The grand doors of the royal library creaked open as Naofumi, alongside the other three summoned heroes, entered the vast, towering hall. Rows of shelves stretched into the distance, filled with countless books and ancient tomes, some so old that their covers looked almost as fragile as paper. The room smelled of parchment, dust, and age, a place where knowledge had been preserved for centuries.

Queen Mirelia, a commanding presence, stood at the front of the group, her regal demeanor a sharp contrast to the disheveled appearance of the Shield Hero. The other heroes, still clothed in their foreign, somewhat mismatched gear, whispered amongst themselves, still adjusting to this strange new world.

“I trust you all understand the importance of this meeting,” the Queen began, her voice carrying through the vast space. “Within these walls are records that may hold answers about the Waves and the true nature of your weapons. Seek knowledge, and you may find the key to your victory.”

Naofumi stood back, arms crossed in his usual defensive posture. He wasn’t particularly interested in the Queen’s speeches. After all, the other heroes had been nothing but trouble, and he had learned to trust few. His attention was drawn to the shelves, however, as something seemed to catch his eye—a particular shelf that seemed out of place, much more worn than the others.

While the others scattered, examining various texts, Naofumi moved closer to the shelf. As he carefully brushed away layers of dust, an old leather-bound tome caught his attention. The spine was etched with a strange symbol, one that seemed to be familiar, yet distant in his memory. Intrigued, Naofumi pulled the book from the shelf, feeling a slight tingle pass through his fingers as if the book were alive in some way.