Chapter 364

... Crunch

Clink...

The sudden clink disrupted Mia’s thoughts.

When she looked for the source of the sound, she saw a plate being placed on the table in front of her.

“Ah—”

There were a colossal number of cookies on the platter and they were the ones that Lorenz was eating earlier! It appeared like Bisset had taken away her empty tart plate and put a cookie tray in its place.

What outstanding butlering! This person is very skilled at what he does!

She was ready to grab for them right away, but the unexpected realization dawned on her. There were several eyes on her, and this stopped her action. Even Dion was watching her intently. And a smile that strangely failed to express the same sense of humor that a frown would.

U-Uh oh. I have a feeling that this is not the time for playing around.

She groaned. She reluctantly forced her gaze away from the cookies.

It’s alright. The cookies aren’t going to flee. Later, I can always eat them. I just need to wait for the appropriate time. I need to practice patience right now.

She compelled her brain’s dormant clockwork to restart. It remembered the specifics of their continuous conversation as it did so with a crunch.

The book is titled “Those Who Crawl the Earth.” The title brought back memories.

“I recall Rafina-sama discussing that. Didn’t that Jem guy have a copy with him? She didn’t look through it personally, but she recalled being uneasy around it.”

Even in her recollection, she couldn’t help but get the chills whenever she thought back on the book. She was shaking her head when she heard a crunch.

“Yes,” Lorenz replied. “Although it wasn’t the original, as you indicated, he did have a copy.”

“What kind of a book is it?”Cheêck out latest novels on novel/bin(.)com

He gave a headshake.

“Sadly, I’ve never actually seen the book. Only the transcription of ‘Kingdombane’ Jem used to have,” he added before chuckling wearily. “Barbara never really trusted me enough to reveal any other details. Which, given the long-planned betrayal I just pulled on her, was definitely deserved.”

“I see... That’s unfortunate. However, the way you describe it seems like magic because of the way it unites and subdues individuals.”

Mia questioned, recalling that such things had occurred in Elise’s drafts.

Is The Book of Those Who Crawl the Earth actually some sort of magical tome?

She pursed her lips in thinking, and then there was a... crunch.

“Magic... is it...” Lorenz scowled with surprise at the notion. But he quickly cracked a grin.

“Oh? Did you realize something?”

“You’re entirely correct. The actual procedures one should follow to overthrow the type of government we know as a kingdom were written in that text. It’s a how-to, not a manifesto, as you pointed out. But Ludwig, think about this. Which approach do you think would be more likely to motivate you to act—offering you a sword and tempting you to kill someone you despise, or giving you nothing and just ordering you to do it?”

It came down to effectiveness. Writing a call to action that amounted to “go out there and wreck yourself some kingdoms” was one thing, but offering a thorough guide for how to do it was quite another. The latter was unquestionably better.

“I see,” a reflective Mia responded. “Who would have imagined such a thing existed? Where may these duplicates be?”

“It is reported that the Serpent Shamans I previously mentioned always carry a copy with them. Probably to be used when evangelizing their beliefs. However, they only include a section of the complete book. I’ve also heard that the contents of the book have been learned and can be spoken off-hand by higher-ranking shamans. As for where the book is located exactly, it is still a mystery.”

Mia was put off by this response, but she perked up when Lorenz proceeded in a softer but more persuasive voice.

“However, I’ve heard that the Serpents also have their own icon who inspires the shamans, just as the Central Orthodox Church has Saint Rafina. The high priestess is the name given to her.”

“The Chaos Serpents’ high priestess?”

“Yes, and I have a sneaking hunch that this person is in possession of the Book of Those Who Crawl the Earth’s original manuscript.”

Mia’s hand moved across the table toward the plate as she gasped at the foreboding information.

Gulp...

She may have gulped for other reasons.

She deliberately avoided glancing down as she moved in order to avoid calling attention to herself. For the record, it wasn’t because she had chosen the most advantageous time. She simply ran out of patience. She grabbed for the dish, thinking she had waited long enough to deserve at least one bite, but all she felt was empty space.

Huh? M-My... That’s odd. Where did all those cookies that looked so good go?

She looked at the platter with surprise, wondering where they could’ve gone...

“Milady... You’ve consumed way too much food,” Anne scowled. “Five full cookies and a tart... You had been crunching on them while on the conversation the entire time.”

“...Huh?” Mia arched an inquiring brow.

Crunching? When?

It sounded ridiculous. At least, that is, until she touched the corner of her mouth and felt what felt eerily like a big crumb. She bit down after forcing it into her mouth. An audible crunch was heard.

However, how? What time did I—?

“If you continue to eat, you will begin to gain weight again...”

She had eaten the cookies subconsciously and had no idea what they tasted like. A single cookie was offered to her just as her face started to grow sad.

“Oh, milady,” Anne remarked in a sympathetic but slightly reprimanding tone. “One more, okay?”

She grinned. Mia smiled.

“Oh, Anne, you really are the best! My most reliable subject without a doubt!”

...Same old Mia, same old exchange. Some things never change.