Chapter 4

Jill proceeded straight to the forest without stopping in the town at the fork in the road.

Her destination was an uninhabited mansion, and she should have stopped in town to stock up on food or take a rest before heading there. However, Jill rushed to her destination without such concerns.

On the path to the forest, there was a rock with words carved into it.

"Beyond this point, Dalan Royal Management Area. Entry by unauthorized persons is strictly prohibited."

The words were carved in an old-fashioned script.

Jill, still mounted on Karappa, continued into the forest.

The forest was deep and dark, and eerie cries echoed from somewhere.

Monsters resembling wolves and birds were likely lurking.

It was strangely full of life.

Even the breath of the beasts seemed palpable.

Jill thought about burning a charm to ward off monsters but decided against it.

Karappa would probably dislike it.

Besides, it didn't seem necessary.

"Bu-bu!"

When Karappa infused it with magic, a brilliant light enveloped Jill and Karappa.

"This is the magic of a barrier... You're strong, aren't you?"

The barrier is a defensive spell that repels anything that tries to harm it.

It blocks both physical and magical attacks.

It is also a spell that Jill's father, King Alan, excels at.

"Growl... Bark!"

"Kyaa!?"

Occasionally, wolves and birds would collide with the barrier spell, damaging themselves against the invisible wall. Thanks to the clumsy monsters, the presence of other monsters around them faded like ripples. The forest's monsters must have recognized Jill and Karappa as formidable opponents.

"Can you take me to that gate over there?"

"Bu-bu"

Jill dismounted Karappa and stood in front of the gate, which was securely closed with chains and a lock.

The iron gate and the stone walls extending to either side were brutally simple. Although it was a royal villa, it felt as secure as a prison.

In fact, it served as a prison. This mansion was used to confine members of the royal family who had committed crimes, made mistakes, or suffered from some illness.

"Unlock"

Jill pricked her fingertip with a needle and let a drop of blood fall onto the lock.

A clinking sound came from inside the lock, and it opened without her touching it. The chain attached to the lock slipped off, and the iron gate creaked open.

"Let's go."

"Bu-bu"

◆

Leaving Karappa in the courtyard, Jill entered the mansion.

It was a haunted house.

That's what Jill thought at first glance.

It wasn't dilapidated, but there was an indescribable eerie feeling.

The mansion, dyed red in the twilight, looked as if it were covered in blood.

It was a three-story building. The first floor had a large entrance hall, a large dining room and kitchen, and a bath. There was also a spacious hall large enough to host a ball.

The second floor seemed to be bedrooms and guest rooms. There were about ten rooms with two beds each.

The third floor was probably the private space of the mansion's owner. It had a library, a study, a large bedroom, and a small counter table with shelves for dishes and alcohol.

It was a very beautiful mansion. That's why it was eerie.

None of it looked like it had been abandoned for over ten years. While there were some signs of wear and tear on the furniture and building, they were minimal. It was livable without any renovations. Despite the eeriness, Jill explored the mansion.

"I hope I find something."

When Jill was given this mansion, she felt a faint joy amidst her sadness.

This was where Conrad had stayed for several years in his youth. She had a faint hope that she might find something he left behind or used regularly.

When Conrad died in battle, only his armor was sent back to the castle.

The previous king mourned Conrad's death greatly and decided to seek revenge.

But in reality, he didn't seek revenge because Conrad died. Conrad's death was needed as a pretext to expand the war. That's why he was sent to a dangerous place from which he would never return alive.

Conrad didn't want war. That's why Jill couldn't bear the fact that his armor was displayed at his grave. He loved beauty, the joys of everyday life, and peace. She hoped to find something that truly represented Conrad as she explored the mansion.

But there was nothing.

She found an old distilled liquor in the bedroom. It might have been Conrad's, but he only drank in moderation. Her father, Alan, was a much heavier drinker. The books in the library were not much different from those in the castle's library. They were mostly magic textbooks, history books, and classics. There was nothing that she could definitively say belonged to Conrad.

"There's nothing..."

Jill sighed and looked out the window.

The sunlight coming in from the hallway was eerily long, making her shadow stretch out like a monster.

This is just a prison.

Jill concluded. No matter how luxurious and beautiful the building, or how comfortable it was, it was a prison to prevent those inside from appearing on the public stage. Worse, if they were seen as a threat or even a waste of resources, assassins might be sent.

"That's enough."

At that moment, Jill made up her mind.

She searched for a way to the roof, which she quickly found.

There was a ladder on the balcony of the third floor leading to the roof.

Feeling the wind blowing, Jill headed to the roof.

"I was hesitant, but jumping might be best. Hanging would dirty the mansion."

Jill gave up everything here.

There was nothing else she could do.

She loved her uncle Conrad.

She came here just to find traces of him.

Now that they were lost, there was no reason for Jill to live.

She thought about avenging him, but even that was impossible.

The previous king, who sent Conrad to his death, also died in the war.

Her parents, who continued the previous king's cruelty, survived.

And Jill, who lacked both magical talent and cruelty.

Living without being loved by anyone and accomplishing nothing was pointless.

No, living longer was even harmful. Being alive meant that the royal family still saw her as having some value, however slight, that outweighed the risk. The king and queen were not the type to waste lives out of familial affection.

For example, if a more important noble was captured by the enemy and they needed a hostage, or if the royal bloodline was about to die out and they needed a suitable male magician, she would be used as insurance.

Conversely, if such a need disappeared, someone would come to kill Jill.

So, dying here and now would be the only way to give the royal family even a slight wound.

"Goodbye."

She took in the view from the roof.

It was eerie from below, but the view from above was surprisingly refreshing.

Jill briefly thought about not dirtying the mansion but realized that her death needed to be discovered.

So, she aimed for a spot near the main gate.

It would be the most visible and easiest to clean up.

But then, she noticed something.

"What is this...?"

Right where she was about to jump, there was a mark.

Looking closely, it was text.

Jill read it aloud.

"Um... 'To the one standing here. Before jumping, open the hidden shelf in the library'...?"

◆

Jill forgot all about her suicidal thoughts and hurried back to the library.

She searched the shelves, believing the note. When she came to her senses, books were scattered on the floor, making her look like a burglar. But it was fine.

She came here for this.

"Where... Where is it...!"

Ignoring the sweat on her forehead and her hunger, Jill searched the library.

After about an hour of searching, she found a strange book.

"What is this?"

The book was fixed in place and couldn't be pulled out by Jill's strength.

Moreover, it wasn't a book.

It was a wooden board disguised as a book with a cover and binding.

"Oh, it moves."

After fiddling with it, Jill realized she could push the wooden board in.

It slid smoothly into the wall behind the bookshelf, even with her slender arms.

When it was halfway in,

Clunk!

A sound was heard. The adjacent bookshelf slowly slid to the side.

There was the hidden shelf.

It was a small, hinged shelf, and it wasn't locked.

Tentatively, Jill opened the shelf.

And she found it.

A letter and a strange book.