CHAPTER 15
VERY INTERESTING
The first-floor hallway felt quieter than the second, perhaps because most guests were out or in their own rooms. The footsteps of the three of them echoed softly on the old, yet well-maintained, wooden floor. They passed a row of tightly closed room doors, heading towards the back of the inn as Elaina had instructed.
Amura: (breaking the silence with a curious tone) "So, Kyoichiiro-san, what are we actually going to the library for? Couldn't we just rest or plan our next move?"
The question was natural. After a tiring day, resting made sense. But Kyoichiiro had other reasons.
Kyoichiiro: (voice calm, flat) "Just to learn something. There's still much about this world I don't understand. Libraries, wherever they are, usually hold information. There might be something interesting, or at least something that can answer a few questions in my head."
His answer was vague, but logical. Amura nodded slowly, as if understanding even if not completely. He observed Kyoichiiro—this boy his own age was too serious, too analytical, as if carrying a burden far heavier than his small frame.
Aetheria: (suddenly speaking up, in a shy tone while fidgeting with her fingertip) "I... I like reading books too, a little. Before... before all this happened."
Her sentence trailed off, hinting at a past she hadn't yet shared. But her tone was innocent, showing genuine interest.
Kyoichiiro: (turning to Aetheria, his tone softening slightly) "That's perfect then. You can help look for topics that might be useful."
They then turned right, following a hallway that grew narrower and was lit by sparse oil lamps. Kyoichiiro glanced towards the distant lobby through an open balcony. No one was there. The quiet view only made him more wary. In his experience, calmness was often the precursor to trouble.
After walking a few dozen meters, they found a small staircase descending to a lower area—perhaps a basement or an old wing of the building. They went down the creaking stairs and arrived at a short hallway that turned left.
This hallway was dark and damp, different from the main part of the inn. At the end, an old wooden chair stood empty, abandoned in a corner like useless junk. Kyoichiiro only glanced at it before refocusing ahead.
Suddenly, from the opposite direction, appeared a middle-aged man in simple work clothes—perhaps a cleaner or maintenance worker for the inn. The man looked slightly surprised to see them.
Middle-Aged Man: "Oh, you all. Where are you headed in this area? Guests rarely come here."
His voice wasn't rude, just full of curiosity. Kyoichiiro remained silent, letting the more sociable Amura answer.
Amura: (smiling friendly) "We just wanted to look around a bit. The maid said there's a library here."
Middle-Aged Man: (nodding, his expression relieved) "Ah, that old library. Well then, alright. Be careful, this area is a bit dark. I have some business to attend to."
He then walked away, leaving the three of them. Kyoichiiro noted the man's pace—not hurried, not suspicious. But still, he made a mental note.
They continued. And at the end of the darkest part of the hallway, stood a door. A large old wooden door, with rusted iron hinges and a worn handle. Above it was a tarnished, dusty silver nameplate.
Amura: (pointing) "We're here."
They stopped in front of the door. Kyoichiiro observed it. The plate bore foreign letters he didn't recognize. Yet, as his eyes swept over the writing, his brain automatically processed and translated it: "LIBRARY".
What is this? Kyoichiiro thought, confused and disturbed. My brain isn't processing these letters as a known alphabet. But the moment I see them, I immediately understand their meaning. What system is at work here? Is this an effect of 'reincarnation'? Or is there something—or someone—behind all this programming my language comprehension?
These philosophical questions swirled in his head, but there was no time to ponder deeper.
Amura: "Let's go in."
With a bit of effort, Amura pushed the old hinges. The wood creaked loudly, and the door slowly opened, as if resisting.
And what they saw inside made them pause for a moment.
The room was far larger than they had imagined. A vast library with a high ceiling supported by dark wooden pillars. Giant bookshelves, almost touching the ceiling, stood neatly in rows forming labyrinthine aisles. Thousands—perhaps tens of thousands—of volumes in various sizes and conditions filled every space. Light streamed in from tall glass windows on the walls, illuminating dancing dust particles in the air. The scent of old paper, wood, and a hint of camphor filled their senses.
Kyoichiiro: (whispering, more to himself) "It's huge... A library like this hidden in an ordinary inn? This place really holds many interesting things."
Aetheria: (voice full of awe) "It's beautiful..."
Amura and Aetheria reflexively nodded at Kyoichiiro's muttering. They then stepped inside, their footsteps muffled by the thick, worn carpet.
They began exploring the aisles. Kyoichiiro in the middle, his eyes quickly scanning categories and titles. Amura on the left, also looking curious. Aetheria on the right, her hands occasionally reaching for a book, opening a few pages, then carefully returning it.
Kyoichiiro: (suddenly asking) "What kind of book do you want to read, Amura?"
Amura: (pretending to think) "Hmm... maybe I'll just browse first. Look for something interesting."
Kyoichiiro: "And you, Aetheria—"
His sentence cut off. When he turned to the right, he saw Aetheria already holding a small book with a blue cover in her hands. She stood there, looking so serious gazing at its cover, as if the book were a treasure.
Kyoichiiro: (in a flat but surprised tone) "Aetheria?"
Aetheria flinched, then turned around. When her face was visible, Kyoichiiro saw a small, sincere, and innocent smile gracing her lips. Her eyes sparkled.
Aetheria: "Yes... umm..." Her voice was soft, shy.
Kyoichiiro: (instead of asking about the book, he asked) "Why are you smiling?"
The question immediately made Aetheria even more embarrassed. Her cheeks flushed. From the side, there was a stifled sound. Amura was suppressing a laugh, his shoulders shaking.
Kyoichiiro: (turning to Amura, annoyed) "Oi. Why are you laughing?"
Amura: (trying to calm down) "It's nothing, Kyoichiiro-san. Come on, let's each find our own books."
Kyoichiiro snorted, then decided to look for his own book. He walked to the nearest shelf and, without much thought, picked up a book with a dark brown cover. The title was clear to his eyes: "Lost First Love".
Lost First Love? Kyoichiiro thought, almost frowning. How ridiculous. I don't need romance or love stories right now. I need history, geography, magic, world systems—not this.
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to dispel a small frustration. When he opened them, Amura was already standing beside him.
Amura: (in an enthusiastic tone) "Wow, that book looks interesting!" He saw the title. "Lost First Love?" He then looked at Kyoichiiro with bright eyes. "So, Kyoichiiro-san, can I borrow this book? You're not interested in love stories, right?"
Kyoichiiro, without uttering a word, immediately handed the book to Amura. Better it be in Amura's hands than cluttering his mind with unimportant things.
Amura: (receiving it happily) "Thank you, Kyoichiiro-san!"
However, the smile on Amura's face suddenly changed. His expression became serious, more serious than Kyoichiiro had ever seen before. His voice dropped to a whisper, meant only for the three of them.
Amura: "Kyoichiiro-san, Aetheria. Can we talk for a moment? About something important."
Both Kyoichiiro and Aetheria were startled. The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Kyoichiiro felt his instincts hiss—this wasn't just casual chatter.
Kyoichiiro: (voice flat, full of caution) "Huh? Talk about what?"
Amura: (looking around, ensuring no one else was there) "We better find a more private place. It's still too open here."
Kyoichiiro and Aetheria looked at each other, confusion and anxiety visible in Aetheria's eyes. Yet, they nodded. If Amura, who was usually relaxed, suddenly acted like this, something big must be up.
Without much discussion, Amura led them. He walked deeper into the library, past aisles that grew quieter and darker. Kyoichiiro followed from behind, his mind racing quickly.
Important talk? What does he mean? Is he finally going to reveal what he knows? Or... is there danger? He watched Amura's back, trying to read the intention behind his sure steps.
Aetheria gently clutched the hem of Kyoichiiro's robe, frightened but also full of trust that Kyoichiiro would protect her.
After a right turn and walking straight for about thirty meters, they reached the far end of the library. There, hidden behind the largest bookshelf, was another wooden door. This door was smaller, newer, and seemed better maintained. There was no sign or writing on it.
Kyoichiiro: (stopping, his eyes narrowing) "What door is that?"
Amura didn't answer. He only gave a faint smile, then pushed the door. Its hinges moved silently—unlike the creaking main door.
The door opened, revealing darkness beyond. Amura stepped in first, then looked back, waiting for them.
Aetheria: (voice trembling) "What... what's inside?"
Amura: (his voice calm, reassuring) "Come. Let's go in."
Kyoichiiro took a deep breath. Whatever awaited behind that door, he had to face it. With a determined step, he followed Amura inside, pulling the hesitant Aetheria along with him. The door closed slowly behind them, leaving the quiet, mysterious library ready to hold the secret of the conversation about to take place in that hidden room.