He nodded vigorously.
Then, he jumped up from his seat, spread his arms wide, and raised his voice.
"What a nearsighted, biased, and foolish man I have been!"
"Ah, yes..."
I won't deny that.
"I was so caught up in the destiny of 'keeper of the archive' bestowed upon our family by the first Lord Bell that I failed to reflect on how narrow-minded and stagnant I had become."
Giles Smore had a radical realization.
"The young lady comforted me by saying that I could return to the archive, but I know it too. There is no longer a place for me in the archive."
Not really... but I think it's better to say nothing.
"Following the young lady's example, I will humbly accept reality. And! I will let go of my attachment to the archive and take time to reflect on what I have been missing!"
He clenched his fists and vowed.
His eyes were burning with determination, as if he were sincere.
I was about to applaud when I suddenly realized something and said,
"Is your back all better?"
"Huh? Ah!"
He hadn't even realized it himself. At my words, he checked his back.
He twisted his waist from side to side and even did a light jumping jack in place. His face lit up as he exclaimed,
"I think it's better!"
"That's a relief."
I was worried about whether I would have to call someone if his back didn't get better by sunset.
I was relieved, thanks to him.
At that moment, Giles Smore, who had been staring at me intently, said with a gentle smile,
"It is all thanks to you, young lady, that my back could get better and that I could realize how lacking I am as a human being."
He clenched his fist with a determined look.
"Next time, I will help you, young lady! I promise you this on the spot!"
Giles Smore's face, as he declared, was more serious than ever.
I suddenly wondered if this man was really the Giles Smore I knew...
Still, what's done is done.
"Yes, I look forward to working with you."
I smiled brightly at him.
There's no harm in making one more ally.
With that, Giles Smore went his way.
'Before I forget this resolution, there is something I must do immediately!'
He seemed to be in a great hurry, so there was no time to stop him.
Not that I was planning to stop him.
After waving goodbye, I let out a long sigh.
'I feel strangely tired.'
I slumped onto the bench.
Still, my heart felt strangely at ease.
I closed my eyes and rested for a while.
Thanks to Marine bundling me up, I wasn't cold.
How long had it been?
The sun had almost set.
'I should head back now.'
After re-tightening Marine's scarf, which had loosened a bit, I slowly walked out of the forest.
As I walked out of the forest and headed back towards the archive...
Kuaaaang-!!
"...!!"
Suddenly, a huge roar that shook the earth struck my ears.
"Ugh, what!"
Instinctively, I covered my ears and crouched down in shock, feeling like my eardrums were about to burst.
The ground shook.
An earthquake? No, this is...
'Could it be...!'
As soon as the roar stopped, I lifted my head.
And I saw it.
Not far away.
A purple aurora flickering in the sky above the archive.
No way. Why is that happening now...?
I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
That's because the mana storm should occur near the end of the magic conversion process.
'The work hasn't even started yet!'
A mana storm couldn't possibly occur with just a preliminary inspection.
'What on earth is going on?'
No, that's not the important thing.
The important thing is...
'The books!'
The books that were swept up in the storm, including <Ayla's Book of Medicine> and other books that could be clues to unlocking the evil god's seal!
"No!"
It didn't matter why the mana storm started much earlier than I knew.
What mattered was that the books might be damaged.
It would take less than 10 minutes to run from here to the archive.
Perhaps there would be time to save the books before the mana storm began in earnest.
With that thought alone, I ran towards the archive.
Arriving at the archive in a daze, I checked the building without even catching my breath.
And I despaired.
The storm, caused by the collision of mana, was swirling around the building perfectly, without a single gap.
"Why...?"
I couldn't accept the situation in front of me.
Why, why, why now of all times!!
I wanted to deny reality.
Wouldn't all this be a dream if I closed my eyes tightly and opened them again?
"...That can't be."
It's not a dream. It's reality.
'Don't deny it.'
Denying reality is no different from meaningless indifference.
What I need to do now is...
'Find a way.'
To somehow get inside and get <Ayla's Book of Medicine> and any books that could be clues to unlocking the evil god's seal...
'No, that's too greedy.'
How would I know which books contain clues to unlocking the evil god's seal? I didn't have the time or the means to do that.
Then at least <Ayla's Book of Medicine> alone...!
'But how?'
While I was thinking, lightning struck my mind.
There is only one person who can enter that storm.
'Giles Smore!'
Like last time, Giles Smore will be able to enter that place this time too.
If I wait, Giles Smore, who discovered the abnormality in the archive, will come running on his own.
Then I can tell him about the existence of the pendant and how to get rid of the mana storm.
'Since he was badly burned, wouldn't he be able to protect his body with cold and heat magic and go in?'
Even if that's not the case, if he receives protection magic and treatment from a high-level healer, he won't be seriously injured either.
'Yes, it's okay.'
I already know how to deal with a mana storm when it occurs.
If I get scared and panic, things won't work out.
Calmly, once Giles Smore comes, I'll explain the situation calmly and solve it together...
...But...
...Why isn't he coming?
It's already been long enough for Giles Smore to appear, but no matter how long I wait, he doesn't show up.
Instead, someone else arrived.
"Lucia Rodbell."
I shuddered and turned my head at the sudden, low, firm voice.
Step by step, he approached relentlessly.
He stopped in front of me.
I slowly lifted my head.
"Why are you here?"
It was Duke Ego Rodbell who appeared.
"...Duke."
Was it because of the tension, or because of the impatience that I couldn't suppress? My voice cracked and leaked out.
"Young lady? Why are you here, young lady!"
Ligrin was also beside the Duke.
The moment I found Ligrin, I unknowingly let go of the strength in my shoulders.
He immediately rushed over and checked my condition.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
To his urgent question, I smiled weakly and nodded.
"Yes. I'm fine. I was taking a walk nearby when suddenly there was a loud noise. I wondered what had happened, so I came to see."
Fortunately, I was able to utter the excuse I had thought of in advance in a fairly calm manner.
Ligrin frowned.
"Taking a walk at this late hour... More than that, you knew something had happened and came alone! Weren't the maids, Marine, with you?"
Ligrin fired questions at me.
His hand, which was holding my shoulder, tightened.
Unable to withstand the force, my body swayed slightly.
I answered with a slightly tearful voice.
"I wanted to see the books, but I was told I couldn't enter the archive. It was snowing so beautifully, so I was just going to look at the snow and go back... I'm sorry."
"Haa..."
Ligrin let out a long sigh.
Looking at him gradually regaining his composure, I was torn.
'Ligrin seems to know where Giles Smore is.'
Should I ask now? If he asks why I'm asking about him, what should I answer?
While I was conflicted, Ligrin grabbed my shoulder and said,
"Anyway, this place is dangerous, so let's go to your room quickly-"
However, Ligrin couldn't finish his sentence.
"Lord!"
Someone else was running breathlessly from afar.
Finding him, I held my breath.
It was Elbert Baden.
And beside him was an unexpected person.
"Lord... Young lady?!"
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