------Vaughn POV------

A new morning in Astrea and everything is quite noisy. I never saw the citizens of Opidelhm this rowdy for this long ever since I started living in here. This festive spirit has been going on for almost a week already-- It was an unusual occurrence indeed

The reason why the community was having a celebration of a lifetime is due to the fact that the Pope has recently announced the coming of the saviours. An announcement which was is a week late since the so-called saviours have already stepped on Astrea long time ago.

Although there is another event tomorrow that is also worth celebrating, and that would be the grand parade of the Imperial Lords and Guardians. It is not as important as the first reason, but it still added to the excitement of people.

"You're not joining later, Vaughn?"

"I'm good. It's going to be the Lords and nobles from the cities coming anyway."

Sadly, I was not alone in my own room. The man who gave out the question was my long time friend, Jackson who has been bothering me forever without any care for my opinions.

"You're also a noble of this kingdom... Besides, our fellow Children will also be going to the party. Think about like a reunion of some sort."

"I barely know anyone, why do you expect I care about them?"

"I'm also there."

"So?"

"Such a cruel friend-- Anyway, the King ordered everyone to be there. You have no reason not to be present."

"Tsk~"

He should have said that in the first place instead of beating around the bush with me. However, it did not change the fact that I still do not feel like going at all. Not only did Jackson came here to disturb my peaceful time, but he also has the audacity to eat the snacks I have been saving up for later.

This party he is talking about is just a façade for a meeting between powerful people. The word of the Pope- rather, the appearance of Travellers have stirred much more trouble than normal people can realize. Today supposedly will be the day to discuss what would be the future of the Kingdom and how to deal with the foreign power. Yet, I know it is more than that.

"Don't be late for the party and make sure you dress up. There will be a lot of pretty girls from all over the kingdom."

"Scram."

"Hehehe~ See you later."

He took one more piece of the chocolate that I was saving for last before leaving. I will make sure to get him someday but for now, I should worry about later because I am going to need to prepare my clothes and everything. More importantly, I need to find my Royal Sash.

Without it, no one in the room except some Children, like Isaac and Jackson, will be able to recognize me. Since I only have shown my face in public a few times, I am afraid I will not be able to enter the party if I do not bring the sash to identify as a part of the Imperial Lords.

It might sound like an awful treatment, but I decided to live that way. There is no point having the attention of the people in the upper-class because they care less of people like me who has no use in their eyes. I might have the second-highest position in this kingdom as one of the Imperial Lords, but I have practically done nothing the whole time. I will be more amazed if they remember me who tried to keep himself invisible to the public's eye.

It might be better for me if I cannot go to the party with that being said.

But because it is Isaac we are talking about, there is a high possibility he will remember this and have a grudge. If I do not at least say hi to him later, he might give out an order specifically for me tomorrow to go somewhere far away just for a 'mission'.

"How troublesome."

There was still time before the party, and I have already found my sash and clothes to wear for later. Visible dust and dirt could be seen on the surface of what supposed to be a noble garment. It is barely presentable but presentable, nonetheless. This just to show how rarely I used this thing.

An idea popped out of my mind while I was dusting off the sash. Since I am going out for today anyway, why not roam the streets while I am at it?

Making sure I have my appearance far from looking like a high and powerful noble, I carry out my book and headed to the library.

"Uncle Hank is not here today. He should also be preparing for later."

No one was basically watching over the library. However, every person in this city knows it will be foolish if they want to do something malicious inside this sacred ground. Even the King, Isaac does not dare to try.

The reason because this library is one of the three places that is supposed to be watched over by Kefri, the Holy Overseer. The King's castle, the Pope's Palace, and Opidelhm's Library are the only places which are sacred beyond reasoning. Although there no physical evidence if it is true, except for some word of mouth.

But us Children of the Past knows this Overseer is someone not to be messing with.

Now back to my purpose here on the library-- Besides the fact that I am returning this book on my hand, I am here for the newly acquired set of books.

"Tale of the Travellers, Rise of the Demon King, Out of this World Cooking…"

There were a lot of books that were not here last week. The library has barely added anything new to its collection for years, but in just this week, a whole shelf was filled up with books that I have not read yet. And to think I have been reading every day. It is quite strange, indeed.

What is stranger though is that every single topic here was about or related to our foreign visitors, the Travellers. From some hints on their behaviour to the reason why they came here in Astrea, everything that I thought will never be found here in this library were all here.

"This is a problem. I can't really take or return books without Hank's knowledge, and I don't have all day to sit here in the library. I guess I'll just get one that interests me the most."

'An Astrean's Life'

I choose one that does not look thick at all because it would be bad if I get too much into it today.

Skimming through some pages, I was able to discover it was a story of how a citizen of this world lives together with a Traveller. It hooked me in an instant then I found my spot in this empty library.

When I opened the book, I cannot help but notice the drawn art on the first page and in the middle parts of it. It looks like a woman and a man fighting something, but I cannot make clear of it because of how awful the inking is. This is my first time to encounter images inside a book besides the children’s book I have read a long time ago.

Whoever did this is innovative but awful in his job. Yet, I cannot help getting involved in the story more through the help of these images. A simple plot that lightly tackles how the life of an Astrean changed when a Traveller becomes a part of his life. It is just like what the title suggests.

"Maybe this will help me start a conversation when that girl comes here."

I said silently as I went into my own world.