The Red Thread of Destiny

Forbidden Library

Uncertainty is terrible. Davion was very happy when he found out that he could meet old friends again after so many years of not meeting each other. However, different from the shadow that was greeted with a warm smile like in the past, the thing that Davion got as a welcome was precisely a nightmare that became real.

When they exchanged glances yesterday, Davion was pretty sure Stella didn't know him. Forgetting all their memories while still together, seeing Stella looking at him as a stranger, to be honest was very painful for Davion.

Is that another payment from Red Yarn?

If it were only limited to his feelings, Davion could not possibly be this secret. However, since Orfeo himself also noticed something strange every time Stella used the Red Thread, some terrible assumptions were made.

During Stella's unconsciousness after spewing so much blood, Davion and Orfeo realize the woman is restless in her sleep. Extremely hot as if she was burning, Stella's white skin that turned red at that moment, also teased the two of them.

If Stella's condition could be restored with healing magic, Davion could feel a little calm. However, since Davion, who was famous and rumored to be the owner of the next tower, could not cure it, there was only one answer that flashed through his head.

Red thread is not a blessing, but a curse.

If it was true that the Red Yarn that Stella had was a blessing, there was no way that the loving Goddess Ilythia would give such a heavy price at every time of her use. It must have something to do with two heirs born in the same generation, Davion began to think whether this was also related to the Fabian death he heard from Orfeo yesterday.

Fortunately, at this time I was just told to clear the auction place.

Already completing the important task assigned to him, Davion now only needed to wait for the Emperor's call for a new task. What he saw, what was the condition of every underground auction hideout, and who survived the terrible disaster. All the details of what Davion did yesterday as a representative were left entirely to Orfeo.

Let's find out the truth.

Still overwhelmed by doubts, Davion and Orfeo have agreed to split their duties. Entrusted with the entire investigation of the unusual Red Yarn, Davion's separate task before getting an official summons from the current Emperor is to invite Stella to seek the truth of the Red Yarn together.

"You can meet Young Miss here, Mr. Davion."

A voice from Theodore that conveyed that they had reached their destination, awakened Davion from his long daydream.

A neatly arranged garden, white pillars carved in such a way, then a blonde woman who was sitting casually enjoying tea near the flow of a tiny artificial river. Excluding their now-grown figure with an alien relationship, not much of the Vandesca residence in Davion's memory is altered. It's still the same as Davion's last visit.

"Then, I beg you to resign. Enjoy your time, Master, Young Miss."

Theodore's departure, which was very sensitive to circumstances, also did not change. The butler of Vandesca was one, always meticulous in reading the atmosphere.

"You're late."

Another meaningful sweet smile that he got when he was approaching, Davion ignored. "Well, there are important things that I have to do" he said, extending a hand. Davion points out an important object that is the source of Orfeo's anger to Stella.

"How ka—"

"This necklace is in your grasp when you're unconscious."

Davion. Stella tried to reach out to the necklace, not letting her touch it with her fingertips. The two nightly neutrals Davion stared at the dark dull jeweled necklace he had deliberately left hanging.

"Was this necklace in your hand when you lost control of your body?" davion asked with a serious expression.

Too preoccupied with the discussion of Red Yarn and the state of Stella, unconsciously makes them forget the existence of the necklace. Had it not been for Felix's reprimand, Davion, who was too tired of what had happened, would not have realized it.

"Yes. It's in my pocket."

Stella said what she remembered before she was unconscious. However, different from Davion's guess, during the fight against the monsters, the necklace was stored safely inside his pocket.

"Shirtpockets? You're not ber—"

"I never got that necklace out of there. I have absolutely no idea why the necklace could end up in my grasp."

The two dark and blue neutrals clashed against each other. Deciding on their eye contact first, Davion gently ruffled her hair.

"Let's put this necklace thing aside first" Davion said, taking the decision not to extend the necklace. Now that there was another urgent matter to be resolved, Davion reached out his hand once more after he had kept the necklace.

"Let's go. There's a place I want to go with you."

Stella who did not welcome the outstretched hand and continued to give a suspicious look made Davion feel anxious.

"It's also for your own good" Davion said, pulling Stella up from her seat. Hugging Stella tightly, the woman's shock, Davion made good use of it.

"Hey! You want to pay—"

"We're going to the Forbidden Library."

Davion ignored the rebellious Stella in his arms. Activating the teleportation magic circle, Davion took them on the move in an instant.

...~o0o~...

The library of witches that Stella could only hear from rumors, Stella did not think she could now see directly in front of her

Forbidden Library. That's the name. There were so many rumors full of miracles accompanying this library. For example, like having a shelf full of endless books, in his book there is the most secret information, even until this library is another world, there is also.

Stella thought, when she heard that rumor everyone was just exaggerating. The library is ultimately a library. However, after looking directly at this place with her own two eyes, Stella admitted this place was extraordinary and realized that the private library of the witches of this tower even exceeded everyone's expectations.

"This is the Forbidden Library?"

Compared to the library, Stella thought this place was more suitable to be called as another world from the tower.

Sprawling clear daytime skies and vast prairie landscapes, along with gentle sweeping winds, as far as the eye could see Stella did not find a single shelf full of books. Instead, compared to full of books and various media that store information in it, this place is actually filled with various types of white living things.

"Since there is not a single book in sight, is it possible that all living beings in white are the books of this library?" stella said, trying to guess. Now no longer concerned about Davion taking her forcibly away, Stella's attention has been completely diverted. At the moment Stella was busy idling the magic that existed in the Forbidden library.

"Pretty."

Stella stared enthusiastically at one of the magicians who approached her. The white butterfly that had just perched on her hand at this moment, could Stella feel very real, alive and breathing was not much different from a normal butterfly.

"Oh, my guess is correct!"

"Not everyone. But, most of them kept the knowledge of magic."

Davion gives an answer while taking over the butterfly from Stella's hand. Together with the touch and mana that Davion channeled in the butterfly wings, the note that appeared in the form of a sheet floated in the air, further adding to the amazement of Stella who saw it.

"Whoah!"

Though Stella was sure the butterfly was not as big as her hand. As soon as the butterfly changed back into its original form, Stella did not expect that there was a lot of information stored in it.

"Let's go. What we're looking for isn't here."

Davion dragged Stella who was busy watching around full of amazement to keep stepping with him. As if he was carrying a child who could escape at any time, Davion did not once release his hand from Stella before they reached their destination.

"Davion! Davion's! Is that white Deer also a book?!"

Along the path they had traveled, Stella could not help but feel enthusiastic. Removing her elegance mask, Stella would not mind if she was considered a child today. It was a pity that Stella did not ask anything at this rare opportunity. The magic around her at this moment, would not Stella let it end in vain just because of the impression that had to be guarded.

"No. The deer is not a book. Is a symbol of the witches, you could say the Deer is the protector of this place."

Every explanation from Davion, Stella responded in the form of a nod of understanding. Davion, who explained patiently his every curiosity, made a better impression on Stella.

Given the impatient nature of Davion in their first meeting, Stella certainly never expected it turns out Davion also has a sweet side like this. His figure who wanted to explain things without complaining was ... Stella thought, it's amazing.

"Then, what about the rabbits that were there?" stella asked as she pointed at the horde of black-striped white rabbits that were eating grass. When he saw the rabbits, he somehow reminded Stella of the snowball clumps she often made in her childhood.

Don't remember.

Stella shakes. Bad memories in winter that want to come to him, he does not let interfere in the middle of this happy moment. Stella does not want this new experience to be marred by memories of the winter she accidentally remembers.

"The rabbits kept the magic formula. There are clues for the novice witches."

The red eyes of the rabbits that were staring at them so pointedly, further magnified Stella's enthusiasm. With the cheeks still filled with food, the timidity that the rabbits had made him multiply.

So cute!

Had Davion not held her hand tightly, Stella certainly without thinking long would have gone straight to the place of the rabbits and brought the furry and cute creature into his arms.

"We're walking too slow. Come on."

Before Stella is completely sidetracked and ends up making Davion also forget their original goal, Davion speeds up his pace. He walked quickly with half-dragging Stella who was busy idling around him.

"Hey! Slow down!" stella shouted as she almost fell. Davion's move was too fast, very difficult for Stella to match.

"You can ask me anything, but don't even think about getting away from me, okay?"

As he advises young children not to go carelessly in crowded places, Davion reminds Stella like a father. The two night-time neutrals that looked straight at the ocean-like netra of Stella, gave off a strange feeling like they were diving into the hidden ins and outs in the woman's heart.

"I understand."

Stella nodded obediently. Not wanting to be caught in Davion's riveting darkness for too long, he quickly turned his gaze in any direction.

"I'm sorry for being too cool myself. I'll try to hold back" Stella said, venturing out to stare at the black jewel of the man back. The smiling Davion, satisfied with his reply, reflexively instantly made Stella exhale a sigh of relief.

"Good."

Elusan quietly Davion on top of his head, feels very strange. Stella noticed Davion's expression as soon as they returned to leisurely walking. Although the expression on her face looked calm as usual, despite the glance, Stella could see there were anxious ripples within the net similar to Davion's night sky.

"Where are you taking me, Davion?"

Forgetting for a moment the amazing scenery around them, Stella tried to ask. Too enthusiastic about her own curiosity, making Stella realize she had made a mistake because she forgot Davion. It should not be for Stella to cool herself so forget their original purpose of coming to this place.

"Tree Knowledge. I want to take you to that place."

The name of the place they were going to, which Davion said, caught Stella's attention.

"Is that place storing all the knowledge of the forbidden library?" stella asked, trying to make sure. Judging from her name, Stella thought that place was a place that had all the records of witches.

Considering that the little butterfly already had many records, Stella thought that what was stored in the tree of Knowledge must have been many times more, far exceeding the records stored in the butterfly.

"You can call it that."

The answer Davion gave, made Stella speechless. Contrary to his guess, Davion was hesitant. The attitude that Davion shows now seems like less sure of his own choice in the eyes of Stella.

What exactly are you looking for?

Not saying clearly what she wanted to make sure of and just taking Stella away together, Davion really made Stella confused by what she wanted to look for.

"We have arrived" said Davion, looking straight at the tree in front of him.

"This is the tree of Knowledge."

On Davion's side, Stella also noticed a large white-colored tree looming before them. Though Stella was sure before there was no tree like this in front of her. However, as if he had just entered another world from the Forbidden library, the tree had suddenly appeared so surprisingly in front of Stella like a ghost that showed no sign of anything.

"I don't know if there's any information in this place that we want. However, since this place already existed even before the magic tower was formed, what was stored within it could have given us some clues" Davion said with a faint smile painted on his lips.

As if the anxiety that Stella had seen in Davion's eyes before was only an illusion, now Davion's second night-like net twinkle was filled with enthusiasm. In contrast to the words of disbelief that Stella heard, Davion now shows a passionate spirit.

"All right! Now it's time to search!"

Davion once again dragged Stella to follow him. Responding to the rebuke Stella gave by giving a challenge, Davion began to decipher every part of the Tree of Knowledge while laughing at Stella who kept grumbling by her side.