What a Load of Crap, That Shield is Worthless
"That's how the Section Chief is; only Shan managed to escape."
"And The Library has the ability to use the dead for its own purposes."
"Isadora, what do you think is the purpose of The Library?"
"Based on the intelligence collected so far, it should be to accumulate knowledge. The Library merely proposes transactions; it does not actively harm the outside world, and it only rewards or disposes of those who enter. The winners receive the books they desire, while the losers become part of The Library's collection."
"Then, do you think there is a connection between The Library and the Distortion phenomenon?"
"I... am not sure for the moment. But my intuition tells me that there must be a connection between the two."
"Your intuition might be right. Look at this."
Walter took the gold-stamped invitation out of his pocket. Prominently displayed among the three books was a Book of Distortion.
"Isadora, once this operation is over, I will definitely promote you."
"Tell me, what is the motto of the Zwei Association?"
"To be your shield, Section Chief."
"Correct. We must act as our clients' shield. Never let your shield falter. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Section Chief."
"Tell me, what is the current rating of The Library?"
"It is an Urban Legend, Section Chief. However, every time the report is updated, its danger level shows a slight upward trend."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that it might possess a strong capacity for development."
"Look at this, the hook is straight and the bait is salty. It seems they have been using this irresistible bait to lure victims. Am I right?"
"Yes, Section Chief."
"Therefore, we will send more personnel for this operation. No retreat."
At this moment, Shan, who was listening in the back, was instantly moved by Walter's heartfelt speech.
"Section Chief, thank you."
"Who are you?"
"I am..."
"Don't think that just because you are from a simple subsidiary Office, you can have an equal conversational status with the Section Chief. We are just conducting business."
"A Book of Distortion?"
"Angela, can I take a look at it when you have time?"
"Of course you can."
"By the way, where did this book come from?"
"This is something I wrote by gathering my thoughts on the connection between the Distortion and L Corp."
"Since you can write books, why do you need to find people to practice? Isn't it better to write a bunch yourself? I can only write books based on the intelligence I currently possess; it takes a long time to write another one."
"The Library's current collection is compiled from the knowledge of all the Designated Librarians."
"I see. Then can I often ask for your books to read in the future?"
"As long as you are still helping me, I am happy to cooperate, but don't keep pestering me."
"Understood. I am just someone doing odd jobs for Director Angela. How could I do anything so heinous as to worry Director Angela?"
"Why have you started being so glib as well?"
Ayou:?
"Hey, I didn't teach him that!"
"You two are truly birds of a feather. By the way, do you think this plan will succeed?"
"So far, things are progressing quite smoothly."
"It's just a matter of bringing out what they want most at this very moment. I am better at assessing the situation and adapting to the times than anyone else."
"Relying on that Zwei Section Chief should be more than enough. The intelligence he possesses is a whole level higher than what we have collected in the past."
"But I think that Section Chief might not be an easy person to deal with. His attitude towards others doesn't seem very friendly."
"Guests, welcome. I am..."
Angela's opening remarks were interrupted by Walter before she could finish.
"You are Angela, the Director of The Library and a Librarian, am I right?"
"Yes, as you said."
"I have read the report about you. You are a machine, not a human, am I right?"
Seeing that the visitor meant no good, Angela did not answer but remained silent.
"Little one, little one, silence won't solve the problem. As a machine, you should operate like a machine. This little Library is run quite well, but you are a non-human intelligent entity. Causing such a big commotion in The City will cause us so much trouble."
"Section Chief, doing this will provoke her."
Before Isadora could finish, Angela teleported them away.
"May you find the books you desire."
On the stage, Ayou and Roland were preparing, while Lulu and Mars were not present; they were still in the state of books.
When the guests arrived, there were many of them: Walter, Isadora, and Shan, along with three cannon fodder, all had arrived.
Ayou saw the newcomers.
"We meet again."
Shan didn't say a word.
"I know you might be a bit angry, but..."
"Shut up. I will retrieve their books, and that's all."
"Fine, fine."
With a snap of fingers, five books were placed on the stage: Lulu and Mars, Pierre, and Finn.
And Lulu's true friends and family were all manifested at once.
The battle officially began.
Walter did not take the initiative to attack; only he remained waiting in place.
"Old geezer, still alive?"
Walter was not affected by Roland's words and remained unmoved.
Instead, he continued to swing his sword.
Ayou was using his pen to launch magical attacks.
Lulu and Mars were still assigned to clear out the cannon fodder.
Finn faced off against Shan, while Ayou and Roland attempted to surround and suppress Isadora.
Just when everyone was fighting intensely, no one noticed Walter's actions.
Walter raised his sword and quietly sneaked behind Roland and Ayou.
Walter then slashed at the back of Roland's head with his sword, striking Roland's skull hard, but it didn't seem to cause any substantial damage.
Roland just felt his scalp itch a little and turned to look.
"You old geezer, trying to sneak attack."
Roland's scar just happened to trigger that slight probability.
Walter was not affected by Roland's voice and continued to swing his sword.
He didn't speak, but he was indeed starting to feel a little panicked inside.
"How come it doesn't even leave a mark?"
Afterward, Roland focused his attention on the battle with Walter.
Ayou was on the side dueling Isadora. It was called a duel, but in the face of EGO power, normal weapons were hard to parry. The blade light of the quill pen went straight through Isadora's sword; she failed to defend successfully and was slashed directly on her body.
Although Ayou had no combat skills, he successfully gained the upper hand by relying on his recovery ability.
Shan looked at the young boy in front of him; the sword in his hand and the one in his own hand were both short swords. The moment the blades clashed, he found it hard to parry.
"What is this? To have such strength at such a young age, did he undergo muscle enhancement surgery?"
Shan was beaten back repeatedly by Finn.
At this moment, Roland saw Finn's fierce offensive and decided to get serious, lest he really get stepped on later.
If Roland had only used less than 1/10 of his strength before, he was now using 1/10 of his strength.
Walter, facing the suddenly stronger Roland, kept swinging his sword, but his steps were continuously retreating.
"Old geezer, is that all you've got?"
Walter realized at this moment that they could not defeat The Library with their current abilities; everyone was suppressed. Walter began to develop a desire to retreat.
The cannon fodder had been cleared. Now, only Shan, Isadora, and Walter remained on the field. Walter said to Isadora:
"Retreat quickly!"
Afterward, the few of them retreated while fighting. As they were about to reach the edge of the stage,
Finn slashed at Walter. The speed was so fast and the power so great. Just as Walter reacted, the blade light was already in front of him. Walter pulled Isadora, who was beside him, in front of himself to block the blow.
"Walter, you... I..."
Isadora, who had already been battered and covered in wounds from the fierce battle with Ayou, finally turned into a book after taking this blow.
Then, Walter seized the opportunity and turned to run off the stage.
Shan saw Walter's running figure. He launched a surprise attack, rushing up to stop Walter.
"Are you trying to run away? If you run, what does that make the people who died here?"
"Dead is dead. Get lost!! They were just paying for the Association. They should be honored by this."
"What happened to your shield?"
"What a load of crap, that shield is worthless. Isn't it better to be alive? A bunch of idiots."
"I'm going to kill you."
Shan raised the short sword in his hand and slashed at Walter, but how could he defeat Walter, who had consumed almost no energy? In this battle, Walter was basically relying on others' efforts while he just fished in troubled waters.
Walter directly deflected Shan's attack and then knocked Shan to the ground.
"You bastard. Even if you kill me, you won't be able to get their books back."
At this moment, Ayou watched this scene and said to Roland beside him:
"In this situation, do we not need to move anymore?"
Roland expressed that he always had a bad premonition.
"Clearly I said I wanted to protect everyone, yet I couldn't do anything. What do I have left now?"
"Is there any hope left to see? Because from the beginning, I knew what The Library was collecting books for."
"I also came here for something, right?"
"Why did it turn out like this, even though I wanted to protect everyone?"
"Who are you, exactly?"
"You've been talking non-stop over there since just now."
"This voice is like the sun, warm, but it's already too late."
"I once imagined more beautiful endings..."