Chapter: 13
The library in the imperial palace, which has aged a hundred years, was filled with an even greater collection of vast literature that captured the eye.
The area dwarfed even a soccer field, entirely filled with bookshelves, leaving only enough space for walking. They rose in layers, reaching heights where the ceiling was barely visible.
I normally despise books and don’t feel the weight of grandeur, yet every time I come here, I’m reminded of just how much I adore this world.
“It’s you all… Those who will be using our library for the time being.”
A girl greeted us from the desk that was always stationed right at the entrance.
“Nice to meet you… My name is Sephiroth… the chief librarian here.”
As I suspected, she was a different person from the former librarian I knew, Diapi Wiki.
If Dia was a vibrant and cheerful girl, then this one… how should I put it?
With messy black hair that reached her waist, eyes like black holes that seemed ready to suck anyone in, and round glasses that devoured more than half of her small face. She looked like a quintessential gloomy cute girl here.
If she appeared in a game, there would probably be an avalanche of fan art of people hiding between bookshelves, eavesdropping on others gossiping about her, happily self-indulging.
“Our library operates 24 hours a day, so feel free to come and use it whenever you like…”
That’s what they say, but it feels like they’d rather you not show up.
Judging by how she can’t even make proper eye contact, I feel a kinship—and perhaps even pity—and I suddenly want to take my leave.
“Could you possibly look through all the books related to rebirth magic in the library?”
In that case, I couldn’t really go back, so I’d have to make haste to finish my business.
Using the librarian as a sort of exploring guide is generally avoided, but wouldn’t it benefit both of us?
“Yes. Please wait a moment…”
Her quick compliance seems to affirm that. Or perhaps she’s just less strict than her predecessor.
Sephiroth got up from her seat, clutching a book, and walked out with a thump-thump sound.
“Chrysos… Ewa… Onomatopoeia, ya…”
‘Even if you stretch it out like that, it still becomes an incantation.’
A blue light emanated from Sephiroth, spreading towards the countless shelves of the library.
If you disturb it midway, it might all come crashing down, and she might suddenly enter a boss battle instructing you to take good care of the books. I wonder how she’d handle that. The girl is so innocent; I can’t help but keep comparing and wanting to check her out.
Well, my most pressing reward right now is the information from those books, so I had no intention of jeopardizing myself.
Even with that appearance, she’s still the owner of the palace library. Just that alone is proof that she’s achieved the level of a grand wizard. She’s certainly formidable.
‘How could I ever defeat a high-ranking official directly beneath the Emperor?’
Even if I somehow miraculously win this time, my next opponents would be the Knight Commanders.
In-game as well, having three titles of the Holy Emperor, only granted to a select few among the Knight Commanders, was hailed as a golden generation. And now, we’re told there are four emperors, or so they say?
Unless I regain my original skills, I’m toast. Trying right now would get me on my knees begging for mercy, even from our Maria.
“The following 13 books… are the ones you are looking for… I believe…”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Thirteen volumes gathered atop my hands while I wasted time with idle thoughts. A lot, or not a lot? Given the vastness of the library, it felt like a meager amount.
With the books I received, I sat down far from the desk.
“Maria, if you want to read something or have me read to you later, feel free to grab any book. Just don’t run around or make noise, okay?”
“Yeah. Maria is a good girl.”
After giving me a blank expression suggesting to leave her alone, Maria headed toward the children’s corner. She’s usually a well-behaved kid, so I wasn’t too worried.
Now, let’s see… among these, could there be a key to unraveling my current predicament? With a jittery heart, I opened the first book.
“I was possessed by a platypus.”
I immediately slammed it shut.
‘This is not going to be easy…’
—
Afterward, there were several other books that seemed more plausible than mere stories, like “The Basics of Rebirth Magic,” but in the last few days, there’s been no notable progress.
Even when I try changing keywords to “spatial transfer” or “dimensional travel,” nothing changes. There’s simply no magic capable of transporting someone to another world.
Days drifted on, filled only with futile pursuits. It became quite common for a bored Maria to go out and play with Princess Ryouna.
“But what exactly are you looking for, oppa?”
I couldn’t go into detail about it. If I told her the circumstances… how would she react?
She might actively want to help or plead with me not to leave her.
“…It’s a secret, oppa.”
“Aww…”
Sorry for being such a shady adult! But at this moment, I was too scared to reveal the truth.
“I’ll tell you later. I promise.”
“…I’ll tell you later too, Maria. It’s a promise.”
With our fingers linked, we found ourselves wrestling with the bewildering hell of letters again.
Should I change the keywords again? No… Is there even a solution to be found here in the first place?
Although the Emperor told me to take it easy, I simply can’t hang around forever. It was getting harder to suppress the urge rebelling within me.
‘This won’t do.’
“Oppa?”
“Maria. Follow me.”
I made a beeline for Sephiroth with a sense of urgency.
She had a look on her face as if asking why I was here so soon. I had been trying to keep our contact to a minimum, but here we go!
“Librarian, if it’s not too much trouble, could I possibly request access to the books in the basement?”
“Yes, yes…? The basement…?”
The seldom-opened and rarely mentioned basement of the palace library.
I decided to pin my hopes on it. If it’s not there, then it’s truly non-existent in this world.
“The basement? That’s the first I’m hearing of this… there’s no such thing as a basement in this archive…”
“Oh. Was it closed off by any chance?”
“No… it never existed to begin with…”
I expected her to be reluctant to comply, but her reaction was not only that of denial but also of confusion about a basement existing at all.
‘Did Dia seriously not hand over this piece of information?’
Goodness gracious. It’s not just about being a mere administrator; she’s even more crucial than that, being the very embodiment of the palace library—and she doesn’t even know such important facts?
Whether it was a missed handover or unavoidable circumstances, this situation is a big deal.
“…Wait a moment.”
Additionally, this was a good opportunity.
“Hmm. Was it this side?”
“Um… what are you doing…?”
I was ready to take on whatever debt this might incur, but now I was being provided a chance to recover massive amounts of lost data from the Empire?
This kind of reverse relationship is unheard of! Perhaps the wary gazes around us would lessen a bit now.
‘Found it.’
Just one time, where Dia opened the entrance to the basement.
Kicking the floor, the magic circle hidden in a perception-restricting haze became clearly visible.
“What the…!?”
Sephiroth, the library’s owner and a grand wizard, gasped, surprised by the fact she had never known.
It’s a matter of awareness, so if she hasn’t heard of it, there’s nothing to be done about it.
“Maria, could you lend me some Mana?”
“Yeah. Let’s hold hands.”
“Dehisco. Sesama.”
I borrowed some MP from Maria and initiated the magic inscribed on the ground.
Click-click-
I heard the sound of locks being released a couple of times.
Kugugugu-!!
With a minor vibration, the floor opened.
As expected, this was the work of a grand wizard. It functions just fine even after a century.
“Uh, uh…”
Sephiroth, aghast at this spectacle, was lost for words.
Well, it’s only natural. I mean, some scarecrow that’s been wandering around just opened the hidden door to the palace library’s basement.
“See? It’s here, right?”
I gave her a smug smirk before dragging Maria down the basement stairs.
“Wait just a moment…!”
How I discovered this will be explained later. For now, let’s find what we need.
With a torch standing in for the luminescent Dia, I strode down the dark passageway.
“Maria, be careful not to trip.”
“Okay. Maria’s eyesight is good.”
The pathway wasn’t unnecessarily lengthy or complicated. Just having the librarian on duty 24/7 seemed to suffice for defense.
I swiftly inputted the password I had spied on earlier, and in one go, opened the storage room door. I hoped to find even the tiniest clue.
“…?”
The interior of the basement, which I hadn’t stepped into for a while… seemed to have changed quite a bit in its purpose.
To the right of the entrance was a collection filled with figurine-based merchandise, predominantly featuring various historical emperors. There even lay an Izuri figurine among them.
And on the other side… was a photo display area. Photos of her in a maid outfit, photos of her with cute cat ears, and some where she was hiding her face while wearing only underwear… it was like a collection of every possible oddball picture.
The star of those images was none other than our current librarian, Sephiroth.
“Oh wow. Amazing.”
I hurriedly covered Maria’s eyes and spun around. When I turned, I found Sephiroth, who had come running up, trembling in disbelief.
“Ah.”
“Um… so I said there wasn’t a basement… there absolutely wasn’t…,” she stuttered.
“Pervert sister.”
“Waaah! Huup, uuuuuuuh!!”
Sephiroth plopped down right there, bursting into tears.
“You made a girl cry, oppa.”
Not that anyone can’t see—in fact, Maria, it was you who delivered the final blow!
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