Shadow Court Magician Chapter 53: The Red-Haired Magician

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　“The Magician’s Guild’s Library?” (Sicily)

　Blinking her large eyes, Sicily gazed at the signboard that was propped up.

　So I explain it to the princess.

“The library attached to the Magician’s Guild is a library run by the Magician’s Guild.”

“No, I know that, but is it okay for me, who is not a magician, to come in?” (Sicily)

“Don’t worry, because I am a member of the Magician’s Guild.”

　I show her the emblem issued by the Magician’s Guild.

“By the way, Leon-sama was also a court magician.” (Sicily)

“Yes. Well, it’s the one I took a long time ago instead of an identification card. I’m not very active as a member. Still, it’s useful when I sometimes sneak into a Magician’s Guild facility like this.”

“If Leon-sama goes to this place, then it must be a fun place to visit.” (Sicily)

“Yes, it is. It doesn’t have as many books as the Royal Library, but it’s quieter because there are only magicians here.”

“The Royal Library is open to anyone who pays a certain amount of tax to the country.” (Sicily)

“Oh, in that sense, it’s less popular, but as you can see, they are all intellectuals.”

　Looking around, I saw a brooding magician with a white beard and a magician clad in a dirty robe that looked like it hadn’t been washed since the beginning of time. Naturally, they are all alone and quiet.

“If it’s so quiet, won’t our chattering bother them?” (Sicily)

“But not so much. The concentration of a magician in front of a book is so great that they cannot easily be disturbed even for a moment.”

　When I say that, I lift the familiar of the magician who is running around and put it on top of the magician with a fluffy head.

“They haven’t noticed it at all? And it’s like a bird’s nest.”

　Sicily stifled a laugh

　She knows I shouldn’t have, so she reminds me, “Leon-sama, you can’t do that.”

“I understand. But back to the topic at hand, the magician is so focused, and these guys are so skilled at what they do, that the default is to cast a [Sound Insulation] spell.”

“It’s true that if you look closely, you can see that everyone is protected by a thin layer of magical power.” (Sicily)

“No matter how much noise we make, they won’t notice it because the sound is blocked.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I’d like to talk to Master Leon about many things.” (Sicily)

　I felt a little self-conscious when she said that, but what she wanted to hear was my book recommendation.

　She appreciates me as a magician and a military strategist, but she also seems to appreciate me as a librarian.

“I am sure that the books that Master Leon chooses will be interesting and will immerse me in the world within the story.” (Sicily)

“Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration because everyone has their own taste in books.”

　But I’m not complaining, and I’ve already picked up a few books from the shelf.

　Choosing a book enthusiastically.

　Sicily giggles when watches me.

“Leon-sama is a born librarian. You look quite lively. Like you’re having a lot of fun.” (Sicily)

“That may be true. At least it’s a better vocation for me than being a soldier.”

　Speaking of which, I picked up about five books for Sicily.

　I explain each of them to her.

“It’s about a party that should have five legendary heroes in the world, but a sixth one appears unexpectedly.”

“Well, that’s interesting.” (Sicily)

“By the way, do you want to hear spoilers?”

“Are there any readers who like spoilers?” (Sicily)

“No, I don’t think so. Well, I’m not going to tell you anything more, but there’s a big twist that makes it very interesting.”

“Then I’ll borrow this.” (Sicily)

“That’s a quick decision. It’s only the first book.”

“But Leon-sama recommended it to me first, so it must be the most interesting.” (Sicily)

“You can borrow up to three books at a time here.”

“That’s a lot of books. I don’t know if I’ll have time to read them all…” (Sicily)

“You also do administrative work for the Libra Division, don’t you, Princess?”

　Princess Sicily, who has a strong sense of responsibility, has a habit of taking care of all the trivial matters that should be left to a civil officer. It’s not a bad thing, and I won’t point it out because she wouldn’t change even if I tell her.

“…Well, it’s true that the princess is busy. I’m glad you’re reading at least one of my books.”

“Yes. I’ll read it as soon as I can and tell you what I think.” (Sicily)

“That’s great. I’ll look forward to it on our next date.”

　When I say that, I look at my pocket watch.

　There was still time until dinner time.

　I’ve been reminded by Chloe that dates are only considered a date once you’ve eaten at a good restaurant, so I can’t just let her go home.

　And since I was also the princess’s bodyguard, I had a duty to get her back to her mansion safely.

　So, to kill time for a while, I decided to look for a book for me.

　When I told her that,

“It’s strange that the librarian of the Royal Library would borrow books from another library.” (Sicily)

　Sicily laughed.

“You’re absolutely right, but they say these books are for another stomach.”

　I looked for the book I was interested in while replying in a way that I didn’t really understand myself. [T/N: It’s about how people have another stomach for desert. His desert is a book from a different library.]

　It was difficult to find the book I was looking for since it was not my workplace. The librarian here has a unique way of arranging the books, which makes it difficult to find.

“…what a third-class librarian.”

　While I was complaining,

“That’s right.” (Voice)

　I hear a voice of agreement.

“… Hmm? I heard something now.”

　I looked around, but couldn’t see anything. I couldn’t see a single person.

“Was it just me…?”

　When I mumbled, and a grumpy voice came from below.

“… Hey, hey, you’re doing it on purpose.” (Voice)

　I looked at the owner of the gruff voice and saw that his red hair was shaking.

　There was a boy there with hair the color of flames. A boy with long hair.

　He was clad in a magician’s robe.

　Could he be a member of the magician’s guild?

　When I asked that, the red-haired boy affirmed it.

“Yes, I am. My name is Nine Snipes, and I’m a magician who belongs to the Magician’s Guild.”

　And he’s proud of it.

　He’s a bit pompous for a little guy. When I think about it, the boy stared at me.

“—Did you think I’m too confident, even though I’m small?” (Voice => Nine)

“Not really.”

　The boy has a keen intuition.

“I’m sorry, but my name is Leon. My name is Leon, Leon von Almarsh. I’m a court magician, court librarian, and military strategist.”

“Wow, awesome, you have a lot of titles.” (Nine)

“Thanks.”

“Is the beauty next to you your…?” (Nine)

　He raised his pinky finger. [T/N: Pinky fingers denote a serious lover, not like a casual lover using the thumb.]

“No way. She’s my boss.”

“She’s beautiful.” (Nine)

“I agree with you, but don’t hit on her.”

“No way, I like petite women.” (Nine)

　I swallowed the words, “If she’s smaller than you, she’ll just be a little girl…” and asked him why he had approached us.

“It’s hard to use the library here, isn’t it? Especially with all the magic languages in their own order.” (Nine)

“Right. It’s better to just use the alphabetical order.”

　After Nine had made a series of bad comments about the librarian, he let out a sigh and made this suggestion.

“Leon-san, right? You have a great eye for books. I’d like to ask you a favor, would you mind looking for a grimoire with me?” (Nine)

“A grimoire? What will you use it for?”

“Well, research, I should say, but not really.” (Nine)

“Something you can’t say?”

“Well yeah…” (Nine)

　I put my hand on my chin and looked at Nine’s body.

　He looked like a normal magician, except for his fancy robes and red hair.

　He was still a boy and had a bit of a cocky streak, but that’s what boys are for. Humility was something that came with age.

　So,

“Well, Little Nine, let’s look for the grimoire together. I wouldn’t ask why.”

　I thought he would be happy to hear those words, but he lifted his eyes.

　The red hair is also raised and angry.

“I’m not going to say anything because I’m in a position where I’m asking for things, but I’m an adult. Show some respect!” (Nine)

　Nine shows his identification card from the Magician’s Guild.

(…is this real?)

　It’s true that Nine was a respectable adult. Or rather, someone a year below me.

　The princess also confirmed it and made her eyes widen.

　This made Nine even more unhappy, but I knew words wouldn’t change his mood.

　So I decided to throw up my arms and show him the skills of a real librarian. 

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