Always Losing
"All the buildings collapsed into ruins, and blood-colored musical notes drifted through the sky.
"That day, I went out on a mission, while my pregnant wife was resting at home.
"I had promised her that I would definitely come home early and bring her the scallion pancakes she loved.
"But when I arrived home, she had already left me. The sound of a piano wandered endlessly in my ears. The sky was filled with blood-colored musical notes.
"I dropped the package containing the scallion pancakes and ran as fast as I could, but I couldn't outrun those notes. Until...
"I saw with my own eyes as she turned into musical notes right before me.
"Yes, even those who can rival Colors... let alone her, who was still pregnant.
"Our child went to that world together with her."
Roland let out a long sigh.
"Regardless, thank you for telling me. From your perspective, this must be quite an unpleasant thing to recount."
"Roland, if that truly started because of me, I am very sorry."
"The aura emitted by The Library and the Librarian is very similar to those monsters transformed through the Distortion phenomenon. You must have suffered quite a bit during that time in the past. Alright, let's keep watching."
"Thank you, Isadora."
"Don't say 'thank you' anymore. I'm just doing my job."
"Then let's set off!"
As they wrote their names on the invitation, they were teleported away.
In an instant, they arrived at the entrance of The Library.
"They are here. I'll go handle the reception; you all get ready. Bring Mars, Lulu, and the others along."
"Is this really okay? Making them fight their own loved ones..."
"If you are confident that you can complete the reception by sending others, then that's fine. But are you sure?"
"This... I am not."
"So this is an unavoidable battle. The invitations were all signed by them voluntarily. We just need to do as we always do."
"So this is The Library. This method of spatial movement is already quite close to Singularity technology."
"Yes, the director of The Library will come out to greet us soon."
"Angela, is that her?"
With a snap of fingers, Angela appeared out of thin air.
"Welcome, guests. I am Angela, the director of The Library."
"I presume you all already know who I am."
"We have come to retrieve the books of Mars and Lulu."
"They are right here. I need to ask you a question."
"Why should I answer you?"
"Whether you answer or not is irrelevant. Just listen for a moment. If you were facing your own loved ones, would you swing your sword at them?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing, just curious about your thoughts."
"Swing my sword at my loved ones... No, no, I don't know. I don't understand why you would ask such a question."
"That is enough."
"We either retrieve their books, or we become part of The Library's collection, right?"
"Of course, everything is as stated on the invitation."
"It feels like talking to a wall. You are as cold as a machine."
"May you find the book you are looking for."
Roland, Ayou, as well as Mars and Lulu were waiting on the stage.
When Shan arrived at the stage and saw this scene, it was just like the scene when Lulu saw Mars.
"Children... no, you. What have you done to them?"
"Do not panic. They have already lost, so they naturally became part of The Library's collection. If you win, you can naturally take their books away."
"No, this isn't true, right? Must I swing my sword at them?"
At this moment, Isadora comforted Shan, saying: "Observe the situation first, don't act rashly, and don't be provoked."
The battle officially began.
Shan faced off against Ayou, while Julia and Roland clashed swords.
While Shan was fighting Ayou, she was clearly somewhat distracted.
From time to time, she would look towards Mars and Lulu on the side, observing them.
"No, there's no mistake. The sword techniques Mars uses were taught by me personally; I wouldn't forget them."
Lulu and Mars didn't say a single word. They were as calm as machines.
Roland gradually utilized the Abnormality pages. His strength and speed underwent a qualitative change. His opponent quickly fell, and as Roland's sword pierced Julia's chest, Julia spat out a mouthful of blood.
Meanwhile, Mars and Lulu had finished clearing out the cannon fodder on the side. Now, only the exhausted Shan and the severely injured Julia remained on the stage.
"Shan... run..."
"But you..."
"Our mission is to obtain intelligence; someone must take the intelligence out."
"No, I cannot leave. I cannot abandon you alone."
"Run!"
After freeing herself from Roland's sword, Julia used her last remaining strength to push Shan off the stage. Finally, due to excessive blood loss, Julia turned into a book. The reception ended.
After leaving the stage, Angela asked Roland:
"What exactly are family and friendship?"
"Well, that's hard for me to explain, but it's just a type of relationship anyway."
"People can help each other and treat each other sincerely. Just like me and Ayou. Sharing things, helping each other out."
"Then are we friends?"
"Uh, I suppose so."
"Then will you swing your sword at me?"
"I probably wouldn't. Unless..."
"Hmm? Unless?"
"You turn into that popcorn machine again."
"I apologize for that. It shouldn't happen again in the future."
Ayou thought for a moment before saying:
"Emotions... they are wondrous and elusive. How should I put it?"
"I don't know either."
Roland heard Ayou's strange remark.
"Wait, are you an idiot?"
"Ah, I only have one pen."
"... I said you are a two-armed idiot."