Chapter 451: Research and Confirmation
The sheer volume of books continues to overwhelm me. In this silent space, there are occasional faint sounds of strings. It’s possible that the vast amount of paper absorbs sound, but many of the Spirits here are the kind that don’t produce any noise.
Or perhaps it’s just the very faint sounds, like strings, bells, or the chirping of insects.
By the way, the chatty books are stored in a different section. That area is noisy and bustling. Not only that, but they tend to puff up or shrink, and some even breathe fire, making them quite restless.
“I’d like literature about Dragons that are revered or feared by people. Also, please find me information on Dragons as materials.”
“…”
When I request this from the Library Spirit, it silently raises a Lantern and begins to lead the way. It’s the same type of Spirit I encountered before, resembling a boy, but it feels different.
Like the Spirit of my notebook, it’s a type that multiplies. However, unlike the first boy I met, this one doesn’t speak and has a shadowy presence with no change in expression. It’s a bit translucent, especially around the feet… It feels ghostly.
Following it, I find an enormous collection of books about Dragons on the bookshelf. Is this romance? It must be romance, right? Given that Dragons have existed since ancient times, it makes sense.
If I start researching materials, I might get too interested, so I’ll look for books that discuss the relationship between Dragons and humans first. I remember Karn mentioning a clan that serves Dragons or a people that worship them, so I’ll check just in case.
Dragons are so cool! Dragons, Dragons! I wonder if it’s a clan that’s all about that? It sounds fun, but what if they suddenly attack me, saying, “You ate a Dragon!!!”? That would be a problem. Being attacked is one thing, but if they cried, that would be even worse.
I bring about ten books into a private room to read. Some have an academic structure, but they’re interesting because they’re about Dragons.
On the fourth book, I make a discovery.
…It seems there were Sacred Beasts of Dragons in ancient times. Or maybe they still exist? Especially during the era of the Wind Spirits, there were apparently four of them? And there’s even a clan that offers sacrifices once a year—how cliché is that?
The atmosphere of fantasy is washing over me now. Well, Spirits alone are already quite fantastical.
Sacred Beasts are Spirits that possess animals. Demon Beasts are those possessed by Black Spirits. The main difference is whether they actively attack humans or not. While ordinary Spirits aren’t necessarily kind to humans, either.
When a Demon Beast is defeated and a person is exposed to the “black particles,” they can become aggressive or harbor resentment. Humans possessed by Spirits often become stronger, but the “particles” gradually seep in and assimilate.
—It seems there are also groups that demonstrate courage by defeating Sacred Beasts and exposing themselves to the “particles”? Dragon Slayers, huh? Dragon Slayers indeed?
There are clans that worship them as gods, and others that wish to assimilate by consuming their flesh. With so many different types, it’s a mystery whether it’s okay to eat Dragons.
What about the people Karn plans to trade with? I’ve gathered some broad knowledge, so I’ll look for local, specific information.
I leave the room and bring back new books. The ones I’ve finished reading disappear from the desk and return to the shelves on their own, but since I took them out, I make sure to return them myself.
That way, I can remember where different books are located, and naturally, related books are nearby the ones I’ve read. Sometimes, a book I picked up just because its title caught my eye turns out to be a gem. That’s also part of the fun.
I brew some coffee and turn the pages of the book.
—Did I say there are various types? That was a lie. The Dragon Continent has changed so much that the places where humans can live have drastically decreased. It seems that when various tribes lived scattered across the continent, it was lush and green.
During the era of the Wind Spirits, Dragons thrived, but it appears humans moved towards Nakahara. There were battles between Demonized Dragons and Sacred Dragons on the Dragon Continent, and the remaining tribes are a handful that showed great resilience.
Now, while guarding the legendary Sacred Beast—of course, a Dragon—who is said to be in slumber, they seem to pay respect to ordinary Dragons while also utilizing them as materials.
Alright, it seems safe to eat them or process them into materials! Oh, I should double-check with Karn just to be sure.
◇ ◆ ◇
“So, what do you think?”
Is it okay to eat them?
“…”
Karn remains silent, resting his forehead on his clasped hands.
“…”
Haulon is slumped over the desk!
In Kanum’s rented house, the two of them are in the living room on the first floor. They likely moved here together using Haulon’s Teleportation.
Retze and the others are still busy with work. Unlike Karn, who settles for alcohol, they often eat out at stalls.
“I came to confirm beforehand, to evaluate…”
Karn says without lifting his head.
“Confirming before capturing… No, you did say you were going to see a Dragon…”
I can hear Haulon groaning.
It’s not that I didn’t take it seriously… but… I can hear that too.
So, is it okay to eat them?