Turning Chapter 1161

Connected to the bathroom structure, the storage building's interior was sectioned off by walls, necessitating a separate entrance facing a different direction.

Yuder pushed open the door to the storage area, with Kishiar stepping in right behind him.

The air within was thick and stagnant, an even more potent odor than the stale dust that had greeted them upon their return home. A single oil lamp, lit and carried by Yuder, cast a faint, solitary glow, illuminating their surroundings.

Kishiar surveyed the interior with a grin.

“I had thought it would be a challenge to find something resembling a chair… but truly, there’s a surprising amount here.”

“This place served as a resting spot for woodcutters in the past, so remnants of their equipment remain.”

“So that’s why it's called the Shelter Tree House.”

“That’s part of the reason, but not the entirety. Do you recall the enormous sermon tree that marked the path up to the house, resembling a signpost?”

“The one you used to climb and nap in frequently? The same tree where you once fell asleep, causing a massive stir when everyone presumed you had vanished?”

The man with an exceptional memory added these extraneous details with evident cheer.

“...Yes. Closer inspection reveals an adjacent tree stump. Apparently, the old woodcutters would rest upon that stump or use it as a makeshift workbench for processing their timber. Consequently, they decided to erect a proper shelter near the stump—giving rise to this building.”

“I comprehend. So, the stump predated the house.”

“Indeed. Be mindful of your footing.”

Interspersed among the haphazardly piled goods, long farming implements lay scattered, seemingly positioned with the specific intent to cause a stumble. Yuder, having navigated this space during his childhood, could instinctively avoid them even with his eyes closed. Kishiar, however, lacked such familiarity.

Regardless of his prowess as a Swordmaster, in his current state—somewhat preoccupied and visibly delighted by his surroundings—a misstep wouldn't be entirely unexpected.

“Your concern is appreciated. If you were to take my hand, I believe I could navigate these obstacles even more effectively.”

What intricate scheme was this?

Yuder regarded him with a blank stare, prompting Kishiar to turn away, muffling his amusement with a hand as if embarrassed.

“Naturally, my night vision is quite keen… but you possess a far greater knowledge of this place than I.”

“...”

A few moments later, Yuder resumed his movement, one hand steadying the oil lamp, the other intertwined with Kishiar’s.

As he fielded the barrage of questions from his inquisitive companion regarding the objects they encountered, he eventually pinpointed an area that seemed likely to contain their objective.

“If memory serves… I believe I tucked it away somewhere around here.”

“All I perceive are books.”

Kishiar surveyed the stacked boxes, reaching nearly to Yuder’s height, and offered his observation.

“Correct. These include books my grandfather frequented, though many are likely accounting ledgers. Before we departed this place, I consolidated them into a single pile. Therefore… once these are cleared, it should be situated behind them. Please remain there for a moment.”

“You intend to deny me the opportunity to assist? With my abilities, I could clear this instantaneously.”

“Well, such an extreme measure is unnecessary. You expressed interest in observing the items here, so take this time to explore while I make the space. It would be even more beneficial if you ensured nothing came crashing down.”

“Hmm.”

Kishiar inclined his head in agreement.

Yuder swiftly pulled away several boxes simultaneously, creating an opening with a single motion, and then reached into the newly formed recess. As his fingers explored the interior, he thought he felt the leg of something resembling a chair—though confirmation was still pending.

—Further clearing is required to ascertain the matter.

This time, he eschewed the use of his powers, meticulously moving each item individually, reminiscent of past practices.

Among the boxes purportedly containing only books, various old objects were discovered: a gutter from the roof Yuder had once dislodged during play, a wooden rocking horse missing its head, and several other assorted articles.

After carefully relocating a few more items, he finally located the chair they sought.

Wooden chairs, displaying varied leg lengths and differing seat and back dimensions.

He ran his hand over the surface, polished smooth to prevent splinters and treated with oil for luster.

A subtle smile graced his lips.

—Indeed. This is it.

“I’ve found it. Now, I simply need to clear the remaining items and extract it… What are you doing?”

Turning back with a sense of accomplishment, he discovered only two long legs protruding from amidst the book boxes.

Yuder approached and found Kishiar seated on the floor, fully engrossed in perusing some text.

—Could that be one of Grandfather’s books?

“What has captured your attention so intently? I find it improbable that it contains anything of particular fascination.”

“...Ah.”

Only then did the man look upward.

His expression, in stark contrast to the earlier smile that had illuminated his face, now appeared rather peculiar.

“Yuder. Have you ever picked up any of the books here?”

“No.”

It was a perfectly natural response. Prior to departing this place, his existence had been largely devoid of literary pursuits or intellectual curiosity.

It was a minor miracle he retained the ability to read, a skill that had enabled him to comprehend the Cavalry recruitment notice.

Had even that knowledge been lost, he might have enlisted years later.

Kishiar posed another question.

“Then, do you precisely recall your grandfather’s occupation before arriving here?”

“I have no knowledge of that either. He possessed skilled hands, so perhaps he served as a carpenter or a gardener for a noble household.”

Kishiar then voiced a possibility Yuder had never conceived.

“Have you ever entertained the notion that he may have been associated with magic?”

“...What?”

He initially dismissed it as a jest—but it was not.

Kishiar closed the volume he had been perusing, revealing its cover with an expression devoid of amusement.

The title was lengthy and academic, making its contents inscrutable at first glance:

“Contemplating the Blessings Embodied in All Things Amid Vast Nature—Focused on Trees, Flowers, Grass, and Soil—”

“The cover bears a resemblance, yet this is the first occasion I’ve formally acknowledged its title. Is it perhaps a horticultural guide published by a temple?”

“That was my initial assumption, but no. It is, in fact, a compilation of research papers issued by a wizard guild.”

“...”

“Moreover, it originates not from the Orr Empire, but appears to have been published by a guild within the Kingdom of Eryl, approximately eighty-three years ago.”

Yuder blinked several times, his gaze returning to the book’s cover.

The title remained unchanged, yet the book now felt profoundly alien.

“Well… Grandfather never spoke of magic. I was unaware it pertained to such matters. Are you certain of its distinctly magical nature?”

“It is not a spellbook. It constitutes scholarly research.”

The distinction eluded Yuder, but Kishiar maintained its significance.

“A spellbook imparts the methodology of magic. However, mages produce more than just instructional texts. This resembles the kind of compilations Tais Yulman or the Western Mage Alliance would produce—studies concentrated on a particular discipline.”

Considering it akin to a publication by the Western Mage Alliance rendered the meaning considerably clearer.

“Works such as these are typically released periodically. Consequently, general interest is minimal, and obtaining a copy is challenging.”

“What subject matter does it delve into… precisely?”

Not a considerable amount of time had elapsed—yet Kishiar, who had previously astounded Inon with his rapid comprehension, now responded with a calm demeanor, as if he had fully assimilated its contents.

“You are aware that the Kingdom of Eryl is a diminutive nation situated to the west, correct?”

“Yes.”

“While not affluent, its proficiency in magical knowledge is notably advanced. It boasts numerous unique flora and a robust tradition in toxicology. Its mages are renowned for integrating poisonous flora into their magic and enchanted artifacts. Thus, it is natural that many researchers focus on plant life.”

“I comprehend.”

“This tome was authored by individuals of such a background. As previously stated, the content is not particularly revolutionary. It comprises a series of essays that compare the characteristics of indigenous plants across diverse regions with their corresponding soil types. No groundbreaking discoveries are presented—rather, it consists of observational logs and documented findings.”

Kishiar further elaborated that unless one possessed an intense passion for botany, the book would likely only captivate a gardener or a priest dedicated to maintaining the holy flame.

In essence, their value was negligible.

Yuder pondered for a moment, then stated,

“Perhaps it was simply a book my grandfather acquired arbitrarily in his youth. There are commoners with literacy who disregard a book’s content—if they can afford it, they acquire whatever is available.”

“That was my initial consideration as well. However, observe the subsequent volumes.”

Kishiar gestured towards the surrounding shelves. Yuder quickly scanned the titles.

“A Retrospective on the Mineral Changes of the Past Hundred Years in the Mollyhan Mine”

“On How Humans Can Utilize Tools More Effectively...”

“What Is Essential for the Most Basic Form of Craftsmanship”

Merely from their titles, each appeared disconnected and random.

“Each of these was published by mage research guilds from various locales, much like the one before us.”