I stepped into the grand library, the scent of old paper and polished wood filling the air as sunlight streamed through towering windows.
Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling, a quiet sanctuary compared to the suffocating expectations of the mansion.
[User HolyKnightFan: "Library scene! šāØ"]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "Villainess aesthetic."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "She's gonna hex a book, isn't she."]
Trailing my fingers along a dusty shelf, I glanced at the translucent window still floating beside me, the chat flickering softly.
Serena followed a few steps behind, hugging a book to her chest, her eyes wide as she glanced around.
"You come here often, Elvira?" she asked softly.
"Sometimes," I replied, scanning the titles. "It's quiet here."
[User CatEarsSupreme: "She likes quiet places, relatable."]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "Protect the cinnamon roll."]
A new notification popped up:
[New Quest: "Investigate Execution Flag"]
Reward: 800 Mana, Clue on Event Trigger
Execution flag. Right. I need to figure out exactly how the banquet spirals into disaster for Elvira.
"Feel free to read while I check something," I told Serena, who nodded quickly and settled into a cushioned chair by the window.
I found a heavy book titled Noble Etiquette and Royal Events, flipping through until I reached the section on royal banquets. My eyes narrowed as I scanned the lines detailing accusations of harassment or slander during public gatherings.
In the story, Elvira's downfall starts with false rumors at a banquet, pushing the prince to condemn her.
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Plot digging arc."]
[User HolyKnightFan: "Knowledge is power."]
Serena glanced up from her book, fidgeting. "Umā¦ Elvira, is something wrong?"
I shook my head. "Just making sure I don't embarrass myself at the banquet."
"Oh, you won't," Serena said earnestly. "You're always so composed."
I blinked, taken aback by her straightforward sincerity.
[User YandereDragonQueen: "Serena is so supportive š„ŗ."]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "Protect her energy."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Boring but wholesome."]
Another notification pinged:
[Quest Progress: "Change Fate ā 4/100"]
[Reward: 800 Mana, Hidden Skill Unlock Available]
[Skill Unlocked: "Detect Malice LV1"]
Golden letters shimmered and faded as warmth pooled in my fingertips.
Detect Malice? A handy tool for sniffing out backstabbers at the banquet.
I closed the book, standing straighter as I glanced out the window.
"Serena, let's do our best at the banquet," I said lightly.
She nodded, her eyes bright. "Okay!"
As I closed the thick book, another notification appeared, flashing brightly:
[Quest Complete: "Investigate Execution Flag"]
Reward: 800 Mana, +5 Popularity
BONUS: Random Skill Card GRANTED!
A golden card materialized in the air, shimmering with runes before dropping neatly into my hand.
[User HolyKnightFan: "OMG SKILL CARD DROP!!"]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "Pull something good, please!"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Fireball. FIREBALL."]
The card's text glowed:
āØ [Skill Card: "Minor Illusion LV1" ā Cast small illusions to distract or disguise for 30 seconds.] āØ
Not bad. Distraction could save me if things go wrong.
[User CatEarsSupreme: "Ooo illusion, stealth queen Elvira."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "It's not fireball but I'll allow it."]
I slipped the card into my inventory window, feeling the rune settle on my wrist before fading.
Turning, I saw Serena quietly reading by the window, the sunlight catching her pink hair. Her calm presence almost made me forget the death flags waiting for me outside this library.
"Serena," I called.
She looked up, startled, then relaxed when she saw me.
"Yes, Elvira?"
"Thank you. For being you," I said simply.
Her eyes widened, cheeks turning pink as she ducked her head. "I-I don't know what I did, butā¦ you're welcome."
[User YandereDragonQueen: "Protect her š„ŗ."]
[User HolyKnightFan: "Elvira soft moment detected."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Ugh, wholesome."]
The chat flickered with emojis and small mana donations that filled my bar another sliver.
[Mana: 5,000/10,000]
Halfway to the next gacha pull, I thought, satisfied.
A sudden pulse tingled in my fingertips, and text blinked:
-[Hidden Skill "Detect Malice LV1" is now Active.]
I glanced around the library, blinking as a faint red glow appeared above the head of a maid dusting shelves nearby.
Malice detected?
The maid glanced back, her polite smile not quite reaching her eyes before she turned away.
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "SUS ALERT."]
[User HolyKnightFan: "That's suspiciousā¦"]
[User CatEarsSupreme: "Use illusion and spy š."]
I narrowed my eyes.
If she's planning something, I'll find out before the banquet.
The faint red glow above the maid's head pulsed again before fading, leaving me with one clear thought:
Someone in this mansion is plotting something.
[User HolyKnightFan: "SUS MAID SUS MAID!!"]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Follow her. Chaos time."]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "Careful, Elvira šØ."]
I tapped my wrist, pulling up the system window, and selected:
[Activate Skill: "Minor Illusion LV1"]
A soft shimmer enveloped me, making my figure blur at the edges, like heat haze on a summer road.
Serena glanced up from her book, blinking. "Elviraā¦?"
I placed a finger to my lips, and her eyes widened before she nodded, clutching her book tightly.
[User CatEarsSupreme: "Serena is so cooperative š."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Stealth mission start."]
I slipped between shelves, keeping a few steps behind the maid as she hummed softly, dusting book spines with exaggerated care.
She glanced around before pulling a small piece of folded parchment from her sleeve, slipping it between two books on a lower shelf.
[User HolyKnightFan: "WHAT IS THAT??"]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "A note?? Poison plans??"]
Once the maid left, I dispelled the illusion and crouched down, pulling the parchment free.
It was sealed with red wax, a strange crest stamped into itāa serpent coiling around a dagger.
Not the royal seal. Not the Lathoria crest either.
Carefully, I broke the seal and unfolded the note.
"At the banquet, slip the powder into the cup. Payment will be made after."
I inhaled sharply.
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "POISON?! BANQUET?! HERE WE GO."]
[User HolyKnightFan: "Elvira's death flag is REAL."]
[User YandereDragonQueen: "Burn that note! Or keep it as evidence!"]
Sliding the note into my sleeve, I closed my eyes.
They're planning to poison someone at the banquet. Maybe me, maybe Serena, maybe even the prince.
A new notification popped up:
[New Quest: "Unmask the Poison Plot at the Banquet."]
Reward: 1,000 Mana + 1 Random Skill Card
[User CatEarsSupreme: "NEW QUEST LET'S GO."]
I stood, slipping the book back into place to hide any trace of disturbance.
"Serena," I called softly.
She peeked around the shelves, eyes wide. "Is it safe?"
"For now," I said, managing a smile.
[User HolyKnightFan: "Elvira protecting Serena energy š."]
[User DemonKingLovesDrama: "Banquet prep arc, baby."]
As I walked out of the library with Serena, the note hidden in my sleeve and determination tightening in my chest, I knew one thing for certain:
I wasn't about to let this world kill me off.
Not when I could livestream my survivalāand take down whoever was behind this plot.