Down in the dingy basement of the Castle Library, a sliver of moonlight pierces the dusty windowpane, bathing the chipped wooden desk in silver. A loaded stack of books leans precariously to the side but never topples.
Three shadows stand side by side, gazing up at the dauntingly high bookshelves that loom over them: the soldier, the socialite, and the scholar.
"Back to where it all began…" Ezra declares proudly.
Laurel and Dakota cast their eyes up to the empty space on the very top shelf: where Count Caedis had stolen the book on the Six Sages that had started it all.
"What was it you wanted to show us?" Dakota inquires. "A patch of dust?"
"Lady Libra has written numerous research papers on Hyrule's history that were later compounded into full manuscripts and published as books." Ezra proceeds on his usual monologue. "The Six Sages: The Forgotten Saviours Of Our Time was perhaps her most recent, and the one that has been coveted by Caedis for obvious reasons. We sought relentlessly for access to this book, convincing ourselves that it was the sacred text that held all the answers. We were mistaken."
"What?" Laurel gasps at the prospect.
"If we had just turned our heads a little to the right…" the historian guides his finger along the bookshelf to an inconspicuous blue-bound edition. He plucks it from the shelf and reads the title: "'Four Champions'."
"Isn't that the story that Granny told us back at Laurel's old lady's place?" Dakota realises.
"'An often overlooked legend of Hyrule', as she aptly christened it." Ezra answers as he turns to the first page. "While Libra has published plenty of works in her lifetime, rarely has she penned a dedication to anyone. Her dedication to Her Majesty in The Six Sages reminded me of this particular, much earlier edition, where I recalled a similar dedication."
Instead of reading it himself, he presents the open page to the other two. Dakota takes the book in her hands and gasps:
To Caedis,
As a testament to your curiosity, determination, patience, and conviction, I dedicate this book to you. May you continue to embody all the best qualities of those who were entrusted with the duty of greatest honour, and consequently, paid the greatest price.
Your dear friend, Libra.
"Caedis and Libra were friends?" Laurel frowns.
"More than friends." Ezra adds. "They both served under the Princess's father as his Royal Courtiers. They were our previous incarnations!"
"And you think Libra went to go and visit him after all these years?"
"If you recall, she was invited." the scholar notes. "A little more than coincidental that the Count would choose to 'reconcile his differences' with Hyrule's greatest historian before he embarks on his conquest for the Sage Medallions, don't you think?"
"Ezra, you've done it again!" Laurel steps forward and congratulates him with a kiss on the cheek. "You've solved the biggest mystery of the past two months!"
"Two months later…" Dakota grumbles.
"Better late than never." Ezra smiles encouragingly. "And what's more: this book features a bonus publication on the location of the Fourth Champion's iconic but notorious mansion in the peaks!"
An open-mouthed Dakota looks to Laurel. The knight punches the air with triumph.
"We're paying the Count a surprise visit!" he announces. "For Libra! For Granny! For Ningan!"