Chapter Forty-Three: The Wizard at the Police Station

After finishing breakfast, dressing neatly, and double-checking Handel's letter of appointment, Mulan finally headed out with him. He was in no hurry to carry out the tasks inscribed on the parchment; although the document bore the red seals of both the Royal Palace and the Black Castle, there was no specific deadline. It seemed perfectly reasonable for Mulan to make a side trip to borrow a book.

The Black Castle’s library was not hard to find—it occupied the easternmost end of the castle grounds. The library was connected to a quiet street outside, making it a far less ominous exit than the castle’s main gate, which had an uncanny air no matter how one looked at it. Many people preferred to leave by way of the library. Handel, on the other hand, had entered through the west gate reserved for staff and laborers, which was said to be less foreboding—at least, that’s what Owen had mentioned yesterday, though Mulan had never seen it himself.

Upon entering the library, Mulan found it more crowded than any place he’d seen in the Black Castle so far. Just glancing at the reading tables in the main hall, he could see at least twenty or thirty people. The space still felt vast and open, but compared to wandering the halls for half a day and meeting only a single cleaner, this was a rare bustle indeed. Besides, it was certain there were more people in the restricted section, poring over forbidden tomes.

The moment Mulan arrived, the librarian recognized him instantly and bowed deeply.

“Good morning, Lord Johnston!”

It was the standard greeting of the Black Castle’s service department. The method for identifying service staff was simple—an exemplary employee could recognize nearly every mysterious resident of the Black Castle, even someone like Mulan who had only arrived a day earlier and whom they’d never met before. Of course, in most cases, this recognition extended only to faces.

“I’d like to borrow a book.”

“Of course, my lord. Will you be taking it with you or reading it here? The library’s rules state that certain banned series, such as the Resonance Sequence or the Book of Truth, may not be removed from the premises, as their loss could lead to contamination. Ordinary books may be taken freely, and only after three losses is compensation required. Nevertheless, please handle them with care—ordinary people reading them might suffer mental aberrations.”

Mulan’s eyebrow twitched. These books sounded rather dangerous—but he supposed he should be all right.

“I’d like to take a copy of The Book of Abundance with me.”

“Very well, please wait a moment.”

The librarian hurried off to the massive shelves, pulled out a thick, black-bound volume, and returned at a brisk pace to hand it over with both hands.

“Please keep it safe, my lord.”

No paperwork, no borrowing fee—this was an unspoken privilege.

“Thank you. I’d like to exit to the east.”

“Shall I show you the way?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Mulan politely declined the offer, nodded, and led the ever-silent and solemn Handel toward the library’s east side.

Unlike the wide main hall, the east wing quickly narrowed into a corridor that circled around most of the reading room and led to a small, old-fashioned lounge of fifty or sixty square meters. In the corner was a single narrow door.

Mulan glanced at his silent companion. “Handel, are you nervous?”

Handel relaxed a little. “Lord Johnston, there were so many people just now—many could be witches or worse. I was afraid of disturbing them while they read…”

“You’re worried about what might happen if you did?”

Handel managed an embarrassed smile. “Yes.”

“Come on, you’ll feel better outside.”

Mulan twisted the doorknob, hearing a sequence of clicks and a chime before the door opened. He walked out, Handel hurrying to keep up.

The street outside was quiet but not empty; the chill wind made everyone walk briskly. Mulan gazed at the grand building across the street, unable to suppress a sigh.

“I hadn’t realized before—the Black Castle’s library is right across from the Degaul National Library. That makes it convenient to find books not held in the castle’s collection. Let’s go.”

He strode ahead, opening The Book of Abundance as he walked. Although the term “Abundance” here referred to a stage above Reality, in this context it simply meant the richness of the book’s contents.

Strictly speaking, The Book of Abundance was the very first book every newcomer to the Black Castle was required to read—even those who were already powerful mystics. It was a guidebook, filled with theoretical descriptions and basic knowledge, and it also advised which known books were suitable for borrowing at each stage and along each branch of study.

Handel followed half a step behind, desperately curious to sneak a peek at the book in Mulan’s hands, but he restrained himself. After all, it might be dangerous—and he didn’t want to risk offending Lord Johnston.

At the end of the street, the wind picked up. Mulan pressed his hat down and hailed a carriage, ushering Handel inside with him.

When the carriage stopped, Mulan checked his pocket watch—twenty minutes had passed. Outside was the York District Police Station. Mulan was just about to pay the fare when he noticed Handel had already settled it.

Mulan’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was delighted. However, as soon as he entered the police station, he sensed something was amiss. Even in the entrance hall, he noticed a chill emanating from several officers.

Frowning, Mulan drew out the parchment and checked it again, then walked straight toward the chief inspector’s office. Not a single officer tried to stop him on the way—perhaps his calm demeanor, unhurried stride, and the impeccably dressed attendant at his side made them assume he was someone of importance.

The chief inspector’s office was on the second floor, the door standing open. Mulan paused at the threshold and knocked—three sharp raps—before stepping inside.

“And you are?” the inspector asked.

Mulan produced the parchment, unfolding only the lower half to reveal the royal and Black Castle seals.

“I am to serve temporarily as Special Officer to the York District Police Station. This is my appointment. I will require a private office.”

The inspector examined the parchment, slowly rose, confirming the royal seal but uncertain about the other, slightly blurred mark. As he read the letters and interpreted them in the appropriate style…

“Black… Castle?”

What kind of place was this Black Castle?

The inspector pondered for a moment, then his eyes widened in sudden realization as he looked up at the straight-backed Mulan. Tales and rumors crowded his mind—was this the infamous City of Shadows? The place where crows circled endlessly year-round?

A chill ran down the inspector’s spine, as if he could see the corpses impaled on the spires of the City of Shadows’ rooftops, crows eternally feasting on them.

Coupled with the royal seal, it was clear that some of the rumors were not baseless.

“Er… I am Chief Inspector Dawson—Dawson Grange. Uh, may I ask your name, sir?”

The inspector struggled to maintain his composure, but Mulan was warm and gracious, extending his hand with a smile.

“Mulan Johnston. A pleasure to meet you.”

The inspector hastily clasped Mulan’s hand, then suddenly thought better of it, releasing it quickly with an awkward yet polite smile.

“Lord Johnston, I’ll personally arrange an office for you—how about the one right next to mine?”

“I’d prefer something more private.”

“Yes, yes, of course—the room at the far end of the third floor. I’ll have someone prepare it immediately.”

Relieved, the inspector called out to a few officers to ready the office, mentally chiding himself for nearly making a blunder by suggesting his own neighbor.

“By the way, Chief Inspector, aside from routine cases, I’d like to receive reports on any important or difficult matters. I may intervene to assist as needed.”

“That would be wonderful!”

For the first time, a genuine smile broke across the inspector’s face.

It was said that the mysterious Black Castle was home to witches and wizards, and that dreadful monsters lurked within its walls. It was a place people feared—and now someone had actually been sent out from there.

“Headquarters mentioned recently that Her Majesty the Queen might send a special agent. I never imagined it would be you, Lord Johnston.”

“Chief Inspector Dawson, you needn’t be nervous. The Black Castle isn’t as terrifying as you think.”

Mulan could hardly keep from laughing. Just how dreadful, he wondered, were the rumors about the Black Castle in Degaul City?

Soon, the office was ready. It contained a large desk for Mulan and a small one for Handel. By the end of the day, word had spread throughout York District Police Station: a wizard may have joined the force!