Per Warlord Rex’s order, the maid led us through the corridors of Aragon Palace. The space wasn't fancy, just some empty tables and chairs along the sides, window panes, and multiple rooms. The palace's immense size piqued my interest, causing a question to form: what else could be hidden within? That sentence alone led to a thought that had me slapping my face in shame. Such a grand palace must have an extensive library filled with books and knowledge. Gaining access to the library was a must.

“Excuse me.”

The maid halted her footsteps and performed a bow. “May I inquire if something is amiss?”

“I'd like to see the library before we go to my quarters. I'm interested in reading some books you got there.”

Her shoulders flinched as she glanced sideways. "Excuse me, but Master Rex has not authorized your entry into the library.”

“Really? Do I have to get verbal permission from him? I thought it was obvious that I can go wherever I please in this place.”

“I apologize, but you need permission from the mast-“

Standing over the bowing maid, I stopped her words short. “Is this how a mere maid acts toward a guest of Master Rex? It’s not like I’m trying to access his treasury or something. What would your master think of your actions?”

“I-I would like to apologize for my rudeness! With great haste, this lowly maid shall take you to the library!”

Overcome by a noticeable tremor, the maid abruptly pivoted on her heels and hastened her pace. Sol and I shared a glance and smirked, following her. The three of us moved silently through the palace, navigating a labyrinth of twists and turns. Following a brief period of silence and a couple of yawns, the maid escorted us to a set of expansive doors. She came to a stop next to the structure and gestured towards it.

“This here is Aragon Palace Library. It comprises the accumulation of Arago's opulent history, including its past rulers and notable literary works by prominent demons across the continent. It has been consistently maintained for several decades. Warlord Rex prefers that the library be kept clean and maintained in a top-notch condition.”

The maid turned and pushed the doors open. “Enter at your leisure.”

Without hesitation, I stepped into the library, and as if on cue, the doors closed behind me, leaving me in solitude. I paused and embraced the stillness, taking a moment to survey my surroundings with my gaze sweeping across the expanse of the room. The first thing that greeted my senses was the familiar scent that wafted through the air, reminiscent of aged parchment and the distinct aroma of knowledge that only a library could possess.

To my surprise, the library appeared smaller than I had expected, resembling more the size of a high school band room rather than the grandiose chambers of knowledge I had envisioned. The first area was arranged in a circular layout, its perimeter adorned with shelves that sagged under the weight of leather-bound books and ancient scrolls. Nestled within this circular space, I noticed a spherical chair and a plush velvet chair.

Beyond the circular area, a long corridor stretched out before me, lined with alcoves and bookshelves that seemed to go on endlessly. The shelves were meticulously organized, displaying an impressive collection of literary treasures. A vibrant red carpet, devoid of any blemishes, adorned the length of the corridor, leading my gaze towards its distant end.

“Sol, I got a question for you. Can you read?”

The dragon blinked at me slowly.

“Just making sure. You know what to look for, right?”

Sol raced through the corridor and stopped at the far end. Employing her mouth, she seized a bin of scrolls on the lower shelf. Her tail swished as she unfurled the scroll and began to read its contents. As she was doing her own thing, I strolled to the nearest shelf and pulled a leather-bound book. The cover was dusty and had scratches. Using a gentle blow, I removed a layer of dust and proceeded towards the table, revealing its contents.

I had to gain entry into the library by any means necessary to obtain information. The same procedure applied in the First Stage must be replicated in the Second Stage. If one is presented with the chance to enhance their comprehension of how the world works, they should take advantage of it. In a world where danger lurked in every corner, knowing is only half of the battle. My time in Athens has really made me see things differently - things that I was blind to for so long that I could only be angry at my foolishness.

The words of the Grand Elder echoed in my mind as I stood there in the library, reflecting on the saying she had repeated countless times during my time in South Osmen. “The ignorant are one of the first to die, and the wise and powerful survive till the end.” It was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of the world we lived in.

Isaac and I belonged to the category of the ignorant, at least in comparison to those we had encountered on our journey. We were ordinary individuals, lacking the extensive knowledge and exceptional abilities possessed by others. However, our survival thus far could be attributed to the fact that we were fortunate enough to be surrounded by individuals who could be considered wise or powerful. They had guided us, protected us, and shared their expertise, allowing us to navigate through the perils we faced.

The saying served as a constant reminder of the importance of knowledge, wisdom, and strength in the face of adversity. In a world filled with dangers and uncertainties, it was clear that ignorance was a liability that could lead to one’s downfall.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Let’s see here…”

As I settled in, I began my reading. I had been fortunate enough to find a library that potentially contained information about the Demonic Continent. The pupils and Tisha provided me with incomplete information about the place, mentioning only the existence of terrifying beasts and challenging conditions. So far, I had not encountered any scary beasts or perilous conditions in the First or Second Stage. Maybe my body had become resilient to the effects. Individuals with weaker constitutions may be susceptible to hazardous conditions. That could change in the future stages, though.

My mind wandered as I scanned the pages in front of me. The first book I had chosen at random did not contain the information I had wanted to read. It possessed information about some Warlord named Ciar who was the third ruler of Arago. He was a demon who had engaged in combat with a platoon of one hundred men single-handedly and emerged victorious, despite suffering various injuries, ultimately succumbing to them a month later. Essentially, it was a biographical account of his life. I skimmed through the end but found nothing noteworthy, so I left it on the table and grabbed another book.

It was another biography, yet it was information about the first ruler of Arago, Warlord Rikar. According to the book, he was a crafty and merciless ruler who was highly respected in his time. He was the pioneer to lay claim to the land in Talik Gorge and established a settlement near a thriving forest brimming with diverse wildlife. Warlord Rikar was responsible for naming the place the Wandering Woodlands, owing to the presence of creatures from all over Talik Gorge. Subsequently, a lengthy list of his achievements was presented, which included the beginning of Arago's construction, among other things. I wasn’t interested in that kind of stuff, so I just scowled and skimmed further.

However, just as I was about to throw the book away, I caught a piece of information that had me stop dead in my tracks. It included a brief section that recounted Warlord Rikar's journey in the northern region of the Demonic Continent. Apparently, the north is where most of the big shot factions like the Demonic Dojo reside in. Those who seek to attain mastery in martial arts set forth to these lands- a place of towering mountains that are insurmountable for the common mortal. Upon reaching the summit, they would provide these demons with an opportunity to exhibit their abilities to said factions.

In his formative years, before the inception of Arago, Warlord Rikar achieved triumph and garnered the interest of a specific group, namely the Disciples of War. There was a limited amount of information provided about the faction, probably to protect its martial arts and secrets. Nevertheless, the demon had penetrated and advanced within its ranks. The Disciples of War practiced techniques closely related to war deities. The rankings mirrored the order of the deities, with lower disciples, middle disciples, and upper disciples. It took Warlord Rikar 20 years to become an upper disciple and a Second-Rank warrior of the master stage.

Interestingly enough, the book stated that Warlord Rikar had been banished from the Disciples of War and became a wanted man. The reason for that was because he stole some important secrets that only the elders of the faction had access to, like techniques, scrolls, and some weird medicine that increases Qi levels. Those same items he had gained from the faction had been passed down for generations.

“If they have passed it down for generations, then there’s a chance it may be here. If not, it’s probably in Warlord Rex’s treasury. I mean, that’s where I would put important stuff…”

With a soft sigh escaping my lips, I closed the book before me and leaned back, my gaze drifting upward to the expanse of the ceiling. A sense of dazed contemplation washed over me as I mulled over the words Tisha had spoken. According to her, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts held the promise of attaining power on par with the gods themselves. The very thought of obtaining these revered techniques and sacred scrolls ignited a spark of hope within me, fueling my resolve to confront and overcome the Pillars that threatened Earth.

However, Tisha had also imparted the crucial understanding that the path to the Supreme Realm would demand the relinquishment of all negative emotions and energy. Embarking on such a profound journey would be arduous and lengthy, a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who sought to defy the very gods themselves.

“I’ll need to sneak into his treasury before the seven days are up…”

Just as I was about to rise and grab another book, I heard scuffling behind me. Turning, I saw Sol ambling toward the table with two books stacked on her back. One of them had a red cover while the other was pitch black.

My lips curved into a smile while I took hold of the books. “Good work, Sol. Come, rest on my lap.”

Sol wasted no time in responding to my invitation, launching herself forward with a flurry of fluttering wings and a joyous wag of her tail. Landing gracefully onto my open lap, she nestled herself snugly against my chest, seeking the comfort of our closeness. As my hand gently caressed the top of her head, I marveled at how much the dragon had grown in just a week’s time.

No longer a small and fragile creature, she now possessed the size and weight comparable to that of a large dog. Her once-stubby horns had elongated, lending her an air of majestic presence. The quality of her scales had become more pronounced, shimmering with an otherworldly radiance. And as I gazed into her eyes, I couldn’t help but notice the sharpness and length of her teeth. Sol had outgrown the ability to perch on my shoulders as she had in the past, now preferring to explore the world on her own four paws. Although our moments of proximity were briefer now, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the times when she was always near my face.

While Sol and I were occupied, my ears detected swift movements from beyond the door. A few moments later, they burst open. The same maid from before was panting as she slouched over.

“E-Esteemed guest, I have terrible news! The Liberators had begun their assault! Warlord Rex had ordered me to call for you…”

I stood up abruptly as panic settled within me. “Already?! A day hadn’t even passed yet!”

Sol ascended to the top of the table.

“Fishy or not, we have to do something, anyway. Go to Warlord Rex and tell him I’ll be right there.”

The maid cast a fleeting glance at the books spread across the table, acknowledging them with a nod before hastily exiting the room. As soon as I confirmed her departure, I reached for the dimensional pouch secured at my hips, my fingers fumbling slightly. Carefully, I tucked the red and black books into the pouch, ensuring their safekeeping within its mystical confines. I wandered over to a haphazard stack of scrolls and slipped three of them into my pockets, their valuable contents now hidden away from prying eyes. Content with the items I had acquired, I deftly tied the string of the pouch.

“Alright, that’s done. We have one last destination before we go help the Marauders.”

“Yep. We don’t have any time to waste. Let’s go.”