The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

Several days had passed since the labyrinth core theft incident.

In the end, I haven't heard about the aftermath. Since there doesn't seem to be any new information, I think the culprit hasn't been found yet. Considering they were able to steal something that was heavily guarded in the royal palace, they must be quite a skilled thief, so I don't think their tail will be caught so easily.

There must be a reason why Luney Trading Company is keeping the details confidential, so I won't foolishly stick my nose in out of mere curiosity. I'm just an ordinary adventurer!

"Good morning, Tanya-san. Your smile is as dazzling as freshly polished mithril today too. Are there any recommended quests I can do individually?"

"Ruruk-kun, isn't it a bit late for 'good morning'?"

When I greeted her cheerfully, Tanya gave a wry smile.

"It might be for the world, but I just woke up, so..."

"You're as laid-back as ever. Now, about that quest... How about this one?"

"'Quest Rank A: Geological Survey'? It's rare to see a high-ranked survey quest."

"The target location is the 'Nest of Darkness'. Have you heard of it?"

"It's my first time hearing about it. Is it close?"

"About three days by carriage. It's a nest full of insect-type monsters, but the soil there is special. The light reflectivity is extremely low, so even if you bring lights, you can barely see. It's a request from the Royal Research Institute and the reward is good, but unusually, no one wants to take it... *glance*"

"Oh, I suddenly have a family emergency..."

"Sigh... I guess so. Maybe I should ask them to increase the reward."

Tanya looked disappointed.

"Wouldn't that be a quest Mamared-sama would enjoy?"

"About that~ When I told her the types of monsters that live there in groups, she said 'Those are all specimens I've already dissected. They seem to be normal individuals,' and didn't seem interested at all~ That person has become unable to be satisfied unless it's a mutant individual~"

"You're the one who made her that way."

You should have expected this would happen if you kept feeding high-quality bait to a pervert.

As it seemed like I was about to be subjected to an endless stream of Tanya's complaints, I quickly used a fake excuse to leave. It doesn't look like I'll be able to accept a quest today.

By the way, my companions have returned to clearing the Bargia dungeon. It seems the area that Seori destroyed has been repaired, so they're restarting from the 51st floor. Apparently, the internal structure around the destroyed area has changed a bit, so they'll probably be wandering around the 51st floor for a few more days. They're determined to stay in the dungeon until they clear the floor.

"I'll be alone for a while... Now, what should I do today?"

Over the past few days, I've set up my base in Mataisa and made it comfortable to live in.

I've satisfied my shopping desire by acquiring a lot of furniture, so there's nothing I want to do.

...Maybe I should go visit Suimoku for a change. Yeah, that sounds good. Let's do that.

Just as I started to feel excited thinking about my only same-sex friend, it happened.

I was suddenly approached by an unfamiliar man.

"Excuse me, sir. I was wondering if you might know where the Royal Library is?"

He was an elderly gentleman wearing high-quality clothes and with a refined appearance.

Probably a nobleman or merchant. I immediately answered.

"It's in the North District. If you go straight down this road, you'll see the Magic Academy and the Ladies' Academy, and it's built between them."

"I see. I'm sorry to trouble you. Thank you."

"No problem at all."

After thanking me, he walked away elegantly.

If it had been a nice madam, I would have escorted her to the library... Well, it's fine. I only know the location of the library anyway.

"Wait a minute, the library, huh?"

Since I have nothing else to do, maybe it's worth checking out?

I've already read all the novels I could buy in Bargia. I have my own bookshelf in the study at the mansion, but I've bought so many books that they're overflowing and starting to invade Seori's bookshelf.

Even though printing technology is developed, transportation is mainly by land, so the trends might be different in each country.

I've given up on finding new encounters at the bookstores in Bargia, but this is a different country. Moreover, Mataisa has a long history.

Might there not be lots of books I don't know in the library here?

With such a faint hope, I immediately headed towards the Royal Library.

"Thank you for presenting your identification. Our library does not lend out books, but we do sell paper and pens, so you're free to make copies. If you're looking for a particular book, please feel free to ask. Our collection is managed by numbers, so a librarian will guide you. -- Do you have any questions?"

The library was larger than I thought.

It's an impressive four-story building. The lobby has a high ceiling with spiral staircases on both sides, and from the reception desk, you can see many bookshelves on the upper floors.

I was impressed and asked,

"Where can I find entertainment novels?"

"They're on the third floor. As for popular literature... let's see, we currently have 314 works in our collection."

"I see. What kind of works are there other than popular literature?"

"Mainly autobiographies, formal poetry collections, and minstrel books. Minstrel books are particularly popular. We have a large collection of those."

"...Minstrel books?"

"Yes. These are works that transcribe the songs of famous minstrels verbatim. They include instructions on how to add inflections and rhythm, so they're popular as song guides or textbooks rather than literary works. Honestly, if you want to read for the story, I recommend novels."

I didn't know such things existed.

It's been a while since I felt such a cultural difference.

"Do you have any other questions?"

"...Is there a restricted section? Any areas that are off-limits?"

"No, there isn't. Since the Royal Library is a place where ordinary citizens can enter, we don't keep any restricted books here. If you're looking for a list of restricted books, it's in the royal palace, and you need to apply for permission to view it. Would you like to use that?"

"Ah, no, I was just asking."

Of course, that's how it is.

They wouldn't make a restricted section in a visible place, would they? I feel a bit stupid for expecting that. Well, I don't have any need for restricted books anyway... but you know, doesn't the term 'restricted section' sound cool?

"I'll look around on my own then. Thank you."

"Yes. Please take your time."

I nodded to the polite receptionist lady and headed towards the spiral staircase.

For now, I'll go to the entertainment novel shelves on the third floor.

I've read quite a number of books since coming to this world, so I hope there are some works I haven't read before.

As I was climbing the spiral staircase thinking this, I saw the elderly gentleman from before on the second floor bookshelves. Is that the history section? Come to think of it, in this world, myths are both religious texts and historical records, aren't they?

Honestly, the myths of Earth have too much variety, so the ones in this world feel a bit lacking. Well, I understand the feeling of not being able to create fiction lightly when there are real gods.

"Oh, here we are."

I've reached the third floor, so I look around at the nearby bookshelves.

Familiar titles are lined up in rows.

Hmm... These are all titles I've picked up from my time at home and in Stoania until now. I've devoured all the books that are in circulation, so I guess it's natural.

I walk slowly, carefully looking at the titles to make sure I haven't missed anything. Surely there must be something-- and then I found it. A title I haven't read before!

"The False Testimony of Assassination"

I immediately read the synopsis.

I see. It's a story about a genius girl raised in an assassin's village and her childhood friend. While their families are at odds, the two secretly get along, but one day a messenger from the royal family arrives with an order for them to kill each other. The childhood friends have to fight to the death, and the winner will become a direct family of the royal house--

Alright, I'll read this.

I picked up the book and used my "Eye of Illusion" to look for a place where I could read quietly.

And then I found an unexpected person in an unexpected place.

"...The rooftop?"

The receptionist lady didn't mention anything about a rooftop... but there are stairs to the rooftop at the back of the fourth floor. The door is open, so it must be a place where people are freely allowed to enter.

I immediately moved there, climbed the stairs on the fourth floor, and opened the small door to step out into the bright outdoors.

It was a small garden.

Under the blue sky, surrounded by flower beds, there was--

"...Big brother?"

Lilith was sitting on a bench reading a book.

There was no one else around. It must have been a holiday.

Since there were no other eyes, of course I had no intention of pretending to be a teacher.

I smile at Lilith, who has closed her book with wide eyes.

"Hello, lovely young lady. May I sit next to you?"

"Of course, Ruru-oniisama!"

My angel bloomed with a radiant smile.

When I sat down, Lilith leaned in until our shoulders were touching. Oh, there's a faint scent of flowers... It's a nostalgic scent. It's comforting.

"Big brother, I can finally talk to you properly! I-- Lili has been waiting so long for this moment!"

"Well, it couldn't be helped in the dungeon."

"Ah... The scent of big brother after so long... Big brother, I've missed you..."

Lilith tightly hugs my arm.

It's a nostalgic feeling. I end up patting her head without thinking. Oops, she's not a child anymore, is it rude to treat her like one?

"Mmm. Lili will always be big brother's little sister. It's natural for a brother to pat his sister's head, so please pat me properly."

"Hahaha. Lilith is such a spoiled child."

"Yes. Lili is a spoiled child... Does big brother dislike having a spoiled little sister?"

"Not at all. Feel free to be as spoiled as you like."

When I said that, Lilith hugged my arm even tighter. My blood flow might stop.

Come to think of it, wasn't the reason Lilith and I were separated because Lilith was too clingy to me and they wanted to correct that... Well, it's fine.

"Big brother, why are you here?"

"I was a bit bor-- *cough* My intellectual curiosity was stimulated. Does Lilith come here often?"

"Yes. I can get permission to go out easily here, so I use it when I want to relax without worrying about people's eyes. In the academy, there are always everyone's eyes on me..."

"You're the student council president, right? That's amazing, it's a big leap."

"Yes! Before I knew it, I was trying to stand next to big brother. I'm still far from your level, though."

"That's not true. Lilith has become a fine lady."

"!"

Lilith was surprised and turned bright red.

She covers her face with both hands.

"What's wrong?"

"N-No... It's just, more than I thought, I'm embarrassed to look at big brother's face."

"Eh, was there something to be embarrassed about?"

It's a mystery.

Lilith with her ears bright red is cute too, so I have no complaints at all.

"S-So, big brother. Do you think I've fulfilled our promise?"

"Promise... Oh, the one about meeting again after we've both become respectable?"

"...Yes."

"Yeah, I think we've both become quite respectable, haven't we?"

I've become an independent adventurer.

Lilith is the representative of her academy.

It was a verbal promise we made to face forward and live even when apart, so even if we've achieved it, it doesn't mean anything specific, but it must have put a period on something we've been aiming for for many years.

Lilith looked up at the blue sky and shed small tears.

"...Ruru-oniisama, may I be selfish and ask for one thing?"

"What is it?"

"May we stay like this until closing time?"

Lilith rested her head on my shoulder.

When we were small, we often did this while resting in the shade of trees. We used to talk about all sorts of things like this until we were interrupted by noisy Gavin or Verugana.

"Ah... Of course."

"Thank you very much."

Fortunately, the weather is nice.

This seems to be a hidden spot, and there's no sign of anyone coming.

I found a book I wanted to read, but... right now, there's a more important time.

I put the book at the edge of the bench.

"How's the academy? Is it fun?"

"Very much so. The classes are strict, and in the past, there were many times I wanted to cry, but I persevered using big brother's letters as my emotional support."

"Ah, so they were properly delivered. I'm glad."

"...I'm dissatisfied that I couldn't send any replies because there was no address or name."

"I'm sorry. I frequently changed lodgings, and there were times when I was holed up in a dungeon for months. Above all, I was making sure that my connection to the Muuteru family wasn't discovered."

"Fufu, I'm joking. Just receiving letters from big brother was more than enough for Lili."

Lilith chuckles.

Her blue eyes were shining even more brightly.

"Come to think of it, I don't know anything about what's happened to Lilith up until now. Becoming the student council president and all, I didn't expect you to grow this much."

"Lili is already a fine lady."

With a mischievous smile, Lilith pulled my arm towards her.

Of course, her development is also impressive... No, I wouldn't lust after my sister, of course. I wouldn't, but this is quite the outrageous bosom. Despite her delicate appearance, she's unexpectedly well-developed.

"If you'd like, could you tell me about it? From when Lilith entered the academy until now. Happy things, hard things, whatever you can talk about."

"Yes. Then I'll start from when Lili came to the royal capital. When I arrived at the mansion with Mother, Gavin-oniisama welcomed us--"

From there, Lilith and I talked leisurely.

It was truly a private moment between siblings after a long time.

It was a very peaceful and very happy moment.

-- However, I didn't know.

That the rooftop garden was visible from some of the windows of the boys' dormitory of the magic academy.

And that we were being intently watched from one of those rooms--