Chapter 232

To you who survived (7)

The imperial library is naturally the largest in the empire.

The grimoire is from the Eastern Magic Tower Library. The textbook is from the Central Library of Sylvania Academy. The Bible is from the Holy Emperor’s Faith Library.

Many special purpose books had libraries specialized for each book, but the breadth of the library covering all fields could not match the Cloel Imperial Library.

This is the reason why imperial scholars do not go outside the imperial palace, the reason why the great sage Sylvania continued her research at the Lily Palace, and it is also a place that symbolizes the tone of the Cloel imperial family that values knowledge.

Its magnificent size, which occupies an entire corner of the Rose Palace, makes it seem as if there is a new palace within the palace.

There are hundreds of bookshelves of normal size. The inside of the round hall is surrounded by bookshelves so tall that you have to climb up a ladder, and there are so many reading tables and organizing shelves that it is difficult to count them.

There are dozens of librarians working there, but it has reached a point where they are requesting more staff due to the excessive workload... so it is safe to say that they have piled up a mountain of books.

This is a place where the Princess of Persica has been visiting as her home ever since she was young.

The empire’s largest treasure trove of knowledge. I read 3 or 4 books a day, filling my head with knowledge from all fields, regardless of history, culture, religion, economy, geography, magic...

Now, the Princess of Persica has become more familiar with the library structure than the imperial librarians. There were no unknown places left in this library.

– Boom!

It is a time beyond night and close to dawn. The inside of the library was already engulfed in darkness.

The Princess of Persica crossed the library relying on the light of the candlestick.

Entry is not allowed during permitted times, and it is strictly prohibited to enter with a fire as it is vulnerable to fire.

But naturally, ignoring all of those rules... Persica relied on the ring’s magic to move between the bookshelves of the library.

His closest associate, Knight Commander Dylux, was guarding the entrance to the library under instructions from the Princess of Persica.

The instructions were to not let anyone in and to give an appropriate explanation to whoever came and send them away.

It was an unwelcome order, but Dylux did as she instructed and stood quietly guarding the entrance.

Since you have a trustworthy gatekeeper, there is nothing to worry about.

The place where Persica arrived, drawn by Lindon’s ring, was a bookshelf that took a long way to reach the corner of the huge library.

It was a separate shelf that collected books whose classification was ambiguous or whose contents were difficult to discern. Due to its nature, few people visit, so it was gathered in the most deserted corner of the library.

When I made my way through the forest-like row of books and reached the innermost bookshelf... Lindon’s ring began to glow.

“...”

Persica gulped and swallowed dry saliva.

The hand holding the candlestick seems to tremble slightly. My heart was pounding too.

As I keep the ring on my hand and watch it, brilliance flows out from the bookshelf in the corner.

-Cugunggung, coogung, boom...!

It feels like light is being sucked into a single point. For a moment, I felt like the scenery was whirling.

With a small vibration, magical power was focused towards the corner bookshelf, and for a moment, I closed my eyes and opened them, and before I knew it, the bookshelf had disappeared.

The bookshelf itself was a trick.

And on the wall behind the missing bookshelf, there was a staircase leading to the basement. Persica’s heart started pounding.

The secret laboratory of Sylvania, a great sage who left her name in history.

A top secret space that is designed to prevent anyone from entering without the crown prince’s ring.

And the cause that drove the universally respected Prince Lindon crazy.

Persica started to feel scared.

Is it really right to go down those stairs from here?

Now that we know the existence of the lab, wouldn’t it be better to just check this far and then go back... and report it to Emperor Cloel when he returns?

That thought occurred to me, but I quickly shook my head to dismiss the useless thought.

I didn’t know what was under that laboratory, but it was clear that there was at least something hidden that would have a tremendous impact on the empire.

I got the opportunity to be among the first to access it. It was an opportunity that came only to Persica in this wide world.

Thinking about Lindon’s condition, I started to feel scared... but it wouldn’t be a good idea to get scared and run away.

After all, it is a laboratory that is several hundred years old. It’s not like I’m going to check on something dangerous.

Princess Persica slowly went down the stairs.

It’s amazing to follow the stairs that extend straight down into the darkness. How did they create such an underground space without anyone noticing?

In fact, if they were the great sage Sylvania, they would be able to do that easily.

With that in mind, I reached the end of the underground space and a large wooden door was revealed.

I gently pulled the door handle and it seemed like I could go inside.

Persica swallowed dry saliva once again and slowly pushed the door.

– Whaaah!

Princess Persica was so startled for a moment that she almost closed her eyes.

This is because lights began to flash inside the laboratory in response to the door being opened.

Is it true that the magical engineering supplies made by the great sage continue to function properly even after such a long period of time?

The process by which the interior of the lab brightens in response to people entering is fascinating.

The magical torch hanging along the outer wall illuminates the interior of the laboratory.

“This... this...”

It’s not such a great sight.

It feels warmer than I thought. The space that runs along the wooden wall is wide when wide and narrow when narrow.

It is about the size of a private laboratory for scholars within the imperial family. And the various research tables were piled high with documents, books, and research logs that appeared to have been written by Great Sage Sylvania herself.

The blackboard on one side is filled with writing that seems to summarize various theories and their verification processes.

And... a crystal ball was carefully stored in the center of the laboratory.

Persica did not relax and moved forward slowly.

All of Great Sage Sylvania’s research records are regarded as precious human treasures, and every single type is subject to research and analysis.

The fact that such research records are piled up like this... for academics, it must be a more fascinating sight than a pile of gold and silver treasures.

As Persica is also interested in academics, she knows very well what an amazing space this lab is.

Damaging anything can lead to great loss to humanity. Therefore, I slowly walked across the lab and headed towards the crystal ball that was carefully stored in the center.

The identity of the crystal ball... Persica also knows well. It is a ‘recording tool’ often used among scholars.

It is close to a medium that stores the knowledge system one has organized so that it can be easily remembered later... but the recording efficiency is very poor, the price is high, and the difficulty of use is high, so it is not that versatile.

At Sylvania level, it could be used as a recording medium, but since it is difficult to contain all that vast knowledge, it would be better to use paper and quill.

In fact, Sylvania left most of her research records and processes in the form of documents or books.

At that moment, everyone was looking at the fireworks blooming brightly in the sky.

Dyke Elphelan was sitting alone in the combat training center, covered in bandages.

Tracyana Bloomriver has just arrived at the student plaza and has taken off her robe.

Anise Heylan was leaving the Trix Building holding a bunch of documents.

Professor Kallade is drunk and rolling around on the street, and Assistant Professor Claire somehow helps him up.

Vice Principal Rachel sits alone in her office at the Trix Building and quietly looks at the fireworks outside the window.

Many other students and faculty looked up at the fireworks emitting soft light from their respective positions.

At this moment, I felt peaceful and at ease... I had a strange feeling that I could forget all the sadness of Sepa for a while.

It is also called the magical power of the festival.

Because peace blooms most splendidly when we are least conscious of it.

What made me conscious of it again was the time of this festival, when everyone was laughing, chatting, eating, and drinking.

Ed Rosstaylor, who was sitting in the student plaza, also looks up at the sky.

He is a man who knows the value of peace more than anyone else.

That’s why I was able to quietly close my eyes... and quietly surrender myself to the heat of the festival.

If you don’t decide to feel it with your eyes closed, you won’t feel it.

That’s what peace was.

– Hwaaaaaaaaa!

The water rose like a huge pillar. The people watching the scene momentarily did not even understand what they were seeing.

-Too-doo-doo-duk!

The rising sea water pours down as rain, and only then do the feet of a giant reptile appear.

The location was right next to the Maxes Bridge.

This bridge served as the only land route connecting Aken Island and the continent for decades. Since the trade route of Aken Island itself is connected to the Margrave of Zahoor, which is right next to it, the land route rather than the sea route was the main means of transportation for logistics.

Thanks to this, the Maxes Bridge was a major transportation hub for Aken Island and served as a de facto gateway.

Although there is a dock, it is not large enough for large sailing ships to come and go, and the population of Aken Island was not large enough to use sailing ships of that size in the first place.

The huge feet that popped up through the sea water right next to the Maxes Bridge... had the shape of a reptile, but the surface was covered with huge scales.

Feet made of light with a dark red tone, like the darkness of the night. It has an ominous appearance just by looking at it, but ironically, it glows softly by catching the fireworks that decorate the night sky.

Merchants near Maxes Bridge screamed at the sudden situation. What is the identity of that strange-looking bridge?

Before I could even answer that question──

– Kwaang!!!!!

In a single blow...

the Maxeth Bridge, which had a long history with Aken Island, collapsed like a toy.

*- Quagang! widely!

“Wow...! Phew..”

“Princess Fe Persica...? What’s going on? Why are you doing this! “Princess Persica!”

“Knight Commander Dylux...!”

The Princess of Persica, who opened the library door and came out, was dripping with cold sweat. It seemed like it was difficult to even straighten up right away.

As soon as she came out into the hallway, the Princess of Persica, who had lost all strength in her body, was quickly supported by Knight Commander Dylux.

“Right now... summon all available troops...! Regardless of their affiliation, they are all soldiers under the imperial family who have combat skills! “Not a single person is left behind...!”

A man I met at Cleric’s Monastery.

A story told by Ed Rosstaylor came to mind.

If necessary, please be sure to mobilize soldiers to Aken Island.

Is it a simple coincidence or the result of some kind of necessity? There was no need to judge it at this point... but

what is certain is that it was too exquisite to be a coincidence. Ed Rosstaylor must have known something. Maybe it has something to do with the future trends observed by Sylvania.

“What are you talking about? Princess of Persica! The authority to command soldiers...!”

“Because Abama is not present and neither Selaha nor Fenia are present... I have the authority now...!”

“You cannot claim command of the army simply because you are away... If you are found to have done this on your own...”

“Dylux. I’ll take responsibility for everything, so just do as I’m told...! If I’m responsible, I’ll take responsibility for everything, and if I end up resigning because I overstepped my authority, I won’t say anything...! So this time, follow my instructions! Right Now! “Do not delay!”

“Princess Persica... If you do this wrong, it could be seen as an act of defiance of the imperial authority... Not all soldiers will follow...” “

Then gather all the soldiers who will follow! Not a single person is left behind! Collect everything...! “I will face either exile or abdication... Didn’t I just say that!”

Persica, despite breaking out in a cold sweat, somehow managed to keep herself together with Dylux’s assistance.

“Assemble as many soldiers as possible! Right Now...! Let’s go to Aken Island right now!”

*- Kuung

Amid the sound of firecrackers decorating the sky of Aken Island, something that sounded like a huge explosion was heard.

Thinking it was just the sound of firecrackers, they ignored it, but soon a small earthquake struck the royal residence where Emperor Cloel and Princess Fenia were sitting.

– Kugoogung Kugugoong...

Emperor Cloel and Fenia, who were chatting in the reception room, grasped the handle of the sofa tightly due to the sudden tremor of the earth. I had to sit like that for a while.

“This is... Ugh...”

“Are you hurt anywhere, Abama?”

“Yeah, it’s okay. But... it’s no big deal. “How could it be that there was an earthquake on such an auspicious day...”

Emperor Cloel, who had calmed down for a moment, breathed a sigh of relief.

And he was about to call a random employee to check if there was any other damage in the royal residence.

– Boom!

At that time, the person who burst through the door... was Princess Fenia’s bodyguard, Claire.

“Lord Claire..?”

How dare you so rudely open the room where the royal family is in? Depending on the case, it wouldn’t be surprising if it led to disciplinary action, but Claire’s expression was so urgent that I couldn’t bear to point it out.

Both Fenia and Emperor Chloe’s faces could not help but harden at Claire’s subsequent report.

“Your Majesty... this has just been reported... but the Maxeth Bridge, the only land route to the outside of Aken Island, has collapsed. It is said that the bridge for the logistics passage installed underneath also collapsed in the aftermath.”

“what...?”

Aken Island, where numerous powers are located in their respective locations, is now crowded with more people than ever before. It is not a crowd that a few small boats can handle.

It was not easy for so many people to get off the island without a land route.

I couldn’t help but sense that something was happening on Aken Island.