Hadi Benotto announces major archaeological discoveries made at Dar-es-Balat on the planet of Rakis. He presents a storehouse containing a monumental collection of manuscripts inscribed on ridulian crystal paper, which are identified as the original journals of Leto II. The authenticity of these volumes is supported by the use of the Spacing Guild Key for translation and an ancient Ixian dictatel used for printing. Furthermore, the repository itself is recognized as a primitive Ixian no-room dating back to the historical epoch known as The Scattering.
Alongside the written manuscripts, the researchers discover actual oral recordings made by Leto II using the voice of his father, Paul-Muad Dib. These recordings are sent to the Bene Gesserit Archives for comparison and authentication. Benotto distributes translated excerpts printed on ordinary paper for economic reasons, explaining that the microscopic symbols of the originals require substantial magnification. He invites poet Rebeth Vreeb to read a passage aloud to demonstrate the unique literary style and personal voice captured in the translation.
The reading reveals introspective reflections from Leto II regarding his overwhelming burden of ancestral memories. He describes himself as a book of fate tormented by questions that trigger floods of vivid recollections from the past. He holds all historical threads and experiences every conceivable human emotion and event, from violent deaths to the simple joys of motherhood and childhood. Despite possessing this vast repository of knowledge, he reflects on the repetitive nature of these experiences and laments that they belong entirely to a bygone time.