The World Runs on Money
The world runs on money. That held true in modern capitalism, and it was no different in the clearly medieval world of the novel. Since I was still classified as a child—not yet an adult—my parents covered all the essentials like food and sleep. But when it came to the things I wanted, I had to pay with trembling hands. The food and medicine for the woman had been like that, as had the robes and necklace. So I'd assumed all the books I needed for my journey would demand the same steep price.
"…No, my money."
This was content that never appeared in the novel.
"I've already bought five books with my own damn money, you bastards…."
To common folk, books were a luxury item. That's why it had taken me until now to notice the grand Imperial Citizen Library right nearby.
I stood staring blankly at the massive building, letting out a deep sigh.
Of course, even as a library for imperial citizens, it wasn't open to just anyone. Nobles and royals—whose very status served as their entry pass—could stroll in with a mere nod. But for commoners, there was the obligation to fill out a dense stack of paperwork, at least five pages' worth. And since minors weren't even eligible on their own, a legal guardian had to come along to sign and stamp the forms.
That's why I'd dragged my sprawled-out mom from home.
"Yaaawn… Our son doesn't seem like much of a filial type in any direction. So I just have to fill out all these papers…?"
"Yes. I've already filled in all the details, so you just need to sign and stamp."
Maybe because I'd hauled her out while she was dozing off with constant nods, Mom kept yawning nonstop, blinking blearily at the forms.
"If you had everything ready, you could've just brought it home for me to sign and stamp…."
"Unfortunately, they need the librarian to verify the relationship proof in person."
Otherwise, any tomcat or mongrel could wander in and out unchecked, or so they claimed. In any case, there was no solving this without a guardian if you were a kid. I might think my body and mind were plenty mature, but the "child" label stubbornly hinged on age alone.
"Yaaawn… Guess there's no helping it then. Ugh, what a hassle…. There, all done."
"Thanks, Mom."
I took the papers from her and submitted them to the librarian seated at the front desk. Looking as weary as Mom, the librarian let out a huge yaaawn of her own, nodded, and handed me my library card.
And once the whole process wrapped up, Mom couldn't resist tacking on one last remark.
"Alright. Don't go hunting for seditious books, okay, son~?"
"…I won't."
"At fourteen, you're right at that age where curiosity kicks in, aren't you?"
Fourteen was indeed old enough for sexual curiosity to bloom, but not for me. I could control those childish impulses from my younger days just fine now.
"Let's just go already."
"And don't be rude to that girl you work with for no reason~"
"Ugh, come on."
"Hee hee hee! Mom's heading out!"
So let me say just this: I'm not some dog in heat panting after a woman who's not even an adult, or the kid I've raised like a daughter.
In any event, I wandered through the library's halls. With only me, the librarian, and a scant few others in the vast space, there wasn't a whisper of noise—just the occasional swish of turning pages brushing my ears.
It was far larger than I'd expected, making it tough to find even a single desired book amid the classifications. What I was after first were simpler language texts and Saravati Duchy histories.
One endless shelf alone held over a thousand volumes, enough to make my head spin.
"…Holy hell. This is…."
At this rate, I'd spend days just hunting books.
Reluctantly, I headed back to the entrance counter where the librarian sat. I felt bad bothering her haggard, hollow-cheeked face and had tried solo, but this was beyond me alone.
So I approached the counter and spoke cautiously.
"Um…."
"Yes, how may I help you?"
The librarian barely hid her deathly gaunt face behind enormous round glasses.
"I'm looking for a book, but even following the classifications, I can't find where it is…."
"Ah, that happens to first-timers."
Yet her hollow eyes gleamed strangely, like she'd spotted a newbie in a game.
It was a little unsettling.
"So… could you guide me a bit?"
"Tell me the book you want, and I'll guide you. If you don't know the title, the category works."
"I'm looking for Elf language books and Duchy history texts."
"Then let's start with the Elf language section."
She rose and led the way. She rolled her slumped shoulders as if kneading away exhaustion, then pushed up her slipping round glasses with the back of her hand.
And then she spoke.
"Elf language books are in language section G-201-13 through G-201-81."
"Pardon?"
"The Elf language books you mentioned."
She was declaring herself insane.
"Uh, that…."
"Duchy histories are fewer, so history section B-10-3 through B-10-8."
Unlike the musclehead at the training grounds, she was definitely nuts.
"Do librarians have to memorize all that…?"
"Of course not. No need, but memorizing locations is fun."
"…Ah. I see."
"Here. Third shelf up—pick what you want."
The citizen library, never shown once in the novel. It housed a slightly—very slightly—odd librarian.
From then on, whenever I had time, I'd head to the library to read or borrow books as needed.
"Hello."
"Yes."
I'd greet the librarian, always scribbling away at the counter, then fetch a book from the category she'd indicated. Basics of the Elf language and script arrangements. Unlike the pricey tomes I'd bought blindly, these started slow from the alphabet equivalents.
She'd offhandedly remarked that the expensive one I'd purchased was for Elf linguists only.
That bastard bookstore owner. Sold it without knowing, huh.
So I'd read in the quiet library.
"Bern, el, kair…."
I muttered each pronunciation while poring over the text. One might think speaking in a library was rude, but since language study required voicing it out, corner spots were permitted. Hardly anyone around anyway.
"Hm, is that right?"
"Please refrain from chit-chat in the library."
Then why block even this muttering?
"…Yes, ma'am."
By my standards, the librarian was pretty weird.
Thus my routine repeated. Up at dawn for the training grounds, still unable to beat the musclehead bald guy, screaming through three full hours. Quick breakfast, then to Rendo's Grocery.
There was always a woman peeking out the door, waiting for me. Upon my arrival, she'd beam: "Welcome to Rendo's Grocery."
After store duties, straight to the library.
"Hello."
"Yes. You're quite diligent."
The library was perpetually serene. Today, it held only me—just arrived—and the librarian intently scribbling at the counter.
Truth be told, the so-called citizen library saw little use. Imperial citizens were too busy scraping by daily. Sure, interest in books existed, but half of every ten passersby couldn't even read.
Few made time to visit like me. Probably why the novel skipped this place, I mused alone.
And today, I asked her about a different sort of book.
"Um… ma'am."
"Yes, speak."
It was still for travel prep, like the others I'd borrowed.
"Are there… any research or history books on gray?"
"…."
Part of my effort to part with the gray-haired woman without sorrow.
The librarian's perpetually hollow eyes fixed solely on me.
"Not here?"
"Research and histories on gray are banned books across the Empire and 72 nations of the continent."
News to me.
The novel always featured researchers' notes, so I'd assumed they were fine.
"Ah… then nowhere has them."
"Possession alone can mean punishment under imperial law."
So, as she said, I had no way to obtain them.
But.
"We have them here."
She still gazed at me, a mad flicker—like shards of frenzy—in her eyes.