—ILLITHAR—

With the Librarian waiting at the foot of the door, I turned and went to the children, calling them all to me. As they all gathered, their cheerful little faces staring up at mine, I once more felt doubt in my heart, could I really just leave them all here to go on a mission to Light knows where? As they stood there, unsure of what to do as I was silent, I finally managed to say,

“Children, I... I have something that I must do. I-I have to go somewhere.”

Immediately, the children began to protest, some of them even beginning to cry. Holding back tears of my own, I hugged those that were, patting them on the back as I said,

“Don’t worry, I will be back. But I probably won’t return after a long time, because it’s a very important thing I have to do.”

One of the children in my arms hugged me tightly, crying,

“No, I won’t let you go!”

I smiled, barely holding back the tears as I hugged him back, saying, “I have to go Herun, it’s for you that I do this, it’s for all of you. If I don’t go, your futures will be dark, just like mine was when I was your age. I don’t want that for you, I want you to run free in the forests, to play in the grass, to shout off the top of hills... I want you to have the things I didn’t have as a little girl.”

Herun sniffled.

“But I don’t want that, I want you to stay!”

I smiled as I wiped away the tears off of his face.

“I will come back, then we can run in the forest and play in the grass together.”

“Pinkie-promise?”

I looked at his proffered pinkie and smile again, interlocking my pinkie with his.

“I promise.”

He then shakily let go, saying, “If you break it, I will never brush my teeth again!”

I nodded.

“I will keep my promise Herun.”

I then gave hugs and similar promises to every other child, unwilling to let go of the last one because I knew the moment I stood would be the moment I would have to leave. But, eventually, I managed to release myself from the child’s embrace, saying one last final goodbye, turning my back on them for perhaps the last time. That thought threatened to stop me in my tracks but once more, I managed to conquer it, I will return. The children, I do this for the children, so that they can have a future on land.

“Now then, please, follow me.”

The Librarian turned and walked through a black rectangle which came into existence, disappearing through. I took a deep breath and looked back, seeing the children who waved goodbye. I waved and then I turned and stepped through the gate. For a brief few moments, I felt a cold, a cold I can only imagine that death brings. It was also black, terribly black, black everywhere, I couldn’t see anything. Just as I thought that I was lead to die, I suddenly saw a light before me and I reached out towards it, finding myself outside again, the sunlight was never so warm.

As I rubbed my arms, attempting to bring some warmth to them, I looked around, finding myself to be on... land? I crouched down, the cold forgotten as I cautiously grasped the brown solid in front of me, covered in these little green thing that were full of life.

Seeing my reaction, the Librarian said, “Ah, is it your first time?”

I nodded.

“I was born on the island cities, I saw land from a distance but I... I never actually set foot on it.”

The Librarian said, “Well, take some time to absorb it, we will have to set sail soon.”

“Set sail?”

He nodded.

“To reach the dwarves, it is far faster and safer to go by sea.”

My face fell a bit and he said, “Well, you will have to bear with being on the sea once more, so do take your time. You shouldn’t encounter danger but if you do, just call for me. I must go now, to find Erwin.”

He then left me there, leaving me all alone. But, before I got too worried, I once more focused on the earth in my hand, feeling the slightly damp soil in my fingers. I felt, different here. As if I finally belonged. This was what the children would have if I succeeded and this only hardened my resolve. Sometime later, the Librarian returned with a strangely dressed man, his striking uniform and pale blue eyes. Those eyes focused on me and I quickly bowed my head, standing up and brushing my hands against my habit, unsure of what to do.

The Librarian ignored all of this, saying, “Erwin, this is to be the elven envoy to the dwarves, her name is Illithar. And Illithar, I trust you know Erwin, Light’s Chosen.”

I gasped and deeply bowed, saying, “I-It’s an honor to meet you, oh Champion of Light, please forgive me for not-”

The man interrupted, his voice possessing a slight accent, “No need to be so formal elf, we have places to be so I’d rather we get to the point.”

Surprised, I kept my mouth shut as the Librarian said, “Not one for chatting I see, well, all the same, we must go. Please, do follow me.”

Erwin nodded and left to go somewhere, worried I asked, “Isn’t he joining us?”

The Librarian nodded.

“He’s simply getting something. In the meantime, please come with me.”

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He then began to walk towards the ocean, a platform of stone creating itself under his feet, creating a wide stone bridge for the two of us to walk on. As I followed, tales of the Librarian filled my mind, about the rumors told of him. That he was a god capable of bringing whatever it was you wished to life, as well as possessing an eye which could see into your very soul.

And, there were some who even believed him to be the ancient Archmage Ieros, after all, wasn’t it said that Ieros too had one eye? However, it really was him, why had he chosen now to return, why didn’t he help us before?

My curiosity got the better of me and tentatively, I asked, “Are you Ieros?”

He stopped and turned to face me, his eye shining brightly for a moment before dimming to its usual soft glow.

“What will you pay for that knowledge?”

I wasn’t sure how to reply to that so I kept silent, the Librarian turning away, almost seeming a bit disappointed.

“Well little one, if you wish to be successful in your mission, you must be a bit more decisive. You must be willing to pay a price.”

I could only nod.

“I-I will try.”

He then stopped and said, “Now then, what would you prefer: a large or small ship?”

Surprised by his question, I asked, “Um, what?”

He repeated, “A large or small ship? Which one would you prefer.”

Finally, I said, “Um, a small one?”

He nodded.

“Please, stand back for the moment, I shall begin.”

I was about to ask what it was he was going to begin when I suddenly saw the waves die down, the ocean within a hundred-foot radius becoming as still as a mirror. Amazed, I could only watch with my mouth wide open as in the air, a black tear opened in space and something began to emerge. It was a ship, but a ship unlike any other. The hull appeared to be made entirely out of metal, with no sails in sight. It slowly floated down until it met the water’s surface, not sinking down as I had first thought but amazingly floating.

Was it magic? However, the Librarian didn’t explain, merely creating a ramp of stone up to the ship’s side and walking onto the deck. I could only follow, turning to face the land only to see a strange hulking mass of metal rumble near.

I grabbed at the Librarian’s cloak in fear, saying, “Sir Librarian, there is something approaching!”

He looked at it and then dismissed it, saying, “That is Erwin, there is nothing to fear.”

Confused, I looked back, only to see it drawing even closer. The Librarian just calmly moved out of its path, telling me to do the same. I did so and the great thundering beast of iron made contact with the deck, the ship rocking from side to side but not as much as I would’ve expected.

The thing made its way to the center of the deck, the rumbling sound coming to a stop as it fell still. Clanking noises were heard and suddenly, I saw something open and from within Erwin appeared. I was so terribly confused but none offered any explanation, the Librarian instead heading to the prow as the ship began to move, although I couldn’t see a proper reason for our movement.

Seeing my confused look, Erwin just patted me on the shoulder.

“You’ll get used to it. The Librarian does many things you could scarcely believe, it is best just to accept it.”

I could only nod as he walked off, going to explore the rest of the ship. As for me, I remained on the deck for a bit longer, casting my gaze on the seashore, longing to walk upon it. Then, my eyes turned to the back of the Librarian, his still figure like that of a statue, impervious to the light winds which played with the cloth of my habit.

He then spoke, startling me as he said, “If you feel tired, just enter the ship’s interior. Within you will find a golem which will lead you to wherever you wish.”

I nodded, even though he was facing away from me. However, I didn’t decide to go just yet, making my way to the ship’s railing and peering over the side, watching as the metal ship cut through the waves like a knife through butter. And while I haven’t been on a ship of this size, I could tell that it was really fast, perhaps too fast. I suddenly got a nauseous feeling from peering overboard and I stumbled back, sitting on the deck to recover.

After a few deep breaths, I steadied myself enough to make my way to the door leading inside, casting one more glance at the Librarian before entering.

———

The ship that sailed now was obviously the first of its kind to grace the seas of Agleon. It was inspired from the great ships that the Librarian saw in the memories of Erwin, about the so-called ships of steel called Dreadnoughts. He assumed that the guns worked the same as the ones on tanks just on a larger scale, although the ship’s method of propulsion still eluded him.

Erwin only mentioned that it had something to do with steam as well as a machine which could convert the energy in steam’s pressure into energy for propelling the ship. While he couldn’t remake it just yet, he was still able to take the hull’s design to make for efficient travel, using mana instead to move the ship. However, he was exceedingly curious about these said dreadnoughts, and hopefully, with what hints he was able to gather from Erwin’s memories, he could start experiments to replicate it as best he can.

Even now, as the Librarian stood directing the ship, the Surveyor was already working on solving this puzzle, its mind simulating countless experiments with which to begin figuring out the workings of the dreadnought. Truly, there were so many things for it to find out. But, of course, all in due time.

For now, the dreadnought and an excursion to the land of the dwarves were the tasks to be focused on, as well as the seeds that it had planted in Ortus and Occasus. It had not forgotten either of them but as the seed in Ortus was in its nascent period and the seed known as Yargulw wasn’t doing anything of great import, it only placed minimal importance on them, with the majority of its focus on the two projects before it.

And focus it did, making sure that the ship remained quite unharmed in its journey to the West, the might of the Librarian playing a great part. Smaller beasts were deterred by the overwhelming mana that he possessed and larger ones were instead dealt with force, for there was no quicker way to teach authority, although said authority won’t be guaranteed to remain. But for travel, it will suffice.

Unfortunately, as they were traveling relatively near the coast, the Librarian did not encounter any new creatures with which to add to his repertoire of knowledge but there were unusually large specimens of species which did peak his interest, the Librarian conducting studies of them for the duration of the trip, with Illithar and sometimes Erwin peering at his findings.

Illithar was of course very curious, this being her first time in the outside world and seeing all of these things. She often sat with the Librarian, partly because there wasn’t much else to do, and asked him many questions which the Librarian answered. He didn’t ask for payment of said knowledge because the trade was already done, she was his key to a peaceful entrance into the land of the dwarves and that was a rather valuable thing. As such, to satiate her curiosity about the sea’s flora and fauna weren’t things he felt was necessary to withhold and besides, it was always a pleasure to enlighten one who wished to learn.

Unfortunately, such people were a rarity among the world of mortals, most learn what they learn for their own gain, not simply because they wish to know. They learn to better themselves, not simply because learning is a wonderful experience. In fact, most view it to be rather troublesome, although they still push through for the sake of benefit.

But people like Illithar were a breath of fresh air, to these people the Librarian didn’t mind giving knowledge for free. Perhaps it was because she, while mature, was as ignorant as a child. She had been raised in the orphanage with only the teachings of Light as her main education. And since that was all she knew, she was satisfied and never asked questions. But now, with the answer to all the questions that she could possibly ask to be standing in her presence, her curiosity was awakened.

And like a parent who answers the questions of an excited child, the Librarian taught her of all she wanted to know, provided that it wasn’t something that she shouldn’t know. But as she merely desired to know more about the world itself, he had no reason to deny her. And besides, she would need to learn things to negotiate with the dwarves and the Librarian planned to teach her all that she would need, although this time, he would have to demand a price.