Shadow Court Magician Chapter 54: Grimoire Burning

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　I go through the shelves and explain the books.

“This library isn’t exactly what it used to be, is it?”

“What do you mean it isn’t?” (Sicily)

Sicily asks.

“As I said before, the order of the books is based on an ancient magical language. It’s like common sense for magicians, but it’s confusing for ordinary people and non-research magicians.”

“Well, I’m also a combat magician, so I’m confused.” (Nine)

　Said Nine, the little magician.

“I’m confused by the order of names, but also by the fact that the books aren’t arranged in any sort of order.”

　I moved the book labeled “Works about Love” from the biology shelf to the romance novels shelf. [T/N: Well for the pure ones. “愛の営み” or “Ai no itonami” sounds like “愛の営む” or “Ai no itonamu” Love Making (S*x).]

“If you decide the genre only by the title, this might happen.”

　Sicily chuckles as I fix another book that’s been placed in the wrong genre.

“Hmm? Is there something wrong? I’m sure it’s the right genre.” (Nine)

“No, it’s not that the books are in the wrong order, it’s that Leon-sama is happily arranging them even though he’s complaining.” (Sicily)

“I don’t know if I’ve ever looked as happy in my life.” (Nine)

　Sicily nods, and Nine agrees.

“Leon-san must really love books.” (Nine)

“Well, yes. I think it’s the most precious thing in the world.”

　In fact, my ultimate goal was to end my life as a librarian in peace.

　Of course, I would make every effort to fulfill the princess’s dream of lasting peace, but once her dream was over, I wanted to leave everything else to her and retire to the library.

　That’s my desire, but I don’t think I’ll be able to fulfill it for a while.

　Peace is not something that can be achieved simply by wishing for it.

　To achieve peace, you need “Power”. Peace can only come through military, political, and diplomatic power.

　As I was thinking about this, I saw the boy’s flaming red hair.

(…I mean, this guy has quite a bit of magical power if you look closely.)

　If you look at his body through the magic power, you can see a burning aura.

　He also walks in an elegant manner and seems to have knowledge of combat.

(…The Libra Division has just been established and is short on talent… is especially short on mages.)

　I would like to have a few more strategic-class magicians, but that would be a bit of a luxury.

　At least one other tactical magician, so I’d like to increase the number of military magicians.

　I wonder what would happen if I scouted this guy, would he be able to unite the magicians of the Libra Division?

　It was hard to imagine a little magician leading a group of big men, but then I noticed something.

“Something smells like it’s burning.”

“Something burning?” (Sicily)

　Sicily sniffed like a puppy, but it didn’t seem to reach her nostrils.

“Is it a fire?” (Sicily)

　Sicily asks with a serious look on her face.

　No, I shook my head, saying no.

“This is not the smell of an ongoing fire.”

“What do you mean?” (Sicily)

“It smells like it burned a couple of days ago.”

“Quite recently, you mean.” (Sicily)

　The princess nodded and Nine looked at her with interest.

“You sound like a member of the Thieves Guild.” (Nine)

“I’m flattered by the compliment.”

　I fearlessly say and continue.

“You know why it smells the way it does, don’t you?”

　Nine smiled like a boy and said, “Hehehe.”

“As expected, you’re the Strategist of the Libra Division. You know everything.” (Nine)

“I don’t know what you are.”

“I told you, I’m just a member of the Magician’s Guild.—But I’m about to lose that membership.” (Nine)

“Is it related to this burnt smell?”

“That’s right.” (Nine)

“I see. I can almost imagine.”

“Huh, let me know.” (Nine)

“It’s a library where fires are prohibited and it smells like it’s been burned. I’m guessing someone snuck in and burned some grimoires.”

　Hearing the words, Nine is amazed.

“As expected of a strategist.” (Nine)

“It’s too early to be surprised. I think you’re the one who burned the book, right?”

“…Why did you think so?” (Nine)

“If you had nothing to do with it, you wouldn’t have asked me to find the book without any context. You really want to find the criminal who burned the book and clear the suspicion on you?”

　Hearing these words, Nine’s eyes widened.

“…I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do it again. I’m not going to throw away my luck just yet.” (Nine)

　These words were overheard by me, but I didn’t give it a second thought and headed for the scene.

　Nine led me to a place where they kept a valuable collection of books that were not on the shelves.

　Only a few special people can read these books, and they require special permission. If you wanted to read them, you had to write an application to the Magician’s Guild.

　The application must be hard to get, I thought, as Sicily pulled on my sleeve.

“Leon-sama, you’re getting too close to the showcase… and you’re drooling.” (Sicily)

“…Oops”

　My librarian soul was aching when I saw the precious collection of books.

　As expected, there were many valuable magic books that cannot be found in the Magician’s Guild’s Library or the Royal Library.

　When inspecting calmly, Sicily states what we saw.

“…It’s definitely on fire. Some of the magic books in the showcase are reduced to ashes.” (Sicily)

“That’s right. The ashes are not in any particular order.”

　There are three books burnt, and none of them are next to each other.

“Is there a pattern to this?”

　I read the titles of some of the grimoires and guessed.

(All are about the four elements, but only a few are about “fire”. There’s only one left.)

　Does that mean that it was a grimoire of fire that was burned? When I guess, a fourth person raises his voice.

“You three, what are you doing?!” (Voice)

　We turn to the source of the voice.

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