Tome of Trouble

A/N: Don't ask where this come from. It suddenly popped in my mind when I replayed Suikoden 2, and recruited Hoi some while ago. Slight references to S V.

"As I said, once again, I'm not a thief!"

"Sorry, sir, but we're here to guard against anyone suspicious."

"HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THAT ALHAZRED, THE LEGENDARY TOME COLLECTOR IS COMING?"

"Not even a word, sir. "

Hoi watched the battle from the window, grinned. It became more interesting each times a sentence is exchanged. The young soldier remains composed while the older guy looked like a bomb waiting to explode. He has been sitting for an hour, totally forgetting his original intention to eat.

The old man introduced himself as 'Alhazrt' or whatever, he forgot, and a legendary tome collector. He honestly doesn't know what make tons of old books so interesting, for that old man tried so hard. His appearance is odd. He assumed that's why the guards decided to interrogate him.

"How dare you to label me with some lowlife thugs?"

"Okay, I'm bored, old man. Just say, what do you want in this castle?"

"I see youngsters nowadays have no respect at all to the elder." He sighed.

"Anyway, is your leader present? I seek for old books, rare tomes, and manuscripts. If you happen to have one here, let me buy it, no worry for the prices. I will pay just how much you want."

Hoi's jaw dropped at the end of his sentences. I will pay just how much you want. It danced in his mind merrily. He never expect those boring bundles of rotten papers are equal to a luxury life. He pressed his ear against the window pane, hoping to hear more.

"No. Lord Riou was going out two hours ago. Books? I don't think we have anything aside of those ordinaries in the library. Not that I visit it often, too." He scratched the back of his head. Alhazred's smile rose." So you did have a library here. Tell me, who's in charge?" his eye pierced through his frail glasses. "I guess it's Emilia… but I really don't think she will sell any of her books to anyone…"

He doesn't hear the rest, as the old man whispered something in joy. It's good enough for Hoi. Now, wasn't Riou just welcomed the librarian girl to the army? And the rumors floating around said he collected several books he stumbled into?

Great. Right when he thought of a way to pay his meal to Leona. She could be really scary if she finds any tab overdue. He flinched as he remembered the last time he was caught. He ran outside. Ever since they build a library, he never considers to pay a visit. Afterall, he never has any concern to books, until now.

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"I won't go for long. Watch the library for me, remember, no one allowed to the back chamber except…"

"..The authorities. Understood, Ma'am. Enjoy your lunch."

"Thank you."

Emilia left the library with a dozen of books in her clutches. Usually she would spend her day in the library, and wouldn't bother to go out since Leona's subordinates would fetch her lunch. However, there was constants advice from both Nanami and their leader Lord Riou, that she needs to walk under the sunlight more often. She admits she likes it. Maybe even second after her love to books.

Lord Riou had handed her a series of old books when she joined. She took sweet time to read them, and currently still on the 365th page of "Arts of Trade". She planned to reindex the books when she has time. This castle really need a librarian, she smiled.

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"Where that soon-to-be gold hidden? Hoi looked up and down the shelf. He had no idea that the library is this huge. A help from a librarian assistant is impossible too. Hoi wouldn't want to spend a night in underground cell again. "Where's those damn thing, huh?" he thought eagerly.

"Where's Lady Emilia, by any chance?" A brown haired woman asks her friend, which he recognized as one of the librarian's assistants.

"She's not here, I'm afraid. Anything I can help?" she replied.

"Lord Riou said there was more books n his disposal. He will drop by soon."

"I see. I will pass on the message."

That's it. His eyes narrowed. He explored the library further, burying his body between the shadows of the bookshelf; preparing for more eavesdropping needs.

"Ouch!" he rubbed his nose. He crashed to a grand door in front of the staircase. "Who's that idiot, place a door here?" Then a thought stormed into his head. This must be the room they talked about. Slowly but surely, he knocked on the door.

"What are you doing here, sir?"

Hoi jumped in shock. No one call him 'sir' anyway. He regained his composure as he nervously laughing." I- I love reading, and I lack reading materials right now. I assumed there must be more books in this room." Emilia's assistant arched her eyebrows. She spends her day and night in the library, and never sees his feature around. She let out a simple smile." I am sorry sir, only the authorities are allowed to pass this point. This is the order from Lady Emilia herself." Hoi stood dumbfounded." Authorities? You mean the librarians?" He hid his uneasiness." I suppose you could say that. But it also consist of Lord Riou, Sir Shu, Sir Flik, Sir Humphrey, and some other…" she think for a minute."…Upper class soldiers." She finished her statement. Not exactly sure about her last line, though.

Hoi held out his tonfa, rather feel underestimated. Although he was an infamous thief, but he had his confidence in his skills. Quick and accurate, as he said, though another people call it 'pickpocket'.

"Well, lady, I'm also one of his personal recruits. One of… uh...108… sun…err...stars. Umm…" What else that arrogant blonde boy said earlier? Guess next time I must listen more carefully when eavesdropping someone." The star of…I forget. Whatever, it means I have the right too."

She was uncertain what to do; Hoi demonstrated his 'fighting ability' in front of her. She prayed in silent, watching as his tonfa almost hit the nearby shelf in several occasions." Sir, I advise you to ask Lady Emilia in person. I have no right for this matter. Please? No weapon in the library."

She couldn't describe how glad she was when that head slightly nodded. He abruptly jogged down the hallway.

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