Chapter 184
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Chloe's Librozia Invitation
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Chloe wanted to go together.
"There's a city outside the capital I'd like to visit with you, Oppa... Do you think it'd be okay if I asked you to come with me?"
Was it because of the moonlight filtering into the study?
Eclair met Chloe's eyes, sparkling with an unusually bright vitality.
If this were solely due to Roman's influence, she might have felt a twinge of jealousy.
Feeling that subtle swell of emotion, she nodded.
"Of course."
This wasn't some cheap pity born from the damp sentimentality of the night.
As if she'd been waiting for this moment.
Like Rike, her sister didn't hesitate or overthink Chloe's words.
She simply offered encouragement and said to let her know anytime if she needed financial support or influence.
Especially.
The most surprising thing her sister had said was.
-Chloe. Skipping the academy for a few days won't cause any disasters. Take your time, whether it's one day or several.
She never would have expected such words from her sister, who valued discipline as one of the Empire's Five Knights.
Her schedule had already been a concern, but now even that was resolved.
The conditions clicked into place with a satisfying tack! tack!, loosening the reins on her mind.
The image of one man flooded her thoughts, filling her head completely.
'Oppa...!'
It had been so long since she'd called out to him so refreshingly, even if only in her heart.
For a while, she'd suppressed her thoughts to avoid crossing the line.
She'd refrained from seeking him out or chatting after practical classes.
Even with all that effort.
'Adaptation' or 'giving up' felt impossibly distant.
Those days had been agonizingly tough.
But Rike and her sister's permission sliced through the threads forcibly stitching the gaps in her psyche like a sharp blade.
A legitimate challenge.
Now, only the challenge itself remained.
'No matter the outcome, I have to make sure I have no regrets...!'
Even if fear loomed large, the joy of being able to try with full effort, without lingering doubts, was overwhelming.
Time alone with Oppa, which might be their last.
Even if it was a bit selfish, Chloe decided to suggest the place she'd always wanted to go.
'But what if Oppa has absolutely no interest in it...?'
No.
How long would she keep thinking like this?
Slap!
Her hands clapped firmly against her cheeks, snapping her back to reality.
'I just have to make it interesting enough to spark his curiosity!'
Before suggesting this to him, Chloe felt she needed proper preparation.
As if standing at a crossroads in life, preparing for a momentous decision.
Chloe hurried back to her room, opened a blank page in her notebook, and picked up her pen.
...
...
Everyone has their hobbies.
And the depth and type vary from person to person.
Among the hobbies people commonly mention is reading.
If it's not just a joke for show but a genuine passion.
If someone enjoys collecting and reading books of any genre, they'll want to visit this city at least once.
Chloe was no different.
Librozia.
This city wasn't some noble's territory but managed directly by the Empire.
It offered the spectacular sight of bookstores with distinctive colors lining the streets.
Mages seeking knowledge, treasure hunters after rare antiques, or pure bookworms swarmed the place.
It wasn't just about selling new or used books.
Basic services included ghostwriting speeches for high officials or important notices.
Certain alleys housed skilled scribes.
And that was far from all.
Librozia was home to novelists and playwrights of various genres.
The culture leaned so heavily in that direction.
Ambitious folks desperate to make a name flocked there, putting on street performances frequently.
Just from rumors or stories, anyone who loved books or theater would dream of visiting Librozia at least once.
But for Chloe, whose experiences outside the capital were limited to the academy and vague family trips to unknown places.
The outside world was truly an unknown realm.
Unlike Seria's bold nature, Chloe wasn't adventurous.
Even knowing about Librozia and feeling intrigued, travel seemed like a pie in the sky.
And with her sister Eclair always busy, it was hard to suggest going far on her rare days off when she just wanted to relax.
But wasn't there one other person, besides her sister, who could dispel the fear from that unknown vastness?
This was a chance to fulfill multiple dreams at once.
Thud!
Closing the page filled with dense black ink, Chloe let out a triumphant breath and stretched.
"Ughhh—!! It's done, it's done!"
She had no idea how much time had passed for such a satisfying result.
Her once-empty notebook now brimmed with organized information, and outside, the dawn sun was rising.
The academy?
Whatever she was doing now could wait until after classes.
'I, I can't wait...!'
For today, academy be damned.
She never imagined a single emotion could turn her into such a reckless cavalry charge.
"..."
Remembering her one bold request to her sister in the study—if she needed anything, just say.
Clutching her notebook tightly, Chloe hurriedly prepared to leave the mansion.
*****
In the still-damp chill of early morning, after grabbing bread and eating breakfast, the peaceful time continued.
"Oppa! A letter came~"
Rike scampered in with the letter and dove unhesitatingly onto me as I lay in bed.
I caught her lightly, settling her on top of me, stroked her hair, and checked the letter.
"Thanks. A letter this early?"
"It's from your sister."
Flipping it over, I saw Eclair Dreitna's name written there.
"It's real."
The unusual look and format told me it wasn't official imperial business.
Still, a courier this early in the morning.
'Because of that special stamp they use sometimes?'
The brief curiosity ended.
The content was what mattered.
Shing—
A razor-thin blade of aura from my fingertip neatly sliced open the sealed edge.
Inside was a single neatly folded sheet.
From the transparency, it looked half-filled with writing.
Even Eclair, who wrote plainly, had kept it short.
"Huh?"
Rike peeked too and wriggled down to lie beside me, claiming her spot.
"Hmm...?"
As I read, I scratched my itching chin in confusion.
Rike just giggled beside me.
-Chloe wants to meet at the Adventurer's Guild. If you're not busy, please stop by and hear her out.
That summed up the letter simply.
She asked me to come alone to the guild.
Rike urged me to go quickly.
'What could it be... If she calls, I go.'
I dressed simply and walked with Rike partway to the academy before parting.
"Have a good one."
"I will~ You too, Oppa!"
Watching Rike's cheerful steps, curiosity flickered about this picture.
'If Chloe's there now, is she skipping academy? Sick leave?'
She'd seemed off lately, so heading to the guild, I worried a bit.
What business could the girl I hadn't properly spoken to since that incident have?
Thud—
The Adventurer's Guild came into view.
The smell of tobacco wafting out.
Bang!
Flinging the door open for ventilation drew annoyed glares.
"What're you staring at? Look away."
My growl scattered the gazes, bringing a comfortable ease.
The guild after who-knows-how-long.
As I stepped in, flipping off the familiar faces, I approached the receptionist.
She rose as if waiting.
"Your guest is waiting in the reception room."
"Thanks."
Opposite the noisy crowd of adventurers.
I knocked on the reception room door.
Knock- knock-
"Can I come in?"
-Ah...! J-just a moment!
Scrambling noises from inside after knocking.
-Come in...!
Creeak—
Entering, I sealed the sound with a barrier.
Chloe wasn't sitting but standing, clutching a notebook dearly.
"You doing okay? I've been worried lately."
"Oppa...!"
Her eyes held joy or sorrow—I couldn't tell.
Frozen in conflicted expression, unable to move.
I sat her on the plush sofa in the room.
"It's been a while since we talked like this."
"Y-yeah..."
To help Chloe, who avoided my eyes and bowed her head opposite, I started the conversation.
"Skipping academy today okay?"
"Uh, um... Probably."
"...?"
Probably?
Her vague wording made me wait patiently.
As if resolved, she took deep breaths and offered the notebook from her chest.
"There's something I want you to see and hear, Oppa...!"
I took it from her trembling hands.
A rabbit sticker poked out like a Post-it.
"Can I look now?"
She nodded vigorously; I chuckled and opened to that spot.
Flip—
Cute drawings and explanations caught my eye.
'Librozia?'
Never been, but I knew the name.
Surprisingly readable, info jumping out; as I pored over it.
Unable to bear the silence, Chloe spoke first.
"It's hard to understand just from what I wrote, so... L-let me explain."
....
Hearing a presentation-like spiel in the Adventurer's Guild reception room was a first.
Receptionists explain complex requests sometimes, but... this was new.
The main pitch started with the originally promised dessert shop.
Why Librozia, what might intrigue me there.
Stiff but with her fresh earnestness; I smiled more at her effort than the content.
"Wh-what do you think?"
Finishing, she hid her face with the book, peeking only her blue eyes.
'...Impressive.'
Knowing her personality, I admired inwardly multiple times.
Not fixating on strengths but bravely filling weaknesses—beautiful effort.
Especially.
When rewards weren't clear or visible, someone practicing alone against the wall naturally earned support.
"Sounds fun. Wanna go together?"
A single positive word.
Worries vanished from her face, beaming brighter than ever.
...
...
Supplies in inventory aplenty, so for trips, just neat clothes sufficed.
The thrill of wearing clothes Rike picked and meeting Eclair's little sister—this adulterous vibe.
Reconsidering the situation, I had no clue what kind of guy I was.
Blessings overflowing; my fate straightening while my head felt broken.
Lost in dazed thoughts with leisure to sip a drink.
Rike approached and sat on my lap.
"Oppa. Ahh~ before you go."
In her academy uniform, holding a detox pill.
I swallowed without fuss; she patted my chest admiringly.
Despite eating breakfast together and taking one habitually after.
Her feeding it herself meant one thing.
Anyone would recall that day with Eclair.
Snuggling, she nipped my neck lightly, leaving a mark, then whispered in my ear.
"I won't force you to do anything with Oppa. Even if it hurts Chloe mentally, I'll steer it positively somehow."
It sounded impossibly tough, but Rike could pull it off effortlessly.
"Thanks to my girl, I can go worry-free."
Her girlfriend's friend and girlfriend's little sister.
And...
For this uniquely complicated relationship, I set off to meet her.