Head Librarian [3/3]

Inside the Knights of Favonius library, a calm and relaxing vibrant was surrounding the whole area.

The sun's sunlight passed through the windows, forming a somewhat nostalgia-inducing scene.

Just then, the door slowly opened a tall woman with blonde hair entered.

It was Jean.

"Oh, Lisa..." Jean said. "Are you having your afternoon tea right now?"

Sitting in front of a table with a tea set not far away from Jean, Lisa was sipping on some tea.

"Good afternoon, Jean." Lisa replied. "How's Windblume been for you?"

"It's been going well," Jean replied before sitting down. "Everyone is having fun and the streets of Mondstadt are full of festivities."

"I'm glad to hear," Lisa said with a smile before putting down a teacup. "So, has the Windblume Star been chosen yet?"

"Yes." Jean nodded. "I've talked with a lot of people and most of them agree that there is only one person this year worthy of being the Windblume star."

"It's none other than the cute traveler, right?" Lisa said.

Jean nodded. "Lumine has helped us a lot. It is no surprise that the people want her to be Windblume Star."

"I'm glad," Lisa said before picking up a red book.

Jean, who picked up a teacup, noticed it and asked. "What's that? It couldn't be... Another book from the forbidden section of the library, is it?"

Only Jean knows what Lisa has been reading in the library. She had read most if not all of the books here already— that is why she sometimes take out books from the forbidden section.

The forbidden section has some... Rather peculiar books and genres.

Those genres ranged from steamy rated 18 books to books that contain forbidden spells.

But has that ever stopped Lisa from checking them?

No.

In fact, there is another person in this room that also possess a book from the forbidden section. And right now, she's sitting right across from Lisa.

Lisa heard what Jean said and looked at her. "A book— no, a manga I bought from the shop Kaeya mentioned last night."

"A book...?" Jean said. She then remembered who it was. "Amon?"

"Correct." Lisa nodded. "I have to say, he's one shrewd businessman. He knows his customers well and knows what to give to them."

"And alas, I am a victim." She said before sighing.

"I-I see..." Jean replied.

After that, Lisa didn't respond anymore and decided to read the story.

It is, after all, a story outside of the library that she hasn't seen before. Not to mention she paid quite a hefty price for It.

But then again, the Witch of Purple Rose does have quite a lot of money, so it wasn't that much of a problem for her.

Opening the book, she started reading. 'Let's see what this story will give me.'

The opening started with the introduction of a young man with blonde hair wearing a top hat and holding a cane.

At the upper left corner of the page, a box was present.

[Year 1866]

[England, outskirts of London]

Looking at the character design of the supposed main character, Lisa found it interesting. 'It's well-drawn... Especially that kid.'

Lisa appreciated the stylized art style of the book.

She then continued reading. The next few pages followed the young man helping other people with his intelligence.

On one page, he even predicted the winning result of a card game.

'What an intelligent kid.' Lisa thought with a smile. 'Though, it is still a small accomplishment in contrast to the students of the Akademiya.'

It was no secret that Lisa attended the Akademiya in Sumeru.

During her time there, she had seen a lot of students go out of their way to do atrocious things just to write a research paper.

The students there are all undoubtedly geniuses.

Not to mention that the students need to at least learn 20 languages before graduating.

She then moved her eyes to Jean and saw something. "Oh? Is that..."

"Yes." Jean nodded. She was currently holding a manga.

More specifically, Violet Evergarden.

"This one has been fairly popular among the teenagers," Jean said. "And even had high praises for the story."

"So, I visited Sir Amon's shop and bought one while also analyzing him." She said before picking up a teacup. "Though, for some reason, the way he spoke to me felt like he needed something from me."

"Especially that boy Klein." She shook her head. "Apparently, he is his brother but the way he looked at me was as strange as the older brother."

"Like a fierce beast subtly eyeing on something." She sighed.

"Haha." Lisa chuckled. "You're overthinking it, Jean. Maybe a well-deserved rest may actually help."

Jean shook her head as she smiled with amusement. "Perhaps."

Hearing this, Lisa continued reading.

As the story progresses with each page, she was able to understand a bit about the world the story is set in.

'I see.' Lisa hummed. 'In this expanding empire called Britain, the social class has heavily weighed on people.'

'Those that are at the bottom are regarded as mere tools while those at the top that is supposed to help them have neglected their duty.' She summarized the last twenty pages.

She then looked at William— The main character— who was being harassed by his adoptive family. All except Albert, the true and first successor of their house. 'There's no doubt that Albert and William are plotting something.

A small smile soon appeared on Lisa's lips. 'This story is getting more and more interesting.'

She then continued reading and saw William's past.

He and his brother Louis were orphans. One day, Albert arrived and saw them— more specifically, saw William teaching the others and advising some men.

A few pages later, it was found out that the men William advised made a bank heist. But that was not all.

Albert sneaked into one of William's teachings and overheard their conversation.

He realized that William was willing to kill all the bad nobles to return the empire to peace.

[In front of the eyes of God, he decided to take the path of rightful evil]

And it was at that moment that Albert realized who William truly was and what he was capable of.

Seeing these events, the reader, Lisa, was as just as surprised. 'I see...'

'In order to change the system in which he lives in, William is willing to bring everything down.' She analyzed his character.

'To have such a character... That man named Amon is good.' She internally praised him. 'It is not so often that I'll stumble upon a story that has this kind of character.'

Jean, who saw a satisfied smile on Lisa's face, spoke up. "Have you taken a liking to the book?"

"Yes." Lisa nodded with satisfaction.

She then turned to Jean and smiled teasingly. "And I see that you also liked yours."

"It's not that obvious is it?" Jean said with a smile before putting down the book.

"Although Sir Amon is still under suspicion, I have to admit, the stories published by his shop are truly stunning." Jean complimented.

"And apparently, there are more in Liyue." She added

"More? What do you mean?" Lisa's curiosity was piqued.

Hearing this, Jean nodded and explained. "Yes. According to reports and investigations, Manga Jump started in Liyue. It was established by a person from Liyue named Yunru."

"Apparently, both Yunru and Amon share a common personality." Jean said before chuckling. "They love advertising their work."

"Hmm~" Lisa hummed. "Do you think that will be the same for other branch shops?"

"Since they expanded to their neighboring nation, it's no doubt that they will eventually expand to the other seven regions." Lisa added. "You think that the other branch owners will have the same personality?"

"Who knows." Jean shook her head with amusement.

"By the way." Lisa said. "What's Amon doing right now? Anything suspicious?"

"No." Jean said while reading. "Well, he did go to the cathedral with Lumine just a while ago. With the traveler, he should be under control."

"The Cathedral?"

* * *

Meanwhile, the Favonius Cathedral.

Only a few people are inside, but even so, they all looked to be at peace. Some even shed a tear as they remembered a memory from the past.

A soft melody was drifting in the air that borough soothing to their souls.

No one knows where the source of the melody is, but they were grateful to whoever is composing it.

Meanwhile, inside a room in one of the rooms in the cathedral.

A single black piano was present. And on it, Igarashi's figure was seen playing. His fingers moved swiftly between each key and note, producing soothing music.

Watching near him was Lumine and floating beside her was Paimon.

For some reason, the ambiance of the room harmonized with each of Igarashi's notes, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

'...'River flows through you' Truly is a great song.' Igarashi thought with a soft smile.

* * *

A/N: I think my writer's block is returning...

This took two days to make and still looked like I put no effort into it. I apologize.

Playing the Piano is not the skill he got, by the way.

The skill he got is for combat. Wanna know more about it? Wait for the next chapter.