Chapter 5: Interview (3)

The Iron-Blooded Duke.

He was given the epithet Iron-Blooded Duke because he had no blood or tears and never showed mercy.

He was also very active in the human-demon war that continued until a few years ago, and only the blood of demons was filled in the streets he passed.

Although he is a doting father, he is infinitely cold to those who are not his people.

Gulp.

Delkarmen, who is exuding an overwhelming presence, looks at me.

Just facing his white pupils made my knees weak. All sorts of thoughts flashed through my head.

‘Why is he staring at me like that? Did I do something wrong?’

Playing with Yona is the only thing that pricks my conscience. But is it really worth the head of the family making a personal appearance just for that?

After a moment that felt like an eternity, Delkarmen’s gaze returned.

“Sit down.”

A deep voice. When I came to my senses, my legs were already sitting on the chair.

‘Is he an aura master?’

The supreme realm that all swordsmen desire, and a monster that splits a mountain with a single slash of a sword.

I couldn’t even think of resisting his words.

“Then we will now begin the interview for the library librarian. The fact that you are sitting here means that you are confident. I will ask everyone a question. Answer in order from the left.”

He swept his chin once and looked around. Dozens of interview applicants came into his white eyes.

“You have an emergency escape artifact. And in the library, there is the child of the master you serve and a grimoire that must never fall into the hands of the enemy. Which one would you choose?”

He stared at the leftmost one.

The interviewee who was first nominated took a moment to breathe and then answered.

“I think it’s the master’s child. No matter how precious a grimoire is, it is worthless than a human life.”

“Next.”

“I, I think that, that is….”

“Next.”

The Duke waited for about 5 seconds, and if he couldn’t speak, he moved on without hesitation.

Those who were passed over without saying anything were stunned and slumped in their chairs.

I came in last, so I was sitting on the far right.

My turn was slowly approaching. But I didn’t succumb to the tension. I regulated my breathing and organized my answer.

So, it’s my turn last.

“Next. Last.”

“I….”

This question was called the trolley dilemma in the 21st century.

Everyone must have heard of it at least once.

A train with broken brakes is running on the tracks, and people are tied to the tracks that split to the left and right. Which way will you go?

This is a representative trolley dilemma problem.

The key here is that it is right to sacrifice the few for the many, and according to this logic, it is right to take the grimoire.

Because if the daughter of the duke dies, it ends with the sacrifice of one person, but it is not known what damage the human side will suffer when the grimoire is entered.

But the duke is a doting father.

In addition, if you want to screen the interviewees with this one question, you will want a more special answer.

“I will answer on the assumption that there are no preconditions in the question you asked. If I were in that situation, I would hand over the emergency escape artifact to the master’s child and tell them to escape with the grimoire.”

Whispers appeared in various places at my answer. The duke’s expression is also very ambiguous.

‘Is this not it?’

I thought he would want a novel answer that could save both, but that wasn’t it.

But I didn’t think my thoughts were wrong.

Objectively, my answer seems better than saving one of the two.

“I have listened to your answers well. I will decide on the librarian right away. The person who will be in charge of the Muelia library from now on is…Rachel.”

They whispered again.

“Who is Rachel?”

“Damn. Was choosing the child the answer after all?”

“Ah, so what’s the answer?”

A small voice close to a soliloquy. Delkarmen ignored it casually.

“Rachel can follow the butler. The others, I’m sorry, but please go back.”

Honestly, it’s an unfair situation. I came to see the interview, and they asked 40 people at the same time and ended with one question.

But all they could do was greet and leave. Because the opponent was a duke.

So I quietly got up and went out.

I asked the butler because I might get into a fight if I ran into other people.

“Where should I go now?”

“You must first sign the contract. Follow me.”

I followed him and crossed the garden. The place we arrived at after walking for about 10 minutes was a large three-story mansion.

Statues in the shape of lions and eagles were installed on both sides.

The inside of the mansion was filled with the fragrant scent of flowers. I passed the hallway on the first floor. The hallway was quite long as the house was large.

“This is the drawing-room. You can wait here. Please do not be rude. This is my advice to you, so take it to heart.”

I don’t know who the person in charge is to give such a warning.

The butler strongly warned and left the drawing-room. I was left alone and looked around.

Paintings that are admirable at a glance, chandeliers made of numerous crystals, and other expensive-looking decorations.

The person living here doesn’t seem to be ordinary.

How long did I wait?

The tightly closed door opened and a beautiful woman entered.

White hair that reaches the shoulders and white eyes. Smooth skin without a speck of dust.

It was so beautiful that my mouth dropped open just by looking at it once.

Her name is Emily Muelia.

I finally met the protagonist of this worldview.

“Hello. I’m Emily Muelia.”

“I’m Rachel. Thanks to the grace of the head of the family, I was able to be selected as the new librarian this time.”

She opened the file she had brought in advance and handed over the paper.

“It’s an employment contract. Please check it and sign it.”

I don’t know why she is leading this contract in person.

I started reading the contract as she said.

[Contract]

The Grand Duchy of Muelia is referred to as A, and Rachel is referred to as B.

At this time, A….

There were no toxic clauses.

In the first place, the contract between the Grand Duchy and the commoner is just a good-looking piece of paper.

It means that the Grand Duchy does not need to play any tricks.

Scribble.

I signed.

“Congratulations. You are now a member of the Grand Duchy. Then shall we start the real story?”

“Excuse me?”

Emily, who had been smiling warmly until just now, erased her expression. The atmosphere became cold in an instant.

“First of all, some time ago, I saw you playing with my younger sister. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Yona so happy.”

Emily took a sip of black tea.

“Yona asked me to hire you as a librarian. That’s why you were chosen this time.”

“Ah. Miss…Yona.”

I was moved.

Honestly, I was thinking about whether I should bow my head at the words that she saw me playing.

“But you have to play with Yona regularly as she said. You won’t forget your promise to the young lady of the Grand Duchy, will you?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Ah, did I tell you that? Why is the librarian position vacant?”

I shook my head.

‘Didn’t they just quit or leave because the contract period ended?’

“At the time, the librarian was in charge of the library for 10 years. He was a good old man. But he periodically stole books and sold them. What do you think happened?”

Emily spread her fist.

“Bang. He exploded. And he turned into dust and disappeared.”

Gulp.

I know that’s not a metaphorical word. I swallowed dry saliva.

“I hope you don’t. We pay a lot of salary compared to other noble families, and the welfare is good. Above all, please take care of Yona, that child. She has a lot of scars.”

Slurp.

“The butler will guide you to the library. You can go out now.”

It’s an expulsion order.

I bowed my waist 90 degrees, greeted, and hurried out.

Only after the door was completely closed and the space was separated did my trembling heart calm down.

“I’m going crazy. As expected, she’s the protagonist.”

As a woman who endured for more than a decade to take revenge on the empire and overthrew the imperial family that lasted for hundreds of years.

It’s a simple word, but it’s clear that there is something terrifying that should never be touched in it.

I could tell because I’ve met a lot of people while doing various part-time jobs.

That Emily is acting thoroughly.

“It went as I thought, but should I get closer here? That’s a little scary.”

Seeing Emily’s fear, I was reluctant to my original plan.

I could die strangely tangled up while moving around to be by her side.

Is this really the right choice?

The hearts of nobles are lighter than reeds. There is no one to say anything even if they break their promises as they please, so their whims are beyond imagination.

Just look at the politicians of my past life.

The words and promises uttered by those in power are just a strategy to get through the moment, and there is no guarantee that they will be kept.

Even the nobles here have power, so that’s all.

“Yes, let’s change the goal. Rather…it’s much more profitable to stick to Yona.”