Chapter 28: The Eldritch Godness and the Book

We arrived at Nakoto Books, the largest bookstore in the imperial capital.

It was enormous—bigger than the academy’s library, even. Just imagining what kind of books lined these shelves, what stories and knowledge lay waiting, made my heart race.

"First, let’s check the bestsellers. Today’s a market survey, after all. Some say literature should remain pure, untouched by commercial concerns—but books that sell well must have something worthwhile, don’t you think?"

"Indeed, Lord Albrecht. Let’s investigate together."

"Of course, Miss Freida."

Freida stuck close to Albrecht, her face glowing with barely contained joy. Even I, her friend, couldn’t help but smile.

And then, with those two gone, only the student council duo remained.

"So… what should we do, Lord Felix?"

"We’re in a bookstore. We look at books."

"R-Right."

This isn’t going to sustain a conversation~. I wish I could say something clever, but alas~.

After a long silence, Felix suddenly held up a book.

"Ever read this?"

"‘Me and Agilo’?"

"A story about a boy learning about the world through adventures with his dog. I read it often as a child—my mother bought it for me. Wore it out from rereading. Could probably recite it by heart even now."

"Oh? Sounds interesting. I’ll give it a try."

"Then I’ll get it for you."

…Huh? He’s paying?

"Are you sure?"

"I’d like someone to discuss it with. Just read it properly, and we’re even."

"Th-Thank you."

Whether he heard my gratitude or not, Felix took the book to the counter and had it carefully wrapped as a gift.

"Here."

"I’ll treasure it."

He handed it over with typical terseness.

…Maybe he’s not so bad after all.

"By the way—did Albrecht and Miss Freida rope you into this?"

"You noticed? Freida begged me. She couldn’t bring herself to invite Lord Albrecht alone."

"I don’t mind. Had no plans anyway."

For the first time today, Felix smiled.

"But you’re usually so busy, aren’t you?"

"True. As the heir to a ducal house, obligations pile up. Sometimes it feels… ill-fitting for someone like me, who was practically a commoner."

Ah, right. Felix was originally a distant relative of the Starkburg ducal family before being adopted as heir.

"Um… was it your adoptive mother who gave you this book?"

"No. My birth mother."

"I see."

I couldn’t quite imagine what it was like—leaving his real parents behind to live as a noble’s heir.

"There’s something else I should mention. That ‘Flesh Tome’—it’s been stolen from Head Librarian Erich. It was supposedly locked in his office, but he reported it missing to the headmaster."

"Stolen? The academy’s getting a bit dangerous…"

"And it wasn’t an ordinary theft. The office was still locked, no signs of forced entry. But traces of what seemed to be… bodily fluids from a non-human creature were left behind."

"A non-human thief?"

"It should be shocking. But at this point, nothing in this academy surprises me anymore."

Considering how I’ve already been attacked by non-human entities multiple times at the academy, this doesn’t exactly shock me—but still, isn’t this kind of dangerous? It’s like the appearance of monsters at the academy has just become the norm at this point.

Well, not that I should talk. The biggest monster of all is, without a doubt, me.

“Iris, Lord Felix. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Just then, Frieda and Albrecht returned, their arms full of books.

“Once we’re done at the register, shall we head to lunch?”

“Sounds good.”

As I waited, I found myself wondering whether Frieda and Albrecht’s book purchases were being paid for out of the club budget. If their relationship deepens from all this, I certainly won’t complain. And from the look of things, aren’t they getting along quite nicely?

After that, we made our way to a restaurant near Nakoto Bookstore. It wasn’t exactly cheap, but not too pricey either. If Frieda was the one who chose it, she’s got pretty good taste.

“Popular books really are quite educational, aren’t they?”

“Yes. Understanding how others perceive the world is part of the creative process too, I suppose.”

While eating, I brought up what had happened earlier today.

Judging from how well Frieda and Albrecht were clicking, it looked like they’d really hit it off. Maybe Frieda finally feels like she can be honest with her own feelings.

“Well then, see you back at the academy!”

“Let’s meet again at school.”

After lunch, we parted ways in front of Central Station in the Imperial Capital.

“Lady Iris.”

“Yes?”

Felix, who had stayed behind until the very end, turned to look at me.

“You… no, it’s nothing.”

He gave me a meaningful glance—but in the end, he said nothing and walked away.

“Welcome home, Lord Felix.”

Felix had returned to the Starkburg ducal residence in the Imperial Capital.

Once part of the Electorate bloodline, the House of Starkburg had relocated to the capital as the era shifted toward centralization and constitutional monarchy.

“Yes, I’m home.”

The servants bowed their heads in greeting, and that was all he said in response.

“His Grace is waiting for you in the study.”

“Understood.”

With that, Felix made his way to his father Friedrich’s study.

“I’ve returned, Father.”

“Oh? Did you enjoy your outing with your friends?”

“I did.”

Friedrich greeted him with a warm smile, the kind you’d expect from a kindly old gentleman.

Despite his cheerful demeanor, Friedrich was quite advanced in age, especially relative to Felix. Likely in his sixties or seventies. Without those thick reading glasses of his, he probably wouldn’t be able to read at all.

“The more friends you have, the better. You’ve done so much to accommodate my selfish wishes—I truly hope you find happiness.”

“Please don’t call it selfish. I consider it a great honor to be able to inherit the name of House Starkburg.”

Felix had become Friedrich’s adopted son entirely at Friedrich’s own insistence.

“No, it was selfish of me. I couldn’t bear the thought of letting the family line die out in my generation. So I tore you away from your birth family, burdened you with stifling etiquette and discipline…”

Friedrich let out a deep sigh.

“But you rose to the occasion. You’ve grown into a fine heir to this house. Perhaps I leaned on you too much—how pathetic of an adult, right?”

“Father…”

“You’ve fulfilled my selfish wishes, so it’s only fair that you’re allowed to have your own. You excel in your studies, your manners are impeccable. All that’s left is to have a lady by your side, and you could stand in society as head of this house tomorrow.”

Ah. That conversation, Felix thought, suppressing a sigh.

“There’s a wonderful woman I’d like you to meet. A little older, but refined, with a respectable family. What do you say? Would you meet with her sometime?”

“Father… you said I could have a selfish wish too, didn’t you?”

“Yes, of course. Is there something on your mind?”

Friedrich asked the question with visible delight.

Felix had never once complained. He’d poured himself into becoming a man worthy of inheriting the ducal name. And he had almost succeeded. Friedrich thought of him as his own son.

Which is why Felix now said:

“In truth… there’s already someone I have feelings for.”

….....