51 Lesson 50: Prohibited Knowledge
The feeling was even stronger with the information that Marion had brought when she asked the outhouse.
"What, no library!?"
"Yes, they have a library where forbidden books can only be accessed by the upper echelons of the Ministry of Magic."
It was the forbidden book's whereabouts that Marion visited and informed me. The story is of a secret library managed by the upper echelons of the Ministry of Magic, where the forbidden books collected so far are kept.
Knowledge is knowledge, so to speak of forbidden books. And knowing heresy can also help counteract heresy. Therefore, it seems that it was the policy of the Ministry of Magic to seal and manage rather than dispose of it.
"It was managed by the Earl of Chartreuse, who was secretary until recently, and now seems to be between no-one entering and no-opening"
"The Chartreuse family?
Oh, is that why the Chartreuse family knew about vampires? Not as a gaga story, but as a forbidden book if it describes the actual situation.
Yeah, what's management? I'm not abusing my authority. If you really beat it, you're going to get a lot of guilt. I'm going to die and leave you with notoriety.
"Um, but I've been able to confirm that it exists, but the upper management is holding it back. I guess it's hard to say I want to see it. Doesn't it seem possible to shield a king's life?
Marion shakes her neck left and right with a difficult look in my inquiry.
"... I was wondering if Princess Anisphere would taste bad browsing on the boulder. But that's forbidden under the control of the Ministry of Magic."
"What do you mean?
"Who do you think is doing the forbidden book collection?
"Recovery...... is it the jurisdiction of the Kingsguard Knights?
"It is true that the Kingsguard Knights also maintain security in the castle town in addition to guarding the royal castle. If there is a shadow of a forbidden book, you may also come in to investigate. But the main solution is only after something has happened. Before Sole, who is it that brings in information?
"... ugh. Sorry, you have a little clue what Marion is trying to say. Can you tell me the answer?
"There are a lot of merchants and adventurers who bring in the forbidden books themselves and information."
".................. oh well! That's what this is about!
The Kingsguard Knights are only ready when things happen. Then there are many merchants and adventurers when it comes to informing us of the existence of a forbidden book before things happen.
Merchants are less likely to touch a forbidden book than to treat a book as a commodity. Adventurers are implicated in the form of carrying goods that they cannot ostensibly carry, or being hired by escorts when bringing them into the Knights.
Once under the control of the Ministry of Magic, it gets harder for me to browse. But there are plenty of opportunities for me to view the forbidden books before that. I've seen bans on vampires before.
"A controlled ban is not possible, but a controlled ban is possible."
"As good as it gets... I'm in a position to have to control it if I'm supposed to be."
"The standard for forbidden books is laid down by the Ministry of Magic. In a way, it's no wonder they think Princess Anisphere's magic falls under the banned book. I wonder if it is necessary to check with Princess Anisphere to see if the contents are really inconsistent..."
"That's a chase. I have a handout for you, so I'll find out. Thank you for taking the time, Marion."
"No, more than anything I can do to help. Please be careful."
"And Marion."
Marion just left the room, saying there was no use staying long. It would be harder to move in the Ministry of Magic if you thought you were connected to me too much.
Prohibition book. I don't know if I can catch what I'm looking for, but Marion gave me only one idea. I had no plans after this, and goodness let's move quickly.
"Yufi, I'm coming down to the castle town for a second"
"Are you in Castle Town?
"Ask him if he has any information in the Adventurer Alliance"
It's an Adventurer's Guild when it comes to my mind. A lot of information gathers over there. I thought it wasn't a bad option to go talk to him again.
"Are you alone?
"The contents are bad. Applicable, because I'm lighter alone."
"... I don't really care, but I get it. We look forward to your return."
Says Uffi with sigh. It can be tricky to have Uffi in a situation where you're looking for a restraining order. Then you'd better let me move alone.
Do you want to go home as early as possible to avoid worrying? With that in mind, I went to Castle Town dressed for sneaking.
"Ah! Dear Anis!"
"Farna, you have a loud voice."
Farna, who had been sitting in the reception seat when she entered the Adventurer's Guild for the first time in a long time, welcomed me in a noisy way. Stand up in a hurry and Farna takes my hand.
"Ugh, I'm so glad you could come back..."
"I'm retired and I wonder if it's easy to come here..."
"That's not true! If you are Dear Anis, you are always welcome!
Faluna welcomes me with a laugh with Nico. Now I wonder why Farna missed me so much. I did take the initiative to take on troublesome projects that seemed a little distant to people, or when they stampeded, but I guess that's something they like so far.
Restore your mind, cough up and lurk your voice. You noticed how I was, and Farna sat back in her chair, too, lurking her voice.
"Farna, I have a request for you today... you don't want to be too public"
"... Master Anis has asked for it, and he doesn't want to make it public either. Would you like to meet the Alliance Commander?
"Are you sure? Chief Guild, you're busy, aren't you?
"Master Anis will be fine. Wait a minute, please."
Patapata and I get up in our seats and Farna hastily pulls into the back. Behind the reception there is a door, where is the office of the guild chief of the Adventurer's Guild of the King's Capital.
It's been a long time since I've seen the guild chief. He's usually a busy worker, so he rarely comes out of the office or flies around to negotiate.
I guess today was the day I happened to be stuck in the office. I was lucky to think I could follow the crossing.
"The guild chief is going to see you. Go to the Oz."
"Thank you, Farna"
"Ha!"
After all, Farna, who returned busily, informed me that she had received an understanding. I enter the Guild Chief's office as I express my gratitude to Farna.
The Guild Chief's office looked like cluttered material was building mountains and some paperwork had fallen on the floor and scattered. A tightly tired man sits in that central office. With a face that makes you feel tired, a dark bear is formed beneath your eyes.
My body is limp, but it never means I'm too thin. Rather, the tight flesh gives the impression of a supple cat. Bossy brunettes and neat eyes are also accelerating the cat's impression, he was such a man.
"Dear Anis, I'm in a good mood."
"As always, Guild Leader. Busy?"
"The poor have no free time. Come on. There's not enough money, life and talent."
The guild leader floats a laughing style that feels sketchy and ominous. Looks like the same, looking to make money, living dirty. He is therefore a credit for his dedication to expanding the Adventurer Alliance, which cares about talent and helps the welfare of adventurers.
And it was originally about nobility. He left the house and is now putting out his daily essence as guild leader for the Adventurer Guild. I don't know if it's true because I didn't hear it from him.
"Hmm, what do you want from us? I can't believe Master Anis is visiting us as a client. Don't you want to be too public about that either? Hey, there's a nasty sign. Wow."
"... the reward is off, right?
"Mmm. You're weak for that one word. So, on what request?
The Guild Commander asks me what I asked for while making it look like it had slipped away.
I'm looking for a forbidden book.
"Heh. The princess forbids books!
"What I'm looking for is about spiritual contracts. Do you have any idea?
In my inquiry, the guild leader narrowed his eyes by keeping his cat-backed back in the chair. Pushing your jaw to think of something, a few degrees.
"There is, if you say so. It just presupposes that you don't have to say anything else."
"There's no point in saying anything else. Aren't the terms the same?
"Master Anis has credibility and trust, so hey. Well, there's something about it because it's you. Shall I ask and see? Will you give me a moment?"
"Yep. Let me sit down properly."
I say as I sit on the couch for guests. After seeing that, the guild leader left the room.
To wait, the guild leader returned with the sound of a knock. There was one young man on its back. He's a young man with the impression of being somewhere sad. He looked at me and quietly beckoned me.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Guild chief, what about him?
"I'll catch your eye first, princess. … My name is Saran Meki"
"Eh."
Saran Meki? Saran Meki is the son of that merchant who said he stood on Raini's side in the uproar over Yufi's betrothal!? I heard he was mistaken, why are you in the guild!?
"What's Saran Meki..."
"Master Anis protected the Marquis Magenta and Baroness Cyan, didn't he? Have you ever heard of him?
"You must be a child of the Meki Chamber of Commerce, right? Why are you in the guild..."
Saran frowns as troubled and squeals powerlessly at my questioning that puzzles him.
"After one incident at the College of Aristocrats, I was allotted a house. I didn't even intend to go, so I'm sweet with the courtesy of the guild manager to let me work here. Behind the back, it's never on the table..."
"He's the son of a former merchant and has an aristocratic education. Organizing and managing your books is no big deal. Few kids can handle the backside..."
"... so why him?
Honestly, there's no direct contact between me and him, but the cause is deep. That day, Al Kun's prospects for trying to strangle Yufi for my intrusion collapsed. He was on the same side, I wonder if you have something to think of me.
But my concern elsewhere. Saran sits on the couch face-to-face with no hegemony. I'm still young but tired and even make you feel sad for how tired you look. If the guild leader is a black cat, Saran is made to feel strange when he sits side by side in conditions such as a white cat.
"Don't tell me Saran's here. They seem to be after me, so I'm hiding it. The guy who becomes an adventurer also has a backward background. Some guys seem to be only adventurers to live with. Well, I don't know if it's like a guild decision we made for doing that. The implicit decision to protect the Alliance while it contributes."
"I know that, though. I mean, are they after the pattern?
"To my ex-fiancé."
Saran tells you in a pale voice with thirsty emotions. Though those eyes aren't as bad as the guild leader's, the bear is made and the expression goes hand in hand and I feel darkness.
My fiancée, the lady in the noble house he was going to marry? Is that lady after you?
"Yeah, but I heard you broke your engagement on one of the examples."
"Yes, that's why they bought it."
"... Huh? What's that supposed to mean? You mean human trafficking? No slaves are allowed in the Kingdom of Palettia, are they?
There is no such thing as a slave in the Kingdom of Palettia. Slavery is not allowed in the kingdom, although in other countries there are only countries where slavery exists.
Therefore, it is outside human trafficking etc. That is prescribed by law, and sin should never be lighter.
"That's why I'm asking you not to speak out, Master Anis. No, it would be nice to say that Master Anis is going to take care of it, but that's not what makes Saran sad."
"I'm certainly not ostensibly doing human trafficking. They only send people in the form of good offices."
"... I heard there were black rumors about the Meki Grand Chamber."
"Right. My father is active in providing support in poor neighborhoods. Establishment of orphanages and good offices for jobs… orphans can be a good product. Besides, I also do good offices, so I haven't been exposed."
... bad chest shit. My eyebrows accidentally came to the limit.
"So you put him up for sale to his son?
"My father wanted honor and wealth. My ex-fiancé wanted me. They said it was such a unanimity of interest. That's why I initially gained the status of a relative of nobility by joining my son-in-law....... although I was broken off my engagement by buying an unhappiness in one of the examples. You're a karma guy."
"... what's the situation, it. Not to the point where I discarded it, but still obsessed with you?
"It was also my ex-fiancée who told my father to forgive me. And if you sell yourself, this time it's going to go to water. That seems to have been the deal. I ran away before that... but I didn't think I was going, so I got to the guild."
"What, the lady?"
"... you tended to have a strong appetite for exclusivity and self-love"
You're a very distorted young lady.... Shall we do some research later?
So I figured out how Saran was here. I wonder why the guild chief brought him here?
"So how did you get him to associate with me? Guild Length"
"Because he has knowledge of forbidden books."
"... is that true?
"Princess Anisphere, who is royal, may not be familiar with it... although the knowledge of forbidden books is supposedly not in keeping with the will and laws of the kingdom, some of them are nevertheless useful. Especially for some civilians"
"Some civilians? Knowledge of forbidden books is useful?
"Treatments for diseases, for example. You may not be able to heal from the medicine alone if you have a terrible disease. If that's the case, it's best to have the magic done, but the treatment costs a lot of money. That's why people want knowledge of forbidden books. I don't rely on magic, I don't know if there's any way to do that."
"... it"
I accidentally lose my words. I don't know what you're trying to say, but I don't. If I tell you, I can't use magic. My situation is similar when I say that I want to rely on magic but I can't.
So it's not that I don't know that there are civilians who want knowledge of banned books because they are also willing to grab straw. Honestly, it makes me feel complicated. Emotionally, I want to affirm and raise it.
But there are feelings that I can't do better. Even forbidden books can be forbidden for a reason. I don't think I can affirm that knowledge if it's going to be an evil law or an outward path. Well, if you tell me you're doing it if you are, I can't say anything!
"Knowledge lust or driven by necessity? Anyone who asks for a restraining book for a variety of reasons goes on and on. So there are also secretly traded bans."
"Is that among the merchants?
"Yes, mainly among merchants and millionaires, right? Some, I hear, are also crossed to the aristocracy, but I do not know until the detailed flow"
I mean, he said some bans are secretly traded among civilians. Marion's reading was, in a way, a hit.
"So do you have any idea what the ban is on spiritual covenants?
"Spirit covenant, is it"
Saran's voice hardens. The look on his face was frozen and he heard something he shouldn't have asked.
Still, if we don't listen, we don't move on, I stare straight into Saran's eyes. Then he turns away so that Saran breaks.
"... I've been chasing you too"
"You too?
"I had decided to join my son-in-law in the aristocracy, but there was no way I could use magic. I was able to join my son-in-law only because of the merits of my parents and because of the funds and profits. So my position will remain low. That's why I asked for it. If magic can be used,"
"... well"
I'm not the only one who suffers from the inability to use magic. Many would want it, if any. If I had the power of magic.
Maybe Saran was one of those. I sought magic as a force to change a situation that I couldn't help.
I'm not saying I don't have anywhere to think about that reality, but it's not a good problem for me to talk right now. In a way, I've overlooked it. Whether you know it or not, that's where I missed my eye.
All to give the throne to Al Kun. I have pretended not to look at it knowing that if I became wide enough to cross the magic props into the hands of the people, I might be the one to change such reality.
So I can't say anything now. I don't deserve to tell you that I didn't do anything right now.
"... so you know something?
"No. Even though forbidden books don't exist to the best of my knowledge."
... Empty. The disappointment was huge, just hoping for a little bit.
To me sighing, but Saran kept saying the words as he stiffened himself still.
"But I've seen one of these before."
"One sentence?"
"" Don't want a spiritual covenant, "he said."
"... in a forbidden book?
"Yes, it was an alarm for the existence of the Spirit."
"Alarm for the Spirit?
That is certainly an idea that is considered heretical in the kingdom. Whatever you believe in the Spirit, there is no way you can accept the content that incites a sense of crisis to its existence.
"I wonder why I wrote such a book. Besides, it said you shouldn't want a spiritual contract?
"Yes. I also remember the contents very well. Because it was quite shocking."
"What was it about?
Saran-kun turned his gaze away from my inquiry at me.
And here's what spinned from his lips.
"Don't forget. Spirit is the world itself. Don't think you can handle the world. They don't just carry benefits to people. So don't want it. Don't wish. Don't want it. Let alone hope for a contract or something. If you do -... you will lose everything. Therefore, O man, do not desire a spiritual covenant."