I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Chapter 91: Castle Library

The man portrayed possessed a thick beard and an enormous sword resting upon his shoulders. His gray eyes were the same as Count Hark’s.

"He killed a wyvern."

Lukas raised an eyebrow.

"Alone?"

"I think he had an army with him."

"That makes more sense."

Elara laughed.

They continued walking. They climbed staircases. Crossed passageways. Discovered small hidden courtyards, with secret fountains and gardens known only to the servants.

Until Elara pushed open a large pair of dark wooden doors.

"And here..."

Lukas froze. His breath caught for an instant. Shelves. Countless shelves. Tall. Immense. Filled with books.

The familiar aroma of aged paper and ink flooded his senses, like an old memory. The scent of centuries of accumulated knowledge, of stories waiting to be read, of worlds waiting to be discovered.

His violet eyes widened.

"This..."

Elara smiled.

"This is the castle library."

Lukas took a few steps inside. Then a few more.

The shelves stretched in every direction, some so tall that wooden ladders were necessary to reach the books at the top. There were entire sections dedicated to different subjects.

History, books about the Kingdom of Rhyne, neighboring kingdoms, and the ancient wars that had shaped the continent.

Geography, atlases, maps, travelers’ accounts of distant lands.

Magical beasts, thick volumes with colorful illustrations, describing creatures Lukas only knew from legends.

Politics, treatises on governance, alliances, and succession.

Religion, sacred texts, hymns, and stories of both ancient and new gods.

Military strategy, battle manuals, siege tactics, army formations.

Botany, descriptions of plants, their medicinal properties, and their magical uses.

He even spotted entire sections dedicated to alchemy.

"This is incredible..." he murmured.

Elara observed his expression.

"You really do like books."

Lukas slowly turned toward her.

"Like?"

The girl blinked.

"Yes."

"Elara..."

He looked back at the shelves.

"I could live here for a few years. I would only leave to learn about different animals."

She burst into laughter. Lukas approached one of the shelves.

He ran his fingers across the neatly arranged spines, leather, cloth, some with wooden covers. The titles were written in different languages. The common language of Rhyne, some in alphabets he did not recognize, others in symbols that seemed ancient.

His heart raced. This was a treasure.

Far greater than the small library of the Dmond family. Far greater than anything he had ever seen.

Then, he turned back to Elara.

"Can I come study here in the future?"

She blinked in surprise.

"Of course!"

"Really?"

"Yes!" she answered immediately.

"You’re our friend."

Lukas fell silent. Then he nodded seriously.

"Inform Count Hark."

Elara tilted her head.

"Tell Father?"

"Yes."

He looked at the books once more.

"Because I will definitely come back here."

Elara smiled.

"I’ll tell him."

Lukas nodded, satisfied.

When he was old enough to travel to the city on his own... he would return. Without question.

The rest of the day passed peacefully.

They had lunch with their families.

Judith appeared, telling exaggerated stories about a supposed exploration through the castle corridors.

"I found a ghost!" she declared.

"You did not," Aurora said with a sigh.

"I did too! It was transparent and floating!"

"It was a curtain."

"Curtains don’t float by themselves!"

"The wind, Judith. The wind."

Judith pouted.

Aurora laughed quietly. Clavor spoke with Hark about military matters, the situation at the northern border, the movements of bandits, and the prices of ore.

The afternoon brought more walks. More conversations. More laughter.

And several visits to the room to check on Astra.

The little eagle remained resting. When she opened her eyes for the first time, she accepted small pieces of meat offered by Lukas, taking tiny bites, careful not to injure her beak.

Elara reacted as though she had witnessed a great achievement.

"She ate! She ate from your hand!"

"She’s hungry. That’s normal."

"It’s not normal! It’s special!"

Lukas did not argue.

The sun slowly began to disappear behind the Great Rock.

The castle corridors took on golden and orange hues, the afternoon light spreading like a cloak over the stone. Servants began lighting the lamps, small flames glowing upon the walls.

Night arrived quietly.

That evening’s dinner was more peaceful than the previous banquet.

Without grand music. Without announcements. Just two families sharing a meal in a smaller, more welcoming hall.

Lukas realized that he liked that kind of atmosphere.

After dinner, they returned to their quarters.

Judith collapsed onto the bed almost instantly, exhausted from so much exploration and excitement.

Aurora wished them good night, kissing each of them on the forehead.

Clavor extinguished the last candles, leaving only a single oil lamp burning upon the bedside table.

Lukas approached the box. Astra slept peacefully.

The little eagle’s chest rose and fell in a calm rhythm. Her feathers were neatly arranged, and the improvised splint remained in place.

He observed the small creature for a few seconds.

"We’re going back home tomorrow," he murmured.

The eagle shifted her head slightly in her sleep, as though she had heard him.

Lukas smiled. Then, he went to sleep.

When he opened his eyes again... it was still dark.

For a few seconds, he remained motionless, listening to the silence. The castle was quiet, interrupted only by the distant crackling of torches in the corridors and the sound of the wind outside.

Then, he heard it. Wheels. Horses. Movement. Lukas rose from his bed. He approached the window.

Dawn was beginning to color the horizon, a thin band of orange and pink stretching across the city.

Astra remained asleep in the box. Judith still slept deeply, wrapped in her blankets. Aurora and Clavor had not awakened either, their breathing slow and steady.

For a brief moment... everything was peaceful. Lukas turned his eyes toward the sky.

The morning breeze touched his white hair, gently swaying it.

The celebration. The tournament. His friendship with Elara. The library. The little eagle.

So many things had happened in such a short amount of time. And yet...

He felt that he was exactly where he was meant to be. In that world. With that family. In that life.

Lukas turned toward Astra. The little eagle breathed peacefully. Then, a small smile appeared on his face.

Today, they would return to Dmond Mansion. But he was certain of one thing. That would not be his last day at Castle Hark. After all...

There were still many books waiting for him in that library.