- Day 14 -

The Library

With Katharine in tow, we leave the house, heading through the winding paths of the merchant back alleys at an almost snail's pace. We make idle small talk as we go, about the Catacombs, her father and that fearsome Rakshaw.

I had planned to spend most of the day with my nose in books at the library and I would be lying if I said I hadn't been looking forward to doing just that. Wandering around aimlessly and chatting mindlessly with Katharine however, is enjoyable too so I can't really complain and besides, I'll have all afternoon to read--

"Have you heard about Lady Babel? Some of Father's forces survived the ambush and returned with her, over five-thousand Knights in fact.”

That's only a third of what I remember being sent though it’s certainly not a small number.

“That’s good news--”

“Isn’t it? She's to be given a medal at an award ceremony held by the King himself."

"...How does your father feel about it?"

"Gladdened. Father was very concerned about Lady Babel as she was at the troops front when the ambush unfolded while he was in the middle. Father didn’t see a way to regroup with her so he sounded a retreat. I’m sure it would have gone differently had they managed to meet up!"

Katharine says with certain fire in her eyes, but admittedly, I'm not so sure about that...

Alexander does have some unique tactical skills for powering up nearby allies from what I remember, but I can't see them being put to good use combined with a sorceress spells... Saying that though, I've never met Babel so I have no take on her abilities, but a good ambush is nearly impossible to force back after all.

"When Father ordered the retreat, Lady Babel said she took the knights through the Ape Woods while Father turned face and charged through the enemy."

...So what you're actually saying is Babel used Alexander's headstrong tactic as a diversion. I'll give Babel points for cleverness and extra points for managing to rewrite the narrative. Plainly though, something feels off here. I'll have to be careful of her.

"Hmm. I'll have to speak to your Father about it--"

"Ah, then come for dinner tonight! Father also wanted to speak with you, so it's a perfect time!"

She says with child-like excitement. I can't help but get swept along with a chuckle.

"Very well... So, tell me about your new assignment. Did you get into the enforcement squad?"

"Judicial enforcement division? Most call it JED you know but... I'm hoping so. Truthfully, I don't know what my new assignment is just yet so I'm a little anxious..."

"They'd be insane not to take you Katharine. You have both the skills and motivation, though personally, I'd prefer you close by..."

She stops suddenly; the sun angled directly behind her, preventing me from clearly seeing her face. Eventually, I realise what I've said, and while I technically meant for training and teamwork before the expedition, I'm okay with it being interpreted that way as well. I'll play ignorant to it though.

"Is something wrong?"

"N-No... Sorry, I--"

She moves out from the suns gaze long enough for me to catch a glimpse of her etched face before she passes in front of me, clearing her throat.

"--Shall we?"

Katharine takes the lead now with a brisker pace than before. As we continue through the back alleys in a cheerful silence, occasionally sharing a glace and humourous smile before eventually coming to the Artisan section of the merchants quarter.

I know that both the Merchants and Craftsmen's guilds are around here but I'll visit William and David another day. Especially William, I have plans for him after all.

Instead, Katharine and I walk towards the Castle area for a while before she finally speaks once more.

"It's almost noon... I should head on to the Garrison now... The library is down that road, not too far... Will I see you tonight for dinner?"

She asks while centrally clasping her hands downward. The motion has the likely unintended effect of pushing her breasts out as a focal point. I won't complain, but I find it hard to stop my eyes drifting.

"Looking forward to it."

I wave as we part and instead, head back the way we came towards the merchants quarter once more. I want to run my little mission of mercy first before heading onwards to the library. Emily is practically family after all so I want to get her something for the pain and something sweet as I'll likely forget if I leave it to later.

Luckily, I didn't have to look very far for either item with honey sticks being for sale on a small wooden cart slightly past the Artisans area and the painkiller being sold at a small general store with a blue sign.

A little side bonus of this trip has netted me three items I've been begging for!

A beautifully large bar of scented lard! ...Or more commonly referred to as soap I guess... Glorious, glorious soap!

*Ahem*

There's also a coarse bit of fabric I can use as a flannel and various types of shampoo!

There's also a whole section of various bathroom products here including more of those damned scented bath oils.

I decided to inquire about them with the shop lady, and it seems they're most popular with nobles rather than the common folk. She doesn't really sell many of them here all that often... I get the feeling Kate is responsible for me never having soap until now!

It also turns out that the three stones beside the bath that I had been ignoring this entire time thinking they had fallen from the skylight are actually for scraping the oil from your skin after the bath. The stones are perfect for exfoliation apparently... It does explain why I never felt clean I guess.

Returning to the task at hand, I located a painkiller with the help of the clerk.

The opioids come in small square paper packets, and AE labels them as "Poppi". The names too coincidental to not be related to the little red flower but that doesn't matter. I bought eight of them for a silver each, and you mix them with a full glass of water for six hours of relief.

The soap was surprisingly only four copper each, so I bought ten, a bargain at five times the price truthfully. While the fabric and shampoo together cost another silver.

The clerk lady was surprised when I didn't try and haggle the price with her, and she must have thought I looked helpless as she outright told me to be careful not to get ripped off in the future...

I understand the need for haggling on high ticket items but items under a silver? ...I'll take the advice to heart regardless. In all honesty though, the value of items to currency is hard to grasp.

- Silver King Coin x15 -

- Copper King Coin x2 -

*blink*

*Zip*

Anyway, with the goods procured and my pockets stuffed with various bars of soap, I warp back to the road where I left Katharine before continuing on at a regular pace down the road she previously gestured at before reaching my original destination.

The library looks to be located in the lesser noble sector of the city and it's probably the tallest building I've come to yet. It’s at least two stories higher than the magistrates building and three times wider. I think its location is why I never spotted it from the road into the Capital as it's quite well hidden.

It's designed similarly to the magistrates building with the now typical Sinki architecture. The only unique thing of note aside the size of the building is the sign above the door.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

-- "Pakatauum rocat ta."

'Knowledge is wealth' I believe... in Aslogain. Wild theories with no factual basis are plentiful with me right now, this one can wait.

Entering the library, it was as much as I expected it to be with wall to wall books in grand old bookcases.

I will say it's far more modern than I thought it would be, with a minimalistic design and bright clusters of Lumi stones hanging from the ceiling in glass bowls. The excessive light sources making it almost impossible for a shadow to form anywhere in the room. It kind of reminds me of an art gallery--

Mm. Regardless of whether you enjoy reading or not, you have to admit the smell of books is superb.

...There doesn’t appear to be a reception area or index to look through… No map either now I mention it and no people to ask? ...I guess I just take a look around? Maybe I'll stumble across the historian.

I continued to wander around the various floors while hoping to find the historian Alexander talked of when I first arrived in the Capital. While I did see an office filled to the brink with various scrolls, the whole library appears completely devoid of people.

Feeling like I would be wasting my time to continue searching, I take to browsing the shelves instead to see if anything captures my eye, leaving my mind to wander as I search…

It strikes me as odd that no one stopped me wandering about the library. There's obviously a lot of valuable texts and history here so you would expect the library to be only open to scholars of the city and such.

...It's almost like the state encourages learning and believes knowledge should be free to everyone and yet the populace doesn't value learning at all?

I guess it doesn't put food on the table like farming the soil or labouring…

I stop in front of a corridor of bookshelves labelled 'H' before proceeding down it. Hopefully 'H' is for historical texts although I know I'm reaching.

...I mean, I say that it doesn't put food on the table but surely learning how to fertilise the soil for bigger harvests has value to people? ...Or maybe they use magic or alchemical powders for that...

Hmm, these three look interesting.

If they don't use alchemical powders, perhaps I should look into making something like that. A type of enhanced fertiliser... It certainly warrants looking into anyway.

With the books stacked and collected, I head back to the main entrance of the Library where a number of tables reside.

So, let's see here....

The first book is a bestiary of known creatures and their migratory patterns as recorded in the third 'Green' Era around Firian Canyon. My Sinki history is pretty much non-existent but I remember Emily saying something awhile back and thinking on it, I believe we're in the fourth 'Yellow' Era right now. The celestial calendar is based on the colours of a rainbow and in the same order too. There are 100 years between each era so,

Red -> Orange -> Yellow -> Green -> Blue -> Indigo -> Violet

Six-hundred or so odd years ago then... Strange, this book doesn't look that old, am I getting something wrong? Perhaps this is a reprint... ..This is normally when you'd come in AE?

[** Stasis Field in effect **]

[** Books inside the library return to their original state every night **]

That's... insane! How does that even work? What about the mana requirements? They must be off the scale... Wait, more importantly, how do they supply the mana?

[** Unknown. Multiple Possibilities exist **]

[** Unknown **]

[** Unknown. Multiple Possibilities exist **]

...Well, whoever created this library believed in protecting the knowledge of this Kingdom, that much is certain. I'll maybe ask Graham or Zero about it as if anyone knows, it'll be one of them.

Going back to the books and they're actually all books about specific areas. There's a lot of monster information given and the number of species listed in each is extensive. The books primarily talks about the landscapes, habitats and migratory patterns of listed species. There isn't really anything in these that is worth knowing unless you're actually heading to any of the areas they reference but don't get me wrong, I've still taken some mental notes--

[** Bestiary added to menu system **]

[** Added system for obtained knowledge **]

Seriously? I guess it makes sense, what role-playing game would be complete without a Bestiary.

Hmm, Ziucraw--

[** Displaying Ziucraw **]

Name: Ziucraw

Race: Arachnid

Sub-Race: Solid

Normally found in:

  - Firian Canyon,

  - Els Cave, Sub

Average Level: 39

Element:

  - Fire [Minor]

Weakness:

  - Water [Major]

Error 804.

- Relay missing -

Graphics Needed...

Description:

A rare carnivorous arachnid that primarily preys on nearby minor Emberhoods and Mornlings. If prey is hard found, Ziucraw's will risk larger game but only as a last resort. It's front 2 of 8 legs are more like spears and are the Ziucraw's primary weapon. Ziucraw Vemon is not life-threatening but is a paralytic.

Weakpoint: Joint between the head and main body

This is... amazing. An animated 3D hologram of the Ziucraw is displayed in light-blue light with the above information in a message box beside it.

This will be very useful AE. I assume just seeing the monster isn't enough to get information like this?

[** Correct. Study required **]

I thought as much as I remember reading all this just a moment ago but the pictures didn't do this ugly bastard justice... This reminds me. AE, can you show me an interactive map of the continent now?

Without a word, the Bestiary closes and a large, encompassing map pops up, filling most of the room--

[** Map added to menu system **]

Another hologram, this time of the entire continent... Its size is incredible. AE, how large is the planet we're on compared to Earth?

[** 814% Larger **]

...So we have Gods transplanting species from other worlds, the size of the planet, insane volumes of non-sentient species, twelve sentient species. That 'Gaia' theory springs to mind…

Going back to the map, it's kind of hard to figure the scale. AE, can you zoom in to Sinki?

[** Adjusting **]

The map disappears for a moment before redrawing slowly with the Capital in centre focus. Sinki Kingdom isn't as large as I first thought... comparatively to the other Kingdoms I mean. Not to say the Kingdom is small, it's not. AE, what's the size of Sinki's landmass?

[** Sixty-three thousand square miles **]

Looking at the map, I can see the topography of areas with Amaki, Haris, Aslogia and the cliff locations all visible with pins. I can't help but notice these are the only locations listed AE.

[** Accessing... **]

[** Displaying **]

I half expected that to get blocked.

Various caves, a number of towns and cities, three highways all leading to the Capital, mountains to the north...

Zooming out, I can see the Desert Elves are south of Requis. Highland Dwarfs are South-East of Valis sharing a border with the Elves, so it's likely they have diplomatic relations…

...Well, enough of this distraction. I came here to read after all!

AE, is it possible to pick up the contents of the books on this floor like you did with Zero's Library?

[** Negative. Wave disruption in affect **]

Must be that stasis field you mentioned earlier. Oh well…

I spend the next few hours trying to get my head around the organisation system at play here and skim read various books while at it. It took me a while but I now understand roughly how the system in this library works. It's actually pretty simple once you wrap your head around it.

The first floor is all histories. History of Sinki, other kingdoms, dynasties, divine events and so on. History texts period. They're all organised alphabetically based on the location they reference and I found texts referencing events in various cities inside the kingdom. I decided to pull them out and stack them on a nearby desk for reading later.

The second floor looked to be texts on various policies and genealogy of noble lineages so I pretty much moved on immediately once I figured that out.

The third is where I obtained the Bestiary and the books here are of various locations around the country. They all contain detailed information on the specific area and the wildlife that resides there. I found a couple of interesting places that I should visit at some point for various resource collections but one place stood out more than the rest. It's five days by carriage north, a mountainous region with a cave that contains something called Silen Crystals. I'm interested in them because the text mentions that the crystals apparently become hot when exposed to water. That type of exothermic reaction could potentially have a lot of uses depending on how extreme it is and such…

The fourth floor was seemingly an artistic floor with nothing of scholarly note. Poems, songs and various writings that hold no value to me right now.

There's still another three floors to look through but I need to prioritise my time, after all, I have dinner with Alexander and Katharine tonight so I can't be here until the early hours.

Rather than continuing up the remaining floors and skim reading the odd book, I decided instead to head back to the first floor and read the historical texts lifted out earlier.

I proceeded to read the lifted books before going back and lifting more again. The more of them I read, the more I notice that there appears to be no recorded history for the past 100 or so years and even more frustrating is that I can't find anything at all on the Lybian war. It's entirely possible that the information I want resides in one of the other thousand or so books on this floor but without someone more in tune with this organisational system, I'm stuck looking for a needle in a haystack!

I still have some time so I won't give up just yet... Amaki is… or rather was, where the Lybian order resided based on what Graham told me, so perhaps I should focus on historical texts from that area?

I eventually find a book with an obscure reference of a war one-thousand, two-hundred so years ago. They called it 'Andasius's War'. There's still not much in here about it but it talks about how a white dragon and a young boy set out to right a wrong suffered by both the boy and the dragon. If it isn't related to the mosaic in the Garrison's building, it's certainly more than a coincidence.

I'm going to have to come to find out more. It's starting to get late and I better head to Katharine's for dinner...

Andasius…

*Zip*