A variety of wild guesses filled Rein's mind due to the last two sentences written by the original owner of his body. He had a bad feeling that the disappearance of Reinhart's soul was only the beginning of a big problem.
Apart from his genius, Reinhart de Elvis did not seem to have inherited any magical powers from the emperor. He had been born with a weak body and an unknown illness, and in such a condition, what kind of horrific event could have driven him mad?
'Damn it! If only I had known the ending!'
Rein regretted that he had fallen asleep and transmigrated after reading only the first two volumes of the novel. He remembered that the novel was already complete, and he had originally planned to read all the volumes. However, he stopped reading at the end of the second volume.
The reason was that his favourite character had died, and that character was also the protagonist's friend.
In short, Rein actually didn't know what was behind everything that happened to the protagonist and the people he encountered. He only knew about Elie Wonhart as the main villain and an executor to deliver the final blow.
Rein's eyebrows furrowed as he thought hard about what to do next. He seemed to have no other cheats besides the universal language; he didn't have overpowered strength to conquer the world, nor charm to overturn the order of life.
'Even if I don't have it, that doesn't mean I can't find it...'
He didn't forget his greatest cheat—the knowledge from the novel, even if it was only the first two volumes. There were some things he could take to protect himself while also figuring out what happened to Reinhart.
Now he was truly curious and suspected that Reinhart must be connected to the reason for his transmigration to this world.
After setting his goal, Rein closed the diary and safely stored it in the desk drawer, then locked it with the key hanging there. He placed the key under a pile of research books, then took some sheets of paper and a pen, and wrote down almost all the knowledge 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 centre of this world. He also circled the protagonist's friends and crossed out one as the person who would die at the end of the second volume.
"A stopover..."
Rein noted that the Elvis Empire was a temporary stopover for the protagonist and his friends. They would also catch the emperor's attention and receive an offer to become elite imperial guards.
"Now it's clearer," he muttered proudly after finding out exactly when the protagonist arrived in this empire.
As a veteran reader, Rein knew the cliché of transmigration was to embrace the protagonist or at least be on their good side. There was no advantage in being the protagonist's enemy.
Rein continued his analysis of the plot until lunchtime, when Elie reminded him by knocking on the door.
"Your Highness, you must not miss mealtime." After saying that, Elie waited a moment for confirmation before opening the door.
Rein was now lying on the sofa, massaging his temples. He felt dizzy and drained of energy. He could barely move his fingers without trembling.
The medicine from the imperial doctor only alleviated the pain, not the physical weakness and dull ache that persisted.
Fortunately, before Elie arrived, Rein had burned all his notes with the aromatherapy candles on his desk. Though there were traces left, Elie wouldn't bother to care.
He ate lunch according to the provided menu, then waited a moment before resting and falling asleep on the long sofa. His nerves, tense from the unknown fear related to Reinhart's condition, were slightly calmed.
....
Far beyond the empire, in a borderless city, a group of people wearing Hunter badges and black robes gathered in front of an inn.
"The fragment should be nearby," said one of the members, a woman with short red hair.
"Right, it's very close," replied the person standing behind her with a smile.
He lifted the hood of his cloak, revealing his unique appearance. He had beautiful aquamarine-blue hair and mesmerising sapphire-blue eyes.
"Book a room, then gather again later," he continued in a soft voice, but one that carried an unmistakable command.
After saying that, he walked away from the group to do whatever he pleased.
"He's off again, doing as he pleases," the red-haired woman muttered as she walked into the inn.
Two male members and two female members followed her inside, while one male member remained behind.
He hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to follow the eccentric group leader who had gone off somewhere.
After wandering around, he finally found his eccentric leader enjoying street food.
"What's the problem? Why are you following me, Ian?" The blue-haired man glanced at him briefly while biting into a boiled potato in his hand.
Ian's mouth twitched at his behaviour, then he remembered why they were here.
"If that fragment is really nearby, won't this city be destroyed? What exactly do you want to do, Rui?" Ian voiced his doubts clearly.
Unlike the other members who simply followed Rui's orders, he always wanted to know the underlying reason.
"It won't be destroyed, don't worry. We'll go to the empire first to obtain the emperor's permission," Rui replied casually, gazing into the distance.
This free city was controlled by the empire, yet, as its name suggested, it had no local ruler. Anyone wishing to do something dangerous in the city had to obtain the emperor's permission.
The city is ideal for Hunters like them, as they don't have to report to a local ruler or deal with administrative matters.
The only issue is obtaining the emperor's permission for their plans in this city.
"Then, it seems there's something interesting over there," Rui murmured with anticipation, his eyes sparkling.
....
That night, Prince Reinhart's Pearl Palace was rather dark, with only a few magical lighting devices at certain points and one special magical device in the prince's room.
Rein stared in confusion at the yellow crystal lamp-like object mounted on the wall of his room. He felt that the object had an effect similar to that of an aromatherapy candle.
"Why does this palace have so few magical devices?" He asked the question that had been weighing on his heart.
Of course, only Elie was there to answer him, "Your body is vulnerable to foreign energy, and only a few are safe for you to use."
'I knew it. This body prevents me from searching for something at night.'
Rein determined that there was one hidden object in Pearl Palace. An object also discovered by the protagonist after Reinhart's death in the original story.
He didn't know if the emperor was aware of it or not. Rein couldn't be sure and wasn't confident enough to ask Elie for help.
'Should I take it another time? No, what if that object can help me with the emperor's issue?'
As if the world's will was helping him, Elie suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I must go to the main palace for a moment to meet the emperor. You need not worry about security, as no one can enter this palace without the emperor's permission."
Rein maintained his calm expression as he asked, "Then, who will watch over me?"
He hadn't seen any other servants; only Elie had been taking care of him all along. If Elie left, would anyone replace him?
Elie smiled as he adjusted his glasses. "Your Majesty, I'll only be gone for a moment; I'll return quickly."
So, that meant no one would replace Elie, which meant Rein would be left alone. Wasn't this the perfect situation to take "that thing"?
"Alright, come back quickly." Rein nodded, then pulled the blanket over himself, indicating he planned to go straight to sleep.
Elie looked at him with an odd expression for a moment before turning and leaving.
***