Freedom Jumper-Chapter 174: Sweaty Library

Donning his head and twisting the spatial bracelet around his wrist, Elijah sighed...

"If only I had my AP..."

Underneath the bottoms of Elijah and Niko's feet were the results of dedication and mastery to one's craft. What looked like travertine tiles, were mixed into marble stone resembling a lotus.

Previously, Elijah and Niko had spent a great deal of their time pursuing a 'finer' clothing store. This was done on a whim, and for pure enjoyment. With fine clothes and the confirmation from their invitee, the gate protector had not batted a single eye of disrespect.

The Sohana Estate was nothing like anything they had seen in this world, and maybe nothing compared to Elijah's old life. Just from the first look, he saw travertine, marble, quartz, stone, and a few other unrecognizable materials. A Victorian-esque theme with three stories, pillars, pointed roofs, ornate window sills, and even a rooftop balcony.

Now, the grand door adorned with a unique floral pattern slowly swung open – revealing a shy young woman covered in her maid's effort. A white sundress accompanied with small amounts of blue accents on the lower part of the dress.

Saskia stepped forward until reaching an appropriate distance. "My maid had told me two boys by the name of Elijah and Niko were here to pay me an expected visit. So tell me, what kind of food are you both in the mood for?"

Elijah ran his fingers through the edge of his open jacket. "I am in the mood for any delicacy! But, we came here to ask if you wanted to join us in the library. We heard that royals get special privileges."

"I see..." Saskia couldn't help but stare at Elijah and Niko's attire. She knew it was not normal to see them in 'tasteful' clothing, but still decided to not mention it. "I would have to go change and ask for permission. Please, exit the property and wait for me on the 3rd bench to the right."

After agreeing to her odd request, Elijah and Niko took one last glance before thanking the gate protector for his cool head. Another reason why they had chosen to get decently nice clothes was because of the requirements for the library.

The Library of Historia is one of the few major libraries whose funding comes from the government itself. Prominent historians are always flocking inside because of the need to understand the past — in order to solve the problems of the present. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

While the Kingdom of Gion has been stable for the past thirty-thousand years, it has not progressed in a natural way because of the environmental restrictions and constant war limiting its potential. There are only so many resources available in the close vicinity, and only so many powerful protectors that can withstand an unexpected amount of beasts on a resource gathering mission.

By recruiting historians, they can use the already obtained knowledge to develop new ideas of progression. Knowledge has the power to create efficiency.

"Elijah, Niko?" Saskia entered the frame with a simple black sundress covered by a gray half-jacket. While her simple black sundress made it seem like she was downplaying her style, her luciosus hair with a certain 'glow' made her stand out.

"Ah! Saskia! I was getting worried that something must have happened..." Elijah stood up from the finely stained wooden bench and straightened his pockets.

"Likewise. My father was suspicious of me, thinking I was up to something no good. These days, all he wants me to do is focus on my craft..." Saskia sighed, rubbing the tips of her fingers together.

Soon after, the trio began to walk through the sparsely packed sidewalks of the royal district. Elijah took his time to stare intently at each estate. During this time, Sasia explained how there were currently sixteen royal families inhabiting the Kingdom of Gion. Each royal family had around two to four lines of family, and were given authority and priveledge based on how long they had been a royal.

Saskia pointed her hand towards an estate they were walking past. "My family, the Sohana family, has three different lines with four current elders. However, the Astallac family is one born from combat, which resulted in many of them passing over the different generations. They only have two family lines..."

What Elijah had found most interesting about the royals was the process of being chosen as one. The Sohana family has not been a royal family ever since the dawn of the kingdom, but instead took the place of a previous family who fell out of line. This was over four-hundred years ago, but still, the idea of earning your place was everywhere.

The Library of Historia was locked in the very center of the Noble District – serving as the beacon and commonplace that beggar's chose to parade themselves in. Unfortunately, just like with any country or kingdom, there will always be people who fall short into an unfortunate life.

Tall riveted pillars allow a stone-carved roof to stand proudly above a building full of books. The moment the trio entered, they were asked to show their emblems, and were amazingly let through once a golden emblem donned with the insignia of a Royal was shown.

The attendant dressed in a tailored suit bowed – showing them the way. "Please, make yourself at home lady Sohana."

"Lady Sohana huh?" Niko teased.

"You better control yourself Niko. You wouldn't want any commoners flocking towards us for a chance at love would you?"

Elijah only chuckled, but was then shocked at the grand room they had entered.

The entire center of the building was filled with tables, bookshelves, and soft pigmented couches. This was known as the 'Grandiure', which received the light of the sun from the glass roof three stories above.

Elijah set his intentions right away as he realized he hadn't even discussed why they wanted to visit the library. "Saskia, where would we find books related to the origin of Gion?"

"That is going to be on the third floor I think." Saskia pointed to a balcony on the west side of the building.

Quickly, the trio split up to rummage through the many categorized aisles/

Elijah's hand brushed against the thin silver metal shelves adorned with picturesque labels. "History of magic, elements, runic symbols, History of Gion... I found it!"

Turning his head left and right, Elijah lost sight of them both. "Saskia? Niko? ...Where could they be?"

Elijah walked out of the aisle, and quickly saw Niko and Saskia standing close to each other. In fact, it looked like they were both looking at something intently...

"What are you both looking—" Elijah cut himself short.

On the very end of an aisle, wer a couple in the midst of a romantic getaway. Hot breaths and quiet sounds were being made, which forced Elijah to shake his head.

"That..." Saskia's face was as red as an exploding plum. In fact once she heard Elijah's voice, she ducked away and grabbed the book out of his hands – walking intently towards a round table. Her hair was flinged into Elijah's face, causing a whiff of a flowery smell to hit his nostrils.

"I never knew people were this bold!" Niko expressed his opinion while nervously scratching his chest.

The main reason why Elijah and Niko had wanted Saskia to join them in the library was because there were most likely words in the language of Kotun that were never used in Astraea.

Half an hour was all it took to get the information Elijah had wanted. Before Gion, was a kingdom known as Nepturia. A kingdom that was falling prey to the uncontrollable beast lands, and the constant battles with the ocean.

When Elijah had first skimmed through the book, he decided to not attribute it as the 'honest truth'.

The war that had been going on practically since the dawn of this kingdom was a testament to that! For all Elijah knows, the fall of the previous kingdom was because of the very kingdom that took its place!

When it comes to history, only the victor's have the opportunity to scribe the past.

Unsurprisingly, nothing related to the calamity that shook the world was discussed in great detail. Tidbits of information that only used the name of "The Calamity" were often repeated symbolically, as if an idea born from a wild imagination.

However, the people of Gion — no, the world, all unanimously believed in this idea. Of course, this included Elijah with the remewmbrance of his "godly" conversation.

The idea that the Kingdom of Astraea was founded six-thousand years ago was obviously bullshit. Something completely unfathomable to Elijah must be going on there, which is also the reason for the kingdom staying completely hidden for an amount of time only the god's only know of.

Surely, Elijah's Origin of Kania class would help him fill in the many gaps he needed to fill. Kania, which is a word that Elijah had just been taught by Saskia, is the name for the entire world.