Cameraman Never Dies-Chapter 68: Gereon actually says something useful

Judge had infiltrated the library without other’s knowledge ever since he could walk, but his grandfather caught him red-handed and provided him with books later.

Even after two years, he still has not finished even a single shelf from the place. They were gigantic, a single shelf was unrealistically long in terms of both length and width. He wondered if the dragons were really as stupid as many books spoke, since none of the dragons had said that their psyche was bad.

He could still remember his awe when he first saw the gigantic library with the ceiling so high, it seemed that it could almost touch the sky. A massive golden chandelier hung from the ceiling, brightening up the place. There were almost a thousand books contained on a shelf, and there were hundreds of shelves on the first floor.

Stein rolled on Judge’s bed, the velvet cushion was too soft to pass up. Meanwhile, Judge was busy dismantling a complex glove artifact. There was no catalyst on it so it was not functional, his father had told him to research it to learn more about material alchemy.

The bored Raphael wagged her long white tail which was previously hidden by her big gown. She had taken off the gown which she had to wear again at the party. She scanned through his collections.

There were many artifacts that were not functional and were just kept as a trophy. It was Judge’s prized collection, everyone thought so, but Judge did not care about them because he had already researched and documented their engineering.

It was not typical for a dragon to do... ’Research’, the mere thought would fill them with the urge to puke. The dragons, after all, were free creatures who did whatever they needed, their pride was unmatched.

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As Raphael’s gaze shifted from the shelf to the tea table to the grand, king sized bed that was definitely too big for a child. She went around like a curious child, turning on the bedside lamp, and tracing her fingers on the runes around the window sill.

Her eyes finally caught a bookshelf, it was made of wood and had a reddish brown hue, it was ornated with gold fittings and patterns. There were a lot of books inside it, both big and small, a particular one was what caught her attention.

It was termed ’Judge Drakonis’, she understood it was his diary. Even though she was curious, she put it back since she was taught that dragons value privacy a lot. But not before she tried to open it, curiosity kills the cat— and she was a cat, and she still lives.

She lived because it was not possible to open it, there were no visible locks, but it was locked. She tried her hardest to tear them open, but gave up after a few tries. "You need the key Raphael," Judge, who was watching all this, chuckled after she put it away.

Raphael pursed her lips as Stein came to her and caressed her head. "Come on Judge, Don’t laugh." He said as if he was not laughing himself, Raphael’s face was too cute to ignore.

"If you both have nothing else to do." Judge took out two artifacts, both looked the exact same, it was a black stone with three strokes of different colors. The middle one was white, the left one was red, and the right one was blue. "It is a functional artifact, you can draw things in the air, and change ink to any color shown on the surface."

"Wow, lemme see." Both of them rushed to get the artifact from him. "How do you use it?" Stein took the initiative.

"You would know when you give the artifact ether," Judge went back to his work, "Just remember that the writing would disperse after a while." He had only about an hour before the party started, so he had to make the most use of time and document his research on artifacts.

———

Gereon Drakonis sat in his office along with Erec Eldris, the king. To any outsider, it looked as if they were talking about diplomatic matters. But they were just reminiscing about old times.

Erec had changed out of his regal attire, it was unnecessarily over the top. "Gereon," His voice was calm and relaxed, "My eldest, Renald... He is getting worse by the day."

"Huh?! I thought he quit drinking."

"He did, for a little while, but he has started to pick it up again. And this time , he goes to brothels with his noble friends." He stroked his blue beard, "He’s even taken into gambling. You know I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen, and then I put him on house arrest, but the knights were easily bypassed."

Gereon slowly stood up after Erec had finished talking, he went to his drawer and took out a cigar, and put it between his teeth after swiftly chopping off the tip using ether, the cut piece fell down and was burnt to nothing. "You see, a cigar is harmful to each and every species. Yet each and every species uses it.

"Everyone uses it because it brings such bliss to you, and the cost for that bliss is your health. But even this cigar can’t kill you if you do not light it."

Erec looked at him, confused, it was unlike Gereon to give people proper guidance, since all he could ever do was be annoyingly sarcastic— extremely so. "What do you mean?" He swallowed his pride and asked.

"What I meant is that, this-" He took the cigar in his hands, "Has the ability to kill me, but as long as I do not light it, it cannot do anything. It’s the same thing with people, you can keep dangerous people, but make sure to not give a window of opportunity to outdo you."

The king nodded his head, somewhat understanding what he said. He started to see old Gereon in a new light, maybe he had a side like this too.

But it all shattered when Gereon lighted his cigar and puffed out a smoke, "Did you not just say that it was harmful?" The king let out an exasperated sigh.

"I said harmful, but why do you think I lighted it?"

"Why?"

"Because I have the absolute confidence that it cannot do anything to my body, it is like saying— try me" He laughed as he let out another puff.

"You are insane." The king took out another cigar from Gereon’s drawer and lit it.

———

Judge shifted uncomfortably in his navy blue tuxedo, coupled with a dark green vest, it was so dark that the green was faint but visible. His pocket watch was safely secured in his navy blue pants, and the golden chains were dangling out, connecting to his waist, but it was barely visible under the tuxedo.

The party hall was obviously big, it was grand with a high ceiling and three massive golden chandeliers hanging from it. A second floor balcony wrapped around the entire room, allowing the guests to watch the dance floor.

Judge was watching the place through a window, he checked his pocket watch frantically, and he waiting for something. He could feel the recorders who were wearing the masks he gave them.

The party was yet to start, but the place was bustling with people. A giant door with detailed carvings stood on one end, it was closed for the entry of the royal family.

He kept glancing at his golden watch, occasionally looking at the guests who were at the party, he was waiting for something to happen. Finally, he closed his watch, "It’s about time," he muttered.