A Failed Knight Who Went to the Academy To Get Married

013 A Conspiracy for Conspiracy

Narsha, still gasping for breath, asked Lizbeth,

“How on earth did you end up getting off the train?”

“I went down to watch a herd of buffaloes with Train for a moment, and just…”

“Be careful, you’re not little kids anymore.”

“Hahaha. Sorry.”

Barbara, who had been sitting next to Narsha…

No, the fake Barbara cautiously asked Lizbeth.

“Was it just the two of you who got off?”

To which Lizbeth replied with a composed face.

“Yes. I didn’t see any other passengers get off.”

The fake Barbara felt a bit relieved.

Despite a minor incident, it seemed her identity was still concealed.

And it appeared that Lizbeth and Train also didn’t know about the real Barbara’s disappearance.

As the train began to shake slightly, Lillian, sitting opposite, said,

“Ah, it looks like we’re finally departing.”

If they could enter the Grand Library together without being discovered, the mission would be a success.

So, relaxing and stretching out in her seat,

A messenger bird flew in.

And perched on Lillian’s shoulder, it spoke with Princess Sia’s voice.

“Train and I got off the train. We’ll go on a date separately, so please go ahead.”

Then Lillian exclaimed in dismay.

“Princess Sia this time?! What on earth is everyone thinking?”

The fake Barbara stood up abruptly, flustered.

Could it be that Princess Sia has noticed something and is trying to escape?

If that’s the case, I must chase after them and hypnotize them immediately.

“Just in case, I’ll get off too and follow them!”

“Barbara, you too?!”

Lillian shouted from behind, but ignoring her, I jumped out of the train.

But no matter how much I looked around, there was no sign of Princess Sia or Train.

Eventually, the train departed again, leaving its place…

Barbara, who missed the timing, stared blankly at the departing train for a while.

Then, realizing soon after, she cried out.

“I’ve been deceived!”

The fake Barbara, left alone, collapsed right there on the spot.

Trine smiled to himself as he lay prone in the thicket, turning on the camcorder.

On the camcorder’s screen, the despairing figure of the fake Barbara was being recorded.

Trine muttered under his breath.

“Indeed, the camcorders used by royalty are excellent, capturing clear images even at night.”

All of this was part of Trine’s petty scheme.

First, he sent a false message claiming it was from Princess Sia to lure out the fake Barbara.

What would the abandoned imposter, who missed the train all alone, attempt to do now?

Surely, she would try to inform someone of her failure.

If he could secretly witness that moment, everything would be resolved.

For this, Trine had taken some risks and immediately hid after descending.

“Now, reveal your true identity quickly.”

Trine murmured, focusing on the camcorder’s screen.

The fake Barbara, after a while of desperately clutching at her hair in misery,

soon stood up and summoned a blue bird with magic.

And then, with a somewhat irritable voice, she began to record her own voice to the bird.

“I’ve lost Princess Shia. It seems we’ve been discovered along the way. I apologize, Lord Benheim.”

While the fake Barbara was recording the detailed situation to the bird,

Train was diligently filming with his camcorder, muttering to himself in a low voice.

“Benheim… Benheim… It’s a name I’m sure I’ve heard somewhere.”

“He’s the head librarian.”

A voice suddenly came from beside him, and he almost screamed in surprise.

Train quickly covered his mouth with his hand and glared to the side.

For some reason, Princess Shia was lying down beside him in the same prone position.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay on the train?”

“If I had, I would have been lying, wouldn’t I?”

“You got off the train just for that reason?”

“Besides, I thought it would be safest to be with you, Mr. Train.”

“Do you think this is a time to be joking-“

Just then, the fake Barbara started walking towards where Train was.

Traine immediately shut his mouth and lay as flat as possible on the floor.

The fake Barbara twirled in front of him, muttering to herself.

“What to do… This will render Lord Benheim’s strategy entirely futile…”

Then, Princess Shia chuckled softly beside him.

“Quite the subpar spy.”

“Be quiet.”

At that moment, a blue bird flew from afar towards the fake Barbara.

“It doesn’t matter. As long as you and Princess Shia are safe, the operation can proceed.”

The voice of the bird, presumed to be Benheim, issued a simple command.

Return to the Grand Library as quickly as possible.

And until it’s confirmed that Barbara is actually dead, stay out of sight.

Upon hearing this, the fake Barbara undid her disguise.

The distinctive pointed ears of the elf race.

Short, neatly tied silver hair.

Large, old-looking glasses despite her young age.

Princess Shia murmured to herself after confirming the figure.

“Indeed, it was Doppelgänger, the librarian and close aide of Director Benheim.”

“Do you two know each other?”

“A little.”

Librarian Doppelgänger clapped his hands loudly once.

Then, a spirit resembling a deer was summoned.

“Carry me to the Grand Library, please.”

Doppelgänger rode the deer and disappeared from sight in an instant.

Only then did Train rise from his seat, murmuring,

“Mind control, disguise, and summoning spells, too. Terrifying.”

Princess Shia also stood up, dusting off her clothes, and said,

“Librarian Doppelgänger is renowned among the elves for his excellence.”

“I’ll return this to you.”

Train extended the camcorder,

But Shia shook her head and said,

“I’ll give it to you as a present.”

“Just because it’s heavy and you want me to carry it, right?”

“Hehe, as expected, Train-nim, you know what’s in my heart.”

“But what could be the purpose of Director Benheim and Librarian Doppleginger?”

Princess Shia paused for a moment before answering.

“Actually, two years ago, Director Benheim sent a letter claiming he had deciphered the Book of Walpurgis.”

“What?!”

“Since then, he’s been repeatedly asking me to come to the Grand Library to break the curse.”

“But if that’s the case…”

“Of course, I ignored all of it. Do you understand why?”

Train scratched his head, pondering for a moment,

then muttered as if he had realized something.

“The flower of the Bulroc cactus blooms this year, so breaking the curse two years ago would have been impossible.”

“Moreover, the fact that we need that flower was top-secret information that only Sirian oppa barely managed to find out.”

“In other words, Director Benheim couldn’t have deciphered it, as he didn’t know we needed the flower.”

Princess Shia smiled silently,

Train frowned and asked,

“Does that mean it’s dangerous for the princess to go to the Grand Library herself?”

“Do you know that the lending authority of the Grand Library’s books lies solely with the director?”

“So, you mean to say they tried to lure the princess out by holding the Book of Walpurgis hostage?”

“In fact, no one has been able to decipher the Book of Walpurgis yet, partly due to Director Benheim’s fault.”

Without Director Benheim’s permission, not even the royalty can borrow books.

Meaning, since he hasn’t lent the Book of Walpurgis to anyone, no one has even been able to attempt to decipher it.

“Why would that b*stard do such a thing…”

“Director Benheim has requested to marry me as a condition to lift my curse.”

Train’s expression grew even more grim.

If Benheim’s true intention was to marry Princess Shia.

And if he monopolized the Book of Walpurgis to decipher it himself.

If that were the case, there would have been no problem at all.

But Benheim has actually failed to decipher the Book of Walpurgis.

“After all, if the princess dies, the marriage means nothing, right?”

“And now for the question! Why did Benheim lie about successfully deciphering it?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“The hint is in the doppelgänger librarian.”

At that moment, Train’s complexion turned pale.

“To kill the princess and disguise the doppelgänger as her for a sham marriage…”

Princess Shia said with a bright smile.

“Correct! As expected of you, Lord Train.”

“No, why are you only telling me such an important thing now!”

“I only realized it myself after seeing Miss Doppelgänger today.”

“Still, you should have informed everyone in advance that Director Benheim had ulterior motives!”

“Honestly, I still don’t trust the other knights-in-training.”

It was only natural that Princess Shia trusted no one.

She must have been manipulated by countless schemes all this time.

That’s why she had been waiting for someone she could truly rely on.

“I have decided to trust only in you, Train.”

Train glared at Princess Sia as he spoke.

“What do you know about me? Is there any guarantee I won’t betray you?”

“I tested your character for that very reason during the sports festival.”

“But still, to trust someone you’ve hardly known for long—”

Princess Sia removed the hint of a smile from her lips and said,

“Please. If not for you, Train, this is as far as it goes.”

Train bit his lip slightly, a phrase he had also heard from Prince Siran.

These two royal siblings are neither incompetent nor lazy.

Yet, or rather because of that, they have decided to rely on Train.

Even on Train, a commoner with no pedigree, who can barely read a grimoire.

It’s certainly not because Train himself is remarkable.

It must be just the result of numerous attempts, failures, and betrayals that they have come this far.

In front of such a Princess Sia, he couldn’t show any weakness.

“…Understood. I will certainly uphold the faith you have in me, Princess.”

Sia’s expression showed a hint of surprise, perhaps not expecting Train’s firm response.

But soon, she flashed a bright smile again.

“Thank you.”

“So, how should we proceed in the library?”

“Let’s arrest Director Benhaim for his crimes.”

As long as Benhaim is the director, obtaining the Walpurgis Document will be difficult.

Then, we must arrest him and remove him from his position.

“However, we need solid evidence to charge him.”

“Without concrete evidence, we can’t accomplish anything.”

“Moreover, if I show even the slightest suspicion beforehand, he’ll become wary immediately.”

“So, are you suggesting we play along with Benhaim’s tune until we find the evidence?”

“I believe that’s the only way.”

Train scratched his head and replied.

“Then, for the time being, I’ll pretend to know nothing.”

“I’ll act as if I trust Benhaim completely.”

“Don’t overdo it. If the princess dies, it’s all for nothing.”

At that, Princess Shia laughed brightly and said,

“Yes. I’ll trust that Train will definitely come to save me.”

Afterward.

Train and Princess Shia boarded the next train at the nearby station,

and were able to safely join up with the Lizbeth party.

***

The next morning, early.

A tall man with slightly pale skin, dressed in a suit, welcomed the students.

“Welcome to the Grand Library. I am Benheim, the librarian here.”

Silver, short slicked-back hair.

The distinctive pointed ears of the elf race.

And a slightly arrogant smile to boot.

Librarian Benheim, taking Princess Shia’s hand on his own accord, said,

“I am truly honored that you’ve come all this way to meet me.”

Princess Sia responded with a gentle smile.

“I apologize for not being able to come sooner due to being busy.”

“It’s enough that you’ve come now. But I heard there was a bit of trouble on your way here…”

As Benheim glanced at Barbara among the entourage,

Princess Sia replied nonchalantly.

“It seems someone tried to infiltrate the library by switching places with one of my party.”

“It’s a relief that you’re safe. Have you caught the culprit?”

“Unfortunately, we missed them. But with Lord Benheim here, I’m sure we’ll be safe.”

Benheim then said with a laugh,

“Rest assured. As long as you are in this library, no one can harm Princess Sia.”

In fact, there had been discussions about Barbara before coming to the library.

Whether to keep her hidden and use her as a trump card later.

However, for Barbara’s safety, that idea was dismissed.

Moreover, the other students were still unaware of Benheim and Doppleganger’s conspiracy.

Princess Sia decided it was best not to arouse suspicion with unnecessary scheming.

“And… you’re Mr. Train, engaged to my Princess Shia?”

Standing in front of Train, the Benheim Library Director glared at him with all his might and asked.

“Do you know that I have already proposed to Princess Shia?”

To which Train replied without batting an eyelid.

“Whoever breaks Princess Shia’s curse first will get to marry her, right?”

“Ho-ho. Are you implying you can break her curse faster than I can?”

“I do have a certain expertise in magic tomes, you see.”

Benheim then laughed wickedly.

“I have already completed all the preparations to break the curse. Didn’t you know?”

Train’s face showed surprise.

“What, seriously?”

“To think a nouveau riche noble with no pedigree would dream of marrying Princess Shia, you should know your place.”

Train collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Then Benheim turned around, laughing loudly.

“You’ve come a long way, so I won’t turn you away. Please, have a good time before you leave.”

And then, he brazenly took hold of Princess Shia’s arm.

“Shall we go discuss today’s schedule for a bit?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Princess Shia began walking with Benheim, smiling and ignoring Train.

Behind them, the other students hurriedly followed, whispering among themselves.

“What? Can Princess Shia’s curse really be broken?”

“It’s a relief it worked out.”

“But if the director and the princess get married, what about Train?”

At that, none could genuinely rejoice.

For it meant the shattering of Train’s devoted love.

Lizbeth placed her hand on Train’s shoulder and said,

“Well, at least it’s a relief Princess Shia didn’t die.”

“…Yeah.”

Train reluctantly rose from his seat.

With his head hung low in despair,

Yet, internally he began to coldly strategize.

“Alright, pretending to be abject to lower their guard has worked so far.”

Then, taking a deep breath, he followed the others.

“From now on, it’s for real, so let’s stay sharp.”