“There are many mercenaries, so it’s bustling outside.”

The maid cautiously sought understanding. Several mercenary groups came and went outside the Marquisate.

“It’s alright. It’s a city of mercenaries, and the entry and exit of mercenary groups are frequent.”

After coming down from the tower, Sharlov’s words decreased significantly. He placed a book on the Marquisate’s reception room shelf and continued to sit in the same posture, pulling out a thin book to read.

Sharlov flipped the book upside down and laid it on the table. She leaned against the window frame in the reception room.

“Rather than a gloomy silence, this liveliness is better.”

The mercenaries were noisy. Each mercenary had different armor styles. Sharlov looked down at those mercenaries and asked.

“Each mercenary group has different armor. Is there a division of affiliation?”

“Because multiple mercenary groups gather, it’s like that. To reduce discord, one of the measures is to sharpen those who wield the sword. Currently, the suppression front is being reorganized, so there is frequent access for outsiders.”

In addition, logistics merchants supplying goods to the suppression front and mercenary groups responsible for different sections of the suppression front visited the Marquisate.

“It looks like a military facility.”

Not a residence but the headquarters of the suppression front.

It felt like a commander’s barracks.

“That might be true.”

The maid lowered her eyes as if expressing bitterness.

“Madam suffered in the past due to monster turmoil, and Lord rarely stays anywhere other than the suppression front. The mansion has served as the command headquarters for the suppression front since then, managing the suppression front and system within Purfuta.”

“…I feel a sense of urgency.”

“Everyone is a hero. They all risk their lives to protect Purfuta.”

“The heroes protecting Purfuta are not only them.”

Sharlov looked down at the maid and asked.

“You filled the void of a small and insignificant lady of the Marquis, and you helped the Marquisate establish itself as the command headquarters. Therefore, you too were protecting.”

“…Your, Your Majesty.”

“It might be difficult to read more books with the commotion outside.”

Sharlov put down the booklet he held in his hand.

“Do you like books?”

“Idle boredom is like rest.”

The maid smiled faintly.

“If you like books, how about visiting the library? Most of the books are related to monsters, but the library is relatively free from external noise.”

“Is it possible to use the library?”

“Of course. I’ll guide you to the library.”

Sharlov walked silently through the Marquisate corridor. As he walked deeper into the corridor, the noise gradually faded.

“Monster-related books might seem unfamiliar.”

“…It’s okay. Since there are many complications, it may seem unfamiliar, but it won’t stay that way forever.”

The maid opened the entrance to the library.

“Because there isn’t a dedicated librarian, the internal management is inadequate.”

The library smelled of dry ink. The inside was entirely dark with blackout curtains. When the maid opened the curtain, sunlight poured in, brightening the room. Sharlov replied quietly, closing his eyelids against the bright sunlight.
“It’s not lacking. I’ve filled the void this much, so there’s no need to belittle it as lacking.”

Deep loyalty and pride can be felt.

Purfuta, guarding the Suppression Front.

The residents who consider Purfuta as the foundation of their lives.

“Black magic, monsters, ancient agreements, and the Suppression Front, they’re all marked with serial numbers on the bookshelves. Most of them are stored here, and aside from that, ancient monster records and ancient black magic records are separately kept in the document room.”

“The document room?”

“It’s behind the side door.”

Sharlov skimmed through the bookshelves with his hand.

“Well, feel free to stay.”

Sharlov flipped through a hardcover book with the title “Origin of Monsters” written on it, carefully turning the pages.

“Monsters are like thought entities that have conglomerated with evil. Monsters are attracted to contaminated venom, and this venom pollutes the land.”

“Monsters are like remnants of past black magic. They kill people. They destroy entire areas. They kill everyone and eradicate all living beings on this land. The desire for destruction is their instinct and the reason they set foot on human lands.”

Sharlov revisited the origin of monsters.

“Exiled black magic users and monsters.”

Every event has a beginning and an origin. This origin is the starting point, the end, the foundation, and as easily obtained, as easily overlooked.

“The origin seems to be the easiest yet most difficult area.”

Sharlov closed the book and returned it to the bookshelf.

“You seem to be interested in monsters.”

Katarina stood by Sharlov’s side. All the guards except Katarina had gone outside.

“You’ve been exposed to monsters a lot.”