Tatakau Shisho

Mirepoc stared at Rully’s pale face in the gloomy morgue.

“You were still here?”

“…”

“Don’t stay alone so much. Based on what you told me Lascall Oth.e.l.lo can appear wherever he wants to, right?”

Mirepoc didn’t answer. She gently grasped Rully’s cold hand.

What was I doing until now? She triumphantly left Bantorra, just relied on Mattalast’s powers, but hasn’t done anything.

“Let’s call the Director from Bantorra. I feel like it’s too late, but… we have no choice. I never thought Lascall Oth.e.l.lo would be such an opponent.”

“I…”

“You go back to Bantorra. There’s a danger you’ll be attacked by Lascall Oth.e.l.lo, but Bantorra should be much safer.”

Will she just fly back again? Without being of any use?

“Mattalast-san, what am I?”

“…”

“Am I just a slightly useful telegraph?”

“Mirepoc. You are useful enough. I cannot lose you.”

No, that’s not what I’m asking about.

Mirepoc looked at her own hand. Why did she thrust him away? It was as if she was the one to kill him.

The day she has to kill a person will come. When she became an Armed Librarian she had that resolution. But was that what killing a person felt like?

The sensation of Rully’s hand still remained in her palm.

“Alme… what you said was right. I was a fool.”

It’s been a year and a half since she became an Armed Librarian. And an additional year and a half before that she became a trainee.

Previously, Mirepoc had been an officer cadet in the Guinbex Imperial Army. She will never forget the day of the decisive battle between the Guinbex Imperial Army and the Armed Librarians. Since Mirepoc was young she wasn’t allowed to serve, and kept her studies at the military academy.

A new world order managed not by the intentions of the Overseer of the Present, but by humans – Carrying this idea as their banner, the Guinbex Imperial Army challenged the entire world to a war.

The result was already known. Hamyuts, Mattalast, Ireia, Bonbo, Yukizona, Mokkania. The armies who invested their entire power in modern science were all annihilated by mere six Armed Librarians.

Receiving word that their army had been destroyed, the military academy became something like a lawless zone.

The high ranking officers who realized their loss ran off to other countries in order to avoid being treated as war criminals. The other teachers panicked and the cadets, after losing their chain of command, became like children.

Hamyuts Meseta and Mattalast Ballory were coming. Will they fight them? Will they surrender? The campus became chaotic.

Mirepoc was the only one among them to go to the academic advisor.

“We are helpless.”

The advisor weakly mumbled after Mirepoc spoke to him. She told him to come to the auditorium.

“What are you going to do?”

Mirepoc used her acquired Thought Sharing ability to call everyone who remained in the school building.

‘Everyone, gather in the auditorium!’

Since the officer cadets lost those who would give them commands, they followed Mirepoc’s orders.

“What are you planning on doing, Mirepoc-kun?”

Mirepoc quietly spoke in front of the cadets and instructors that a.s.sembled in the auditorium.

“Well then, just as planned we will begin the second semester’s course on operation of modern weapons. Please open your textbooks on page 53.”

After saying so, she got off the podium. She urged the instructor to start the lecture.

Although their army was destroyed and the enemy was approaching, a usual lecture took place.

Or was this possibly an abnormal situation beyond just defeat? Among everyone Mirepoc was calmly listening to the lecture. Among the confused cadets and instructors, she simply took notes with neat handwriting.

In the middle of the lecture the door opened. The Armed Librarian Mattalast Ballory stood there alone. He watched Mirepoc and the others while smoking a pipe, and then opened his mouth to speak.

“Can you please explain what you are doing?”

Mirepoc rose from her seat.

“We are receiving a lecture on the development of modern weapons and the changes in war tactics that accompanied them.”

“Who’s lecturing?”

“No-one. If I must give an answer, it would be the person who created the curriculum.”

“I see.”

Mattalast’s eyes focused on Mirepoc from the entire auditorium.

“Excuse me, but since we’re in the middle of the lecture, could I ask you to leave?”

“…Can’t outsiders attend?”

“Please go through the formal procedures to attend cla.s.ses through the army headquarters secretariat. Also…”

Mirepoc stretched her hand and took Mattalast’s pipe. Although he should have been able to predict this happening, it was taken without any resistance.

“No smoking allowed.”

She dropped the smoking leaves to the ground and stomped them with her boots. Mattalast held down his hat, shook his shoulders and laughed.

The order to transfer Mirepoc to the Armed Librarians came when the war officially ended. Her instructor said this was requested by Hamyuts Meseta.

She had no mental resistance to the fact that her affiliation changed.

Mirepoc believed in order, functionality and rationality. These were the things needed to lead people.

She was disillusioned. The Guinbex Imperial Army started a foolish war and put its people and itself in danger. She sought a new place for herself amongst the Armed Librarians.

“Hey, Mirepo. Why did you have that lecture during that time?”

Mattalast asked her after a while.

“Since I am an officer cadet, I did what was expected of me.”

“Didn’t you think of fighting? Something like firing one shot for Guinbex’s pride.”

“I didn’t. I believe that acting according to emotions is wrong.”

She did what was expected of her. She thought that was justice.

But she was wrong.

When she hastily recalled what she did until now, Mirepoc thought so.

While she was aiming for justice, what she has done was no justice at all. She was just trying to fit in an organization that carried out justice.

Right. She was just trying to fit in. She was just trying to fit herself and become part of the system. She never even once judged anything using her own will.

“…”

She closely looked at the face of the boy she saw die in front of her. If she was Noloty, wouldn’t she have risked her life in order to protect this boy? If she was Alme, she would abandon Rully but wouldn’t she at least try to kill Lascall?

She held neither of those feelings in herself.

Mattalast spoke to Mirepoc.

“Mirepoc. Go back. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Alme was waiting. She didn’t move even one step away from where Olt died.

Lascall Oth.e.l.lo. What are you doing? It’s been near a full day since he left her.

She glared at the setting sun. He couldn’t have possibly run away, right? At the exact instant she thought of this, a chill ran through her spine.

“Kh…”

It was just a coincidence. Before she knew it, Lascall Oth.e.l.lo was standing behind her.

“What have you been doing until now!”

Alme readied her sword while closing the gap between them. In contrast to her, Lascall gripped his stone blade while creating some s.p.a.ce.

“Since I have finished one task I took a respite.”

Saying so, Lascall disappeared again.

Will Alme be kept waiting again? Wasn’t she the one chasing him? Why was she the one waiting for the enemy’s attack?

She couldn’t allow him to use a surprise attack against her like he did just now.  Alme sent her Sensory Threads fluttering around. The sensations were transmitted to her through them. Alme jumped forward.

While she avoided the attack, she also sent a counter-blow at behind her. However, the figure of Lascall wasn’t behind her but about five meters ahead of her.

“Even though Armed Librarians are also scared of you, your weapon is a single knife?”

“Indeed. Even I will not be able to match people like Hamyuts or Mattalast were I to fight them.”

He disappeared. And simultaneously, the next attack came.

“Meaning, this is no fight.”

And he said it again.

“It is merely a boring job.”

“What will you do from now?”

Mirepoc asked Mattalast.

“Based on what you told me, it seems that the rusty woman and Lascall Oth.e.l.lo are hostile towards each other. I will make my move when their score is settled.”

“Rully-kun told me to stop Lascall Oth.e.l.lo. I don’t want to pile any more sins.”

“I see…”

Mattalast answered bluntly.

“Is that it?”

“Yeah.”

Mirepoc kept speaking.

“Lascall Oth.e.l.lo was hiding behind the legend… you knew this from before?”

“From a long time ago. I had no proof, so I didn’t say anything.”

“…”

“Go already. Your plane is waiting.”

Mirepoc stood up.

A few minutes pa.s.sed. An airplane flew above Mirepoc’s head. It was the plane Mattalast prepared for her.

I’m doing a foolish thing, Mirepoc thought. But if I go back now that will be the end of me.

She connected to Mattalast in her thoughts.

‘Why have you stayed behind, Mirepoc?’

‘I will be the one to defeat Lascall. And also Alme.’

‘What are you doing?!’

“I’m doing something foolish.”

Mirepoc muttered and severed the connection. She then began her preparations. There was probably only one way for her to defeat Lascall.

For that, she will probably have to pa.s.s the verge of death. Readying her resolve, Mirepoc ran.

She once again stood waiting. Such an annoying tactic. It was a slow, sluggish, and boring fight. Was it really fine to fight like this? Alme was tired. Her spirit wore down.

Lascall spoke to her.

“Alme. Have you no intention of forgetting Cigal and devoting yourself to the Indulging G.o.d Cult again?”

“What?”

“Cigal was but a foolish man.”

“…You b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”

“Also, he did not love you. Please stop clinging to your memories of him.”

“Not like you can understand, b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”

“I truly do. I have read Cigal’s Book.

You will gain nothing from this fight.”

“Nevertheless I will fight.”

Lascall smiled.

“Then have my best regards.”

Alme slashed with her sword. It hit only air. She stumbled forward and Lascall Oth.e.l.lo’s attack came from behind. She was barely able to defend against it.

It truly was an annoying fight. She was the only one impatient while he was calm. Also, neither of them was wounded yet.

“If you’re that strong, how come you never did anything until now? With that ability aren’t you like a natural enemy for Hamyuts and Mokkania?”

Alme said.

“I do not kill people. I was not made to do so.”

“…What are you saying?”

At that instant, Lascall disappeared.

“How about we make it easier for ourselves? Do you understand now that you cannot beat me?”

Alme didn’t answer.

There is a way to defeat him.

However, Alme hesitated. Should she really do that?

“You seem to be thinking of something.”

Lascall said as he stopped his attack.

“How scary. I shall run away.”

He vanished.

Then, Alme heard Olt’s door being kicked open. She knew who it was.

“Found you.”

Mirepoc Finedell pointed her rapier at Alme. She pondered for a second whether she should turn her sword on Lascall who disappeared or on Mirepoc who was there.

As Mirepoc saw Alme’s hesitation, her sword point swayed. Just before she was stabbed, Alme directed her sword to Mirepoc. Will Lascall come? I don’t know if I can handle an attack from behind right now.

“You’ve fooled me well. It was quite a well-made lie.”

Mirepoc said.

“…What are you talking about?”

Alme asked back. She truly didn’t understand. She had no recollection of deceiving her.

“It won’t work this late in the game. Lascall Oth.e.l.lo’s disguise has already fallen apart.”

What do you mean? Just as she was about to ask this…

Mirepoc leapt. The point of her rapier aimed at Alme’s solar plexus in a straight line. She barely managed to repel the attack. The sword grazed Alme’s thighs.

“Wait, now’s not a good time!”

Alme shouted as she fell behind.

“Then it’s good for me!”

Mirepoc chased after the escaping Alme. She charged ahead as if crawling on the ground and targeted her vitals.

While defending herself, Alme was thinking. This is bad. This woman is serious.

Lascall Oth.e.l.lo didn’t show himself. He was probably looking for a good opportunity. He will probably aim at striking a finishing blow when his opponent provides the best opening. Alme and Mirepoc… No matter who of them won, the result would be the same.

Even so, Mirepoc’s sword attacks were fast. What the h.e.l.l happened to this woman? Alme kept concentrating on her desperate efforts to protect herself against Mirepoc’s a.s.sault.

She couldn’t see Lascall nor feel his presence. However, she could feel him watching. Alme restrained Mirepoc with her hands and shouted.

“Rather than me defeat Lascall first! He’s somewhere close!”

“Begging for your life is unsightly!”

Lascall was watching. Alme spoke deliberately while knowing this.

“I’m fighting Lascall!”

“Who would believe that?”

“It’s true. Believe me…”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Look at yourself.”

She pointed at Alme with her sword.

“You’re unscathed. This is not what a person who’s been fighting looks like.”

Alme clicked her tongue. She broke the window and escape outside. Mirepoc’s left hand pulled out her gun. Bullets shot after the escaping Alme.

Barely avoiding the bullets, Alme rolled on the ground.

I have no choice. After coming this far. Alme readied her resolve. She took a stance. She set the sword on her shoulder while bending extremely forward. It was an offensive stance that specialized in rushing forward and beating down.

“It’s finally gotten serious.”

Mirepoc took a stance too. She stretched her back and aimed the tip of the sword held in her right hand to her opponent’s heart. The fingers of her left hand gently propped up the rapier’s blade.

Both parties readied themselves for an attack. Their clash will determine the victor.

Lascall will not make a move. Alme could tell that.

“…”

He will be aiming for the battle’s conclusion. No matter who wins, he will probably kill the victor.

Alme clenched her teeth.

Will Lascall come? And will Mirepoc…

Mirepoc moved first. Just a split second behind her, Alme kicked the ground.

Mirepoc’s sword came thrusting down from above. Alme’s eyes finally got used to her speed.

Against the straight line drawn by Mirepoc’s trajectory, Alme’s sword drew an arc. Mirepoc was slightly, ever so slightly faster.

However, Alme…

Sacrificed one hand. The back of her left hand got pierced. The blade stopped just three centimeters short of her heart. And she then raised the sword in her right hand overhead.

Mirepoc tried dodging. However, it was too late.

Just before the rusty sword hit Mirepoc’s neck… Alme felt Lascall’s presence from behind her.

Two gunshots resounded. Behind Alme, Lascall – who raised his stone dagger – stopped all movement. Mirepoc saw him stagger.

She drew her gun. Setting her wrist on Alme’s body, she aimed at him over the shoulder. The moment his body was about to disappear, she fired a second shot.

Alme’s sword was supposed to have cut off Mirepoc’s head… But stopped at the point where it barely bit into her skin.

“…Why?”

Lascall tottered.

Mirepoc pulled out the sword stuck in Alme’s hand. She then invoked her Magic Right.

‘Have you forgotten my ability?’

Lascall wore an astonished expression.

‘My Thought Sharing, that allows me to connect to anyone I know the face and name of.’

Mirepoc threw her rapier. It penetrated the center of Lascall’s chest.

‘We’ve already made a promise… me and Alme. This was the only opportunity to kill you.’

“Since when?”

Lascall said. Alme was the one to answer his question.

“When you’ve killed your own son. Since you arrogantly told her my name.”

“I see, so that is how it was.”

Lascall laughed. The stone-made dagger fell from his hand.

His body sank down. It did not disappear in the ground. He just collapsed face up.

Leaving Lascall’s body behind, it was only the stone dagger sinking into the ground.

“Well done.”

Saying this, Lascall closed his eyelids using his own hand. He soon stopped breathing.

Alme was surprised when she was approached using Thought Sharing. They would lure out Lascall by pretending to fight. They will then aim for the moment he comes for a finishing blow.

What a bold plan. If Alme hadn’t stopped her sword right then, Mirepoc would have died.

As for the result, Lascall fell into their trap, but if Alme had a secret agreement with Lascall then Mirepoc would be the one to fall into a trap.

She trusted the one she fought to the death with a few days ago and carried out their plan. This kind of decision didn’t seem possible for Mirepoc who was so indecisive until now.

“Something’s changed in you.”

“Who knows, I have no idea.”

Mirepoc bluntly answered and recovered the sword stabbed into Lascall. Alme then called out.

“Now that I’m done with it, it seemed too quick.”

Mirepoc checked out Lascall’s body and confirmed that he was undoubtedly dead.

“I was afraid of Lascall’s disguise until now. However, when I unmasked him I understood… that he was weak.”

“Why?”

“The strong ones don’t try to act tough.”

“I see.”

Alme asked another question.

“How did it feel? Killing someone.”

“Full of regrets.”

Alme smiled wryly. As I’ve thought, no matter how far she goes it seems we can’t come to an understanding.

“You’ve really trusted me. Even though you might have been killed.”

“No. You are strong. Saying that you could have killed me at any time wasn’t a lie.”

Right. She certainly said this.

“Besides…”

Mirepoc looked at Alme’s face. She stopped herself from saying something.

“What?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Mirepoc left Lascall’s corpse and stood up. She then started walking. Alme joined at her side.

While walking, Alme was thinking. I’ve finally defeated Lascall.

She felt nothing special. She thought that it would be a bit more enjoyable.

She didn’t think of it as avenging Cigal. It was just defeating another enemy.

Winkeny once told her to forget Cigal. But, even without being told, perhaps his existence has already been growing dull inside her without even noticing.

Then why was she fighting?

“You’ve fought against the Indulging G.o.d Cult.”

Mirepoc asked her.

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I don’t feel like saying.”

“And you probably don’t feel like cooperating with us like Enlike does either.”

“Obviously.”

Right. She had no reason. She simply wanted to keep hating and killing.

That was all.

In a sense, that was the same as Cigal. His happiness was to hate other people and steal from them. Alme and Cigal have probably shared the same feelings.

She will continue fighting and killing. She couldn’t be happy otherwise. That was her.

While walking, Mirepoc was thinking. I wonder why she’s fought Lascall. Why would she oppose the Armed Librarians, betray the Indulging G.o.d Cult and keep on fighting?

No matter her reason, could she really have started a fight she had no chances of winning by herself?

Could Mirepoc have done it? Of course not. No matter the reason, she didn’t possess the courage to fight by herself.

Mirepoc had noticed.

The words she was about to say before… why she was able to trust Alme?

She felt drawn to her somewhere deep inside her.

Mirepoc couldn’t fight by herself so she was drawn to Alme who possessed the strength she did not have.

Mirepoc and Alme walked together for a while. They headed for a desolate place, perfect for them to kill each other.

It’s about time to start. Mirepoc was about to say so. But she couldn’t find an opportunity. She thought of talking to her a little bit more.

“Hey, what do you think happiness is?”

Alme suddenly asked.

“Who knows?”

Mirepoc answered. She hasn’t thought of this.

“You probably haven’t read her Book, but Parney wanted to become happy. Her only happiness was in appearing on the silver screen.”

“…”

“That geezer Ganbanzel wanted to become stronger than anyone, but that didn’t come true. He entrusted his dream to another person, but that failed too.”

“…”

“And Cigal-sama was also like that. He wanted to steal all happiness that people other than him had. But, that also failed.”

Mirepoc noticed that she used an honorific only for Cigal. Did Alme serve him?

“Even if I were to throw everything away and chase it with all of my might I would not reach it. How long do you think I need until I reach it?”

Mirepoc answered.

“You will never reach it. Because we Armed Librarians are here.”

“…”

“We are fighting in order to deny it. There’s no way it would be fine to make other people unhappy for your own happiness.”

“But even so we wanted to become happy. All of us.”

“You too?”

“Yes.”

She had a feeling their fight will start soon. They were setting the field. She could speak to her only a little longer.

“Say, Alme. Where does your happiness lie?”

Alme stopped in place and thought. She thought for a long time.

“…I don’t know.”

This seems to be the end, thought Mirepoc. Let us fight.

“It’s about time to begin.”

They both drew out their sword simultaneously.

While fighting, Mirepoc thought. I cannot win. I cannot defeat her conviction.

With Rully’s death and the fight against Lascall she’s changed a bit. However, it wasn’t anything definitive.

She will probably not be able to smash Alme’s will to fight alone to the end.

After several clashes were over, Mirepoc started speaking.

“Alme, I fully understand. I am weak.”

Alme stopped.

“At the end of the day, no matter how far I go I cannot fight by myself. Even when I fought Lascall I needed an ally like you.”

“…”

“I admit it. I can’t beat you. I can’t beat you when you can fight to the end by yourself.”

She slashed at Alme.

At the same time, Alme started thinking… that she couldn’t beat Mirepoc.

At the end of the day, she was just running around in circles.

She looked down on people, hated people, killed people and took from them. She could affirm herself only at that moment. That was all.

Even if she fought again and again, she couldn’t create anything. And that is why she could never win against Mirepoc.

The pair kept clashing. Both their swords ripped their clothes, cut their skin, gouged their flesh and grazed their vitals.

The four legs leapt around as if dancing, separated after colliding and then once again clashed.

Alme was thinking.

The opponent in front of me told me I was strong.

I wonder how long it’s been since someone acknowledged me. Truly, for the first time in a long while, I was recognized by someone.

If I were slightly weaker I might have cried.

Alme was both too strong and too weak to do that.

That was why she had no choice but to fight. Against the opponent that had acknowledged her.

Both of their breathing rose and their movements grew dull. Mirepoc looked at Alme with sorrowful eyes.

“I respect you, Alme. I will not forget you.”

Mirepoc lowered her sword. She felt sad.

“But… I am going to win.”

She felt the sadness of defeating an opponent she was drawn to. The emptiness of smashing the strength she was attracted to.

However, it was an unavoidable victory. Mirepoc’s victory was decided from the very beginning.

“Because…”

Mirepoc looked up to the heavens.

“You are alone.”

A gunshot echoed from behind Mirepoc.

This bullet was shot by the one who Mirepoc had called and finally arrived – Mattalast. It punched through Alme’s chest with unmatched accuracy.

“Since when?”

Alme asked. When did she call Mattalast?

“When I was talking with you.”

No finishing blow came from him. He was staring at the pair.

“How cowardly…”

Blood welled up from her throat. She wasn’t able to speak further.

Don’t call it cowardly. I cannot fight by myself. That is your strength.

Alme’s body fell to the ground. Reflected in her pupils were Mirepoc’s sad eyes.

Ah. That’s fine, young lady.

Haven’t you become a little bit stronger?

Mirepoc turned around and spoke.

“I’m sorry, Mattalast-san.”

“I’ll overlook that you took independent acts without consulting me. The process doesn’t matter as you’ve gotten results. Besides…”

Mattalast lowered his gun.

“I should be the one to apologize.”

“Do you have anything to apologize about?”

“…”

Mattalast didn’t answer.

“Let’s go back.”

Is this… death? Alme thought. She understood that Mirepoc had already left.

She couldn’t see anything anymore. Her consciousness slowly sank into darkness and would soon vanish. But she had no regrets. She’s already done what she had to.

If I have any regrets, it’s about how I don’t know why Cigal-sama threw me away.

Her field of vision was suddenly opened inside the darkness.

I’m reading a Book. Why am I being read a Book?

She read only an instant. This was the Book of the one she admired and chased after, Cigal.

It was shortly before their parting. It was when Alme went to retrieve the Magic Blade.

It was in one of the city’s corners, where the echoes of explosive sounds coming from afar could be heard. It was there that Alme and Cigal have said their farewells.

“Alme is happy. Is it really fine for a False Man to be this happy?”

When Alme said so, Cigal found out for the first time that Alme was happy.

“…Happy?”

He was disgusted.

Until that moment, Cigal had certainly loved Alme. She was someone who was supposed to understand him.

However, that love turned into hatred in an instant.

The reason for that was simple. It was because Alme was happy.

Only he was allowed to be happy. He couldn’t forgive the mere existence of other people that were happy.

“Why does she not know?”

Why does the person who understands him never got the most important thing of all?

What will he do with Alme happy? He was the only one who was supposed to be happy…

“Why! Doesn’t she know!”

Cigal stood up, grabbed the chair and threw it away.

“Ah, why! Why does no-one! Understand! Even though I yearn for it… For someone who doesn’t care about their own happiness!”

He kept muttering.

“All these trash… these trash…”

Cigal kept muttering to himself alone in the room while hearing the explosive echoes from afar.

The Book ended.

How could he… Was I thrown for such a stupid reason? I’m…

Winkeny and the Overseer of Paradise were right. I was a foolish and pitiful woman.

As if I’d admit it. As if. I’ve lived my life in my own way. So I will not be pitied by anyone.

“…”

She knew. No-one wanted to admit such things. She was merely a foolish woman.

Ever since she was born she hated one thing.

Being pitied by someone.

But she had one more thing she hated even more.

Pitying herself.

As if I’d cry. I’ll die while laughing. I will never pity myself.

It was the battlefield that Mirepoc and Mattalast left behind. A single girl was next to the lying Alme. She stowed away a small, small Book fragment inside her skirt’s pocket.

She didn’t look much older than ten. She had blue eyes and beautiful chestnut-colored long hair. Wearing a fresh blue one-piece dress, she was an elegant girl.

She held in her hand a blade made of stone.

The girl said,

“You threw away your family, your friends, kept serving a foolish man without gaining anything, and was finally betrayed by the one you devoted yourself to, dying without accomplishing anything.”

The girl looked at Alme’s face. Her expression was insufficient to be a smile, so it was something halfway there.

“But if you were to sing aloud of it as being happy…”

The girl reached for Alme’s face.

“Wouldn’t that be your happiness in and of itself?”

Her thin fingers moved Alme’s face. She calmly closed her eyelids, distorted her cheeks and moved her lips. Alme’s face at death became that of a smile.

“The Pa.s.sed Stone Blade Yor.”

The girl removed her hands from the face. She then thrust the blade into the ground. A single Book was created on the sword’s tip.

The girl picked it up, stowed it into her pocket, and then her body sank into the ground and vanished.