Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: The Forbidden Stacks and the Page Family Party
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The exam period had ended, and the weekend was upon us.
I figured I'd sort through the information from all the recent chaos and take a little healing trip over the weekend.
A trip—my heart was already pounding just thinking about it.
"May I go in?"
I asked cautiously.
The librarian in charge of the Central Library's forbidden stacks was a stern-looking middle-aged man, but when I waved the badge Madelia had given me, he nodded right away.
"The Chancellor contacted me about you earlier."
"So, that means I can go in, right?! I've got the badge!"
"Indeed."
"Right? I've got the badge! The badge!"
"Yes... You may access the Third through Sixth Forbidden Stacks."
He placed his hand on the massive iron door, and intricate magic circles appeared on its surface, spinning like gears.
- Authorized access granted. Entry approved.
The door swung open, revealing an astonishing world, accompanied by a delightful aroma.
The scent of dust accumulated over ages and paper slowly decaying... the unique breath of an ancient library.
Just inhaling this smell was pure bliss.
'If this isn't a trip, what is? Hell, it might as well be a drug. The only one sanctioned by the Papal Court.'
It was a three-story double-height structure, with bookshelves crammed everywhere, cradling thousands of rare tomes.
I couldn't stop grinning.
Even without reading a single book, just seeing all those volumes stacked up lifted my spirits. That hefty weight of knowledge brought a smile to my face all on its own.
'Worth all the effort taking care of Kasena Page.'
Alright, time to calm down.
I'd come here today to organize some serious intel. Wandering the history section, I soon found what I was after.
『History of the Tersia Calendar: Prehistory』
Prehistory was also the history of the Abyss, so detailed records weren't public knowledge.
Even back in my Lin days, I'd gotten most of my info from Rista or Fride...
And the reason was right there on the opening page.
[The true names of the Abyss Lords are taboo. Thus, they are now known as the [Forgotten Kings].]
Apparently, uttering the [Forgotten Kings]' true names weakens their seals... Hard to believe, but that's what it said.
[Table of Contents.]
1. Prehistory: The Age of the Abyss.
- Who are the [Forgotten Kings]?
⋅1.1 Abyss Lord of the Deep Sea, Murmuring Madness.
⋅1.2 Worm Lord, Writhing Chaos.
⋅1.3 Spider Lord, Blasphemous Mystery.
⋅1.4 Lizard Lord, Howling Ruin.
⋅1.5 Lord of Time, Bewitching Mockery.
The epithets gave a rough idea.
Like, 'Murmuring Madness' operated in the ocean, and 'Writhing Chaos' had wormkin minions.
Three hundred years ago, it was the Lizard Lord's 'Howling Ruin' minions that appeared. We'd headed to the South Pole to prevent their seal from breaking.
[2. The Arrival of the Gods.]
- Who are the [Those Who Came]?
⋅2.1 Sun of the Vaulted Heavens, Terbel.
⋅2.2 Blood Sun, Shurigan.
⋅2.3 Black Sun, Karenden.
⋅2.4 Pale Moon, Makensia.
⋅2.5 Noble Moon, Jyeannir.
⋅2.6 Wistful Moon, Tersia.
⋅2.7 Starlit Moon, Meian.
[3. War Between the [Forgotten Kings] and the [Those Who Came].]
⋅3.1 Blades of the Gods, Elmine Knights.
...
...
(...excerpt...)
...
...
⋅3.10 Battle of Tarhye Rondel.
The gods, called [Those Who Came] from other worlds, arrived as light in a realm of only darkness, driving back the Abyss and gifting humanity peace and freedom.
Sealed across the continent by the [Those Who Came], the [Forgotten Kings] were bound thus: the Spider Lord north of the [Snowridge Great Wall] in the Arctic; the Worm Lord in the fairy lands of the Idea Peninsula; the Deep Sea Lord in the Mediterranean; the Lizard Lord in the South Pole where the [Flame Myriad Wall] now stands; the Lord of Time on the Blade Peninsula, seat of the Papal Court.
Incidentally, the three suns illuminating day and the four moons of night were all astonishingly creations of the [Those Who Came]'s power.
'And this Elmine Knights...'
They were the original five heroes.
The strongest warriors that modern humanity mimics with the title FakeWarrior.
Their origins are unclear—were they elves, humans, or divine creations? Debates rage.
[4. Dawn of Civilization.]
- Departing Gods, Birth of the Three Divine Dragons.
⋅4.1 Watchful Radiance, Light Dragon Haraderiman.
⋅4.2 Raging Fury, Fire Dragon Bel'Dakidun.
⋅4.3 Piercing Gaze, Water Dragon Yeriserika.
Finally, before departing, the [Those Who Came] created three divine dragons as stewards.
The Light Dragon, commander of the Yellow Dragon Legion, leads the Papal Court as Pontifex, overseeing the world.
I'd met the Fire Dragon myself back in my Lin days; she commands the Red Dragon Legion, guarding civilization from the Abyss at the South Pole's [Flame Myriad Wall].
The Water Dragon protects the World Tree in the fairy lands of the Idea Peninsula with her White Dragon Legion, safeguarding the gods' light—or so the sparse records say.
'Reading time's over. I came here for two reasons today.'
1. Who sent me Lin's biography and diary?
2. Which [Forgotten King] do Valensidis, Ribadin, and Riveni serve?
I'd already guessed #1. High odds it's Light Dragon Haraderiman. No other divine being fits.
The Papal Court managing Lin's relics only strengthens that hunch.
Why no direct contact, though? Maybe like with Fride, she wants me enjoying this new life?
'On to the next key...'
Pinpoint their [Forgotten King], and I can devise countermeasures. Powers vary by lord.
Riveni said she was the vessel for Lin's soul.
So, they're scheming to use my body somehow—that narrows it down.
'Lizard Lord's other epithet: "Devourer of Death"... Planning to devour my death and resurrect?'
If not Lizard, then Lord of Time. The Abyss Queen who warps worldlines, shifting world points to twist timelines.
'Pull my soul from a timeline where I don't die and implant it in this body?'
I racked my brain for ages, but no answers. Track down Haraderiman and spill everything?
But if she doesn't know me?
I'd be an heretical reincarnator, a madman claiming to be Lin's rebirth—prime torture bait for the 'Golden Children.'
"Ah, crap, no clue."
As I scratched my head furiously, the forbidden stacks librarian approached.
"What? Time limit?"
"No, the Chancellor is looking for you, young master. She demands your immediate presence."
Me? Why me again? She saw all the benefits—now reclaiming the badge?
No way!
Dragging my slight annoyance and worry to the Chancellor's office, the reason for summoning me was beyond imagination.
"A party?"
Madelia nodded while hastily finishing her paperwork.
"Yes. As I said before, we've been too busy, and our gratitude for what you did for our house was shamefully inadequate."
"Pardon? No, this badge is more than enough."
"No need for modesty. To celebrate your back-to-back top student spot too, we've prepared a modest party. Come along now."
Party... The word sent chills down my spine.
Hated them since my Lin days. Mingling noisily with strangers, all while stiffly minding etiquette.
I'd planned a quiet library trip this weekend—no interruptions allowed.
"I'd love to join, but my family is heading back to Bellwin today, so I should see them off."
"Hmm, really? You say you'd love to come, but this keeps you away?"
"Yes. Such a shame."
That was my mistake.
No sooner had I spoken than a sly smile crept across Madelia's lips.
"Then no problem at all! Brim and your siblings are already attending."
"Pardon?"
"If you truly didn't want to come, that'd be one thing, but you say you do—this is unavoidable."
I sighed, pinching my brow.
Why is this damn family zero help...
I racked my brain desperately.
"Besides, I didn't bring any formalwear when I came to school. Can't show up like this—"
"—Kennis."
Madelia snapped her fingers, summoning her secretary, who entered with two maids cradling armfuls of formal attire...
"Everything's prepared. Just bring yourself, Rain Ludwig."
Madelia eyed me like, *got any more excuses?*... And after all that back-and-forth, here I was.
Hair gleaming, decked in ridiculously luxurious formalwear, dragged to the Page estate.
I finally understood the pig marched to slaughter. Time to swear off meat for a while.
"Kennis, ready?"
"All set, ma'am."
"Good."
Led by Madelia's hand into the small banquet hall, an orchestra burst into lively music.
Small banquet hall? It rivaled Bellwin's grand one.
"Rain Ludwig, congrats on back-to-back top spot."
Madelia turned with a warm smile, and applause erupted from all sides.
Rain hadn't realized, but fixing Kasena's legs and livening the estate had earned him massive favor with everyone.
Bewildered, Rain tilted his head with a awkward expression.
"Uh, well, um, no idea. Why's the Page family throwing me this celebration...?"
A sharp-featured middle-aged man stepped forward, quieting the crowd.
Kasena's father, Yuren Page.
Striding up, he huffed dramatically, then suddenly gripped Rain's shoulders and nodded.
"Heard from Madelia and Kasena. They said you made her shine in the exams—your achievement?"
"It wasn't that big a—"
"—Yuren here is truly moved! So, with utmost courtesy, I recognize you. You're fit to be my son-in-law!"
A headache hit instantly.
This again?
Why's everyone suddenly pushing marriage talk? Before I could react, my reliable guards stepped in.
"Um, Your Excellency? Even so, this is moving too fast... Rain needs time to think."
As expected, Mother! Knew I could count on you!
Seri Ludwig piled on.
"Y-Yeah! Besides, Rain oppa promised to marry me later! So this won't do!"
Just shut it...
Yuren shook his head like he wouldn't hear rebuttals and clapped sharply.
owing!
"Kasena, tell him yourself!"
Clack, clack... clack... Crutches scraped marble, drawing hushed gasps everywhere.
She was breathtaking beauty incarnate.
Even Rain nearly whistled.
Elegantly updone pale purple hair shimmered under lights, smooth facial curves framing picture-perfect features that stirred every heart.
"How can she be so beautiful..."
"She always has been since childhood..."
Gold-and-pale-purple dress swirled silkily above ankles now gaining subtle muscle.
First time seeing Kasena Page dolled up, or with noble makeup...
The Page family's unique hair made her one-of-a-kind beauty. Unique, thus all the more coveted by men.
"Pfft, puhahaha!"
Someone burst out laughing.
Rain Ludwig.
At first, they thought the boy was embarrassed, but his words revealed it was genuine amusement.
"The whiny miss in that outfit? Doesn't suit her at all—hilarious."
Indeed. To Rain, uninterested in romance, it was just *huh, miss got a bit dolled up*—nothing more.
"Sh-Shut up! Dad pretty much forced me! You're the ridiculous one!"
"The Chancellor forced me too. Shared misery, huh."
"Shared misery? What's that?!"
"Means pitying fellow sufferers of the same ailment."
"What? Yeah, we're both in that boat. Heh, hehehehaha!"
As the mood veered oddly, Madelia cleared her throat and called Kasena. She nodded, primping with a cough.
"Ahem! Forget Dad's nonsense. Why would I marry you anyway?"
"Thought so."
"I'm a Page! The status gap with Ludwig is heaven and earth!"
Yuren bellowed.
"What nonsense, Kasena! Too harsh on your future son-in-law?"
"Dad, quiet! You're not helping!"
Stung by his beloved daughter, Yuren paled and faded from the conversation.
Flushing beet red, Kasena composed herself.
"We called you to, uh, give a thank-you gift. Decided after talking with Mom and Dad."
Leaning on one crutch, she drew a ornate gold-and-silver box etched with the Page crest from her bosom.
What now?
I took it hesitantly, opened it—and lost my soul as otherworldly light bathed me.
"No way..."
A gem. Not a gem. Priceless beyond measure.
How to describe it?
An obsidian-shining orb the size of a ring, impossible to imitate by any this-world power.
Tiny, yet it warped, drew in, purified, amplified ambient mana flows.
"Like it? Of course you do!"
Kasena, gauging my eyes carefully, beamed in relief.
"Th-This is, uh, wha—"
Shivering, speechless, I froze. Madelia chuckled, approaching.
"What you're thinking? Spot on. It's Black Sun Rin."
Black Sun Rin.
Treasure of treasures in every magic history tome. Mages' ultimate dream.
Gift from Black Sun Karenden to magic progenitor Emitas Page upon leaving this world. Its effect? Utterly unique.
Mana amplification, spell power boost—par for course. The real marvel: mana recovery.
Mages normally recover via rest or meditation.
But Black Sun Rin stabilizes and reactivates the caster's core automatically. Instant mana regen, anytime.
No other mana stone does this. Problem: only one pair exists.
[The tradition holds that Black Sun Rin is given to those who wed the Page head...]
Not given outright, of course.
Lent.
Returned when the head passes to heir, spouse too. Brim spoke up, knowing this.
"Senior, this is the Page marriage gift?!"
"Correct. But special case. Rain, no marriage intent needed. Take it."
I doubted my ears.
Black Sun Karenden's gift—to me, now?
"Just return it when Kasena's child becomes head someday. Would love to give it outright, but traditions..."
"But Senior... what about Kasena's future husband's feelings?"
"Would wed them now if willing, but if not... Explain to the guy."
Who'd complain?
The man who made your wife walk again, smile again.
Madelia placed her hand over mine, gently closing the box and tucking it into my arms.
"You're our Page family's eternal benefactor—mine too. Please accept."
I want it. Crave it. But it feels wrong.
Page heirloom.
Progenitor Emitas's relic.
Me, possibly cut ties post-graduation—worthy? No. I looked up, thinking that.
"Accept it, Rain."
Mother nodded proudly, smiling.
"Joyfully receiving heartfelt gestures from others is a mark of maturity."