Shun petrified almost immediately. The name was familiar; he almost doubted his ears.
"What did you say?"
"The Monarch God." She recited and continued, "Why are you looking for information about Him?" Her eyes were dangerous.
Shun took his time to find the right words. If he crossed the wrong line, today might be his last.
"I was cursed by Him, and I want to know a method to remove it."
Even after what he said, her gaze was still akin to a cocked shotgun, ready to turn anything into pulp.
"Are you not His servant?"
A strange energy covered his body, coercing him to say the truth. His body trembled from opposing such energy. Even breathing became hard.
Realizing that resistance was futile, he let it take control. His mouth opened on its own. "I am not."
The strange energy vanished all of a sudden. He felt light, as though weight had been removed from his shoulders.
"Looks like you just said the truth. Phew..." She breathed out in relief. Shun looked at her, confused by her relief.
"I don't want to kill someone I trust," she said and added, "It is an ironclad rule in the family to kill anyone that worships and believes in Him, but it appears you were a victim too.
"I don't know how much I can help with removing a curse from an evil god, but I will try my best. There should be books about it in here."
When he listened to her, he realized something. "Wait, I thought you can't read."
"Ah, that," she said in realization, "It was just a lie. If people knew I could read, they would grow suspicious of me. Do you know the people that can read?" She asked as she walked deeper into the library. Shun followed.
"No."
"The wealthy and educated people. As I'm trying to hide my identity, it is crucial to fake a thing or two."
Shun thought for a moment and asked, "Is the Regzedda family famous? Didn't you just expose your name in the cafe?"
"First, yes. Kingdoms, empires, countries... They want our heritage, for it contains knowledge to create weapons capable of killing millions, crippling enemy military might. They're doing it now even though the numbers haven't reached that much, but they want more blood to be shed. I can't let that happen.
"You don't have to worry about my introduction in the cafe. I've placed sound-deafening magic on our table so no one heard a thing. Normally, placing anti-sound magic would attract more attention, but I made sure it only activated when I said my family name."
A magic that activates for a certain circumstance. That alone was proof she was a powerful person.
"Is there anything you'd like to ask about the chamber while we're searching for books about your curse? Oh, while you're thinking about it, I want you to raise your guard while taking the trial."
"Why?"
"There are many entrances scattered throughout the world that connect directly to the chamber. You might find another participant inside."
"Another entrance?"
"My family once stood at the peak of the world, reigning over it. However, something happened, leaving only fragments of the old glory.
"Before the family fell, many big cities thrived, and under them were these entrances. Yet when the destruction occurred, turning those cities into scorched earth, only the entrance to the chamber remained."
When she mentioned something annihilating the glory of the Regzedda family, Shun immediately thought of the Wave phenomenon in his world.
At first, he thought it was impossible since there were other factors such as rebellion from displeased groups, but could they truly destroy big cities belonging to a family that sovereigns the world? Or maybe because of the story she told earlier where the gods turned them into a lesson?
He couldn't be sure. Finally, after contemplating whether to ask or not, he opened his mouth. "What happened to your family?"
"■■■■"
Her voice distorted like a corrupted videotape.
"What?"
She paused and observed him for a few seconds, then said, "I see, so that's what's going on."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You're not ready to handle the truth. The Watcher filtered what I said to protect your mental state."
"Who?"
"A deity that is worshipped by many and protects the world from evil gods."
"How many gods are in this world?"
"You didn't know?"
Shun shook his head. She paused and looked at him in silence before saying, "Are you not from this world, Shun?"
"I..." He paused his steps, wondering if he should tell the truth. First of all, he didn't know what kind of treatment they would give to an otherworlder.
Using fiction he read as a reference, they usually treated otherworlders as a threat. With how powerful Vili was, wouldn't he die in an instant?
"Don't worry, you're in a safe place. We won't mistreat those from other worlds as long as they don't make trouble. Well, at least in this region."
He sighed in relief. "Did you figure out I came from another world through my lack of knowledge? Wait, are otherworlders a daily occurrence in this world?"
"No, I figured it out from the energy you're leaking. It's faint, but those that are incredibly sensitive would notice. Second, yes. The Watcher seems to love putting otherworlders into this place.
"Some come from reincarnation, and some come from transmigration."
"What about those that come from sleeping?"
"Hm? What did you say?"
"Sleeping. I said sleeping."
"I still can't hear you." She fell into contemplation, then said, "It seems the Watcher filtered what you said. Just where did you come from?"
"Earth. I was inside a Tower. A Tower is like this huge building that has many challenges, and one of them is entering this dream."
Vili shook her head. "It's pointless. Everything you said sounds like gibberish to me. Maybe this is for the better."
Just as Shun was about to say a word, Vili quickly said, "That aside for a moment, I don't think we can find the book on short notice. Would you like to continue looking for it?"
"Is there any method to narrow the book down?"
She pinched her chin. Next, she snapped her fingers.
"You called, Princess?" A grand voice echoed.
"Yes, I'd like you to help me find books related to that evil god."
"Him, Princess?"
"Who else could it be?"
"Very well. Please wait."
She nodded. "Notify me when you find them."
"Understood."
She turned to Shun. The latter asked, "Who's that?"
"It was originally a spirit that my uncle caught. He thought he could cultivate it into a powerful companion, but its talent lies not in strength, but wisdom. He then chose to put the spirit here."
"I see."
"You should go back first. I will prepare the supplies you need for the chamber. Wait for me, 'kay?" She then walked away, leaving Shun in the quiet library. Once in a while, he would hear the sound of a book turning its page.
He checked the sound and found a translucent head with two arms.
Despite the arms not being attached to the head, it could still move as though they were connected.
'This must be the spirit she talked about. Let's not disturb it.'
He wanted to approach it out of curiosity, but it might hinder its progress in finding the book. He left the library and, using his memory, returned to the guest room.
After waiting for fifteen minutes and talking about mundane things with Ladev in the process, she returned with a pouch.
"Sorry for the wait. There are some items that aren't available, so I had to find some alternatives," she said meekly.
"It's okay." Shun smiled.
She approached the table and stretched her hand out as she gave him the pouch. He grabbed it with curious eyes.
"What's this?"
"All the things you need! Pour a bit of mana into it and focus on the pouch. You'll be able to see what's inside!"
He did as she told him. His vision became blurry as it changed to another new scene. It was a surreal experience.
Imagine it as a spectator mode in a video game—that is what he was dealing with. He could control his movement with a single thought.
Inside the pouch was a 3x3 cubic white space. Lying at the bottom were different kinds of items that would be useful in many situations.
'She really went all out to prepare things for me. I mustn't fail,' he said to himself solemnly when he reached the last few lines.