Wild speculations flooded Rein's mind due to the last two sentences written by the original owner of the body that he now inhabited.
He had a bad premonition that the disappearance of Reinhart's soul was merely the beginning of a much larger problem.
Aside from his genius intellect, Reinhart de Elvis seemed to have inherited no magical power from the Emperor.
He was born with a weak body and an unknown illness, and despite surviving in such a state, what kind of horrifying thing could have driven him to madness?
「 Damn it! If only I knew the ending! 」
Rein regretted falling asleep and transmigrating after only reading the first two volumes of the novel. He remembered that the novel had already been completed, and he had originally planned to read all of it. However, he stopped at the end of the second volume.
The reason? One of his favorite characters—who was also the protagonist's friend—had died.
In short, Rein had no idea what was truly behind everything that happened to the protagonist and the people around him. He only knew of Elie Wonhart as the main villain and the executioner who would deliver the final blow.
Rein's brow furrowed as he racked his brain over what to do next. It seemed he had no other cheat abilities aside from the universal language—no overpowered strength to conquer the world, nor overwhelming charm to upend the natural order of life.
「 Just because I don't have them now doesn't mean I can't find them… 」
He hadn't forgotten his greatest cheat: the knowledge from the novel, even if it was only the first two volumes. There were things he could use to protect himself while uncovering the truth behind Reinhart's fate.
Now, he was genuinely curious and suspected that Reinhart must be connected to the reason he had transmigrated into this world.
After setting his goal, Rein closed the diary and safely stored it in the desk drawer, locking it with the key hanging nearby. He hid the key beneath a stack of research books, then took out several sheets of paper and a pen, writing down nearly everything he remembered about the novel.
He mapped out the plot up to the second volume, highlighting Elie Wonhart's role. Meanwhile, he circled the protagonist as the center of this world. He also marked the protagonist's friends, crossing out the one who would die at the end of Volume 2.
「 A stopover… 」
Rein noted that the Elvis Empire was a temporary stop for the protagonist and his companions. They would also catch the Emperor's attention and receive an offer to become elite imperial guards.
"Now it's clearer," he muttered proudly, having pinpointed the exact time the protagonist would arrive in the empire.
As a veteran reader, Rein knew the transmigration cliché of clinging to the protagonist's coattails—or at least staying on their good side. There was no benefit in becoming the protagonist's enemy.
Rein continued analyzing the plot until lunchtime, when Elie reminded him by knocking on the door.
"Your Highness, you must not skip meals." After saying this, Elie waited briefly for confirmation before opening the door.
Rein was now lying on the sofa, massaging his temples. He felt dizzy and drained, barely able to move his fingers without trembling.
The imperial doctor's medicine only dulled the pain, not the body's inherent weakness or the dull ache that persisted.
Fortunately, before Elie arrived, Rein had burned all his notes using the aromatherapy candle on his desk. Though traces remained, Elie wouldn't bother investigating.
He ate lunch according to the prescribed menu, then rested for a while before dozing off on the sofa. His nerves, strained from the unknown fear tied to Reinhart's condition, finally eased slightly.
---
Far beyond the empire, in a free border city, a group of people wearing Hunter insignias and black cloaks gathered in front of an inn.
"The fragment should be somewhere nearby," said one of the members, a short-haired redheaded woman.
"Indeed, it's very close," replied the man standing behind her, smiling.
He lowered his hood, revealing striking features—aquamarine-blue hair and mesmerizing sapphire eyes.
"Book the rooms, then regroup later," he added, his voice soft yet carrying an undeniable command.
Having said that, he walked away from the group to do as he pleased.
"He's off doing whatever he wants again," the redhead grumbled as she entered the inn.
Two male and two female members followed her inside, while one man lingered behind.
He hesitated for a moment before deciding to trail after the eccentric leader who had wandered off.
After some searching, he finally found the blue-haired man enjoying street food.
"What's the matter? Why are you following me, Ian?" The man glanced at him while biting into a boiled potato.
The corner of Ian's mouth twitched at the sight, but he quickly recalled their mission.
"If the fragment really is nearby, won't this city be destroyed? What exactly are you planning, Rui?" Ian voiced his doubts plainly.
Unlike the others who blindly followed Rui's orders, he always sought the underlying reason.
"It won't be destroyed, don't worry. We'll head to the empire first to get the Emperor's permission," Rui replied casually, gazing into the distance.
This free city was under imperial control, but as its name suggested, it had no regional ruler. Anyone who wished to take dangerous action here needed the Emperor's approval.
It was a perfect city for Hunters like them—no need to report to local authorities or deal with bureaucratic hassles.
The only problem was obtaining the Emperor's permission for their plans here.
"Besides, something interesting seems to be happening there," Rui mused, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
---
That night, Prince Reinhart's Pearl Palace was dimly lit, with only a few magical light fixtures in certain spots and one special device in the prince's chamber.
Rein stared in confusion at the yellow crystal-like lamp embedded in his wall. It seemed to have an effect similar to an aromatherapy candle.
"Why does this palace have so few magical devices?" He voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind.
Of course, the only one beside him who could answer was Elie. "Your body is sensitive to foreign energy. Only a few are safe for you to use."
「 Just as I thought. This body is preventing me from searching at night. 」
Rein concluded that there was a hidden object somewhere in the Pearl Palace—one that the protagonist had discovered after Reinhart's death in the original story.
He didn't know whether the Emperor was aware of it. Rein couldn't be sure and hesitated to ask Elie for help.
「 Should I retrieve it another time? No, isn't the protagonist arriving tomorrow? 」
Rein had checked the date in the study. A strange magical device shaped like a bell displayed the passing time like a digital clock, making it easy for him to determine when the protagonist would arrive and the reason for their audience with the Emperor.
As if the world itself was aiding him, Elie suddenly spoke up.
"Your Highness, I must briefly visit the main palace to meet the Emperor. You need not worry about security—no one can enter this palace without the Emperor's permission."
Rein maintained his calm expression. "Then who will guard me?"
He had yet to see any other servants—only Elie had been attending to him this entire time. If Elie left, would someone else take his place?
Elie smiled, adjusting his glasses. "Your Highness, I'll only be gone for a short while. I'll return quickly."
So, no one would replace Elie. In other words, Rein would be left alone.
Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to retrieve "that thing"?
"Very well, return soon." Rein nodded, pulling up his blanket as if intending to sleep immediately.
Elie gave him a strange look for a moment before turning and leaving.
---