountain range. While the names were missing, the map’s completeness was still remarkable.

“I wish I could take this down.”

Unfortunately, the map was encased in glass, and a barrier kept him from reaching it. As a result, he decided to study it closely and memorize its details.

He found a chair and climbed onto it, striving to get a full view of the map.

Cielo tilted his head in confusion, his brow furrowing as he examined the map more closely.

‘It looks small, but…’

The Imperial Grounds seemed to encompass the entire empire, a vast expanse that dwarfed everything else. Even the combined size of the three cities appeared insignificant next to the vastness of the Imperial Grounds. Even when considering the territories of the nobility, the area still felt overwhelmingly large.

His attention shifted to a large forest in the southwest and another in the north. This led him to ponder which of the two was the Duncan Forest, as he sought a clearer sense of direction. The mountains in the background indicate that the Duncan Forest is probably the one in the southwest, especially since the forest to the east borders an ocean.

Looking northwest, you can see a lone castle perched by the ocean, seemingly functioning as a base. Considering the jagged coastline, it’s likely that it serves as a Coast Guard station or a marine facility. Nearby, there is a large island that is indicated on the map, suggesting it is also part of the empire’s territory.

‘Is this really accurate…’

Cielo wondered as doubt began to creep into his mind. The map’s scale was astonishing. No matter how hard he tried to grasp it, the sheer size felt utterly unbelievable.

“Ah! Shit.”

As he lifted his eyes to study the northern part of the map, his hat slipped off, causing his silver-white hair to spill down. In a reflexive move to catch it, his sunglasses also fell to the ground. Cielo quickly descended and hurried to retrieve his disguise, adjusting it properly.

He anxiously scanned his surroundings. Although there were no visible threats, his heart raced wildly.

‘Damn, invisibility!’

To validate his suspicions, he examined the area around the map but found no traces of mana. Typically, concentrated forms of magic, like invisibility, have a denser mana presence compared to other types, such as barriers. After several more searches yielded no results, he let out a deep sigh.

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Cielo shook his head in disbelief, realizing that losing his most vital disguise in a public place was the most reckless decision he had ever made. The fact that he had briefly let his guard down weighed heavily on him.

Understanding that he was unprepared for the situation at hand, Cielo quickly headed back to the door he had come through, looking for the quickest way to the stairs. He recognized that he was not ready for such events and needed to stay put until the prince called for him again.

“Who might you be?”

“Ekk!”

Cielo was taken aback by the unexpected voice that came from behind him.

When he turned to see who it was, he found himself face-to-face with an extraordinarily handsome man. This individual had sun-kissed skin, short black hair that glimmered softly in the dim light, and captivating blue eyes that seemed to pierce through the shadows. He wore a flowing robe of white and green that elegantly draped over his impressive physique, accentuating the contours of his well-defined muscles.

The man’s face bore a striking resemblance to someone Cielo felt he should recognize, stirring a sense of familiarity that lingered in the back of his mind.

‘I know I’ve seen that face before.’

But the memory slipped away from him.

“I have informed the staff that access to the second floor is restricted this evening, as I am a light sleeper. What brings you here?”

The man’s voice was smooth, almost melodic, yet it carried an undeniable authority that demanded respect.

Cielo was abruptly pulled back to the moment by the man’s words.

‘That explains the lack of servants or guards nearby!’

He felt a wave of tension wash over him again, hoping the man hadn’t seen his hair and eyes. However, the man’s stoic expression made it hard for him to read his thoughts.

What he could determine, though, was that this person was certainly one of Konstantinos’s guests staying in the East Wing.

Cielo straightened up and gripped his hat tightly as he replied.

“Sorry, I spa—spend most of my time outside, so I wasn’t aware that you had gav—given the order…”

The stranger, standing proudly at 195 centimeters, looked down at him with an unreadable expression.

Although the man’s eyebrows twitch slightly from his broken speech, the man chooses not to comment and instead decides to ask a different question.

“You seem not to recognize me. Are you new here?”

“Yes, I am. I was officially hired just too—two days ago. I come from the slums.”

He emphasizes the last part, hoping the man would be disgusted by his identity as a commoner from the slums and tell him to leave.

The man raised an eyebrow, seemingly sensing an underlying tension.

“Interesting. Shall we sit down and talk?”

“Huh?”

In contrast to his expectations, the man’s response was completely different.

Without answering, the man settled into the nearest chair and gestured for him to join. Since this individual was a guest of the prince, he felt obligated to comply and took a seat as well.

For a long time, the man remained silent, simply watching him as he crossed his legs and rested his intertwined hands on his knees.

Cielo bit his lip and repeatedly glanced at the library’s exit, hoping the man would take the hint and let him go.

“Konstantinos instructed you to conceal your true identity, did he not?”

The way he spoke to the prince suggested a familiarity that hinted at friendship, alliance, or even a familial connection.

“No.”

He replied almost immediately.

The stranger sighed.

“I am Castiel, Tinos’ cousin.”

He was absolutely right!

It’s clear from the beginning that this person has a close relationship with the prince. Only someone of his status would have the power to command the servants to clear an entire floor in the East Wing without any second thoughts.

“I will refrain from inquiring further regarding your identity.”

Castiel proceeded, his tone altering subtly to become more curious while maintaining a sense of respect.

“However, prior to your departure, would you be willing to respond to a few of my questions?”

‘I have a feeling about what it could be…’

If he were to stay oblivious to the situation, Castiel would probably see him simply as a servant with questionable motives.

“…Alright. I can spare a few moments.”

He finally replied, his voice steadier now.

Castiel nodded, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his features as his eyes traced his covered face, making him shiver under the intense gaze.

“I noticed you were looking at the map. May I ask what caught your interest?”

This was not the question he had expected… Nevertheless, he replied to the inquiry.

“It was made with exceptional craftsmanship.”

It wasn’t a lie. The quality of the artwork was certainly one of the main reasons it captured his attention.

“Is that the sole reason?”

Castiel raised an eyebrow, appearing to encourage more conversation.

“It is, but I have a question for you as well.”

“What is it?”

“I have lived my hole—whole life in the slums, which is why I’ve never seen a map before. Is it accurate?”

Cielo carefully asked the other person, and Castiel responded with a nod as he replied.

“It is indeed. The painting was not created by human hands, it is a manifestation of nature’s will.”

Nature’s will…

“Are you referring to mana?”

He asks, surprised.

One of the beginner books he studied earlier describes mana as the essence of nature’s will. Since mana comes from nature and seems to have a form of consciousness, it’s logical to refer to it this way.

“Correct. Mana responds to the commands of the caster. While it possesses awareness, it lacks the capacity for thought, which is why it cannot deceive.”

This suggests that the map was, indeed, remarkably accurate—almost unsettlingly so.

“I appreciate your response. I don’t have any other questions right now.”

As such, I would prefer to be left alone.

Castiel looked at him for a moment before starting to speak.

“I have one final question if you would permit me.”

“Sure…”

He spoke, albeit with some hesitation.

“Your hair is truly exquisite. Is it natural?”

Damn it.

Where could he be hiding earlier? Why was there no sign of mana fluctuations if the person was using magic to remain hidden?

Cielo lifted his eyes and realized that the area where the map was placed could be seen from the second floor.

“… .”

“… … .”

He was certainly a reckless individual. He should have saved his curiosity, but the consequences are now evident as he inadvertently disclosed his secret to the prince’s cousin.

He is still oblivious to Castiel’s loyalty and is unsure if he is allied with Konstantinos. This situation is rather a mess.

At that moment, as he refocused on the man, Cielo finally answered the question.

“Thank you. It’s dyed.”

The man raised an eyebrow, clearly doubtful but open to the idea.

“Is that the case? Throughout my life, I have never encountered a hair color quite like that.”

“It’s definitely rare.”

Cielo nodded in acknowledgment, trying to seem unconcerned about the question.

“Where did you obtain the dye?”

“From the black market.”

He is unsure whether black markets exist in this world, but he will behave as if they do.

Following his answer, the man chuckled softly.

“How amusing.”

The sparkle in his eyes was unmistakable. He appeared to take pleasure in the situation.

Cielo flinched as Castiel suddenly rose to his feet.

“It appears that you are keen to depart. That is perfectly acceptable, I will not obstruct your exit. You are at liberty to leave.”

Despite his desire to exit, a nagging intuition suggested that this wouldn’t be his final encounter with this individual.

The man told him he was free to leave, but he decided to stay with him until they reached the end of the corridor. Before Cielo could continue further down the staircase, Castiel called for him.

“Ah, please wait a moment. I did not catch your name.”

“It’s… Newcomer.”

“Newcomer? That does not surprise me, as my cousin has a peculiar habit of assigning names in a direct manner.”

He readily accepts this information. It seems that the prince’s unusual naming style is well-known. How convenient.