Chapter 15: Shadows in the Library and Shrine

The Library’s Charm

The library we visited first had a refined, old-world elegance.

Sanguinua whispered to us freshmen at the reading room’s entrance.

“No talking from here on. Instead, you’ve got thirty minutes of free time to spend as you like.”

Pelos, the third-year, added that there was a napping area for those interested, and three freshmen followed him.

Patricia said she was bored and went for a walk.

In the end, only Sanguinua and I remained in the library.

I gave an awkward smile.

“Mind if I explore inside a bit?”
‘Been a while, so I’m kinda curious.’

“Of course.”

Even before transmigrating, I loved libraries.

For someone poor but fond of books, there’s no better place.

Sure, sometimes delinquents hiding from their peers took over, but that wasn’t me.

I went because I genuinely liked books.

…Really.

I was just keeping my distance.

Anyway, I had fond memories of libraries.

So I was excited the moment I heard we were coming here.

‘Whoa… this is amazing.’

The interior was even more spectacular.

Polished wooden bookshelves, worn smooth by years of use.

Rows of books packed tightly on them.

The collection was vast, stretching up to a second floor.

In the warm glow of candlelight, the scent of old paper mingled, creating a stunning atmosphere.

I hurried inside.

I wanted to immerse myself in this ambiance and read something after so long.

‘…It’s still not gone.’

I also hoped to escape the gaze that had followed me since the cafeteria.

Who the hell is it?

I haven’t made many connections in this world, but not so few that I can’t guess who’d have it out for me.

Plus, I’m under the curse that forces polite speech and actions.

The only time I let loose was with those bandits, and they’re all headless now.

This blatant hostility, my first in this world, made me shrink instinctively.

‘No, seriously, what did I do wrong?’

Is there anyone bold enough to harm me?

Those bandits didn’t even know who I was, just acting like reckless fools.

After delivering the benediction and oath today, no one could mistake my identity.

That means no one can touch me.

Not unless they want to be hunted by eight temples at once.

Each temple varies in size, but together they represent over half the continent’s believers.

No one but a suicidal maniac would dare.

With that thought, I relaxed a bit.

Ignoring the persistent gaze, I walked between the bookshelves.

The pleasant scent of books tickled my nose.

‘History, nature, swordsmanship, magic, theology… oh?’

While strolling through the reading room, a book on one shelf caught my eye.

On Divine Authority and Curses as Proof of God’s Existence

Gold-embossed letters on a black leather cover glinted softly in the nearby light.

I’d often wondered if I’d accepted divine curses and powers too readily.

Most of those thoughts came while preaching at the Pantheon.

Powers and curses don’t manifest for just anyone, so it’s hard to ask openly.

Only saints and saintesses chosen by gods receive them.

Among clergy, they’re a tiny minority.

Managed closely by their temples’ headquarters, I, as a Pantheon member, never got to meet them.

Yet here, in this remote academy, was a book that might hold answers.

It felt surreal, like it was placed there to resolve my fleeting questions.

‘Ugh, why’s it so high up?’

I stretched, but couldn’t reach.

The shelves were tall, but my height was the bigger issue.

My growth stopped before hitting 160 cm—how am I supposed to survive this harsh world?

[The God of War says Napoleon ruled the world despite being short.]

You history-ignorant jerk.

Don’t you know Napoleon was well over 160 cm?

Taller than the average for his time, even.

Typical of a hack writer spewing nonsense without research.

[The God of War says there’s no need to be so harsh.]

I kept reaching, but my hand couldn’t touch the book.

Even on tiptoes, it was just out of reach, which only frustrated me more.

If I were still my old self, I’d have grabbed it easily!

“The path to knowledge is indeed arduous…”
‘F*ck, the shelf’s too tall!’

Then, the piercing gaze on my neck vanished.

Instead, I felt the touch of a solid surface.

“Eek!”

Startled, I flinched instinctively.

Swish.

I opened my eyes, and the book I’d been trying to grab was in front of me.

Why’s it here?

“Being small must be inconvenient.”

“Oh my!”
‘Holy crap!!’

A voice from behind made me yelp, but thankfully, the curse turned it into a soft exclamation.

Thank you, ultimate curse!

I didn’t scream out loud!

The voice belonged to our protagonist, Orphe.

What’s this training-obsessed sword freak doing in a library?

“Didn’t see the stool nearby?”

Following Orphe’s gaze, I saw a wooden stool in the corner.

Is this for real?

Why do I keep getting caught by Orphe in embarrassing moments?

And of all people, this teabagging expert!

Look at him, ready to mock me over missing a stool.

To cut his teasing short, I grabbed the book.

I smiled and said,

“Thanks to you, I got the book I wanted. I’m grateful.”
‘Done gawking? Get lost.’

“Hm. Remember the stool next time. It’ll help someone like you.”

Stop with the jabs!

Orphe left the reading room with that remark.

…Why did he even come here?

Just to mess with me?

‘Teabagging and trash-talking? What a jerk.’

I checked out the book, ignoring the stinging gaze that returned.

The Final Stop

The academy tour ended at a vast park.

We covered a lot of ground.

After the library, we visited various places, but the most memorable was the store.

They were selling swords.

Not a joke about buying guns at a PX—actual swords.

“This is the last stop of the tour.”

“Where are we?”

Patricia’s question prompted a smile from Sanguinua.

“A place housing shrines and temples of all gods. With so many people from across the continent, they built these one by one. You might feel at home, Saintess.”

He grinned at me.

I returned a polite smile.

“You’ll have thirty minutes of free time. Visit a god’s shrine or stroll the park as you like.”

“Senior Sanguinua, aren’t you going in?”

One of the other freshmen asked, and he gave a wry smile.

“Mages can’t enter divine domains. To the gods, we’re like swindlers cheating the world.”

I vaguely recall hearing that at the Pantheon.

They built chapels outside temples on purpose if magic was needed for sermons.

“Go on, check it out. We’ll wait here.”

The first stop was the Temple of Justice.

Probably because it poured the most money into the academy, it was the only full temple in the park.

Inside, a statue dominated the center.

An old man holding a sword in his left hand and scales in his right.

It was fine, except for one issue.

‘Got money to burn? The statue’s slathered in gold.’

Other shrines had bronze statues, but this one was golden. Why?

[Cool, right?]

Oh, it’s a private chat since I’m in the temple.

Yeah, super cool~

Love your taste, grandpa~

I finished my prayer quickly and left.

The shiny statue was blinding.

I visited the remaining shrines I hadn’t seen yet.

Covering eight shrines in thirty minutes is tough.

I’d rather chill outside, but my body moved on its own.

It won’t stop until I hit every shrine.

Save me…

I’ll die like this…!

After about twenty-five minutes, I reached the final shrine.

Tucked deep in the park, it’d take time to leave, but I made it within the limit.

I stepped inside.

There stood the statue of the God of Jealousy.

A woman sitting on a chair, hands covering her face, weeping.

Who’d believe this eerie figure is a popular god?

Especially among those betrayed by cheating spouses…

I knelt before the statue.

“You who lost all and remember all, your follower dares to end this long contemplation.”
‘Yo, long time no see.’

[The God of Jealousy is delighted.]

The shrine’s open design must’ve kept the subject from vanishing.

What’s with him? Usually, he’s grumpy when I visit.

Like the other gods, I gave a quick greeting and opened my eyes.

A dark shadow loomed behind me.

At first, I thought it was someone else praying, but I dismissed that.

That ferocious gaze was boring into my neck like a dagger.

It’s them.

The one staring all day.

I slowly stood, gripping my knees.

Taking a deep breath, I turned sharply.

There was…

“Hello.”

Shoulder-length black hair.

Blood-red eyes, their depths unreadable.

The source of the burning gaze gleamed.

“You’re Saintess Isidora, right?”

The main heroine, Erdike, stood there.