"Then… how do we get out of here?" I asked, cutting through their lighthearted banter.
They didn't answer immediately—too busy teasing each other. Nara was playfully pinching the priest's arm, and he kept dodging with a grin on his face. I'd never seen them like this. It was strange… comforting, even.
Watching them, something stirred inside me.
Did I used to be like that too? Did I share a bond like theirs with someone? Or was I always the distant one… the cruel king?A man who gave orders, not smiles? Who wielded swords, not affection?
Their laughter snapped me out of it. They were looking at me now—with those wide, amused eyes.
"…Why are you both staring at me like I'm your babysitter?" I blurted.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No," they replied in perfect sync.
"No," Nara repeated, chuckling. "But after asking, you just stood there smiling at us like we're the stars of a comedy play."
The priest snorted. "We'll only be able to leave once you find your answer. So go. Search your memories. We'll be right here."
Then—just like that—they turned back to each other and resumed their conversation, like I wasn't even there anymore.
"Wait—what? You two aren't coming with me?" I blinked. "You're abandoning me? Just like that?!"
No response. Just laughter and whispers between them.
"Unbelievable…" I muttered, face growing red. "They really left me to wander like a lost kid."
I stepped forward, unsure where to begin."Where should I even start?" I muttered, eyes scanning my surroundings. "Is this… still the library?"
It didn't feel like one anymore.The towering bookshelves had vanished, replaced by ancient trees draped in mist and shadow. The floor, once stone and scroll-lined, was now covered in moss and leaves. A forest—thick, quiet, and haunting—stretched out before me.
I could barely see ahead. The darkness between the trees swallowed every detail."Can a library even do this?" I whispered, the weight of the place pressing against my chest.
But the question burning in my mind remained the same: Where is Chrysantha?
Would this place… answer me?
Just as the thought crossed my mind, a sharp sound cut through the silence—fwsshh!
Something darted through the air.
A blur of white.
Before I could flinch, it was right in front of me—a snake, pure white and fast as lightning, lunging from the trees.
"Shit!" I gasped.
My hand moved on instinct. I caught the snake's head mid-strike—its fangs barely an inch from my throat. My heart thundered, but my grip was steady.
"I just caught a damn snake… with my bare hands?" I breathed. "What the hell kind of courage is this?"
Its smooth, cold body writhed in my grip. I stared at it, unsure whether to be proud or terrified.
Then its crimson eyes glowed faintly—and I realized:This wasn't just a snake.This was part of the library's answer.
When I looked into the snake's eyes, I wasn't terrified anymore. Something inside me whispered, don't hurt it.
I slowly loosened my grip, and the soft white serpent slid from my hand, coiling gently over my shoulder, down my leg, and onto the ground. It stared up at me with the most innocent expression.
"How cute… I'm sorry. I almost killed you," I said softly, like it could understand me.
Then—something clicked.
Those crimson eyes… I've seen them before.
"Oh my gods… do you know where Chrysantha is?" I blurted out.
Idiot. If those two cracked-heads had heard me say that, I'd never live it down.
But the snake didn't attack or run. Instead, it simply slithered forward—toward the waterfall—and stopped, turning its head to look at me.
Like it was waiting.
I hesitated, then took a step forward.
"I hope… I find my answer."
It's the same waterfall I've seen in my dreams. The only thing missing… is Chrysantha.
I stand in front of the cascading water, heart heavy. Somehow, it feels like I've lived this moment before—like memories not entirely my own are playing behind my eyes.
How weak I must have been… to be defeated by those shadows. How much pain must she—and my other swords—have felt when I fell?
My thoughts were interrupted by a soft hiss.
"So… I have to go into that cave behind the waterfall," I said aloud, glancing at the white snake beside me like it could understand.
Behind the falling water, I saw it—a vast, shadowed cavern hidden by the mist. The waterfall wasn't like anything I'd seen before. The water was so pure, it shimmered like liquid glass. I stepped forward, letting the cool current embrace me, and began to swim toward the entrance.
The moment the water touched my skin, a strange agony surged through me—painful, but cleansing. It was as if the water was stripping away everything false, every scar I carried, layer by layer.
I pushed forward, but suddenly, my leg was caught.
What now?!
I held my breath and dove underwater. It was a water plant—its vine-like branch tightly wrapped around my leg. I yanked and twisted, trying to free myself, but the more I struggled, the tighter it held. Panic set in. I couldn't call for Nara—I was too deep, too far. My lungs ached. My eyes blurred.
Is this… how it ends?
Then, through the haze, I saw her.
Even in my half-blurred vision, I recognized her instantly—white hair flowing like silk, one eye icy blue, the other crimson red.
Chrysantha.
She was exactly as I had seen in my dreams, only now she was real… close… reaching for me. Her soft hand gently cradled my chin. I could feel her warmth, her calm. She touched the vine around my throat and, with a faint shimmer of light, it released me.
"I'm waiting for you, my lord," she said. Though we were underwater, I heard her voice clearly in my mind. "Please… find me."
I reached out to touch her, desperate to hold her, but the moment my fingers brushed her image—she vanished like a dream slipping from my grasp.
Gasping, I swam hard toward the cave and broke through the water's surface, coughing and choking for air. I dragged myself onto the stone floor, soaked and breathless.
"S-So… this is the cave," I whispered between coughs.
I sat there for a moment, drenched and shaken. But my heart burned with new resolve.
I didn't know exactly what lay ahead—but deep down, I knew:This place holds the answers I've been searching for.