THE VILLAIN'S POV

Chapter 107 - 107: The Mysterious Library

- Frey Starlight's Pov -

"Welcome to Lady Semiramis Library."

Silence lingered for a few moments.

I was still taking in my surroundings—the towering bookshelves, the spiral-like structure of the place—and then my gaze returned to the girl seated in the wheelchair.

Semiramis Library… Was this the Institution's library?

After another brief moment of contemplation, my attention shifted back to the girl who had just greeted me.

"Ah… Thank you."

"Um… forgive my question, but who are you?"

I hesitated slightly at her question. She didn't seem to recognize me.

"Don't misunderstand," she continued. "I identify people by their auras… but I've never sensed yours before."

I could have lied to her. But I chose not to.

"My name is Frey Starlight. I'm here with the temple's delegation."

The moment my name left my lips, her expression shifted slightly.

She turned to the little girl nestled in her lap, a soft smile gracing her face.

Gently stroking the child's head, she asked in a calm voice, "Azura… were you the one who brought him here?"

The little girl—Azura—opened her violet eyes, glancing at me before looking back at the girl in the wheelchair.

"Yes."

Reem nodded the moment she heard the response.

"Then everything is fine."

She turned back to me, her smile gentle.

"My name is Rem, and I am the librarian here. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish."

She was still welcoming me.

I had expected something different after she heard my name.

"Miss Rem, forgive my question… but do you not know who I am?"

"I know you well, Lord Frey."

"Yet you're still allowing me to stay?"

Rem nodded.

"As long as Azura was the one who brought you here, there is no issue."

"I see…"

I moved carefully, my gaze still fixed on her.

I didn't want to make any reckless moves. Even entertaining the thought felt dangerous.

After all… the girl before me was far from ordinary.

'Hawk Eyes.'

The moment I activated my enhanced vision, I saw it—an overwhelming aura surging from Reem, so vast that it seemed to press against the very ceiling of the library.

This pressure… was stronger than Carmen's.

Rem smiled knowingly, fully aware of my reaction.

"Don't worry, Lord Frey. You are my guest now."

"Apologies… this is just a bit much to process."

For a moment, I considered turning around and leaving through the same door I had entered. But I chose to hold back.

"Perhaps you're looking for something?"

Rem's question lingered in the air, and I answered vaguely, "Something like that…"

"The books here hold knowledge accumulated over the last 400 years. Perhaps you will find what you seek."

The last 400 years of knowledge…

Was there truly such a library in the first place?

I

Then, a thought struck me.

The Moonlight Family wanted me dead.

So why hadn't the caster killed me yet?

It should have been effortless.

Then why was I still alive?

A dull headache pounded in my skull.

None of this made sense.

I was completely lost.

Then, all of a sudden, I felt Azura tug at me again.

Her timing was strange… yet perfect.

"Are you worried about me?"

Her violet eyes lingered on me for a moment before she extended both arms, silently asking to be carried.

This tiny creature…

Was the only warmth in this cold, desolate place.

---

I spent the next few hours trying to learn more about curses.

When it got late, I finally left the library, leaving behind both Azura and Reem, who waved at me with a gentle smile.

The rest of my day passed in a haze.

My mind was consumed—either trying to process what I had read or figure out who had cursed me.

I couldn't even focus on training. Everything felt distant.

Every so often, a strange coldness would seep into my chest, as if the curse itself was reminding me of my time limit.

Desperate, I attempted to remove the curse using the system.

The cost was… astronomical.

Given the difficulty of breaking a curse of this level, gathering the required Achievement Points in time was impossible.

I was on my own.

With no other options, I decided to return to that mysterious library.

Despite the countless questions surrounding it, that place made me feel at peace.

I retraced my steps exactly as I had the night before.

I had a sharp memory—I was certain I had found the right path.

Yet when I arrived…

I felt empty.

The library had possessed a massive gate and a smaller entrance beside it—so large and distinct that it was impossible to miss.

But now…

Where the entrance had once stood…

There was nothing but a wall of ice.

The library… had vanished.