Chapter 134
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Scene 134 Underground Stacks
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I never thought youd actually bring the special viewing pass, meow!
The librarys cat librarian, Myoreu, was holding a purple card.
The one who had brought the VVVIP passsomething only the librarys owner could possesswas the silver-haired dukes daughter, Bella.
Now I can access anywhere in the library, right?
Of course, meow! But do you know the library owner, meow?
Ahem. Not exactly close friends, but more than lovers, less than husband and wife.
? I dont really get it, but youre close, meow!
Yes, very close.
Contrary to Bellas expectations, Tristan had readily lent her the pass.
He hadnt even asked what book she wanted.
However, shed had to endure a humiliating ordeal.
I dont show mercy to thieves. Unless its a thieving cat.
Oh...
She flinched at the word thief.
But she couldnt deny it.
His words were undeniably true, no matter how she looked at them.
A-alright, just move away...
Bella, hiding under the bookshelf, had no idea where to look.
Right in front of her was his lower body, and if she raised her head even slightly, shed see his sweaty upper body.
To the frozen Bella, Tristan said,
If you dont want to?
...What?
Cats are so nimble, you could always run away.
Im not running, so come out already. Wait, who are you calling a cat?
If you hate it that much, come out on your own.
Youre so sly. If you dont move, you think I really cant come out?
Bella tried to push him away, but his lower body was too close for her to lay a hand on it. And voicing it out loud was too embarrassing.
Ugh... Now I get why they call you a genius at evil deeds.
You just figured that out?
Stop messing around and come out already, Count. Ill really get mad.
You know the answer too. If you want to get out of there and borrow the pass from me, you know what to do.
Tristan smirked arrogantly as he looked down at Bella, like the boss of some evil syndicate.
Seeing that smug face just made her more irritated.
...Are you crazy? You want me to do something so... shameless?
Its not shameless. I just want to see you embarrassed.
Worst...
Fine, shed just do it once and be done.
In the end, Bella squeezed her eyes shut and said,
Lend me the pass...... meow.
Disappointing. Its the first time Ive seen such an uncute cat.
Im not actually a cat!
Then stay right there, fake cat.
Ah! Seriously...!
Bella covered her face in utter humiliation.
It was just one word, but she felt like she could die of embarrassment.
Her cheeks burned so hot against her palms.
Desperate to run away right then and there, Bella could only muster a mosquito-like whisper.
M-master... meow... Lend the p-pass to m-me... meowww...
Got it.
Tristan chuckled at Bellas all-out performance and handed her the pass.
That had been just yesterday.
Who was it I borrowed this pass for without even knowing...
Meow? What was that, meow?
Nothing.
Bella and Blanche followed behind Myoreu as they descended the stairs.
The place they arrived at was an empty clearing without a single bookshelf.
Miss... look over there.
Yes?
Where Blanche pointed, a group of cats stood in perfect formation.
The cats, wearing armbands, were tense and alert, scanning their surroundings.
The atmosphere felt ominous.
Behind them loomed a massive iron door that looked incredibly heavy at first glance.
Bella instinctively knew that was the entrance to the underground stacks.
Welcome, Lady Bella.
The large black cat at the front saluted.
I am Myo Cheolsu, First Librarian of the Great Wall of Truth. Ive heard the word. You wish to enter our librarys underground stacks.
Yes.
Why not reconsider, even now?
Reconsider?
Bella felt puzzled by the unexpected remark.
Why?
Our duty as librarians isnt just managing books and facilitiesits also protecting our guests safety. However, we cannot guarantee your safety if you enter the underground stacks.
Safety? What do you mean?
Magical beasts infest the underground stacks.
Magical beasts?
Myo Cheolsu continued his explanation.
This underground stacks was originally a preservation vault for storing old books safely. It holds many national treasure-level rarities. But the overly stringent security backfired, allowing the beasts to nest there.
Ah...
Only then did Bella understand what Myo Cheolsu meant.
Magical beasts were aberrant beings born from the influence of mana.
Some books contained vast amounts of mana. Places like libraries, filled with such books, became ideal breeding grounds if not constantly maintained.
After that, its been sealed far too long. The last scouting report from a hundred years ago noted beasts swarming everywhere. We couldnt touch it ourselves and have left it abandoned ever since. I dont know what book youre after, Lady Bella... but I wanted to warn you that entering is extremely dangerous.
Hmm...
Shed expected it wouldnt be easy, but not to this extent...
Even the Ruelverta family, with their immense intelligence network and wealth, hadnt been able to lift the curse afflicting them.
For Bella alone to uncover the curses true nature would inevitably be a difficult and perilous journey.
...
...
Yeah...
The worthwhile things were always the difficult and dangerous ones.
Bella sensed that the path she was about to take was a shortcut.
Time was running short.
Hadnt Tristan said it?
The hero had appeared.
Soon, this world would be engulfed in chaos.
When that happened, she wouldnt be able to do anything.
Before that day came, Bella wanted to lift Tristans curse.
Bella stared at the firmly locked iron door.
Just looking at it filled her with certainty.
Beyond that door lay the books she soughtthe ones about the curse.
...What do you think, Blanche?
I will follow your will, miss.
Blanche surely wanted to dissuade her.
As Bellas guard knight, she couldnt possibly like sending her charge into danger.
But knowing Bellas resolve, she had steeled herself too.
In that case... Bella had no choice but to steel herself as well.
The black cat head librarian, Myo Cheolsu, who had been gauging her reaction, cautiously spoke up.
The director ordered us not to approach this place unless under special circumstances. Its been quite some time now, so there might not only be beasts... but demons as well.
Demons...?
Yes. So it would be best to keep the underground stacks sealed as
No. In that case, I cant back down now more than ever.
Pardon?
I am Bella Izarkhel, successor to the hero Alonso Izarkhel.
Bella quietly drew her rapier for self-defense.
To the Izarkhel family, which has exterminated evil for generations, mere magical beasts are nothing. Or rather...
The sharp tip of her sword pointed toward the underground stacks entrance.
If its demons, then thats all the better. The power I wield exists to exterminate evil.
The sword tip began to glow, and soon the entire blade shone brilliantly like sunlight.
The power of light magicone of the seven elemental magics.
The honorable strength, blessed by the gods, that only the Izarkhel family could wield.
And the power that demons feared above all else.
......!
Gasps erupted among the cat librarians.
Bella, holding the sword radiating light magic, looked utterly elegant and beautiful.
Open the door to the stacks.
The realms most noble silver-haired dukes daughter declared to them.
I will illuminate the darkness.