Chapter 27: The Forbidden Tome and the Imperial Library

In the room sat a woman who looked exactly like Lady Elina III.

“We met once before, didn’t we? I’m called Lady Elina IV,” she said.

Lara shot a quick glance at Creon, who had just entered behind her, and then fixed her attention on Lady Elina IV. Books were piled on the sofa and table, as if she had been teaching Creon how to write.

Lara exchanged a brief greeting with Lady Elina IV before seating herself on the sofa across from her.

“I’ll go dry my hair. Keep the conversation going,” she added.

While Lady Elina III stepped into another room, Creon sat facing Lara across a table. A comfortable silence ensued, punctuated only by the sound of Lady Elina IV flipping through a book on the shelf. Then, Creon pulled a word card from his vest pocket.

“If you wouldn’t mind, could you read aloud what’s written on this card? I’m still struggling to comprehend its meaning,” he asked.

“Oh,” came the simple reply.

Only then did Lara come fully to her senses. Although it was odd that Creon hadn’t addressed her directly, his sly smile soon eased her embarrassment.

With a gentle smile, Lara accepted the word card from him. On its front was an adorable drawing of a little chick.

“Let’s see…”

The moment she flipped the card, Lara’s face went pale. The back was crammed with crude, overlapping characters, as if the text had been scribbled threefold.

‘No, this is ancient language I can’t even decipher…’

It felt like a heavy blow to the back of her head. She couldn’t read a single word. In today’s education, no one is expected to tackle a word card requiring such advanced comprehension.

After Lara fell silent for a bit—perhaps catching his drift—Creon, ever observant, spoke up first.

“I’m sorry for the hassle… It seems economic terms are just more verbose than others. Actually, I have a state ancient language exam in two weeks. Ah, I’m sitting at about GOEIC 900—could I possibly reach first level? I’m so nervous. They say with this kind of study, you can’t even put your name on your card…”

Had he literal ears attached to his head, they would have sagged dejectedly. Lara didn’t know how to advise him; she longed for someone to offer a word of guidance.

‘He’s advanced so abruptly!’

She wondered how such rapid progress was even possible. As Lara grew momentarily frozen, Creon retrieved the word card from her and slid it over to the engrossed Lady Elina IV.

“I still don’t get it, even though we covered similar material before… Lady Elina IV,” he said.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Let me explain it again. Once you grasp the Bernupharon principle, it all becomes clearer. The 56 ancient words used in this formula… as per the established Killaniannon Association, they’re mutually interchangeable…”

Lara couldn’t help but furrow her brow. With her hands modestly resting on her knees, she listened to their academic exchange. Amid all the specialized jargon, she couldn’t follow a single word. Really, were her countrymen speaking in their native tongue? She thought she might need an interpreter by her side.

After a 30-minute explanation about the word card, a break finally arrived. Lara, tense and alert for any questions, let out a long-awaited sigh of relief.

When Creon excused himself to check on Lady Elina III, Lara found herself alone with Lady Elina IV. With a solid thump, Lady Elina IV closed a thick book and began to speak.

“I seem to have finished this book. I must fetch a new one. Could you wait a moment?”

“Ah, of course. Please take your time,” replied Lara.

Seizing the opportunity, Lara responded briskly. Lady Elina IV then rose and effortlessly hefted the neatly stacked books.

While Lara anxiously watched her approach the door, the precarious tower of books started to wobble, and several tumbled to the floor with a thud. Lara rushed over to help collect them.

“If you don’t mind, allow me to help carry them,” she offered.

“That’d be much appreciated,” came the grateful response.

It felt almost like a clichéd romantic moment between a leading lady and a supporting character, but Lara pretended not to notice.

Carrying the books together, they reached Lady Elina IV’s private chamber. Instead of the usual dressing table, full-length mirror, or wardrobe seen in Youngae’s rooms, this chamber was dominated by bookshelves lining three walls.

Carefully maneuvering around the scattered books on the floor, Lara placed them on a colossal desk large enough to lie on.

“Thank you for your help,” Lady Elina IV said.

“Hehe, no need to mention it. But your passion for books is truly remarkable,” Lara remarked.

“Books are the only way to satisfy my unending thirst for knowledge. I’ve probably read nearly every book in the Empire,” she continued.

“Oh, then have you ever read ‘Magical Girl Lilica’?” queried Lara.

“‘Magical Girl Lilica’?” Lady Elina IV echoed, her eyes widening in surprise.

The mere thought that such a book might be unknown sent a subtle ripple through her silvery gaze.

Meanwhile, a divine voice echoed in Lara’s mind.

‘So what if it’s a comic book!’

Furious, Lara grudgingly put an end to her sales pitch.

“…Hehe, no, it’s nothing. Even if you read a comic, it won’t change much…”

“No, there isn’t such a thing as a useless book in this world,” came the firm retort.

Lara instantly agreed with that sentiment.

“Right? Isn’t it so? Who in their right mind would rate books? Oh hoho! Just give it a read—passion really enriches life!”

“Hold on a minute,” interrupted someone.

“Yes?”

“That book you mentioned earlier… I feel like I’ve seen it before. What exactly did you call it?”

“‘Magical Girl Lilica’?”

Before Lara could set her teacup down, Lady Elina IV abruptly stood and walked to the desk. Adjusting the glasses perched on a thick book, she began rummaging through the volumes.

“Found it…”

Lady Elina IV extracted a yellowed piece of parchment from among the books, her face lighting up with the joy of a scholar making a groundbreaking discovery.

“What on earth is this?”

“It’s on the Forbidden Books list of the Imperial Library. I happened upon it while reading and hid it away just in case.”

Lara couldn’t fathom why a forbidden text with such formidable power would be kept in the busiest part of the Imperial Library. If it were up to her, she would’ve burned it on the spot, fearing it might pose a national threat.

While scanning the parchment, Lady Elina IV tapped its center with her finger.

“Here it is. ‘Magical Girl Lilica… Limited Edition Supplement.'”

“A Limited Edition Supplement, you say…?”

Lara’s eyes lit up. This was the true treasure—a book with the potential to upend her world and make its possessor the envy of every otaku.

“By any chance… when are you planning to visit the Imperial Library?”

Noticing a sudden change in Lara’s demeanor, Lady Elina IV felt an inexplicable unease.

“When you go, please take me along! I beg you!”

Although someone of low status like Youngae might be allowed entry, she wouldn’t likely reach the deep recesses where forbidden texts were hidden. Yet, if accompanied by a noble lady, there was a sliver of hope—and Lara pinned all her dreams on that possibility.

Seeing Lara’s desperate plea, Lady Elina IV’s fingertips trembled slightly, as if an overwhelming tidal wave of knowledge were about to crash over her. How could such a formidable book provoke so much plea? Her intellectual curiosity was undeniably aroused.

“I’m curious about that book as well. Shall we head out together now?”

“Oh, thank you! I’ll just say I’m a guest of Lady Elina III,” she replied gratefully.

“Meanwhile, I’ll get the teleportation circle ready. I know the coordinates of the Imperial Library,” added Lady Elina IV.

Thus began the journey of the two Youngaes in search of the ‘Magical Girl Lilica Limited Edition Supplement.’

“Let’s go in,” Lara said.

Lara swallowed silently, nerves thick as she stepped into the Imperial Library for the first time. The grandeur inside made it hard to tell whether it was a library or a ballroom.

A long, pearly-white, gleaming carpet stretched along the corridor. Following Lady Elina IV up to the third floor, Lara couldn’t help but marvel at the view.

The densely packed bookshelves were as imposing as building walls. Though the books were organized, their sheer volume made anything hard to locate.

After navigating the labyrinthine shelves, a quieter, deeper section emerged. Venturing further in, they soon reached the final, deserted area of the library.

“If it exists, it should be here. Books that people rarely search for or misfile are all stored in this secluded spot—it’s ideal for hiding forbidden texts,” explained Lady Elina IV.

Feeling one step closer to their goal—even though it was only the beginning—the two split up to search. Lara started at the very back, while Lady Elina IV combed the front.

Lady Elina IV methodically extracted books from the lower shelves. Sometimes, instead of placing them neatly between volumes, people hide them underneath or behind others.

“Phew,” she exhaled.