Something's wrong with how I'm watching anime.

Seele coughed:

"Actually, I have a request for you two to come here."

"I believe you two have already guessed... the Black Book Princess, the manager of the Dantalian Bookshelf, and Mr. Hugh, the custodian of the key."

Once her identity was revealed, Dalian put down the cake she was eating.

“So you did know about us?” Dalian said.

"The legend of Dantalian's bookshelves, a treasure trove of countless mysterious books and knowledge, has been passed down in a certain circle for a long time."

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"You knew we'd go to that bookstore, and you even knew I have a sweet tooth..."

"This one..."

Seele gave an apologetic look.

"I found out from Miss Camilla."

“You enjoy reading and often visit that bookstore, and you also have a sweet tooth, so I prepared these foods.”

"I was indeed presumptuous."

Dalian took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth.

"Would you like to borrow the fantasy book...?"

"But I must say in advance that borrowing the fantasy book is not unconditional."

"To be precise, I want to make an 'exchange'."

As Seele spoke, she bent down and picked up the small wooden box next to the chair.

Open the wooden box, and inside lie two books quietly.

Hugh's expression shifted as he watched the girl take two books out of the box.

'Phantom Book...'

Unlike ordinary books, once Hugh has the key, he can at least tell whether a book is a phantom book or not.

Chapter 82 Borrowing

The dining table fell silent.

Seele Dietrich stared at the two people across the table, while Hugh and Darian looked at the two illusion books that Seele had taken out.

A moment later, Dalian raised her head:

You mean 'exchange'?

“Yes, an ‘exchange’ where ownership is swapped,” Seele nodded.

“An exchange… is impossible,” Darian immediately refused.

"I am the guardian of the bookshelf, and I cannot allow the fantasy books that have already been stored on the bookshelf to be lost again."

"Therefore, if that's the case, the deal is not valid."

"I see..." Seele sighed.

Hugh's face also showed embarrassment.

"Ms. Dietrich, the books from the bookstore this afternoon..."

Hugh mentioned the book he received as a gift at the bookstore that afternoon. He wasn't the type to accept favors from others without a reason, so he prepared to pay for it.

But before he could finish speaking, the sighing girl's expression returned to normal:

"Then let me borrow two more magical books in exchange for these two."

The transaction did not end; rather, the terms changed.

Hearing this, Hugh took another deep breath:

“Miss Dietrich…”

He was prepared to say that borrowing books was no problem, and there was no need to ask for anything, as long as the request was reasonable and the knowledge from the books was not used for evil purposes.

After all, judging from the diary left by his grandfather, there were also phantom books that were lent out of personal favors.

But just as he was about to say that, Darian beside him stomped hard on his foot and glared at him. Seeing this, Hugh said nothing more.

“May I examine those two phantom books?” Dalian asked Seele Dietrich.

“Of course, no problem.” Seele gestured for him to proceed.

Dalian rose from her seat, went to Seele's side, took the two illusion books in her hands, and then sat back down.

She started flipping through it right there and then. Fortunately, Dalian flipped through it very quickly, as if she were really 'inspecting' it.

A moment later, Dalian raised her head.

Do you know what these two magical books contain?

Upon hearing Dalian's question, Seele hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"One book contains knowledge about burying the dead, and the other contains knowledge about curses."

Hearing the former, Hugh's expression remained calm, but when he heard the latter, concerning the book of curses, his expression changed.

Hugh looked at Darian, who nodded, and then said:

"That's true, but judging from the spirituality of these two books, there's no sign of them being used in the last few months."

Seele understood what the two were worried about and immediately explained:

"Please don't misunderstand, the collection of these two magical books is not because I intentionally searched for books with this function, but simply for the purpose of collecting magical books."

"I know."

"Dalian spoke up."

"I'll take this deal."

"Tell me what type of fantasy book you want. Make it clear beforehand that I will not collect any forbidden books that could cause widespread impact."

"Won't..."

Seele assured him, and then stated her requirements.

"I'd like to exchange a book on spiritual meditation, and..."

"A book that records knowledge on how to find people or things."

"Mental meditation techniques and a phantom book containing knowledge about finding people and things?"

Dalian pondered for a moment, and then nodded under Seele's expectant gaze.

"There are indeed illusory books about these two things..."

.............

Half an hour later, Hugh and Darian walked out of Seele's mansion.

Hugh was still carrying the box full of books he'd brought out of the bookstore. He'd originally intended to pay Seele Dietrich directly for the books, but she refused to accept them.

It was also stated that if Hughie did not accept it, the book would be sent directly to Hughie's residence.

The girl was adamant, so Hugh had no choice but to accept it.

“Dalian…”

Since leaving the mansion, Dalian's behavior had become strange. She practically dragged him along at a brisk pace.

Until they turned and entered a dark, deep alley.

"Dalian, what's wrong?"

Dalian did not respond to his words, but instead said:

"Hughie, use the key."

"Huh?" Hugh asked, puzzled.

"Hurry up, use the key," Dalian urged.

Although Hugh did not understand, he did as instructed.

As a flash of light appeared in the alley, a parchment scroll appeared in Dallian's hand.

Clearly, this is also a fantasy book.

"This is..."

Dalian remained silent and directly opened the parchment scroll.

A gray light emanated from the scroll and enveloped the two of them.

"This is the Heimdall Rebellion."

At this moment, Dalian spoke.

"The effect is that it can block all extraordinary and mysterious spying methods."

"Unless, the spy is right in front of us."

Heimdall is a Norse god who watches over humankind and can see everything that happens on earth. The power of this magical book can even hinder the spying of this god of surveillance.

Dalian's actions startled Hugh, whose expression then turned serious.

"Seel Dietrich, is there a problem with this lady?"

"I can't be sure... However, this person probably didn't ask for those two illusory books for himself. I still know what kind of person craves something."

"Someone borrowed books from us through her..."

"Moreover, when I refused the 'exchange' and said that I could only borrow it, the woman reacted too quickly. It was as if she had expected this all along."

"No, I even feel that the woman gave us those two books specifically for that purpose."

"Delivering books?"

Hugh's expression turned serious.