Finally, I'm one step closer to finding a way back home.
After that thought, Kukyo walked slowly through the library, looking at the signs for each section. Due to the fact that almost all of the information in the Larphenia kingdom was stored in the libraries, there were many sections for many different topics.
While walking, Kukyo had noticed each sign he had passed by: Mathematics, basic language, Chemistry, Geography, etc. Though he was looking for the history section first to at least learn about where he was, and then he would go back to geography to see where he was, but suddenly a sign caught his attention: "Alfer and domains". Since it was a sign that he had never seen in a library before, he was curious about what it was, but remembering to get information on the necessities first, he walked past it.
A few seconds later, he found the history section. As he looked through the books, he noticed some spoke of different countries, periods, and events such as wars.
Then he suddenly saw a set of simplistic encyclopedias. Each one spoke of a different era, and the one of the current era was called "Encyclopedia of the Larphenia Kingdom." Despite its name, it still held more than what was in the kingdom, and only had that name because it was written by citizens from Larphenia.
I think this should be a good one to start with, Kukyo thought to himself as he took up one, then walked over to an empty wooden desk with four wooden chairs.
The encyclopedia that Kukyo took had information on the current era, which had started 324 years earlier, and had been updated only a few days ago. He had picked the current era because he wanted to know the current state of this world, since he found it strange that the entire Kingdom was this strict, and the matter of a new species that he had never heard of.
After sitting, Kukyo opened the book with a curious and confused expression, wondering how he was able to read and understand a language so different from anything that he's ever known or seen, but while still keeping a focused mind, pushing back things that seemed unimportant.
Page 5, chapter 1, of the encyclopedia spoke of the different Kingdoms and their past leaders and current leaders, and of course, the Larphenia Kingdom was first.
"Larphenia, a Kingdom located in the continent of Zol, was created in the first era by Nathaniel Burndeath, a man who was said to be the greatest of humanity in the FE(first era). While in the past, Larphenia had been a safe and peaceful place where all species lived together, because of the great strength of its first king, who lived 2300 years, after his death, the kingdom had become slightly unstable."
As Kukyo read the encyclopedia, he was taken aback that it stated that the first king of Larphenia lived for more than 2000 years, and he was curious about what and where the Grand Cathedral was. He then had a strange feeling that it wouldn't take one day to fully learn the basics.
Kukyo looked up for a moment, closing his eyes and sighing, then returned to reading.
"Even with the Burndeath Royal family still ruling over Larphenia, the seed of discrimination had grown into a tree, a tree that could not be easily chopped down, and later on in the sixth era, it had gotten to the point where slavery was being rumored to be in Larphenia, causing the different species to stop trusting Larphenia. This caused the ruin of the "Living Being Protection Organization," An organization that kept the peace between the different species. After the fall of the organization, a secret order was created called the "Anti-life sector," which tried to start wars between different species."
The "Anti-Life Sector," huh? I wonder if they're still around?
"With the push from the 'Anti-life sector,' the different nations went to war with each other, which still goes on to this day, even though the order was caught, disbanded, and all the members were killed. The conflict between the nations and the species fluctuated with nations joining and leaving the war, ultimately starting the "First Era of man" in the Larphenia kingdom."
Section 2- Political and Social standings
In the current era of Larphina, there are 5 ranks, ranging from one to five, with five being the highest.
Rank #1- Foreigners; people who are too new to the Kingdom and have not been cleared, have the lowest clearance/Authority.
Rank #2- Citizens, squires, and knights, who are born in the Larphenia or who are cleared, are allowed a minimum clearance for information and authority.
Rank #3- Grand Knights and Nobility; though the Grand Knights and Nobility are in the same rank, Grand Knights are allowed more authority, while both have an equal amount of access to information.
Rank #4- Government Officials; they are allowed the maximum amount of authority and information, other than what the Royal family doesn't allow.
Rank #5- Royalty, everyone in the royal family is allowed the same amount of access and authority, even though most of the work falls on the King and Queen.
After reading each rank in the encyclopedia on the Larpheina kingdom thoroughly, Kukyo had grown a better understanding of the power each person held in the kingdom.
I guess nobility doesn't have high standing in this world, huh? Or that's what they tell the public, at least..This thought had flashed in Kukyo's head, knowing that not all books told the truth, thanks to years of watching movies and cartoons.
For a moment, Kukyo had felt as if he were a detective looking for clues about some mysterious organization that had been rooted in the kingdom for years, but then felt embarrassed, looking down with a sad smile, and went back to reading the encyclopedia.
After a few hours of reading with occasional breaks, Kukyo had noticed that it was darker than it was before, and the library had fewer people than before.
What time is it? It looks like it's evening now, and I am quite hungry, perhaps I should head back to the house…
Kukyo then got up out of the wooden chair, stretched his arms upward, and then placed the encyclopedia back, with the intention of continuing his studies the next day.
While walking out of the library, Kukyo spotted Ms Arden, the librarian, at her desk, and with a smile said, "Goodbye, Ms Arden, hopefully I'll be welcomed tomorrow," clearly teasing Ms Arden and joking about what had happened the first time he tried to visit the library.
"Well, only if you have your permit, so don't forget it."
After leaving the library, Kukyo later retraced his steps from the day before, when he was following Grace to the house, and since the Elvons' house wasn't far from the library, it only took him a few minutes to walk to the house.
Arriving at the house, Kukyo saw a familiar figure approaching. It was Arthur coming home after what had seemed to be a productive day of work.
Standing in front of Kukyo, Arthur looked at him and chuckled a little, then said, "You're just returning, I guess you found something interesting?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Kukyo replied, returning a little chuckle, trying not to turn the mood awkward.
"Well, we should head in now. I'm sure Iris prepared a lovely dinner," said Arthur with a look of hunger and excitement in his eyes.
Dinner? Well, I guess it is late since the sky is quite dark. I had no idea it was this late. Perhaps I should get a watch if they even exist here…
Entering the house, Kukyo and Arthur went into the living room and saw Grace, in casual clothing, sitting on the sofa, while Iris was in the kitchen preparing dinner.
"Welcome back, though it is quite late, Kukyo," Grace said with a faint smile.
"Hello, Grace, sorry, I guess I lost track of time," said Kukyo, returning a faint smile while feeling embarrassed.
Grace didn't continue with the topic, but had a brighter smile on her face, as though she had anticipated his reasoning.
"Welcome back, Dear, and you as well, Kukyo. Dinner will be ready soon," said Iris, standing at the entrance of the kitchen with a smile.
Hearing this, Arthur and Kukyo took the time to take a shower and get dressed for dinner. Since Kukyo hadn't gone shopping yet, he borrowed another one of Arthur's clothes.
Walking to the kitchen, Kukyo, Grace, and Arthur smelled the sweet scent of food, the type one would smell from going to a 5-star restaurant that costs a lot of money. The scent was almost intoxicating, putting a smile on both Grace's and Kukyo's faces, and made Arthur feel as if he were a starving dog seeing a big, well-done steak, but to keep his dignity, he restrained himself.
I love her more every day that passes, Arthur thought to himself, while he couldn't help being excited for the food that his wife had prepared, but also the only good food he thought he'd taste today, since the food at his job tasted flavorless and dry, not including the fact that Iris had the skills of a world-class chef.