Chapter 54: The Eldirtch Godness Reads a Novel

At Frieda’s invitation, I decided to visit the Literature Club after school.

"Pardon me."

"Ah! Iris! You came!"

When I knocked and peeked into the clubroom, Frieda greeted me with a radiant smile.

"Of course. I promised, didn’t I? But…"

The spacious room felt eerily empty.

"I know what you’re thinking. ‘There’s hardly anyone here,’ right?"

"Yes. I hadn’t realized it was this severe…"

"Can’t be helped. A few members plan to return eventually, but…"

Ugh. Over half this emptiness is my fault. The guilt weighs on me.

"Anyway, I’ve got tons for you to read! C’mere!"

Led by Frieda, I took a seat at the large central table.

"This is my submission for the Imperial Youth Cultural Festival. Would you read it? I’d love your thoughts!"

"Gladly. I’d like to start with your work, Frieda."

"Then try this!"

She handed me a booklet titled Catalina’s Dream Adventure, its cover adorned with an illustration of the eponymous heroine. How professional!

I began reading.

Hmm. The story followed Catalina as she explored a dream world—a realm of fantastical landscapes where one could even journey to the moon. A mid-length novella (around 50,000 words) chronicling her travels as she solved mysteries in this surreal space.

I was utterly absorbed.

"It’s wonderful, Frieda. You’ve vividly depicted a world beyond our imagination—I could see the dreamscape. I’d love to visit such a place myself!"

"Thanks, Iris! I worked hard on the scenery descriptions, so I’m glad it resonated!"

The dream world was ethereal, beautiful, yet perilous. Her prose made it feel tangible, as if the events could unfold in reality. A remarkable piece.

"Are there others?"

"Here’s one from another member. It’s… unconventional."

"Let’s see."

I opened the next booklet.

Literature Club Submission: Gazing at the Stars

The stars glittering in the sky are not merely beautiful lights. They exist—and within that existence, something lurks.

Every time I behold the night sky, I’m reminded how insignificant our known world is. We pretend to comprehend the universe as intelligent beings, yet in truth, our perspectives are narrow, our values stunted.

I fantasize: What if beings far more advanced than us exist? How would they perceive us?

Would they view us as we do ancient civilizations—those that thrived then crumbled, that endorsed slavery, tyranny, and worshipped violence as the supreme law?

No. Likely not.

A truly advanced civilization might not even recognize us as intelligent. To them, we could be mere lower lifeforms, as simple-minded as the insects we dismiss as foolish.

If such beings exist, would they show us mercy? Only if they deemed us worthy of being called "precious."

Otherwise, might they exterminate us as we do rats and pests?

Few share this dread when stargazing. But we mustn’t admire the sky’s beauty alone.

We must acknowledge the blasphemous truths hidden behind its splendor.

"Um... It's certainly... unique."

It reminded me of the ramblings of those driven mad—terrifying!

"It's technically an essay, but it doesn't feel like a personal account. A bit odd, right? But the author wrote it feverishly after recovering from illness, so Lord Albrecht insisted we submit it."

"I see..."

I worried this writer, too, might have suffered nightmares because of me.

"What kind of work did Lord Albrecht contribute?"

"His piece is this!"

Frieda handed me his manuscript: Paradise of Mythical Beasts, its cover adorned with a griffin silhouette straight out of my past-life anime and games.

I began reading—and was instantly captivated.

The story chronicled an expedition to an uncharted continent teeming with griffins and other fantastical creatures. Despite its otherworldly premise, every detail felt tangible, the ecosystem meticulously crafted. Magnificent!

"This is extraordinary. Now I understand why you and Lord Albrecht get along so well. You both share a gift for rendering the unimaginable with startling realism—or perhaps a mutual taste for such works."

"Exactly! I knew you'd get it!"

"I'm glad my guess was right."

Frieda had always claimed she and Albrecht were kindred spirits. After reading their works, I finally grasped the creative wavelength they shared.

"I wish I could write fantasies like these..."

"You should try, Iris! I bet you'd surprise yourself."

"Hmm..."

Could I? I've never written fiction before—daunting, yet intriguing.

"Oh? Miss Iris?"

Just then, Albrecht himself appeared.

"My apologies for intruding, Lord Albrecht."

"Merely observing?"

"Frieda invited me to read the club's submissions."

"Ah! We're grateful for fresh perspectives."

He smiled warmly as I shared my thoughts.

"Which piece resonated with you?"

"Frieda's, without doubt. Her dreamscapes feel alive. Yours left me equally awed, my lord."

"Indeed. Lady Frieda's descriptive prowess is unmatched," Albrecht agreed, nodding.

"Thanks for coming, Iris! You're welcome anytime before December!"

"Before December?"

Albrecht tilted his head, unaware of my circumstances.

"I'll be leaving the academy after the Golden Festival in December."

"Is that so... A pity. Lady Frieda spoke highly of your friendship."

"The feeling is mutual."

So many things I'd still wanted to do...

"Lady Frieda, why not gift her a past issue of our anthology? As a memento."

"Perfect! Iris, here's our last publication—it includes my earlier works. Enjoy!"

Frieda plucked a volume from the shelf and pressed it into my hands.

"My thanks to you both. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

How wonderful it would be to craft fantasies like Frieda's...

...Though, isn't my current life already a fantasy?

……………………