Volume 7 - CH 3

Chapter 3 – Castle Library and Butler Kamaran

Eto contacted Kamaran, Margrave’s butler, and made an appointment to have the butler take him to the library. He also told his party members to do something on their own for a while because he wanted to do some research in the castle library.

It seems they will be taking a job in the guild with Kohaku as the leader today. Just in case, Eto also gave a letter of authorization and a letter explaining that they’re allowed to work to Kohaku, so if the guild staff feel suspicious of them, they can deal with it by showing those letters.

If the Empire really was involved in the bombing of the Great Frederick Bridge, it is possible that they were also behind the siege at the southern fort triggered by the former Acting Lord. That is why Eto wanted to collect as much information as possible on the Empire.

Upon arriving at the Margrave’s castle, Eto was immediately greeted by Kamaran and headed straight for the library. Kamaran also handed him a permit to use the library. It seems that the permit will allow Eto to use the library when he can’t contact Kamaran.

That actually made Eto quite surprised about the safety standard for that castle. He’s never heard of an adventurer being able to come to the library in the deepest part of the castle without any special inspection.

However, it seems that the permit was exclusive to Eto and was signed by the Margrave himself. According to Kamaran, the permit also has no expiration date, so he can use it forever.

“Kamaran-san, I don’t think I can receive this much special treatment. There is no way I can take this permit lightly.”

Eto tried to give the permit back, but Kamaran refused to take it.

“Eto-sama, please take that permit. I will be scolded if Eto-sama doesn’t take it because I’m told by Stainbolt-sama to make it easier for Eto-sama to enter the library.”

Even if the opponent is Margrave, Eto doesn’t think this butler is a person who can be scolded easily. However, if the person himself said that, Eto couldn’t say anything about it.

Eto wondered what he should do. The reward he received when he returned the key last night was already exceptional. Of course, Eto has no intention to negotiate with a noble, but he thought receiving that much treatment is pretty scary for later.

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Watching the hesitating Eto, Kamaran smiled.

“Eto-sama, I do think that Stainbolt-sama has some thoughts. But today, could you please believe this Kamaran and receive that permit?”

“… alright. But, I’ll give it back when I am done. Can you accept that?”

“Yes, I’ll take care of it at that time.”

After interacting with Kamaran, Eto was finally able to enter the library.

Immediately after entering the library, Eto saw large wooden tables were lined up, and bookshelves were installed around them. There is a short staircase in the back leading to a higher floor, and bookshelves were also lined up at regular intervals there. Every bookshelf was packed with books. Even at first glance, Eto can see that there is a considerable collection of books there. Light magic tools illuminating the room brightly, and some of the windows that are used to transmit light were colorful stained glasses.

Eto intended to find out about the history between the Kingdom and the Empire, but he suddenly thought to look for a book about a magic circle that had the magic detonation formula used by the Empire written on it. Because up until now, he never thoroughly investigated the detonation formula.

Kamaran, who even went into the library with him, then asked about what kind of books he needed. And as soon as Eto said that he wanted to read a book about the detonation formula, Kamaran said he would immediately bring some. That made Eto think once again about how good of a butler Kamaran is, as he even remembered the arrangements of books in the library. Kamaran recommended three books to Eto, 『Empire’s Magic and Magic Circles』, 『The Mechanism of Detonation Formula』, and 『Magic Circles Used On The Battlefield』.

This time, as Eto didn’t really need that deep of a knowledge, he roughly browsed through the three books. Apparently, although the Kingdom already knows the shape of the magic circle used by the Empire, they still don’t know the materials and magic power control required to draw the magic circle.

Because in the end, it is a matter of efficiency and specialized knowledge about that, such as what kind of material is used in what combination, and what kind of technique is used when creating the magic circle, and also how much magic power should be put in when drawing the magic circle. Without the accumulation of such knowledge and experience, only a deteriorated version of the magic circle can be made, and the performance will significantly differ from that of the Empire.

It will be fatal in a war if the performance of weapons used in a war is clearly lower than that of the enemy. In that case, it is better to look for another way to deal with enemy weapons. And the option that the Kingdom chose was to train their magicians. In terms of quality and quantity of magicians, the Kingdom is far superior to the Empire, and that became a deterrent to war.

Looking at the years the books were published, Eto found that all the books were written more than ten years ago.

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“Excuse me, Kamaran-san, is there a newer book about detonation formulas?”

“There is, but I don’t think it is worth reading. Because research on detonation formulas in the Kingdom has almost stopped around that point.”

“Eh, so it was like that. Hmmm, then if Kamaran-san knows, I’d like to ask something. Is there any research on how to release the detonation formula once it has been set up?”

“It seems there is indeed such research. But as far as I know, I haven’t heard of any remarkable results.”

“I see. Hmmm, what should I do.”

Eto ended up in a deep thought. He never thought that the Kingdom was this guardless against the detonation formula. Perhaps there is research about that going on in secret, but it would have been the same if Eto couldn’t get that knowledge. Because, after experiencing the explosion of the Great Frederick Bridge, Eto wanted to have some means to counter that detonation formula.

“I guess I’ll stop asking about the detonation formula for now. I’ll bring the book back to the shelf.”

“Please let me. Is there anything else you would like to find out?”

“I would like to read a book that gives a good understanding about the history between the Kingdom and the Empire, which is my original purpose for coming here. And since I wasn’t educated from an early age like nobles, I’d like a history book for beginners. Do you have any recommendations?”

“Please wait for a bit.”

Kamaran once again selected three books in a short time: 『History of The Carmine Kingdom』, 『History of the Middle Ages』, and 『History of War of The Carmine Kingdom』. Looking at the speed of Kamaran’s work, Eto once again thought that an occupation called butlers are amazing. However, looking at Kamaran, who sat next to him showing no openings to attack at all while smiling, Eto began to think that this person might be a special one even among butlers. In any case, Eto, who didn’t know what a butler was, couldn’t reach an answer.