Chapter 2 (light novel 7)

Book of Wisdom II
Chapter 2 Episode 25: W is for Wonderland
Japanese Name	叡智の書II
Romanized Name	Eichi no Sho II
Volume	7
Release Date	December, 2010 (The Sneaker)
Pages	59
Adaptation	Chapter 11 (manga)

"Book of Wisdom II" is the 2nd chapter of The Mystic Archives of Dantalian light novel, volume 7. It's divided into six parts and contains two illustrations. The chapter is labeled as Episode 25 in the story line. It's a sequel to the Book of Wisdom story.

A letter was sent to the Black Biblioprincess. While investigating the case, Hugh and Dalian learn about an experiment involving the government and a young girl called Charlotte.

Summary

A couple is sitting in a corner of a coffee shop. It's a crowded weekend. The thin woman discreetly asks the middle-aged man for the report. Her face is hidden by a hat. She discusses about a technical paper containing a plan capable of threatening the country. Professors couldn’t fully understand its content. The woman shows an expression that reveals a murderous intent. She receives a paper bag from the man. Inside it there is a small semi-automatic pistol. The man tells her to stop the plan, before leaving the coffee shop and disappearing into the crowd.

Part 1

Dalian asks four crepes.

Colorful stalls are lining a street of an old and crowded city next to the sea, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. The place has a beautiful landscape, with many castles and sanctuaries. Dalian is arguing with a shopkeeper. The man won't believe that she will eat four crepes. Hugh ensures that they will eat everything. Dalian affirms that her genius brain requires a lot of sugar. Looking at a heavily secured, old castle hotel, Hugh asks if she had forgot their purpose there. Dalian sits on a flower bed to eat the crepes.

She stops when a childish voice is heard singing. It’s a young, slim person wearing a thin cotton dress. The barefoot woman smiles to Hugh and draws the attention of everyone around. She sings and wishfully stares at Dalian’s crepes, putting her in a bad mood. The woman eventually receives a crepe and introduces herself as Charlotte. She lets off an innocent laugh when a young man wearing a beret appears. Eric is Charlotte’s friend. The girl hugs Dalian, also considering her a friend. Dalian protests, but Charlotte is stronger. Dalian screams when one of the crepes falls on the ground. Eric affirms that they should go, since Charlotte’s parents must be worried about her. Charlotte eats the crepe. Dalian, in anger, prepares to raise her voice, but she is interrupted by a loud call from a rich, middle-aged man. Charlotte's father is holding a walking stick like a weapon. He beats Eric badly. Charlotte stops them. Her father was punishing Eric for taking her. Mr. Edgecumbe throws some coins to pay for Eric's treatment. The man drags his daughter by the wrist, bringing her to a heavy car for military use. Hugh sees an old acquaintance inside a second car. He wonders what Norman is planning.

Part 2

Hugh is lending a shoulder to Eric, recommending a doctor. Eric had been beaten. He lives in the old part of the city. Eric had involved Hugh and Dalian in trouble. As exchange, he will accommodate both, since there are no hotel rooms available around the city. The place is crowded because of a conference. The government had collected a large number of scientists to start an experiment. Inside Eric’s house, Dalian complains about the smell of painting. He’s an art student, although he is absent from university because of Charlotte. She’s been like a sister to Eric, acting the same since their childhoods. He sees her as a non-ordinary person, pure and kind. He shows an incredible painting she made. Eric started his studies to make art like Charlotte. Nonetheless, he is happy as long as Charlotte is happy. However, he is worried about her.

Dalian, who was silent until now, shows a scientific article and asks how Charlotte is associated with it. Charlotte wrote something that caused a huge response among academic societies. Eric affirms that Charlotte changed one and a half years ago. She would show extreme intelligence, writing papers, conducting experiments and even negotiating with the government. It's difficult to believe that the childish girl they met can be so smart. Eric had released Charlotte from her twenty-four hour security, but now she was back to continue a research payed by army officers. The government had reserved a hotel to guard her. Dalian questions what caused Charlotte to change. She suggests that a book affected her. Dalian had a letter with a childish handwriting, mentioning someone with a book. Eric remembers about a book Charlotte had. He shows Charlotte’s sketchbook. It had simple drawings, including one of a book placed on Charlotte’s lap. Hugh and Dalian confirm that Charlotte has read the Book of Wisdom.

Part 3

The castle is illuminated by moonlight. Once a fortress, now it's the symbol of the city, a touristic destination. Armed men are patrolling, making the atmosphere heavy. Charlotte is writing in a room of a small tower guarded by a female soldier. Charlotte welcomes Hugh and Dalian with a smile. She had been waiting for the Black Biblioprincess and her key-keeper. Hugh had used a Phantom Book to go unnoticed. Charlotte is wearing a black dress and holding the Book of Wisdom. She will have sharp intelligence as long as she has the Phantom Book in hands. She talks as a mature scientist, although she still has her innocent face. Charlotte reveals herself as the person who sent the letter to Dalian. Hugh remembers about the wise kids affected by the Book of Wisdom. Contrary to that case, apparently Charlotte has a plan for her powers. Suddenly, a servant known as Cecy enters the room and calls for reinforcements after seeing Hugh and Dalian. They are surrounded by armed soldiers.

Charlotte tries to stop them, saying that they are her guests. A tall man lets off an ironic laugh while adjusting his glasses, emanating a cold atmosphere. Hugh and Dalian have seen the man before, during the day. Norman is an old acquaintance, indebted to Hugh’s father. Norman knows Dalian as the girl raised by Wesley. She bites his finger and hides behind Hugh when Norman tries to pat her head. Following his orders, the soldiers put their guns down. Norman used to be part of the Interior Ministry. Right now, he's working for the Defense Committee, directly under the Prime Minister. Hugh can't ask for more information or Norman will have to apprehend them. Hugh asks for a car to the city. Norman arranges a car to the main gate. Charlotte asks Hugh and Dalian to come again tomorrow, at noon. Norman agrees. She affirms that they will see snow, which is unexpectedly during that season. While leaving the castle, Hugh hears Charlotte singing.

Part 4

Hugh confronts an international agent.

Hugh and Dalian are back to Eric’s place. He should be waiting for them, but all the lights are off. Hugh finds Eric tied up on the floor, unable to speak. Hugh grabs a bottle and throws it. The recipient shatters when it reaches the ceiling. It releases an oil solvent. The chemical affects the visibility of a man who's hiding behind Eric's desk. The man cannot aim with his semi-automatic handgun. Hugh kicks the weapon from his hand. Hugh steps on the man and points his own gun. The man tried to use Eric as a decoy to obtain information. Hugh reveals himself as a former pilot.

The man is an agent of another country. He wanted to spy on Charlotte. According to him, the girl was taken by the Army to develop a device capable of controlling the weather. The technology can change the wind, saving lives from natural disasters. However, when built with military purposes, the machine is a dangerous strategic weapon. Shocked, Hugh looks away, allowing the man to grab a grenade. He's prepared to remove the pin, but someone shoots his hand. The man drops the grenade and is detained by soldiers. Norman has followed Hugh and Dalian. Sarcastically, Norman affirms that the experiment can save lives. Norman and his men leave the place with the restrained man. Norman shakes in fear after looking at Dalian. She checks if Eric is fine. He cries for Charlotte. One of her drawings shatters after hitting the floor. It's a touching art of a children innocently dancing and playing in the snow.

Part 5

The next day is sunny. It's difficult to believe that they will see snow. It means Charlotte will control temperature, humidity and atmosphere. The technology is an immeasurable threat as a weapon. Scientists, military officers and government men are gathering in the castle to see the experiment. In a festive mood, children are also waiting in a square next to the site. Dalian is disgusted by the chaos. With a sarcastic voice, Norman asks if she dislikes children. He steps back when she stares at him. Norman invited the nearby residents, following Charlotte's request. Soldiers are trying to catch the kids that are sneaking into the castle. A big military truck is carrying an awkward device. It seems an expensive machine, a combination of astronomical telescope and parabolic antenna that wouldn't be possible to build without the investment of the military. Electric power is supplied by a steam turbine. Engineers and scientists are consulting with Charlotte. Apparently, she's the only one capable of understanding the mechanism and principle of the device. She is wearing a white coat. Charlotte is looking for Eric. Hugh explains that he's suffering after learning that she's been developing a meteorological weapon. She reveals how her W Machine works. Many ancient civilizations were not destroyed by war or plagues, but by climate changes. The device can prevent that. Enigmatically, Charlotte affirms that she used the military and the system to fulfill her wishes. Dalian wonders what the W stands for.

They hear a gunshot. Eric was wounded while trying to stop the experiment. Soldiers are holding him. He argues with Charlotte's parents. Her father, the man with the walking stick, is using Charlotte for pride and profit. She tends to Eric, sadly smiling to her parents. She's about to start of the experiment, asking everyone to look at the sky. However, she's shot, falling on her back. Hugh draws his revolver. Dalian points to a woman at the old, small tower. Cecy was using a semi-automatic pistol, like the one carried by the man restrained last night. Shouting in despair, Eric runs to Charlotte. The blood from her left shoulder dyes her coat red. The assassin is trying to reach Charlotte to finish her mission, shooting the soldiers on her way. Hugh pulls the trigger and manages to shoot her weapon down. Cecy surrenders. Norman is worried, since only Charlotte is able to control the weather control machine. Charlotte’s father sees the state of his daughter. With a smile, she affirms that praises won't make her happy. It hurts seeing her parents fighting with Eric. She shows the Book of Wisdom. Before reading the book, she was not smart, but at least everyone was happy. To Norman, she affirms that a strong weapon will only cause more wars. He affirms that putting other countries in check is the only alternative to stop warfare. Charlotte suggests that smiling and laughing with your neighbors is also a solution. Finally, she explains that W stands for Wonderland. The beautiful sky diverts everyone’s attention from Charlotte.

Part 6

Hugh and Dalian have seen a similar image at Eric’s place. The device is playing Charlotte’s childish song like an organ. Colorful snowflakes in the form of Christmas’ decorations are falling, covering the whole city. The children are cheering, tasting the sweet-flavored snow. Eric and Charlotte are laughing. Her plan turned their childhood desires into reality. Everyone is smiling, including scientists, officers and soldiers. Having her wish fulfilled, Charlotte delivers the Book of Wisdom to Dalian. Norman’s failed experiment makes Hugh laugh. No one will be able to make a meteorological weapon from Charlotte’s dissertation. Norman affirms that Hugh’s father will enjoy that ending. Hugh's father hates the idea of entrusting the security of the country to the powers of Phantom Books. Norman orders the soldiers to discard all the materials. What occurred that day will only be known as a day of extraordinary weather. Dalian is angry, trying to collect all the sweet snow. People start to sing Charlotte’s cheerful song. Hugh also brings a snowflake to his mouth.