* * *
I hate studying.
‘Even just hearing the word makes my head throb…!’
The only saving grace was that I liked reading, at least.
So I didn’t mind libraries themselves.
‘But finding the right books? That’s a different story altogether.’
That’s not studying—it’s manual labor. Grueling manual labor.
The reason I came to the duchy’s library was simple: I wanted to find books about divine power.
While I didn’t think my power was truly divine, I thought the methods for using it might be similar.
I had a theory about how to use it, but I wanted to double-check against the books of this world—just in case.
‘Who knows? This world might spring another surprise twist on me like that whole “Omega” nonsense.’
I could’ve asked my tutor for help, but it would’ve been strange to suddenly ask about divine power when I was still stuck on what was essentially elementary-level history lessons.
‘Besides, I have a hunch that the topic of divine power is taboo in this household.’
It was just a gut feeling. Terms like “temple” or “divine power” felt dangerous to bring up here.
The previous duchess was said to be a devout follower of the faith, yet there wasn’t a single symbol of the god Shinoa in this mansion.
It was odd, especially given that the religion was the state church and still wielded considerable influence.
‘It’s just…off.’
The ‘Raizen: Bonus Chapter’ mentioned Raizen’s curse, but it didn’t delve into how the duke and duchess perceived or dealt with it.
The account was limited to Raizen’s perspective.
‘He said they wanted to hide it, that they were ashamed of it.’
But I’d found that interpretation lacking.
From what I’d observed, the duke and duchess deeply loved Raizen.
The Crows under Duke Pantheon surely kept an eye on him, so it was unlikely they were unaware of his condition.
‘It makes more sense to assume they’ve investigated it on their own.’
When you think of curses, you naturally think of temples and divine power.
Yet there wasn’t a trace of the divine in this household, not even in the artwork.
They must’ve deliberately erased it, which couldn’t have been easy considering how often gods and myths featured in art.
So, here I was, personally trying to piece things together in the duchy’s historic library.
“Have another, Young Master. You worked so hard studying today,” Mila said, placing another sandwich in front of me.
This one was stuffed with marinated chicken.
‘As if I didn’t already have more than enough.’
The table before me was piled high with sandwiches, finger foods, and fresh-squeezed orange juice.
If this were Earth, this spread would easily cost over a hundred thousand won—a catering service straight out of a fancy restaurant.
‘And the quality of these ingredients!’
In the desolate western territories, obtaining fresh ingredients like these must cost a fortune.
‘Not that I was actually studying…’
All I’d done was hunt for books.
To keep Mila from getting suspicious, I’d pretended to browse the magic section for a while.
‘But there was nothing relevant.’
The theology section was nowhere to be found, only a mythology section that barely mentioned divine power.
‘Instead, there were a ton of books on ancient gods—something I hadn’t expected.’
It only strengthened my suspicion that the duke and duchess knew something.
It also confirmed that divine power, as it existed, was now considered lost.
“Are you tired? You spent the whole day in the library,” Mila asked.
“No! It was fun.”
‘It wasn’t fun.’
Still, it wasn’t a total waste.
Thinking that, I pushed the sandwich Mila had just given me back toward her.
“Young Master?”
“You have some, Mila.”
“I already had a little while I was preparing this, so I’m fine.”
‘Hmm…’
This was the part I found awkward.
Sitting here eating while someone older than me stood by and watched—it felt wrong.
I didn’t think of myself as particularly polite, but growing up in a Korean society must’ve left its mark.
It was hard to stomach how much depended on social status in this world.
‘Is this food going down the wrong pipe or what?’
I let out a small sigh on purpose and set down the sandwich I had been holding.
“Young Master?”
“I don’t want to eat alone.”
In situations like this, there’s only one way.
Rather than whining or forcing someone, it’s better to act like a lonely, attention-seeking child.
As soon as I finished speaking, Mila picked up the sandwich and cut it in half with a knife.
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
Smiling warmly, Mila took a bite of the sandwich.
Watching her, I resumed eating my own.
For some reason, my chest felt ticklish.
‘It’s just part of the job for her, but still.’
Even knowing that, Mila treated me well.
She willingly followed when I randomly said I wanted to visit the library and paid attention to even the smallest actions.
Yet, she didn’t shower me with excessive praise.
She simply looked at me with warm eyes and promptly provided whatever I needed.
‘Is this what real parents are like?’
At that moment, unpleasant memories resurfaced.
‘Why can’t you prepare for the foreign language school on your own? You used to excel without even trying!’
“…….”
“Young Master?”
My expression must have changed momentarily. I quickly smiled.
“Huh? What is it?”
“Oh, nothing.”
As Mila returned her focus to her meal, I lowered my gaze briefly.
When I was younger, I liked seeing my mother happy, so I tried hard.
I wasn’t particularly smart, but I learned faster than my peers, picking things up quickly.
Little did I know that this would become the seed of tragedy.
The faster I learned, the quicker I grew bored.
After exams, I never reviewed the material, so nothing stayed in my head.
While I managed to maintain my grades through last-minute cramming, my mother demanded the impossible from me.
Expecting me to get into a foreign language high school on my own was absurd, in retrospect.
But back then, I was genuinely distressed.
Whenever I tried to do anything, money was always the issue.
‘We don’t have it! There’s no money! Why can’t you even study properly? Do you know how much I suffer because of you?!’
To my mother, having a son who excelled academically and was reasonably cute was probably her way of compensating for life’s hardships.
It was as if she thought her struggles deserved some form of fortune in return.
After entering a local public high school, I gave up on everything.
I started smoking on purpose and deliberately sought out things my older brother would have scolded me for.
‘No. Maybe I did it hoping my brother would come and scold me.’
It was all pointless.
I deliberately finished eating quickly.
As I re-entered the library, Mila asked me a question.
“Young Master, what will you study this time? Shall I guide you to the mythology section?”
“Uh, no.”
I had skimmed the mythology section earlier. I found something that might be a hint.
“I think I’ll go to the magic studies section this time!”
Whether it’s a hint or not, I’ll have to check to find out.
∗ ∗ ∗
The western region governed by the Duchy of Pantheon was barren land.
Perennially dry and constantly battling drought.
Perhaps because of this, the image commonly associated with westerners was one of stinginess and prickliness.
While this was an unfair stereotype, most westerners would often reply, “It’s not entirely wrong, though.”
Because of this, the west was generally quiet.
But there were times when this quiet land grew lively—during the harvest festival or when there was a joyous occasion in the Duchy of Pantheon.
The Duchy of Pantheon. A family that dedicated everything to elevating the harsh western region to its current status.
Their reputation was no fabricated illusion.
Just as the descendants of the Pantheon family protected the west, the westerners naturally passed down tales of the family’s achievements from parent to child.
Perhaps that’s why. Whether born and raised there or an outsider who’d lived there for a few years, people inevitably became loyal to the Duchy of Pantheon.
They would sometimes say they belonged to the duchy rather than the empire.
They were careful not to say this openly to avoid trouble for the ducal family, but among westerners, it was a common sentiment.
The birthday of the Duchy’s eldest son and heir, Raizen, was fast approaching.
During Raizen’s birthday, the ducal family would send enough provisions to host festivals in every village within the territory.
Even Halin Village, part of the Duchy, was busy preparing for the upcoming celebrations.
“This year’s harvest is abundant as always! Ha ha ha!”
“My children look forward to this day all year long.”
As people exchanged cheerful conversations, a woman chopping ingredients for stew asked cautiously.
“But is that rumor really true? About the young duke when he was little….”
“Ahem.”
“Ahem!”
The sound of clearing throats echoed from all sides.
The woman quickly glanced around and shrank back.
Another woman, who seemed to know her, hastily interjected.
“Oh, honestly! How could that be true? It’s just lies spread by those trying to undermine the Duchy!”
“Uh… really? I suppose so. How could something like that happen in the Duchy of Pantheon?”
“Exactly!”
“I haven’t lived here long… I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.”
Thankfully, the situation resolved quickly as the woman acknowledged her mistake and apologized.
With the atmosphere lightened once again, people busied themselves with festival preparations.
And they prayed for the Duchy of Pantheon, their perpetual guardians, to be blessed abundantly by Sinoa.
* * *
