The Grand Library of Eisene was in fact very true to its name, it's the largest library for certain, perhaps even the largest building Furuya has ever seen. Not only was it grand in stature, but the condition in which it was kept was nothing to be scoffed at. The many marble steps that led to the library were all kept in pristine condition, each cut to the same size with absolute precision and put together like an artist painting in the colors one stroke at a time.
Despite knowing full well that this world did not obey the same laws of logic as his own, Furuya could only stand in awe at the marvels of human ingenuity. Perhaps this is how people felt in ancient times when they saw the library of Alexandra.
From what he had gathered from Zakin, the public sector of the library would not have any knowledge on the matter which he seeks. The only section that could possibly contain such knowledge was accessible only to members of the Lumiere Lefoyer. Zakin had promised them a meeting with someone within the group, but that was still nowhere in sight.
Though it was likely that his search here would prove to be futile, he still spent several hours going through various texts and scrolls just in case. It was, however, as he feared as they covered nothing more than theories and the very basics on the academic front, yielding nothing of value.
No, to say that it was nothing of value is perhaps too harsh. Certain aspects of the knowledge before him had proven to be of interest. The people of this world believe that the magical powers they wield are all drawn directly from their respective gods. For example, Ssasarith, the holy one who presides over the church of Balione, is the source of divine and holy magic. Helliatz is the goddess of death, the one who blocks the passage of souls, and the source of forbidden death magic.
If the followers draw their magical powers straight from divine sources, does that not prove the existence of such beings? How refreshing to know, rather than filling in the blanks with imagination or the “holy” texts left behind by bygone men of yest.
Perhaps it could signify the existence of these beings in our world as well. How Shiro and Ryuta would marvel at the idea of it, and they would argue like always, only those two could fight over something so inconsequential… both stubborn to a fault...
His smile only lingered for a second.
Furuya gathered up the scattered scrolls and books and returned them to one of the help desks. The clerk there was struggling with a heavy stack of her own.
“Let me get that for you.” He quickly took the heavy stacks from her arm and laid it carefully on the table.
“Why, thank you!” the clerk replied with a smile.
Furuya nodded in acknowledgment.
“Did you find everything that you needed sir?” The clerk smiled again. She was a plump middle-aged woman.
“Ah yes I have, thank you.”
“If you don't mind me saying, I see that you’ve taken a keen interest in the magical arts. I’ll have to be honest with you, the magical academy here really only takes in those who are born into nobility, common folks like us won't even be considered in most cases.”
“Is that so…”
“Don't fret dear, our great kingdom has ample opportunities. In fact, would you be interested in signing up for the military? A man with your physique would surely be welcomed there. It's open recruitment at the moment, and you wouldn't want to miss your chance.”
“I actually have considered it already.”
“Well, you can come to me if you’d like help with the application. My son has signed up this season too, and you’re just like him, the world would be a safer place with more young men like you in it.”
“Thank you, I'll keep that in mind.”
The most obvious choice would be to join the military, not only would it sharpen his skills, but it would also prepare him to face the challenges of this new world.
Whoever had been behind the Mercini massacre isn’t going to be some pushover, he would need all the training that he could get.
But would joining really keep everyone safe? I would be far off and away from everyone, how would I protect anything?
Is it really worth it? If anything joining the military might just get me killed fighting in the upcoming conflict… I'll have to talk to Shiro about it again.
He then thought of the sword master that Zakin had spoken of, perhaps it would be in their best interest to go for that route.
Training together again, like the old days.
The sun was already setting by the time Furuya exited the library.
It was rather difficult to keep in touch with the concept of time on his own, it's like another day in the office, arriving in the early hours of the day only to leave when night has fallen.
Unlike the quaint and serene night in the other town, this district made him feel like he was back home, walking back from work. And much like a day at the office, trouble does not stop there.
The atmosphere had been degrading ever since they arrived, but downing alcohol every night was not the solution, there was only so much people could take before they break down. Keeping a group's morale high is the most essential factor in people management. Normally, back at work, whenever his subordinate’s morale took such a hit they would go out together for a night to live life outside of work, and the next day they would come back revitalized.
Though it's not exactly the same situation, a group activity would definitely be beneficial to everyone. Something other than drinking away to oblivion that is.
Shiro was pretty much an alcoholic before all this, and this world isn't helping his cause. A quick trip to the market before I head back then.
Even though it might not be to everyone's taste, a game of some sort would help brighten the mood. Perhaps even a simple board game could do the trick.
All types of nicknacks were up for sale, but a simple gift would not ease the minds of the wary, though it is to be expected to not be able to find what he sought.
The idea of entertainment in this world is far different than their own, given the current limits of technology in this world. There were only gambling dens and brothels, from what he observed anyways, if they can even be considered entertainment.
Sigh.
I’ll just have to think of something else, no worries.
Hmm?
Something had caught his eye, it was a small leather-covered book with some kind of cat carved onto the cover. It felt strangely warm and fuzzy, and upon closer inspection he saw a small piece of leather holding the book closed with a peculiar contraption.
It's certainly strange, perhaps something you would find belonging to a single middle-aged woman, yet for Shiro it could almost be considered essential.
The “lock” itself was engraved in a strange text, which is strange in itself given that all the written and spoken languages they've encountered so far were in Japanese.
It was something to keep Kichirou’s mind occupied with his particular interests. Perhaps he would spend day in and day out researching these texts, anything is better than letting him drink himself to death.
“How much for this?”
The vendor looked at Furuya with a grin, rubbing his hands together in a totally not suspicious manner.
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“One gold Rein and it's all yours.”
Considering that it seemed to be a rather unique item, he likely won't find anything else similar to this, even if it were a bad deal there's no way to really tell.
“Fine, here.” Furuya flipped a single gold coin at the merchant who swiped it immediately.
As the gold graced his skin, greed flared up in his eyes, he quickly walked over to Furuya, and pulled out a small green cat-shaped gemstone from his pocket.
“Would you be interested in this? Before you say anything I must let you in on a little secret, these two items are indeed a rare collectible, a pair in the making, inseparable, now since you already bought that book, I can offer you this gem at, let's say, five gold Reins.”
This fool must take me for a sucker…
Though Shiro’s taste is strange, it's still very particular, just because something has cats on it does not automatically generate interest. This type of gem would be of no value to him.
“You know what, let's make it four and it's all yours.”
“Thanks, but no thanks, I already spent all I've got.”
“Ah, what a shame. Do come back if you happen to come across more gold then.”
Furuya smiled and walked away.
The easiest way to rid yourself of some sleazy salesman was to feign being broke, although back at home they would always pitch payment plans and such, thankfully credit cards weren’t a thing here.
This will at least put a smile on his face.
“Hey, hey you, stop! Get back here! Thief! Someone stop that thief!
Furuya turned and saw a dark figure darting away frantically from the scene.
With the book in one hand, Furuya ran into the crowd and chased after the thief.
It clearly wasn't their first time. The thief wasn’t panicked in the least, they weaved in and out of the crowd effortlessly. However, they weren't very experienced either, as they've made almost no attempt to lose anyone who might've been on their tail.
Rather than leaving the crowd and entering a much darker side alley, the thief simply entered a grime and gritty store on the main strip of foot traffic.
There was no sign atop it, and the dark sky gave this place an extra eerie feel.
I’ve chased them all this way, might as well check inside.
As he opened the door the only thing that greeted him was the odor of wood. The inside was poorly lit, and there were many shelves stacked from top to bottom with indiscernible objects. The only thing Furuya could pick up was that most of them were rather aged—that with a touch, many would flounder.
He could hear someone talking further back, so he navigated through the maze of antiques and reached another room where he was met with four sets of eyes that stared at him.
“Just who might you be? This area is not for customers,” a young girl spoke up.
Furuya looked around, quickly scanning for the figure of the thief.
Other than the little girl, there was an old lady sitting at the table with another older gentleman. The only person left was a teenager, and from the looks of it, she was probably the little girl's older sister.
“If you need help looking for specific merchandise, I can be of help,” the little girl offered.
“You.” Furuya pointed at the older girl: “You’re the one who stole something from that store back there, weren't you?”
It was easily confirmed as a look of realization hit her face.
The old lady’s face turned grim as she got up: “Anna, I thought we spoke of this already.”
“Liadrel, take it easy. I’ll cover the damages and we’ll have a proper talk, isn't that right Anna," the older gentleman interrupted.
Are they the grandparents?
“Dauson, you’re too soft on children, pain is the proper motivator to set them straight.”
To teach them properly is most certainly vital, but pain? Isn't that a bit too far?
“Don't worry about it Anna, I’ll take care of it.” He smiled as he turned to Furuya.
“What exactly did she steal? I'll pay whatever is needed.”
“She didn't steal from me, I was just a bystander.”
“Is that so, a good samaritan then? Well I’ll walk her back and return whatever it is she stole then, would that be alright?”
There was a sense of honor and honesty in this man’s words, perfectly conveying the idea that there was nothing to worry about.
“That would be perfect, I’ll see myself out then.”
“Now hold it right there!” The old lady yelled, as she closed her eyes.
“Huh?”
“Shhhhh, and stand still.”
This whole thing was awkward enough, but to stand still with everyone else looking slightly confused isn’t helping the cause.
“I really do need to get back now.”
“Quiet,” Liadrel whispered.
…
Furuya turned to Dauson who could only offer a shrug.
She walked up to him slowly and put a hand out toward his chest.
Come to think of it, though it may be rather rude, but she does appear to be rather on the side of waning sanity. This was a different time, a different country with people of different customs after all, what may seem weird to him could be standard practice here.
Culture shocks are a thing, he could still very vividly remember the first time he had visited Paris for a business venture. What a far cry of what he had imagined it to be.
After another minute or so of the awkward silence, it was finally broken by Liadrel herself.
“I’ve truly gotten old, these things take much longer than usual to come to me nowadays.”
“What came to you exactly?”
“He’s the one, this young man. Why I asked of you today, he will be your last disciple.”
I’m to be his last disciple?
“Z... What exactly did you see?”
“Dauson, do you not have trust in me anymore?”
“We’ve been over this, I’m retired.”
The old lady turned to Furuya and asked: “Son, are you not looking for a master in the art of the sword?”
How does she know?
As unlikely as it may sound, it's not impossible for her to be a mind reader, given the nature of the world.
“I, uh I,'' before he even had the chance to answer, Liadrel smiled and continued as if he had already accepted the proposal.
“Dauson, if you train this one, all that you’ve lost will not be in vain.”
“Enough.”
The mood of the room took a sudden change, Furuya could feel the change in Dauson’s aura. The gentleman was no more, what was in his place was undoubtedly of an unwavering might that was so refined that it alone could cut down those without a strong will.
He had only sensed this twice before in his existence, the first had been at the regionals in high school. When he faced off against Yujiro, the man who then became the national champion. There was something fundamentally different between him, a difference Furuya had yet to grasp.
The last time it had happened was the last spar he had with his father, it was the first and last time he had faced off against his old man when he was serious. The anger, the sadness, the disappointment, each and every blow was overwhelming.
Who is this old man?
The retired master that Zakin had spoken of, could this be him?
“We’ve troubled this young man for far too long, you needed to go right?”
“Ah yes, it's getting late after all.”
“Come Anna, let us return what you took. Tina, would you like to join us on a walk as well?”
Perhaps for another day.
“Wait, before you go, here's something for your trouble.” Liadrel produced a sheathed sword out of thin air and handed it to him.
“I can't possibly accept this, it was nothing really.”
“Take it, you might need it sooner than you think. More will be lost.”
“More will be lost? What do you mean by that?”
She smiled, but there was no warmth in that smile, only pity.
A sea of flames befell his eyes, though barely recognizable through the heavy smoke, before him, was the inn they stayed at.
What’s going on?
It's as if the drugs he had been on just suddenly and completely left his system, just like a dream dropping him off without warning back to reality. Even in the sea of confusion one thing was clear on his mind, his friends were in danger.
“Guys!? Karin? Calbi?”
The building screamed as it collapsed, a shadowy form rose from the ashen remains of the building with a bone-chilling howl and leaped into the dawn-forsaken sky.
Dumbfounded, he could only stand and feel the flames and smoke give his skin and lungs a long drawn-out kiss.
The air was too thick to breathe. He tried to move but found himself unable as a cold sensation grasped his legs. It felt as if they were entombed in ice.
Furuya looked down in despair as he saw the pale and deathly faces of Karin, Aoi, Calbi, and Akira.
His eyes left his fallen friends at his feet and began desperately scanning for Shiro and Miku, but the flames appeared to be closing in, he couldn't see a thing.
“Help me!" his friends appeared to shout in a symphony.
He looked down at his feet once more, and each of his friends appeared to stare back at him with their blank and lifeless faces, shouting the same pleas as their legs caught fire.
“Help me!”
“Help me!”
“Help me!”
Their voices echoed in his soul.
His whole body was petrified, frozen in time, only to watch as his friends burned in front of his eyes. Their cries of despair echoed in his head, and as the flames closed in, it all went black.
As he opened his eyes again he was back in the antique shop.
“You already know what I mean.”
“What… in the hell was that?”
“Take it.”
As much as he wanted to ask, the look on her face told him that she was not willing not to divulge any further.
Furuya accepted the sword and thanked her, then rushed out to the streets once more.
Was even the capital about to turn into a sea of anguish and pain?
It shouldn't be possible, Zakin had moved here to keep his daughter safe. He probably knows this world far better than most, and if he had deemed the capital one of the safest places to be, then it has to be safe, right?
It has to be.
But he could not shake this feeling of unease in his heart. The flames, his friends, everything was so vivid and real. If that were to come to be, could he really make a difference with this sword?
The answer in his heart is grounded in reality, simple, plain, and cruel.
Against the beast that he saw, him wielding the sword would be the equivalent of bringing a knife to the gunfight. No, rather the most aggravating truth is that it's the wielder in this case that would make the true difference. The same sword that could lay waste to a mountain would not cut down a single man when in incapable hands.
In the hands of that man, he would make a difference.
How long would it take for him to reach even the feet of that master? A week? A month? A year? Ten years? And how long before that vision or something similar becomes a reality?
He could feel his blood boiling at the very thought.
Perhaps he should have been pushier when it came to asking Zakin for that favor after all. Time is of the essence, and this was no time to be sitting around waiting for an axe to fall.
Furuya looked at the short sword in hand and smiled.
…
“Why on earth would you give that away!?”
“As I’ve said, that boy will prove to be a worthy successor to that blade and your skills in a day's time.”
“Z, I’ve told you many times, I wish to live the rest of my days in peace.”
“Sadly peace only comes to those who are willing to fight for it. Regrettably, I fear that these peaceful days are at their end. Humanity needs their heroes once more.”
“An old man like me has no place here, perhaps it's time to move to the remote countryside.”
“Run as you will, but I am afraid that the darkness ahead will swallow us all. You can't outrun fate, nobody can.”
Dauson poured himself another drink. After a long sip he shrugged: “So be it.”
“It could still save your son.”
“Wha—what!?” Dauson stammered, nearly spitting out his drink.