Book 1 Chapter 174

174

The Forbidden Library.

A place where countless forbidden books, whose access is prohibited not only to ordinary students but even to most professors, lay dormant.

The contents of the forbidden books were equally diverse.

From records of a world that people should not know about, to forbidden dangerous magic and aura skills, and even summoning spells.

It was literally a treasure trove of unknown knowledge.

That's why even Elena, the acting chairwoman, took a long time to get permission for Leo to enter the Forbidden Library.

With Elena, on the top floor of the Grand Library.

Leo paused as he arrived in front of the entrance to the Forbidden Library, where ordinary students were prohibited from entering.

Waiting at the entrance was none other than the vice principal, Riben.

"Hello, Vice Principal."

Elena greeted him with a smile.

Students and professors did not know Riben's true identity.

However, Elena, as Zeiron's successor and acting chairwoman, knew that he was a dragon.

"It's been a long time, Elena Zeiron."

Riben treated Elena as indifferently as always.

Elena, who seemed used to Riben's attitude, shrugged her shoulders and said,

"I can only go this far. Only the chairman, principal, and vice principal can open the Forbidden Library."

It seemed there were limits, even for an acting chairwoman.

"Then wait here, Elena Zeiron."

"Yes~"

Though she made a prim expression, Elena answered obediently.

As Riben placed his hand on the entrance to the Forbidden Library, a bright light burst forth.

With it, Leo felt his body being sucked in.

When he came to his senses, Leo was standing in a massive circular room.

The walls were packed with books.

Leo realized what they were and showed a surprised expression.

"Hero Records?"

Everything in this space was a record of heroes.

And in the center of the room.

A huge book lay on a platform.

It was the main body of the 'Hero Record' that Lumen possessed.

"The Hero Record is kept in the Forbidden Library. And."

Thud- Thud-

Riben walked across the room.

Leo followed him.

Soon, Riben stood in front of a door.

"The knowledge you seek will be beyond this door."

At Riben's words, Leo stared intently at the door.

And he said,

"The Forbidden Library isn't within Lumen."

"That's right. Although it's known as the Forbidden Library to the public, it actually leads to the deepest part of Dragonia. The same goes for other hero academies."

He had wondered why such hidden knowledge wasn't easily accessible, and this was the secret hidden behind it.

Leo nodded and reached out his hand.

Creak-!

The door opened.

He stepped inside.

"I'll wait here."

Riben did not enter the Forbidden Library with Leo.

Thump-

The door closed.

Leo looked at the books filling the space before him.

"It's going to take some time to find what I'm looking for."

"Don't worry."

Someone answered his mumble, and he turned his head.

Leo asked the person who came to greet him,

"Dragon Lord isn't a leisurely position, is it?"

"Yes. But shouldn't I always make time to help Lord Leo?"

Melina, the Dragon Lord in the form of a young girl, smiled brightly.

Leo chuckled, looking at Melina, and said,

"Then I'd like to know about the history of how the Hero Record came to be divided."

"Yes~ I will guide you to where the records related to the Hero Record are."

Melina, now a guide, gently stirred her magic.

A flat, square-shaped magical floor appeared where Leo was standing.

Leo and Melina floated lightly and moved swiftly.

After traversing the vast Grand Library of Dragonia, they stopped in front of a certain section.

"Oops."

Melina, having dispelled her magic, pointed to a gigantic bookshelf and said,

"These are all books related to the Hero Record."

The material related to the Hero Record was so vast.

"Which book describes the reason why the Hero Record was divided?"

"I'll find that for you. Please sit here, Lord Leo."

Melina had Leo sit at a nearby desk, then floated herself up to search for the book Leo was looking for.

A moment later, Melina returned with a book in her hand.

"It's the handwritten journal of Rodia, the Dragon Lord from 3000 years ago."

It was an item of immense historical value.

A book that could not be read outside the Forbidden Library.

It was a record that clearly showed the situation of that time.

"Have you read it?"

"…Yes."

"Then you'll also know the reason why the Hero Record was divided."

"Yes. I can explain it if you wish, but I think it would be better for Lord Leo to read it yourself, as my personal opinions might be included."

"Alright, I understand."

"Rodia's journal is written in Dragonic, so I can help…"

Melina was about to offer to translate the journal.

Flap-

But Leo quickly read through the journal.

Seeing him, Melina let out a hollow laugh.

'I'm being foolish.'

The boy in front of her might look young on the outside, but inside he was a Great Hero.

Moreover, he was a man who had inherited the power of Lisinas, the King of Wisdom.

'Reading Dragonic would be no problem for him.'

Melina smiled gently.

'Rodia, the Dragon of Creation.'

3000 years ago.

The one who discovered the true value of the Hero Record when a fragment of Erebus was resurrected, opening a new era.

Flap-

'I see. At that time, it was almost a re-enactment of the Age of Calamity.'

Reading the story of that time, Leo sighed.

The journal also contained stories of the heroes who fought against the fragment of Erebus and Tartarus at that time.

Lumen, the Knight of Twilight.

Seirun, the Comet Mage.

Azonya, the Great Warrior.

Damian, the Indomitable.

Great heroes revered after the Great Heroes.

If not for them, the world would probably have seen the advent of calamity once again.

Reading the fiercely fought journal of the later heroes, Leo could feel their emotions.

When the journal content reached the middle part.

[I was the only one in the party who could inherit the power of the great Great Hero.

Yes, I inherited Lisinas's power.]

'Indeed. Did he conquer Lisinas's world?'

Flap- Flap-

[We annihilated seven Legion Commanders. Though not as great as the Great Heroes who once saved the world, we are clearly moving forward step by step. It finally feels like we can see the exit.]

Seven Legion Commanders.

At this point, it's no exaggeration to say that Tartarus was pushed to the brink of annihilation.

'Even amidst that, those disgusting things managed to survive well.'

Leo, disgusted with the ancient enemies who had survived for thousands of years, continued to turn the pages of the journal.

[Today we fought Erebus. I thought it was just a fragment. But I have no idea how to defeat this terrifying monster.]

As he reached the end, stories related to the full-scale battle with Erebus emerged.

[Many heroes died in today's battle. Only five of us barely survived and retreated. We cannot possibly contend with Erebus's black flames. The sky over his stronghold is turning black. It feels as if the Age of Calamity is arriving.]

Flap-

[We finally defeated Erebus. We blocked his advance, and he retreated. We also managed to defeat the Lich King's army. It feels as if the unseen path has become visible again.]

Flap-

[We succeeded in defeating the Erebus fragment. The sky regained its blue color. Thank you, Great Lisinas. With your power, we were able to defeat this hateful Erebus.]

Leo, having read that far, made a puzzled expression.

'There were indeed different details than what was publicly known, but the main story is the same, isn't it? Why was the Hero Record divided then? Was it simply to establish four hero academies?'

Thinking so, he turned the last page.

[I am despairing. Today, the black flames have reignited. We cannot possibly extinguish these hateful flames of calamity with our own power.]

Leo's face hardened.

[If we leave it as is, this fragment will surely resurrect again. The world will clearly be swept into despair once more. We have no choice. I discussed it with Lumen, Seirun, Azonya, and Damian. Let us banish these hateful flames to 'another world'… and raise heroes in later generations to defeat the fragment of Erebus. Surely, a hero even greater than us will be born and fulfill the mission we could not.]

The journal ended there.

Leo looked at Melina with a stern expression.

"Did they fail to defeat it?"

"…Yes."

Melina smiled bitterly.

"They failed. They couldn't completely destroy even the single fragment of Erebus that Lord Leo cut down."

It wasn't that they were incompetent.

It was because Erebus's power was so despair-inducing.

The inextinguishable flames of calamity.

The immortal monster.

The Great Heroes could win because they had 'Kyle,' a natural enemy of Erebus.

And in return for that victory, they enjoyed 2000 years of peace.

But 3000 years ago, it was different.

Although they won, they failed to defeat it completely.

They couldn't bring despair again to the people who were rejoicing in their newfound peace.

So, those who knew the truth concealed it.

'And they sealed the fragment of Erebus in their Hero Records.'

They tore the sealed Hero Records to weaken the fragment of Erebus.

That makes sense.

Why the Hero Record was torn.

Why a fragment of Erebus was in Luna's world.

For the heroes of 3000 years ago, this must have been the best option.

Thanks to that, peace was maintained for 3000 years.

'But… is that peace now crumbling?'

Tartarus judged that extracting the already awakened Erebus from the Hero Record was a much faster way to resurrect Erebus than waiting for the resurrection of another Erebus fragment that could awaken at any time.

Leo, who had seen the true history that had to be hidden, curved the corners of his mouth upwards.

"The timing is just right."

"Yes?"

"Isn't it?"

Leo closed the journal and said,

"Because I am here at this very moment."

The heroes of 3000 years ago, with earnest hearts, left a mission they could not complete for future generations.

And thankfully.

In this era, Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings, was reincarnated.

"I also want to put an end to this ill-fated connection that has continued since my previous life."

Leo gently stroked the journal, which contained the lingering regret of a later hero.

He had no intention of blaming them, nor could he.

Because Leo knew best the despair of that monster.

'Leave the rest to me.'

He handed the journal to Melina.

"As expected of Lord Leo."

Melina couldn't help but tremble in fear when she first saw this journal.

But not now.

What was there to fear when a Great Hero had resurrected in this world?

"Alright, then, shall we go back and prepare for the midterms?"

Leo rose from his seat.

His curiosity was satisfied, and he felt relieved.

'The later generations also suffered a lot.'

Thud- Thud-

Leo, who was walking, suddenly stopped.

Melina, who was following behind him, also stopped and looked up at Leo's back with a puzzled expression.

"Lord Leo?"

Leaving the puzzled Melina behind, Leo approached a bookshelf.

Stuck there was an old book.

It was impossible to tell its age or era.

A worn leather cover with no title or author.

But it looked somewhat familiar to Leo.

Moreover, he could faintly feel the lingering scent of nostalgic mana.

He reached out and pulled out an old book.

Flap-

Nothing was written in the book.

"…Melina. How long has this library been here?"

"The history of the library dates back before the Age of Calamity. I know that Lord Lisinas owned it and passed it down to later dragons."

However, as long ages passed, it was expanded and many books were stored, so its old appearance had long since vanished.

But a book that entered the Grand Library would never have left it.

"Indeed… it was Lisinas's personal library."

"Yes. But what is that book?"

To Melina's puzzled question, Leo answered with a somewhat bitter voice.

"It's Lisinas's journal."