Chapter 10: Darkness in the Library
[That night.]
[Because you missed the lights-out time, tonight you can only spend the night outside.]
[Since you have been targeted by Sesshouin Kiara, you cannot go out alone at night either, it's best to be accompanied by a Servant.]
[However, the uproar over the disappearance of Servants has already proven one thing: even if you go out with a Servant, the risk of danger is still high. Yu Ji has already demonstrated this. Therefore, the wisest choice is not to go out at night.]
[After careful thought, you decide to spend the night in the library.]
[Aside from Murasaki Shikibu, there are often Servant authors or scholar Servants pulling all-nighters in the library, so this place is not lacking in temporary living conveniences.]
[When you decide to stay here overnight, Morgan and Artoria also plan to stay for another night.]
[These two British sisters are both concerned about your safety—more precisely, they are worried the other one might do something inappropriate to you. So they decide to stay by your side to keep watch.]
[Being caught between these two sisters, it's really hard for you to get any sleep.]
"..."
Midnight, in the library's lounge.
Eikou's face flushed red as he lay on the bed in the lounge, heart pounding wildly, completely unable to calm down and sleep.
Right beside him, Morgan had already lain down after preparing her bedding.
In the faint light of the room, the milky moonlight streamed in through the window, softening the cold and noble aura of Morgan's face, revealing a rare trace of tenderness.
She turned sideways, her figure under the moonlight displaying her beautiful curves.
"It's late at night already, my husband, please rest early."
Morgan gently touched his burning cheek, her jade-like hand carrying a faint fragrance.
"You just need to look over at me and sleep well, don't bother about the adult wild boar behind you."
Eikou really didn't dare turn to look back; the alluring, voluptuous body of Artoria was right behind him. For a normal man, just another glance at the King of Knights there would mean no chance of sleeping tonight.
"Who are you calling an adult wild boar," Artoria said coldly. "Eikou, you still have class tomorrow, don't waste any more time on this lunatic tonight."
As for the King of Knights, she didn't seem to be planning to sleep. She sat on the nearby sofa, lit a hand lamp, and read the textbook in her hand.
As a trainee teacher, Artoria displayed a serious and dedicated attitude.
Eikou couldn't help but think, truly worthy of being the King of Knights—everything she does is so perfect.
"Go to sleep early, Eikou."
It seemed she had noticed his gaze, her green eyes glanced at him briefly.
[You thought it would be impossible to sleep in this situation.]
[But in reality, the moment you closed your eyes, an overwhelming drowsiness swept over you. The sounds of Artoria and Morgan arguing grew distant, and your consciousness quickly sank into a chaotic, bottomless darkness.]
[You felt the ground beneath you suddenly vanish, your heavy body pulled down by gravity, falling endlessly.]
[You fell into an endless abyss without seeing the bottom.]
[You fell for a long time in that abyss.]
[But finally, you heard a violent crash—it might be the sound of the day you eventually hit the ground, shattering into pieces—]
"!"
Eikou gasped in shock, eyes flying open.
He woke up from the nightmare.
He hadn't even calmed down yet when he looked around; the moonlight outside the window seemed to shine brighter, a silver circle illuminating the lounge floor, casting light on the sleeping faces of Morgan and Artoria.
Tonight, Morgan slept right next to him; she hadn't even noticed when she pulled her bed so close it was joined to his.
Her beautiful long hair spread over the pillow, her flawless face peaceful in slumber.
Artoria was asleep on the nearby sofa, her posture like a ruler on a throne, her head only slightly lowered, appearing to be in a light sleep.
Seeing familiar people by his side, Eikou finally exhaled in relief.
He glanced at the clock on his phone.
It was already three in the morning.
On the phone, there was also a message from Melusine: "I've been waiting in your blanket for a long time now, why aren't you back yet?"
No way—did you really sneak into my blanket to wait? How on earth did you get in?
Luckily I didn't go back tonight, otherwise that naughty dragon would definitely have done weird things to me again.
"…Whatever, first I'll wash my face and go to the restroom."
Eikou turned off his phone and carefully got up, making sure not to disturb the two of them.
He carefully pushed the lounge door open.
The hallway in the library was so quiet he could hear his own breathing.
In the main hall, a few lamps were still lit, their dim light mingling with moonlight reflected off the shiny floor—it was probably Murasaki Shikibu or other scholar Servants still staying up through the night researching in the library.
However, as he walked along the hall, he didn't see a single person.
"..."
After finishing in the restroom, Eikou walked through the library hall and was just about to return to the lounge to sleep again,
when suddenly, a fluttering sound rang in his ears.
The sound of butterfly wings.
A brilliant, colorful butterfly fluttered past before his eyes, then disappeared into the darkness between the bookshelves.
With each beat of its wings, the lights in the hallway dimmed briefly.
[Please make a ??? check.]
A die suddenly rolled down right in front of him.
[Result is ???, check successful.]
[You feel particularly drawn to the butterfly that just flew past, and you turn to follow the direction it went.]
[Under the huge shadows of the bookshelves, it seems something is hidden there.]
[Urged on by strong curiosity, you slowly step into the darkness between the shelves.]
Eikou carefully approached the direction the butterfly had flown.
The entire library was wrapped in silent darkness, even his light footsteps sounded uncomfortably loud in this quiet.
And then, from within the deeper silence of the night, came a sudden sound.
It seemed to be the slam of a book closing.
"Oya, out wandering the library so late at night, are we?"
Between the two rows of shelves, a male voice spoke.
The voice was gentle and steady, carrying the elegance of a gentleman in its tone.
As if from a graceful, refined prince.
That figure slowly stepped out of the darkness.
"Classmate, may I know your name?"