“Let me through.”

  “No, young man. Only certain people have access here, and you’re not on the list.”

  “What?! I’m the son of the clan head, so let me through already.”

  “Ask your father for confirmation first, then you may enter.”

  Najun waits in front of the door to the private library of the Sakiko family for an answer from his father.

  He notices Hina and stands up.

  “You’re unbelievable. Bothering your father with things like this.”

  Hina sorts everything out with the librarian, and from now on Najun is allowed to enter whenever he wants.

  “What do you even want in there? Shouldn’t you be looking for your mother?”

  “I’m hoping to find something that can help me save her.”

  “As if there’s anything in there that could help you. The private section is full of family documents and some random information about the country. I doubt you’ll find anything useful.”

  “I’ll find out myself. Don’t worry.”

  Najun walks into the library and leaves Hina behind. He looks around, searching for books and old documents about his mother.

  “I was Mother’s last child, so something must have happened afterward.”

  He looks for records dated after his birth.

  “This only talks about the renovation of the main temple and the pact with the Shojo family. But nothing about Mother.”

  The documents are structured so that important events of each year are recorded, along with updates about the core family and major branch members.

  Najun keeps searching.

  “I didn’t know Uncle Ino used to be a knight… Or that Naki mastered sword fighting at the age of eight.”

  He becomes completely absorbed in the history of his family and learns things he never knew.

  After many books, he stumbles upon a very strange chapter.

  “The Search for the Miracle Bird.”

  It describes an expedition into an unknown region to find a bird said to grant wishes.

  But complications occurred — they never found it, and many expedition members died. The Sakiko family, along with two other families, took part in the search.

  “A bird that grants wishes? If I could find that, then…

  But it was useless back then, so how should I find it alone? It doesn’t even say where they got this information or how they confirmed the bird’s existence. Probably some idiot started a rumor and they believed it because they wanted to.”

  Najun walks around the small library and discovers many fascinating things: records of the First World War, the Red Revolution, the extinction of dragon-damselflies, etc.

  “Maybe I could use my ability to find a specific section?”

  He knows it makes no sense to use his ability right now — especially since he’s still injured.

  Birth-Protection: Space Reader

  “Ah, what? Someone’s here. Not again. Every time I use my powers, I see someone and end up fighting.”

  Najun stands up and approaches the unknown figure.

  “Wait… I think I know who that is. Who—?”

  The figure moves quickly toward the exit, but Najun intercepts them and tries to grab them.

  The person jumps over him and pins him to the ground.

  “I knew it. So you’re back.”

  Najun looks up and sees a familiar girl with two big black braids.

  “Yeah, yeah, I clearly defeated you. You owe me a cookie.”

  The girl stands up and helps Najun back to his feet.

  “You look like crap. If I’d known you were this fragile, I wouldn’t have ambushed you like that.”

  “It’s fine. Doesn’t hurt that much.”

  “That was Father, right? What did you do this time?”

  “The usual. Doesn’t matter. It’ll be fine. How was your visit to the Ghost City?”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “It was so cool. You can’t imagine what ghosts have to say. And the food was surprisingly amazing.”

  The Ghost City is a place where the souls of the dead remain if they die there, allowing them to continue “living” as spirits.

  Many couples or important people go there when they die, so their love or knowledge won’t disappear.

  The city is protected as a historical site and owned by the state, so visits must be registered and approved. Many families try to claim it or at least gain partial control, but the state refuses every attempt.

  “There was this one ghost who told me so many cool stories. Apparently he once saw a two-headed polar bear.”

  Najun and Shinoa — his younger sister — talk about the time they missed.

  Of all siblings, they are the youngest and the ones without combat talent, so they get along well and care for each other.

  “Did you hear about Father’s mission?”

  “Yeah, I got the message yesterday. What he wants us to do is a bit too much. That’s why I came back early — otherwise I would’ve stayed in the city longer.”

  “Do you have an idea already?”

  “…Yes.” Shinoa answers hesitantly.

  “What kind of idea?”

  “I’m not telling. Sorry, but it’s a solo task, and I want to find Mother first — even if she isn’t my real one.”

  Aihara had many women, and one of them is the woman they’re all searching for — his main wife and the only one he truly loved.

  She is the biological mother of Najun, Naki, and their sister.

  The others have different mothers.

  Aihara had five partners in total.

  “Tell me. Come on.”

  “No.” Shinoa turns away stubbornly.

  “That’s not fair. I’ll tell you my plan too.”

  Shinoa looks at him thoughtfully and gives in.

  “Okay, okay. In the Ghost City, a spirit told me about a creature that might help me. The special thing about it is… it’s supposed to live somewhere near our estate.”

  “What? Really? What kind of creature?”

  “A bird. A huge, colorful bird that can grant wishes.”

  “The Miracle Bird?!”

  “Huh? How do you know that? Were you listening to my self-talk earlier?”

  Shinoa stares at him suspiciously, waiting for an answer.

  “No. I read about it in the family documents. Here.”

  Shinoa reads the chapter, clearly confused.

  “Wow… what a weird coincidence. Do you believe it? When the ghost told me, I was skeptical — and I still have my doubts.”

  “I doubt it too. But if you know about it as well, then maybe there’s something to it. We could work together? Only if you want to.”

  Shinoa smiles and pats him on the shoulder.

  “I was about to ask you that, you idiot.”

  They continue chatting about old times.

  “We should get going.”

  With that, they leave the library and meet Naki and Hina.

  “Hello Shinoa. Long time no see,” Naki greets her.

  “Hey,” she replies.

  “What are you two up to?”

  “We’ve decided to work together to find Mother, and we’re about to follow our lead.”

  Najun looks surprised — he thought their plan would stay secret between them, but he was clearly wrong.

  “Oh? And what’s this amazing plan?”

  “That’s a secret.”

  Naki looks displeased and glances at Najun suspiciously.

  “Don’t forget to present your idea to your father,” Hina reminds them.

  “…We have to what?” Najun groans.

  “Every plan or mission concept must be explained to your father. He’s worried you’ll get involved in shady things, so everyone has to report their approach and send updates directly to him.”

  “That’s stupid,” Shinoa comments.

  “Those are the clan head’s rules. So follow them.”

  “Let’s go to Father and present it. The sooner we do, the sooner we can start searching,” Najun says.

  “Searching for what?” Naki repeats — this time sounding angry and sad that his siblings won’t tell him anything.

  “Still a secret,” Shinoa answers and drags Najun away before he can speak.

  “I don’t get why we won’t tell him. Naki is trustworthy. He wouldn’t sabotage us.”

  Najun asks sadly.

  “Can I tell you a secret? …I don’t like Naki very much.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know. It’s a gut feeling. He seems like the type who has multiple faces.”

  “Naki isn’t like that. Trust me.”

  “Maybe. But to me he feels… dangerous.”

  Najun is shocked and thinks about her words.

  “Dangerous? Naki? He’s strong, sure, but dangerous to us? No way. Shinoa must be paranoid.”

  he thinks as they approach Aihara’s room.

  “Yes, my children?” Aihara greets them.

  “We heard we have to present our plan to you.”

  “Correct. Speak.”

  “Najun and I want to find the Miracle Bird and use it to save Mother — your wife.”

  “The Miracle Bird, you say? You know the first search ended terribly, and there’s no reliable information about its existence.”

  “We’re aware. But we have no other choice. And like you always say: ‘You won’t know until you try.’”

  Shinoa laughs in Aihara’s face, waiting for his answer.

  Najun stands beside her, equally tense.

  “I have no reason to refuse. But do not expect help from me. You must do everything alone. Even if I knew the answer, I wouldn’t be allowed to tell you. And remember — only one of you can become clan head.”

  “Thank you, Father,” they say in unison.

  “May I know the details of your plan? How will you proceed?”

  “Father, you already had your chance with this bird. Now it’s our turn. And you just said you won’t interfere.”

  Aihara looks at his daughter sadly and sends them away.

  Outside, Shinoa turns to Najun.

  “You don’t need to worry. I don’t want to become clan head. I’ll leave that title to you.”

  Najun looks at her, his face lighting up.

  He never thought he’d have a real chance at becoming clan head — but now the idea feels pleasant.

  He imagines the throne.

  His father’s chambers becoming his.

  His father hugging him proudly.

  Of course he thinks of his mother —

  but the throne gleams brighter in his mind.

  Shinoa watches him drift into his thoughts.

  “Oh, Najun… your crazy inner world.”