The library was vast, but even so, it felt strange that there wasn’t a single soul in sight as Yuder walked alongside Kishiar.

“It’s peaceful, but there really are no people around.”

“Well, today’s the day the Room of Truth opened.”

Kishiar responded while trailing his fingers along the spines of books on a nearby shelf.

“Almost no one would have had the time to come here today.”

“You planned for us to come now because of that?”

“Correct. I’d have no trouble avoiding people even if they were around, but the fewer eyes, the better.”

Turning another corner, Kishiar brushed his fingers over the spine of a book hidden behind a large tree and made a thoughtful hum.

“We’re almost there.”

By now, Yuder had fully learned how to use the magical fireflies stuck to book spines to find the path to the Forbidden Archive.

The imperial library was a colossal cylindrical building—five underground floors, three aboveground. Its dome ceiling and magical plants made it resemble a greenhouse more than a library. That structure confused first-time visitors, who couldn’t immediately tell where they were. But if one looked up, the dome’s inner pattern and carvings offered clues.

Kishiar had explained it like this:

“The dome represents the sky. The embedded windows and lights symbolize stars. The patterns and carvings below are all unique so that even someone who can’t read can recognize their meanings. For example, the literature section has a pen motif and carvings of thread, which represent the angel of stories.”

When they found a magical firefly attached to a book spine, drawn there by the special scent left by Librarian Oesten, Kishiar would always brush the book with his hand. That would momentarily trigger a magical reaction, dimming the light of visible fireflies.

At that moment, only those with the "right" could see the special fireflies. Looking up then would reveal a pattern or carving glowing in the dome. That image indicated the next correct section, and by repeating this process, one could navigate the proper path.

To reach the Forbidden Archive, one had to touch exactly twelve books.

Kishiar had touched eleven so far.

“Found it.”

Kishiar approached the twelfth and final book. The moment he brushed the spine and looked up—

The tree...

One of the nearby trees suddenly, silently split open its trunk. Within was a passage wide enough for Kishiar to enter without even ducking.

He smiled and pulled the last-touched book from the shelf, gripping it in one hand.

“Why did you take that one?”

“We’ll need it to get back out. Come on.”

Yuder followed him into the passage. The entrance sealed naturally behind them, leaving only a dim corridor ahead. As they walked, the passage widened, though somehow it felt as if they were descending—despite walking straight.

This sensation... where have I felt it before... Ah.

“It feels a little like going to the Hill of Gilandre.”

Gilandre Hill—Inon’s hometown, and the home once inhabited by Archmage Luma.

A place hidden entirely from public view, accessible only through a specific path. The sense of distortion there felt eerily similar to what he was feeling now.

“There’s no record of Archmage Luma participating in the construction, but even if he had, it wouldn’t be surprising.”

As Kishiar spoke gently, the passage ended, revealing a new space.

At first glance, it looked like the same grand library they had left behind.

But looking up revealed entirely different carvings and patterns on the ceiling. The light from the windows was gone. Only pitch-black darkness filled the open space above.

And...

Yuder followed the glow of magical fireflies flying around them.

Whereas the ones in the main library glowed pale green, here they glowed red. The change in color alone made the atmosphere unsettling—enough to send someone fainthearted running for the exit. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Yuder Aile wasn’t the type to flinch at such things, but if it was meant as a warning, it was a brilliant choice.

“So, how does it feel to finally enter the Forbidden Archive?”

Kishiar asked in a mock-formal tone, like a guide showing off an attraction.

“There’s no way anyone would mistake this place for a regular archive. Seems tailor-made for ghost rumors.”

Kishiar burst out laughing, pleased with the answer.

“Exactly. It’s deliciously eerie. I’ve liked this place since I was a child. It’s one of the few spots in the palace like this.”

He raised a hand toward a firefly. As if drawn to his gentle motion, one landed on his fingertip, its red light flickering.

“From what I’ve heard, if an unauthorized intruder enters, these red fireflies will all attack at once. Fun, right?”

“You’re telling me they actually attack, not just warn or designate areas?”

“I haven’t seen it myself... Curious to find out how they attack?”

“Yes.”

“Should we try it?”

He said it so casually, like he’d follow through without hesitation. Yuder shook his head.

“No need. I don’t think the librarian would appreciate it. And we have more important things to do.”

“Fair enough.”

Kishiar waved his hand, and the firefly flew away.

“Not all the books here are forbidden texts. Many are just judged too dangerous or sensitive to be made public. The actual restricted section is under the symbol of bones—death and danger.”

Even the category marker was ominous. Still, Kishiar strode forward without hesitation.

“Even within the forbidden texts, the categories vary by shelf. What we’re looking for should be... over here.”

He stopped in front of a shelf labeled in an ancient tongue.

“If we translate this word, it means ‘Great Sky.’ In other words—god. So all theological texts should be here. If there’s anything related to the Black Moon Cult, it’ll be ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) in this area. Ah, yes—this way.”

Though they quickly found the right shelf, it was so densely packed with books that finding the exact one they needed wouldn’t be easy.

As Kishiar slowly scanned the titles with a serious expression, Yuder cautiously spoke.

“Commander.”

“Hmm?”

“Why don’t I help look? I can’t read the language, but if you teach me what to look for, I can memorize the pattern and match it like an image. Splitting the work should make things faster.”

He thought Kishiar might refuse for safety reasons—but he didn’t.

“Would you? I’d be very grateful.”

Kishiar took Yuder’s hand and slowly traced a word on his palm.

“This is the ancient word for ‘Word.’ It means the Word of God, or promise. Most ancient scriptures include it. The book we want is likely shelved near the texts of the Sun God. If you see this word, take out the book and call me.”

“Understood.”

Yuder immediately went to the opposite side and began searching. Some shelves were higher than him, but there was a ladder, so it wasn’t difficult to check.

...Could this be it?

After some time, Yuder found several books bearing the word Kishiar had shown him. He retraced the letters on his palm, confirming the match, and reached up.

Tucked into the shadows of a high shelf, worn leather volumes were packed tightly together.

He removed three out of four, then reached for the last.

But perhaps due to its age, its cover had fused slightly with the book beside it—it wouldn’t budge.

I should just pull both out together...

But at that moment, one of the leaning books nearby slipped, about to fall on his head. Yuder reflexively began to summon wind—

But a hand shot out from behind and pushed the book back in place before it could fall.

“You okay?”