Chapter 93

Update, it's late ('ω')

I'm sorry, I wasn't feeling well...

Moria strides into the room.

The bookshelves, reaching up to the high ceiling, are packed with books, making it seem difficult to gather information from here.

To begin with, I can't even read the text. I don't know what kind of materials these are, so what does she plan to do?

"Hmm. Can you read, young lady?"

"Yeah, I can manage."

Moria picks up Ruen with a kindly smile.

I see... Since Ruen is a local, she can read the text. Come to think of it, I never showed Ruen the manuscripts we found in the underground waterways, which we left with the Academy.

"Alright, Rouge. You have something to show us, don't you?"

"Well, well. What do you think?"

Rouge, who is being watched by Moria, glances at a spot on the bookshelf.

A few books with red spines, similar to twilight, are stored there.

"Lucent, those red books. Bring them all here."

"Got it."

Moria, the old magician, directs the party leader with a nod while holding Ruen.

It's clear that she has a high level of trust in him. Their roles are clearly defined.

What is needed here is Moria's knowledge.

"Alright, let's start this too. Rain, I'm counting on you."

"Sure, leave it to me. ...〈Distortion Perception〉"

This magic is a new spell developed by Rain and me.

Originally, it was a trump card we practiced for the re-conquest of the 'Colorless Darkness.' Its effect is to activate a combination of several perception spells, detecting and perceiving hidden doors, traps, and mechanisms as areas that are 'different from the norm.'

While 'Glad Sii=Im' is abnormal everywhere, by setting the abnormal as the norm, it should be possible to detect the anomalies in this study room.

A magician of Rain's caliber should be able to do this.

By the way, even though I developed it... I can't use this magic.

Red mages are not particularly skilled in perception spells.

"Moria's books and, um, those large books with brown spines over there, and that drawer, are strange."

"I'll check the drawer."

"I'll get the books!"

Nene and Marina head towards the places Rain pointed out.

While they are doing that, I cast the 〈Continuous Magic Power Recovery〉 spell on Rain.

〈Distortion Perception〉, like 〈Distortion Light Arrow〉, is a composite effect spell. Since the activation process is different from usual, it consumes a considerable amount of magic power.

"Thank you, Rain."

"No problem. I'm glad the spell we made together is useful."

I nod slightly at Rain's smile and turn to Silk, who is looking around.

"...What's wrong, Silk?"

"There's a strange spirit here. It might be unique to 'Glad Sii=Im'."

"What kind of spirit?"

"It's... hard to describe. It's not a natural phenomenon, but more like memory, song, or tradition? It's hard to express. It seems to be a spirit related to the mind."

Hearing this, I felt a slight sense of danger.

Spirits are elements that make up the world and can reside in anything.

There are spirits of the four elements like fire and water, spirits that govern life and sleep, and spirits that govern human emotions like anger and courage.

And they are generally difficult to handle... and if controlled incorrectly, can lead to disastrous results.

"I'll try to make contact."

"Is it safe?"

"Yes, it's a calm spirit. It's the first non-mad spirit we've encountered in 'Glad Sii=Im'."

"Alright. Be careful."

"Okay."

Whether my concern was conveyed or not, Silk closes her eyes and speaks in a song-like manner.

Then, several books fly out of the shelves on their own, fluttering around the room like birds or butterflies.

They don't fly in a hostile manner but elegantly and quietly, drawn to Silk's spirit language, slowly approaching us.

"Oh, they are book spirits... They reside in stories and memories..."

As the books fly around playfully, Silk shows a gentle expression.

It seems there's no need to worry.

"I will gather information from them, so everything is fine here."

"Got it. Let's go, Rain."

"Okay."

Moria is already reading the red books with Ruen at the large round table in the center, and Marina has placed the large book with the brown spine on the empty space, waiting for us.

Nene also seems to have found something in the drawer.

...Well, it doesn't look good for me as a "Hero" to be the only one not working, even if it's just for show.

"The contents of the drawer were keys."

"Maybe they're keys for this book?"

The large book Marina brought indeed has a lock.

The question now is whether it's safe to open a book that was detected by 〈Distortion Perception〉 and is locked.

After some thought, I turn to Rouge.

"Rouge, do you know what this book is?"

"Yes, of course."

I continue.

"It's not dangerous, right?"

"I cannot say that from my mouth. Hehehe."

"No. Tell me. 'This book is not dangerous.'"

Rouge's smile fades at my request.

Rouge, who is staring at me with wide eyes, seems to have lost some composure.

"Tell me from your mouth."

"...Very well. This book is not dangerous."

The moment Rouge says this, a presence that seemed to emanate from the book dissipates.

Right now, this book has become 'safe.'

"I'm sorry. Did I push you too hard?"

"No, no."

I thank Rouge, who shakes her head, and turn to the book.

"Alright, let's open it..."

I nod to Rain and the others who are peering in, and insert the small key into the book's lock.

How was it? ('ω')

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