Chapter 5

The letter read:

"First, I am certain that the person who reads this is imprisoned here for some grave reason.

Indeed, I myself am staying here because I have fallen out of favor with the king, so I understand well.

Fortunately, I have been called back to the castle to raise my niece, but there are a few things I wish to impart before I leave.

About this mansion, the forest, and the mysterious inheritance.

Let me explain them in order.

The mansion may appear to be just an old building, but its construction date is uncertain. It is highly likely that it existed even before the establishment of the Dylann Magic Kingdom. Investigating its history might be interesting, but the important thing is that this is not just a mansion.

It absorbs magical energy from the ley lines of the land to repair itself. Minor damage or wear will be repaired within a few days. However, the furniture and building materials inside will lose this effect if taken outside. I ask you not to sell them if you are in need of money. Not only will it inconvenience the next occupant, but this was a beloved home for me and the previous residents. I would be grateful if you could take good care of it.

Next, about the garden and the surrounding forest.

At first glance, they may seem ordinary, but they are just as peculiar as the mansion.

It is understandable that there are trees like apples and cedars that can grow in cold regions. However, there are also trees like hinoki, loquat, and sandalwood, which are not found in this country. There are also difficult-to-cultivate garden varieties and fruits from the south that I have never seen, growing here. You will not lack for vegetables or fruits. No complicated maintenance is required. The forest itself, like the mansion, maintains itself.

I believe this was a vacation home and kitchen garden for an ancient mage. If you are to live here, I hope you will appreciate its charm. I myself, while outwardly leading a quiet life of seclusion, secretly enjoyed my days here.

By the way, there are many magical creatures living in the forest.

However, there is no need to fear them excessively. If you have correctly opened the lock of the main gate and are recognized as the master of this mansion, you will not be attacked. You can also give them simple commands, such as not to attack guests, or to protect the mansion from thieves and bandits.

However, magical creatures have their own will. They may be agitated if they are hungry or have just given birth. They also do not wish to leave the forest, which is a comfortable environment. Do not harbor the ambition to use them like an army. If you mishandle them, you will be the one to perish, not your enemies.

If you wish to invite guests safely, it is best to write an invitation using the paper in the desk drawer. Those who hold the invitation will be treated like the master of the mansion and will not be attacked by the magical creatures.

Also, the invitations will automatically disappear after a month, and new blank invitations will be generated in the drawer. You do not need to worry too much about the remaining number, but for security reasons, it is best not to distribute too many.

And finally, about the 'inheritance.'

This is something that only the master of this mansion should know. The existence of the inheritance must never be revealed to others. The wisdom gained from the inheritance will surely exceed your imagination. It will certainly be a source of power and hope for the one who possesses it. I myself was saved by this 'inheritance.'

However, I ask you to be cautious of its misuse. I feel apologetic for repeating my request in this letter, but I hope you will understand my situation and appeal to your conscience.

I have written at length and included some troublesome information.

Perhaps these were not the words to say to someone who is forced to live an uncomfortable life.

But still, I believe it is possible to have dreams and hopes in your daily life.

At the very least, I embraced dreams here.

I pursued beauty relentlessly.

I spent happy days here.

That is why I wish for you:

May your life here be happy.

Year 542 of the Star Spirit Calendar, Conrad Dylann"

◆

The letter was proof that Conrad had indeed been there.

This gentle prayer and wish could only have come from Conrad.

Jill was convinced and began to cry.

"...It's different from what I expected, but it's just like Uncle."

Conrad loved art and fine cuisine in his lifetime.

He often painted, and even without the favor of being a royal, he was respected by connoisseurs and art dealers. He was also a gourmet, knowing a wide variety of dishes from different countries, to the point where the royal kitchen staff were amazed. Foreign guests and diplomats all enjoyed the banquets and feasts prepared by Conrad.

Being kind to people and enjoying something together were Conrad's strengths and endearing habits. Jill had inherited these traits.

Jill felt that this letter truly had Conrad's essence.

"...Alright."

When her tears and excitement had subsided, she carefully reviewed the contents of the letter again.

There were three important things in this letter.

About the mansion.

About the forest.

And about the inheritance.

"Indeed, this mansion is quite peculiar..."

The contents of the letter confirmed Jill's suspicions.

The mansion's good condition was due to its ancient origins. Also, she had not noticed it when she arrived, but the forest was unusually lush.

Not only were there many trees that were always green, but there were also plants that should have withered in winter. She chuckled at her own lack of observation but felt relieved that the magical creatures would not attack her, so she would not lack for food.

"So, the inheritance is... this?"

Jill picked up the book that had been placed with the letter.

It was a pristine white book.

There were no illustrations or designs, not even a title or author's name.

It was a strikingly bright and lustrous white, like a pearl with its shine deliberately dulled, giving a refreshing feeling.

It was not just a bundle of blank pages but intentionally made as a pure white book.

"There's nothing written in it?"

Jill flipped through the pages.

Every page was blank. Feeling let down, she reconsidered that there might be some mechanism and carefully examined the book again.

Click.

"Huh?"

Jill touched the spine and felt something, but there was nothing visible when she looked at it.

Just as she thought it might have been her imagination,

"Thank you for using it. This is the Acacia, a classic model book terminal from the Galaxy Bookstore. Would you like to start the new user registration?"

"Eh, eh!?"

"Please provide your name and date of birth."

The white book spoke.

No, it did more than just speak.

Without any wind, the pages turned on their own, and words and pictures appeared on the blank pages.

"What is this...?"

"Please provide your name and date of birth."

Jill was a failed mage.

While just a name might be fine, the teaching of mages warned that linking a name with a location and date of birth could result in a curse. This was especially true when dealing with high-ranking mages or demonic entities. The book in front of Jill was neither a mage nor a demon, but it likely held immense power.

However, this was something Conrad had left behind. She did not want to doubt it. Moreover, Jill was curious to touch the book.

"Jill Dylann. Year 542 of the Star Spirit Calendar, Fire Sun Month, 5th day."

"Master Jill. User registration is complete. Since your Galactic Citizen registration cannot be confirmed, you can only use the Limited Edition for now. To use the Unlimited Service, please register as a citizen and provide credit information."

"Eh...?"

"With the Limited Edition, you can use 666 books for 666 years starting today. If you want to read more, please consider the Unlimited Service."

"Ah, the Limited Edition is fine."

"Understood. If you change to the Unlimited Service during the usage period, you will receive points that can be used at all Galactic restaurants, department stores, and convenience stores."

"I don't understand, so the Limited Edition is fine."

"...Understood."

When dealing with demons, you must not let them take control.

This was also a teaching of mages.

"Please select the book you wish to use. You can freely choose from 1.3 billion books."

"Ju... 1.3 billion!?"

The white book floated in the air and emitted a white light.

It then projected images in the air.

They were all book covers.

Books written in unfamiliar, strange scripts were immediately translated into Algenes, a language Jill was familiar with.

"Due to automatic translation, there may be some delay in screen processing. Please understand."

"Automatic translation...? Well, even so, there are too many to choose from..."

Even with the translation, many of the books were still incomprehensible to Jill.

Some seemed to be entertainment or novels, but others were so complex that she could not understand what they were about.

"If you tell me about your interests and hobbies, I can automatically select books for you."

The book displayed various genres on its pages.

"Novels and Comics," "Non-fiction," "Cooking," "Crafts and Sewing," "Fashion," "Outdoor Activities," "Humanities and Philosophy," "Medical and Care," and many more.

"Are you asking me to choose from these...?"

"Yes. Please tap with your finger. Note that military technology-related genres cannot be selected."

"I won't choose anything dangerous."

Jill selected "Crafts and Sewing," "Cooking," and "Fashion."

Just as she thought that was the end, more questions followed.

What other genres are you interested in? What specific areas of crafts are you interested in? Are you right-handed or left-handed? Is thread or wood easy to obtain? How large is your living space? What is the climate like? What is your favorite meal? Do you have any food allergies? What religion do you follow? The questions were so varied that Jill was amazed.

She answered them diligently, even though she was getting tired.

Just as she was feeling mentally exhausted, a "pong" sound was heard.

"Book selection is complete. Considering the civilization level of your region, books from the 21st century onwards are deemed difficult to understand. Additionally, during the selection process..."

The book continued with various explanations, as if saying, "I explained it properly, okay?"

Jill, confused by the unfamiliar terms, understood the general meaning.

"Um, so you're saying that 'you won't be responsible for anything that happens because of the knowledge gained from this book,' right? I understand."

"If you need paid support, you can apply for the Unlimited Service at any time."

"That's not necessary."

"...Then please enjoy the Limited Edition Acacia."

The pages turned on their own.

There were various book covers. Not as many as before, but still more than she could read. It was more like a library in the shape of a book.

"But... are there really that many books on crafts and cooking?"

Jill fiddled with the book.

It seemed that swiping with her finger made the cover images on the page scroll, showing different book covers. One particularly caught her interest: a cover featuring a cheerful black-haired woman wearing a yellow-checkered dress.

The title read:

"Make Your Own Clothes: From Dresses to Dresses"

Jill wanted to read this book.

The book seemed to sense her desire and offered advice.

"Tap the cover image twice quickly to view this book."

"Tap?"

"Tap it lightly twice."

"Understood."

She tapped the cover image rhythmically.

The white book emitted a mysterious glow and changed in size.

It had been slightly larger than a notebook, but now it was the size of a parchment used for official documents.

"Eh...?"

The cover was no longer white but exactly the same as the one Jill had been looking at.

The blank book had transformed into the book she wanted to read.

"To return to the original form, tap the spine twice as before. This is the basic 'return' action."

Jill, forgetting to respond, flipped through the pages.

This was the first time she had read such a book. She wondered how it was printed, who the model woman was, and what exactly the white book called Acacia was. Despite her many questions, she continued to flip through the pages.

"Amazing..."

Jill did not know, but this was not a highly rated book. It had an average rating of 2.3 stars. It was impossible for one book to cover everything from dresses to dresses. The sewing techniques were only explained in broad strokes.

There was a pattern for a dress at the end, but the dress-making process was only briefly mentioned. It referred readers to other books for more detailed techniques. It was clearly lacking information for someone seriously interested in making clothes.

But it was enough to captivate Jill.

"Amazing..."

Jill loved embroidery and sewing.

After Conrad left, her days were filled with difficult magical training. The only time she felt her heart heal was when she was embroidering. Even when mocked for doing something a princess should not do, she did not stop. Just as Conrad loved fine cuisine and art, she did not want to stop appreciating beautiful things.

The people in this book were enjoying making clothes as if it were a matter of course.

"...Amazing!"

The model woman was shown wearing various clothes, and the book explained how the fabrics were used and sewn in a fun and bright way. The author's message was clear.

"Without caring about anyone else, wear clothes that suit you and live your life as you are."

This line struck Jill's heart.

Living as herself.

This was what Jill had unconsciously sought. It was also the essence of the life philosophy Conrad had lived, even as a royal. Why Conrad was the way he was. He had gained his life philosophy in this mansion. At this moment, Jill realized many things.

She had completely forgotten about her earlier thoughts of suicide and was engrossed in reading the book. By the time she had finished more than ten books, the sun was rising in the east.

"I... I want to make... such clothes...!"