Tatakau Shisho - Volume 08

by Yamagata Ishio

  “Seems like there aren’t any Beasts of the Final Chapter here.”

  Yuri spoke at his back.

  “Yeah.”

  “But why did Ruruta make his move?”

  Yuri said. Yukizona wondered the same.

  There was no way Ruruta couldn’t tell how the Armed Librarians were currently organized. Inviting their collapse shouldn’t be a good plan to him.

  “…Can’t be… is it because of Kachua?”

  Had Ruruta chosen not the Armed Librarians but Kachua’s Indulging God Cult? Perhaps they were able to bring him happiness more efficiently.

  There certainly was the possibility of Ruruta thinking so. But in that case it wouldn’t explain why it took him over a year since Kachua’s death to act.

  He was neutral, or perhaps indifferent in the fight between Kachua and the Armed Librarians. He had no reason to act now.

  “Maybe this was something caused by Yankuu or Kyasariro?”

  Yukizona spoke to Yuri behind him. They had already crushed the sprouts of rebellion just two weeks ago. Perhaps Ruruta was acting to eliminate all those rebels.

  “That is not possible. For Ruruta to make such a move because of these children…”

  Yuri denied. That rebellion was crushed long before it even reached Ruruta. It didn’t inflict any damage to him.

  “No, I don’t know.”

  But Yukizona was still thinking. Weren’t Yankuu and Kyasariro decoys? Wasn’t the real enemy lurking in their shadows?

  It was only a hunch, but it hit the mark. Behind Olivia there was also Enlike.

  A rebel has appeared and in response to that Ruruta began his move. Yukizona became convinced of that. If so, what should he do? How could he quell Ruruta’s anger and protect Bantorra Library?

  “…Tch.”

  He clicked his tongue. The Armed Librarians were originally an organization that existed for Ruruta’s sake. And now he had to protect it from Ruruta’s hands…

  That hated Ruruta. He simply kept exploiting them without producing anything. He left even the method of squeezing out what he wanted to the people under his control.

  He was an unreasonable being that couldn’t even be called a tyrant. Yukizona felt anger that such a being existed in this world.

  “Brother, what are you going to do?”

  “It depends on Ruruta. Try to think as well.”

  “Yes.”

  Yukizona couldn’t think of any way to quell Yukizona’s anger, but considered trying to offer up his life to calm him.

  At that moment, Yukizona’s feet stopped. Although nothing was there at the depth of the Labyrinth, he could feel a large being.

  Yukizona turned on his heels.

  “Let’s go back to the Fourth Sealed Archive’s entrance.”

  “What is the matter?”

  “Ruruta’s approaching.”

  Yuri also noticed some presence coming from the underground. She gulped tensely.

  They both returned to the front of the Fourth Sealed Archive. No matter which path of the Labyrinth he chose, to come to the surface he would definitely have to pass through there. As long as they’re here, they could avoid a stupid mistake such as missing each other on the way.

  Yukizona released the maximal amount of Decay Wave he could muster and spread it around. It was an improvised barrier that would stop anything that tries to cross it.

  He wasn’t thinking of fighting Ruruta; he just wanted to talk. But even so, he wanted to create the bare minimum of defense.

  The pair quietly awaited for Ruruta.

  ‘Yukizona Hamlow, huh?’

  After a while, a voice echoed inside his head. It was Thought Sharing. It didn’t belong to Mirepoc. He already knew that even Ruruta Coozancoona could use that ability.

  ‘Why did you come here?’

  “I have something to ask of you, Ruruta Coozancoona.”

  Yukizona replied not in his thoughts, but using words. Ruruta had not only Thought Sharing but also super perceptive abilities. He should be able to hear him.

  “Why have you caused the Beasts of the Final Chapter to move? The Armed Librarians will be destroyed if it keeps like that.”

  ‘Yes. I have no need for them anymore.’

  A chill passed through Yukizona’s back. But he couldn’t be scared. No matter what happened he had to persuade Ruruta and protect the Armed Librarians.

  “Is there anything to be dissatisfied about in our duty? We have managed the Books and sent all those containing happiness to you. Minth began working as the new Overseer of Paradise. We should be able to keep providing you with the Books of happy people.

  You shouldn’t have any problems with that.”

  ‘…Huhu.’

  A faint laugh was transmitted through the Thought Sharing.

  The sense of intimidation gradually increased. Ruruta was approaching. Yuri was shivering behind Yukizona.

  It was simply frightening. A normal person who would stand in front of Ruruta would probably not feel so scared, but Yukizona was one of the world’s strongest warriors. His fighting strength, the foundation for his confidence, lacked any meaning against a normal person. So he wouldn’t feel any fear due to this.

  ‘Yukizona. There is no need to be scared. Calm down.’

  Ruruta sent a strangely gentle thought. Having endured his fear, Yukizona forgot the current situation and became relieved.

  ‘You have all worked well. I have nothing to criticize about you two as well as Minth Chezine.’

  “…! Then why?!”

  Perhaps it would have been easier had he pointed out their errors. Making up for his blunders was fine.

  Yet Ruruta was trying to destroy the Armed Librarian despite denying any dissatisfaction with their actions. Yukizona couldn’t understand what this meant.

  ‘Relax. Fighting is meaningless.’

  Yukizona then shouted without thinking.

  “Wait, Ruruta. Were there any other rebels?! Are you blaming us for not stopping another rebellion?”

  ‘By a rebel, do you mean Enlike Bishile?’

  So as he thought there was a mastermind behind Olivia. If it was Enlike Bishile, he could understand the rebellion he was planning.

  “I’ll go crush the rebel right away. Then you should have no problems, right?”

  Yukizona said. However, he received a response beyond his expectations.

  ‘Come to think of it there was him too, huh. It is a trifle though.’

  He just couldn’t understand. Then why was he trying to destroy the Armed Librarians?

  At that moment he could hear a voice. It wasn’t Thought Sharing; it came from a few dozen meters ahead of Yukizona.

  “Let us stop, Yukizona.”

  It was a high, clear voice. It was neither feminine or masculine but an androgynous tone.

  “Stop fighting or else die.”

  Yukizona shouted and released his Decay Wave. The stone making up the Labyrinth collapsed and became sand. He knew that his attack on Ruruta was going to be fatal, yet he still couldn’t stop from attacking.

  Dust began rising from the collapsed Labyrinth. Yukizona searched for Yuri’s figure inside it. There was no time to confirm her safety when he had shot the first attack.

  “Yuri!”

  He could hear something collapsing inside the dust – the voice of a human collapsing. The only people there were Yukizona, Yuri and Ruruta.

  And this meant…

  “Yukizona. Do you still cling to power?”

  The voice he could hear from upfront was Ruruta’s. Meaning the one who collapsed just now…

  “How sad. Fighting to protect and becoming stronger to fight… all that even though there is no need for power if you don’t want to hurt your loved ones.”

  Ruruta’s voice didn’t reach Yukizona’s ears. His eyes were directed at his back. At Yuri who was lying there collapsed.

  “…Yuri.”

  She had no visible injuries. Yet she didn’t respond even when he
called to her.

  He was supposed to be prepared for this time to come. At the time he took her here, or perhaps even when she became an Armed Librarian. He was supposed to be prepared for the moment Yuri would die and leave him behind.

  However, all of his resolve was powerless in front of reality.

  “YUURIII!!!”

  Yukizona shouted. He forgot even his duty as an Armed Librarian at that time.

  He charged at Ruruta.

  He wrapped both hands with his condensed Decay Wave. He unleashed it ahead at the vaguely visible figure on the other side of the dust. He managed to directly land a strike with the Decay Wave on his hands.

  Yukizona’s hand touched something, but he couldn’t feel his Decay Wave destroying the enemy’s body. He could only feel the coldness of bare skin. His strongest attack was easily nullified and it ended with him just touching Ruruta.

  In front of his eyes was the face of Ruruta Coozancoona. Yukizona saw his face for the first time. The next moment, a hand hit his forehead and his vision was blocked.

  “…What are you… trying to do… Ruruta? What are you trying to accomplish by destroying the Armed Librarians?”

  He asked facing his own death. Ruruta answered sadly.

  “I will destroy the world.”

  Yukizona’s vision instantly blacked-out.

  Yukizona had naturally anticipated death, but he appeared to be wrong. He could feel peace and comfort as if he were asleep.

  His vision was fading and his sensations were being deprived. And yet his head was clear.

  He could feel a change taking place in his mind.

  He lived for a long time with his duty as an Armed Librarian in his heart. Yet this sense of duty was disappearing. He started not caring about the Armed Librarians at all.

  Ruruta said that he will destroy the world. He was supposed to have protected this world no matter what. Yet that feeling was also disappearing.

  Even natural feelings like not wanting to die or wanting to continue living were gone.

  Dying or living, fighting or protecting, all of that didn’t matter. It was irrelevant. It had nothing to do with him.

  He was slightly sad at his loss and his inability to fulfill his duty. But even that sadness was disappearing.

  With all of his aspirations vanishing, Yukizona was becoming increasingly calm.

  “I don’t want to let you die in agony. This is my only gift for all of you who have worked for a long time.”

  He could Ruruta muttering above his head.

  “The Power of the Tearless Ending. If I had to give it a name, I would go with that.”

  Why will you destroy the world? Yukizona could faintly feel this question rising. But it also ended up not mattering at all.

  He closed his eyes.

  His final consideration was of Yuri.

  He wanted her to not die in agony but die peacefully just as he was about to do. Thinking only this at last, Yukizona’s consciousness faded into the tranquil darkness.

  The Labyrinth was still covered in dust. Ruruta was standing alone inside it. Yukizona’s body was lying at his feet. He didn’t die, but he also wasn’t living. He fell into a peaceful ending.

  Not far away was Yuri. She was also sleeping peacefully.

  Ruruta murmured while overlooking both of them.

  “How strange. I thought of the Armed Librarians as an incompetent organization for two thousand years.

  But now that I decided on destroying them, I realized… they have done well. For me, as well as for the people of the world.”

  Ruruta looked upwards.

  “Even this world, which I have thought of as nothing but trifling, I became to hold dear.

  I now recall that I am also a human being.”

  Ruruta moved his finger. Yuri’s body floated up in air and gently landed next to Yukizona. The pair of brother and sister were now sleeping snuggled up together.

  “It’s cold here. Please keep warm.”

  Saying so, he moved his thin fingers. The fuzz of a white bird suddenly appeared midair. The feathers started falling and enveloped Yukizona and Yuri.

  “Relax even in the small while remaining until death…”

  Saying so, Ruruta began walking again.

  “Now then, let us destroy it… this foolish world.”

  A notice from Ruruta was written atop the desks at Hamyuts’s Acting Director’s Office as well as Minth’s headquarters of the Indulging God Cult. It stated a brief reason for the destruction of the world.

  “I grew tired of it all. Both of the long days of continuous waiting as well as of everyone who lives in the world”

  Chapter 4: The End of the Liars

  Part 1

  Hamyuts felt Yukizona collapsing with her Sensory Threads. And yet she kept her composure inside her office without moving.

  She could also perceive Ruruta slowly walking through the Labyrinth. There was still some time until he reaches the surface. It was enough time for her to pass the truth to all of the Armed Librarians.

  Hamyuts started talking to the voice machine.

  “Well then, after the system of the Armed Librarians had been set in place, the world became peaceful for a time. It would’ve been good if it kept that way, but the second disaster came.

  Ruruta grew tired.”

  All the Armed Librarians in the Sixth Labyrinth listened to Hamyuts’s story in astonishment. They didn’t even know anything about Yukizona’s defeat.

  “500 years have passed since Ruruta became Bantorra Library’s Director. There wasn’t a great difference between people’s lives and happiness after all. Anyone would have gotten tired of being offered Books again and again and again.

  However, Ruruta losing interest means the end of the world.

  And so the Armed Librarians thought of a plan. They would pursue specific people and start working in order for them to attain happiness.

  The Armed Librarians ceased being primitive hunters and became farmers. What they raised were not cattle but humans, and what they produced was not delicious meat but happiness.

  At first they were openly declared as “Bantorra Library’s Chosen Ones”. But since gradually those who were not selected began feeling it was unfair, it started being done in secret.

  Sounds like some people we know, right?”

  Hamyuts laughed.

  “It was quite hard.

  Humans have unlimited desires after all. They want to eat delicious food, they want good women, they want to kill those who annoy them… but we’ve had no choice but to obey them. If they won’t produce any happiness they would be killed by Ruruta after all.

  A strange story, huh? If it was like that then they should’ve simply served Ruruta directly. Well, who cares about that.”

  Ruruta was probably also listening. Hamyuts wondered what he felt about this.

  “The more this kept going the more outrageous people appeared.

  Meat Grove Calius Barea. Naturally you all know this name.”

  There was no way they wouldn’t. It was the first incident in which the name of the Indulging God Cult became known.

  “He was an outrageous man. He personified extreme lust and desire for power. Talking about him makes me sick and gives me goosebumps. Even I’d have my mood ruined by speaking of what he’s done. Anyway, he used to gather up girls and boys in groups of eight, tie them up and then… aaah I can’t, I just can’t.

  So that guy basically overdid it. Anyway it was impossible trying to think of keeping him alive. Even more than the Armed Librarians wanting to protect peace, it was impossible as a human being.

  They had no choice but to kill him. And they also announced that he was a member of an evil organization, the Indulging God Cult.”

  That was when the name first came out. All of the Armed Librarians grew tense.

  “To be clear, the name of the Indulging God Cult was just random.

  However, it was later noticed that their existence was actually
quite convenient.

  By organizing a true Indulging God Cult, offering up Books for Ruruta would become simple. It could be used as a group where every desire was permitted, searching for happiness with every possible means.

  And if there’s any trouble, all of it would be blamed on the Indulging God Cult.

  And so the Cult was created by the Armed Librarians. They created this false religion of permitting any desire. Ruruta was set up as a God, and being eaten by Ruruta became going to Heaven.

  Also, people chosen from the smartest among the Armed Librarians were christened as the Overseers of Paradise.

  Thus the Cult was born. Publically they… well, also from behind the scenes, they were heretics that permitted any desire. In truth they were farmers that produced the livestock whose Books would be offered up to Ruruta.

  Obviously, this was a secret for both the general public as well as normal Armed Librarians. The Acting Directors of history did their best to conceal the secrets of both the Indulging God Cult as well as Ruruta.”

  Hamyuts thought she should cut off the story there, but decided on going along for now.

  “Do you need any further explanation? Thanks to the Indulging God Cult we didn’t have to worry about offering up Books for Ruruta. Protected by the Acting Director, the Indulging God Cult was producing the Books of happy people diligently.

  However, from time to time there were True Men who went too far. There were also those who tried rebelling against the Armed Librarians in their pursuit of desires. They have all been purged by us.

  The fact that the Armed Librarians created the Indulging God Cult has remained concealed.

  You all know about this. In the one-year war with the Dark King Kavortfon, the Fighting Devil Hoholo and the Acting Director of the time have fought one-against-one; the rebellion of the kings who wanted to make Bantorra Library their own, named the Seven Kings Rebellion; the Ever-Laughing Witch Shiron and the Clown Magician Wyzaf.

  They’ve all brought terrible amounts of sacrifices. Even so, we couldn’t lose the Indulging God Cult. We had no other choice if we wanted to offer up Books to Ruruta, after all.

  All of the rebellions of the Indulging God Cult were done by True Men who ran loose or other related people, but the sole exception had been Kachua Beeinhaus. He fought against the Armed Librarian despite being the Overseer of Paradise.