CHAPTER 109
The basement interior was bright because the wall lights were on.
"It feels just like that time."
I spoke up as Lewis closed the top cover.
"That time?"
"Yes. When we went into the secret passage in the temple before."
Since this place stored books, the walls were lined with magical lights.
The difference was that the basement library had shelves filled with books.
"We need to find what we're looking for before too much time passes."
Lewis said as he looked around the bookshelves.
He was right; we couldn't stay here for too long. Michael was leaving his work to help us.
"We just need to find the old records, right?"
The experiment the Duke mentioned.
I wanted to quickly verify anything related to my father.
But we didn't know where specific books were stored...
"It seems like we'll have to check everything?"
"Wait a moment."
Lewis stopped me from checking each book.
After quickly surveying the basement bookshelves, he shook his head.
"If we look one by one, we won't make it in time."
Indeed. Finding what we need quickly would require a lot of luck.
"It's better to use magic."
Lewis chanted a spell, and some of the books on the shelves floated into the air.
"Wow."
I exclaimed briefly, and Lewis explained.
"I pulled out books containing specific words."
"What words?"
"From the Imperial Calendar years 353 to 363. The experiment was said to be over twenty years ago."
Such a method existed.
I thought about the time I spent searching the library for traces of my father.
If I had known this, I would have come with Lewis sooner!
"I deliberately chose a broad range. There might be some error in the information your aunt provided."
"These are all records from the late emperor's time."
It was now clear where the records of the late emperor were stored.
Of course, there were many books to look through.
But it was still better than searching through all the books!
I pulled out one of the floating books.
"Now we just need to see if there's anything about the experiment here, right?"
It would take some time to find such keywords among these books.
If only I could speed read...
While quickly scanning through the book, the library was completely silent.
I was engrossed in reading, and Lewis-
Huh?
I expected Lewis to be looking through the books, but he was looking at me instead.
I tilted my head.
"Marquis, aren't you looking for books?"
I thought he would be more diligent than me. Why was he staring at me instead of the books?
And he wasn't even serious.
"I've never seen you so focused on something before."
His tone was playful, as if he found me cute.
I felt strange.
"I focus a lot more than you think..."
To be so relaxed at such an important moment, finding traces of my father.
"We don't have time to waste. We need to find it quickly and leave!"
When I scolded him, Lewis replied calmly, as if nothing was wrong.
"If there are too many books, we can narrow the range further."
Then he chanted another spell.
Many of the books that had floated out returned to their places.
"I selected only the books containing the words 'experiment' and 'research'."
"Is this possible too?"
"Of course. I'm the head of the Magic Tower."
"You should have mentioned this sooner."
When I showed a frustrated expression, Lewis laughed mischievously.
Only briefly. Then, putting away his smile, he picked one of the floating books.
He glanced through the books, then spoke.
"It seems the late emperor was indeed interested in research."
"Indeed."
I continued searching.
[Imperial Calendar 357]
357 was the year my father left the palace.
It would be good to confirm what happened before my father quit and left for the provinces.
I discovered an ominous phrase a short while later.
"Marquis."
"Yes?"
"Look at this."
When I called, Lewis immediately came over.
I pointed to the phrase I had read.
"Here!"
The book contained this phrase.
[Under the emperor's command, an important research project began.]
"And here."
I flipped through several pages and pointed to another phrase.
[One of the participants refused the emperor's orders and fled.
As a result, the research was halted.]
The details about the research were summarized in just three sentences.
The following pages contained only ordinary content, as if nothing had happened.
"Did the research stop because someone fled?"
It seemed like a certain possibility crossed my mind.
"This was around the time someone left the palace."
After a moment of silence, Lewis spoke too, looking thoughtful.
"It was when my father quit his job at the palace."
"Right?"
It was indeed suspicious!
I asked carefully.
"Could it be that your father was involved in this research?"
"It's possible. My father was a court mage."
Lewis took my suspicions more calmly than I expected.
"This was seven years after he started working as a court mage. He had enough experience to be involved in such research."
We found no further information since the details were only briefly mentioned.
Unlike other research that included detailed accounts of participants and progress.
"It's truly suspicious. It doesn't even specify what the research was about."
Seeing me flip through the pages, Lewis tilted his head.
"It must have been quite a secretive research."
Lewis pulled out a recording stone from his pocket. He seemed to be recording that part.
"It might come in handy later, right?"
Lewis carefully recorded the phrases and then returned the book to the shelf.
"We've checked everything. Let's go."
Then, he put his hand on my shoulder.
No, he didn't just place his hand. He pulled me into a hug.
"Do we really have to move like this?"
"Yes."
It seemed personal!
While I gave him a suspicious look, the scenery changed.
A much brighter space. We were back in the drawing room.
"You're back."
Michael, who had been watching the dolls, greeted us warmly.
"Not too late, right?"
Michael answered cheerfully.
"No, it's fine. You came back sooner than I thought!"
Lewis snapped his fingers, and the dolls returned to their original forms.
"I'll explain in detail at the mansion. See you later."
"Alright. See you at the mansion."
Michael smiled as he agreed.
The journey to the Duke's residence was with Lewis. He said he would escort me and then head to the Magic Tower.
In the carriage, Lewis checked the recording stone.
"The recording is clear."
He would probably show it to Michael later.
"Now we need to find out exactly what kind of research the late emperor conducted."
Lewis muttered thoughtfully.
It was crucial to uncover this, given the possible connection to his father.
"Is there any clue your father might have left behind?"
"I don't know..."
Judging by Lewis's reaction, there didn't seem to be a clear clue.
Well, if Lewis had known, he wouldn't have been so clueless about his father all this time.
"There's no definite clue, but there are some items. Not things left for me specifically, just things he used."
Lewis spoke as if recalling a memory.
"Do you have them?"
"Yes, they're at my mansion. Do you want to go?"
"Aren't you supposed to go to the Magic Tower?"
Today wasn't Lewis's day off.
Lewis hesitated for a moment but then spoke.
"I'm the highest authority in the Magic Tower anyway."
Oh, so he can do whatever he wants?
Lewis's characteristic nonchalance was evident as he directed the carriage to his mansion.
* * *
Upon arriving at the Marquis's mansion, the butler greeted Lewis with wide eyes.
"Marquis? How come you're here at this hour?"
"I'm looking for something."
Ignoring the butler's surprise, Lewis led the way.
I exchanged a small greeting with the butler and followed closely beside Lewis.
"Ah, wait."
But then Lewis suddenly stopped.
"I don't know exactly where it is."
"You don't know?"
Shouldn't keepsakes be stored in a well-remembered place?
Lewis frowned.
"I don't know. They're just all over the place."
Can we find it quickly this way?
Unlike my worries, Lewis seemed unbothered.
"We'll find it together."
Lewis called for the butler.
"Gather all the servants in the mansion immediately. We're looking for something."
"Ah, like last time?"
Last time?
Lewis glanced at me with a look.
"Did you look for something before?"
"Yes. It wasn't anything important."
Then why look at me like that? He seemed like he was hiding something.
But I quickly dismissed the thought.
Lewis hiding something? Impossible!
Shortly after, the servants gathered before us, and Lewis spoke.
"We're looking for my father's keepsakes. Books, clothes, or any items that seem over ten years old."
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
With resounding answers, the servants dispersed efficiently.
I followed Lewis to his study.
Even on the way to the study, we saw servants busily moving according to orders.
"They seem well-practiced."
I shared my honest impression.
"Have you had to search like this before?"
"No? I've never done this before. The servants of the Marquis's household are just well-organized and quick to move."
Maybe it's because their master is so intimidating?
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