Something's wrong with how I'm watching anime.

The long-abandoned courtyard was already desolate, and the house itself looked dilapidated.

These villas are obviously not located in bustling cities; they would only stand alone in desolate rural areas.

That's true. To get from the capital to this remote countryside, you need to take a half-day train ride, then transfer at the train station, and finally take a one-hour bus ride to reach the outskirts of the mansion.

Generally speaking, this nearly abandoned and remote mansion would not attract any visitors.

Unless it is for other important purposes.

A carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the dilapidated mansion, raising clouds of white dust.

This is a large carriage pulled by two horses, a high-class carriage that is usually only seen in aristocratic mansions and is equipped with a suspension system.

An elderly man in his fifties or sixties sat in the driver's seat, while a young woman of sixteen or seventeen sat in the carriage.

The owner of the dilapidated mansion was already waiting at the gate.

Unlike the dilapidated and gloomy mansion behind him, the owner of the mansion was very young, well-dressed in a leather men's suit, with his blond hair neatly combed and a warm smile on his face.

As the carriage stopped, the young man stepped forward and gentlemanly took the hand of the girl who was stepping down from the carriage.

“Ms. Dietley, it’s been a long time.”

"Same, Mr. Hughie."

The girl wore a dark green coat, and her long hair was styled in an updo adorned with a pearl headdress, exuding an air of nobility.

But she doesn't have the air of a pampered young lady or a lady; rather, she's more like a shrewd and capable businesswoman.

"Besides, didn't I already say you can just call me Seele?"

Chapter Ninety-Nine: Opening the Gate to Another World

Looking at the girl in front of him, Hugh sighed inwardly.

The young woman was quite a prominent figure in the capital, and could be considered a 'remarkable woman' in every respect.

Originally the youngest daughter of a declining noble family, she inherited the property of a distant relative and resolutely chose to be independent.

As for why they left their families to become independent, the rumors circulating outside and the sordid dealings within the aristocracy are things that anyone with even a slight understanding of this circle can guess.

In some ways, this Ms. Seele Dietrich could definitely be called a progressive young woman.

However, if that were all, it wouldn't matter. The key is the many glorious deeds this 18-year-old girl accomplished within a year of becoming independent.

He became a multimillionaire by investing in a wireless telegraph company, founded a charitable organization that cares for the working class, and even became an author. His works are currently being serialized in a popular women's newspaper that he founded.

It's a story about power struggles and intrigues within the imperial harem, and I've heard it's quite popular.

Although Hughes wasn't particularly interested in these kinds of stories, his princess was extremely fond of them.

In short, this Ms. Seele Dietrich made a name for herself in the capital in just one year. She also enjoyed hosting salons and was considered one of the most prestigious ladies in the social circle.

Logically speaking, a down-on-his-luck retired soldier like himself, the heir of a rural noble family, and the other party should have no connection whatsoever, but they were brought together by some special connection.

"Just call me Seele..."

"Dieterie..."

Upon hearing the other person's words, Hugh instinctively called out their surname, but under their gaze, he changed his mind.

"Ms. Seele..."

"That's more like it." The girl smiled again.

Hugh also took the opportunity to make a not-so-small joke:

"To be honest, I feel safer calling you by your surname, Miss Seele."

"If Miss Seele's suitors in the capital find out that I'm being addressed by your full name like this, they'll tear me to pieces!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Hugh, my so-called suitors..."

A flicker of disgust crossed the girl's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a smile.

"I doubt it would be enough for Mr. Hughie to beat with just one pair of his hands."

Seele Dietrich valued her former lover highly, after all, he was the contractor of the Black Princess. Her private investigation of Hughie was already complete; she knew he was a retired Air Force officer, a war hero, and extremely skilled.

Speaking of that black-clad princess...

“Where is the lovely Miss Dalian?” Seele asked.

"Why haven't I seen her?"

"That guy..."

Hugh Eston felt a headache coming on when this matter was brought up.

Shel Dietrich had written in advance to inform her of her impending visit. It was the most basic courtesy of a hostess to welcome her, but Dalian was captivated by a story in a book and refused to leave the library until she had finished it.

"She has some business to attend to at the mansion..."

“I see…” Seele nodded.

"I also brought her some gifts."

"A gift? You're too kind."

"It's nothing, just some snacks from the capital and the latest published books."

"dessert?"

What kind of snack?

A black-haired girl dressed in a unique black armor dress suddenly darted out, startling Hugh and Seele who were talking.

This inhuman girl walks without making a sound.

The word "snack" successfully caught Dalian's attention, and she asked with great interest.

"It's nothing..."

"One of the pastry chefs in the palace has resigned and opened his own pastry shop outside."

"I bought some snacks there."

"I know where there..."

Dalian answered quickly:

"The food column in the newspaper mentioned it; if I remember correctly, this shop's signboard features a special filling..."

"Yes."

Seele snapped her fingers crisply.

"Fried bread with special fillings and some cakes."

Seele went to the back of the carriage and took out a delicate box of pastries from the box at the back, handing it to Darian.

Dalian immediately hugged her tightly.

“I can also smell the scent of books,” Dalian added.

Seele nodded again: "They are some recently published books. I hope you will like them, Miss Dalian."

Seele turned to the coachman and instructed, "Mr. Kane, please move that box of books in the back inside."

“Yes, miss,” the driver replied.

Hugh looked at Seele Dietrich's coachman and smelled a familiar scent on the man, who, though somewhat old, still stood ramrod straight.

This is a veteran.

His slightly lame right leg seemed to confirm this. Veterans from ordinary families who retired from the battlefield due to injuries or illnesses generally ended up in pretty bad shape.

Although there is a retirement compensation payment, it is not much, and life is still very difficult for veterans with disabilities if they do not have filial children.

Hughes couldn't help but feel a bit more favorably disposed towards this Ms. Seele Dietrich.

Although there were still many doubts, after all, Dalian had also mentioned the suspicious aspects of this Ms. Dietley to him last time.

It was obvious that the other party's visit this time was also for a certain purpose.

Just as Dalian said at this moment:

"I'm not talking about the smell of ordinary books, but the special smell of the phantom book."

"The Nine Phases of Impurity Contemplation on the Extinction of the Embryo, and the Six Ren Divine Divination... there's also the flavor of another illusory book."

"Are you here to return the books and... borrow them again?"

Upon hearing Dallian's words, Seele paused for a moment, but having matured considerably, she immediately understood.

Although the letter she sent to Hughie stating her intention to visit did not specify the purpose, any intelligent person could surely guess what her purpose was in coming here.

"Anyway, come in and let's talk."

Dalian said, hands on her hips, as if she were the owner of the mansion.

Hugh didn't say anything, just looked at the Black Book Princess with affection, while Seele perked up.

She came with the request of that Mr. Void Spirit.

...........

"Tell me, what books do you want to borrow this time?"

Dallian licked her cream-covered fingers, and on the table in front of her were three illusion books.

In order, they are the Impure Contemplation, the Six Ren Divine Calculation, and a book with an unknown animal skin as its cover.

The lost book, the Book of Beast Roars, records the sounds of a thousand wild beasts.

"Tell me what kind of knowledge you want... and I'll get it for you from the bookshelf."

“In fact, I have a specific list.”

"I'd like to borrow it..."

Seele told her the title of the book that the Void Spirit had given her.

"The ability to open a gate to another world"

"I would like to borrow this book."