Chapter 1063: Keepers of Knowledge
Leon arrived in front of the seventh branch clan's Runemaster Tower several minutes later under Lord Rhuvek's personal lead. The Runemaster Tower was just adjacent to the palace.
However, the Runemaster Tower was not how Leon imagined it to be.
The Runemaster Tower in front of him only had three floors. It was not very tall, nor was it very big. It didn't seem like a place that would contain a lot of runic knowledge.
Nevertheless, that was just a misconception based on the Runemaster Tower's outward appearance.
After entering the Runemaster Tower's main entrance, Leon understood the Runemaster Tower was an inverted tower.
It didn't have many floors above ground but many floors below ground.
In fact, that was not a single tome or book of knowledge on the top three floors, the ground floor included. All the runic tomes and books were stored on the massive cylindrical bookshelf running through the floors below ground level.
Just by looking at the sheer number of tomes and books on the floors below, Leon found it hard to believe that they were all related to runes.
Even if the Dark Elf Clan collected every single copy of books and tomes written about runic knowledge from tier 1 to tier 6, he doubted it would still be enough to fill the massive bookshelf below.
As if Lord Rhuvek could guess what Leon was thinking about, he started to explain, "Although this is called the Runemaster Tower, not every piece of knowledge stored here is related to runes."
"We've stored every piece of knowledge we've ever collected in the Lower Abyss Domain and knowledge from the surface when our Dark Elf Clan still lived on the surface. Lord Leon will find knowledge from every category of interest in this place."
"Are all Runemaster Towers in your Dark Elf Clan like this?" Leon asked with surprise.
"That's right, Lord Leon," Lord Rhuvek nodded and said, "The Runemaster Towers in the other branch cities have libraries like this one. However, the library at the main clan is even bigger than the one you see here."
"Even bigger, huh?" Leon smiled wryly and commented, "The Dark Elf Clan has collected quite the wealth of knowledge over the years, huh?"
"We are quite proud of our collection—if nothing else. After all, while other races rise and fall every several hundred to thousands of years, our Dark Elf Clan have persisted for tens of thousands of years. We should have something to show for it," Lord Rhuvek said proudly.
"Your Dark Elf Clan could even be called the Keepers of Knowledge with this kind of collection," Leon commented with a wry smile.
Just as Lord Rhuvek had said, the Dark Elf Clan had persisted for tens of thousands of years.
Even if their situation couldn't be said to be prosperous, they had existed long enough to fill their massive libraries with such cumulation of knowledge.
"That is quite a good title, Lord Leon. If we don't have the dwarven clans to rival us, I would very much like to claim such a title for our Dark Elf Clan," Lord Rhuvek expressed his approval and fondness for the title.
"Alas, although I have never visited any of the dwarven clans, they had persisted through the ages like our Dark Elf Clan. I'm sure their libraries wouldn't be inferior to ours. If there is anything we can claim superior to them in terms of our libraries, it would be aesthetics and maintenance."
As Leon stood at the edge of the ground floor with his arms rested on the handrail, he observed the cleanliness of the library below.
Dozens of glowing fairies flew about with dusters in hand as they made sure every part of the massive cylindrical bookshelf was spotless.
The place was practically sparkling clean.
"Your people do seem meticulous enough in keeping the place clean," Leon commented with a nod.
Lord Rhuvek slightly smiled.
"Well then, I better get going and not take up any more of your precious time, Lord Leon. Please enjoy your time in the library. I will make sure no one disturbs you during your stay here."
Shortly after, Lord Rhuvek made a signal to the library guardian with his hand. After the library guardian, who was a male fairy, received the signal, he understood Lord Rhuvek's intention and informed all the fairies and guests in the library to be mindful of Leon's presence.
Lord Rhuvek left the Runemaster Tower a few moments later.
With all the arrangements in place, Leon quickly headed down and started scanning all the books and tomes placed on the massive bookshelf, one floor at a time.
Constant new knowledge, as well as old ones, poured into the Archive and updated it. All of the knowledge was related to runes.
However, as Leon steadily moved down to the lower floors, he came across books and scriptures on primordial cultivation methods, battle skills, and martial arts.
There was also history and knowledge pertaining to the other professions, such as alchemy and formations.
Surprisingly, there were also storybooks.
Although they didn't contain a shred of useful knowledge, they contained hidden values the authors wanted to impart through their stories.
Leon wasn't interested in reading them, but it was a different story for Maya. That bookworm would definitely love to have more stories to read.
'Looks like I won't be pestered by Maya for some time after I collect a copy of all these stories,' Leon thought with mild amusement.
Meanwhile, the library guardian and other fairy cleaners glanced at Leon from time to time. At first, it was simple curiosity. But then, it changed to surprise, confusion, and finally, doubts.
'Did this person come to read books or just stare at them?' the library guardian and fairy cleaners wondered.
Nevertheless, they had already received Lord Rhuvek's instruction not to disturb Leon. Thus, no one could approach the person in question to ask—not even check if the person needed any help.
From their perspective, it seemed like Leon was lost and wasn't sure what he was looking for.