Next day.
Makina and Te. Who had taken up lodging near the Royal Library? Visited Eerys earlier than the library opened.
Good morning. Mr. Elys!
"Good day to you. Sir."
Good morning. You two. You're right on time."
Enter the building through the staff entrance. Following the instructions given to you the day before.
Although the library boasted the largest collection of books in the kingdom. There were not many other staff members in the library. Original. It was run by the minimum number of people.
"... But can you release the forbidden library to unknown adventurers like us... Without permission?"
Tet asked the obvious question. If Ely. The librarian. Would allow i. That would be great. But Te. Always on the alert. Did not want to leave even the slightest cause for concern.
The only reason we're restricting access to the forbidden library in the first place is because there are some magic books mixed in there that could harm you if you just read them. As long as you're careful and warned about that. There's really no need to keep them locked up deep in the library. We've been trying to get the Kingdom to relax the restrictions for a while now."
Iris says she is sad that useful books are left in the dust. Out of sight and out of mind. If there are people who want these books. Like Machina and the other. Then I want to make sure that they fulfill their role as books. It seems that not all the books in the Forbidden Library are 'books that must not be read'.
Looking at those words and the face of Ely. Makina felt that this woman really liked books.
And Tet wasn't so twisted as to doubt a genuine kindness. He decided to silently follow Elys's back as she led the way with a smile.
Good morning!
That's when. A loud voice that seemed to reverberate throughout the entire library jumped into the backs of the three of them.
Makina and Tet turned around in surprise. But Elys turned her body with a cheerful expression on her face.
O. My God. I almost forgot."
Elys rushed to the knight wearing the armour of the regular soldiers of the Kingdom of Britannica.
He then took out a lunch box from his luggage and handed it to the TA. A short-haired knight who called him 'Anata'.
"Anat."...
Were you married?
Hi! I'm Wallac. Elys' husband! I'm a knight of the kingdom! ...? I don't think the library's open yet. Do you? New staff?
You two are our special guests. And you're too loud. You need to be quiet in the library."
'Oh n. Sorr. Sorry.Haha!"
Wallac. The knight with the bold smile. Looked friendly. And although he could not be called a 'handsome man. He seemed to be a strangely receptive young man.
The two met at the kingdom's "School" And were united upon graduation. Wallace became a knight whose main duty was to maintain the security of the kingdom. And Elys started working as a librarian in the library.
He told me that even no. Several years later. They are still on good terms. And that after his early morning patrol. He always comes to pick up his beloved wife's lunch box before heading off to his next job.
I'm off to work today! Love you. Elys!"
I told you to shut up! And I'm embarrassed... In front of people... Off you g. You."
It is a daily routine every morning. But with Makina and Tetteh watching him. Her face seems to turn red.
"... Goo. Oh, that's... Too!"
"Yes.... When it comes to... Being a knight of Britannic. It's complicated for me in terms of my position. But..."
Makina watched their happily married life up close and persona. And she had a maidenly imagination that one day she would be able to do the same.
Te. On the other hand. Received a favourable first impression of Wallace. But felt that if he had made a mistake somewhere. He would have crossed swords with him on the battlefield.
I'm sorry. You two. Well, the. Let's go to the Forbidden Library this time. Shall we?"
Then Elys regained her librarian's look from The Wife's Face and led them down to the basement of the library.
＊＊＊＊＊
The forbidden librarian. Where only the staff and a few adventurers are allowed to enter. Makina and the others were led to a large. This. An old iron door that reminded them of their determination to keep ordinary people out.
Elys took out the key with a familiar hand and unlocked it. And with Tet's help. Released the heavy double-opened door.
Watch your step.
The three of them then enter the interior of the Forbidden Library.
There was no garbage or books scattered about. But this floor. Which was underground and without a window. Was dimly lit only by the lamps dotted on the ceiling and above the bookshelves. Even though it was daytime. It was rather dark.
"Ottawa? Where are you?
Then. Elys called out to the darkness beyond.
The man appeared from the depths of the forbidden library.
"... What is i. Mr. Elys? I don't think the museum is open yet."
Tsu.. The distinctive smell of a mixture of old books. Mol. And greasy sweat reached Makina and the others' noses.
The man was wearing the same librarian's uniform as Elys.
He had a big black head of hai. And his long bangs were swept down to hide his eyes. However. Red pimples appear on the nose and cheeks that cannot be hidden. And if compared to the Wallace we just met. He definitely has an appearance that many would identify as an ugly husband (ugly).
These two are Makina and Tetteh. They were looking for something on the top. But they couldn't find it. So I asked them to look for it here in the Forbidden Library.
"... Adventurer? What's your rank?"
U. U. We're both D-run...
Huh?
I thought he was talking in a whisper. But after hearing Makina's statement. Ottawa suddenly sounded like he was going to yell at her.
They all looked momentarily frightened by this. But it was Ottawa who looked indignant.
N. You can't do that. It's against the rules.
'A little bit is good. Right? In the first place. A D-rank adventurer can defend himself. And I don't want to be picky about who I seek knowledge from."
'It's not a choice. It's a rule... Or you're going to force me to take care of these two..."
Ottawa. You're the one who knows the forbidden library the best among the staff. Aren't you? Since you live here. You must know which books are dangerous and which ones are safe. Right?
"... Wel. I'm the one who knows best... I mean. Usually, a librarian knows everything."
"Ye. Ye. Ye. Yes."
They were arguing over whether or not to allow him to enter the forbidden library. But as soon as he mentioned the word 'most. Ottawa looked like he was good at it.
Not only is she not good looking. But her condescending tone and eyes didn't give Makina and Tetteh a very good first impression.
I'm not responsible for any problems that might arise.
Of course not. I won't bother you.
It seemed that they had reached an agreement. Even s. Ottawa seemed somewhat dissatisfied. But anyway. It became possible for Makina and Tet to enter the forbidden library.
'Wel. I'll be back around noon. Good luck finding the information you want."
Yes! Thank you. Mr. Elys...!"
And so the three of the. Except for Iri. Remained in the forbidden library. And the thick iron door closed with a heavy thud.
＊＊＊＊＊
... So where are all the books on magic?"
Inside the dimly lit forbidden library. Not wanting to spare a few moments. Tet immediately asked Ottawa.
Even as Makin. She feels distracted by the thought that the 'truth' is so close at hand.
–But Ottawa turned to Tet with a cold expression.
What? What are you talking to me all of a sudden? I'm not a search machine. If you want to search. Go ahead and search on your own. That area over there is my living space. And there are a lot of valuable and dangerous books there. So I'll kill you if you come near them."
He feels no threat at all against Te. Who became a Kingsguard Knight of Grandel at a young age. Even though he's a fatty and terrified. "I'll kill you. But…" And so on.
But it was certainly an unpleasant response. And Tetteh's brow wrinkled deeply for a moment. But he didn't have time to worry about this ma. And pointed to a nearby bookshelf.
"... Let's start our search from this shel. Princess. This place isn't as wide as the upper levels. I'll hit it from the other side."
"Ye. Ye...! Oka...!"
"... Tsk.... What the hell is he...? Just because he's an adventurer with a woman doesn't mean he can't get on with it...
I heard some Ottawa swearing. But Tette ignored it and picked up the book.
Makina was a little worried. But decided to tackle the rough sea of countless typescripts again to get a clue to "Gerwes" Anyway.
"– Ummm..."
For the next few hours. Relying on my magic lam. And sometimes the glowing tip of my own magic wan. I would pore over thick tomes.
Many books contained torture and extreme magic for killing curses. As well as valuable materials that you wouldn't normally see in a forbidden library.
But still. The information you want is not listed anywhere in the book.
Is there really a book with Gerweth's magic in the first place? If s. Then there was no such magic in the first place. The information was wrong.
When such a possibility crossed my mind–
"–Hime-sama...!"
Unusual. Tetteh sounded like she was in a state of emotional excitement. Then he came running to himself.
He looks up at her and gives her an expectant look. There is only one reason for him to sound happy in this situation.
"Was there a...?
Yes!" I haven't read the details yet. But...!"
O. Shut the fuck up!"
The most important thing to remember is that you can't just run and scream. No matter how much information you've obtained. Even though it's a forbidden library. It's still a library.
Makina apologized to Ottawa. Who was probably behind the darkness? But Tet kept a stern expression on his face and complained. "Why are you being so high-handed?
But most of all. It's 'Gerweth' now. I opened the crumblin. A tattered old book that Tet had brought me and found the word I was looking for – at last.
"–'Gerweth'. The magic created by the great wizard Joseph at the end of his life..."
It was supposed to crystallize a person's life force and magic power and apply it as a source of energy when solid fuel or magic power is depleted. But it was deleted from the official records as a dangerous life-or-death magic."...
It seems that it was still a forbidden magic that had not been publicly transmitted. The fact that it crystallizes is also consistent with the residents of the Kingdom of Grandel and the adventurers who were trapped by the Poison Frog in the mountain stream.
However. There were no further details on it or how to disarm it. And also the identity of that black-hooded mage.
But finally. We've got some promising information:...!
"Yes...! We'll look for more books!"
With a hopeful face. The two of them saw the light and decided to search every nook and cranny of the forbidden library.
＊＊＊＊＊
"–Makin. Tet. It's almost lunchtime. Are you okay with...?"
A while later. During the lunch break. Iris visited Makina and the others in the Forbidden Library.
When they opened the heavy door. They found the two adventurers buried under a pile of books. Reading through them. They were so concentrated that they didn't respond immediately when Elys called out to them.
"Is it that time already...!"
Come to think of it. I'm starving...
"Wel. By the looks of i. You're making progress."
In fact. After finding the word Gerweth in one boo. They hadn't been able to find any traces of it in any other books. But now that the material was at least known to be real magi. Makina and Tet's enthusiasm was making them turn the pages of the book as realistically as possible.
They were so focused that they forgot about their hunger and left the forbidden library with dizzy steps.
"... Thin. Is it good for yo? Ottawa?"
He's good. It's like he's bringing his own food in and eating it. In fact. He should get more. And more sunlight. Too..."
With a worried and somewhat dismayed tone. Elys looked to the back of the forbidden library.
Ottawa is a staff member with a high-handed and twisted attitude. He seems to be holed up in this library. Doing some kind of research or investigation all the time.
'...I honestly don't like that kind of guy.'
"Wel. Wel. Don't say that..."
Even after leaving the library. Tetteh's attitude showed that she didn't have a good feeling about Ottawa.
Walking next to him toward the eating place. Makina admonishes her proud and earnest subordinate because she still won't have a long relationship with him.
"... Oh!"
How can I help you?
'Sorry. I left my wand behind...! Please go ahead! I'll get it right away!"
The magic wand that I was using in the forbidden library as a lighting source was unintentionally left behind. Even in the peaceful King's Landin. It's quite a blunder for an adventurer.
Makina immediately turned on her heel and went back to the door in front of the forbidden library. Fortunatel. It was unlocked. And her precious magic wand was also propped up on the bookshelf near the entrance.
"Goo. Now you can go to..."
As an adventure. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Giving up your weapon. I reflected on my excitement at finding Gerweth's trail. And immediately tried to get back to Tet–.
"...?"
At that moment. In the day. Quiet. Forbidden library. Where only Ottawa was supposed to be. From the depths of the darkness. I heard a noise.
Like water splashing. Like soft things colliding with each other.
–No. I know. And the faint scent in my nose. As soon as you recognize i. You feel something hot – your lower abdomen. Your stirrup. Tingling.
"... O. My God!"
"...!
There.
Ely. The librarian. Her long navy blue ponytail swung. Had her hands on the bookshelf and was grinding her hips against Ottawa's in a standing back position.