Chapter 172
Chapter 172
The girl admitted irritably:
«This particular story might be far-fetched. But the rest of his exploits deserve respect beyond any doubt.»
Kyon sighed tiredly, covering part of his face with his hand.
«If the author, and in this case, as many as three, pulled the events out of thin air, you can’t trust them anymore. If a friend betrays you once, you don’t look for excuses to justify them but watch your back.» – He idly looked at the book in the girl’s hand. – «Staples of history by Nicholas Valentine you’re holding is just another invention of one of the three dirty liars. If you want to know the true story, you’d better read that plain book in the grey cover. It’s Grigory Zhirinovsky’s work about Richard’s exploits. After you read it, you might see the truth behind the fog of lies.»
The girl wanted to object, or at least ignore the boy’s words, but after a little hesitation, she had to agree with his idea about betrayal. She silently went to the shelf and took the book he had recommended her to read.
The boy’s behavior confused her. He had calmly, almost aggressively pushed his position, forcing her to give way in the dispute. No one had ever talked to her so disrespectfully, idly and without interest. He didn’t even look her in the eyes.
She should have put him in his place, but he kept to the point, his words made sense. The boy was no fool.
{Holy cow! Look at the fucking kid! Why is he so brave?!} – The four descendants of direct blood were stunned. They could not understand how the boy managed to start a conversation with her! The beautiful lady did not see his token. She was unaware of his status in the kingdom, and yet, she talked to him! She even followed his advice about the book she should read… Even though he’d been talking to her in an impudent, arrogant tone! How could it be?
It was gradually getting late.
The girl was getting and more surprised by what she was reading. She had a feeling the book wasn’t about the hero of the empire, but about a mediocre leader of a large army who a certain amount of personal strength and charisma. The previous three books about Richard turned out to be pure nonsense and a waste of time. If the annoying boy had advised her to change the book earlier, she would have spent her time more reasonably. He was good at history, but it didn’t impress her much.
Kyon put back another book he had finished reading, returned to his seat, and took out a couple of apples from the ring. As he started his lunch, he noticed out of the corner of his eyes the girl finishing the last page. Her beautiful face was perplexed.
«If you have any questions, I could spare a couple of minutes to tell you more about the generals.» – Kyon said casually, biting into an apple. The descendants of direct blood were speechless, stunned at his balls of steel.
The girl answered indifferently without taking her eyes off the page:
«I doubt you’re informed well enough. Be quiet, and don’t risk your life talking to me. I’m not interested in idle chatter with kids.» – In her opinion, he was just lucky to have read the right book. His good recommendation didn’t speak of his deep knowledge of history. She had made even more correct conclusions after reading the book than the boy in his time.
«Sounds like a challenge. Alright, tell me any page and line number, and I will tell you everything written there.» – Kyon suggested, looking at the dark-haired girl with a sly smile. He wanted to destroy her biased opinion of himself.
His casual familiarity annoyed the girl. Only the grave would correct idiots, anyway. As for his words… If she could laugh, she would laugh to tears. She had never heard more self-confident nonsense in all her life. Well, if he was asking for it, he could go ahead and mess things up. It would save her from the presence of this vexing child. A convenient excuse, so to speak.
«Page 100, line 3.» – She said after a long pause.
«With a powerful roar, the demons attacked the first army. The rumble of their footsteps created an earthquake that could destroy cities and countries…» – Kyon spoke eloquently, staring absently at the ceiling. – «…Richard gave the order to retreat, leaving the wounded behind. He had no other choice. It was his retribution for choosing the wrong strategy.»
The girl’s eyes were filled with disbelief as the boy was retelling everything word for word. He didn’t make a single mistake. Kyon seemed to be reading the book out loud. However, he had nothing in his hands but an apple.
«Enough. Page 205, the first line.» – The girl said with a straight face, turning over the pages.
«Richard’s power was overwhelming. The reinforcements arrived just in time…»
«Page 397, line 9.» – She interrupted him.
The four descendants of direct blood did not understand a thing. However, each of them could see confusion in the beautiful girl’s eyes. It was unbelievable! Did the jerk hit the mark?!
After about five questions, the girl made sure that the boy wasn’t messing with her, and there was no reason to punish him. Had he learned the whole book by heart? Then he was a complete idiot to stuff his head with meaningless information! She decided that it was either some sort of trick, or the boy was sick in the head. She’d better not talk to him at all.
«And then the general was recognized as a hero and got awarded…»
«Wrong.» – The girl said in an icy cold voice, releasing a chilling aura from her eyes to the smart ass boy. The fact that he had memorized the book spoke more of his incorrigible stupidity than of his knowledge in history. She had no intention to continue this farce. – «You can go on looking for pictures. Just turn the pages quieter. It’s a library, not a kindergarten. The conversation is over.»
«That’s how I read, leafing through the books and memorizing them in the process. I don’t need any pictures.» – Kyon objected, disappointed by her brazen lie.
«Nonsense! You can’t…» – One of the descendants of direct blood decided to butt in the conversation when suddenly her pressure washed over him. He instantly turned pale and nearly collapsed. His friends were shocked. They felt a bit of the pressure and realized it was better to be quiet and stay put.
The girl glared coldly at Kyon. She hated being lied straight to her face. Kyon’s “trick” nearly ruined his health, but this dirty lie was too much. The annoying bastard was asking to get killed.
The young lady reluctantly rose from her seat and picked up the first history book she came across. She decided not to make any decision ahead of time. She had to make sure that the liar was guilty as her uncle had taught her.
«I will have to punish you if you are lying.»
The icy voice of the beauty sent goosebumps down everyone’s spine. Death itself seemed to have settled in this quiet library. Someone might get killed soon… The girl was too scary! The descendants of direct blood cringed with fear and no longer dared to make a noise.
«Alexander Goodwin, volume 1, page 71, the fourth line.» – The girl said as if she were a judge reading a death sentence.
«Swords and armor made by dwarves were famous for qualities that non-humans had never seen…» – Kyon said calmly. Then he frowned. – «You know, I won’t prove anything to you if you dare to threaten me. I offered you help, but you probably don’t deserve it.» – Kyon gave the girl a derogatory look and continued to eat his apple in silence.
The descendants of direct blood were staggered by his arrogant words. Then they went into shock: the lady’s reaction revealed that the little snot had given the right answer!
The girl looked in the book in disbelief. His few words had completely coincided with the text! He didn’t lie! She was about to make a decision made to finish off the liar, but it would be a mistake. This weirdo could seriously memorize all the books he’d been flipping through! It sounded like some crazy nonsense! She was still standing with the open book, trying to see what’s the catch. It was impossible!
The beautiful lady had to admit that the world was full of nutcases. Then she had a sensible idea: maybe she should cooperate with him. It might save her time to find the necessary information. But she dismissed this idea. She was too proud for that.
His arrogant, sneering words could have been the last thing he ever said. His ignorance has saved him. He was unaware of who he was dealing with. Also, he had truth on his side. The young lady was really the first to threaten him after her hasty decision that he was lying brazenly. What is more, he had given her more or less useful advice.
Feeling a little pang of regret, the lady picked up another book and made herself comfortable at the table. Some expert advice wouldn’t hurt her. Her time was precious, after all… But she was too stubborn to talk to the wicked weirdo again.
She left the library late at night. The four descendants of direct blood took a deep breath and relaxed.
«I’ve never been so tense before… Gods, where did she come from?!»
«I have to find out her name… How can I talk to her? Any ideas, gentlemen?»
Arsen approached Kyon, his long face meat trouble. – «Be so kind as to introduce yourself.» – He wanted to find out who else had the first rank in the Stone family besides the high-born members. Anyway, Arsen had to show respect for Kyon even if he thought the boy was weak and insignificant.
«According to etiquette, you must introduce yourself first.» – Kyon said without looking at Arsen. – «But I don’t have to talk to scum like you.»
«What did you say?!» – Arsen barked. His friends scowled.
«Are you looking for trouble?» – Kyon asked dryly. – «If you get any closer, you will deal with the Stones tonight. Unless, of course, my guard outside kills you before that.»
«What… You…» – Arsen swallowed his words, choking on helplessness and rage. He gritted his teeth in silent fury, like the rest of his friends. The four guys looked like dogs on a short chain, yapping from around the corner.
«Don’t waste your time. Let’s go…» – Jeremy called him, waving his hand.
The four of them left the library, and Kyon continued reading, undisturbed.
At midnight the library closed and he had to leave. Kyon had the whole night ahead that he decided to spend on practicing a new isolation barrier and other techniques he had learned in his world. A few hours of sleep was more than enough.
At about one in the morning, he heard some creaking noise through the sound transmitter that Juno always had next to her.