Blake pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the Central Library, which opened with a faint creak, revealing a grand atrium with majestic proportions, adorned with columns carved with ancient motifs.
From the ceiling hung numerous wrought-iron chandeliers—all unlit, as the sunlight streaming in was sufficient, for now, to illuminate the space.
The air inside was cool, steeped in the unmistakable scent of parchment, ink, and aged leather.
Dark wooden shelves stretched upward, so tall that spiral staircases were needed to reach the highest shelves.
A few scholars, draped in dusty cloaks and thick-rimmed glasses, leafed through tomes in silence, while a gray-haired librarian scribbled something in a ledger behind an intricately carved counter.
Mirac paused for a moment, letting his eyes wander over the marvel before him.
"It's… incredible," he murmured, almost to himself.
The sight of all those books, neatly arranged and silent, stirred a sense of familiarity in him: not so much because they reminded him of the Royal Library of the Strongolds, which he used to frequent when he still lived in the Royal Palace, but because of that part of his past life that, suddenly, seemed to take shape in this magical and unfamiliar world.
Blake chuckled, giving him a light pat on the shoulder. "I knew you'd love it! There's practically everything here!" he exclaimed in a hushed tone, careful not to disturb the library's quiet. "But, since this is a library in a city teeming with Adventurers, Mercenaries, and Monster Hunters, most of the books are dedicated to Monsterology and Dungeology. That said, do you want to take a look around and see if something catches your eye, or do you already have something specific in mind?"
Mirac didn't answer right away, torn between his analytical instinct to choose carefully and the temptation to explore aimlessly.
He stood in silence for a few moments, tapping his fingers against his side, his gaze lost among the shelves.
After a brief moment of reflection, while scanning the list of library sections posted near the entrance, Mirac decided to head toward the Geography section.
Not only because there was always something new to learn about biomes and the countless magical creatures inhabiting them, but also because he felt the need to review—and possibly deepen—his knowledge of Ahmar, the Red Desert, and especially the myriad dangers lurking there, in preparation for the imminent journey that would drag him into that inferno.
As for the Rogthars and the upcoming raid on their dungeon, Mirac already knew he wouldn't find anything useful.
After all, across the entire continent of Harmony, knowledge about certain subjects—like the Chaotics—or specific races of monstrous creatures was subject to strict restrictions.
In particular, when it came to Demons, the law was inflexible: it was forbidden, in every corner of the world—even for royal families—to possess or consult books dealing with Demons!
A discovery that, when Mirac first learned of it, left him deeply shaken.
The reasoning behind this decision, specifically regarding that race, and which led the Intercontinental Council to enact such a law, was clear: to prevent anyone from accessing texts on summoning or rituals capable of harnessing the power of Demons!
Precisely for this reason, even the buying and selling of Demons' organs was strictly regulated.
Such materials could not be freely traded, as was the case with other creatures, because they could be exploited for nefarious purposes due to their unique magical properties.
For this reason, the Intercontinental Association Against Dangers had established specialized trading points, directly affiliated with the organization, where every transaction was monitored and recorded to ensure that no part of a Demon ended up in the wrong hands.
It was no coincidence that Blake had pointed out some of these locations to Carmen for selling the Rogthars' organs to Raerno, carefully selecting reliable places to ensure that the sale took place in accordance with the law and under the Association's supervision.
The only exceptions to the strict law banning any dissemination of information about Demons were the Seven Gospels: ancient and sacred texts written by the High Sages more than a thousand years ago.
These texts, revered by all seven peoples of Harmony, were the only legal source of information on Demons, but they were limited to superficial descriptions: physical appearance, distinctive traits, and classifications into subspecies.
Thus, thanks to the Seven Gospels, Mirac had already thoroughly studied the main characteristics of the Rogthars: massive bodies, muscles armored by thick, wrinkled skin, black curved claws, a pronounced tendency to move in coordinated packs, and the numerous vaguely described subspecies.
But nothing more.
No reference was made to weak points or strategies to confront them, since, after the Great Extermination, Demons were believed to have been almost entirely eradicated, relegated to mere legends in the darkest recesses of Harmony, and therefore no longer considered a threat significant enough to justify such detailed knowledge.
Yet, the threat of Demons had not entirely vanished, and the Intercontinental Council was well aware of this.
For this reason, anyone who dared to possess or disseminate books or manuscripts concerning the so-called "Forbidden Monsters" risked severe punishments: from life imprisonment to even crueler and more mysterious sanctions, decreed by the Intercontinental Council of the Sacred Region.
Tales spoke of sudden disappearances, summary judgments, and punishments that forever marked anyone who dared defy that prohibition.
Aware of these restrictions, Mirac knew full well that he wouldn't find anything useful about the Rogthars in the Central Library of Raerno.
No text, not even in a well-stocked public library like this one, could contain more detailed information about Demons without breaking the law.
'Such a pity…' he thought, nodding to himself. Then, with a decisive tone, Mirac announced his decision: "Let's start with the Geography section."
"Alright," Blake replied, immediately setting off to lead the way. "It's on the second floor, though, so we'd better take the elevator. After all, after today's fight, your legs must be exhausted."
'Not really, but I appreciate the thought.' Mirac nodded with a smile and followed the tall, lanky boy in silence, the muffled sound of their footsteps echoing on the polished marble floor.
"In the Geography section, you'll find a vast collection of maps, atlases, and texts on the different regions of the continent," Blake explained as they walked. "There are detailed studies on biomes, dangerous territories, and even accounts from explorers who've crossed inaccessible places. And, trust me, they're not your typical boring academic tomes. Some are written directly by Travelers and Adventurers, with practical notes and useful tips for anyone wanting to venture into those environments. Not surprisingly, many of them write and publish books about their experiences to earn some extra coin. Who knows, maybe one day I'll do the same!" He let out a chuckle, then added, "Oh, I almost forgot: in case you're interested in borrowing a book, your Association Identity Document also serves as a library card for all public libraries on the continent of Harmony."
Mirac was already aware of this, but he chose not to dampen Blake's enthusiasm, simply nodding in thanks.
When they reached the end of the atrium, they found themselves in front of five elevators set into the wall.
Blake chose the central one and pressed the call button with a quick gesture.
After a couple of seconds, a soft ding announced the arrival of the elevator.
The doors slid open silently, revealing an interior lined with dark wood panels, a mirror, and a burgundy carpeted floor.
The two stepped inside, and with a smooth motion, Blake pulled his Association Identity Document from his trouser pocket.
Mirac watched him carefully, a slightly confused expression on his face.
Catching Mirac's look from the way he tilted his head, Blake explained with a mix of awkwardness and embarrassment:
"This morning, after reporting the various Dungeons, I requested a new Association Identity Document, since I lost the old one yesterday in the cave along with my wallet. Luckily, though, Rose was quick to get me another one. That woman is very kind!"
Mirac made no comment, giving only a slight nod as Blake inserted the card into a slot beneath the elevator's button panel.
With a decisive gesture, the tall, lanky boy pressed the number 2.
The elevator started moving without the slightest sound, its smooth motion betraying the advanced technology hidden behind its elegant design.
Mirac didn't dwell too much on why the elevators needed an ID card to be operated, mentally shelving the matter away.
When the doors opened on the second floor, the masked boy was the first to step out.
Before him stood a series of imposing shelves stretching across the entire floor, laden with volumes of all kinds: some slim, bound in worn leather, others massive, with metal-reinforced covers, as if designed to withstand a direct attack.
Two polished brass plaques, fixed to the first shelves on the right and left, caught his eye: engraved in elegant script were the subjects of the respective sections.
"Here we are," Blake said, retrieving his card from the slot and joining Mirac. "The Geography section is to the left, while Monsterology is to the right. Take all the time you need. I'll wander around on my own for a bit. Let me know when you're done. If you can't find me, I'll probably be in the Dungeology section on the third floor."
Mirac nodded with a smile. "Alright."
Without hesitation, Blake headed toward the right wing of the floor, disappearing slowly among the tall, orderly shelves.
The masked boy turned toward the sea of books on his left, approaching the nearest shelves and letting his gaze—and fingers—glide over the titles etched in golden or time-worn letters:
"Atlas of Harmony's Biomes"
"Flora and Fauna of Verdlith's Forests"
"Studies on the Extreme Climates of the Ice Archipelago"
"Routes of the Inner Sea Winds"
Mirac took a deep breath. 'Alright… let's get started!'
* * *
For about forty minutes, Mirac lost himself among the shelves of the Geography section, leafing through volumes with cracked leather covers and yellowed pages that smelled of time and ink.
His analytical mind absorbed every detail with voracity, with the same dedication as someone who knew each page might hide a precious fragment of knowledge.
Yet, despite his efforts, no book seemed to mention the Red Desert except for one—the same one Mirac had already read back when he was still the young Prince of Ardorya:
"Chronicles of the Seven Journeys"
That tome, whose authorship had been lost to the centuries and whose writer remained anonymous, was one of the few ancient works left that recounted what the lands of the vast continent of Harmony were once like.
The "Chronicles" were a travel diary divided into seven chapters, each dedicated to one of the Seven Kingdoms of the continent.
The mysterious author had begun their journey in Luxendar, the northwestern kingdom, and, traveling clockwise, had explored every corner of the continent until reaching the towering peaks of the Ice Blade Range in Ventaris.
From there, one could glimpse the distant, unexplored islands of the Ice Archipelago, scattered across the Vast Expanse of Telj, the immense body of water separating Ventaris from Luxendar.
As he leafed through the "Chronicles of the Seven Journeys," however, Mirac's thoughts lingered for a moment on the second chapter, the one dedicated to Noctara.
He vividly remembered its brevity: a single page, occupied by the title "Noctara, the Veiled Kingdom" and a few lines written in ink that seemed to dissolve under scrutiny:
"I don't remember anything. But what I experienced in the Kingdom of Noctara will forever remain guarded by the Eternal Night…"
Mirac had read those words years ago, and even now, they stirred a subtle sense of unease within him.
He knew well that Noctara, surrounded by a magical barrier erected by Nyra, the Goddess of Darkness and Secrets, remained an unsolved enigma…
And the reason lay in the power of that magical barrier: anyone who crossed it to leave Noctara would see their memories of the kingdom dissolve like mist at dawn!
Nyra's magic ensured that nothing experienced, seen, or learned in Noctara could be taken out, leaving only an unsettling void and an echo of intangible memories.
Thus, even though visitors were aware and certain that they had been there, NO ONE could recall anything—anything at all—about that place…
Over time, this had inevitably made Noctara an unknown, isolated kingdom, cut off from the rest of the world…
Despite the numerous legends surrounding it, no living soul truly knew the reason why the Goddess Nyra had raised that veil around her kingdom…
Whenever Mirac encountered a mystery, he always paused for a moment to reflect and formulate his own theories.
He did so now, thoughtfully stroking the chin of the mask he wore.
But soon, he set the matter aside, shaking his head and refocusing on the Red Desert.
This wasn't the time to be distracted by the mysteries of a kingdom he would never visit—at least, not in the immediate future…
As Mirac recalled, the chapter dedicated to Ardorya depicted Ahmar as a vast expanse of red sand, an inhospitable place dominated by a scorching sun and sudden storms, characterized by fiery plateaus and deep, hidden caves.
It also told of monstrous creatures born from the desert itself, some shrouded in unsettling legends and feared even by the few travelers bold enough to approach Ahmar.
Though he found nothing new about the Red Desert, after years since he last studied that hostile ecosystem, Mirac felt the key points of Ahmar's geography and dangers imprint themselves clearly in his mind, like an ancient map coming back into focus.
'It doesn't matter… It was still a good refresher.' Mirac sighed, carefully closing the tome, aware that no other book could offer greater details about that infernal place.
Then, he rose from the wooden table he'd used during his study session and quietly adjusted the chair. With one last glance at the volume, he placed it carefully back on the shelf from which he'd taken it.
'It's almost 3:20 P.M…' Mirac thought, consulting the ethereal clock ticking in his mind. 'I'd say I still have time to check out the Monsterology section.'
Without hesitation, Mirac headed toward the right wing of the second floor, his steps light but determined, driven by his insatiable curiosity.
* * *
Another half hour passed, and Mirac found himself immersed in a world of wonders and horrors.
Among the volumes he browsed, the masked boy discovered fascinating information about magical creatures he'd never heard of, beings that seemed to spring from a feverish, fantastical dream.
"Bestiary of Eryndor"
"Secrets of the Inner Sea Abyss"
"Treatise on Winged Beasts"
Mirac mentally cataloged all the information in those books, captivated by the complexity of that world's magical ecosystem, where every creature seemed to occupy a precise role in a perfect balance of beauty and danger.
Though the texts obviously contained no direct information about Demons, the hunting strategies and descriptions of other creatures' habits offered insights to refine his analytical approach.
'3:52 P.M…' he murmured, carefully closing the "Treatise on Winged Beasts" and returning it to the shelf. 'Time to go.'
However, in the last half hour of wandering, Mirac hadn't crossed paths with Blake even once among the towering shelves of the Monsterology section.
Just to be sure, he scanned the area again, moving carefully through the dark wooden aisles.
But once again, there was no trace of Blake.
At that point, Mirac deduced that the tall, lanky boy—as he'd mentioned before they parted—had likely headed to the Dungeology section.
With this in mind, Mirac immediately made his way to the elevator to reach that part of the library.
He crossed the second floor of the Central Library of Raerno, his light footsteps barely echoing on the polished marble floor.
He reached the wall where the five elevators were set, noticing that the one on the far right was free, its call button glowing faintly green.
Without hesitation, Mirac pressed the button, and the elevator doors opened with a soft ding.
He stepped into the familiar cabin, with its dark wood panels and burgundy carpeted floor.
With a swift motion, he pulled his Association Identity Document from his trouser pocket and inserted it into the slot beneath the button panel.
He was about to press the number 3, the floor for the Dungeology section, when something caught his attention.
Suddenly, a small compartment in the panel slid open slowly, like the door of a miniature cabinet.
From that hidden slot, a fifth button emerged.
It looked similar to the others, but it bore a different number: -1.
Mirac froze, his heart quickening slightly. 'An underground floor?'
Blake had never mentioned any lower level in Raerno's Central Library, and so the sudden appearance of that button initially left Mirac confused.
For a moment, he hesitated, his mind torn between caution and the irresistible call of discovery.
But then, a smile spread beneath his mask: a smile that betrayed all his excitement and insatiable curiosity.
Whatever lay beneath, it had to be a secret guarded by the library itself, and that alone was enough to make him give in to the temptation of finding out what lay beyond that button.
'Well, I guess I still have a bit of time to see what this is about…'
At that point, Mirac did not hesitate any longer.
With determination, he pressed the "-1" button.
A faint metallic click echoed in the cabin, followed by the movement of internal mechanisms.
Finally, the doors closed slowly before him, and the elevator began its silent descent into the unknown.