Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 63 - The Five-Star Librarian

Chapter 63: The Five-Star Librarian

 

Once you had completed every part of the hidden book donation quest, the Library Guardians disappeared.

“…Freedom.”

The book knight that had been relentlessly pressuring Bartimir and Pendrick slowly sank into the ground and vanished.

The demon dark mage and the genius warrior immediately collapsed onto the floor.

As I quietly walked over, the two of them looked at me with resentful eyes.

“You…”

“…Captain.”

“Why are you looking at me like that? Did you think an exploration competition would be easy?”

Even so, I decided to provide them with potions.

Not the superior stamina recovery potions…

Just three ordinary vitality potions.

I set the bottles down beside the demon captain’s face.

Astrimia, who was lying beside her lover, lightly shook her blade.

“Sir Bartimir, now you understand what kind of person Sir Karr is, right? I told you he could trap people like us in an instant!”

“…Yeah.”

Just as Bartimir obediently nodded…

“Karr!”

Marlin’s voice echoed from the distance.

“We finished the hidden piece! Looks like it’s a draw!”

It was exactly the news I’d been waiting for.

“Looks like the Red one I trusted ended up drawing with a couple of little kids…”

Bartimir clicked his tongue.

True to his innocent-looking appearance, he didn’t blame Rosalia.

He simply sounded disappointed.

“For the record, we also obtained the other hidden piece. So we won.”

“…Hmm, three hours really does make a huge difference!”

Perhaps not in a C-rank labyrinth or higher.

But in the D-rank [Library of Sin], a three-hour head start was an enormous advantage.

Even so, Rosalia’s presence as a Level 6 explorer had allowed them to narrow the gap considerably.

The only reason the balance had still collapsed… was because I existed.

“…Seriously, why did you insist on starting under such unfavorable conditions? If it weren’t for the time difference, you definitely could’ve won.”

Bartimir grinned at Astrimia’s muttering.

“Winning isn’t what’s important. What’s important is how much fun you have while exploring.”

‘Clap. Clap. Clap.’

I couldn’t help applauding.

What magnificent explorer spirit.

‘The youngest child of House Lee had grown into a remarkable person.’

His older brother Ymir, currently burning away in Hell, was surely watching with a proud smile.

“Please stand.”

I extended a hand toward my worthy rival.

Bartimir immediately grabbed it and stood up.

“I lost.”

As he rewrapped the bandages around both hands, Bartimir slowly shook his head.

There wasn’t even the slightest trace of frustration.

If anything, he looked refreshed, his movements light.

“So you’re accepting defeat without complaint?”

“Yep. A complete loss.”

“Since you’ve accepted your defeat, I’ll at least allow you to become vice-captain.”

“Haha, thanks.”

Bartimir… A model demon explorer who knew how to humbly accept the results of an expedition… Burst into laughter.

“So… are you going to join our Moonlight Expedition Team?”

“Yeah. Everyone’s pretty skilled, and they’re good people, too. I like them. Though the team name’s a little strange…”

What exactly was strange about it?

If there were a competition for stylish expedition team names, it would easily win first place.

“To be honest… it is a little questionable.”

Even you too, Pendrick…

“Anyway, Sir Bartimir, I look forward to working with you.”

“Same here.”

I shook his petrified hand, hardened by the disease [Petrifying Body], then turned toward the direction Marlin’s voice had come from.

Caw!

“Good work.”

The Blind Crow had also returned.

Together, we climbed to the middle of the snowy mountain.

The siblings waiting there enthusiastically waved at me.

“Hmph! Karr, don’t you have something to say?”

“……”

Marlin was openly asking for something.

Abel silently requested the same thing with his eyes.

So I happily gave them what they wanted.

“Well done. I trusted you two all along.”

Proper praise and encouragement were a captain’s duty.

As I slowly patted their heads, both siblings’ tails swished happily from side to side.

“A draw. That’s unfortunate, Miss Assassin. It couldn’t be helped.”

“The Library Guardian prevented Captain Karr from sending the crow, too.”

Pendrick’s thoughtful attempt at comforting her achieved little.

“……”

Perhaps drawing against children who were merely Level 2 and Level 1 had been too much of a shock.

The Level 6 assassin with twenty-two years of experience silently stared up at the blue ceiling that crudely imitated the snowy sky.

“Big Sis put the book in. But Abel was holding onto the bottom. If I hadn’t covered your eyes, you’d have noticed the trick immediately. So it worked out!”

Kind-hearted as ever, Marlin subtly tried to restore Rosalia’s confidence before pointing toward the door standing atop the ridge.

An ancient… or perhaps simply worn-out… Door.

Above it were the words:

[Archive of Ancient Documents]

Beneath that, someone had casually attached a small piece of paper.

[We’ll count it as being inserted simultaneously.]

Bartimir, who had been carefully examining the door with one hand on it, looked toward me.

“Want to go in first?”

“No. The competition’s over. Let’s all enter together. Abel, you inserted the book, so would you like to open it?”

“Yes.”

Abel pushed open the door leading into the Archive of Ancient Documents with all his strength.

The moment we stepped inside… the door behind us disappeared.

Before us lay a narrow rectangular room.

Bookshelves carved directly into the walls were packed with books that looked old and shabby at a glance.

“Welcome….”

A demon sitting behind a desk greeted us in a sleepy voice and with equally sleepy eyes.

 

[Kiji Kirilli (Demon, 27 years old). He appears to be nothing more than a weak demon who loves sleeping and slacking off, yet surprisingly, no information can be read about him. Caution is advised.]

 

The librarian. The being that is required to clear the [Library of Sin].

More precisely… the second hidden one.

Like Senior Ermentaz from [Earth Elves Tomb], he was a lingering spirit inhabiting a hidden labyrinth.

“Greetings, Mr. Librarian.”

“Niiye….”

Speaking in a voice that sounded half-asleep and half-conscious, Librarian Kiji slowly rose to his feet and began explaining.

“You donated three books… So you’ll receive the privilege of using the Archive of Ancient Documents. You may take… one book from here….”

The basic rules weren’t any different from those of the [Library of Sin] itself.

Every ancient volume inside the Archive was a Mystery Tome.

Extraordinary books born from the malice carefully imbued by ancient demons.

Having aged for countless years, their miasma had only become more vicious.

Carelessly touching one carried the thrilling possibility of dying instantly with a scream.

“Just remember one thing.”

His voice suddenly became perfectly clear.

The demon librarian calmly continued.

“Our library accepts absolutely no responsibility for accidents such as death or mental collapse caused by ancient books. So please exercise caution for yourselves.”

“……”

While the rest of the group flinched and silently exchanged nervous glances…

I expressed my gratitude.

“Thank you for the considerate warning. I’ll be sure to mention in my review that your advice was incredibly helpful. And naturally, I’ll be giving you five stars.”

“…Eh?”

“Sir Bartimir. Let’s each choose one.”

Bartimir, the only one who wasn’t frozen stiff like me, scratched his head.

“Could you maybe pick out one ancient book suited for each of us? There’s way too many to choose from.”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t a difficult request.

I’d already decided in advance.

I quickly returned, carrying two ancient books.

 

[4th-Hierarchy Mystery Tome – Reclusive Prey]

[Allows one’s presence to become exceedingly faint, at the cost of reduced body weight.]

 

[4th-Hierarchy Mystery Tome – Ambushing Predator]

[Temporarily increases physical strength, at the cost of increased body weight.]

 

A pair of Mysteries that, depending on one’s perspective… could be considered completely free of drawbacks.

I intended to give [Reclusive Prey] to Marlin.

I handed [Ambushing Predator] to Bartimir.

“You chose quickly….”

Librarian Kiji absentmindedly yawned.

“No refunds. We’re not responsible for side effects. Also… take these souvenirs.”

The librarian handed me three thin metal plates.

 

[Artifact – Ancient Bookmark]

[When inserted into a Mystery Tome, it allows the user to learn its Mystery without reading it. However, the process takes considerable time.]

 

An artifact that allowed multiple Mysteries to be learned simultaneously.

It was especially valuable for difficult Mysteries like [Avatar of the Earth].

After storing the [Ancient Bookmarks] inside Radiant’s subspace…

The librarian scratched his arm and spoke.

“Now… everyone, please leave….”

“Understood. Until next time, Mr. Librarian.”

“I’d rather there not be a next time…!”

The moment I shook hands with the librarian…

A gate appeared in the center of the Archive.

“Well then. Let’s all leave together.”

D-rank Labyrinth. [Library of Sin].

Both the friendly competition… and the labyrinth conquest had ended in perfect success.

 

***

 

We exited through a gate that had appeared some distance away from the original bookshelf entrance to the [Library of Sin].

“Huh?”

The labyrinth management priest hurried over with wide eyes and asked,

“Cultist Karr? Why are you coming out from over there? Could it be…?”

“You’re thinking correctly.”

I informed the priest that we’d uncovered the hidden pieces.

Then immediately sold him the information.

Since it involved two hidden pieces… I received quite a generous advance payment.

“Marlin, here… Pocket money.”

“Really…?”

Two hundred gold.

A somewhat excessive amount to hand directly to a child.

But… I remembered how envious I’d been after hearing that children born into wealthy families received enormous allowances from a young age.

So I boldly gave it to her.

A clever girl like Marlin would surely come to appreciate the joy of reckless impulse purchases…

Something careful budgeting could never provide.

“Thank you…! Thank you very much.”

After gently patting the cheeks of the smiling siblings who rushed over…

I reported the expedition results to the Young Master through [Fragment That Connects as One].

“Young Master. It’s your adorable Karr as a result of the fierce competition between Team Cultist and Team Dark Mage inside the [Library of Sin], I’ll be continuing as expedition captain. Sir Bartimir has also agreed to join our Moonlight Expedition Team.”

— Just as expected.

“Then we’ll be returning now. I’m exhausted, so please prepare something delicious.”

— I’ll speak with Charlotte.

The fatigue weighing down on us was considerable.

So rather than making any detours, we returned straight to Odilon’s estate.

Sergius came out to greet us with a gentle smile.

“Sir Karr, welcome back. It seems your victory was successful.”

“That it was.”

“And Sir Bartimir Welcome as an official member of the expedition team.”

The kind-looking demon whose upper body was wrapped entirely in bandages smiled.

“Ah. Thanks.”

Talking casually even to an elderly man.

It was admirable to possess such an open-minded attitude unconstrained by age.

But if he ever accidentally met royalty and spoke like that…

It would become rather troublesome.

To prepare for that possibility…

It seemed I’d have to arrange etiquette lessons for him together with the siblings, who also came from poor backgrounds.

“Sir Karr, Charlotte is preparing a meal. Please wait approximately thirty minutes.”

“Understood.”

Since we still had some time…

I decided to spend it bonding with a fellow member of House Lee.

“Sir Bartimir. Come with me… We have much to discuss.”

“Yeah… I wanted that too.”

Together with the demon dark mage, I climbed onto the rooftop of the estate.

It was a spacious area overlooking the luxurious district.

The Young Master’s private relaxation spot, complete with long seaside-style lounge chairs and a parasol.

“It’s pleasant here and wonderfully quiet.”

I lowered my weary body onto the Young Master’s lounge chair.

Bartimir casually lay directly on the rooftop floor beside me.

“Well? Go on…What did you want to talk about?”

Resting comfortably with his chin propped up, the demon looked at me with curious eyes.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of ill intent.

If anything…

He resembled a child eagerly anticipating the chance to play with fire.

Remaining sprawled lazily in my chair, I met Bartimir’s gaze and quietly spoke.

“I will help establish it. A truly extraordinary plan for your future, Sir Bartimir.”