A Library

"Wasn't there supposed to be a small island in the lake?" Robin asked curiously as she walked to the bow.

"Mm, the island would have interfered with construction, so I removed it for now," Miming said. "Later, I'll build a floating kingdom for the children to play in."

"Isn't it a little early to be thinking about children?" Robin said with a smile. "Oh, right, Princess Vivi is still a child. But wasn't this lake supposed to be a gift for me?"

"That's right. I hope you like it." Miming gazed into the depths of the lake. The weather was simply too good today, with blue skies, white clouds, and brilliant sunshine. The water's surface reflected some of the light, making the scenery beneath the lake difficult to see clearly. A single oversight amid all that planning.

"I like everything you give me. If it really is a gift for me." Robin smiled teasingly, then suddenly froze.

Chopper had already cried out, "Huh? What's at the bottom of the lake?"

Kuina saw it too. "Ah, books. They're all books."

"It's true!" Chopper said. "There's a library at the bottom of the lake!"

Robin was stunned. As the boat moved farther into the lake, the shifting light revealed its true appearance in an instant. The lakebed was filled with books!

Massive sheets of crystal glass formed the entire lakebed, without even a visible seam. Inside stood rows upon rows of bookshelves, all packed with books. If the entire bottom of this enormous lake was filled with books, how many books were there?

Chopper said in awe, "It's so beautiful, like an ocean of books."

A lake unlike any other in the world—this was truly one of a kind, the crystal-clear Lake of Books.

A bead of sweat ran down Robin's forehead.