Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Chapter 293: Bring It To Me

Noah’s eyes narrowed. "What should I find?"

Cecilia’s voice dropped to a whisper, her tone suddenly more cautious.

"In the royal library," she said, "there’s a restricted section on the second floor, towards the eastern wing. It’s not open to the public, not even to most nobles. You’ll need to go there."

Noah folded his arms. "And what exactly am I looking for?"

"A book," she said. "Old, bound in black leather, with a gold emblem on the cover. A sun crossed by a single sword. The title is ’The Chronicle of the Deep.’ It should be sealed inside one of the glass cases. You’ll know it when you see it."

Noah studied her for a long moment. "And what do you want me to do with it?"

"Bring it to me," Cecilia said simply. "Quietly. No one must know."

There was a short pause before Noah spoke again, his tone flat. "So... you’re asking me to steal it."

Cecilia’s composure slipped for the briefest second. She exhaled softly, looking away towards the shadowed trees at the edge of the courtyard. "If you must put it that way... yes."

Her eyes returned to his, a tired look in them. "The book doesn’t belong to the royal archives. It was my mother’s. She kept it in the library after the war, but it was never meant to be locked away. I just want it back."

Noah tilted his head slightly, gauging her words, but said nothing.

"Alright," he finally nodded. "I’ll get it for you."

"Thank you." Cecilia straightened, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve. "You’ll have to be careful. The guards patrol the upper floors, and only certain attendants are allowed into that wing."

Then, quieter, she added, "Don’t get caught, Noah."

He gave a small smile. "I rarely do."

With that, Cecilia fell into step beside Noah again, their pace slower this time. The tension from before had softened into quiet conversation.

"So," she said lightly, "how are your classes? Keeping up with the workload?"

"I’m managing," Noah replied. "Though you might’ve overestimated my enthusiasm for Pedigree and Etiquette."

Cecilia gave a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You promised to be a model student, remember? That includes the boring subjects."

"I’m trying," he said, smiling faintly. "Even if half the time, I’m not sure if I’m learning diplomacy or how to sleep with my eyes open."

She chuckled again, and for a moment, it felt almost normal. Just a teacher and her student walking beneath the lamplight.

When they finally reached his dorm building, Cecilia slowed to a stop.

"You’ve had quite a day," she said softly. "Get some rest, Noah."

He nodded. "I will. Good night, Professor."

She gave a smile. "Good night."

Then she turned and walked away, her figure fading into the quiet of the academy grounds.

Noah pushed open the dormitory doors and made his way towards the lift, pressing the button, but nothing happened.

The glow that was usually above the lift door was dark.

He frowned at the sight. The academy’s enchantments rarely failed. Maybe the explosion earlier had disrupted more than just the third floor.

Shaking the thought away, he turned towards the stairwell. His footsteps echoed softly as he climbed, but he paid it no mind.

On the second floor, everything looked normal. The lights looked the same as they’d always done, and the silence wasn’t complete.

He could still hear the crickets outside, and the occasional loud coughing.

He reached his room, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. The place looked the same as always.

He pulled off his jacket, let it fall over the chair, and climbed into bed.

Sleep came quickly, deep and dreamless.

[][][][][]

The morning sunlight streamed faintly through the window, catching the edge of Noah’s neatly tailored grey tailcoat.

It was the weekend, or more specifically, the day of the coronation. The day the kingdom of Camelot would crown its new ruler.

He stood before the mirror, adjusting his cravat one last time. The outfit that Master Nigel had so dramatically chosen fit him perfectly.

Behind him, Arlo leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed. "So, what’s the plan? How do you intend to find her?"

Noah didn’t look away from the mirror. "I’ve felt Lady in Dark’s presence before," he said simply. "It’s distinct. Wrong, but familiar. If she’s there... I’ll know."

Arlo frowned. "You’re sure about this?"

Noah nodded. "If Lady in Dark really has ties to the royal court, this is our best chance."

Silence filled the air between them for a moment.

Finally, Noah turned away, glancing towards the window where sunlight spilled across the floor. "It’s time."

They left the room together. When they reached the lift, Noah frowned at it. It still wasn’t working.

"Figures," Arlo muttered. "Academy of Magic, and they can’t fix a lift."

Noah smirked faintly. "We’ll take the stairs."

They descended in silence.

Outside, the day was bright and filled with the distant chatter of students and the fluttering of banners hung across the academy grounds.

Waiting at the foot of the dormitory steps was a carriage. The royal insignia gleamed faintly on its side. Two white horses stood harnessed at the front.

Arlo clapped Noah lightly on the shoulder. "Keep your eyes open. And if you find her—"

"I’ll handle it," Noah said.

Arlo nodded, though worry flickered briefly in his eyes. "Good luck."

Noah climbed into the carriage, settling into the plush seat as the driver gave a low whistle. The horses started forward, hooves striking rhythmically against the cobblestones.

The journey passed quickly.

Through the carriage window, Noah watched the capital come into view.

The streets were crowded again, life cautiously returning after the devastation. Buildings once damaged by the dragon’s rampage were now scaffolded and patched.

Workers moved in groups, painting and hammering, restoring the city to its former glory.

The city that had burned was breathing again.

Before long, the carriage turned onto the main avenue, the great spires of the palace rising ahead like pillars of white marble against the blue sky.

They had arrived.