Chapter 55

To the Royal Capital Library Again
“Heeh~ The archive is bigger than I thought.” I'm at the archive of the Royal Capital Library.
The permit was delivered the day after my visit to the royal castle, but I waited a week before coming here. If I rushed in immediately, it would be embarrassing if the royal family hadn’t been informed yet, and I didn’t want to seem too eager.

It's just me and Georges in the archive.
The archive is located in the basement of the library, occupying about a third of the underground floor. In addition to books, there are desks and sofas for research purposes. Books from the archive cannot be taken out.
To identify them, they are stamped with “Archive” on the spine and cover.
The shelves were organized by subject, just like the first floor.

I started by reading books on magic and plants that seem easy to understand. These books would normally be difficult, but thanks to the Sage God's blessing, I have no trouble reading them. I don’t expect to find a solution to the problem of the dying trees in the Great Forest immediately, so I decided to read whatever I can get my hands on.

After having lunch next to the library, I return to the archive and find someone else there. Seeing their refined attire, I assumed they were noble and instinctively braced myself, but they were absorbed in their book and didn’t seem to pay me any attention. Since this place is meant for research, perhaps people coming and going don’t bother them.
Since there’s no need for greetings, I resumed reading.

When I finished my book and closed it, I was startled to find that the person was now sitting beside me, reading.

“Oh, did I surprise you? My apologies. You were so focused, and the book you were reading isn’t something someone your age would typically be able to read, so I got curious.” He said, speaking to me. He seemed knowledgeable about this archive.

“I thought it might be too difficult for me as well, but since I can understand it, I’ve been reading.” I reply.

“You’ve been reading books on magic and plants. Are you looking for something specific? If you tell me, I might be able to recommend some useful books.”

“Are you affiliated with the Royal Capital Library?”

“No, but I use this archive frequently, so I’d say I’m more familiar with it than the actual staff.”

He seemed like someone who truly loved books. He didn’t seem like a bad person either. I don’t have any cheat abilities like appraisal or the power to judge people’s morality, so I can only rely on my instincts.

When I explained the situation to him,

“Trees dying? If it's not due to a lack of fertilizer or water… I’d suspect a curse or malediction.”

“A curse?”

“Yes. If it's a curse, you should look for ways to purify it. Books on healing magic or curse purification would be helpful.”

He stood up and brought back three books.

“Start with these. They cover healing magic and curse purification and are some of the easier books to read in this archive. If you can understand them, try reading more advanced books. Sorry for disturbing you.”

With that, he returned to his original sofa and resumed reading.

By the time I finished reading the three books, the man was gone. They were indeed easy to read, as expected from his recommendation. I had wanted to thank him, but… If I meet him again, I’ll thank him then. It’s time for me to return to the mansion.

(A bonus point has been granted. Please check your slate’s messages for details.)

A digital voice echoed in my head, just like when I collapsed before, but this time I didn't lose consciousness. I can’t check the slate here. I need to hurry back to the mansion.

—

“So, what did you think of meeting Reinhardt?”

“Chancellor, you said I should meet him, and my son often mentions his name, so I was curious. He read through the books in the Royal Capital Library’s archive with ease and seemed to understand them. The archive contains books that even adults find difficult.”

“Thanks to the power of the Sage God's blessing, I guess?”

“What? I haven’t heard about that.” Duke Clondal Roosevelt exclaimed.

I explained to him that Reinhardt had the Sage God: Library’s blessing, which allowed him to read books in the Royal Capital Library at an accelerated pace. However, I deliberately left out the fact that he could read the books from anywhere. If Roosevelt knew that, he might never leave the boy alone.

“What?! He has such an amazing blessing? Why don’t I have one? I love books more than anyone else!”

As he began ranting, I interrupted.

“What kind of books was he interested in?”

“He was researching the restoration of dead trees, looking for causes beyond the usual ones. That’s why I recommended books on healing magic and curse purification.”

“As expected from the Royal Palace Librarian and the head of the Magic Tower. There have been reports that part of the Westland Great Forest is dying, so he was probably investigating that.”

“Am I really not allowed to meet him again? I want to learn more about his blessing. Maybe if I pray to the Sage God, I can get the same blessing too.”

“His Majesty has forbidden anyone from meeting him. Besides, trying to create repeated ‘coincidences’ would be suspicious.”

This man spares no effort when it comes to things that interest him. He’s probably already scheming ways to talk to Reinhardt again. I allowed the meeting this time because they hadn’t met during the previous audience, but in hindsight, I shouldn’t have.

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