Fool's Library

Although the book starts with a gimmick similar to "I've Been Trapped in the Beta Server for a Thousand Years," I know very well that this is not the core of the story, but merely an introduction.

So, having already written this many words, I thought I might as well be a little capricious and call the new book "The Fool's Library".

Also, the book cover may be changed, so please don't get lost.

See you tonight~

Chapter 244 I think I've become a crybaby, Raste

Ding-ling, ding-ling~

The clear, melodious sound of wind chimes drifted from the verdant courtyard.

The soft autumn sunlight filters through the lush treetops, casting dappled shadows in the courtyard.

Far away outside the courtyard, one could faintly hear the laughter of students from Star University, who were walking around the campus in twos and threes after finishing their classes, playing and laughing.

Of course, for Hiltina, who had just finished exploring the Night World and was taking a long-awaited break from her busy schedule to enjoy a vacation, and was currently spending afternoon tea in the courtyard of Starry University—

What she cared about more was the person she was having afternoon tea with at that moment.

……

The sound of even breathing came from across the table.

Perhaps it was because the afternoon sun in late autumn was too warm, or perhaps it was because the breeze blowing through the courtyard was unusually gentle...

Or perhaps it's simply because after experiencing the near-death experiences of the Night World and the Echoes of History, just being in the Star University can bring a great sense of security.

The black-haired boy had fallen asleep in the wooden chair at some point, with a cup of scalding black tea bubbling beside him.

Contrary to Hiltina's usual impression, Last was unusually well-behaved in his sleeping posture, quietly curled up on the back of the wooden chair, as obedient as a cat sleeping soundly in its own bed.

Seeing this, Hiltina did not try to wake him up, but simply rested her cheek on her hand and gazed at the sleeping boy's face.

When he is awake, Raste gives people a feeling of being unpredictable and having everything under control... You don't feel this when you first meet him, but the more you get to know him, the more you will find that his mind is unfathomable, like a dark abyss that swallows everything around it, and even light cannot escape from it.

But when he was asleep, his face looked much more youthful. His facial features were not sharp and distinct, but rather soft and innocent, to the point that he could even be described as cute.

Following the inexplicable impulse rising within her, Hiltina reached out and gently stroked the profile of the sleeping person before her, uttering a silent murmur to herself:

"I will always protect you."

"So, you absolutely mustn't leave me."

Seemingly gaining a great sense of security from that caress, a slight smile unconsciously appeared on the boy's sleeping profile.

Ding-ling, ding-ling~

The tranquil moments, tinged with golden hues, quietly slipped away in the courtyard of Starry University during the warm and serene afternoon tea in late autumn.

"Such moments..."

"If only it could continue like this forever."

Hiltina heard her own heartfelt longing, her desire to continue this afternoon tea party in the courtyard forever and ever.

In fact, this small wish should not be difficult to fulfill.

As long as she can return safely from each Night World adventure, or one day completely conquer the Night World—then she and Rust will likely have many more such leisurely afternoons in the years to come, until the end of time, until they grow old and gray.

Ding-ling, ding-ling~

As the wind chimes hanging from the treetops chime, the hourglass of time also slips away, drop by drop.

As if trying to grasp the time that was constantly slipping away from the hourglass, Hiltina reached out once more, wanting to touch the boy who was fast asleep leaning against the back of the chair... attempting to gain a sense of security from the touch of skin against skin to resist the passage of time.

But the next moment, Hiltina's hands fell empty.

The black-haired boy who was taking a nap across the tea table just a moment ago was gone the next instant.

He vanished like a phantom, leaving only hazy fragments slowly dissipating in the mist.

A sudden surge of immense fear rose in Hiltina's heart.

The warm afternoon sun had vanished without anyone noticing, replaced by a dark red, oppressive sunset... The blood-red sunset grew thicker and darker, like the curtain being drawn back on a stage at the end of a play.

A silent darkness swept in, engulfing the entire tranquil courtyard and the distant Star University. In the distance, the spire of the Great Library, swallowed by darkness, could be seen.

Hiltina abruptly stood up in the increasingly cold wind, calling out the boy's name, trying to find him in the growing darkness, but received no response.

The whole world seemed to have become a fragile glass artifact, shattering into countless shimmering fragments before the engulfing tide of darkness.

Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling—

In the end, what was swallowed by the darkness was that swaying wind chime.

The world was pitch black and boundless.

Only Hiltina remained to face that lonely and oppressive world.

……

Hiltina woke up abruptly from her soft bed.

After quickly realizing, thanks to her superhuman mental abilities, that it was just a nightmare, Hiltina did not get up immediately.

She kept her eyes tightly closed, trying to return to the dream she had just experienced and to continue the emotions she felt in the dream.

But in the end nothing was found.

What comes into view is a spacious but simple room, without any unnecessary decorations. On the table are only the government documents that were not finished last night and the accessories for the knight's uniform.

This is the room of the Empire's First Princess, the Star Sword Wielder, and the next Empress, in reality.

"Sister Wang, today is the opening ceremony for new students at Starry Sky University. Dean Yin would like to invite you to give a speech as a representative of the fourth-year students to the new students who came here because they admire you."

"As for the royal family, I've put all the military documents in the usual place. I've filtered out and disposed of some of the less important ones for you. What's left are only the documents that require your personal decision-making."

"in addition--"

Outside the door, Ophelia's distant voice seemed to pause for a moment.

"Today is also the day you are scheduled to go to the hospital... to visit him."

After saying that, the other person turned and left.

Only Hiltina remained standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling mirror, gazing at her reflection in the silver mirror.

The smart clock next to the full-length mirror displays today's date.

September 1, 996 (Xia Huali)

Two whole years have passed since his wedding that never took place, and the battle between Rust and the quasi-angelic guardian of the grave.

Hiltina gently reached out and wiped away the two tear streaks that hadn't dried on her cheeks in the silver mirror.

"I think I've become a crybaby—"

She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.

"Last..."