“First, whoever reads this must undoubtedly be imprisoned here for some important reason.
In fact, I understand well since I am also staying here because I am shunned by the king.
Fortunately, I was called back to the castle to raise my niece, but before I leave, there are a few things I want to leave behind.
These are about the mansion, the forest, and the mysterious heritage.
Let me explain in order.
The mansion seems to be just an old-fashioned building, but it is not clear when it was built. It is likely that it existed before the establishment of the Dailan Magic Kingdom. Investigating its history could be interesting, but the important thing is that this is not just an ordinary mansion.
It absorbs magical power from the ley lines of the land to repair itself. Minor damages or wear will be repaired within a few days. However, the furniture and building materials inside lose their effect if taken outside. Please do not sell them even if you are in need of money. It will trouble the next user, and it is also a home loved by me and the previous residents. I would appreciate it if you could take good care of it.
Next, about the garden and the surrounding forest.
At first glance, they may seem ordinary, but they are as strange as the mansion.
It is understandable that there are trees like apples and cedars that grow in cold regions. However, there are also trees like hinoki, karin, and rosewood, which are not seen in this country. There are also gardening varieties that are difficult to grow naturally and fruits from the south that I have never seen before. You will not lack vegetables or fruits. No difficult care is required either. Like the mansion, the forest maintains itself.
I believe this is a villa and home garden created by an ancient magician. If you live here, I hope you will cherish its whimsical nature. While pretending to lead a quiet, reclusive life in front of the king, I secretly enjoyed my days here.
By the way, many monsters inhabit the forest.
However, there is no need to be excessively afraid. If you unlock the main gate correctly and are recognized as the master of the mansion, you will not be attacked. You can even give simple commands. For example, you can command them not to attack visitors or to protect the mansion from thieves and raiders.
However, monsters have their own wills. They may be irritable if they are hungry or have just given birth. Also, they themselves do not want to leave the comfortable environment of the forest. Abandon any ambition to use them like an army. If you mishandle them, it will be you, not your enemies, who perishes.
When you want to ensure the safety of guests, write an invitation using the paper in the study drawer. Those who hold the invitation should not be attacked by the monsters, just like the master of the mansion.
Also, the issued invitations will automatically disappear after a month, and new blank invitations will be generated in the drawer. You do not need to worry too much about the remaining number, but I advise you not to distribute them too freely for security reasons.
And finally, about the “heritage.”
This is something that only the master of this mansion should know. Never reveal the existence of the heritage to others. The wisdom gained from the heritage will surely exceed your imagination. It will be a strength and hope for those who hold it. I, too, was saved by this “heritage.”
But because of that, please refrain from abusing it. I apologize for repeatedly asking in this letter, but I hope you will consider my circumstances and appeal to your conscience.
I have written at length and included troublesome matters.
Perhaps these were not words I should have said to you, who are forced to live a constrained life.
But even so, you should be able to hold dreams and hopes in your daily life.
At the very least, I had dreams here.
I pursued beauty relentlessly.”
I was allowed to spend happy days.
That is why I am wishing.
I hope that your life here will also be happy.
Astral Calendar 542, Conrad Dylan
◆
That memoir was proof that Conrad had indeed been here.
This gentle prayer and wish were unmistakably from Conrad.
Jill was convinced of this and shed tears.
“…It was a bit different from what I expected, but it’s just like Uncle.”
In life, Conrad loved art and gourmet food.
Whenever he had free time, he would often paint, and even without the favoritism of being a royal, he was highly regarded by esteemed critics and art dealers for his aesthetic sense. He was also quite the gourmet, knowing various cuisines from many countries to the point that the castle’s kitchen staff were impressed. Foreign guests and diplomats were delighted with the feasts and banquets prepared by Conrad.
Being kind to people. Enjoying something with someone. Those were Conrad’s special skills and lovable habits. Jill received all of that from him.
Jill felt that this memoir indeed carried Conrad’s scent.
“…Alright.”
Then, once the tears and her heightened emotions had settled, she confirmed the contents of the memoir once again.
There were three important things in this letter.
About the mansion.
About the forest.
And about the inheritance.
“Certainly, this mansion is quite peculiar…”
The contents of the memoir corroborated Jill’s suspicions.
The minimal wear and tear of the mansion was because it was an ancient civilization’s ruin. Moreover, although she hadn’t noticed it when she arrived, the forest was strangely lush.
Not only were there many trees that were always in full leaf, but Jill noticed that there were indeed plants that should have withered in winter. She chuckled at her own dullness, but felt relieved that if no monsters attacked, she wouldn’t have to worry about food.
“So, the inheritance is… this, perhaps?”
Jill picked up the book that had been placed along with the letter.
It was a book with a pure white cover.
There were no illustrations or designs, not even a title or author’s name.
It was too glossy and vibrant white to be called just a notebook.
It felt as fresh as if the luster of a pearl had been intentionally removed.
It wasn’t just a bundle of blank pages; it was intentionally made as a pure white book.
“There’s nothing written in it?”
Jill flipped through the book.
No matter which page she turned to, nothing was written. It was all blank white paper. Jill felt disappointed but reconsidered, thinking there might be some trick, and carefully examined the book again.
Click.
“Hmm?”
Jill touched the spine and felt like she had triggered something.
However, there was nothing to see on the spine.
Just as she thought it was her imagination.
“Thank you for using Galaxy Bookstore’s classic model book terminal, Acacia. Would you like to start a new user registration?”
“What, what!?”
“Please provide your name and date of birth.”
The white book spoke.
No, it did more than just speak.
Without any wind, the pages turned on their own, and letters and pictures appeared on the previously blank pages.
“What is this…?”
“Please provide your name and date of birth.”
Jill was a fledgling magician.
There was a teaching among magicians that if your name, residence, and date of birth were linked, you could be cursed. Especially, one must not carelessly tell such information to high-level magicians or beings like demons. The book in front of Jill was neither a magician nor a demon, but it likely held tremendous power.
However, this was something Conrad had left behind. She didn’t want to doubt it. And above all, Jill’s curiosity was piqued by the book.
“Jill Dylan. Astral Calendar 542, Sunfire Month, 5th.”
“Lady Jill, user registration is complete. Since your Galactic Citizen registration cannot be confirmed, you currently have access to the limited version only. To use the unlimited service, please complete citizen registration and credit registration.”
“Huh…?”
“In the limited version, you can access up to 666 books for 666 years from today, free of charge. If you wish to read more books, please consider the unlimited service.”
“Oh, the limited version is fine.”
“Understood. If you switch to the unlimited service within the usage period, you will receive points that can be used at all Galaxy restaurants, department stores, and convenience stores.”
“I don’t really understand, so the limited version is fine.”
“…Alright.”
When talking to a demon, you must not let them take control.
This was also a teaching of magicians.
“Then, please select the books you wish to use. You can freely choose from 1.3 billion books.”
“One… one point three billion!?”
The white book floated in the air on its own and emitted a white light.
Then, it projected images into the air.
These were all book covers.
The books were written in strange, unfamiliar characters, but they were soon translated into a language Jill was familiar with… Algenes.
“Due to the nature of automatic translation, there may be some delays in screen processing. Please be patient.”
“Automatic translation…? Well, more importantly, there are too many options, and I don’t know what to choose…”
Even translated into a familiar language, many of the books were still incomprehensible to Jill.
There were probably some entertainment books and novels, but there were also complex books that she couldn’t understand at all.
“If you tell me your interests and hobbies, I can automatically select books for you.”
The book spoke while various texts appeared on the pages.
“Novels & Comics,” “Non-fiction,” “Cooking,” “Handicrafts & Sewing,” “Fashion,” “Outdoors,” “Humanities & Philosophy,” “Medical & Nursing Care,” and many other genres were displayed.
“So I just need to choose a few from here…?”
“Yes. Please press with your finger. Note that according to regulations, military technology-related books cannot be selected.”
“I wouldn’t choose anything dangerous anyway.”
Jill chose “Handicrafts & Sewing,” “Cooking,” and “Fashion.”
She thought that would be the end, but various questions followed.
What other genres are you interested in? What specific areas within handicrafts are you interested in? Are you right-handed or left-handed? Are threads and wood easily accessible? How big is your living space? What’s the season and climate like? What’s your favorite meal? Are there any foods you can’t eat or allergies? Do you follow a religion? The questions kept coming, impressing Jill with their thoroughness.
Jill, though weary, answered diligently.
Just as she began to feel mentally fatigued, a “ping” sound was heard.
“The book selection is complete. Considering the level of civilization in your area, it has been determined that books from the 21st century AD and beyond may be difficult to comprehend. Additionally, during the book selection process…”
More explanations followed, sounding like excuses to Jill, as if saying, “I’ve explained everything properly, right?”
Though confused by the unfamiliar words, Jill understood the gist.
“Uh, so you’re basically saying, ‘We can’t take responsibility for anything that happens with the knowledge from these books,’ right? Got it.”
“If you need paid support, feel free to apply for the unlimited service at any time.”
“That’s unnecessary.”
“…Then please enjoy the limited version of Acacia.”
The pages turned by themselves.
There were various book covers depicted. Though not as overwhelming as before, it was still questionable whether she could read them all. It felt more like a library in the shape of a book.
“But… are there really that many books on handicrafts and cooking?”
Jill fiddled with the book, mimicking what she saw.
It seemed that by tracing her finger, the images of the covers would flow, revealing various book covers one after another. Among them, one book caught her interest. The cover featured a woman with black hair in a fresh, yellow checkered dress.
The title read:
“Make Your Own Clothes: From Dresses to Gowns”
Jill thought she wanted to read this book.
As if sensing this, the book advised her.
“If you tap the cover image twice quickly, you can view this book.”
“Tap?”
“Tap it lightly twice.”
“Understood.”
Jill rhythmically tapped the cover image with her finger.
Then, the white book emitted a mysterious glow and even changed its size.
What was once slightly larger than a notebook now had the size of a parchment document.
“What…?”
The cover was no longer plain white but exactly the same as the cover image Jill had been looking at earlier.
The blank book had transformed into the book she wanted to read.
“To revert it, tap the spine twice as you did earlier. This is the basic ‘return’ action.”
Jill, forgetting to even respond, turned the pages.
It was the first time she had read such a book. She wondered how it was printed, who the model woman was, and what exactly the white book, Acacia, was. Her questions were endless. Yet, she kept turning the pages.
“Amazing.”
Jill didn’t know it, but this book wasn’t highly rated, averaging only 2.3 stars. A single book couldn’t possibly cover everything from dresses to gowns. The book only offered rough explanations of how to sew the fabric.
There was a dress pattern at the end, but the method of making dresses was only briefly mentioned. “For more detailed techniques, please refer to this book,” it deferred to another book. It clearly lacked enough information for someone serious about making clothes.
But even so, it was enough to captivate Jill.
“Amazing…”
Jill loved embroidery and sewing.
After Conrad left, she endured painful magic training. In those days, the only thing that could soothe her heart was embroidery. She didn’t stop even when mocked for doing something unbefitting of a princess. Just as Conrad loved gourmet food and art, she didn’t want to stop cherishing beautiful things.
The people depicted in the book enjoyed making clothes as a matter of course.
“…Amazing!”
The model woman wore various outfits. It described what fabrics were used and how they were sewn in a fun and bright manner. The author’s message was conveyed.
“Live your life wearing clothes that express yourself, for yourself.”
This passage pierced Jill’s heart.
To live life as oneself.
That was what Jill had unconsciously been seeking.
And it was the essence of Conrad’s philosophy of life, which he adhered to despite being royalty.
She realized why Conrad was the person he was.
He had gained his philosophy of life in this mansion.
At this moment, Jill realized many things.
Jill completely forgot that she had been about to take her own life just moments ago and threw herself into reading the book with all her might. By the time she had finished more than ten books, the sun was beginning to rise in the east.
“I… I also want to… make clothes like this…!”