Book 1 Chapter 174

174

The Forbidden Library.

A place where countless forbidden books slept, with access denied not only to ordinary students but even to most professors.

The content of the forbidden books was also diverse.

It contained records of the world that people were not meant to know, as well as forbidden dangerous magic, aura skills, and even summoning arts.

It was literally a treasure trove of knowledge unknown to the world.

That is why it took even Elena, the acting principal, a long time to get Leo permission to enter the Forbidden Library.

On the top floor of the Great Library with Elena.

Leo stopped 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, Reven.

"Hello, Vice-Principal."

Elena greeted him with a smile.

Students and professors were unaware of Reven's true identity.

However, Elena, the successor of Geron and acting principal, knew he was a dragon.

"It's been a while, Elena Geron."

Reven treated Elena with his usual dry indifference.

Elena, seemingly accustomed to Reven's attitude, shrugged her shoulders and said,

"This is as far as I go. Only the Principal, the Headmaster, and the Vice-Principal can open the Forbidden Library."

It seemed there were limitations even for the acting principal.

"Then wait here, Elena Geron."

"Okay~"

Though she put on a prim expression, Elena answered obediently.

As Reven touched the entrance to the Forbidden Library, a bright light burst forth.

With it, Leo felt himself being pulled in.

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

Books were densely packed on the walls.

Leo realized what they were and his expression turned surprised.

"Hero Records?"

Everything in this space was a record of heroes.

And in the center of the room.

A massive book lay on a pedestal.

It was the original 'Hero Record' that Lumern possessed.

"The Hero Records are kept in the Forbidden Library. And."

Stomp- Stomp-

Reven walked across the room.

Leo followed him.

Eventually, Reven stopped in front of a door.

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

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

Then he said,

"The Forbidden Library isn't within Lumern."

"Correct. Though it is known to the world as the Forbidden Library, it actually connects to the deepest part of Draconia. This is the same for other Hero Academies."

Leo had wondered why even hidden knowledge couldn't be easily accessed, and now he understood the secret.

Nodding, Leo reached out.

*Creaaak-!*

The door opened.

He stepped inside.

"I'll be waiting here."

Reven did not follow Leo into the Forbidden Library.

*Thud*

The door closed.

Leo looked at the books filling his vision.

"It's going to take a while to find what I'm looking for."

"Don't worry."

Someone answered his soliloquy, and Leo turned his head.

Leo asked the one who came to greet him,

"The Dragon Lord isn't a position with free time, is it?"

"Yes, but shouldn't I always make time to help you, Lord Leo?"

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

Leo chuckled at Melina's sight and said,

"Then, I want to know about the history of how the Hero Records became divided."

"Yes~ I will guide you to the place where records related to the Hero Records are kept."

Melina, acting as a guide, lightly conjured magic.

A flat, square magical floor was created beneath Leo's feet.

Leo and Melina, their bodies floating, moved rapidly.

After traversing the vast Great Library of Draconia, they stopped in front of a certain section.

"Ugh."

Melina, dispelling the magic, pointed to a giant bookshelf and said,

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

The amount of material related to the Hero Records was immense.

"Which book describes the reason the Hero Records were divided?"

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

Melina seated Leo at a nearby desk and floated up to find the book Leo was looking for.

After a moment, Melina returned holding a single book.

"It's the memoirs of Rhodia, the Dragon Lord of 3000 years ago."

It was an item of immense historical value.

A book that could not be read anywhere but in the Forbidden Library.

It was material that clearly explained the situation at that time.

"Have you read it?"

"…Yes."

"So you know the reason the Hero Records were divided."

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

"Alright, I understand."

"Rhodia's memoirs are written in Draconic, so I will help you…"

Melina was about to help interpret the memoirs.

*Rustle-*

However, Leo quickly began to read the memoirs.

Seeing this, Melina let out a hollow laugh.

'I'm such an idiot.'

The boy before her might look young, but inside he was a great hero.

Furthermore, he was a man who had inherited the power of Licinius, the King of Wisdom.

'Reading Draconic must be nothing to him.'

Melina smiled faintly.

'Rhodia, the Dragon of Genesis.'

3000 years ago.

The one who discovered the true value of the Hero Records when a fragment of Erebus revived and ushered in a new era.

*Rustle-*

'I see. It seems the era of disaster was almost recreated at that time.'

Reading the story of that time, Leo sighed.

The memoirs also described the heroes who fought against Tartarus and the fragment of Erebus at that time.

Lumen, the Knight of Twilight.

Seirun, the Mage of the Comet.

Azenia, the Great Warrior.

Damian, the Indomitable.

Great heroes respected next to the Great Heroes.

Without them, the world would have likely witnessed the arrival of disaster once more.

Reading the memoirs of the fierce heroes of later generations, Leo could feel their hearts.

When the content of the memoirs reached the middle.

[I was the only one among my companions who could inherit the power of the Great Heroes.

Yes, I inherited the power of Licinius.]

'As expected. Did he conquer Licinius's world?'

*Rustle- Rustle-*

[We have defeated seven legion commanders. Although not as much as the Great Heroes who saved the world in the past, we are clearly moving forward step by step. It seems we can finally see the exit.]

Seven legion commanders.

It could be said that Tartarus was on the verge of annihilation.

'Even so, those disgusting things managed to survive.'

Annoyed by the enemies who had survived for thousands of years, Leo continued to turn the pages of the memoirs.

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

As it reached the end, the story about the full-fledged battle against Erebus emerged.

[Many heroes died in today's battle. Only five of us barely survived and retreated. We cannot possibly counter Erebus's dark flame. The sky above its stronghold is turning black. It feels like the era of disaster is dawning.]

*Rustle-*

[We finally defeated Erebus. We stopped its advance, and it retreated. The Commander King's army was also barely defeated. The path that was invisible now seems to be reappearing.]

*Rustle-*

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

Leo frowned in confusion after reading up to that point.

'Indeed, there was content different from what is known to the world, but the main points are the same? Why exactly did the Hero Records get divided? Was it simply to establish four Hero Academies?'

Thinking so, he turned the last page.

[It is despairing. Today, the black flame has reignited. We cannot extinguish this hateful flame of disaster with our own power.]

Leo's face hardened.

[If we let it continue, this fragment will revive again. The world will undoubtedly be swept into despair once more. There is no other way. I discussed it with Lumern, Seirun, Azenia, and Damian. Let us drive this hateful flame into 'another world'… and raise heroes in later generations to defeat the fragment of Erebus. Surely, heroes greater than us will be born and fulfill the mission we could not complete.]

The memoirs ended there.

Leo looked at Melina with a hardened expression.

"Did they fail in their subjugation?"

"…Yes."

Melina smiled bitterly.

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

It wasn't because they were incompetent.

It was because Erebus's power was that despairing.

An unquenchable flame of disaster.

An immortal monster.

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

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

However, it was different 3000 years ago.

Although they won, they failed to subjugate it.

They probably couldn't give the people, who rejoiced in the regained peace, a sense of despair again.

So, those who knew the truth hid it.

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

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

Then it made sense.

Why the Hero Records were torn apart.

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

For the heroes of 3000 years ago, this was the best they could do.

Thanks to them, peace was maintained for 3000 years.

'But… that peace is now being shaken, isn't it?'

Tartarus, rather than waiting for another fragment of Erebus to awaken at an unknown time, judged that extracting the already awakened Erebus from the Hero Records was a faster way to revive Erebus.

Leo, having seen the true history that had to be hidden, curved his lips upward.

"The timing is perfect."

"What?"

"Isn't it?"

Leo said, closing the memoirs.

"Because I am here at this time."

The heroes of 3000 years ago left behind their unfinished mission with earnest hearts for future generations.

And fortunately.

At this time, Kyle, the hero of the beginning, was reincarnated.

"I also want to put an end to the fated animosity that has continued since my past life."

Leo stroked the memoirs left by the heroes of later generations, filled with their regrets.

He had no intention of blaming their failure, nor could he.

He knew better than anyone how despairing that monster was.

'Leave the rest to me.'

He handed the memoirs back to Melina.

"As expected of you, Lord Leo."

Melina had trembled with fear when she first saw these memoirs.

But not now.

With the Great Hero revived in this era, what was there to fear?

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

Leo got up from his seat.

He felt relieved to have his questions answered.

'The later generation heroes also went through a lot of hardship.'

*Thump- Thump-*

Leo, walking, suddenly stopped.

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

"Lord Leo?"

Leaving Melina with her puzzled expression behind, Leo approached a bookshelf.

There was an old book placed there.

It was impossible to tell from which era or time it came.

A leather cover with no title or author, stained by countless hands.

But it felt somehow familiar to Leo.

Moreover, he could faintly sense a nostalgic mana residue.

He reached out and took out a worn book.

*Rustle-*

There was no content written in the book.

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

"The history of this library dates back to before the era of disaster. I understand that Licinius owned it and then passed it down to later dragons."

However, as the years passed and it was expanded and many books were stored, its original form had long since disappeared.

But books brought into the Great Library would never have left it.

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

"Yes. But what is that book?"

To Melina's curious question, Leo replied in a somewhat bitter voice.

"It's Licinius's memoirs."