Subtitle: The Thinnest Line
Naiadler…!?
I blinked several times in just a few seconds. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.THIS CAN'T BE REAL. THIS CAN'T BE REAL."This is just a hallucination."
When I opened my eyes, the parchment was glowing under the moonlight. From the sky, pages of a book descended, merging above the parchment until at last "a book was formed." I picked it up. With a defiant gaze, I looked straight at the enormous monster before me.
I gripped the book so tightly that my fingers began to bleed. Even if this was my final breath, I wanted to at least try. Maybe I'll win? No—I will win.
"I WON'T ALLOW MY STORY TO END LIKE THIS!"
The moment I shouted that, time itself seemed to freeze. I held my breath. In front of me was Zero.
Zero – How annoying. He died again…
Apollon – Why are you here!?
I didn't want to know the answer.
Zero – Why wouldn't I be here?
Apollon – YOU!!
Zero – I'll give you three more chances. If I get help from a friend, I can fix all of this. But each time, you'll owe me something.
Apollon – Tell me!
Zero – Oh my, oh my, how furious you are. You decide what you'll give me.
For a brief moment, I hesitated. But then, the words slipped from my mouth.
Apollon – My legacy!
Zero suddenly burst into laughter.
Zero – Fine. Why not.
Suddenly, a violent wind began to blow. I shut my eyes tight. When I opened them, "before me was once again the same hourglass."
When I finally came to my senses, I was still inside the carriage. I looked around. Naiadler was staring at me with the same astonishment.
Naiadler – We… WE'RE ALIVE!
The joy in our eyes was undeniable.
But our happiness didn't last long, because suddenly the same question pierced both our minds: "But how?"
Naiadler muttered under his breath:
Naiadler – Even with the power of the Second Rule, this is impossible. Death is a point that can never be changed. Then how?"
– Hey, what do you mean by Second Rule?
Naiadler – Were you LISTENING TO ME!? You're not supposed to eavesdrop when people are muttering.
– Fine. Just tell me what these Rules are.
Naiadler – Rules, as their name suggests, are what allow the world to exist and continue. Rules cannot be inherited; they have powers of their own. For example, the Third Rule is life—or formation. Their power is the exact opposite of the Surs. They always exist, but change their appearance. That's all I know.
– So cool! I wish I had powers like that too. All I've got is a legacy that lets me 'read things quickly.'
Naiadler – Are you a child!?
– And are you some old man? Don't you want powers like that too?
Naiadler – I already have them.
As we spoke, the carriage suddenly jolted to a halt. I barely managed to grab hold of something to avoid falling. We had arrived in front of the mansion. Odasaku's laughter filled the entire garden.
Odasaku – You got scared, didn't you! Fu fu fu.
Naiadler – WHAT KIND OF LAUGH IS THAT!? And what is going on!?
Odasaku – What do you mean, what's going on?
Naiadler grew furious. He stormed off the carriage, clenched his fists, and shouted:
Naiadler – I KNOW YOU'RE HIDING SOMETHING! You'd better explain before we find out ourselves, or else…
Odasaku – Or else?
Naiadler – Don't interrupt me!
Odasaku pulled a straitjacket from the cloth bag slung over his shoulder and, in the blink of an eye, forced it onto Naiadler.
Odasaku – All this anger is too much for your age. You'll go bald early.
It seemed Odasaku himself wouldn't allow the mysteries about him to be revealed. Without saying anything, I went to my room. I checked under my bed. There it was, exactly where I had expected it to be. I picked up the book.
It was the same as the one from the ruins. Words had started to appear inside it since last time. I began reading. "I could still read the book quickly." Among the sentences, the one that stood out the most was:"What if one of the battalion commanders had a split personality?"That thought lingered in my mind.
Zero – "The atmosphere suddenly softened, strangely enough. HAHAHAHA. Perhaps he tried several times again just to create this possibility. How cunning."
– Come on, that can't be. Right?
I swallowed hard. My body stiffened as I left the room. It's just a joke… right?
Odasaku passed right in front of me, striding quickly, with Naiadler in the straitjacket. I couldn't imagine the sound Naiadler would be making if his mouth weren't gagged. For a moment, Odasaku and I locked eyes.
Odasaku – What's that book in your hand? Finally decided to overcome your ignorance?
– "What book?"
Odasaku – The one you're holding.
I looked at my hand. It was the same book from the ruins. I was sure I hadn't taken it with me when I left the room. I checked again. Yes, I was holding it.
– Oh, that one?
Odasaku suddenly pulled out "the Heretic's Hourglass" from his waist and hurled it with all his might through the open window.
– WHAT!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING, THAT'S A PRECIOUS ANTIQUE!
Another hourglass appeared in Odasaku's hand. Of course, I wasn't naïve enough not to understand what this meant.
– You've got to be kidding me.
Odasaku – Why don't you try it too?
I stepped up to the open window, took a deep breath, and hurled the book outside with all my strength. With utmost confidence, I turned back around.
– See? Did you see that?
Odasaku's jaw dropped. Naiadler, too, had finally stopped screaming. Both of them stared at me, eyes wide like saucers.
– What? Why are you looking at me like that?
Excitedly, I checked my hand. THIS WAS AN ANCIENT RELIC—AND IT HAD CHOSEN ME! I was ecstatic. I COULD FINALLY HAVE COOL POWERS TOO! What kind of power would it have!? I started squealing with joy and shoved the book right under Odasaku's nose.
– Look, look! I've got an ancient relic!
Odasaku quickly snatched the book from my hands.
Odasaku – Stop spouting nonsense. Even I only got mine on my fourth try.
He examined the book from different angles. Of course, it would take him time to accept it. My nose was high in the air with pride.
Odasaku – So, what's its ability? There's nothing written inside.
– What do you mean, nothing's written?
I went up beside Odasaku and stood on tiptoe, trying to read the words.
– See, it's written right there.
Odasaku – Then what does it say?
– "They're meaningless, but it says: 0012, Hajin, Massacre."
It was clear from the sweat dripping down Odasaku's face that he was shaken.
Zero – "For a moment, the man thought of dirty hands. A seed of suspicion was planted. Could it be him? The only thoughts crossing his mind were whether to kill him… or leave it to fate's trick."
Odasaku did something to the book in his hands and finally returned it to me. Naiadler had finally managed to escape the straitjacket and ran over to my side. Meanwhile, Odasaku began to walk away.
Naiadler – Oi! To already have an ancient relic! That truly suits the companion of the Third Rule.
As Naiadler spoke, my eyes remained fixed on Odasaku. His lips moved, as though he had whispered something.
Zero – Odasaku said this: "So, what should I do now, Saku?"
End of Chapter
Author's Note:I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. I won't have much free time this year, so I apologize in advance. Slowly but surely, we're approaching the part I will enjoy writing the most.