Conquering the underworld with my beautiful dragon wives-Chapter 35: Truth in Shadows—Jokes in Silence

Everyone froze. That raspy voice like it had crawled out from inside the walls sent a chill straight to their bones. Even Luna, who once sleepwalked into a nightmare and laughed about it, actually took a step back.

Alice narrowed her eyes and muttered,

"That’s a guardian’s voice. Probably some kind of protective spell tied to the library. If we don’t respond, or do something wrong, it might—"

Selena cut her off, half-serious, half-sarcastic:

"Might what? The books attack us? Start biting?"

Fayra shot her a look but couldn’t hold back a tiny smirk.

The voice echoed again, louder this time:

"Answer... Are you ready to know what lies beyond understanding?"

Luna mumbled,

"We got trapped in an S-rank dungeon once, fought a monster with three heads... If this is another deadly spell, I just hope it doesn’t bite hard."

They all rolled their eyes—but then...

A spiral of light rose from the center of the hall, twisted upward, and then dropped back down in front of them. In that light, a staircase formed—made of pure energy—leading to the upper level of the library. It was clear: something, or someone, was waiting for them up there.

Fayra whispered,

"There’s something up there... I can feel it."

Alice nodded, but instead of going first like usual, she stopped and looked at Fayra.

"You lead. You’ve got the better instincts this time. Honestly... this place is way over my head."

Fayra’s eyes lit up with a bit more confidence. She took the first step. Selena and Luna followed, and Alice, still half-expecting a flying book to smack her in the face, came after.

The stairs didn’t feel real. Every step felt like walking on fog or light—nothing solid underfoot. But weirder than that were the whispers. Voices. Coming from the walls. From the books.

"The one with the key must unlock the gate of the mind..."

"The sword belongs to him—but it will judge him too..."

"The sleeping dragon... is a forgotten memory..."

Selena paused.

"That last one... totally sounds like Fayra, right?"

Without looking back, Fayra said,

"Careful, Selena. The sound of me roasting you might not be recorded here, but the smell definitely sticks around."

Selena chuckled, but the moment passed as the stairs ended and they arrived at the second floor.

This level... wasn’t normal.

Books floated in mid-air. Some were spinning. Some were sighing. Yes—sighing. Like they were alive.

In the center of the room sat a tall platform. On it, a cloaked figure was seated—head down, face hidden, flipping through a book in complete silence. Only the soft sound of turning pages filled the air.

They all stopped.

Fayra stepped forward.

"We’re looking for answers. About the sword, the key, and the enemies hunting us."

The figure didn’t say a word. Just slowly closed the book and raised its head.

Then, in a smoother, deeper voice, it said:

"Then you’re ready... to see what should never be seen. To know what even dragons have forgotten."

Alice whispered under her breath,

"If he says we have to pass some kind of test, I swear I’m going home."

Fayra stepped closer.

"Just tell us. We’re ready."

The figure pulled down its hood.

They all took a step back.

Its eyes glowed violet, like polished amethyst. Its skin was light blue, glowing with ancient symbols that shimmered across its face. It wasn’t human. It wasn’t dragon. It was something else. Something beyond both.

And then... with a strange, calm smile, it said:

"I am the Keeper of Knowledge. My name is Nir’val. You’ve come seeking truth... But remember this—every truth comes with a price."

Ethan’s sword lit up the darkness, glowing like a green flame licking the walls of the underground library.

Nir’val didn’t move at all—like he’d been expecting it.

The sword hit the ground right in front of him.

But instead of exploding or triggering an attack, a circle of light spread out beneath his feet.

Fayra rushed forward and grabbed Ethan’s arm.

"Are you out of your mind?! We were trying to open a path, not slice the library guardian in half!"

Selena laughed.

"Well hey, maybe splitting the whole library in half is the way forward. Who knows?"

Alice, eyes wide and stunned, muttered:

"No... the sword. It’s still... shaking. It’s talking to him."

She wasn’t wrong. The glow hadn’t faded.

And now, there was a high, whispery voice only Ethan could hear.

A woman’s voice... echoing in his mind:

"You’ve released the guardian... now it’s time to know yourself."

Nir’val slowly got down on one knee, pulled the sword from the ground, and held it out to Ethan.

"Don’t take this from me... You were its owner from the start."

Silence.

Then Luna, with a nervous little laugh, said:

"So... if this was some royal play, now would be the part where someone dances. Or maybe a monster crashes in from the ceiling."

Immediately, the sound of stone cracking echoed from above.

Selena mumbled:

"Seriously?! Luna, can you please stop talking for, like, five seconds?"

From the ceiling, a massive creature dropped.

Its body looked like a rhino—only covered in old, rusted metal plates.

Eyes made of red gemstones.

And a mouth full of dagger-like teeth.

Fayra stepped forward, her hands starting to glow.

"Alright, sweetheart... I was dying to burn something today anyway."

But just before she could unleash her spell, Ethan lifted the sword again. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

His body moved in this weird, graceful way—almost like a half-conscious dance.

It was clear: the sword was guiding him.

With one smooth swing, he didn’t just stop the monster...

The wall behind it melted—and behind that wall, a hidden door revealed itself.

Alice stared, shocked.

"That sword... it’s not just a weapon. It’s a key."

Nir’val lowered his head.

"A key to doors that should never be opened... But now, it’s too late to turn back."

Luna grinned.

"Cool, cool. Just tell me—do we get tea and snacks afterward? I’d rather not face death on an empty stomach."

Selena whispered:

"Death? Girl, with the monsters we’re running into, this is just the opening act."

Fayra glanced at the map, then looked toward the new doorway.

"This part... wasn’t on the map. But it feels familiar. Might be a secret way to the central chamber."

Ethan let out a breath.

The sword was calm in his hand now.

But in his eyes—something had changed.

A sharpness. A choice.

"Let’s go."

No one said a word.

They just followed behind him—each of them ready to face whatever truths were waiting behind that hidden door.