That library [1]

Currently lying on my bed in the room which was given to me in this castle, I was thinking about everything that's happened so far and about my future plans.

After hearing my fake story, Zen reacted just as I expected. Though there were some variations mostly everything went according to my plan.

Manipulating your friends doesn't feel good at all! But it was for their good so I somehow managed to do that. When I was talking to Zen, I was not thinking of him as a friend but rather as an inanimate object which I have to control.

It was the only way I could have done that. I have tried to manipulate some students in my school who used to bully me but they replied with their punches so, in the end, I couldn't get a perfect result.

But that was different when I tried to do the same thing with a player in an online game. By manipulating them and convincing them that they will be in profit if they joined me, I was easily able to get some meat shields for myself. But it was only successful because it was a game and I was not manipulating a real person so the guilt never hit me.

After thinking of many things, the only possible way for me to manipulate Zen and make him agree with my plan was to see him as an object instead of a person. I was right and everything went as planned.

The only thing which is left is the final decision which all the ministers and important people will take. If somehow I could enter the discussion then it won't be a problem but since I'm not there, I still can't feel fully comfortable.

I had to pass time somehow to distract myself from that problem, so while lying on the bed I started looking here and there in my room.

The room was pretty big but mostly empty, the things which were there were not of any use to me.

With nothing left to do, I started thinking about my strategy to assassinate Hanako. I can do it alone if things come to that but I'll prefer to have a team with me because I don't want to show off my powers or I'll end up as a protector of justice.

After thinking for a while I clicked my tongue and went up and sat on the bed.

Even after simulating all the possible situations with every move of the members of my team and the opposition kingdom in my mind, I still wasn't able to get a good way to attack.

The reason was that I was lacking in the geographical info about this world and the structure in which the demon kingdom is located. I wanted to see a world map of this world to successfully formulate a plan.

Then a thought crossed my mind!

'It can't be possible that they don't have a single library in this castle right?' a sudden thought, a way to get the geographical info.

With the target to find a library, I left my room and started walking in the hallway.

It was the middle of the night and the moonlight was lighting the hallway.

"I should have asked Mary about the library," I mumbled.

I don't know her or Zen's room and there isn't a thing like a cell phone here. If I have to find a library, I have to do it alone.

I didn't have the fear of getting caught as an intruder because at dinner, Zen informed everyone that I will be staying here and no violence will be used against me.

"Huff, Huff,"

After walking for around thirty minutes, I still can't find a goddamn library!

This castle is not that different from a maze, the design of all the hallways and doors are the same so you can't remember where you came from or where you have to go.

I was currently on the third or fourth floor of this castle; I could tell from the speed of wind which is coming through the windows.

As I walked a few more steps, I found a balcony.

"It won't hurt to rest a little, will it?" I said to myself and walked towards the balcony.

When I reached there I saw someone else was also there, at first due to the survival instincts of this body I hid by hugging the wall but when I saw the person's face, I relaxed and entered the balcony.

The person there was Alicia; she was sitting on the railing of the balcony, looking outside. She was not wearing her armor but a normal dress.

As she noticed my presence, she quickly stood on the railing and turn towards me in self-defense sort of.

Maybe she also moved on instincts.

"Calm down, I'm not here to fight," I said.

She gave me a suspicious look but soon stepped down from the railing.

'Did she put her guard down because I'm also wearing normal clothes?' I asked myself.

"What do you want?" she asked in a harsh tone.

"Umm, I kind of got lost," I replied, not true but not a lie either.

If I directly said I was specifically searching for a library, I got a feeling that she'll become suspicious of me.

"Who can get lost in a castle!"

"Me"

A castle would be a normal place for them but for me it's a thing not less confusing than a dungeon.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, I wanted to start a conversation and then ask about the library, who knows when she'll turn against me.

"That's none of your business," she replied as she again sat on the railing, this time facing me.

"If you don't have anything to do then leave," she said like she was annoyed by my presence. Is it because I beat her in a swordfight? (Haruto thinks he beat her but it was a draw)

And didn't I just say that I got lost? How can you tell a lost person to leave by himself with a straight face!

Well if it's like this I'll directly ask her.

"Do you know if there's a library in this castle?"

"What do you want to do in a library?" she asked, I'll read books obviously by the way.

"I was searching for a library when I got lost, it would be helpful if you tell me where it is or is there a library or not," I asked her straight.

After thinking a bit she replied, "There is one, on the second floor. If you go towards the right in the main hallway on the second floor you'll find it. It's the last room."

"Thank you," I said and left the balcony.

While leaving, I turned and took a peek and she was again lost in her own world.

"Is by any chance, she's also an introvert?" I mumbled.