Akatsuki Translations

Access to the Spiral Library was restricted based on one’s official rank. This was a basic rule established to preserve the books, or perhaps to protect users “from” the stored books.

There was one man who completely disregarded this most fundamental rule.

【Greylei Grein】, the 【Heavenly Demon】 of the 【Seven Heavens】.

Despite being disliked by the temple and supposedly lacking an official rank, he strode freely through the 【Spiral Library】 as if he owned the place. Several priests who disliked him protested this, but he paid them no mind. Originally, the entrances to restricted areas were supposed to have magical screening to prevent those without proper rank from entering, but it was entirely ineffective against him.

“Since I’m the one updating the system here, how could it possibly work on me?” he would say.

It was a fair point.

However, even as one of the 【Seven Heavens】, the trusted aides of the 【Wise Heavenly King】—no, precisely because he was one of the 【Seven Heavens】—it was unacceptable for him to take the lead in breaking the rules set by the 【Wise Heavenly King】.

Yet no matter how many priests cautioned him, even when the 【Heavenly Sword】 of the 【Seven Heavens】 warned him, he completely ignored them and continued to frequent the Spiral Library. As a result, there was even a dangerously close incident where two members of the 【Seven Heavens】 clashed inside the Spiral Library, leading the 【Wise Heavenly King】 to reach a conclusion for countermeasures.

“Appoint the 【Heavenly Demon】 as the custodian of the Spiral Library.”

Ignoring Greylei’s sentiment that “Using it is one thing, but managing it is troublesome,” the Wise Heavenly King made this decision. As the custodian, there would be a justifiable reason to grant him permission to access all areas of the 【Spiral Library】 in order to fully perform his duties.

Unable to slack off in the job of managing the vast collection of books, Greylei reluctantly gave accurate instructions to his subordinates. This allowed the 【Heavenly Sword】 to feel relieved, and peace returned to the 【Spiral Library】.

However, for Echelle and Kalkara, who were unaware of this, it was not good news but bad.

“Welcome to my castle! Well, a castle that was forced upon me. It’s such a hassle to take care of!” Greylei said with a grin.

Echelle couldn’t understand why she felt a sense of creepiness from this man who seemed cheerful at first glance. But finding it unbearable to be under his gaze, she instinctively shrank back and hid behind Kalkara.

Kalkara stepped forward instead, as if to shield Echelle.

“The former servant of a heretic cult and the beloved child of an evil spirit. What a coincidence! How about some tea?” Greylei offered.

“It’s an honor to meet you, 【Greylei the Heavenly Demon】. But you’re being quite rude so soon after meeting,” Kalkara replied.

“Hm? Was I wrong? It was just a guess based on what Eckstein over there told me. If I’m mistaken, I apologize, kahaha,” Greylei said, not looking the least bit sorry for his apology.

Of course, his observation was spot on. Although they hadn’t revealed any of this information to Eckstein, Kalkara couldn’t tell whether this accurate guess was due to Eckstein’s merit or the terrifying ability of Greylei to deduce it from just a conversation.

Either way, it was dangerous to talk for long. Kalkara seemed to have made the same judgment. Taking Echelle’s hand, she bowed slightly.

“If you have no business with us, we’ll take our leave now,” Kalkara said.

“Hey now, aren’t you being quite hostile?” Greylei questioned.

“Hostile? Aren’t you our enemies, given our positions?” Kalkara retorted.

Even considering various reasons and positions, Echelle and her group living in Uuga were naturally enemies with Greylei, who was trying to take Uuga away. Eckstein and Ur were friendly due to being old acquaintances, but originally, there wasn’t even a shred of reason for them to have pleasant conversations.

However, Greylei, with his handsome features, displayed a puzzled, foolish expression.

“…I hate to ask, but are you not really aware of the Uuga situation?” Kalkara inquired hesitantly.

“Ah, it’s supposed to be near Proudia now, right? What about it?” Greylei responded.

He really didn’t seem to understand. Echelle timidly asked,

“Um, the Envy Knights came to seize Uuga on your behalf, but…”

“Oh! That’s right, I completely forgot about that!!” Greylei exclaimed.

Echelle couldn’t help but look at Eckstein.

He wore an awkward, or perhaps apologetic, expression on his face.

“The Envy Knight Order Strike Force has been entrusted by the Heavenly Demon to conduct seizure operations based on their own judgment. The knights themselves and the folks at the 【Envy Central Workshop】 decide which magical assets are valuable and dangerous,” Eckstein explained.

“…So essentially, they’re acting on their own without seeking instructions from the 【Heavenly Demon】?” Echelle asked hesitantly.

“…That seems to be the case,” Eckstein confirmed.

Kalkara looked at Eckstein with eyes that suggested she was viewing something beyond redemption. Seeming to agree that her gaze was justified, Eckstein bore it without complaint.

“Now, now, please don’t be so accusatory. I think they’re just doing what they must,” Greylei interjected.

“I’m simply dumbfounded,” Kalkara retorted. “Besides, you’re speaking as if it’s someone else’s problem, but isn’t this an organization under your command?”

The fact that the leader of the organization that had made Uuga so complicated, to the point of threatening its very existence, had no involvement at all was too shocking. It was incomprehensible how Gloria, the Strike Force captain, had so confidently flaunted Greylei’s name.

“The Envy Strike Force was indeed my troops,” Greylei admitted. “But well, it’s like this…”

“Like what?” Echelle pressed.

“It became too bothersome to give instructions for every little thing!” Greylei exclaimed.

Echelle thought, “Is this guy for real?”

“No, no, I’m serious about this,” Greylei continued. “I’m busy too. I’m engaged in various research daily. And the whole continent demands results from me! Unless it’s the Wise Heavenly King’s order, why should I bother looking after a place like this?”

Probably only this man could refer to the world’s largest library, right at the feet of the Wise Heavenly King, as “a place like this.” He continued in the same vein:

“And yet, do you think I have time to scrutinize every magical item from top to bottom, giving instructions like ‘This is unnecessary’ or ‘Secure that’?”

“…Then maybe you shouldn’t do it at all,” Echelle muttered.

“That’s not an option. Wouldn’t it be pitiful if there were formulas that my wisdom couldn’t solve?” Greylei declared this absurd logic as if it were perfectly natural, in response to Echelle’s bitter yet reasonable comment.

Without a hint of arrogance, he stated this as if it were an obvious fact, unwittingly revealing his true nature to Echelle.

He thought of nothing but himself.

“That’s why I’m motivating the Envy Knights with the bait of sharing research results. They’re working enthusiastically, you know? It was about 50 years ago, I think, when that fool Gloria tried to outsmart me. It was a bit troublesome then, but after some training, she became my excellent pawn!”

Lynne would occasionally say, “The Seven Heavens, except for the 【Hero】, are quite eccentric.” Now Echelle understood what those words meant. Indeed, this was not normal. And it was best not to get involved more than necessary.

“Well then, if you’ll excuse us,” Echelle bowed, trying to escape from him again, and turned on her heel.

But as she turned, somehow Greylei was there again.

“Um, is there something else…?” Echelle asked warily.

She couldn’t understand why he was so persistent when he didn’t seem to have any particular business with them. She’d rather not talk to him any further if possible. Echelle probably didn’t like him. Though it was hard to imagine anyone who would.

“Well, it seems my troops have caused you trouble, so I thought I’d offer a small token of apology and gratitude. You see, I’m the type who can observe proper etiquette,” Greylei explained.

“That’s quite alright. We’ll be leaving now,” Kalkara said curtly, bowing slightly and this time truly attempting to escape the situation quickly, pulling Echelle along. Echelle matched Kalkara’s pace. They needed to get away from him as soon as possible—

“Wouldn’t you like a forbidden book about evil spirits?” Greylei called after them.

Echelle’s feet stopped abruptly.

                  ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

At first glance, the 【Spiral Library】 appeared to be a simple structure that continued endlessly in a spiral, but in reality, there were various routes for movement.

Or rather, if one were to move only by stairs, it would require quite a bit of physical exertion to go down and up again when searching for books in the deeper levels. Naturally, that wasn’t feasible.

So how did one move around?

It was a type of spatial magic also used in the upper levels of 【True Babel】.

“For example, you can connect the entrances of the 1st and 10th floors of a building. That’s what spatial magic can do. This 【Passage】 is something like that,” Eckstein explained.

“…I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand what you’re saying,” Echelle frowned.

“Yeah, to be honest, I don’t understand it either. Probably only Greylei-sama can comprehend it perfectly,” Eckstein admitted.

Echelle furrowed her brow as she listened to Eckstein’s explanation.

They were in a pure white passage, similar to what she had seen in 【True Babel】. Greylei, Eckstein, Echelle, and Kalkara were walking through this empty corridor. Apparently, this place was a 【Passage】 in terms of spatial magic, but hearing this explanation didn’t help her understand it any better.

“…So, where exactly are we heading?” Kalkara asked, remaining vigilant and protective of Echelle.

Kalkara had been against taking the bait of the forbidden book about evil spirits until the very end, but she had finally given in to Echelle’s desire to not miss this opportunity to gain knowledge. Under the promise that Echelle would never leave her side, they were now following Greylei’s lead.

In response to her question, Greylei let out an “Ah…” and answered:

“The 73rd basement floor, I believe? It should be around here.”

“…73?” Echelle couldn’t help but ask for confirmation.

They had been on the 2nd basement floor earlier. They hadn’t walked that far in this passage. Moreover, they didn’t even feel like they had descended. And yet, apparently, they had somehow reached such a deep level.

It seemed they had just experienced a glimpse of what spatial magic was capable of.

“These are things that can’t be placed in normal locations. They’re in a place unreachable no matter how hard one tries from the ‘surface’ spiral staircase… Hmm,” Greylei mused, coming to a stop.

“Eckstein, protect them,” he ordered suddenly.

“Huh…what?” Eckstein barely had time to question before Greylei stomped his foot on the ground. With a sharp ‘clack’, a “hole” opened up beneath Echelle and the others.

“Wha—?!” Echelle screamed as Kalkara moved to shield her. Eckstein grabbed them both, and all three fell together. They landed—or rather crashed—onto solid ground moments later.

“Echelle-sama! Are you alright?!” Kalkara cried out.

“I-I’m fine… but Eckstein is dead,” Echelle replied, shaken.

“Ugh… I-I’m alright…!” Eckstein groaned from beneath them.

True to Greylei’s instructions, Eckstein had protected the two, ending up crushed underneath. Though he was technically an enemy, they offered a grateful prayer for him.

“Well then, we’ve arrived, my friends. This is where you’ll find what you’re looking for,” Greylei announced, completely ignoring Eckstein’s devoted sacrifice.

Echelle, who had been ready to complain about the sudden fall, found herself at a loss for words at what she saw next.

“This is…”

The Spiral Library’s forbidden section.

A dimly lit archive without windows. The only light came from thin magical lamps set in the floor and ceiling. The shelves were, of course, packed with books. But from countless volumes with no titles etched on their spines emanated diverse magical energies.

Magical books weren’t rare, but the quality of magic radiating from the books stored here was clearly abnormal. Even Echelle, who wasn’t well-versed in magic, could tell.

It was ominous. Each book seemed so foreboding that she was certain they could invite disaster.

No one would think of this place, crammed with such items, as a library.

This was—

“…A dungeon?” Echelle whispered.

“Oh, correct answer. I’ll give you 100 points,” Greylei laughed at Echelle’s murmur. He spread his arms, indicating the space around them.

“This forbidden section, where all manner of grimoires and forbidden books are gathered, despised, and sealed away in one place, has become a dungeon through multiple magical mediations! It’s probably comparable to the middle layers of a Dungeon of Sin! Isn’t it ironic that such a dark space exists right under the Wise Heavenly King’s feet?”

As he spoke, a shadow moved sluggishly behind him. Echelle let out a small scream.

A small head, two grotesquely long horns, exposed fangs, six thin, long, and eerie arms and wings.

『KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!』

The monster, also known as the 【Horned Mountain Fiend】, lunged at Greylei without warning.

“Try not to die as you follow me. I’ll tell you now, I’m only going to brush off sparks that fall on me, so you’ll have to weather your own crises, understand?” Greylei said calmly.

『GAA!!?』

Without moving a finger or even his gaze, the monster exploded just before touching him. Blood spatter flew everywhere, but strangely, not a single stain adhered to the displayed books, and the monsters dissipated into mist.

“Here, the eyes of the priests and the Wise Heavenly King don’t reach. Feel free to use any power you like,” he said finally before striding ahead.

Naturally, they couldn’t afford to get separated in a place like this, so they had no choice but to follow… but,

“…Didn’t I say we shouldn’t follow suspicious people, Echelle-sama?” Kalkara sighed.

“I’m really sorry…” Echelle apologized sheepishly.

“…Well, I guess I’m at fault too for calling out to him. I should have known better, considering his personality…” Eckstein added.

As they watched Greylei’s back disappearing ahead, seemingly enjoying himself, the three realized they had been caught up in an extremely troublesome situation and regretted it in their own ways.