He also said such things. Though he didn’t want to listen to him.
Enlike then recalled Kachua’s just before he shot the great lightning that tore through the heavens. That expression of accepting his own death and still being convinced of victory.
“…No.”
Enlike muttered. Heaven was no delusion; no human would make such a face for a delusion. Kachua had been convinced. Heaven definitely existed somewhere.
“You’re wrong, Mirepoc.”
Enlike stood up. Finally finding an opponent, he smiled for the first time in a long while. However, that smile was on the border of sanity and madness.
“Heaven… does exist.”
The surrounding people shook their chairs to get away from him.
A year passed since then.
Walking through the roads of Past God Island Bantorra, Enlike was heading for the Library. A carefree voice suddenly called out to him.
“…Hey, do you have a moment? That bad-looking person over there.”
A woman wearing nightclothes in her sandals talked to him. Quite the reunion, thought Enlike as he looked at her. It’s been a long time, he almost said, but it stuck in his throat.
The one standing there was Olivia Littolet. She was the one who ran away from Hamyuts and fooled Mattalast – that Olivia Littolet.
“Did something happen? It’s terribly noisy, so is there some slasher on the loose or something?”
Olivia said in an easygoing tone. Having lost her memories, she was now no more than a normal citizen.
“Do you not know the sound of these bells, miss tailor?”
There were plenty of other people who jumped off at hearing the bells. They all looked at Olivia with strange eyes. She was the only one there to not understand the situation.
“Bells? Yeah, I’ve heard them before. What of them?”
“They’re Bantorra’s bells.”
“What about it? Uh, so cold…”
Olivia rubbed her pajama-clad arms while sneezing.
“You don’t know?”
“I only recently started living here so I dunno.”
The always-silent Enlike began explaining as Olivia started sniffing inelegantly.
“They’re the bells that signify an emergency of the highest degree. They’re summoning all of the Armed Librarians to gather with the highest priority.”
Olivia, sleepy thus far, widened her eyes for the first time.
“That’s not good. Did something happen?”
“I don’t know. I just saw the Armed Librarians running around.”
Olivia leaned her chin on her hand and thought for a while.
“Maybe it’s that…”
“What is it?”
Enlike asked back. People started flocking around Olivia. Everyone wanted some information, even mere rumors.
“A while ago I’ve talked with Hamyuts. She said that she has some enemy.”
“…What does that mean?”
Enlike inquired.
“It was about two weeks ago. She told me there was some unknown enemy after her, wondered who that was, said she didn’t know where they would come from, stuff like that. It might be them.”
The townspeople started clamoring. Enlike also started thinking. Who was the enemy Hamyuts said was targeting her?
“No, that’s probably not it.”
Enlike briefly denied it.
An unknown enemy targeting Hamyuts would probably be the person who’s inherited the Violet Wish. And that unknown factor was right there: it was Enlike.
Eight months ago he had succeeded the Violet Wish from Olivia. That’s why he was here right now, targeting the Armed Librarians.
“Why not? Or rather, who’re you?”
Olivia looked doubtful.
“It’s bothersome to explain. I’m going.”
Saying that, Enlike passed by Olivia.
“Miss tailor, what did you mean just now?”
“Are you acquainted with the Director?”
The people around started talking with Olivia one after another. She was being pressed for a response. Enlike left the area.
It happened nine months ago.
Enlike decided on fighting against Heaven, but his road was full of difficulties. After all, he had no way of knowing what exactly Heaven was, where it was located, and whether it actually existed.
He didn’t even know the location of his enemy; thus started Enlike’s desperate fight.
No, calling it a fight would be too comical. Enlike could only roam around searching for clues.
At that time, a change occurred at a certain town in the Ismo Republic. A man spoke to Enlike. This happened in some bar at the slums.
He was an ill-bred man. He was armed with a gun and a flashy knife, but he could see he was an amateur in fighting at a glance. The man curtly pulled out a photograph.
“Do you know this woman?”
Enlike widened his eyes. He remembered her clearly. She was the woman sheltered by the Armed Librarians, Renas Fleur.
He heard that she was taken by the man called Volken and died. However, Enlike met up with her before she was taken away. At the time she introduced herself as Olivia Littolet.
Why was he looking for that woman? Was she even alive? Who are those people looking for her?
He had trouble not letting his doubts and agitation show up on his face. Luckily the other man seemed thick-headed and so he probably didn’t notice any of that.
“I’m not sure if I have or haven’t seen her…”
Hearing Enlike’s vague answer, the man clicked his tongue and put the photo away.
“Wait, why are you looking for that woman?”
Enlike persisted. He might be able to get some sort of clue out of that.
“It has nothing to do with you. She’s just some geezer’s lover who’s run away or something.”
He probably really didn’t know the reason. Although he was someone’s pawn, he was a mere underling.
“Will you let me help? I’m in a bit need of money.”
“Who cares. Go fish up the trash.”
“…Do you still not need me?”
Saying this, Enlike pinched the edge of the table and broke it. He then grasped the fragments, turning them to fine dust.
“Are you a Magic User?”
“I’m somewhat skilled. I don’t think you have anything to lose by letting me join.”
The man changed his behavior and drew closer to Enlike.
“Then you should’ve told me this earlier. We will welcome you.”
The man told him his affiliation. He made it very exaggerated, but it was a poor gang in this town. Enlike gave them a fake name and joined them.
At the time he didn’t think it would become much of a clue. But anything that related to the Indulging God Cult was fine. He only noticed that he stumbled upon something outrageous after having found Olivia.
A month later, the search for Olivia proceeded slowly. They already found out the city she inhabited. Next they just had to find her and report to their employer.
“Mister, has your face been changing lately?”
Asked the thug accompanying him as they walked around the town. Enlike’s face was continually changing at that time. There were signs of this change ever since the end of last year, but recently his face became completely different than Zatoh’s.
“Yeah, well, but don’t mind it. It isn’t a big deal.”
The thug shrugged, thinking it weird.
“I don’t really get people who use Magic.”
During that month Enlike was able to find who the employer of these thugs was. They were probably mercenaries paid by Mattalast. He once happened to hear about him hiring such people.
But why was Mattalast pursuing Olivia? Hamyuts was the one supposed to have announced her dead.
What was their reason for hiding her survival and pursuing her from the shadows? Enlike became interested.
Then, at a corner of that tow
n… Enlike noticed a woman polishing shoes.
It was Olivia, or perhaps Renas. The thug alongside him hasn’t noticed her. Enlike softly stretched his fingers to his neck and released a small, small lightning.
“H-hey, what’s wrong?”
The thug collapsed. Enlike supported him while pretending to be flustered. Since he shot him with the minimal amount of power, there would probably be no wounds. Everyone would just think that he had suddenly fainted.
Enlike laid him on a bench and left the spot.
Feeling suspicious, Olivia stopped her shoe-polishing and ran away. Enlike chased after her and caught up to her in a back alley.
“It’s been a while, are you Renas Fleur? Or are you Olivia Littolet?”
No matter who she was, she pulled a knife out of her pocket and threatened Enlike like an angered cat. That means it’s probably Olivia, thought Enlike.
“…Wait, I’m not your enemy. Please listen to me, Olivia.”
“Shut up. Are you with Hamyuts or from the Indulging God Cult?”
“Neither. Just calm down. Do you remember me? We met once when you were with Volken.”
Saying so, Enlike produced a small bolt lightning in his hand. Olivia searched her memory for a while and then stared at him in shock.
“Are you Enlike Bishile? Your face is completely different…”
Olivia still not lowered her guard. She probably thought that he was working under Mattalast.
“Calm down. I didn’t come here to capture you. I came to talk with you.”
“…What?”
“Why are you pursued by Mattalast?”
Olivia and Enlike gazed at each other for a while. Finally she lowered her knife and sighed.
“In the meantime let’s eat something before talking. A lot happened so I’m tired.”
“…I see. Let’s go somewhere.”
At a cheap restaurant, Olivia finished a steak for two people. It seemed like she really was tired and hungry. Enlike was the one to pay; he had no shortage of cash at the moment.
During that time, Enlike went to wake up the collapsed thug and sent him back home. He obviously did not tell him about Olivia.
The pair spoke about their circumstances in the slums where Olivia was lodging in.
“…And that’s what happened with me.”
Enlike was the first to explain. He told her that despite having defeated the Indulging God Cult he was still looking for Heaven. Searching for clues, he joined in the hunt for Olivia.
“I will trust you for now.”
Olivia said. Enlike was somewhat relieved.
“Why do you so readily believe me?”
“Because you have no need to lie. If you were my enemy you would have killed me in a split second.”
Olivia smiled with a tired face. When he saw it, he was more interested in what happened to her. He could no longer see any trace of her brazen composure.
“On the contrary, I’m worried if you will believe me. Because it’s all too crazy. So much that even I can’t believe it.”
“Just talk for now.”
Olivia spoke for a long time. She first told him of how she had met Vend Ruga as a child. Next came the period she was on the Indulging God Cult’s ship. Finally she reached how she was robbed of her memories and how she changed to Renas Fleur.
“…This is quite the story even so far.”
Olivia said and smiled. Enlike himself had also led a fierce, outrageous life. He thought that Olivia’s life rivaled his.
“There’s still more. The true fun only begins now.”
Olivia’s battle still continued: the retrieval of her memories; her meeting with Volken; and then came the fight against Hamyuts, concluding in her survival.
And finally, her meeting with Lascall Othello, as well as him telling her about the Violet Wish.
“…Regarding the last thing Lascall said, even I’m not sure if it was just a delusion. Because all of that is completely crazy and ridiculous. Do you believe me, Enlike-kun?”
Enlike held his mouth and sank into silence for a while.
“What’s wrong, Enlike-kun?”
“I… believe. He introduced himself as Lascall Othello, right?”
“Yeah. I’m not really sure but he was a strange brat.”
“Then I believe you. If it’s really Lascall Othello.”
Enlike also had a deep connection to Lascall. Zatoh was given Enlike’s Book by him and he brought Enlike the Books of Qumola and Noloty. He couldn’t tell if he was an ally or an enemy to the Indulging God Cult, but there was no doubt he was an existence related to the very core of the secrets.
That Lascall had said clearly – Heaven existed. That truth appeared accompanied with the proof called Olivia.
Enlike couldn’t really understand if he was feeling anger or joy. He simply got goosebumps and his fingers trembled. His battle finally started. Thinking of that made his skin shiver.
On top of that, he was able to gain yet another clue.
The sole method of destroying Heaven – the Violet Wish.
“Today’s been quite the day…”
Enlike smiled. He found an enemy to fight and a way of fighting them both at the same time.
“That’s a nice smile, Enlike-kun. I will entrust this fight to you.”
“Is there anyone but me?”
“True. There’s no one else.”
Saying so, they both laughed.
That evening, Enlike lodged with Olivia. On paper he was supposed to have been pursuing her, so they couldn’t loiter around together outside.
“Just what is Heaven?”
Enlike said. They both sat side by side on the one-person bed. Enlike was sitting near the pillow while Olivia sat cross-legs on the other side. Enlike started talking.
“The following is what I know right now. Heaven is a place that accumulates the Books of happy people. The Armed Librarians created the Indulging God Cult to produce those Books. They both cooperate to preserve the secret. But for what?”
“Who knows, I haven’t the slightest idea.”
Olivia shrugged.
“All I know is that the Armed Librarians and Indulging God Cult are birds of a feather. It means they’re the ones who’ve caught us and ruined our lives.”
“Why are they protecting the secret of Heaven? What does it exist for?”
Enlike kept thinking earnestly.
“That’s obvious. They’re the same as the Indulging God Cult. They want to go to Heaven after they die. That’s all.”
Olivia said.
“Is that so… I personally don’t think so.”
“Why?”
“While these guys are villains, some part of them is pure. They would stop at nothing to accomplish their goals, but they’re definitely not self-interested or desired. They only think of fulfilling their duty.
Hamyuts Meseta is an exception, but she is also unselfish other than in battle.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ve been involved with the Armed Librarians for a while. So I know.
Their strength ultimately lies in their sense of duty and responsibility. This is the strength that the Indulging God Cult lacks and the Armed Librarians possess.
If their only goal was self-interest, the Armed Librarians would’ve been a much weaker organization.”
“…And what of it?”
“Protecting Heaven is not out of self-interest. Because it is their duty which must be fulfilled. I don’t know the circumstances that led to this, though.”
“Is that what you think? I have no idea.”
“Yeah.”
Enlike was also involved with the positive parts of the Armed Librarians, while Olivia only saw the negative parts. Since their viewpoints were different they would reach different conclusions. Right now they had no idea who was right.
“Anyway, about the identity of Heaven. If we don’t understand it we won’t be able to fight.”
Olivia shook her head to the
side.
“Our survival comes first. We cannot fight if we don’t live.”
That’s true, Enlike reconsidered.
Part 2
From then on, the two started refining their plans.
“You have some connection to the Armed Librarians. Can you go back to Bantorra and find information?”
Enlike shook his head.
“I can’t. If you were caught or if they found your Book Hamyuts would target me.”
“…Do you think you can win even so?”
“Impossible. I can’t win from the front.”
This was Enlike’s rational conclusion.
He couldn’t possibly defeat Hamyuts. Even if he fought against Mattalast he would barely be able to reach a draw. There were still also Yukizona and Bonbo.
Even something like the lightning from the skies that he used to defeat Kachua wouldn’t work against that class of opponents. It took about thirty seconds to activate and couldn’t be used unless the sky had rain clouds.
“I might be able to bring down several people with me. But that’s meaningless… we have to be able to reach the secret after that.
Also, if they notice us it’s all over.”
“Meaning we need to conceal your very existence. Both the fact that you’ve met me and that you intend on fighting against Heaven.”
“Yes, but is it possible?”
“Let’s think of a way that makes it possible.”
The two conversed for several hours. Enlike was no good at deceit; most of the plan came from Olivia.
“So you’re going to deceive Mattalast and erase your memories to conceal me, huh.”
This strategy was like treading on thin ice. Even Olivia who proposed this had no confidence it will work. Yet she couldn’t think of anything else.
“Don’t be disappointed even if I lose.”
“Fine.”
Enlike nodded. Even if she loses, it will at least buy them some time. That would be good enough.
“I would only be able to buy you some time. Afterward I will leave everything to you. If you can’t do it as well, pass it along to someone else. The will and method to defeat Heaven… as long as they are not interrupted, we will win some day.”
“…Got it. And if I’m killed and you’re still alive, you pass it along to someone.”
“Seems like a fat chance, but I’ll try.”
Tatakau Shisho - Volume 08 Page 2