On any other day, one might have marveled at the library's beauty. But today, there was no time for admiration. The grandeur of the frescoes, the exquisite marble sculptures, and the jewel-encrusted ornaments that adorned every corner failed to capture anyone's attention.
Bookshelves stretched from the floor to the ceiling, with tall ladders fixed to allow access to the highest shelves. Each book housed here was either bought for an extravagant price or looted from elsewhere. This space, which had always been a haven for taking from others, had now become the target of pillage.
Members of the expedition tore through the library like ravenous beasts. The emperor's bedroom, study, and reception hall had already been stripped clean. Now, they clambered up ladders and overturned shelves with abandon, sending clouds of dust billowing into the air.
