Melita's Answer

The information Melita had revealed, and the possibilities behind it, made Gawain's breathing stop for an instant.

Melita noticed that brief reaction.

"Can you be more specific?" Gawain suppressed the turmoil in his heart, leaned forward, and asked with a grave expression, "How did they steal the knowledge, and from where? And why did that knowledge nearly destroy the future of the world?"

"The history of Chaos of the Counter-Tide is a rather sensitive subject among dragonkind. It is not an absolute taboo, but we almost never reveal it to outsiders," Melita said, narrowing her eyes slightly as though observing Gawain's reaction. "Setting that aside, you seem very concerned about this matter?"

Gawain knew his reaction just now might have been too pronounced, but he kept his expression under control and answered frankly, "Of course I'm concerned—The End of All Things used this book to create a disaster that nearly destroyed Ansu, and now the book has fallen into my hands. If this thing carries some ancient curse or power that drives people mad, then what we have to face will not merely be a matter of one or two casualties. And your dragons' tense attitude toward this book... has only made me more vigilant."

"You may rest assured on that point. It has nothing to do with curses or such powers. The most dangerous thing about it is knowledge itself," Melita said, shaking her head. "For certain reasons, dragons on outside assignments are forbidden from revealing the specific contents or origins of that knowledge to other races. But regarding Chaos of the Counter-Tide... I can offer you one sentence."

"What sentence?"

"A race steeped in spiritual ignorance must never possess material technology beyond its capabilities," Melita said solemnly. "Because they are slaves in both spirit and matter."

Gawain fell