CHAPTER 123: REPORTING TO THE PALACE!

The largest library in the capital was silent except for the faint rustling of pages. Dust was floating everywhere, thanks to the opening of new books from the endless rows of shelves. Rin stood with a book half open in his hand, crimson eyes narrowing as he skimmed the lines for the third time.

"...Nothing," he muttered, shutting it with a dull thud. He glanced to the side, where Sasha sat at a nearby table with three heavy tomes stacked in front of him. The man’s sharp eyes scanned the pages with military focus, but his expression was no less grim. He looked like he was trying to find something... Anything just to make Rin satisfied.

"Anything?" Rin asked flatly.

Sasha shut the book, setting it on the pile.

"...No. Not even a trace. It’s all history and general records. Nothing useful."

He said, looking disappointed already. They’ve been in the library for some time and yet, they’ve found nothing. Not even a shadow of what they were looking for.

Rin clicked his tongue, dragging his fingers through his white hair in frustration. "Tch. Waste of time."

He dropped into the seat across from Sasha, his arms folded loosely across his chest. The silence of the library pressed against his ears. They had searched for hours, pulling every book with the faintest whisper of "demon" in the title... yet none of them went deeper than surface-level tales. Myths. Superstitions. Scattered fragments.

"Maybe, we’ll be able to get more books on other shelves," Sasha said.

Rin leaned his tired head on the table.

"I’m tired already. I’ve had nothing to eat since morning..."

"I could get you something to eat or..." Sasha said, preparing to stand already.

By the time Rin leaned back with a sigh, about to mention the list of what he wanted to eat, the soft sound of footsteps approached.

"Excuse me," the library attendant’s voice cut through the quiet. She was a slender woman with tidy hair pinned back and round spectacles perched on her nose. "It’s time to close. The library shuts its doors at four o’clock sharp."

Rin blinked. "...Close?"

"Yes." She smiled politely. "It’s nearly four now."

"...Oh." Rin scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "We didn’t realise it was that late."

Sasha exhaled, snapping the last book closed and stacking it neatly with the rest.

Rin stood, brushing off his clothes. He glanced at the attendant, tilting his head. "Hey... if I come back tomorrow, will you help me find something? I’m looking for demon books. The proper ones."

The woman paused, her expression flickering before her brows furrowed. "Demon books? Why are you asking for forbidden texts?"

Rin froze. "...Forbidden?"

The word cut through his chest like a blade. Of course. If there was any place to hide the truth, it wouldn’t be here where commoners and nobles alike could browse freely.

His mind raced for a second before he plastered on a casual smile. "So... there aren’t any here then?"

The woman shook her head firmly. "Certainly not. Anything classified as forbidden can’t be kept in public collections."

Rin’s crimson eyes gleamed faintly, though his tone was calm. "...Then. What about the palace library?"

The woman’s eyes widened. For a heartbeat she stared at him as though he had grown horns, then she burst out laughing. "The palace? Don’t joke with me. People like us can’t even set foot near the gates, let alone inside."

Rin laughed lightly with her, raising both hands as if to say he was only teasing. "Right, right. Thanks anyway."

But the thought lodged itself in his head like a hook.

As he and Sasha walked out of the library, the warm glow of evening sunlight stretched across the streets. The bustle of townsfolk filled the air. Sasha kept close at Rin’s side, his expression stern as always.

"Palace library?" he asked, his tone edged with warning. "Why did you ask her that?"

"Because that’s where the real books are," Rin said casually, stepping over a loose cobblestone.

Sasha frowned, his arms crossing. "Even if you’re the Golden Goose, you’re not getting inside. Not without trouble."

Rin smirked, tilting his head back toward him. "Relax. I gave the Crown Prince a black card, right... That’ll get me through the gates without issue."

Sasha’s boots came to a halt. Rin walked three steps ahead before noticing the silence behind him. He turned, crimson eyes glinting as he found Sasha rooted to the spot.

"...What?" Rin asked.

Sasha’s jaw was tight, his brows drawn low. "You gave the crown prince a black card? Does that mean you’re going to the palace? Alone?"

Rin shrugged lightly, strolling back toward him. "Yes. And I’ll be fine."

Sasha stepped closer, his voice low, filled with quiet concern. "Then let me go with you."

Rin shook his head, smiling faintly. "No. I’ll handle it myself."

"But Rin..."

Rin cut him off by lightly brushing his hand against Sasha’s, his touch brief but deliberate. "Don’t worry. I’m strong enough. You know that." He winked.

Sasha’s chest tightened. His lips pressed into a thin line, but the heat that rose to his cheeks betrayed him. He glanced away quickly, clenching his fist. "...Damn it."

"Besides," Rin added, stepping past him again. "You’d draw too much attention. I’ll go alone."

It was then that Sasha noticed that people on the street had begun to stare. Wide-eyed, whispering. They were talking about Rin, not him but Rin didn’t notice them. Maybe because he was used to getting too much attention. Rin was walking openly with his white hair glimmering in the light, his striking crimson eyes avoiding every glance.

"I guess I’m the idiot," Sasha hissed under his breath. He pulled Rin sharply toward him, one arm coming around his shoulders. "Lower your head."

Rin blinked at him, but obeyed, slipping into his shadow as Sasha led him swiftly down the street. The whispers faded as they cut through side alleys, eventually reaching the familiar gates of the brothel.

Neither of them noticed the figure lingering in the shadows of the alley where they had just walked. The shape of a man melted into darkness, his voice slipping out in a whisper of demonic tongue.

Then, as if swallowed by the night itself, he vanished.

.

.

Inside the brothel, Sasha wasted no time reporting everything.

Lirien sat at her desk, smoke curling in the air from her pipe. As always. But the moment Sasha mentioned the black card, her expression shattered. She slammed her hand against the table with a sharp crack.

"...The Crown Prince? Rin gave him a black card?"

"Yes, Madam," Sasha confirmed.

Lirien groaned, dragging a hand across her face. "So that’s why he keeps coming here like an abandoned dog." She exhaled heavily, muttering to herself. "My lifespan is going to shorten because of that boy."

Her crimson eyes flicked up. "Where is Rin now?"

"He’s preparing to leave for the palace," Sasha replied. "He said he wants access to the library."

Lirien leaned back, closing her eyes. "...The palace library, huh? That boy..." She sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "Go. I’ll handle it if it turns into a mess."

Sasha bowed and withdrew.

.

.

Meanwhile, Rin was in his room, preparing. He pulled on a fresh shirt, adjusting the cuffs neatly, and slipped a dark coat over his shoulders. His white hair gleamed under the light, and for a moment he caught his reflection in the mirror.

"...Never thought I’d be the one heading to the palace just to borrow books," he muttered, fastening the last button.

He shoved a bunch of things into his inventory. Some of the things he thought he would need.

DING!

[Inventory updated]

[Inventory updated]

He packed lightly... just what he thought he might need. After all, the palace was no place for recklessness. Its mana barrier was infamous. Sneaking in by teleportation or shadow was impossible.

He already thought of sneaking in to steal books, but he wasn’t able to.

When he finally stepped out into the main hall, he found a small group waiting for him. Several omegas clustered together, some waving goodbye, others shyly wishing him luck.

"I never knew my departure was announced to the whole brothel,"

"Rin, are you getting married to the crown prince?" One of them asked. They all waited for Rin to answer and he smiled.

"Hell no! I’m not getting married to anyone,"

"I told you, Rin would be back,"

Lirien and Sasha stood nearby, the ever-watchful shadows of the brothel. Even though Theron appeared, carrying a tray with bottles of medicine, he looked like he was having a nice time settling in.

Lirien’s eyes narrowed. "Send word if anything happens. A lot of words. Understand?"

Rin smirked and nodded. "Yes, yes. Don’t worry so much, Aunt,"

With that, he climbed into the carriage. The wheels creaked, horses stamping as they pulled forward. The brothel slowly disappeared behind him.

Rin leaned against the window, watching the city streets roll by. He didn’t know how long he would stay in the palace. He didn’t know what he would find in the library. But he hoped for one thing:

"...I pray I’m allowed in," he whispered to himself.

.

.

Meanwhile... Far away, beyond the capital, a different scene unfolded.

The spy who had shadowed Rin knelt low, his form like a smudge of black against the dirt. Before him, the air rippled... and Asmodeus appeared, his presence was suffocating with his eyes gleaming with twisted delight.

"You found him?"

"Yes, Master. He is in the capital."

A cruel smile curved Asmodeus’s lips. He turned toward the tall figure standing beside him... Cerberus, in human form, his three-colored eyes cold.

"Call back the others," Asmodeus ordered smoothly. "Our search is over. We must focus on taking over the cities and towns before heading to the capital,"

Cerberus bowed silently and vanished into shadow.

The spy was dismissed with a flick of the hand, scurrying away.

Alone, Asmodeus’s grin widened as he stroked his chin, his voice curling into the air like venom.

"I’ve finally found you. Wait for me, Rin. A few months, no more. And then... together, we’ll rule both the demon realm and the human world."

He burst out into his devilish laughter.