I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Chapter 148: Hark Castle Library

After a few minutes, they arrived at a wing reserved for guests. The area was quieter, more peaceful than the rest of the castle. The sounds of training and the blacksmiths at work were nothing more than a distant echo.

The servant opened a dark wooden door.

"This will be your room during your stay."

Lukas stepped inside.

It was a spacious room, much larger than his bedroom at the manor. The walls were made of stone, but they were covered with soft tapestries that made the room feel warmer and more welcoming. The floor was dark wood, polished until it gleamed.

A comfortable bed occupied the center, covered with white linen sheets and wool blankets. The pillows were soft and inviting, promising peaceful nights of sleep.

There was a desk near the window, crafted from dark wood with bronze finishes. An upholstered chair stood before it, ready for hours of study or writing. An empty bookshelf waited for whatever books Lukas might bring from the library.

A wooden wardrobe occupied one of the walls, its carved doors depicting scenes of nature. A washstand with a basin and a water jug stood in one corner, and a thick curtain concealed a small area where a bath could be prepared.

Everything was impeccably clean and organized. There was not a speck of dust, not a tear in the fabric, not a scratch on the wood. The attention to detail was remarkable.

Sunlight illuminated the room through the large window overlooking the forest. Golden rays streamed through the glass, creating dancing patterns of light across the wooden floor.

Lukas placed his backpack on the bed, feeling the relief of finally resting his shoulders. Then he carefully took out the little rat’s box and gently placed it on the desk.

Astra flew onto the back of a chair and settled there, her talons gripping the wood firmly. The little eagle seemed pleased with the new surroundings, her eyes wandering curiously around the room.

The servant smiled faintly as he noticed how carefully Lukas treated his companions.

"If you need anything, simply call one of the servants. The guest rooms have bell cords that can be pulled to request assistance."

Lukas thanked him with a small nod, a grateful smile on his face.

Before the man could leave, however, Lukas remembered something that had been on his mind ever since he had begun climbing the staircase.

"Wait."

The servant turned around, his expression attentive and respectful.

"Is Lady Elara in the castle?"

The man shook his head, a trace of sympathy appearing in his eyes.

"Unfortunately not. Lady Elara traveled with her father."

Lukas blinked, feeling a pang of disappointment. He had imagined meeting Elara, talking with her about everything that had happened over the past few months, and sharing his discoveries.

"And Count Hark?"

"The Count is away as well."

"Where did they go?"

The servant answered promptly, his tone professional but not impersonal.

"They traveled together to visit Lady Elara’s maternal family. It is an annual tradition the family has maintained for many years."

"They will most likely return next month."

Lukas remained silent for a few seconds, processing the information. It was a shame. He had hoped to see them again after so much time and so many events. He wanted to personally thank the Count for allowing his visit and for the support he had given during the battle against the Rat King.

He also wanted to speak with Elara again. Even if only for a few minutes, even if only to tell her that he still remembered her and to show her that Astra had recovered.

The servant noticed the expression on his face, the shadow of disappointment that crossed his eyes.

"Young Master, you are free to explore nearly the entire castle. The Count left specific instructions granting you access to all the common areas."

"The library has already been informed of your arrival. The librarians are expecting you and have prepared a study table with several books that may interest you."

"You may study for as long as you wish, without any time restrictions."

A small smile returned to Lukas’s face. The library. That was why he had come. Even without Elara, even without the Count, that treasure trove of knowledge was still waiting for him.

"Thank you."

The servant gave a respectful bow, lowering his head slightly.

"I wish you an excellent stay."

Shortly afterward, he left the room. The door closed quietly, the sound of the wood settling into its frame echoing softly.

Lukas looked around the empty room. Sunlight still poured in through the window, while the distant sounds of the castle reached him only as muffled echoes through the walls.

"So..."

He sighed as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"It looks like I’ll be spending this week alone."

Astra let out a soft cry, a gentle, melodious sound that broke the silence. She tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with intelligence.

As though she were saying that wasn’t exactly true.

Lukas smiled, the warmth of the eagle’s companionship filling his heart.

"Yeah... I still have you."

He looked at Astra, her graceful silhouette outlined against the light streaming through the window. Then he looked at the rat’s box, where the little rodent remained quietly inside, observing everything through the small openings in the wood.

"Let’s go."

He had no intention of wasting even a single minute.

He carefully picked up the box once more, adjusting the strap over his shoulder. Astra returned to her usual place on his shoulder, her talons gripping the fabric of his clothing firmly.

A few minutes later, after making his way through corridors and staircases, guided by wooden signs indicating the different sections of the castle...

Lukas finally stopped before the enormous double doors of Hark Castle’s library.

The doors were imposing, crafted from dark wood with carvings depicting trees and books. The metal hinges were decorated with intricate designs of leaves and pages, and a bronze plaque at the center read.

"Hark Castle Library."

He slowly pushed one of the doors open.

The door opened effortlessly, its well-maintained hinges making no sound.

The next instant...

His eyes widened.

"...Wow..."

Even though he had been prepared to find a large library, even though he already knew exactly what to expect... this far exceeded all of his expectations.

The great hall seemed endless. His gaze disappeared into a succession of rows stretching as far as the candlelight and the tall windows allowed him to see.

Towering bookshelves reached nearly to the ceiling, arranged in perfectly aligned rows that formed symmetrical corridors. Every shelf was packed with books of every size and color, their spines creating patterns that looked almost artistic.

Rolling ladders allowed access to the highest shelves, some made of wood, others of metal, all equipped with wheels that glided silently across the stone floor.

Thousands. Perhaps tens of thousands of books.

Entire sections were devoted to magic, filled with red and gold-covered volumes discussing spells and enchantments. Others were dedicated to history, containing thick, somber tomes that recorded the events of past centuries.

Some shelves focused solely on medicine, complete with illustrations of plants and the human body. Others overflowed with maps, some so large they had to be unrolled across specially designed tables.

Books on alchemy. Botany. Metallurgy. Languages. Cultures. Economics. Magical beasts. Religions. Everything seemed to exist within that place.

The scent of ancient parchment mingled with the fragrance of polished wood. The aroma was rich and comforting, like an old forest blended with the atmosphere of an ancient library.

Several scholars read in absolute silence, their heads bowed over open books. They were so absorbed in their reading that they barely noticed the boy’s arrival.

Librarians moved calmly between the shelves, organizing newly arrived volumes. Their movements were precise and efficient, like dancers performing a choreography they had long since mastered.