The evening air was pleasantly cool as John and his companions stepped out of the Royal Library.
The bronze doors closed quietly behind them.
For a few moments, none of them spoke.
The peaceful silence inside the library still lingered in their minds.
Finally, Lythriel stretched her arms over her head and let out a long sigh.
"I never thought I'd spend an entire day inside a library."
John smiled.
"And?"
She thought for a moment.
"...It wasn't bad."
John raised an eyebrow.
"That's high praise coming from you."
"Don't get used to it."
Sylvara laughed softly.
"I think you enjoyed the biographies."
"I only liked the parts with the famous swordsmen."
John grinned.
"Of course."
---
The streets outside had changed since morning.
The afternoon crowds were gone, replaced by people finishing their work for the day.
Shopkeepers closed their shutters.
Street lamps, enchanted with soft golden crystals, flickered to life one after another.
