Chapter 5: The Library

  The "Snow Moon" suite, Alice's personal quarters, was far more spacious than the Scarlet Suite they had just left. It was a space designed for a long-term stay, balancing luxury with a stark, business-like utility. Walls were lined with cabinets overflowing with magical artifacts and trade contracts. In the corner, a massive oak desk groaned under a mountain of documents, scrolls, and maps—a chaotic mess that hummed with a hidden, busy order.

  Alice was buried in parchment, her quill scratching furiously across a ledger. She didn't even look up as they entered. Ronen noticed the dark circles bruising the skin beneath her eyes and finally understood where that unshakable exhaustion came from.

  "Quite the permanent stronghold you've got here," Wolf remarked, his tone casual, like an old friend catching up. "Renting by the year, are we?"

  Alice finally looked up. Her gaze flickered over Wolf before settling on Ronen. She gave a faint, professional nod. "So, you're the lead this time?" she asked, turning back to Wolf.

  Wolf spread his arms, chest out. "Any objections?"

  "On the contrary." A thin smile touched Alice's lips. She set aside her quill and gathered a pre-prepared bundle of documents. "Dealing with a mercenary who knows the trade saves everyone a headache."

  She handed the stack to Ronen. "The maps and data I mentioned. Every missing person's name and likeness is recorded in detail." Next, she placed a heavy, clinking coin purse atop the papers. "Ten gold coins. To cover the remainder of the deposit."

  Wolf snatched the purse with practiced ease. He unfurled the map, his eyes scanning the terrain. "How far is Dragonwood Village from the Eye of the Blizzard?"

  "An hour's trek on foot," Alice replied. She then produced two pairs of weathered dog whistles, two shimmering crystalline insignias, and several tokens engraved with a crescent moon.

  "And these?" Wolf raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

  "The Northern wastes are unforgiving; standard horses won't last a day. The Guild uses sledges. These whistles command the huskies trained by our association." She tapped the insignias. "These are the igniters for the Mobile Campsite Carriages. Each can house four to six people comfortably—ten in an emergency. You have ten in your party; two carriages should be more than enough. You may divide yourselves as you see fit."

  "Mobile Campsites?!" Wolf's eyes lit up, his voice jumping an octave. "My warband has been drooling over those for years! They cost a king's ransom!" He gave Ronen a heavy, enthusiastic slap on the back. "Boy, you're in luck! Your first contract and you get to ride in a Masterwork." He pointed to the tokens. "And the rest?"

  "Guest rooms. Right next door to the Snow Moon. You stay at the Crimson Moon tonight at the Guild's expense."

  "Perfect. Saves us the trouble of gathering in the morning."

  Just then, the door to the inner study creaked open. A man and a woman, both appearing to be in their thirties, stepped out.

  The man led the way, dressed in pale yellow robes with hair as black as raven feathers cascading over his shoulders. He was tall and lean, possessing a scholarly air tempered by a sharp, martial poise. The woman wore a robe of softer hues, cinched by a sash embroidered with intricate, swirling patterns. Though different in color, the cut of their garments was identical—the work of the same master tailor.

  Alice's voice remained flat. "The final members of your party: Mr. Shen Jiu-Yi and Ms. You-Wu."

  The pair offered polite nods. Ronen, unable to contain his curiosity, spoke up. "Your names... they're a bit strange. They sound less like names and more like... designations?"

  Jiu-Yi offered a thin, enigmatic smile. "Astute. It is the law of the 'Library.' We are 'Pages.' The moment we are bound to the Library, we shed our pasts. We take Time as our surname and our page number as our given name."

  "The Library's duty is to record," Alice added coldly. "Strictly speaking, they are not investigators—they are observers. Even if you fall into mortal peril, they will not lift a finger. They will watch you struggle, watch you bleed, and watch you die without blinking. Non-interference, non-intervention, and absolute restoration of the truth. That is the Library's creed."

  Before she could finish, You-Wu stepped forward and pulled Alice into a sudden, playful hug. "Oh, little Alice! We're right here! You make us sound like such cold-blooded monsters!"

  Alice didn't flinch. She extricated herself with practiced grace. "They are the men I hired. I have a responsibility to be clear. I don't want anyone making a fatal mistake because they misunderstood your neutrality."

  Jiu-Yi approached Wolf and extended a hand. "You are the commander. It is as Alice says—the Library records. We cannot offer substantial aid, but rest assured, we will not be a burden. You may treat us as though we do not exist."

  Wolf grinned, shaking the man's hand. "I've never worked with Library folk, but I’ve heard of your... eccentricities. Interesting, truly." His expression sharpened. "We move out tomorrow at dawn. You coming?"

  "Naturally," Jiu-Yi nodded. "Alice provided two carriages. You-Wu and I shall take one each."

  "Right. Got it." Wolf turned back to Alice. "Any parting words, Boss?"

  Alice grew silent for a moment. When she spoke, her voice carried a rare, heavy weight. "I have said my piece. Only this: treat this with the gravity it deserves. I have no desire to hire a second team of mercenaries just to find the frozen corpses of the first."

  Wolf's eyes narrowed, but a confident smirk played on his lips. "Don't worry. Like I told the girl—mercenaries walk on the edge of a blade. Those who aren't careful don't stay in this business long." He paused. "Where are the carriages?"

  "They will be at the inn's gates at sunrise." Alice handed Wolf a badge engraved with a coin and a book—the Lapsus Merchant crest. "This is a communication relic. Channel a bit of Mana, and you can reach me. I’ll use it to sync any new intel."

  "Understood. See you at dawn."

  Back in their suite, dinner was waiting. Despite the growing web of mysteries, the meal was a genuine comfort. Honey-glazed roast goose with skin so crisp it crackled; spiced river fish that melted like butter on the tongue. Paired with vibrant magical fruits and crisp winter greens, the feast momentarily pushed the shadows of the North away.

  Ronen, famished, dove into the spread. Wolf began distributing the gear Alice had provided. "Good pay, better perks. At least we won't be walking."

  He cleared his throat. "If there are no objections, we sleep here and move at first light."

  "Campsite carriages? Rare find," Ethan remarked, turning the glowing insignia over in his fingers. "How are we splitting them?"

  "I'm with Mary!" Zoe chirped, immediately grabbing the girl’s arm.

  Wolf glanced at her. "Huskies aren't horses. Even trained ones are a nightmare to drive if you don't have the knack. Any of you know how to handle a pack?"

  Silence fell. Then, Vivian stepped forward. "I'll do it. The Dragonshield Legion requires mastery of all transport. Beast-taming was part of the drill."

  "I won't be crowding you," Emma said from the corner, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her blade. Her voice was soft but left no room for argument. "I have Sasha. She knows the Northern winds, and I won't leave her behind."

  "A Snow Wolf?" Wolf's brow twitched. "You don't see many of those in Glory City. They’re wild mana-beasts of the tundra. How did an Imperial officer end up with one?"

  "Rare in the city, perhaps, but not in the wild," Emma said, a rare softness flickering in her eyes. "My husband brought her back from the North. He found her wounded in a blizzard when she was just a pup. Later... he sent her to me."

  Wolf nodded, sensing the weight behind her words. In his world, the bond between a warrior and a beast was often deeper than blood. He didn't push.

  Ethan spoke up, his tone silkily humble. "I'm afraid we scholars of the Mage Tower are useless with beasts, Mr. Wolf. We’ll have to rely on your expertise." He turned to Mary, his voice turning stern. "Mary, you're with me. We should stay together."

  As he spoke, his eyes flickered toward Mark—the "Theoretical Researcher" standing alone. It wasn't a word, but a clear, invisible line of exclusion was drawn.

  Mark didn't look away. He met Ethan's gaze with a cold, hollow stare. For a second, even the fire in the hearth seemed to go still.

  Zoe looked between them and let out a small, disappointed sigh. She let go of Mary’s hand. "Fine... I'll go with Uncle Wolf."

  "Settled," Wolf barked, his voice cutting through the tension. "Tomorrow: Me, Ronen, Mr. Ethan, and Mary in one carriage. Vivian leads the second with Mark and Zoe." He tossed a whistle and an insignia to Vivian, then looked at Emma. "Emma, you're on your own out there. Stay sharp."

  Emma smiled, her thumb brushing her blade. "Don't worry. Sasha's nose is better than any scout's. I’ll be circling the perimeter. If something comes for us... you'll know long before it arrives."