Chapter 21: The Library Cult

"Hey… have you heard? The story about the grimoire in the library?"

"It’s a book bound in human skin. It contains tales of gods far older than any we know—older than the gods we worship now."

"It sleeps deep beneath the library, chained with iron locks so no one can take it. Only the headmaster holds the key."

"They say the author was devoured by invisible beasts in the street. That those who read it were struck by lightning on a new moon and burned alive, or wandered into the sea during a storm and never returned, or fell into an endless sleep…"

"True or not? Hehe… who knows? Do you have the courage to find out…?"

Frieda visited the library as usual.

Today, like always, the library was quiet, filled only with the sound of students reading or studying.

"Lord Albrecht."

"Miss Frieda. Here for a book as well?"

Albrecht was the one she had been looking for—the man she secretly admired.

"Yes. The literary club’s room is, well… a bit empty these days."

The literary club Frieda belonged to was one of many hit hard by dropouts and leaves of absence in April. What had once been twenty members had dwindled to six. And of those, two were still unwell, leaving the club nearly deserted.

"Ah, right. Then perhaps I’ll work in the literary club’s room today."

"But don’t you have research to do? Are you sure?"

"I’ll borrow the books I need. I’d forgotten how difficult this time has been for your club. My apologies, Miss Frieda."

"No, it’s fine. I’m sure everyone will recover soon. I’ll just grab my book, too."

Frieda waved off his apology and turned toward the shelves.

Then—she felt it.

A gaze.

She looked up toward the third-floor balcony.

Had someone been there? But when she glanced up, no one was in sight. Yet the sensation lingered—a clinging, viscous stare, seeping from the library’s shadows.

"This place feels… sickening."

Muttering to herself, she snatched her book and hurried to the checkout counter.

"I’d like to borrow this, please."

"Yes… one moment…"

The librarian was a young woman with a raspy voice—someone Frieda had seen before.

Her long, unruly black hair fell over her face, obscuring her expression. The fingers that took Frieda’s book were skeletal, like brittle twigs.

"Here you are…"

"Thank—"

The woman suddenly seized Frieda’s wrist.

"Eek! Wh-What are you doing?!"

Frieda’s startled cry drew stares from nearby students. Under their bewildered gazes, the librarian released her grip—but not before whispering:

"You’re friends with Iris zu Lauenstein… aren’t you?"

"Y-Yes, but…"

"I see… I see… Heheh…"

The woman chuckled darkly before shoving the book into Frieda’s hands and slinking back to her seat.

"What… was that about?"

Unsettled, Frieda quickly rejoined Albrecht, who was waiting by the exit.

"Lord Albrecht. Let’s go."

"Of course. What did you borrow?"

"‘Carter and the Adventures of Dreamland.’ It’s a favorite of mine."

"Ah, I love that one too. There’s something thrilling about starting an adventure in an unknown land—no matter how many times you read it."

"That’s exactly what I like about it!"

Smiling, the two left the library together.

Behind them, the librarian watched with a twisted grin.

"That one… yes, she will please our Queen. A worthy sacrifice for the feast of flesh and blood. When we tear out her organs, drenched in life’s fluids, and raise them high, the Queen will answer. She must be offered… Hehehe… hehehehe!"

The mad cult lurked everywhere in the academy…

Ah, it's me. Iris, the so-called 'Eldritch Goddess.'

Regarding the cult incident at the academy, it seems an investigation is finally underway.

Frankly, it’s only natural—after all, something like that was lurking beneath the school. Though the place was already in ruins, the fact that its existence had been concealed for so long suggests someone inside the academy must have been aiding them.

Hopefully, this will be the end of those lunatics.

"Everyone, the headmaster has granted permission. We’re to investigate the unidentified underground area."

Klaus made the announcement as we gathered once more in the student council room.

"Um, isn’t this dangerous? There could still be cultists down there..."

I wasn’t exactly thrilled. That underground temple had already put me through enough.

"No need to worry. Faculty and military police have already swept the area. No people, no monsters—just rats."

"Well, if that’s the case..."

If it’s safe, then I suppose it’s just like a spooky field trip. Not that anyone else seems to be treating it lightly.

"Then we’ll proceed immediately. Any objections?"

Klaus scanned the room, but no one backed out.

There’s something about grotesque mysteries that draws people in, even if they’ll regret it later.

Curiosity killed the cat, as they say.

"Good. I appreciate your courage."

With that, Klaus led us out of the council room and toward the underground temple.

"I can’t believe there was a staircase here all along..."

"Lady Emilia, allow me to go first."

Leonhardt conjured flames with his magic, just as Felix had before, using them as a torch as we descended.

Our order: Leonhardt, Emilia, Felix, me, and Klaus bringing up the rear.

"So this is the underground temple..."

"Eerie place."

Leonhardt surveyed the ruins while Klaus muttered under his breath.

"Lord Felix, are you alright?"

Felix had gone slightly pale. Maybe he was starting to remember what he’d seen here.

"I feel like... something terrible was here. But I can’t recall..."

"What are you talking about, Felix? Lady Iris was with you, and she saw nothing. Right, Lady Iris?"

Klaus shot me a questioning look as Felix clutched his head.

"Yep! Just rats."

"See? Pull yourself together, Vice President."

I flashed my most dazzling smile, and Klaus gave Felix an encouraging pat on the shoulder. Though still uneasy, Felix seemed to relax slightly, reassured by his friends’ presence.

"President Klaus, did the faculty determine how long this place has been here? It seems ancient."

"No, but they suspect it predates the academy itself."

"Older than the academy..."

Leonhardt stared at the grotesque idol as he spoke. The twisted stone statue loomed over us in silence.

Meanwhile, I wandered around in my "haunted house tour" mood until I spotted an old chest. Without a second thought, I opened it—inside was a book.

"Lady Iris, find something?"

"Yep! There was this book in here."

I held it up for everyone to see.

"Parchment... incredibly old. What does it say?"

"Sorry, I can’t read it. Anyone else?"

I made sure to show it clearly, but everyone shook their heads.

"Still, it’s likely a grimoire. I’ve seen similar before."

"Agreed. Either heretical scripture or forbidden magic. Could be a clue to what happened here."

Emilia and Felix studied the ancient tome—undoubtedly a grimoire—and voiced their thoughts.

Me? I’m the MVP here, right? Praise me~!

"Right. Let’s take this to the library and decipher it."

"Got it!"

And so, we headed to the library...

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