Tosho Meikyuu:Volume1 Chapter6

◇◇◇261 Pages until Memory Loss

2nd tower, 4th floor of the Library Labyrinth. 14 levels counting from the surface, a vertical displacement of 80 meters. Your group has arrived at the level where the Atelier of Kai Okutsuki, the Doctor Magna, lies.

"…We’re here."

"Yes, Okutsuki-san. Let’s hurry through as quickly as possible without alerting anyone."

Erika whispers as you pass by the guardhouse next to the elevator station.

The elevator is an important exploration base, and thus a target for attacks by Labyrinth creatures (monsters) and hostile guilds. Therefore, the ‘Apothecary’ has organized a specialized squadrons to monitor and guard each level.

(Armed guards with grimoire and long staffs. Security sure is tight here…)

"If the enemies break through here, they can ride the elevator and head directly to the populated area (Library). This is a base where humanity will be endangered if monsters pass through, so heavy security is to be expected. With the power of this True Ancestor (I) now, it will take lots of bloodsucking to break through. Prudent it is to lie low."

"Shh! Since you know, don’t say such scary things!"

As all of you watching the guards out of the corner of your eye, you hastily flee the scene.

You escape the guards’ sight by passing through the elevator hall formed by crumbling a wall (bookshelf)—and you are already inside the Library Labyrinth, where darkness and monsters reign. This is a dark and gloomy cavern of endless reading rooms.

(…This is the second level of Library Labyrinth. The air density clearly feels different from the shallow levels of the ‘Library’…)

"Please be careful. This ‘Reading Room’ lying within the darkness is the real Library Labyrinth."

Erika mutters with a tense look as she pulls out a ‘storage book’ from the blademail on her left shoulder. She tears off a page with a sticky note on it that reads, ‘Carrying Equipment’, turns it upside down and shakes it. Clink! It rolls onto Erika's palm.

"A ‘storage book’…I see, so you tear a page off to retrieve something?"

"Yes. It may be a little too bright to a vampire’s eyes, but we need light to avoid being mistaken for a criminal of some sort. Please endure this."

Erika pulls out a matchstick from her pocket and lights the wick through the windshield of the cantera. The flickering flame of the portable lamp clearly etches the Labyrinth's shelves onto your vampirized retinas.

"Now then, let us go, Okutsuki-san. Please follow me."

"No, I’ll go first. If the scenario writer really has this level under surveillance, the vanguard will be most dangerous. I can’t let you stand here."

"Mu, given yesterday’s battle, your immortality is powerless against poison or instant death traps.I'll go ahead and lead you to Teacher's Atelier."

"Umu. Simply comparing combat strength, she surpasses yours. Gender aside, the one with the obligation to lead the way into the Labyrinth is the one who is familiar with the path."

Yes, certainly. Magic power doesn’t differ in terms of gender, so there is little distinction between male and female Labyrinth seekers. Therefore, when many are moving through the Labyrinth, the order is simply determined by ability.

Usually, the team leader is at the back of the pack, able to access the entire party’s situation, while the vice-leader most adept at magic and seeking enemies is to walk in front. Currently, the most suitable position is for Erika to lead the front, Arteria to cover the back, and you, the weakest, in the middle.

"I'm the tagalong of this group…?"

"In this Library Labyrinth, a difference in experience can mean a whole world of difference between life and death. Looking at the three here, surely you are the weakest."

"…I hate to agree with a vampire, but I’m more familiar with this level. After all, I had a magic duel against the scenario writer's assassin just two days ago.

"… Okay, Erika, please take the lead…."

Even with the immortality granted by the True Ancestor, you can't deal with dangerous traps and criminal ambushes without a logic wall.

Leave this task to Erika and hurry on to your Father's Atelier.

◇◇◇259 Pages until Memory Loss

The exploration party consisting of a murderer, a vampire and a half-human slowly progresses through the depths of the Labyrinth, keeping an eye out for traps and ambushes from Labyrinth creatures and magical criminals.

(…It’s unlike the ‘Library’ here. Everywhere looks almost the same…)

You look around, intimidated by the pitch darkness and the blind spots of the bookshelves. The Library Labyrinth's bookshelves are constantly creating grimoires, so no matter the direction you look at, there will always be similar scenes. Once you lose your sense of direction, it will be almost impossible to escape unscathed.

(We’re just encountering a few simple traps, probably because Erika’s choosing this for us. Feels like there’s a little beast smell coming from deep within the darkness…)

"…It is faint, but I can smell animal blood. Looks like this is a pathway for carnivorous beasts since there are few humans nearby."

"The paths were Labyrinth creatures walk have fewer death traps or predatory 'books', so they’re easier to walk. The creatures’ footprints can also be used as markers, and it’s easier to deal with monsters we can see.."

"… I see. So with some level of combat ability, magical beasts are still a safer option."

Yes, it is. Unlike mechanical traps that attack without any sign or murderous intent, or grimoires that distort reality, Labyrinth creatures (monsters) can be detected from afar, and they are enemies that can be defeated through physical attacks.

With magic on part with your Father’s, it may be safe to establish a base within the depths of the Labyrinth, far from from the criminals that hide in human society.

(… If I remember correctly, Father's Atelier is fortified with multiple barriers. As long as the magic key isn’t undone, that Atelier should remain the same as it was five years ago …!)

You recall the memory of when you were once taken by your Father to the Atelier.

Your Father's Atelier, fortified with multiple barriers, is the place where you lost your beloved kin five years ago, and also the place where you lost your magic, your memories, and your dreams, and where you vowed to get them back.

Perhaps in that Atelier, there is a grimoire to assist your search, a 'book' that can heal your memory loss, and a clue that will reveal the enemy’s identity and lead you to the truth.

"…Erika, how much further to Father's Atelier?"

"We’re almost there. Just a turn around this bookshelf’s trap…see, it’s there."

You follow Erika, and cautious slip by the deftly concealed bookshelf trap…the cantera’s light shines upon a large metal door at the far end of the Reading Room corridor.

Within the deepest depths of the darkness of the Library Labyrinth, at the end of the long, straight Reading Room, is a double door with runes inscribed upon it, standing there as though it had been abandoned by the passage of time.

"…That emblem…"

"Yes, it is the surface of the multiple barriers Teacher Okutsuki left behind, and the Magitzkveins are just the surface."

You follow Erika's lead, and a complex web of Mana trails, runes and Magitzkveins, indecipherable to all but Doctor Magna, emerge in the lamplight.

This is an outpost for the containing strong barriers and countless grimoires, meant for explorating the depths that have yet to be reached. This is the place where you mourned your father five years ago, and where your father may have left you a clue, a connection with the scenario writer.

That door leads to the old Atelier of the Doctor Magna, Kai Okutsuki.

" …We’re here."

Erika stops before the metal gate and doesn’t look back as she mutters quietly.

Empathizing with her sentiments, you answer with a similarly quiet voice,

"It’s been five years since that night…this Atelier has always been waiting for Father’s return."

"…Yes. According to the investigation documents of the ‘Apothecary’, nobody could break through this door. Only the bloodied son was sent back to the surface through teleportation magic, and when the ‘Apothecary’, sensing something was wrong, dispatched a rescue party…Teacher appeared to have died before this door."

"…If that’s the case, Father might have locked the door with his last strength…like maybe, to entrust a certain person with the 'counter against the scenario writer's conspiracy' hidden in this Atelier."

You mutter to yourself and reach for the talisman's gold chain tied around your neck. The crystal rolls upon your palm, and the and the silver-white Mana's radiance intensified.

"Okutsuki-san, is Teacher's talisman… the key to this barrier?"

"The inside and outside of this Atelier is covered with the Doctor Magna's magic magic constructs. Even the door is part of that magic, so it can only activate once it reacts to Father’s unique magic."

You walk up to the closed door, answering Erika, and tap the tip of your talisman onto the runes etched into the iron.

"The Magitzkveins properties differ according to the person, so our magic alone can’t open this magic door. The talisman's crystal though imitates the Magitzkveins on Father's nerves."

"If it mimics Teacher's nerves…then the magical power imbued in the talisman is …."

"Yeah. The Mana that flows through the circuit will be refined in a manner very similar to Father's magic. In other words—"

You gather your concentration upon your fingertips, and activate your Father's talisman.

For five years, the magic mechanism awaited its master’s return, and you imbue life within it again..

"I can let the magic lock mistake for Father’s return and unlock the system."

Vroom.

The runes, sensing Kai Okutsuki's magical power, gives a pale blue-violet glow.

A heavy bass noise instantly echoes, and the earth tremors as if a massive gear machine is running. A thick spiral axle start to sping somewhere, and slowly, the ten centimeters thick steel doors open.

"…It all started five years ago, October 16th, since I left this Library City Alexandria."

The magical mechanism remained froze in time since that tragic night, awaiting the return of its master.

"I’ve always wanted to return to this Atelier."

The door of the Atelier was opened to welcome you.

"… I'm back, Father."

The faint smell of mold and dust agitate your nostrils.

You hold your breath for a tad, enter the room, and light the lamp on the desk. The flame quickly steadies and illuminates the darkened room.

For five years the Atelier lost its master, and was seemingly forgotten as it remained in time. The desk is littered with papers, the bookshelves on the walls are stuffed with book spines, and there is the chair that used to be your assigned seat; everything appears the same as it did on October 16, five years ago.

"…I think I was here before. This Atelier was probably where I was taken into custody…"

Erika follows you into the Atelier and looks around the room as she mutters so. For her, who was once saved by your Father, this appears to be a memorable place.

"…It's as if time has stood still…"

"Yeah…the books on the shelves, the tea leaves in the cupboard, the documents on the desk, they all were the same as that night five years ago.

"…Teacher Okutsuki was in this Atelier five years ago…"

Erika looks up at the spines of the bookshelves and wobbles to her feet.

You grab Erika by the arm, and yank her back.

"Hayaa!? Wh-what are you doing out of a sudden!?"

"I know you’re sad, but pay attention to your feet…the color there is different."

"Eh? …Ah!? "

You and Erika look forward, and there, on the center of the Atelier, is a reddish-black area that varies slightly in color from its surroundings.

The elegant luster of the silk threads has been lost in that area, as though a dried corpse is there.

"…Is this reddish-black stain…?"

"…Yeah… bloodstain."

You let go of Erika's wrist and gently tap at the boundary border between crimson and iron red with your fingertip. After five years of oxidization, the hardened blood crunches and shatters into powder.

"Five years ago, Father was killed here."

"…!"

Your voice sounds low and cold, as though you are crushed by the gravity of despair. Erika is at a loss of words, and can only stare blankly at the stain on the floor.

"…Arteria, there’s something I want to ask of you."

"Fumu…you wish of I to extract out your father's memories from the blood left in this Atelier, no?"

Arteria says as she enters the Atelier, and looks down at the blood stain on the floor.

Your Father’s blood has seeped into the carpet, and the amount is fatal. With the power of the 'Silver Night' of this Library Labyrinth, the talent eater power, it might be possible to suck out Doctor Magna's knowledge.

If the description written in Erika's ‘Evernote’ is true, your Father may have discovered the true identity of the scenario writer. If so, the may be information relating to the scenario writer’s conspiracy preserved in his blood.

With the High Daylight Walker's ability to absorb information, perhaps you may be able to get closer to the truth of five years ago—

"…Mumumu. Apologies, this is impossible."

So you think, but Arteria's response is beyond expectation.

"I-Impossible…so you can’t do this unless it’s fresh blood? "

"Umu, it is absolutely not fresh enough. The memory information deteriorates rapidly the moment this blood leaves the brain. If so, why would a vampire deliberately approach its prey and gnaw at its neck?"

"Ah…I see. That makes sense…"

If sucking blood can net you blood memories, a vampire won’t be using its fangs, but with bow and arrow. After all, one simply has to wait for the wounded prey to escape before licking away the blood that’s left behind.

"That is why vampires must be immortal. If they forsake blood after being slashed by blades or burned by magic, they will starve to death."

"…Say, do vampires starve to death?"

"They will berserk from hunger."

"…B-Being unable to die sure is suffering…"

"This is why absorbing that is impossible. This prime of I aside, the abilities I have now are completely lacking. Even if I do wish to have blood perception through sucking, I do not have anyone to absorb it from."

"Blood perception…say, since I’m your kin, I too have blood perception, right?"

"…You do, but your abilities are not even a millionth of mine."

"I’m not hoping that a kin (I) can drain something even a True Ancestor (you) can’t. I’m just wondering if we suck each other’s blood, can we amplify our knowledge?"

So this is what you’re thinking:

(1) Suck Arteria's knowledge to greatly amplify your blood perception..

(2) Have Arteria suck back to double this blood perception.

(3) Repeat this process again and again to greatly amplify its power, and your blood perception should be strong enough to suck knowledge even from weathered blood—

"That is not possible either."

So you thought, but Arteria's answer remains affirmatively no.

"I-It can’t…I thought it might work in theory."

"The draining efficiency between you and I differ far too greatly. If I have to let you suck thousands of liters of blood for every drop I suck, even I, as a Nosferatu, shall be drained dried."

"…I thought we could just do lots of things by amplify our knowledge together…but yeah, I just became a vampire, and I don’t think my blood perception ability compares to you."

"Perhaps you may if you become a mature vampire, and if I am on the brink of death, no? About 200 million years."

Unfortunately, it seems that unless you are a matured kin of the True Ancestor, two ‘talent eaters’ trying to amplify each other’s power is almost impossible, especially when the True Ancestor has lost her power.

"…But it’s too early to be discouraged. Even if you can’t suck Father's memories, maybe there’s information hidden in this Atelier that Father left behind."

"Ye-yes. The ‘Apothecary's surveillance information shows that there is no sign of this magical door being opened or closed over the last five years. The inside of this Atelier should be almost the same as five years ago."

Erika pulled out her notebook from the binder, probably something she investigated on her own, and shows the contents. It appears there has been constant surveillance around this Atelier by the ‘Apothecary’, determined to protect the reputation of the guild after the assassination of the Doctor Magna.

"…But now the Atelier is safe no longer. Once the scenario writer discovers that the door can be opened through your Father’s talisman, he shall try to kill you. If this level is being watched, the assassin of the scenario writer is highly likely to appear.

"…Agreed. I’ve been attacked many times on this level."

"Umu…or perhaps the scenario writer is trying to force you to open this this Atelier door, little girl. By knowing how to open, the scenario writer may try to distort any evidence relating to the identity."

"I see…even if evidence is left in this Atelier, it can’t be erased if there’s no way to open the magic door. The scenario writer probably attacked Erika to get her to open the door."

"Certainly. An enemy capable of assassinating the Doctor Magna could never let a mere student escape."

"…A-Are you saying that the scenario writer was using me?"

If, as Arteria says, the scenario writer is trying to conceal the incident of five years ago, Erika, as your Father's disciple, should certainly be one of the most important people to be killed.

The fact that the scenario writer let Erika escape without killing her despite the opportunities to do so shows that Erika was allowed to live on purpose.

In that case, there has to be a certain intention to it.

"From this, there may be a way to identify the scenario writer. If not so, the scenario writer has no reason to interfere with you or Sōshi."

"…If all the evidence involving the scenario writer get destroy, it doesn’t matter as to how many people want to investigate the truth. On the other hand, this means that the enemy hasn’t destroyed all the evidence, right?"

"So the evidence relating to the scenario writer might still be in there somewhere…!?"

"Certainly. Now then, let us have a strategy meeting. This level may be monitored by the scenario writer, with the book collection of the Doctor Magna and an inpregnable fortress to block any attack. As long as this place remains secure, we shall be ready and able to repel the scenario writer's assassins."

"Then…I suggest that we search the Atelier. As the vampire says, this Atelier may have information relating to the scenario writer."

"Yeah. Maybe that information might be useful to protect ourselves from this scenario writer."

You scan the Atelier using the lamps’ lights.

Documents are still scattered all over the work desk. Heaps of books are piled up messily. The archive, isolated behind an inner door, would be a good place to preserve information.

"Now then, we’ll have to decide on who’s in charge of where…"

"You, we shall investigate the archives. Without magic, you have no chance of overcoming the scenario writer's conspiracy if you take the challenge head on. Expanding your ‘books’ collection is your top priority."

Yes, certainly. Your decision to visit the Atelier, at least as of yesterday noon, is to retrieve the necessary 'books' from your Father's collection.

For you, who have lost your magic, expanding the collection of ‘books’ is a necessity. Without reinforcing yourself with a force of strong books, there is no way for your to come up with strategies to fend off the scenario writer’s assassins.

"…And, lest you forget, you have only 248 pages left. Once you fall into the cage of oblivion, it will be forever impossible to recover the truth."

"…? You have only 248 pages of memory left…?"

"Ah…yea, I haven’t mentioned this to you, Erika."

Erika, completely unaware of your memory impairment, raises her eyebrows in doubt at Arteria's words.

"…Speaking of which, you haven’t told me as to the reason how you became a vampire. As the son of Teacher Okutsuki, how did you become something like a vampire..."

"What do you mean, something like a vampire. Anyway, it’s your fault that I became a vampire. You attacked me with stone spears, and Arteria had to turn me into a vampire."

"M-My fault!? B-But why are you acting together with the High Daylight Walker…?"

"…Well, I don’t really remember. Seems like I can only maintain eight hours of memory."

"E-Eight hours? Is it really okay that your memory only lasts for eight hours?

"It’s because of this issue that I’ve been using a ‘memory preservation book’…now there are only 247 pages left of that ‘book’. That’s why I thought Father's Atelier might have a book that can cure memory loss."

"…H-How’s that possible…O-Okutsuki-san, you should be looking for a 'book' (Me) right away!"

"Hmph. You do not have to inform him so. Little girl, we shall divide the work. Sōshi and I must find the ‘book’, but considering the battle against the scenario writer, we need information."

"I-I understand! I'll take responsibility for finding the information in this Atelier. Okutsuki-san, please find the ‘memory preservation book’ no matter what!"

"Y-Yes, I get that, so don’t poke at me with your horns, okay?"

Perhaps feeling guilty for your vampirization, Erika urges you to search the archives with a vigorous voice. Intimidated by her vigor (and the tips of her horns), you and Arteria step through the inner door of the Atelier to the inside.

"…Oh…so these archives is a little dusty after all…"

The dense smell of parchment and cupric sulfate (Atrament) arise as the door closes, stinging at your nose.

The gradually oxidized smell of melanterite ink gives off a rustic scent, emphasizing the five years that have passed. Countless bookshelves occupy the entire archive of still darkness, forming a fuzzy image on your vampire-induced retina.

"…Right, let's start exploring. I’ll get a light out from a ‘book’.."

You pull out a ‘storage book’ from your binder, find the page containing your backpack, and tear it.

"!! Wa-wa-wait, you! That ‘storage book’ is …!

"Eh? What wait—puggh!"

At that moment, the backpack flying out from the ‘book’ smashes hard into your face.

"Gyaaaaaaaaaah! My jawbone tickleesss!"

"…I was going to remind you, saying that there can be a lot of momentum created when withdrawing objects from the ‘storage book…"

"Grrrr…Arteria, it's too late…"

Perhaps as the overly massive backpack was stuffed into the ‘storage book’, the backpack falls heavily to the floor at an amazing speed, causing the room to tremble..

Your mandible has been shattered, and red mist emits from your mouth and nostril as you frisk for your cantera and set it alight. The archive that has tumbled over the bookshelves of the Labyrinth and connects to several Reading rooms are approximately thrice your height, creating a maze or sorts.

"…Phew. Thank goodness my jaw is healed…speaking of which, we need to find a ‘memory impairment cure book’ and ‘battle usable books’ amongst all these…?"

"Umu, now that your bones have finally healed, this shall be a different kind of bone breaking task."

Looking up at the shelves stuffed with books, you feel a little dizzy and murmur so.

This is a frontline base built as a base camp to go deeper, but this is the Doctor Magna's library after all. The number of books stored here is no less than several thousand at the very least.

"One, two, three…at least five thousand according to my rough calculation…even if we are to split and search, your memory will most likely deplete if we are to do this by ordinary means. Better to use the ‘books’ we have to draft ‘an We have to create an efficient way of finding books’."

"Then, before we look for the ‘books’, let’s check as to what books there are."

Yes. Without magic, your ability to search and fight depends almost entirely on the ‘books’. Whether it is to search for ‘books’, or to battle the scenario writer's assassin, it is essential to check the cards in your hand.

"Erm, ‘Origami paper" is not suitable for searching, and the 'books' returned by Erika are…"

"The ‘Tautologia Interrogation book’ and the ‘Mirror Copywriting paper’, I suppose?"

"Yes. These are the page and the grimoire that I brought from Japan."

You take out a 'book' and a page from the binder space.

A ‘book that forces others to answer’, the ‘Tautologia Interrogation book’, and,

A ‘book that allows you to duplicate books, the ‘Mirror copywriting paper’.

"Hmmm... … I doubt they can be used for searching, but perhaps they can counter the scenario writer?"

"…Maybe. Too bad, but I think these two are more for combat than exploration."

The ‘Tautologia Interrogation book’ is a book that ‘forces one to answer a question if the answer is yes’, a geass paper. By writing down the question on the page and chanting the Activate key, you can forcibly extract information from any opponent, whoever it is.

"…Until I gained the ability of blood perception, this ‘interrogation book’ has been my trump card against my enemies…"

"At this moment, it is faster to defeat the enemy and extract information. Though now the best way is to interrogate only for the information you need and fleeing to avoid fights."

"This strategy probably won’t work if the enemy is a scenario writer's assassin…"

"Umu…you may continue to interrogate and prevent chanting, but given the number of pages left, it may be difficult to use in battle."

"After all, there are only five pages left…"

‘Books that investigate the mind’, such as the Tautologia Interrogation book, are useful for commercial trading and crime investigations, so even replicas can be extremely pricey. To buy one in Japan, an island nation far away from Alexandria, all the more a considerable amount of coins is required.

The book your family spared no expense is merely a second hand ‘book’ once used by others, and only five pieces of paper are attached to its shabby spine.

"…And the 'copywriting paper' is useless to me now that I've lost my magic."

The ‘Mirror copywriting paper’ is a grimoire that can duplicate a page of another grimoire it comes in contact with only once, including its magical function.

In other words, with this page, you have a one time use to chant and execute the exalmatio ‘Bladeedge Storm Spear’, but…

(…Due to my traumatic memories, I’ve lost my ability to use magic. I can’t use chanting grimoires that requires Magitzkveins…)

"Hm…it appears you have no choice but to use ‘Last Prayer’ to search for the 'books' after all."

"…I guess. I don’t have much memory left, so I’ll just have to write an ability like a ‘grimoire appraising skill’ or sorts to appraise all the books one by one."

"No, I have another idea. Hopefully, this maybe reduce the memory usage to find the required ‘books’."

"Eh, you mean there's a way to do this without using memory tampering?"

"No, memory tampering is still required necessary, but this shall require fewer pages than having a grimoire appraising skill. First, to ascertain, did you enter this archive five years ago?"

"Y-yes, though I pretty much forgot…"

"If you have been in here once, in principle, this can work. Perhaps you can extract the ‘memory of the archives’ that lies dormant in your brain and allow for a more efficient search."

"’A-Archive memory’? Is this some kind of special memory tampering?"

"Umu, allow I show you exactly what I mean."

Arteria nods in response to your question and continues her explanation.

"For example…and you may have experienced so, but have you suddenly received of a memory long past, or suddenly unable to recall a memory you are very familiar with? Have you ever thought deeply about why?"

"Eh?…Hmmm, maybe it’s because my mind is so cluttered that I can’t figure out where the memory is, or something like that?"

"Umu. In fact, the human brain is divided into two parts, ‘the part that searches for memories’ and ‘the part that stores memories’. The former is concentrated in the temporal lobe, while the latter is spread throughout the neocortex."

"U…kuyuu, it feels like we’re talking about some really difficult stuff. Are these some technical knowledge from some obscure ‘neurology book’?"

"No, personal experience."

"Personal experience? Have you ever had a temporal lobe injury?

"Yes. Now back on point, the functions of memory storage and retrieval are separated in the brain. You have the necessary memory to be searched, but are unable to. Just like the books in the stacks."

"So there is…I see, so the books (memory) exist in the archive (brain), but I don’t know where the books are placed…"

You looked at the book spines lined up on the shelves and tried to visualize yourself.

A huge library with a huge number ofjournals, but without a book catalog to search from, you’re unable to use the massive library. Your brain, having forgotten something, may be of a similar state.

"Whether it is the nervous system or a library, a catalog is necessary to manage a large amount of information. In other words, your Father must have created ‘a book that contains book records’, an ‘index’."

"Ah…I-I see! If Father had prepared a catalog of his library, there is a good chance that I would have known where it was five years ago! If I can extract this from my memory through memory tampering…!"

Yes. By reconstructing the brain's inventory, you should be able to find clues to that archive index.

And such memory tampering hardly consume pages, unlike memory creation. By reconstructing the search function to awaken your memory, you will not require the creation of new scenes to obtain information, given that it merely involves forgetting or recalling information that you already knew of..

If you only wish to ‘remember’ something, the ‘Last Prayer’ can fulfill so with a few lines..

(…This memory tampering is only about 'remembering', so it’s pointless if I don’t know where the index is, or if it doesn’t exist…but if using up a few lines can trigger my forgotten memory, it's well worth a try …!!!)

You pull out the ‘Last Prayer’ (me) and a pencil, open the page, and begin to write.

"I remember where the archive index is, and found useful books by using it. "—15ℓ

As expected, the reconstructed search function correctly recalls your memory of five years ago—

You pull out an ‘index’ from the archives and begin your search for books.

◇◇◇239 Pages until Memory Loss

Eight hours have passed.

And before you know it, you recall that you have been looking for ‘books’.

"Huh!? T-Time just jumped again…!?"

The Memory Tampering must have automatically executed the archive search, resulting in you unwittingly having two ‘books’ in your hands.

First is the ‘Recycled paper for re-creating’, a ‘book’ that allows you to use a used ‘book’ once again.

The other is the ‘Still type, Hyper Express Envelopes, 500 pieces’, capable for sending five hundred envelopes of letters (with stamps).

"…Envelopes?"

You read the explanatory note that you yourself have supposedly written, and tilted your head in bewilderment.

It appears the ‘Recycled Paper for re-creating’—the book that allows you to reuse a book once’, can restore your memory capacity by creating a ‘Last Prayer’ with reduced pages. …

"…But even if these envelopes are stamped, are these express envelopes even usable in battle…?"

"Fumyu…these are the ‘books’ you chose, so surely there is a purpose."

A bored looking Arteria says so as she sits on a heap of books. After eight hours of assisting in the search for ‘books’, it appears even the strongest of the species appears fatigued.

"…W-Well, at least the ‘Recycled Paper for Re-creation’ seems usable…wait, thre are so few pages in this ‘book’! Just three pages left!"

You exclaimed in shock as you opened the unusually lightweight cover. You have assumed that with a ‘book to reuse a book’, you can duplicate a ‘Memory Preservation book’ to increase your memory capacity, but this ‘book merely has ‘three pages’ left.

With so few pages, even if I do duplicate 'Last Prayer' again, I’ll only have a few minutes left…! I thought Father would have a ‘Book to Cure Memory Loss’ or two…"

"Mmmm...If it can be used for other 'books', there probably is an infinite number of ways to do so…but this ‘Recycled Paper’ cannot solve your problem of memory loss."

"…And I'm not even sure what the 'Envelopes' can be used for anyway…"

These are the ‘books’ you found from the massive archive after using memory tampering to find the ‘Index’, so perhaps there is an effective way of using so…but how are you supposed to use the plain, unremarkable ‘Express Envelopes’?

"Hmm, perhaps it will be a useful ‘book’ after all? "

"…I do not think so, but it is worth a try."

While it is also vaguely described as ‘Time still’, as ‘envelopes’, surely this has to be a ‘book’ meant to send parcels to others..

You take out the relatively abundant remains of the ‘Origami paper set’, tear off a page, and slip in into the ‘Express Envelope’. Then, you write down the name of the recipient ‘Arteria’ on the addressee column, before sealing the envelop with wax (for sealing envelopes)—

"…Woah!?"

Poof! Wings grow from the envelope, fluttering on your palm. The ‘Express Envelope’ glides splendidly in the air, soars above Arteria's head, and opens with a pop.

"Fuwah!? S-Something was delivered to I!"

"…I see. So it automatically sends ‘Envelopes’…it’s a little surprising, but how’s this any different from crumpling the ‘Origami Paper’ and throwing it?"

You stare at the fluttering pages and mutter in dismay. This ability to automatically send envelopes is very convenient, but you still don't think it's useful in battle.

"U-Umm…perhaps this can be used if you do not know where the recipient is…"

"…If so, how far can this ‘envelope’ fly? If I write down ‘scenario writer's assassin’ and seal it…"

You take out the second envelope, write ‘scenario writer's assassin’, and seal it with wax. Naturally, or perhaps predictably, no wings appear on the envelope, and remains in your hand.

"… Well, there is no way we can find the scenario writer like this."

"Muu…a little puzzled am I. How did it identify the recipient earlier with just the name ‘Arteria’? What happens if there are many with the same name?"

"I-I don't know…but now that you mention it, it’s strange. Maybe there are others with the same name as you, so how does it identify the recipient?

"Mumumu…perhaps the ‘book’ can read the user’s memories or information? You and I know each other, but neither have met the scenario writer, no?"

"So you mean since ‘Envelope’ can find the recipient from my memory, I can just write ‘Arteria’ and it’ll be delivered? If so, doesn't that mean I can send it even if I short the name to 'silver'?"

You took out the third ‘envelope’, feeling somewhat sceptical, write ‘silver’ on it, and seal it. The ‘Envelope’ then sprouts pure white wings, flies above Arteria's head, and automatically opens.

"Eh, th-this is enough to get it delivered…?"

"…Hmmm, perhaps this is a rather useful 'book' after all. Since it has wings, it can track any enemy that tries to evade, and can be sent from behind cover. Even without knowing the name of the target, it appears it can be sent if the target can be identified through memory.

"…I see. So if we can use the ‘Origami Paper’ to create flames and pair it with a barrier, as long as it’s an enemy I met once, I can attack anywhere no matter where this enemy is…hmmm?"

Muttering this, you suddenly sense an inspiration deep within your mind.

This ‘Still Type Express Envelope’ can seek out the user’s memory to send out letters, even if the impression is hazy. This search function is so powerful, it can sen a letter to the ‘Silver Night’ Arteria Al Athanasia Almnasia Ausanasia of the Library Labyrinth’ even with only a single word.

Unfortunately, even that excellent searching ability is impotent since the ‘scenario writer's assassin’ does not exist in your memory, but…

"…Wait a minute. Hasn’t Erika met the ‘scenario writer's assassin’?"

There should exist the ‘scenario writer’s assassin’ in the memory of Erika in the office next door.

"!! That little girl must have met the scenario writer's assassin personally! Assuming this guess is correction, this ‘book’ locks into its recipient through the user’s memory!"

"Yeah! I can’t send it, but Erika may be able to activate it!"

You run out, shouting and kicking aside the piles of books towards the door. If the ‘Envelop’ can reach the scenario writer's assassin, you should even be able to deduce the location!

Kicking aside the ebony door, you wish to report to Erika of your findings.

"Erika!! Looks like I found something great! Maybe there’s a way to find the scenario writer's assassin..."

"—Execute, servant of the stone serpent."

Erika unleashes her magic, and a waterfall of stone spears strike you.

"Eh…woahh!"

The tentacles of stone entwine around your body, pinning you to the airspace of the Atelier. The door is slammed behind you, separating you from the High Daylight Walker. While you’re still unable to to comprehend what happened, Erika, inclined deep in her chair at her desk, speaks quietly to you.

"…Okutsuki-san, have you found the 'Book to Cure Memory Loss'?"

"Eh, ehh!? More importantly, I want to ask as to why you’re binding me like this…"

"…Given your response, I guess you haven’t found the ‘book’. Great, at least my eight hours of casting a spell to ‘overcome memory block’ isn’t wasted."

"Eh…what, o-overcoming memory block?"

You blurt out in surprise when you hear her suddenly mention there’s a way to clear your memory block.

Erika, who has been looking down at the countless documents on the table, slowly lift her eyes after hearing this, and stares at you adamantly.

"…Okutsuki-san. Are you not lying when you say you seek the truth of five years ago,?"

"E-Erika…?"

Within her ultramarine eyes reminiscent of the deep sea, you notice a rather dignified glint of determination.

It's as if a hidden truth is hidden in the depths of her gaze.

"…No way, Erika. Is there evidence in this Atelier related to the truth of five years ago…?"

You realize. It’s just a fleeting moment of memory, but while you were investigating the archives, Erika spent eight hours searching your Father's office.

Since the ‘Last Prayer’ has no mention of Erika during your search of the archive, it suggests that she has yet to discover anything that she should report to you—

Instead, she knew of a decisive truth, and frantically tried to corroborate it.

"…If yes, tell me now. I’m here to investigate the truth."

You have two hundred and thirty-two pages and eight hours of memory capacity left. Even after finding the ‘Recycled Paper for re-creating’ from the archives, some time was spent for this. To continue your Father's legacy and become someone who can save others, it is absolutely essential that you heal your memory impairment.

"Erika, what exactly is the way to overcome this memory block?"

"…To do so, you need lots of clear, flowing water. According to Teacher Okutsuki’s notes, there seems to be clean, unpolluted water on this level. Please wait for me there with the True Ancestor, Okutsuki-san."

"Eh, wait, why aren’t you going with us? You’re the only one who knows the cure, and we might get attacked by the scenario writers…"

"…Sorry, but I have to prepare. With the True Ancestor around, the scenario writer won’t attack you."

"I won’t get attacked if I’m with Arteria? W-Well, with 'Silver Night', even the scenario writers won't simply attack…"

Erika does not answer you, and compiles all the documents on the table before she slowly gets to her feet. The only parchment page left on the desk appears to be a map to the ‘Library’.

"…That stone magic will be broken after a certain amount of time. Please go ahead and wait for me."

"Understood. I just need to follow the map and go to the ‘Library with water’, right? "

"Yes…I’ll be leaving right away to avoid delaying you."

Erika says so with a quiet tone, and touches the opening mechanism of the Atelier with her finger. The magic mechanism that your Father had constructed is activated, and the massive door is slowly pushed aside.

"…Okutsuki-san, since I was saved by the Doctor Magna, I’ll definitely save you from the fate of oblivion, even that salvation will bring you the cruel truth."

With these words, Erika turns away and steps out into the darkness of the Labyrinth.

She then disappears through the magical door that has begun to close again, her footsteps echoing coldly.