4 Chapter 4 : Library
Walking through the city, Mordred heads towards a fortified building.
'Putting the library in the HQ of the knights, huh? A smart choice. I'd like to think knights are trustworthy, but with what Lancelot did and also just what I did, the illusion was shattered long ago. I'll probably have to take what I find about them with a grain of salt.'
Approaching the building, she walks to one of the guards.
'They couldn't afford to give full armor to their knights or something? They'll probably die in a few seconds on the battlefield.'
"Hey, I wanna go to the library. Do I need permission or something, or is it open to the public?"
"Hello. You do not need special permission, you can just go as long as you don't make trouble. If you do, however, we'll be forced to escort you outside. The library is on the right when you enter."
'I'd like to see you try.'
Thinking that, she walks into the building and enters the library, passing by another guard on the way.
The library has two floors and is quite disorderly. Some books are scattered on the floor, others are left behind on tables, seemingly forgotten by the previous readers.
Mordred starts searching for some books on Mondstadt's history, on the local places, and on the traditions so as to gain an understanding of the place and what is or isn't acceptable here. She also looks for some books on the local religion and the knights.
After a few tens of minutes of searching, she finally finds what she was looking for. She then walks to a table, sitting in an isolated corner of the library. The only person nearby is a blonde girl in a purple dress sitting a few tables away. A notable point is her violet Vision hanging behind her back.
Opening the first book, titled "An Introduction to Mondstadt's History", she starts reading. The book presents an overview of the main events in Mondstadt that happened in the last millenia, from the people's rebellion against the nobility to the Abyss's attack on Mondstadt.
'So not talking about my lineage was the right choice, I don't think they would have taken it the right way if I told them I was King Arthur's son. Next one is this one, "Teyvat Travel Guide, Volume I : Mondstadt.".'
As she reads the first chapter about Dadaupa Gorge, she starts regretting having picked this book.
'Who the hell is this Alice person? She's crazy! Crazy enough that she'll probably get along with Merlin. Really, how can you think of grinding the old and weak hilichurls into food to feed them to the strong just for energy production without realizing there's a problem?'
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Meanwhile, in a tower located on the Reverse side of another world, a white-haired, young-looking man sneezes, waking up the white cat-like creature that was sleeping nearby.
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Finishing this strange book, Mordred has conflicting feelings about it.
'On one side, it was useful and helped me learn more about the place, but on the other side, I'm now quite worried about the locals, if there are more like this Alice, it might be an unpleasant stay. Well, at least now I know the Knights of Favonius are stalkers.'
She continues reading, learning about the love for freedom held by the people of this land, their god, The Anemo Archon Barsibado, and how the knights are the governing authority along with the church.
As the sun starts setting, Mordred finally finishes her books. She strechs, surprisingly easily considering she has heavy armor, and stands up before putting the books back where they belong. Seeing a little girl still engrossed in her books, she decides to do a good action.
"Hey you, the sun's setting, don't you have to go back home or something?"
"Ye ika gusha mosi!"
"Pardon?"
"...Hmm? Oh, sorry, I was off in my own world. That was Hilichurlian for 'Hello there! Have you eaten?'."
"Oh, could you be that Hilichurlian scholar Anna Tusk?"
"It's Ella Musk, and yes, it is me. Do you need me for something?"
"At first, just to say the sun's setting, so you might need to go back. But now, yes, do you know why Hilichurls look like that under their masks?"
"That's a good question, I don't know, but it could be interesting to ask them."
"So you speak to them?"
"Yes! Are you interested in learning too? I can teach you!"
"Maybe later, I have to go for now."
Running away from the excited scholar, she goes back to the Goth Grand Hotel and sets back her Bounded Field before going to sleep.
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And here's chapter 4. I tried to make my info-dump not too long or boring, but I'm not sure if I managed to. Tuesday is my driving license exam, so if I succeed, I'll try to make an extra chapter to celebrate.
That's all I had to say, so bye and see you next time :D
