Chapter 224: Request to the King
"Before we begin... Your Majesty, I would first like to request some privacy."
I began by cutting to the chase. There were quite a few people in the throne room, including attendants and knights. The matter I was about to discuss couldn't be shared with unnecessary individuals.
"Hmm... A confidential matter, I presume?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
"... "
When the king remained silent and waved his hand, the knights and attendants who were present in the throne room started leaving. Only the minister-like man and the elderly knight in white armor, whose name I had forgotten but had appeared as an NPC, remained. Those left in the room were all close aides of the king. It seemed safe to speak in front of them.
"You may have already heard about it from Duke Alterio, but in the previous battle, Leon Brave, the descendant of the hero, fell into the enemy's trap and was transformed into a monster."
"Hmm... I have received reports. It was said that they used the core located in the depths of the dungeon, right?"
"Yes, that's correct. He was defeated by a monster named Bolfeduda, who led the Demon Lord's army."
Upon hearing my words, the king furrowed his brow.
"We have confirmed instances of adventurers turning into undead in the dungeons, but... I had no idea there was a power that could transform a living human into a monster. The young boy, Leon, seems to have had a stroke of misfortune."
As the king expressed sympathy, he tilted his head with an expression that said, "So what?"
Leon was the protagonist in the game, but at this point, he was only known as a "student with excellent grades who is a descendant of a hero." The king didn't seem to be particularly concerned about Leon becoming a monster.
"I want to find a way to restore Leon to his human form. For that reason, could you grant me permission to enter the Eternal Library?"
"...!"
The king widened his eyes in response to my request. The capital city had a grand library managed by the royal palace. It collected books from all over the country, including valuable magic tomes. The library was divided into a "General Area" accessible to all citizens of Slayers Kingdom and a "Special Area" accessible only to nobles.
However, beneath the grand library, there was a section called the "Superior Management Area" where dangerous forbidden books were collected. And even further in, there was a special place called the "Eternal Library."
"...How do you know about the Eternal Library? Did you hear it from your father, Garondolf?"
"Well, something like that. My father and I were very close, you see. We used to have casual conversations about such things."
The king looked puzzled as he asked, but I shrugged and brushed it off.
"...But you two were killing each other in all seriousness, how can you say that? Besides, I don't think Garondolf will leak confidential information. Could it be that you found out through the power of the Baskerville family?"
"Whether or not I found out doesn't really matter, does it? The Eternal Library contains records of all the history from the founding of this kingdom until the present, even truths buried in darkness. As someone who manages the shadows of Slayers Kingdom, I should have the qualifications to enter."
The Eternal Library was an additional content that could be accessed in "DunBrave 1" after clearing the scenario. It contained even more forbidden books within the forbidden books and sealed the darkness of history. Only a few people, including the king, were allowed to know of its existence.
"And the guardian of the Eternal Library knows everything in this world. They might even know how to save Leon, who has been turned into a monster."
Meeting the guardian was my objective. The Extra Dungeon that appears after clearing the game - the Eternal Library. In that dungeon, additional elements for gameplay were available, such as reviewing highlights and records of events that occurred during the game. It was possible to watch animated scenes that occurred during events and check records of consecutive monster defeats, and if the conditions were met, obtain reward items.
Furthermore, the guardian who managed the library was supposed to have the setting of having 'existed since the beginning of the world and possessing all knowledge'. If that setting were true... or perhaps, they might know how to restore Leon.
In response to my request, the king, still seated on the throne, covered his mouth with his hand and muttered with a troubled expression.
"Hmm... Indeed, successive heads of the Baskerville family also had the right to enter the Eternal Library. The Baskerville family not only consists of villains but also deals with political criminals involved in rebellions. The records of such unpublicized assassinations are also stored there. Although it was intended to be told to you when the time came, perhaps this saves me some trouble..."
The king, lost in thought, raised his head. He had transformed from a strict expression to a mischievous face resembling that of a mischievous child.
"Very well. I will grant permission to enter the Eternal Library... However, it comes with conditions."
Here it comes... Just as I expected. I tightened my face from nervousness and waited for the king to continue his words.