Chapter 53: The Archives
I followed Thron to the library, laying my elbows on the counter as he sat down. As the old librarian settled in his chair, I realized it was the first time I’d seen him outside the library. Stories claimed that he loved knowledge more than his own family, leaving them behind in some faraway kingdom to care for the books at the Divine Throne.
Thron cleared his throat, cutting through my thoughts. I looked up curiously as he picked up a quill and began scratching on a piece of parchment. I found myself a little jealous of his neat, graceful script. I’d never had the opportunity to write much in my previous life, barely learning to read as it was, and didn’t have much talent for the complex written languages of Enusia. After Awakening, my soul automatically translated any language, something common among all heroes, but that didn’t extend to writing.
I blinked as his old, leathery lips puckered as he blew on the parchment, drying the ink. His exaggerated posture was one for cheering up children, yet I found it strangely comforting.
"I found your request most curious and devoted a few hours researching this morning. Dispel Magic is an ancient spell, likely one of the first ever devised and recorded. This library doesn’t contain any original works from those days, as they are much too valuable to risk with the general public. We keep anything dating more than a couple of hundred years safely stored in the Archives."
It wasn’t my first time hearing about the Archives, and I recalled what little I knew. The Archives was an underground chamber deep in the heart of the mountains, accessed through the maze-like catacombs beneath the Divine Throne. Soltair pointed it out as we made our way to the Colosseum, but I was too distracted at the time to take much note.
After making sure the ink was dry, Thron rolled the scroll and tied it with a golden ribbon. "Show this to the archivists. It’s a letter of endorsement and should allow you entry as you will." He held it out to me, and I reached up to take it. As I tried to pull it from his hand, his grip tightened. "This is a privilege few are granted, even among the upper echelon. Do not abuse it."
I nodded, feeling his words bind to the Slave Crest. The Pope’s command was quickly growing old, but I suppressed my irritation and tucked the letter away. I would follow his request based on my respect for the librarian, and in appreciation of his kindness, not because some curse magic forced me to.
"Thank you," I said, bowing my head to the librarian. I didn’t understand the motivation behind his kindness, nor did I ask. But the last thing I wanted was to take it for granted.
"Take care, Xiviyah," Thron said with a smile. "I trust you can find the archive? Or would you like some instructions?"