By defeating these Guardian Beasts and putting everything under control, they should return to normal.
“Gamo-san, please take command.”
Hearing Mirepoc’s word, he regained his composure. He turned to her and asked for information.
“Rizzly, Mirepoc, what’s the current situation of the injured?”
“There are no dead among the trainees or normal librarians. The only one incapable of fighting is Tena, almost half of our forces are lightly injured, but they should have no problem to fight.”
“Enough people to fight.”
Gamo and Mirepoc nodded at each other.
Yeah. This wasn’t too much when compared to a year ago.
They can fight, and they can win. Thus Mirepoc believed.
Kyasariro’s escape, Mattalast’s condition, and more importantly, the impossible situation of the Guardian Beasts rampaging. Mirepoc suppressed her imminent anxiety and started moving again.
During that time, Kyasariro found herself at the park inside Bantorra Library. She somehow ended up there, absorbed in her escape.
There was no one around. The normal librarians ran outside the Library. All customers were also evacuated.
“W-what am I doing?”
She was panting heavily despite having run probably a kilometer at most. Kyasariro sank down on the lawn.
She even threw away all of her beloved guns. She was assaulted by a sudden anxiety and helplessness.
“…I-I have to go back.”
Kyasariro muttered. Yet her feet didn’t move. It wasn’t due to fatigue; a fear assaulting her mind paralyzed her feet.
“Why did I run away? I don’t get it. What’s going to happen?”
She tried organizing her thoughts. The Sixth Archive she fought in a short while ago… and the rampaging Guardian Beasts. The moment she thought of them, for some reason or another, memories started floating inside her mind.
Perhaps having some relevance to it, the face of her friend Olivia rose to her mind. Why did the face of her amiable friend cause her to feel guilt?
Next she thought of Mattalast. As well as something frightening coming out of his mouth. She had the feeling he had told her something, but she couldn’t remember it.
That fear was connected to the Guardian Beasts inside her head.
She was supposed to know what this meant but couldn’t remember. She didn’t know it but remembered it.
“My memory’s gone?”
Kyasariro muttered. Did someone use Argax on her? Or was she the one to make use of it?
“I remember…”
It happened just two weeks ago. Two days before the enjoyable party. She had been holding Argax.
She erased her own memories then. In order to escape from the terrible thing she had been told by Mattalast.
“Something… something is coming…”
Was that the rampage of the Guardian Beasts? No. It was something deeper. The true fear only began with them.
“It’s… starting now.”
Kyasariro vomited due to the welling fear inside of her. But even if she ejected everything in her stomach, the fear wouldn’t go away.
“It’s… starting now.”
Gamo distributed orders to his comrades.
“The Fifth Sealed Labyrinth is not wide enough for all of us to fight. We will split into three units, attack one after the other in alternation and repeat.
We will distribute our fighting forces evenly with the first unit gathered around Marfa, the second around Kalne, and the third around Luik. Me and Mirepoc will stay behind for support and command.”
“Roger!”
Everyone answered simultaneously. They pushed their unrest and anxiety deep within their hearts and only thought of fighting. They were the world’s strongest army. They couldn’t lose their concentration in a battle.
“Don’t think of anyone not here. Focus only on your own duties!”
“Yes sir!”
“Relax. We have Yukizona. The Director and Mattalast should also be working. Those people will definitely do something. I would also like an explanation, but there are probably some circumstances preventing them from discussing with us right now.
Believe in Yukizona and the Director. All right?”
The Armed Librarians all nodded. Although they were uneasy, their trust in those people had never been compromised.
“Let’s go…”
However, as soon as Gamo tried issuing the order for assault, he stopped his hand.
Both Gamo and the other Armed Librarians preparing for battle noticed something strange at their backs. They could clearly hear someone’s voice.
There were no traces of Yukizona behind them. There were only Guardian Beasts obstructed by the Barrier. The Guardian Beasts, who couldn’t even let a single bark out.
“Did the Guardian Beasts… speak?”
Mirepoc recalled – before Yukizona had come, several people heard some strange voices. Did they belong to the Guardian Beasts?
No, wait. Can they even speak? And even before that, did they have a will? Weren’t they simple machine-like Magic Beasts that had lacked any will and were only meant for fighting?
But they could definitely hear their voices. Everyone there could clearly hear them.
It both was and wasn’t a voice. It was and wasn’t a sound. It was also unlike either connecting to someone via Thought Sharing nor the recognition flowing inside one’s mind while reading a Book.
It was a transmission without any means. Understanding without any transmission. It was something incomparable and couldn’t be described in words. It was a voice surpassing human understanding.
‘Do not resist.’
‘Yield.’
‘Give up.’
The Guardian Beasts were talking.
‘Follow the destined outcome without any desires, wishes or requests.’
“Wh-what are they saying?”
Gamo held his head. Mirepoc also instinctively blocked her ears. Yet she could still hear their voices.
‘Absolve this Barrier. Release us from the Sealed Labyrinth!’
The voices of the Guardian Beasts echoed. Her head seemed like it would break. She was going mad.
The more they heard their voices the more they seemed to be convinced by them. They started wanting to stop fighting.
“…Fire!”
Gamo shouted. All the Armed Librarians that used guns fired at the Guardian Beasts. However, that didn’t kill even a hundredth of the enemies gushing out from the Labyrinth.
“Don’t listen to them, fight, just fight! Marfa Squad, attack!”
A squad of Armed Librarians commenced an attack against the Guardian Beasts. Scattered by this assault, they stopped talking.
“What was that?”
Mirepoc muttered without thinking.
“Who cares! Fight, fight!”
Gamo shouted.
The Guardian Beasts were monsters created by the Past Overseer Bantorra in order to protect Books. They were, along with the Armed Librarians, the protectors of the Library. Thus they were told.
However, Mirepoc was convinced – it was all wrong. It wasn’t something as simple as that.
These were neither the protectors of Books nor the allies of the Armed Librarians from the very beginning.
What are they? Just what is the thing we call Guardian Beasts?
During the same time, Hamyuts was still inside her office. She was fiddling with the machine on her desk.
“Aah. Aah aah.”
She made noises toward the machine.
“…It’s not getting through, I wonder if it’s broken.”
This was the same machine that Rizzly had used two hours ago to call all Armed Librarians. One of them was also installed in the Acting Director’s Office.
“Oh, do I have to connect this wire?”
Hamyuts finally realized it wasn’t broken. Since this was her first time she wasn’t used to it. She reconnected the loose w
ire and her voice was finally broadcast in the building.
“Hello everyone, do you hear me? I’m the Acting Director Hamyuts. Please cease all work and listen to meee. All those fighting in the Archive can also leave the Barrier.”
Hamyuts had already mostly grasped the situation in the building using her Sensory Threads. She could even see the expressions of those listening to her. She was even able to tell the Armed Librarians at the Sixth Archive widened their eyes.
“Well then, where should I start? This will be quite the complicated conversation. What should I start from?”
She could hear voices through the Sensory Threads.
“Director, are you fine?”
It was Luik. How cute of him to worry about me in this sort of situation.
“Luik-kun, I’m fine. I’m in my office. There’s no need to worry.”
The Armed Librarians inside the Archive started clamoring.
“For now I guess I’ll tell the situation to those in the Archive. Umm, the things you are fighting right now are the beings known as the Beasts of the Final Chapter.
Long, long ago, at the end of the Age of Paradise… they were weapons of annihilation created by the Future Overseer Orntorra.”
Orntorra? Weapons of annihilation? All sorts of voices came clamoring at her.
“We have always called them the Guardian Beasts. You were told that they were the protectors of the Labyrinth, created by Past Overseer Bantorra.
However, that was a lie. A complete and utter lie.”
What do you mean a lie? What’s the Director saying? She heard these voices.
“There are things that I must deeply apologize about to you all. Me and all the other Acting Directors of history have been lying to you.
We’ve told you many, many lies. About enough to say that everything you know is a lie.”
Soon the clamoring died, as if they did not want to miss even a single of Hamyuts’s words.
After waiting for all of them to be quiet, Hamyuts started talking. She spoke clearly as to not let a single thing unspoken.
“Well then, first I will make a serious announcement.
Starting today, Bantorra Library will close down. Including me, all Armed Librarians, trainees, students, normal librarians, and mine workers are all dismissed. All work related to the managing of Books will be stopped.”
Uh? An idiotic sound rose through her Sensory Threads.
“The one deciding this was not me. Since I’m only the Acting Director, I don’t have that authority.
The one to decide this can only be the chief executive of this Library, the actual Director.
Starting today, the Director of our Bantorra Library – Ruruta Coozancoona – has decided to close the Library.”
She could hear Gamo muttering.
“…Who’s that? Ruruta?”
“Ruruta Coozancoona. He was the second Director of this Library. He had kicked down the original founder – Past God Bantorra – and became the Director of Bantorra Library.”
“What are you even saying?”
Luik muttered.
Hamyuts stayed silent for a while at that point. It was to let all listeners grasp the situation.
“Umm, it seems like a lot of you can’t understand. Then let me say this again. Starting today Bantorra Library is closed. All of your work ends today.
Everyone, thank you for working hard for so long.”
She could see the mouths of Armed Librarians open in blank amazement. Since it was so funny, Hamyuts distanced her face away from the device and held her mouth.
“Just in case, I will say this again.
Bantorra Library and the Armed Librarians all end today.”
Chapter 3: The Duty of the Proud Slaves
Part 1
Hamyuts’s words didn’t reach Yukizona and Yuri who were running through the Fifth Labyrinth. Their bodies covered in wounds, the pair pushed through the Labyrinth’s path.
Normally, the Fifth Sealed Labyrinth Level would be like a jogging course for them. The Guardian Beasts roaming there would be nothing against the Decay Wave.
However, this time it was different. The powerful Guardian Beasts from the Second or Third Level stood in the siblings’ path.
“Don’t falter, Yuri! Keep running!”
“Yes, brother!”
Obstructing them was a powerful Guardian Beast that protected the Second Level: the five-headed large snake known as the Jail King Snake. Yukizona intercepted its acidic breath using his Decay Wave. Yuri was protecting herself behind her brother using the power he had transferred to her.
Five heads were raised to attack from all sides simultaneously. Yukizona released his Wave in the shape of a belt to defend himself.
The opening came after he protected against the attack of the Jail King Snake. Yukizona shot his Decay Wave straight ahead.
“Break through! Don’t lag behind!”
“Yes!”
He shouted to Yuri at his back and ran straight ahead. The Decay Wave caused a part of the twisting snake’s body to wither. It became a lump of soft ashes. Yukizona tackled that with all of his strength. Piercing through the lump of ashes, Yukizona and Yuri passed through the enemy’s body.
Going through their enemies’ bodies, creating a passage and passing ahead. Although they knew it was quote rash, the pair took this decisive action.
“Uu…!”
Jail King Snake spit acid at Yuri from behind. Yukizona turned around. Some of her defense didn’t make it in time.
“Don’t stop! Run!”
“Yes!”
They ran for their lives as Jail King Snake came from behind. There was no need to defeat it; If they defeated every one of the Beasts, they would only reach half the Labyrinth before exhausting themselves. Their goal right now was just to proceed. And to finally reach the bottommost level.
Next to block their way was the Guardian Beast from the Third Level, a Lancer. It was strong enough that even someone like Noloty or Minth wouldn’t be able to defeat it one on one.
Without using his Decay Wave, Yukizona dodged the spear’s attack with only his body. Yuri, who cut in from the side, kicked to send it flying.
Using the opening of its collapse, they ran ahead.
For several minutes after that, they had no contact with any enemy.
“Just as I thought.”
Yukizona said.
“Almost all Guardian Beasts… no, Beasts of the Final Chapter have gathered in the Fifth Level. Once we enter the Fourth we should have a smooth sailing.”
“Yes.”
“Hurry up. We must finish things no matter what happens.”
“…Yes.”
Yukizona ran ahead determinedly. Behind him Yuri was muttering softly.
Yuri was thinking about her comrades fighting in the entrance of the Labyrinth. They were probably fighting even now without grasping the situation nor knowing the reason for it all.
When Yukizona was asked for an explanation he said nothing. He told them only to follow his orders. This wasn’t an appropriate attitude as a leader.
Yuri also knew the reason for this.
In order to explain the situation they would have to reveal secrets that have been concealed until now. Namely, the true history of Bantorra Library and the existence of Heaven slumbering in the Second Sealed Archive.
Concealing this was Yukizona and Yuri’s mission.
However, did they really need to be fixated on that mission in this situation?
Was it not impossible hiding it any longer?
Did they have to continue concealing it despite the fact that in front of them was something much more horrible than letting the secrets leak?
“…Brother.”
Yet Yuri wasn’t able to voice these doubts. She also never thought of defying Yukizona.
“Brother.”
“…What is it, Yuri?”
Yukizona stopped and turned around.
“No, it is nothing. Let us hur
ry.”
Yuri kept running without stopping. Yukizona quickly overtook her.
How pitiful, she thought.
My brother still thinks of protecting the secrets and maintaining the order of the Library. He is trying to preserve the Library the same as it was yesterday.
It is impossible though… Even if we overcome this crisis, there is no way we would be able to conceal the secret from all of our comrades.
He is probably the only person to think the Library can keep going as it was. Without a shred of doubts, both Bantorra Library and the Armed Librarians are finished today.
Brother is the only one to not acknowledge this. Yuri watched her brother’s back with sorrow.
Just as Yukizona had expected there were almost no Guardian Beasts in the Fourth Level. They realized a few were left by hearing their footsteps, yet they didn’t meet them even once.
“Now it becomes easier.”
He said to Yuri behind him.
“Yes, brother. More importantly, is your body fine?”
“No problem.”
Having said that, it was true that he had exhausted his stamina. The cause was not the battles but rather the cold. Ever since he was born he was extremely weak against the cold. It was because of a heart disease.
Yukizona started slightly coughing as he ran. The cold air of the underground was like poison to his lungs. Because of this he had never participated in regular shelving. This was the first time he entered the Labyrinth ever since his promotion test to a First Grade Armed Librarian.
It was a normal situation this was when Yuri would have paled. Yukizona shot a glance behind him and signaled with his eyes that she didn’t have to worry. This cough was not one that would lead to a fit making him unable to move.
“…”
While running, Yukizona suddenly recalled an old memory.
It was the first memory left in his mind. It was from before Yuri, two years his junior, had been born.
His mother and the maid employed in their house clapped their hands and applauded him.
Yukizona, having gotten better at crawling, grabbed the edge of the table and rose up.
At that moment, the young boy caught a violet coughing fit and collapsed. His mother and the maid shrieked. Something black came out of his mouth and Yukizona, who couldn’t understand anything, started crying.
Tatakau Shisho - Volume 08 Page 7