Chapter 100: True and Detailed Maritime Adventure Log (33)

The Roberts Family Library's latest collection count is 23127 volumes.

Every volume is a fine work.

This number is engraved on the orichalcum plaque at the library gate, as the Roberts Family's honor.

Upon passing this deep blue exquisite plaque, Luosen instinctively stopped and gazed.

Lady Agneth also did not urge him, just stood beside him waiting patiently.

Luosen softly said, 'Books are condensed souls, witnesses of historical transmission, guardians of mortal wisdom.'

Lady Agneth softly continued, 'Every book shines with divine radiance, the essential difference between us mortals and mountain wild beasts, fish, and insects.'

After speaking, the master and disciple exchanged a glance, both showing a smile.

'Mentor, this is what you said to me when you gave your first lesson back then.'

'This wasn't said by me; it was said by Saintess Weilan.'

'But in my heart, it's what the mentor said.'

'Your mouth is really sweet, but I'm not Grant; I won't be easily dazed by sweet talk.'

While chatting and laughing, the two entered the library.

The interior is spacious, tall, and bright; rows of heavy yet exquisite black walnut bookshelves are neatly arranged, like silent giants guarding knowledge.

The bookshelves are also sealed with high-quality transparent glass to prevent damage from dust, moisture, and pests to the books.

If an outsider enters and wants to see a particular book, they must specially notify the librarian, who will retrieve it using an equally specially made magic key.

Of course, today's situation is somewhat special; the librarian had intended to step forward to serve, but was waved away by Lady Agneth.

'I am far more familiar with this library than you are; you go attend to your own business.'

'Yes, County Lady.' The librarian respectfully withdrew.

This detail made Luosen's heart stir: 'The mentor seems to have something to say to me alone.'

He was somewhat curious, but he knew he would soon learn the answer; patient waiting was all that was needed.

Then, Luosen followed Lady Agneth as they walked between the bookshelves, and he also softly voiced his true need.

'Mentor, I not only want to know the knowledge of the fish people, but also that of the deep sea mermaids, and my need for the latter is even more urgent.'

Lady Agneth startled: 'How, have you discovered deep sea mermaids in the sea?'

'I haven't actually seen them yet, but I have found some suspicious traces.'

'You know, the deep sea mermaid in ancient mythology is a formidable figure.'

'What you said is correct.'

Lady Agneth placed one hand on the bookshelf, pinched the braid hanging by her cheek with the other, thought for a moment, then waved at Luosen: 'Come with me.'

She turned and walked toward the library's depths; through the glass one could see that the deeper the collection, the older the books, naturally traversing longer spans of time.

Therefore, what Lady Agneth is about to display should be a genuine ancient classic, possibly the only one in the entire continent.

Luosen's heart immediately filled with great anticipation.

Soon, the two arrived at a row of ancient bookshelves.

The plaque on this bookshelf reads 'Collected Coastal Observation Chronicles of Shire County Through the Ages and Maritime Logs of Adjacent Waters'.

Looking inside the bookshelf, there are stacks of similar observation record volumes, over a thousand in total, and from the books' colors one can see that they have been continuously recorded.

Considering Shire County's history, the earliest volume likely dates back 488 years.

Luosen was overjoyed, for such a collection of journals is extremely precious, almost a true reproduction of history.

'These are the most genuine firsthand materials; I loved reading these journals as a child, and I vaguely recall that they contained information about deep sea mermaids.'

While speaking, Lady Agneth brought two pairs of silk gloves: 'Put them on.'

She also explained: 'These are all ancient books; the use of Mage Hand is strictly forbidden, and movements should be as gentle as possible.'

Luosen complied, yet was somewhat puzzled: 'Mentor, these are precious historical materials; why not have someone recopy them onto the best paper available today?'

Lady Agneth shrugged helplessly: 'I suggested this to the Count, but he evidently did not listen to me.'

'Of course, I can also understand him. After all, doing so would be extremely costly, and recopying would not produce obvious economic value.'

'Shush—'

She gently opened the glass book cabinet: 'Move the side standing desk over here; after you get the book, read it here and return it immediately when done.'

'Yes, mentor.'

Luosen moved a high-legged square table from the nearby wall over, while Lady Agneth carefully lifted five books and placed them on the tabletop, beginning to turn the pages gently.

'It should be among these five; let me search thoroughly.'

She began to search carefully and meticulously, while Luosen stood aside waiting patiently.

'Shush—shush~~'

For a moment, the library had only the faint sound of page turning and the two people's soft breathing.

After about half an hour, Lady Agneth beckoned Luosen: 'Found it, a sea captain's navigation log from 362 years ago; come over and look.'

Luosen's heart leapt with joy; he immediately went to the mentor's side and read carefully.

On the aged, yellowed pages, written in an exceptionally beautiful Bertrand noble-exclusive script are the events sealed by time's dust.

This is the navigation log of a noble captain named Elancat. Luosen knows him; he is a captain extremely rich in adventurous spirit.

Because it was he who, while exploring the eastern waters of Shire County, first discovered White Sturgeon Island, and later also discovered Hank Island and Shengan Island.

The log reads: 'Natural Divine Calendar 1322, July 27, fierce north wind, heavenly clouds thicker than mountains, darker than black stone, a fierce storm is brewing.'

'We have just experienced a terrible fish‑person attack; the hull was breached with a large hole, flooding severely, seven crewmen died, I personally saw a fish‑person bite off a crewman's neck, the hoarse, anguished cries like a dagger tormenting my soul.'

'The ship is slowly sinking, estimated unable to hold; everyone aboard is desperate, though we are desperately repairing the hull, we have all already heard the summons of Mother Nature.'

'Yes, I truly heard someone singing, and then I saw something in the sky.'

'Those were winged, naked women; they were especially beautiful, with deep‑blue feathers and crystal‑clear skin.'

They fly especially fast, absolutely not slower than the eagles of the falconers.

I counted, there were about thirteen women, they flew up to over a hundred meters high, circling above our deck nonstop.

My first mate wanted the sailors to shoot arrows at them, but I stopped them.

I think, since these flying women have been singing rather than attacking us, we don't need to stir up new trouble; we already have enough trouble.

Perhaps it's because of our goodwill that those women gradually lowered their altitude, began landing on the sail masts, and finally even onto the deck.

After landing, their bodies quickly changed: wings turned into pure white arms, deep blue feathers turned into deep blue hair, and their eyes showed a dreamy azure glow.

In short, they look no different from ordinary women; no, I should say, they are all as beautiful as fairies.

The sailors were all stunned; even the just‑now ferocious first mate lost his killing intent, and I have never in my life seen so many beautiful women.

And what happened next far exceeded everyone's expectations.

As a responsible professional captain, I will record every detail in detail; perhaps these details will make you think I am immoral, but I insist it is necessary.

Because the truth is the first element of a ship's log.

Seeing this, Luosen felt something was off.

He continued reading and indeed discovered that the captain had actually written about Uncle Huang in the rigorous ship's log—item after item, rich in detail, vivid characters, and even quite literary!

But one must also admit that the log vividly and concretely displays the traits of the deep‑sea blue‑haired women, which has considerable research value.

As he read on, Luosen heard the breathing beside him grow noticeably heavier; turning his head, he saw Lady Agneth's cheeks flushed crimson.

Seeing Luosen look over, she somewhat unnaturally complained: 'This captain is truly a licentious rogue!'

Indeed.

Luosen agreed and continued reading.

Fortunately, the immoral parts did not continue uninterrupted.

These flying women can speak, and their voices are very pleasant.

They told me that if we come with goodwill, they will warmly receive us, but if we come with malice, they will make us pay a heavy price.

We accepted this, for in the ocean these women are the rulers.

In the conversation I also learned that the women have a very powerful leader named 'Raltricis', whom they call queen, and they say the queen possesses the great power to overturn any continental ships.

The enthusiastic women flew away; after we rested, we somewhat recovered our strength and began repairing the ship. But just as we had plugged the leaks in the ship, the women came again!

I feel I am beginning to hate them; although they brought many pearls, seaweed, and delicious sea fish, they are never satisfied, and as soon as we regain a little strength they demand more.

They also control the ship, not letting us raise sail; without sails we naturally cannot leave. I think we may meet a miserable death at sea.

Reading this, Luosen grew curious: 'If that's the case, how did these people escape back?'

Just as he was about to continue reading, he suddenly heard the instructor's voice in his ear: 'I heard Selena also touched four‑ring power?'

The instructor's state had also returned to normal, but her tone was a bit odd, instantly reminding Luosen of the parting scene outside Dawn City last time.

He immediately had an uneasy thought: 'The instructor seems still obsessed with probing my power.'

He forced himself to answer: 'Yes.'

And you have advanced to the second ring?

Mm, yes.

Such an unusual speed—you needn't hide it further, for I have calculated carefully; even with a soul‑forging diamond you couldn't be this fast.

So there is only one reasonable explanation: you previously concealed your true cultivation.

Saying this, Luosen suddenly felt a ripple of power from the instructor's fingertip, which slowly approached his body.

He also felt that this was not an ordinary power ripple, but a strong four‑ring detection art, 'Insight into Mysteries'.

If it were a remote probe, Luosen could resist it, but if the spell were released against his skin, he would surely be seen through.

Before, Weige could see through some of his secrets, for Weige is his trusted subordinate and merely a high‑tier mage.

But the instructor is a four‑ring master, knowing many secrets that only great nobles are entitled to know—something Weige cannot match.

Now she has even employed the Insight into Mysteries art, which could directly see through his true power if it exceeds six rings.

Six rings are already shocking; exceeding six rings would definitely cause a tsunami‑like disturbance on the White Continent, and if this person is only twenty years old, it could even rouse Mother Nature.

But if he refuses the probe, it would indirectly confirm the instructor's suspicion.

Luosen instantly understood: 'So this is why the instructor wanted to be alone with me.'

(End of chapter)