Thrown into the mysterious kingdom of Kou, high schooler Youko Nakajima faces a world brimming with mythical beasts, political turmoil, and unrelenting trials. Yet, in this land where trust is scarce, an unexpected ally--a scholarly half-beast named Rakushun--refuses to abandon her. Together, they journey toward the kingdom of En and the powerful ruler who may hold answers to her purpose in these strange realms. As the shadows of her fate come into focus, will Youko confront her own fears and accept the throne she never wanted? The acclaimed novel series that inspired the hit anime returns with an all-new translation and captivating illustrations!