Chapter 93
Chapter 93. Welcome Banquet for the Envoys
Henelone nodded in admiration as she received the books from the clerk. Bound with what looked like strong string, the books were surprisingly light for their thickness. When she opened one, the paper’s texture felt quite different from that of the empire, truly giving the impression they were from another continent.
“Is this… a medical book?”
“I don’t know anything about Eastern Continent script, so I couldn’t say. Hmm, now that you mention it, it does look like a medical book.”
Unlike the imperial language, where each character ended with at most three or four strokes, the Eastern Continent’s characters were so complicated that just looking at them made her head hurt. She estimated each character had ten or more strokes; learning them seemed impossible.
Fortunately, there were quite a few hand-drawn illustrations, mostly of human bodies. However, something a little off-putting caught her eye.
“Why would they stick needles into a human body…?”
“Perhaps it’s an ancient document… or something of that nature?”
The clerk and Henelone whispered, their heads pressed together. The picture looked so cruel it seemed it had to be something unusual.
The sight of long and short needles piercing everywhere from the crown of the head to the face, the nape of the neck, and the p*bic area was eerie.
Their discussion about ancient documents and subversive books was interrupted by Roger, who had followed Henelone.
“Oh, those are books from the East Continent.”
When Roger looked down at the two women who were whispering, Henelone asked him, her eyes sparkling.
“Mr. Roger, can you read the script from the East Continent?”
“Uh… A little?”
“A little means you can read them, right? That’s amazing!”
As a surprised Henelone clapped her hands and exclaimed, Roger smiled happily and shrugged.
“Oh, it’s not that big of a deal. I met someone from the East Continent while I was sailing. That’s how I learned a few characters.”
“Still, it’s incredible. The characters are so complicated that I can’t even guess if this book is a medical text or an ancient document. What does it look like to you, Roger?”
“Khaha, an ancient document? The picture is definitely a bit creepy. Hmm. I don’t know everything, but I do recognize a few characters…”
“Really? What does it say?”
Henelone, her eyes gleaming with curiosity, moved closer to Roger. The clerk, equally curious, tiptoed around, tilting her head.
Roger smiled with satisfaction at the two women’s eagerness and began to explain, pointing to the picture of a needle stuck near the heart.
“This character means ‘fake,’ and this one means ‘death.'”
[Fake Death]
Henelone’s expression became thoughtful as she looked at the characters Roger’s finger was pointing at. Fake, and death. She knew the meaning of the individual characters, but she couldn’t figure out what they meant together.
“Fake and death… What could they mean?”
“Maybe they’re one word? For example, ‘fake death’?”
As the clerk standing next to her muttered, scratching her head, Henelone pondered the meaning of the words. Fake and death. Fake death. Or maybe he didn’t die? Or did he only seem to be dead?
A brief silence fell between the three, each engrossed in their own thoughts. What broke the slightly gloomy atmosphere was Henelone’s cheerful voice.
“I’ll buy this book!”
She couldn’t read a single word properly, but the mere fact that it was a book from the Eastern Continent was reason enough to buy it.
Since the first trading ship from the Eastern Continent had arrived in the empire, more books were sure to follow. By then, she might be able to decipher Eastern Continent words. Henelone hugged the book tightly and smiled bashfully.
***
“Young Lady, where are you going now?”
She had thought about it since their first meeting, but that strange way of speaking—formal yet not formal—was truly peculiar. Heinz, who had earnestly asked Roger to take good care of her, suddenly came to mind. It would be better if he showed his face once.
Henelone quickly dismissed her distracting thoughts, looked at the setting sun, and estimated the time.
“I think it would be better to go straight to the mansion from here.”
It was a little early, but it seemed like it would be almost time to leave work when she arrived at the library.
She thought it would be better to part ways here than to make a wasted trip, so she answered Roger. But then, she saw a familiar head of golden hair in the orange-tinged sunset.
“Adrian…?”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Roger, I’ll finish work here.”
“Ah. Then, to the mansion…”
“Oh, no! I… I’m going to meet an acquaintance. From here on out, it’s my personal time… Um, see you tomorrow!”
“Ahk…! Young Lady!”
Adrian was getting further and further away through the swaying sunset. Henelone, who had hastily answered Roger, hurried away without even listening to his reply. It was a bit far, but when she looked closely, it was definitely Adrian.
“Adrian!”
“… Henelone?”
The honey-colored eyes that had widened in surprise soon softened into joyful, round lines. A delighted smile spread across Henelone’s face as she looked at him.
“Oh my, I didn’t know I’d see you like this here!”
“Haha, that’s right. It seems like it was a good idea to come out.”
“Why are you in the city?”
“Well, let’s say it’s an errand for my aunt… Actually, I was just killing time because I was bored at the count’s residence.”
