When the clock strikes twelve o'clock at midnight, the magic cast on Cinderella will disappear, and the white swan will turn back into the ugly duckling. Miracles like the glass slipper, which can only be found in fairy tales, will not exist.

Sleeping Beauty would rather die in an eternal and tender dreamland than face her aging self. Her long golden hair withered and split, and accumulated dust together with the bronze mirror, and became entangled with the snow-white bones.

——I heard that this is a message of unknown meaning left by the deceased Lord Gisforgo Cavendish of the original generation.

Although there are only a few people who can understand its true meaning, the general meaning has been translated by several other lords of the original generation and has become a part of the enlightenment education of Hongjie Ark.

Zhan Shen is not the kind of innocent boy who is still childish. He knows that being chosen by Mr. "Charles" and given the halo of the protagonist will definitely not be meaningless.

By reading the context, you can know that "Charles" most likely wants him to solve the abnormal situation in the death courtyard, and the source of the turmoil is indeed the private disputes of the original generation...

Therefore, on the first stop of his journey, Zhan Shen did not hesitate and went directly to the great library in the Courtyard of Death, where the only member of the original generation he knew lived.

Standing in front of the two closed doors, looking at the mysterious and simple relief patterns on the doors, Zhan Shen took a deep breath.

Then, there was a knock on the door——

"Excuse me, is Mr. Estreich at home?

A member of the first generation, Zhan Shen, came to visit, and there are some things that I would like to verify with Mr. Estreich."

…·…·…

"That's right. Everything I can think of can be thought of by others, and Meteora will inevitably become the first suspect."

Xingke propped his chin with one hand, with a refilled sparkling drink in front of him, and watched boredly as Zhanshen headed straight to the library, which was not surprising at all.

"The key is how the plot develops next."

In this bar full of fantasy crystal style, the surrounding guests had already left without knowing why.

The crystal light spots that were originally used for lighting were now only concentrated in front of the bar where Xing Ke was sitting alone, and the surrounding area became pitch black.

"Just make sure you don't make things interesting..."

…·…·…

For a moment, the lines on the door emitted a faint blue light, and the flow of magic power clearly made people feel a sense of understanding that something that was originally closed was being opened.

A small and cute goblin with a pointed hat came out, bowed slightly to greet him, and then a line of universal text with a concentrated light appeared in the air:

【Please come in, Lord Zhanshen.】

Could the pointed-hat goblin be unable to use human language? This somewhat offensive question only lasted for a moment before Zhanshen calmed down and silently followed the goblin into the Pavilion of Strange Treasures.

When he entered this place for the first time, Zhan Shen was instantly distracted by the books and bookshelves filling the space.

Every book here has its own brilliance, demonstrating its magic.

Similarly, on every bookshelf here, there is a corresponding sealing circle, which locks the colorful but dangerous light of knowledge firmly.

The two complement each other, forming a harmonious and strange picture.

Zhan Shen follows the footsteps of fairies, walking through this ocean of knowledge with the various little fairies he encounters from time to time, sorting out the information about this place in his mind——

The large library in the Death Garden is roughly divided into two parts. One part is an ordinary public library, which contains materials and knowledge from all over the Hongjie. It is the ladder for the advancement of Hongjie Ark members.

It is maintained and operated by Meteora's personal investment and donations from others, acquiring [knowledge] at a relatively fair price, and then making it available to everyone for free.

The other part of the Great Library is here, the Pavilion of Strange Treasures, Meteora's personal residence and library.

It is not open to the public, but it is still a huge library. I heard that most of the books here are not the kind of [harmful knowledge] that can be opened to the public, and there are certain restrictions on reading them.

As the "Guardian of Knowledge", Meteora protects the treasures of knowledge and civilization in the face of human beings' fragile rationality. On the other hand, she also protects fragile humans in the face of some overly powerful knowledge.

There is no reason for people like Mr. Estreich to stir up trouble...at least I can't imagine it.

With this idea in mind, Zhanshen met this respectable [Sage] lady again after two years——

The study room in dark brown and wood tones is filled with soft and warm lights. Various books are scattered randomly on the carpet, from expired women's fashion magazines to ritual books for summoning gods from other worlds and guides for TRPG game strategies.

The bulk of it exists here at the same time.

Meteora was sitting at the desk in the room, looking intently at an electronic screen and typing something on the keyboard. She didn't raise her head until Zhan Shen came in and cast her gaze.

"Long time no see, Your Excellency Estreich, my name is Zhan Shen. I came to visit you unexpectedly, and I hope you will be able to see me."

Because there is no unified etiquette style in the Death Garden, so according to the rules everyone has agreed upon privately, Zhan Shen respectfully performed the swordsman etiquette he is most familiar with - it only matters what the meaning is, and does not stick to the form.

"...Long time no see, Lord Zhan Shen, please take a seat first."

Miss Sage looked at Zhan Shen and thought for a moment before saying hello.

The pointed-hat goblin has skillfully helped Meteora tidy up the floor of the study, setting up tables and chairs for guests, snacks and tea.

During the whole process, Meteora did not ask or urge Zhan Shen for anything, she just waited indifferently.

Until Zhan Shen sat down and asked:

"Your Excellency Estreich, I have taken the liberty to visit you. I want to ask your opinion on the situation that is happening in the death courtyard.

And, if possible, I hope to use your wisdom to help point me in the direction of resolving this unstable situation."

Zhan Shen didn't think that Meteora didn't know anything even though he discovered the situation in the Death Courtyard. So he didn't talk nonsense and went straight to the topic.

But Meteora said with a somewhat nostalgic expression:

"In order to resolve a certain crisis, brave young people will embark on a journey, and the sages in the library will narrate their background stories and guide them in the way forward——

Lord Zhan Shen, your arrival reminds me of my past, and I really miss you.

Lord Zhanshen, do you know "Awaken of Memories"?"

"Yes, Lord Estrexi. Every member of Hongjie Ark who admires you learned about your past through "Avacan of Remembrance"." Zhanshen replied sincerely.

"That's it, thank you for trusting me so much.
Chapter completed!