Chapter 13: Private Matters

After exhausting countless efforts from the Royal Capital's Guard, the terrorist who had escaped for two months was finally captured. This morning, he was to be burned to death in the central square of the Royal Capital. Many people in the streets and alleys were celebrating, feeling that peace had finally returned to the city.

Asa was mixed in with the crowd of onlookers, watching as the prisoner was dragged out of the prison cart by several soldiers and tied to a wooden post piled high with firewood.

The man was already hard to identify as alive or dead. His emaciated body and disheveled hair made it difficult to see his scarred and bloodied face. As the crowd erupted with shouts, the pile of wood ignited into a fierce blaze. In just a blink of an eye, the man was engulfed in flames, seeming to have no time to even let out a cry.

Asa found the efficiency of it all somewhat satisfying. In a sense, this man was dying for the country, sacrificing himself to cover up a potential secret that could endanger the nation. Dying for one's country could be seen as a somewhat honorable death. But Asa was sure this man did not wish to die.

That was the reality of state matters. Asa recalled Duke Murak's words from last night. While no one may have hated this man enough to want him dead, after a series of complex and true value assessments, this man must be burned to death here.

With a loud 'bang,' the prisoner's abdomen burst open from the heat, and the crowd erupted a frenzy of joy, filled with cruel delight.

In fact, Asa was so close to be the one who was put into the fire. The scorching heat wave hit him, causing him a sudden shiver. He turned over push through the crowd to leave.

He didn't understand state affairs and wasn't interested in them. Right now, he was busy with a more important private matter.

Last night, he stayed up late, flipping through the books in Sandru's cabinet but found nothing about the "World Tree Leaf." There was only a page in the latter part of a book on meditation that mentioned "World Tree Leaf," but aside from the title, the rest of the text was incomprehensible. When he went to ask Sandru in the morning, he was surprised to see Sandru flustered, claiming he had to leave the city. When Asa asked what he was so rushed about, Sandru replied with a grin, "To meet my girlfriend," and then ran off with a big bag.

Asa had always found it somewhat strange. Since childhood, he had heard tales from old adventurers about the most dangerous places and mysterious things on the continent. He was already familiar with all the details about places like Lizard Marsh before he even set foot there. Yet, he had never heard of a "World Tree" or the place called Whispering Woods.

But since there was only this lead now, he had to go for it. Asa suddenly remembered that there was a library at the Magic Academy. He might be able to get some clues there.

Arriving at the Magic Academy, he walked into the library. Because it was still early morning, there were few people inside. The massive building was divided into several large rooms, each labeled with signs like "Geography," "History," "Military," and so on, indicating the types of books within. Each room contained dozens of tall bookshelves crammed with books.

Asa first went to the "Plants" section to check the catalog but strained his eyes and still could not find anything introducing the "World Tree." After wandering for a while, he finally entered the "Languages" room, hoping to find a dictionary that might help translate the mysterious text. However, faced with tens of thousands of books, he quickly realized it was impossible; he didn't even know what language the text was in.

So, Asa wandered between the shelves, hoping to find someone to ask for help. After roaming half the room, he still hadn't seen a single person. It wasn't until he reached the last two shelves that he finally spotted someone.

The person was wearing the white robe typical of students at the Magic Academy, with a very small frame. She was bent over, back to Asa, intently stacking books on top of each other. Asa had often played this game before he turned five, competing with a few friends to see who could stack the books the highest.

"Hey," Asa called out.

The girl seemed to be startled, jumping up from the floor, causing her carefully built stack of books to topple. As she turned around, Asa realized it was a girl he met before: she had a bruise on her left eye and looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, he realized she was the girl he had rescued two nights ago, Elaine's sister.

She stared at Asa, a bit panicked, and said, "I wasn't playing; I saw the books were out of order, so I was organizing them."

"It's you," Asa said, somewhat surprised. This was convenient; she seemed to be a student here and might be able to help.

"You're not the librarian?" She relaxed a bit but still looked confused. "Who are you? Do you know me?"

"Um… I'm your sister's friend," Asa replied, taking out the book. "Can you help me with this…?"

"Nonsense. My sister doesn't have friends like you." She seemed very guarded. "If you're trying to flirt, at least have a better excuse; you could at least dress nicer."

Asa helplessly shook his head, pulled out a mask, and put it on his face, saying, "It's me, remember?" She jumped in surprise at the sight. Asa then took off the mask and put it away.

"Oh, it's you? So that face was just a mask…" Christine stared at him, then shook her head. "Still not good enough; you don't have long hair and look scruffy."

Asa completely didn't understand what she was saying. He took out the book, flipped to the page, and handed it to her, saying, "Can you help me out and see what language this is written in? Maybe I can find a way to translate it…"

She didn't even glance at the book, instead looking at Asa with disdain and shaking her head. "Do you understand basic manners? If you want someone to help you, at least ask politely!"

"Miss Murak, could you please help me see what these characters are and where I can find a translation tool?"

"Forget it. Don't be so formal. I should thank you for saving me; just call me Christine. What's your name?"

"Just call me Asa," he replied.

"Strange name; it sounds like 'fool,'" Christine said, looking at the book. With a sense of pride, she added, "You're in luck; this is ancient text from before the dynasty. I just happen to be an expert in this area."

Asa was pleasantly surprised and said, "That's perfect! Then please help me see what it says."

Christine took a closer look but felt a bit apprehensive. The text was full of obscure phrases, and the grammar was strange. She hadn't really paid much attention while learning, and could only understand about a quarter of it. But since she had already bragged and called herself an 'expert,' she didn't want to admit she couldn't read it all. Reluctantly, she pieced together what she understood, and in a deliberately mature tone, she said, "It says here that the leaf is from… a forest that's hard to talk about. A forest that's hard to talk about? What a strange name, stranger than yours."

"Is it the Whispering Woods?" Asa asked.

In a tone befitting an expert, Christine replied, "That translation isn't accurate; it should be 'a forest that's hard to talk about.' It says that forest is south of Airi City in the southeast of the Empire… um… and that the tree is from a people called Fahma… it has very powerful leaves. That's all."

"What else? It's written on such a big page; it can't just be this!" Asa pressed.

Christine widened her eyes and said, "It's because there's too much nonsense that makes it inconvenient to use, which is why it should be abolished."

"Really?" Asa doubted.

"If you're so capable, you figure it out yourself. I told you, and you don't believe me; don't pretend to understand when you don't," Christine scolded.

But at least now he knew where it was and who had it, so Asa sighed with relief. Looking at Christine, who was trying to act mature, he noticed that today she hadn't styled her hair in an exaggerated way; it was simply tucked into her robe. Without the colorful powders on her face, her natural beauty as a young girl was displayed, though the bruise on her eye made her look somewhat comical. Asa reached out, ruffled her hair, and pinched her cheek, saying, "Thanks, expert! I'll treat you to some candy later."

"Ah! You pervert!" Christine screamed, swatting at his hand. Asa chuckled and turned to leave the room. Suddenly, Christine rushed up behind him, blocking his way. "You can't just leave after I helped you!"

"I already said I'd treat you to candy later," Asa replied.

"Go eat shit," Christine said, sounding like a tavern mercenary, probably picking up some of her language from friends with braids. "I'm really bored right now; come chat with me."

"But I don't know how to play house or use books as props," Asa said. However, he found the girl amusing, and now that he had a lead, he felt much more relaxed. It seemed fine to chat with her.

Asa stayed in the library, either chatting with her or just listening to her vent. Duke Murak had said she would be traveling with a merchant caravan starting next month to increase her experience. But it was obvious she had become addicted to the bustling life of the Royal Capital and had no desire to see the outside world, while also lacking the courage to resist her father.

"Lend me that book you just looked at. If it's interesting, I'll take it with me to read on the road. The books here are all too boring," Christine said. She flipped through the book and suddenly frowned at the first page, saying, "The signature here is… Akibard Grihafin? Isn't that a royal surname? There's also a royal seal… This is a royal book! Where did you steal it from? It looks kind of strange, like it's made from some kind of skin."

"It's human skin. It's someone else's book; I need to return it," Asa teased her.

"Go eat shit! Trying to scare me? If worse comes to worst, I'll just give you some money," Christine scoffed, clearly thinking that someone dressed so raggedly was undoubtedly a poor person who could easily be dealt with.

Asa was reminded by her words that he had no money and no horse, and walking to such a distant place would take at least several months. He quickly said, "Then lend me some money." Although this book belonged to Sandru, it was just lying there, dusty and forgotten, so it probably wasn't that important. Besides, he only needed to borrow it for some necessary travel expenses; he could return it later.

Unfortunately, he didn't know the true value of the book. If he did, he wouldn't have dared to trade it even if she had told him to eat shit.

Christine disdainfully pulled out a dozen silver coins and tossed them to Asa, confirming his status as a poor man who could be easily dealt with over a small amount of money.

Unfortunately, she also didn't know what the book was worth. If she did, she would never have accepted it even if it came together with a fortune.

Asa stared in shock at the shiny coins in his hand. He hadn't expected Christine to give him so much money so casually. It was the first time he had ever received silver coins. In his hometown, a single silver coin was enough for a family of three to live comfortably for a month.

That such a tattered book could be worth such a sum was truly unexpected. He suddenly felt a fear that Christine might change her mind, so he made some casual remarks and hurriedly walked away. It wasn't until he left the Magic Academy that he realized he had forgotten to check on the specifics of the Whispering Woods. But fortunately, he had already learned the general location, so he could ask someone in Airi City.

Back at the big house, Sandru had not returned yet. Asa feared that he would start lecturing him about the work he still owed him, and he felt particularly guilty about taking the book to trade for silver coins. He decided to leave a note for Sandru, saying he was going to the Whispering Woods to get the World Tree Leaf, then he went to the Adventurers' Guild to buy a horse and some adventuring supplies before setting off.

After walking for a while, Sandru staggered back in. When he saw the note that Asa had left, he let out a strange cry.

"It should be fine, right…" he thought for a moment, shaking his head as he spoke to himself, and waved the note.

With a whoosh, the note turned to a wisp of light smoke in his hand.