CH 11

Chapter 11: the Demon King and the Library

Books are the best way to memorize words and phrases, and my teacher gave me a world history book. I suppose because I wanted to know the history of the world.

──But.

“Not even close.”

It was a completely different history than the one I had learned in Astoria, the human land.

The first distinction is that there were two creators. There was only one creator in the land of humans.

That is also distinct, and the rest is obvious. I’m not at a level to study the words. I have no choice but to seek a history book written in a simpler language.

I cover my hair and ears with a scarf and take Sarah to the library.

“Wow…”

I entered the library and was astounded by the number of books available. Astoria had a lot of books, but this is a lot more.

Sarah provides a brief explanation.

“Cristalia promotes increased literacy…”

That is a large number of books. The bookcase in front of me is overwhelming.

But if I have enough time, I’ll find what I’m looking for. I ask Sarah to wait at the entrance and look for books.

“All right, the history section is…”

There are numerous books, but they are well organized and easy to locate. I examine the book labels and proceed to the back.

“There it is, the history section.”

Which book is the easiest to grasp? Then I came across a book that piqued my interest.

“Miko to Seijo… The Shrine Maiden and Saint?”

the Demon King and Yulin have been calling me a Shrine Maiden ever since I arrived in this land, but I have no idea what that means.

I picked it up out of curiosity and continued reading.

──The Saint spreads light. The Shrine Maiden is said to bring good luck. These two maidens are usually seen together, and the Shrine Maiden is also referred to as the Demon King’s maiden.

Then he arrived at the right time.

“What are you doing reading a children’s book, Shrine Maiden?”

“Your Majesty.”

When I look up, I see the Demon King. the Demon King appeared to be doing something in the library, but I was too preoccupied with my book to notice.

First and foremost, I thanked the Demon King for his assistance in studying the letters. I then informed him that I had been given a history book, but it was completely different from what I was familiar with, and I couldn’t learn anything from it.

the Demon King then said, “Then this is a good book to start,” pulling a book from the shelf.

The book is titled “A History of the World That Even a Baby Can Understand.”

While I was thinking, the Demon King took “Miko to Seijo” and offered the book to me.

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”

“Is something wrong, Shrine Maiden?”

the Demon King keeps referring to me as a Shrine Maiden, but I have no idea what that means. So I’ll ask the Demon King, who doesn’t even look at me.

“What exactly is a Shrine Maiden?”

“…The Shrine Maiden brings luck—and capricious. That’s all there is to it.”

The book said it would bring good luck. But I don’t have that kind of power. the Demon King laughed at this.

“It’s capricious, I suppose, that sometimes you don’t carry good luck.”

Isn’t that what it means to be normal? When I said that, the Demon King laughed again.

“Yes. You’re normal and have the same liberties as everyone else.”

I almost burst into tears when he said those words.

the Demon King leaned down and rubbed my eyes gently.

“I’m not crying.”

“…I understand.”

Well. With that, the Demon King was left.

I still cried a little after the Demon King left.