TATAKAU SHISHO - Volume 9, 1: The Defeated Remnants and the Demon Lord of Despair – Part 2

Volume 9, Chapter 1: The Defeated Remnants and the Demon Lord of Despair – Part?2

 

That day, Kachua was diligently going through paperwork. It was related to the work review and personal assessment of the Armed Librarians. He was preparing the materials for the yearly annual salary discussions and personnel administration. This job was originally done by the Acting Director and examinations in the office, but he was able to gain enough trust for them to let him do everything single-handedly.

He wore a refined cocoa-colored suit with a loop-tie and had small glasses on his nose. Apart from his special hair color it was an appearance unlike an Armed Librarian.

He was 23 years old back then. He had already passed through the Second Sealed Labyrinth and obtained qualifications as a First Grade Armed Librarian. He heard about the existence of Ruruta and the secret of the Indulging God Cult from the Acting Director. However, at that point in time he didn’t have any interest in Ruruta. He only acknowledged him as a bothersome hazard that required the expense of time, money and manpower.

Running his feather pen, Kachua was suddenly disturbed by incomprehensible thoughts shared with him.

‘Kachua, go to the Acting Director’s Office.’

Who was saying that and on whose behalf? Kachua was annoyed and ignored it.

‘Kachua?’

The sender seemed confused by their being ignored. The next instant Kachua felt a repulsive sensation run through from his spine to his rear. Even he couldn’t understand what that was. Was it murderous intent or did someone activate an ability to cause discomfort? He couldn’t explain it in words other than the fact he had never felt something like that nor would he ever feel it again.

‘Kachua, go to the Acting Director’s Office.’

He realized who the sender was. I never thought that he would call me. There was no mistake it was Ruruta Coozancoona.

He removed his glasses, pulled out his sword and ran to the corridor, as it was definitely not an ordinary situation. When he ran into the Acting Director’s Office the next moment, he nearly fell down in surprise.

“…Kachua, you did well to come. I was helpless by myself.”

Inside the office was the man who was both his friend as well as his rival. His name was Makia Dexiart. He would later take over as the Acting Director.

Just like Kachua he wore a suit, but his tastes were completely the opposite. His black, shiny suit had a shawl-collared shirt. Both were high quality and order-made. His hair was neatly arranged and spilled to his right side.

On his left eye was an eyepatch in the shape of a spade. That glamorous outfit seemed more suitable to the kind of man who’d kidnap a nobleman’s daughter. The only thing resembling an Armed Librarian about him was probably the rapier at his waist.

Kachua was probably somewhat stronger than him. He also won in the sharpness of his mind. However, Makia’s attitude was aloof and unperturbed and he exhibited an incomprehensible intuition at important times. Even Kachua couldn’t gauge this mysterious man.

“I think you get it by looking, but I’m in a bad spot.”

His lips were trembling and his face was pale. Kachua was the same. That was not an expression befitting those who were called the right and left hand of Bantorra Library’s Acting Director.

This room was supposed to have the Acting Director in it. No, he was there. He was definitely there.

His neck was at the window. To the feet of Makia.

His legs were alongside the wall to the door side. That was at Kachua’s feet.

His torso was in the middle of the room, and his hands were near the walls of both sides. His thighs were directly connected to his torso and legs. Between his hands and torso were both arms.

He was torn apart. Literally.

Kachua clutched his own breast and gasped for breath. The Acting Director had fighting strength on a whole different level than him. When compared to Ireia or Hamyuts from later on he was at about their level or perhaps even above it. That Director’s body was in front of his eyes. And he knew who killed him so casually. He couldn’t help but feel dread.

He supposedly understood Ruruta’s strength. However, he only knew it with his mind. It wasn’t something he witnessed with his skin or his eyes.

“You seem to have calmed down, Kachua.”

Makia spoke in a strange, elongated tone. It was his usual foolish tone. He seemed to be pushing himself somewhat. And yet he still retained his calmness.

“Yeah, somewhat.”

Kachua responded while pressing on his chest.

“For the time being, nothing happened in other rooms. Only two people were killed. I told the others not to come here.”

When he said “two people”, Kachua hurriedly looked around him. He hadn’t noticed this, but there was also a person collapsed there as if a mere decorative plant. It seemed to be a woman of about 40 years old. He wasn’t acquainted with her.

“…You haven’t met her. She was the current Overseer of Paradise.”

Makia explained. Looking at her, he could see plenty of needle marks on her arm. They were traces of something having been injected into her. She was perhaps still alive but impossible to save.

Regardless, it was an abnormal situation. Unable to follow any of it, Kachua stood there, stunned.

“By the way, Director. I understand what’s happened, but… what should we do now?”

Makia said. Kachua was surprised, but Ruruta was indeed the only one who knew what to do. Although Makia didn’t seem calm, he hadn’t lost his strange boldness and his rationality.

‘…Kachua, Makia, please calm down. I have no intention to harm you.’

Ruruta’s Thought Sharing echoed in his mind. His tone was strangely gentle. It really seemed like he had no intention to attack.

‘I seek your opinion. Do you two think this is happiness?’

Two syringes appeared from the window. There was some poisonous-looking purplish red liquid inside them. They slowly flew through air. The strange combination of Ruruta and these syringes made Kachua’s body stiff.

There were two syringes and there were two people in the room. What he was going to do was clear. Kachua tried moving but his body froze. He couldn’t even tell if he was restricted or was simply unable to move out of fear.

“I disagree!”

Looking at the liquid inside the syringes, Kachua cried reflexively. One of them stopped.

“Hey, what’s that?”

Makia said while paling.

“Makia, it’s the Roiz drug.”

Kachua told him.

“W-What’s that?”

Makia panicked.

“It is a powerful narcotic drug. A few years ago, a researcher from the Science Agency developed it from the flower known as Roiz. For a short time you feel exaltation and euphoria, but they are followed by frightening side-effects.”

Makia then shouted.

“W-what the heck’s that, I-I disagree. I also disagree!”

The syringe stopped on the verge of stabbing him. Both syringes ruptured at the same time and a sweet smell was emitted from the liquid within.

‘Good. You two agree with me as well.’

Ruruta seemed to be really relieved.

‘I believe that you have both already received explanations about me from the previous Director. As well as about the fact I am looking for the perfect, unblemished happiness.

I shall explain the current situation. The previous Acting Director and the Overseer of Paradise gave the Roiz Drug to people and offered them to me as the Books of happy people. I was quietly watching to see if they had any ulterior motives but it seemed they thought this was enough for their professional duties.

Do you two think they were correct?’

“…”

Kachua was silent. He had heard about Ruruta’s existence the year before. The Acting Director told him that as long as Ruruta was given Books of happiness he was harmless. He felt some anxiety at the time, but now his needless fears became reality.

“I cannot deny they have neglected their duty.”

Kachua said unhesitatingly.

‘I see. What do you think, Makia?’

Makia stayed silent for a while. He then spoke as if squeezing the words out of his stomach.

“…They certainly didn’t fulfill their duties.”

‘If you also think that way, I judge it adequate for them to take responsibility for this case. From now on you two will manage Bantorra Library and the Indulging God Cult. This is all I have to say to you. I hold expectations for your future work.’

“Can you not just decide to end the conversation on your own? Can’t you say even a single word for having killed him?”

“Cut that out, Makia.”

Kachua stopped him in a hurry. His friendship with him was a pretense, but he still had some value. He couldn’t let him die.

‘Makia. Your anger is not beneficial. You are a useful Armed Librarian, so losing you would be a great loss for me as well.’

If he won’t obey he’ll be killed. That what was Ruruta said in simple terms.

“What’re you saying? I’m talking about you killing him.”

“Stop Makia! Do you want to die?!”

‘Since humans are all my property, it is my liberty whether or not to kill them. He had made a mistake, and people don’t reflect on their follies unless they die. I believe that is enough of an excuse.’

After staying silent for a while, Makia started laughing.

“That’s true, yeah, I’ve forgotten, sorry for my rudeness Director. I was extremely rude.”

His voice was laughing, but there was anger deep within it.

‘…Makia, I am satisfied with your decision. Settling this without killing a useful Armed Librarian is very fortunate. I have expectations for your future work.’

“Why thank you.”

Makia said indifferently.

‘Makia. My request is nothing wrong. I only wish for two things: for more people to be happy, and for that happiness to be offered up to me. Making people happy is good, and offering up that happiness to me is also good.

Accomplishing this is the best thing for both me and you. You should understand this. I will let you decide who will become the Acting Director and who will become the Overseer of Paradise.’

With that their conversation was over.

Makia hit the desk as soon as all signs of Ruruta vanished. And he then began to cry quietly. Wearing the mask of a normal person, Kachua tried consoling him.

“Nothing to do about it, Makia. There was nothing we could have done about it.”

In contrast to his words, Kachua was thinking of a completely different thing in the depths of his mind.

He was impressed.

What wonderful power. It was enough to make him scared as well as make Makia and the previous Acting Director completely helpless.

An absolute authority had to be supported by absolute power. And he has seen that absolute power right now. He would set up Ruruta to become a God. Kachua found his goal.

The thing he needed was close by. Kachua only needed Ruruta Coozancoona.

And thus he began action. He discussed with Makia and assumed office as the Overseer of Paradise. He stopped using the Armed Librarians. The existing organization would only be a nuisance for reforming the world.

It took ten years for Kachua to refine his plan for the unification of the world. It took him twenty years to expend the organization of the Indulging God Cult. And it took him further thirty years to gather military power.

Controlling the state would be impossible; he simply sent spies to the center of every country. Afterwards only destroying the Armed Librarians remained. He had already gotten enough military power for that purpose.

Then, the deadly struggle between the Indulging God Cult and the Armed Librarian involved the entire world.

One could say they have done their utmost efforts against the one hailed to be the strongest in history, Hamyuts. They have caused her to fall to a crisis countless times and there were also times she was cornered nearly to her death.

Kachua supported Cigal, raised the monster Zatoh, manipulated Mokkania to make him fight, and used the warriors and human bombs he brought up without any regrets. And he was able to reach his final move, the activation of Arkit’s Deep Blue Curse. But even then Kachua was defeated.

Hamyuts Meseta who became the center of battle; Colio Tonies who rescued her from her crisis; the spy-hunting specialist Minth Chezine; as well as Noloty Malche and Enlike Bishile who were able to break through the Deep Blue Curse Rebellion. If only one of those five had been missing, he was certain he would have achieved victory. He didn’t think his plans or military power was inadequate. He simply had bad luck.

While watching the peaceful world reflected on the sky of Ruruta’s Imaginary Entrails, Kachua finally gave up on changing it.

Kachua walked alone in the desert of the Imaginary Entrails. He wanted to meet Ruruta once before disappearing into the sand.

He wanted to know what Ruruta was thinking about. He only knew about his absolute power and so had no idea what kind of a being he was. Why hadn’t Ruruta supported him? The world he wanted to create was far better than the Indulging God Cult of the past.

He wanted to hear the answer to his final question and then disappear satisfyingly. So he thought.

Kachua arrived at the center of the Imaginary Entrails, at a building that looked like a theater.

That theater was surprisingly small. It looked to be about as big as the square of a small village. It was all made from white stone. It was probably made by hardening the sand from around. There were simple stone benches inside the circular walls. It could probably accommodate around 70 or 80 people.

It was small and undignified, yet it also didn’t have any purity or elegance, so as a boring theater it gave the impression of being something that was merely forgotten behind.

It wasn’t a building suitable to be the castle of the man who owned the world and surpassed the power of the Gods. Yet Ruruta was there.

“…”

Kachua hesitated on talking to him. It was because it seemed as if he sat inside the center of the stage and was asleep. Even as he grew closer Ruruta made no response. Was he actually sleeping?

Ruruta had a time he was asleep. No, someone had once said that he was probably asleep for most of the year. Was it Makia or Photona? He couldn’t recall.

He might have been asleep during the entire time Kachua’s Indulging God Cult fought. If it was true it wouldn’t be funny at all.

Ruruta seemed practically defenseless. He didn’t seem like he was about to open his eyes. Kachua walked inside the theater and looked around.

Suddenly he noticed that there was something strange further inside the stage.

“…Why is such a thing here?”

Having a theater in the middle of the desert was bizarre, but that being inside was also strange.

No, perhaps this whole theater was created for that? If so, it meant that it was something important to Ruruta.

An isolated lone theater in the vast desert. That inside that theater. There was no way it wasn’t important.

He approached and touched it.

“Kachua Beeinhaus, huh?”

Ruruta opened his eyes. Kachua had already removed his hand from that.

“…Have you touched it?”

“Yes, I have. And I now know what you are really after. I will say it plainly, Ruruta Coozancoona. You should destroy the world.”

“…”

Ruruta stayed silent.

“You will never get what you are seeking unless you destroy the world. Both Armed Librarians, the Indulging God Cult, and all this world is completely meaningless for you.”

“…”

“Please make a decision for yourself.”

And after a while of silence…

“Disappear.”

He said this one word and moved his finger. Kachua’s body was blown away with a tremendous force and pounded against the sand. And he was buried inside it.

That happened a year ago. Ruruta has finally made a decision after hesitating for a year. He was going to destroy the world just like Kachua wanted.

He was happy from the bottom of his heart. He was finally able to attain his goals. He was finally able to destroy this imperfect world.

This was already above the grade of a simple chess. It was the same as taking the piece of the king off the board. He didn’t even have any obstacles in his way.

Kachua continued his fight with the resistance of the last three people remaining inside the Imaginary Entrails.

Winkeny was impatient. They couldn’t afford being delayed at such a place. Never mind defeating Kachua, they wouldn’t necessarily stop Ruruta who already began his move. Even after beating him they would have to look for a way to defeat Ruruta.

“Alme! Behind you!”

Winkeny shouted. Alme turned around and attacked behind. Her aim wasn’t wrong. However, she wasn’t fast enough. Her sword cut through air and Kachua’s one-handed sword sliced her all the way from her shoulder to her chest.

“Curse you, Overseer of Paradise!”

Charlotte invoked his Magic Right and twisted the space Kachua inhabited. But, perhaps already having moved, the attack only cut through air.

Winkeny anticipated Kachua’s path and began an attack. He jumped while in his petroleum form and tried covering him to get inside his lungs. That also failed.

Although old, he was a former First Grade Armed Librarian. There was a big difference between their skills. Alme was far below the top as a warrior. Charlotte was a Great Magician but had no battle experience. Winkeny was out of the question.

“It is useless, you foolish resistance. Please disappear already.”

Kachua said while laughing. Because of his ability to show illusions they had no idea where he really was.

They were all injured. From the wounds inflicted by Kachua’s one-handed sword what came flowing out was not blood but sand.

“What’s this sand…”

Winkeny muttered. He had his left hand cut off and sand spilled from his wound. He tried stopping the sand from spilling, but that gave an opening for Kachua to attack him again.

Winkeny soon noticed the mechanism of this world. The people inside the Imaginary Entrails were already originally dead. They were an existence with no body, only souls. Even if hurt by an attack no blood will spill. Since he had no flesh he also had no blood. Instead, his sense of self was shredded with every attack. The more sand spilled from him, the less Winkeny could recognize himself as Winkeny.

“Winkeny! Since you’re weak, get away!”

Alme shouted and charged. But without being able to see through Kachua’s illusion she attacked in vain.

“Why, Kachua?! Weren’t you trying to create the ideal world?”

Charlot distorted the area around him with his Spatial Magic. However, even for Winkeny it seemed too dull of an attack.

“Why…”

Winkeny couldn’t do anything. Why are we so powerless? Why are us powerless people the last defense of the world? We can’t save anything like that. So why were we the only ones left?

If it’s useless to fight then kill us already. That way I’d have less regrets!

Kachua nimbly evaded their attacks and lunged his sword as if to torture them to death. Winkeny and the rest had no choice but continue this desperate fight.

At that moment, Ruruta who stood on top of the needle that penetrated Hamyuts and Bantorra Library suddenly noticed something.

“Something is happening inside my Imaginary Entrails. Are those that came to stop me fighting?”

Ruruta closed his eyes.

“I’ll go there.”

He crouched with only one foot, still standing atop the needle with only his big toe.

He closed his eyes. It looked as if he was asleep or lost his consciousness. He sunk his soul into the Imaginary Entrails. And it then showed up in the desert where Winkeny and the rest fought. Ruruta came from the outside world to the other world inside him.

After a long battle, Charlot finally became exhausted.

“O-Olivia… you are the only…”

With these final words also in vain, his fat body turned into a heap of sand.

And Alme was also defeated. Both of her legs were severed and her body morphed to sand.

“Shit, so that’s how it is, Mirepo?! Armed Librarians! Are you all like that?!”

“We are exactly like that, Alme.”

Kachua finished off the collapsed Alme. Her body also became sand and vanished.

At last only Winkeny has remained. He was already at his wits’ end. At that moment, he heard a voice.

“So as I thought it is you, Kachua.”

Simultaneous to this voice a large explosive sound roared around. It was a lightning strike. Winkeny was convinced of his death without even any time to ponder if this was someone’s attack. There was no way his petroleum body could withstand lightning.

However, Winkeny was alive. His form returned from that of petroleum to human. Around him he could only see sparks and even looking around he could see no one else. Even Kachua became sand and vanished.

“…Ruruta?”

Winkeny looked up. A human figure was descending from high above in the sky. It lowered to the sand only a bit farther from where Winkeny was. He couldn’t grasp the situation for a while and stayed there standing.

“A troubling man as always.”

Having come down, Ruruta spoke in a quiet voice and yet it was clearly audible even from afar. Winkeny finally realized that Ruruta had defeated Kachua and saved him.

Ruruta glanced at him, turned his back, and began walking to the theater.

Winkeny followed him.

Crossing the desert, Winkeny set foot in the small theater. Ruruta supposedly entered this place.

Even when he came inside, he heard no complaints or attacks. Winkeny stood behind the spectator seats.

Ruruta was there. He lightly sat on the stage and looked at Winkeny.

He spoke to him as he stood there completely clueless and dumbfounded.

“Were you Winkeny Bize? If I am mistaken forgive me.”

It was a surprisingly calm voice. And he spoke with surprisingly normal words.

“…There is no mistake. The False Man of the Indulging God Cult, Winkeny Bize, apologizes for this unannounced intrusion.”

Winkeny said while remaining standing upright. He couldn’t really tell if there was or wasn’t a need to use polite language but decided to pay respects for the time being.

“You came here because you have business with me, right? Please seat down.”

Just as he was told Winkeny sat on one of the stone chairs in the audience section.

What a strange atmosphere, he thought. This conversation was far too normal. This man, who was about to destroy the world, offered this plain, boring man Winkeny to sit down. These unusual circumstances and ordinary interaction did not fit each other.

“You have come to stop me, right?”

“Indeed… Ruruta, have you defeated Kachua to save me?”

He had no idea where to start from. For the time being he just asked what first came to mind.

“A guest was trying to come to my place. However, a rotting old tree was blocking the way. I have simply removed the obstacle.”

“…Thank you very much.”

“I’m the one who called you. You don’t have to thank me.”

What was going on with this conversation?

“I’ve heard what that man… what Kachua was saying from the middle. He seemed to have been thinking that he had me under his control. What a stupid man.”

“Huh?”

“Kachua was not the cause. Not even the trigger. I would have done this regardless of his existence. If you think that Kachua is the cause for the world’s destruction, you better think again.”

“…”

“It just so happened that the situation moved in the direction that man had wanted. He had no accomplishments whatsoever.”

What did that mean? Did that mean destroying the world was Ruruta’s own decision?

“He was a bothersome man. Of all the things he’s done none of them were for my sake. Even the new Indulging God Cult he had tried to build was trifling. It would’ve simply ended in a tyranny that made people miserable. If saying so makes you uncomfortable I apologize, though.”

“I do not mind. I already do not possess any feelings of adoration for Kachua.”

“…I see. However, your Book was not something bad for me. Yeah, as was the Book of that Alme. You guys have not brought any benefits to this world, but seeing you bring out your wits, putting your lives at stake and expending your utmost efforts is beautiful to me. Do you dislike our chat?”

“…N-no.”

“I have become quite talkative as of late. Now that I think about it, it’s been fifty years since the last time I conversed with anyone.”

Winkeny had no idea what to talk about. He could only feel discomfort.

Ruruta Coozancoona. He was the owner of the world, possessing powers that surpassed even the Gods. And now he was aiming to destroy the world.

Winkeny had thought of him as a person mentally twisted from his very base like Hamyuts. Or perhaps someone whose mental balance had crumbled such as Mokkania. If not that, then perhaps it was already impossible to hold any conversation with him, a being that normal people could simply not understand. However, as long as they were conversing Ruruta wasn’t like any of that.

He was normal. Defining a normal mentality was hard, but he felt nothing strange from him.

However, that normal man wanted to destroy the world. Winkeny couldn’t understand him. Who was this man? What was he thinking about? Why did he want to destroy the world?

“For a while I’ve been the only one to speak. How about you say something? You came to stop me, right?”

Indeed. However, he had no idea what to say that would stop Ruruta.

“Ruruta, why?”

“…”

“Why do you plan to destroy the world? I cannot understand.”

Ruruta averted his gaze.

“I can’t explain it briefly.”

“…You search for the perfect, unblemished happiness. That is what I have heard. We the Indulging God Cult have been dedicating ourselves for that. Cigal was devoted and so was Ganbanzel. Were they not enough?”

“…”

“You have said that the Indulging God Cult is foolish. I agree with that. However, there is the new Overseer of Paradise, Minth Chezine. Since it’s him, he will be able to create a much better Cult than Kachua.

The Indulging God Cult worked for you with whole-hearted devotion! Why is their reward destruction?! What complaints do you have about us?!”

Winkeny was surprised at his own words. Did he really have such an attachment to the Cult?

“…The Indulging God Cult has worked well. Minth Chezine is also probably working well. I believe that you’ve also done what you should.”

“So why?!”

Winkeny stoop up and shouted.

“Because you cannot reach it… The unblemished, perfect happiness.”

“That doesn’t make a reason! Do you intend to destroy the world because it doesn’t give you the perfect happiness?! If you do so then you won’t be able to get it all the more! It is self-evident!”

“…I’m sorry.”

Winkeny was shocked. Why are you apologizing? And if you apologize, please give up on destroying the world.

“However, I have no choice in the matter.”

“…”

“I have wondered for a long time whether there is any other way. But I can only do this.”

After a while of silence, Ruruta spread his right hand and lifted it up as if offering something. As he did, small shining sand was created inside his palm.

“If I speak about it in words for several hours you will probably not understand. So I will let you know.”

The sparkling sand floated on his palm. He lightly blew it away with his breath. It spread to the desert.

“This is my memory. If you touch it you will come to know of my 2000 years of life.”

Winkeny touched a grain of sand scattered in the wind. Just like a Book, it had Ruruta’s entire life embedded within.

Only several tens of seconds passed. During this time, Winkeny understood everything. Ruruta’s birth, his fight against the Beasts of the Final Chapter, as well as the reason for the destruction of the world.

“Do you understand now, Winkeny? The reason for why I’m about to destroy the world.”

Ruruta said calmly.

“So, what will you do, Winkeny? You came here to stop me, right?”

Winkeny was speechless.

He had to stop Ruruta. He had to save the world. However, he couldn’t think of even a single word to say to him.

He couldn’t. He just couldn’t stop him. Now that he understood everything about him, he couldn’t reject him.

Don’t give up, think. Just like you manipulated Mokkania back then you can do it to Ruruta. Move Ruruta’s heart.

Even if he thought so, he couldn’t think of anything to say.

A tear fell from Winkeny’s eye. Who were these tears for? For the world about to be destroyed? For himself who was unable to save it, or tears for Ruruta?

“…It’s useless.”

Winkeny said in a sobbing voice. He dropped to his knees.

“I can’t do anything… I’m sorry, Ruruta, I couldn’t stop it… There’s nothing I can do… Besides destroying the world, there’s no…”

Ruruta smiled somewhat sadly.

“…So you think so as well.”

He rose up and moved silently. He stood next to Winkeny and put his hand to his head.

“The Power of Tearless Ending.”

Winkeny’s body fell to the ground.

Seeing Winkeny’s body stretched on the sand, Ruruta once again sat on the edge of the stage.

“So you were unable to stop me as well.”

He spoke to the sleeping Winkeny.

“Neither the Armed Librarians, the Indulging God Cult, you nor anybody else were able to stop me. I’m making the utmost compromise. No matter who, please tell me you will stop me.”

Ruruta looked to the sky.

“Is there really no one who can stop me? Do I truly have no other choice?”

He kept muttering while gazing at the sky.