Chapter 1
Prologue
You weren't a beast. You were reading a book, after all.
That was the permission that place granted me.
That's what Karia Alexander heard later.
Back then, she believed that there were places suitable and unsuitable for every profession. If you asked her what the most unsuitable was . . .
Why would a battlefield need a librarian?
Now, those words were echoing back to her, laced with mud, regret, self-reproach, and guilt.
We do need one, don't we . . . ?
She murmured to herself as she sat on the rubble, staring at the war-torn base.
In her line of sight, soldiers who had made it through that day's battle were hastily clearing debris and mending defensive walls while the wounded and dead were simultaneously being transported away.
Injury and even death were inevitable. This was a battlefield.
They turned their backs on their humanity, embracing insanity and killing each other.
The battlefield was a place where one willingly needed to descend into madness to survive. That was a soldier's duty. Yet, they were expected to maintain discipline and remain calm for the sake of efficiency.
Staying sane seems impossible.
Nevertheless, soldiers did whatever they could to cling to the vestiges of their sanity. They remembered families, partners, friends. Some even held onto less noble motivations, like an unresolved bet or an unfinished cigarette—perhaps even the remaining chapters of a book they'd started reading.
Anything would work. Anything that kept them going.
We need this. I need this. Let me have this.
Gripping her book tightly, she stood up. Then, raising it in her hand, she shouted.
Hey, idiots!
Her actions and voice drew attention. Spotting the familiar faces of the soldiers, she continued.
The library's open tomorrow! I expect to see you lunkheads there!
Among the faces of the wounded and exhausted soldiers, hints of smiles began to appear.
Tomorrow! The day after! Next week, too . . . ! So, stay alive and visit!
A Miserable Excuse for a Library - Front
The Eleventh Imperial Frontline Base was located in the central-northwest part of the continent.
It was situated at the northern foot of the austere Garuntai Mountain range that sliced across the south. The mountains extended west to a steep cliff by the sea, and tapered off in the east. The railway and highway system passed from the base train station through the southwestern town of Camilton and beyond the mountains to the central part of the continent.
Here is your assignment. Please accept it.
As Karia disembarked from the train, an officer came forward to hand her a piece of paper.
In sheer disbelief, she read the brief announcement written on it.
Notice: Effective March 4, Imperial Year 890, Special Major Karia Alexander will be appointed as the Librarian of the Eleventh Frontline Base.
What the helllll?!
Hell . . . hell . . . hell . . . Her outburst echoed around the foothills, releasing days of pent-up frustration.
. . . It's good to see that you are in fine spirits, Special Major Alexander. Please follow me.
The officer, seemingly taken aback by the unusual woman who began yelling instantly upon her arrival, led her inside the base through the five-meter-high wall. It had a town-like atmosphere with various wooden and concrete buildings lined up inside.
Well, yeah! Obviously! There are thousands of people stationed here! Gods, I'm dumb!
However, its nature as a military base lent it an inorganic feel.
The Imperial capital cityscape, where Karia had been until the previous week, boasted cobblestone main streets with hardly any bumps. Gas lights, slowly being replaced by electric ones, illuminated the night, keeping the lurking darkness at bay.
There was no sign of the war occurring far to the north.
And now here she was, arriving at this desolate landscape.
This is more than just the shadow of war; it's the frontline. Hahahahaha. Of course, it's an Imperial Library. What could be more Imperial than a library on a battlefield inside a military base?!
The base's lighting came from exposed wiring, and half the ground was bare dirt. As expected, almost everyone passing by wore military uniforms or trench coats.
Unable to contain himself, the officer walking in front asked the woman in the middle of her half-smiling lamentation about her background.
. . . Excuse me, we're aware of your mission here, but do you think you could tell me more of your background here?
Oh, you want to know about that? Sure, I'll tell you. I guess there are no princesses to overhear us here.
Ignoring the regretful look on the face of the officer who had asked the question, Karia began to share her story.
It all started at the Solei Palace in the Orildaran Imperial Villa.
Lady Karia Alexander has arrived.
Thank you. You may leave.
She spoke in a calm tone. Once Karia confirmed that the attendant waiting on bated breath for her master's voice had left, she let out a deep sigh.
Whew. It's been a while, Your Highness. I'm so tired.
She wasn't glamorous, but she had a way of drawing the eye. Her vibrant, long, blonde hair was left untamed; sharp, wide eyes peeked from behind her large, round glasses. With freckles on her cheeks and notably sharp canine teeth, her tall stature and shapely figure combined with these unique features gave her a gallant, yet imposing charm. She wore a black dress that barely revealed any skin.
You always give the most excited greetings . . .
The woman who turned to say this, Cleostar Orildan, the First Princess of the Orildan Empire, wore a wry smile mixed with exasperation. In stark contrast to Karia, her beauty was meticulously maintained down to the tiniest detail.
Look, I was summoned by the Imperial family from my place in the sticks without so much as an explanation. I was tossed about in carriages and trains for five whole days. If not for the potential job offer, I may have misplaced your letter. How'd you learn of my joblessness so quickly? It's a bit unsettling.
Even if the two of them had been classmates at school, she was acting awfully arrogant towards a member of royalty. But Cleostar didn't seem to mind. Instead, she responded with a nostalgic smile.
I found it hard to believe that a diligent academy librarian such as yourself would end up as a librarian in a noble's house. I suspected it would not last, and sure enough, my suspicions were confirmed.
In other words, you're saying you were waiting for me to fail?
The frustration was evident in the now-ex-librarian's voice.
I thought it would be an easy, comfortable job. If it was just a show-off library for some dunce, I figured I could curate the collection however I wanted.
However, in reality, she was merely treated as the janitor for a storage room with no budget for books, or even bookshelves for that matter; just a pile of books handed down by their ancestors . . . !
And then, their idiot, sex-crazed son tried to use it as his secret rendezvous spot! But when he said to me, "Even a tomboy like you can be stylish sometimes," that was the last straw . . . !
Well, getting fired and taken to court after knocking his lights out does not seem to have been a real pain for you.
Heh heh, well the evidence and witnesses were all on my side, so it backfired on him. Everything I swindled out of them got used up for legal fees, moving costs, and travel expenses, though. Dickhead.
Well, it is not all about the money . . . Are you still estranged from your family?
They were the ones who kicked me out in the first place. I'm on my own, pure and simple. I'll never rely on them again.
While watching Karia vent her frustrations with an amused smile, Cleostar brought up the topic at hand.
In that case . . . there's an opening at an Imperial Library.
. . . So yeah, I'm broke right now, and . . . wait, what?