< 91. Shoot for the dawn (4) >
#91
I didn’t think I would be that surprised if I encountered a dragon while taking a walk. The librarian who was looking at the ring and Ronan in turn grabbed his wrist and said.
“I know better than anyone else. “Follow me.”
“Hmm…?!”
Ronan’s eyes widened. The strength with which he grabbed my wrist was unusual. The incredible grip strength coming from fern-like hands almost reminded me of Marya.
The librarian dragged Ronan to a corner. Before long she stopped in front of a built-in bookshelf and looked around her.
Only after the librarian was sure no one was watching did he pull a book titled [Secrets and Beliefs] from the bookshelf. Kugoogung! The bookshelf was pushed to the side revealing a hidden space. Ronan laughed out loud at a production that seemed like something he had seen before.
“Damn is it fashionable to hide things behind books these days?”
“Go in now. “Who will see this?”
The librarian let go of his wrist and pushed Ronan’s back with both hands. It felt like something like a bison was pushing me not a human. The bookshelf returned to its original position and darkness arrived. A whispering voice echoed in the darkness.
“wait a minute.”
Soon the surroundings became brighter. A fist-sized cluster of lights appeared above the librarian’s palm. As she blew the wind the halo of light scattered like dandelion seeds and spread out in all directions.
The secret space littered with all kinds of miscellaneous things felt like a warehouse. She checked her door lock again and approached Ronan with an impatient expression on her face.
“I guess I wasn’t mistaken. “Please show me one more time.”
“I just want to ask you a few questions. “Tell me whose ring this is.”
Ronan shook her head. He couldn’t let down anyone’s guard. The librarian took a deep breath and answered calmly.
“Sarante. “I am Sarante Remation the tower mage of the Dawn Tower.”
“librarian? Top mage? “That person was from the Dawn Demon Tower?”
“yes. “He was the first top mage who couldn’t use fire magic.”
“Huh I didn’t know that… Then of course she knows about the goddess Saran Te believes in right?”
“goddess? Um…has the god you believe in changed now? “She worshiped a rock until she was with me.”
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. There seemed to be no point in further questioning. He said handing the ring to the librarian.
“Take your time.”
“thank you.”
“Now that I think about it I didn’t even hear your name. “It’s Ronan.”
“Please call me Ire. “Because everyone calls me that.”
The librarian who introduced herself as Aire accepted the ring. As she examined the ring with her eyes dripping with longing she opened her mouth.
“…It really is Sarante’s ring. “She always wore this on her left ring finger.”
“Now that I think about it what is your relationship? “You speak like a friend.”
Ronan tilted her head. It was one of the things I was curious about earlier. Ayre called Sarante as if she were her friend but she did not show any characteristics of her long-lived race.
She was short but not at the level of a dwarf and judging by the plain ears she had sticking out of her hair she was not an elf either. So is she a vampire? It was the car where Ronan reasoned about various things. Ire tilted her head.
“Oh you didn’t know because it was your first time here. “I am a spirit.”
“yes? government ordinance?”
“yes. “Although very few people know about my relationship with Sarante.”
Ronan was about to say what nonsense that was. Suddenly Aire’s body turned translucent and floated in the air. She was at eye level with Ronan and continued her words.
“sorry. “Because the space is limited I don’t think I can show you her true face.”
“…It’s enough.”
Ronan laughed. There was a reason why he was so strong. Mana with a concentration comparable to Aun Pillar was seeping out of Ayre’s translucent body. He asked again.
“Why are you doing this here?”
Even at first glance he was a high-ranking spirit. He couldn’t understand why a being capable of much greater things would stay in a place like this. Ire who had returned her body to its original state opened her mouth.
“Sarante sealed me here. “On the condition that if I buy it and do my job properly I will release it someday.”
“seal? “It’s not a contract?”
Ronan frowned. She scratched her cheek avoiding her gaze as if she had no respect for her.
“Ahaha…yes. “What should I say…I used to be a bit…immature.”
Ayre explained that hundreds of years ago while running wild he was caught by Sarante and sealed in the Dawn Magic Tower. He said that at first he wanted to destroy everything including the library but as time passed reading books was fun and work suited his aptitude so now he is quite satisfied with his life.
‘What on earth are you doing old man?’
Ronan once again realized that he knew nothing about Sarante. It wasn’t enough for him to seal a spirit like this he even bought it and made it serve him. Suddenly Ire asked a question with his eyes sparkling.
“So how’s Sarante doing? He said he was going to become a priest and he left the Dawn Tower. Are you still honoring that stone with the god Saguaro?”
“ah.”
For a moment Ronan was speechless. It seemed like she didn’t know what happened to Sarante. After thinking for a moment Ronan opened his mouth.
“…sure. I live in the Baidian Mountains. “That ugly rock is stuck in the middle of the temple.”
“Ahaha it’s true. “Can you tell me about what happened with Sarante?”
Ire said her eyes sparkling. Ronan’s lips twitched at the sight that reminded him of his daughter asking after her dead father.
She didn’t have the courage to tell the truth. Judging from Ayre’s attitude it was assumed that she was quite close to Sarante even if they were not in a contractual relationship.
How could she sanely tell the story of her friend whom she had known for at least hundreds of years being split in half and turned into stone? Ronan shook her head.
“Later. “I have urgent work to do right now.”
“Oh that’s right. sorry. What brought you here? “I will do my best to help you.”
She said Sarante’s last words to her were to help anyone carrying her belongings. Ronan briefly explained how he came to this point.
Being cursed. It is different from an ordinary curse so it is impossible to remove it using normal methods. After hearing his circumstances Ire nodded her head.
“okay. “You are under a curse.”
“yes. She said if I showed her her ring I could get information that might be helpful to her. “Do you know anything?”
“Um…I don’t know much about curses but I know where there are books that deal with curses.”
Ayre has 289 books specializing in curses. He explained that there are more than a thousand books that he can only briefly touch on. Ronan hearing the scary number cursed.
“Damn that’s a lot.”
“Although this is not normally possible I can also bring you books that are only permitted to high-ranking wizards. And you are free to enter anywhere except prohibited areas.”
The existence of banned books was mentioned again. Not only did Aun Pillar tell us to be careful but seeing that they were managed in a separate space it seemed like they were quite dangerous books. Ayre continued.
“Don’t worry too much. “You will probably find the answer by the time you leave the Magic Tower.”
“Please I hope so. Please take care of me.”
With those words Ronan’s hardships began. The moment he left the secret space he took a seat in the sunniest place. Before long Aire flew in and piled up a pile of books in front of him.
“First of all these are the most basic books. [The beginning of hatred] [List of 100 evil curses]….”
“It’s not easy.”
“Please tell me when you’ve finished reading. “I’ll bring you a new one.”
It was like this even though I only asked for books that could only be obtained at the Dawn Magic Tower and not anywhere else. When he saw the books piled up to his eye level he couldn’t help but sigh.
Still he couldn’t hit it. There was already a lot to do so I had to gather as much information as possible when I arrived. After drying his face Ronan picked up the book lying on top.
“…Where should I look?”
****
Three days passed like that. After the airship’s shootdown ended in an attempt no major incidents occurred. The culprit had still not been caught and Erzebet and other Phileon students were still staying at the Magic Tower.
Ronan devoted all his time to researching his data except for sleeping eating and going to the bathroom. Aire who flew through the air placed the pile of books in front of Ronan again and said.
“Have you read all the academic books written by Mandole?”
“When volume 3 is finished.”
“Then there are two more books left.”
Ayre flew away again. Ronan cursed as he saw the wall of paper erected again in front of him. Even when I closed the book the letters seemed to be floating in front of my eyes.
“Damn….”
Ayre’s words that she would do her best to help were true. She literally constantly brought books that would be helpful to Haeju.
Thanks to this Ronan learned hundreds of curses and ways to solve them. She suddenly realized that Asher had woken up and ran to her crying saying that goat horns had grown on her head but if she had the materials she could lift the curse in one sitting.
The problem was that the most important part was not coming out. There was no precedent anywhere that could be compared to the curse that resided in his body.
Ronan suddenly put his hand in his inner pocket and touched the metal box. Inside were fire magic scrolls created by Aun Pillar.
‘…Shall I tear it up?’
He was possessed by the urge to set the library on fire dozens of times a day. As he was making no progress his personality naturally became more sensitive.
Also that wasn’t the only problem. As I was about to open the book again I heard someone whispering behind me. Three wizards who looked to be in their late teens were pointing their fingers at Ronan.
“Look I’m reading a book today too.”
“be careful. “I will spread the curse.”
“Isn’t it going to explode again?”
Ronan sighed. It was a pity that he didn’t even have time to grab it and strike it. He turned his head opened his bloodshot eyes and growled.
“You bastards. “If you have something to say say it in my ear.”
“Hee hee hee…!”
The frightened wizards ran away. I had no idea how many times this had happened. Just then Ai Le came flying in carrying her two remaining books. She asked worriedly as she saw Ronan moaning while holding his forehead with her index finger.
“Why are you doing this? “Are you in pain?”
“Fuck my brain hurts. Ayre. “I have a question.”
“yes?”
“What happened at the Magic Tower? “Except for almost dropping the airship.”
Ronan spoke about the strange atmosphere he felt from the day he arrived at the Dawn Tower. I was tired of dealing with wizards wandering around like corpse-eating vultures and whispering. After hearing his explanation Ire nodded her head.
“Ah…that’s right. That kind of atmosphere is definitely prevalent. I think it’s because incidents big and small keep happening.”
“Big or small incidents?”
“yes. “Something like an experiment that couldn’t fail failing… or the animals raised in the tower dying… or a person who was fine until yesterday suddenly disappearing.”
Suddenly Ire stretched out her arms in the air. Papers flew from downstairs with a loud noise and were placed in her hands.
Ronan accepted the bundle of paper she handed him. Each sheet contained a detailed portrait and the person’s personal information. Ayre said.
“It’s a list of missing people. “There are already six people.”
Ayre informed us that missing people have been steadily appearing for several months. They literally disappeared from nowhere. Even she who could freely pass through the walls inside the magic tower could not find her missing people.
“You didn’t go outside the tower?”
“I’d like to think so but no one has witnessed it.”
“There are all kinds of strange things happening.”
“Right. “I think the fact that the owner of the tower is not coming back is also playing a part.”
“The owner of the tower is not coming back?”
Tapju who went on a retreat at the end of last year was originally scheduled to return this spring. However he did not return until midsummer so Aun Pillar was still in charge. Aire said worriedly.
“He’s so strong that nothing much will happen and Aun Pillar is doing a good job of acting as his assistant but since he doesn’t have a head it’s inevitable that his body will feel uneasy.”
“What happens if the top owner doesn’t come back until the end?”
“yes? Umm I understand that if the absence continues for a year the magician who acts as proxy becomes the owner of the tower.”
“Hoo….”
Ronan stroked her chin with interest. It was said that if the existing top owner does not return by this winter Aun Pillar will become the top owner.
‘no way.’
Suddenly a number of disturbing cases flashed through her mind. But she wasn’t sure so Ronan decided to ask another question.
“What’s in the forbidden book area?”
“There are literally cursed books sealed. “It’s a very dangerous place.”
“I guess I’ll have to look there soon. “There is absolutely no progress.”
“Absolutely not.”
Ayre said. The smile that had always been bright on her face had disappeared. She continued her words with a straight face.
“Even if everything else is okay we can’t let them into the prohibited areas. “If there is a reason I work as a librarian other than being sealed it is because I am the only one who can manage those banned books.”
“After all it’s a book. “Do they even eat people?”
“yes. “I eat them.”
She nodded her head resolutely. Ronan’s face hardened. Before he could ask anything Ire continued her sentence.
“Among the strongly banned books there are many that are imbued with ego. It deceives or manipulates the reader and ultimately causes destruction. Moreover… the book is sealed in the Dawn Tower. “You know.”
“That book? “Aha it’s that Vajra or something.”
Ayre hesitated. Ronan was a book I found out about yesterday while researching materials.
Vajra of Destruction one of the three books said to have been written by the devil. It was a rare banned book that once deceived the emperor and led to the destruction of the country. Reading that explanation I could understand why Aire was so strong-minded. Ronan twisted his lips.
‘It’s not that I don’t understand.’
He was in no position to hide the situation. If there was a clue to breaking the curse in the banned book I was willing to go crazy and read it completely. It looks like the world will be shattered in just nine years so is the taboo that big?
But even if I wanted to sneak away and read I couldn’t figure out where to go. There was no way to enter the forbidden area unless Ayre cooperated. After finishing the conversation Aire turned her back.
‘First…I guess I should read the rest of the books.’
Even excluding banned books there were mountains of books to read. Besides there were still a few more days left before returning to Phileon.
Ronan decided to do as much as he could before searching for the banned book. In fact the best thing was to find clues in books that were not banned. He sat down again and started reading the book.
.
.
.
“…ah.”
Ronan opened his eyes. The surroundings were all dark. Moonlight was coming down slantingly through the windows here and there in the library.
“…I fell asleep.”
Ronan stretched out and ate his appetite. It seemed like he had fallen asleep. I was getting used to waking up at my desk by now.
Seeing as Aire was nowhere to be seen it seemed like it was quite late at night. It didn’t matter. Ronan shook off his drowsiness by pressing his eyelids and picked up the book again.
-Tap…tap….
“hmm?”
I felt something coming from down there. Ronan turned his head in the direction of the sound. A shadow was walking somewhere.
‘Did you come to do some overdue homework?’
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. It wasn’t unusual for a wizard who was obsessed with research to wander around the library late at night. He was just about to infuse mana into the reading glowstone. As the shadow passed under the moonlight the face of a woman was revealed.
“…uh?”
Ronan’s eyes widened. He was definitely someone I saw on the list of missing persons. Was it Parthe the 5th circle wizard? I remember he had that name. She looked at her flyer again just in case but she was right.
‘Of course.’
After escaping from the veil of moonlight she became a shadow again and entered the depths of the library. Ronan slowly got up.
‘Where are we going…?’
I didn’t know why the person who had disappeared was wandering around here. However Ronan instinctively knew what he had to do.
He walked with as much pressure on his feet as possible. Sabagsabag. Soft footsteps followed her as if they were stepping on the dust.
