Editing Tosho Meikyuu:Volume1 Chapter5 (section)

===◇◇◇322 Pages until Memory Loss===

From time to time, the old-fashioned elevator gets agitated by the winds as it descends. The earth too approaches at the same speed as the clouds distance themselves, and the buzz of the city grows louder.

And as you reach the terminal, ''creak''…the elevator screeches to a halt..

After descending a least a hundred meters in height, you finally step upon the ‘Library’.



"…Finally…I’m finally back! I’m back at this Library Labyrinth!"

You quietly shout as you step upon the cobblestone pavement of the elevator hall at the edge of the island that is floating due to magic.

After five years of wishing, you had finally returned to the Library Labyrinth.

''"Oooooooh…!!! Y-You, this appears to be an island selling grimoires!"''

Arteria squeals happily as she looks up at the arched roof of the boulevard entrance. A sign supported by baked sand bricks reads, ‘Welcome to Bookstore Island (Melchoir)’.

The islands of various sizes floating in the library—the floating islands are generally divided into sections depending on the goods transacated. It seems this island with many grimoire stores aren’t is called the ‘being bought and sold, and this seems to be an island called ‘Melchoir’ lined with grimoire stores.

(This floating ‘Melchoir’…is as crowded as the Apothecary above ground…!)

''"After all, there are many demi-humans in this Library Labyrinth!… Ohhh! Behold, a winged horse (Pegasus) pulling a cart!"'

Hordes of people flock through the boulevard of Melchoir’s many open-aired stalls..

A strong explorer with a great iron sword on his back. A peddler haggles with a shopkeeper to purchase books at a reduced price. Domesticated eight-legged giant spiders trudge along with huge loads of books atop them.

(The Labyrinth has so many…no, it’s because it’s the Labyrinth that there are so many grimoire stores…!)

''"Truly a crowd it is…hmu, if the market is this lively, a 'Book to Cure Memory Loss' may be in circulation! You, look around the stores at once!"''

(… Oh, let's tour around the boulevard first!)

You follow the crowd and pass through the arched gate decorated with beautiful rocaille patterns.



The avenues of Melchoir, perhaps 10 meters wide, have heaps of colorful covers. These are all grimoires or replicas excavated from the Labyrinth. You walk through the crowd, looking at the exterior of the bookstores one by one.

(…’Books to be used as firewood’, ‘Books to be used as daily commodities’, ‘Books to be eaten’, ‘Books for transport’…sure seems like most of these ‘books’ are for daily living. I guess it’s not easy to find such rare grimoires even in the Library Labyrinth.)

''"Umu, it appears all the stalls here sell only replicas. The more expensive grimoires may be stored in the vaults within these shops as a precaution."''

Grimoires excavated from the Labyrinth are priced at market rate according to their rarity and function. It is not unusual for a ‘book’ with rarity B and above to be more expensive than gold, silver, and jewelry. It is very dangerous to have such precious books be displayed at the entrances, and thus not unreasonable to not to spot a rare grimoire.

"…Hmmm, I guess there’s no 'Book to Cure Memory Loss' or a 'Replica Book'."

''"Umumu…if you wish to buy a rare ‘book’, you will have to visit a really posh bookstore. Do you know of any booksellers somewhere?"''

(Eh? I'm sure Father's favorite bookstore is still around somewhere, but…I've practically lost most of my memory from five years ago.)

Your Father was a Labyrinth explorer hailed as Doctor Magna, and had unearthed rare books from the depths of Labyrinth where nobody else could approach. Some of them will surely enter the mainstream market, and given that you are Kai Okutsuki's son, perhaps a bookstore might sell some to you at a discount…

(…But I need to hide my identity, so I can't mention Father's name.)

''"Muu…well, few stores are willing to serve rare books to unknown strangers. In any case, trust is everything no matter where you go."''

(And it’s not just about being able to buy just because I’ve saved enough money. I do remember the ‘Apothecary’ is managing Father’s inheritance and sending a monthly payout to my bank account…)

''"I suppose it is impossible to buy a ‘Replica Book’?"''

Yes, certainly. A rare book like ‘A book that creates replicas’ is valued as much as it would to buy a house. Even if you do have sufficient savings, considering the risks of theft and fraud, it is unlikely that a bookstore is willing to deal with customers..

''"…No other choice then. Anyway, how about a ‘storage book’ for now’?"''

(Yeah. With so much baggage on me, it’s getting too itchy for me..)

You approach the pile of ‘storage books’ and look around.

Based on weight, there are ‘books that can hold up to 5 kg’, ‘books that can hold up to 20 kg’, '''curled horns resembling a shiny black goat''', and ‘books that are waterproof even with liquids’.

"…Hmm?"

You seem to have spotted something weird, and scanned your surroundings..

The shop sells ‘books that can hold up to 5 kg’, ‘books that can hold up to 20 kg’, '''curled horns resembling a shiny black goat''', and ‘books that are waterproof even with liquids’.



"… Hey murderer, what are you doing there?"

"Hya!?"

A squeal can be heard from behind the pile of books, and the horns immediately shrivel back. You stride forth towards where they disappear to, and crudely reach your arm in.

You grasp the lumpy stick-like object and yank it out…

"—Auu!? Wh-What are you doing, Okutsuki-san! It hurts!!!"

And as expected, hiding behind the pile of books is the murderer who killed you.



''"Th-The Murderer girl!?"

"It’s you after all…! Oy murderer, what are you doing here!"

''"Ple-please-please let go of me! My horn is bending! It hurts~!"

Shaking her head about, she waves off your right hand, only to tumble and sit onto the floor due to excessive force. The horns might be her weakenss, and her ultramarine eyes look up at you with resentment, slowly filled with tears.

"Uuu~, this is cruel, what are you doing, why did you grab my horn!?"

"I’m the one who want to ask what are you doing!? What are you planning, murderer, why are you spying on me!? Anyway, how do you know where I am!"

"Th-That is because, I waited at the elevator closest to your dormitory tower and followed you…"

"Arteria, let's get out of here!!!"

"No, no!! I’m not here to fight anymore!"

You immediately try to flee the moment she confesses to her stalking, and the murderer hastily denies any intention to fight.

Since she has no intention to fight, why would she follow you?

"P-Please listen to me! I was following you because, erm…I-I want to apologize to you!"

"Huh? Apologize?"

''"…I was wondering what she would be saying. Apologize? Is she taking us for a fool…!"''

Both of you exhale in disgust at the word ‘apologize’, the one word seemingly most unbefitting of the murderer. Did she really look for you to apologize for her sins?

''"No! Now you, this is the enemy who attacked this Arteria two nights ago, and almost drove you to the brink of death. Even if she is related to your Father, it does not assure that she is someone you can trust!"''

(…Yeah, I feel the same. I don’t know what kind of relationship she had with Father, but even if she’s someone Father approved five years ago, it doesn’t guarantee that she’s still a trustworthy person today!)

You look down at the murderer, ready to pull out the grimoire as you answer,

"Murderer, I don't believe your words. Even if you want to apologize—"



"I'm very sorry!"



The murderer interrupts you and grovels on the pokes his forehead onto the ‘Library’ alley.

"Wha!?"

"I’m very sorry…I-I’m really sorry!!"

"Eh, m-murderer!?"

You can’t hide your bewilderment while the murderer continues her spirited prostration. You had assume this situation will be similar to the moment in the depths of the Labyrinth, when 39 stone spears flew towards you…

"I'm sorry, Okutsuki-san, I'm sorry…!"

"Eh, murderer? You grovelling here will only cause me trouble! You’re making me look like a baddie by grovelling on the floor apologizing in front of a grimoire store, you know!"

"B-But I’m still bothered by this! I owe Teacher Okutsuki a great debt of gratitude for saving my life, but I hurt his son with my magic…!"

"No, such physical scars can be healed, but you’re making me look like someone forcing a girl to kneel and apologize in public! That’ll be a socially unhealable wound now!"

"Woah, that male student’s forcing a girl to kneel for forgiveness…" "…What a scumbag."

"See~ it’s just as I said!!"

"B-but I bought some dubious text from a bookstore yesterday that says this is the most honorable apology style in Japan…!"

"That's a scam, and you believe it even though you find it suspicious!? Ahh enough, come here!!"

"Ehh…wah-kyaa!?"

You walk up to the murderer, grab her by the left arm, force her onto her feet, and drag her into a secluded alleyway. Even though you wish to discern the murderer’s true intentions, you can’t talk calmly with so many icy stares around you. 

"Haaa haaa…say murderer, the key thing instead of just imitating how to apologize is to know whether your apology is sincere! If you’re really sorry, show it in you know, murderer, what's more important than getting down on your knees in action rather than style."

"…I-If you want me to show it by action, do you mean by ‘taking off’…"

"That’s not it!? Why are your thoughts so weird? Is it because I dragged you to an alley!? If people on the street misunderstand, my social survival will be at risk!"

Feeling a fear of (social) death, you interrupt the murderer’s words.

You had half-expected this from yesterday’s magic duel…but it seems that once this murderer gets upset, her thought proicess is ridiculously impaired.

"Ah seriously…if you really want to apologize, murderer, explain to me first! You said Father saved you, but how?"

"…Y-Yes…"

And murderer, wondering if she should undo her chest buttons, fiddles with her fingers as she slowly answers your question,

"…Six years ago, I was chased out of the foster home, and was wandering around the Labyrinth, where I was saved by a teacher."

"Huh? Chased out of your foster home…ehh!? You’re an orphan?"

"…Yes. The foster home I speak of is the ‘Cathedral’ (Kathédra) I was born in. As you probably know, the ‘Kathédra’ is thoroughly racist against demi-humans."

"Ka-'Kathédra '…!"

—The ‘Kathédra’ is the '''biggest''' of the four major forces fighting for supremacy in this Library City Alexandria.

It is the oldest, strongest, largest, and most corrupt of the Labyrinth Exploration Guilds.

Aside from the rare purebloods, ‘as long as a single demi-human bloodline is involved, no human right shall be granted’ such utterly racism is thoroughly hated by all citizens.

"If you were raised in the ‘Kathédra’, and forced to leave your home six years ago…then were you forced to leave the ‘Kathédra’ because you were discriminated against by your own tribe...?"

"…Yes."

"…!"

You imagine the murderer's past and subconsciously avert your gaze.

Two curly horns protrude from the sides of the golden hair on murderer’s head. This proves the difference in her ancestry from the purebloods, the proof of a ‘discriminated race’, demi-humans.

(…Her own family discriminates against her. She really has such a harsh life …)

"…If Teacher Okutsuki had not taken me in, I would have been eaten by the creatures in the dark depths of the Labyrinth."

"…So Father so happened to bump into you while searching the Labyrinth?"

"Yes. Teacher Okutsuki took pity on me while my own kin abandoned me, taught me magic, and even offered to adopt me…"

"!? Father adopting you…so you could have been my stepsister!?"

"…If that happened, I might not have killed yout due to a misunderstanding…b-but six years ago, Teacher had a very important mission, and so I, ugh, I was sent to the ‘Apothecary’ until the mission was completed…!"

(…Si-Six years ago, that definitely matches the time when Father was busy, but …!)

What an ironic fate. The culprit you killed you was once saved by your Father, and was about to become your stepsister.

If only the Doctor Magna Kai Okutsuki had not been assassinated by someone unknown five years ago.

"—Actually I! I was saved by the Doctor Magna, so I should have inherited Teacher Okutsuki’s legacy to become a candidate doctor to save everyone! Yet I, I, I killed an innocent civilian (you) and turned you into a vampire…!"


"…Father's, legacy …"

Your heart throbs the moment you hear her mention Kai Okutsuki's legacy.

"Since I was saved by the Doctor Magna, I have an obligation to save others like the Doctor Magna." This is exactly the same sense of responsibility you harbored over the past five years.

(…Father's disciple being a murderer, and I couldn’t trust her at all…but now that I hear what she said, I feel there’s some of Father’s teachings within …)

For you, who lost your beloved Father and fell into a delirium, your moral support has always been the teachings of the Doctor Magna. You want to become someone who can live up to your Father’s name, and this will has encouraged you through countless nights of despair.

And just as you cherish your father's teachings—perhaps the Murderer too was trying to repay Kai Okutsuki's teachings in her own way.

(…If what she said is true, she may have lost her family again…her precious support…her pain might be greater than mine.)

Even though you lost your Father, you still had your family for support.

You could endure the despair of Kai Okutsuki’s death and worked hard to pursue the truth for five years, for your Mother and little sisters have been your support, constantly being with you.

But for her—the demi-human girl who was forced to leave the ‘Kathédra’, she always has to endure the deep loneliness and despair  alone, often honing her magecraft till this point.

Were it not be, this young her can’t possibly be able to wield such medium and high level magic at will.

"…I have disobeyed Teacher Okutsuki’s teachings…Okutsuki-san. If you won't forgive me, then I-I-I…!"

"…"

You purse your lips and silently look at the weeping murderer.

She was abandoned by her family, lost her resting place, and honed her magecraft in the ‘Apothecary’ that explores the unkwown. For a girl of only 10 years old, this certainly would have been an unspeakable hardship.

(…Maybe this murderer is just like me, always enduring loneliness alone. She’s still searching for the truth, desperately acting tough, while traumatized by the wounds of loss.)

The girl, grabbing her horns to hide them, shrivel back while looking terrified, and does not look like a maniac who enjoys murder.

It is unforgivable of her to almost kill you twice…but if the mistakes are due to her pain of losing your Father, and seeking the truth, you have no further reason to reproach her anymore..

"…Are you really remorseful?"

"It’s not sufficient no matter how remorseful I am…!! I actually used the magic Teacher taught me for fighting you instead of defeating evil…!!"

The murderer's voice trembles with regret as she repents her disobedience to her teacher's teachings.

Her magecraft has far surpasses an ordinary student at the ‘Apothecary’. Such desire to refine this talent is definitely not out of her delight in killing murder or yearning of power..

She admires her great master, Kai Okutsuki, and has the same ideals as you,

The girl who was expelled from the ‘Kathédra’ must have lived the same five years as you did as well as she could.



"…What’s your name again?"

And as the '''ex'''-murderer kneels in shame, you suddenly ask for her name.

"So-sob…? M-My name? Didn’t I say, that yesterday… "

"So tell me your name again… I think you don’t enjoy killing. In that case, calling you ‘murderer’ is the complete opposite of Kai Okutsuki's teachings."

"Okutsuki-san…but I-I killed you, no…?"

"Of course, the fact that you almost killed me and Arteria isn’t something that can be forgiven just by saying sorry. Since you’re someone following the Doctor Magna's teachings, you’ll definitely work hard to make amends.

Yes, people sometimes do make unexpected unwanted mistakes. Surely your Father, the Doctor Magna, wouldn’t have condemned those who reflect upon their sins and work hard to make amends.

As the heir to Kai Okutsuki's legacy, you feel you need to accept her apology.

"So swear by your name, that ‘you’ll never make the same mistake again’…and I won’t think of you as a murderer again."

"…Okutsuki, san…!"

The girl who you once deemed as a murderer lifts her gaze at your words, and wipes the tears welling in her eyes, adamantly lifting her head..

"…Erika K-K Austral…I will surely atone for the sin of killing you…!"

She then announces her name with a soft, determined tone.



"Erika, huh?…Yep. I'll call you Erika instead of murderer from now on, and you can stop calling me vampire, too. I’ve never sucked a single drop of blood thus face, and I have a proper name, Sōshi Okutsuki."

"I-I know that. I haven't called you vampire since yesterday!"

You smile, and the (ex-)murderer Erika raises her eyebrows in annoyance.

Now you and Erika have gone from ‘enemies’ wounding each other with magic to ‘comrades’ seeking the same truth. Since this is the case, you should assist her redemption.

"…That’s how it is, Arteria, Seems like she feels bad about this too. Are you willing to forgive her?"

"Eh? O-Okutsuki-san, who are you talking to…?"

''"…Mmmm, since this kin of I chooses to forgive, this True Ancestor has no reason to reproach."''

You call out, and a silver-white bat crawls out from the robe and snorts. Erika's face pales in horror as she seemingly realizes the true identity of the bat.

"O-Okutsuki-san? I-I-I-Is-Is that silver bat possibly…?"

"Eh? Ah yes, she’s the Silver Night Arteria that you almost petrified yesterday."

"~!!!?"

Once your state Arteria’s true identity, Erika's eyes turns blank, and she lets out an inarticulate cry. Well, it’s no wonder she’s terrified, for she has attacked a High Daylight Walker, hailed to be the strongest being in the Labyrinth, albeit having lost her power..

"Ha! B-But the True Ancestor probably lost most of her power! N-No-Now that I th-thi-think about it-it-it’s useless to kill me!? My blood doesn’t taste good at all!!"

"Arteria isn’t someone who’ll just kill as and when she pleases…how scared are you anyway?"

You look dumbfounded and put Arteria back within the hood. Now then, truce and reconciliation are over, and you shall start seeking the ‘books’ for exploration purposes.

"…That’s how it is, Erika. We need to prepare for exploring. See you at the 'Apothecary'."

"P-Pl-Please wait a minute, Okutsuki-san! I can go explore the Labyrinth with you!"

"What? You want to come along?"

"Yes! I followed you because I want to help you explore! It’s because of my misunderstanding that you have to look for your textbooks, Okutsuki-san, so I have to support you!"

"So because of your misunderstanding…you ambushed me."

Apparently, Erika had woken up early and staked out at the elevator terminal you could have possibly used just to apologize.

It’s rather terrifying that she had identified the nearest elevator to your dormitory…but the fact is that you’re not familiar with the Labyrinth exploration, and if she wants to atone for her sin, it might be a good idea to ask Erika for help.

"I’m grateful for your help…but you have your own exploration to do, right?"

"There’s no problem. Every first exploration day, I’ll visit Teacher Okutsuki's study (Atelier) to mourn…that’s your destination too, right, Okutsuki-san?"

"…Is that so. Okay, you insist, then help me out. I was thinking of buying some ‘storage books’ earlier, but I haven’t decided on one yet."

"Ah, in that case, I'll give you mine! I just sorted out my equipment and I have an extra book left!"

"Eh? Ah, wait, Erika, why are you opening the ‘book’?"

Erika pulls a ‘storage book’ out of her shoulder mail before you can stop her, flips a page open, and presses it onto your backpack. ''Whoosh!'' the activated ‘book’ absorbs the heavy luggage into the ‘book’ the size of a notebook.

"Woah!…th-that really is to be expected of a 'storage book'. It really has a great storage capacity…"

"Hm hmmm? It has lots of capacity, but few pages. You can’t go into the lower levels carrying such a large backpack."

"…Th-thanks. It literally is a weight lifted off my shoulders."

Freed from the itch on both shoulders, you stuff the ‘storage book’ into your shoulder mail and try jumping. The of your equipment magically vanishes, and you can move nimbly as usual. Now even if you are attacked by Labyrinth creatures, your escape will not be delayed by overweight luggage.

(… Yeah. I can't use magic, so ‘books’ are necessary. I think there’s still some capacity left inside the ‘storage book’, so maybe I can buy something else.)

''"…Mu~, do you wish to tour that shopping street with this little girl?"''

(Eh, I don't want to walk the shopping street, just want to do some shopping…Arteria, are you in a bad mood? Did I do something wrong?)

''"Not that I am displeased…but do you truly trust this little girl?"''

(No, I don't trust her completely, but my exploration skills are reliant on the ‘book’ and equipment, and I just feel I need her help with shopping…)

"Okutsuki-san? Speaking of which, have you prepared food for the exploration? Even as a vampire, you do feel hungry from exercising, right?"

"Eh? Ah, ah yes. Arteria, is there anything you want to eat?"

''"Blood!"''

"…Yes, I'll give you a little of my blood, but don't go sucking anyone else's, okay?"

"I-I think I know the answer from the conversation just now…if you're looking for a market for fresh food… you might want to try Food Island. ""

On Benedictus of the ‘Floating Peak Library’, the only blood you can purchase are probably blood sausages…but that is fine, and you may try exploring other islands instead.

You exit the main street of Melchoir, and check the map signboard showing a brief overview of ‘Floating Peak Library’, and embark on a long shopping odyssey to from Melchoir to Benedictus.

''"…Muu~, it appears this Benedictus before us seems to be a really enjoyable place."''

The bat Arteria mutters with bemusement as she spots pedestrians carrying things on the huge stone bridge.

Of the people walking from Benedictus at the far end of the long arch bridge, two out of three are holding wrappers containing some very tasty-looking snack.

''"…Drool. Mmmm, it looks good…"''

(Seems like there’s a lot of lot of elevators at the floating peak on the other end end of this bridge. I remember Father saying that the more active logistics there are, the more good food there is.)

Beyond the bridge stretching into the sky, a floating island appeared through a gap in the clouds, seemingly sewn into the air by a tower of shining white highheavy duty elevators.

"…Speaking of which, this is really a tremendous piece of architectural engineering…"

"Ah, Okutsuki-san, is this your first time seeing the high-speed elevators? One of those elevators connects to the ‘Apothecary’ lecture tower, you know?"

"Is that so? So is that floating island is the relay point between the ‘Library’ and the surface?

Yes. Benedictus is one of the largest floating peaks of this ‘Library’, and also a crucial facility that links several elevators between the the shallow and lower levels of the Labyrinth. The super high-speed, heavy duty elevators that combines the collective wisdom of the ‘Apothecary’ supports the massive supply chain between the Library City Alexandria and the Library Labyrinth.

'"…An elevator piercing through the sky towards the ground, and elevators that break through the sea of clouds…mmmm, even this High Daylight Walker has to be amazed by this."''

(Yeah. After all, the construction of the elevator represents the history of mankind's exploration of the Labyrinth.)

It took six centuries and countless human sacrifices to reach this level. Tens of thoustands were slaughtered by Labyrinth creatures, hundreds of thousands were wounded by ingenious traps, and millions were exhausted by the complicated Labyrinth. Finally, seventy years ago, one end of the Elevator is connected to this land.

The elevators are monuments to human history. A heavy duty, high-speed elevator that can transport vast quantities of goods and personnel without endangering them is the cornerstone of the Labyrinth exploration, and the greatest treasure of all mankind.

(…Okay, time to hurry. This is the supply chain town of the third biggest faction of Library City Alexandria, the ‘Apothecary’, so there’s definitely some good food to eat. Let’s buy some food, I’m sure Arteria will be happy here.)

''"Mmm! I-I am not such a child! If I may be delighted from merely food…sniff sniff… the smell of food is becoming richer!"''

"Hmm? …Ah, you’re right. There’s some starchy smell around."

You look up at the towering elevator as you walk along, and you’re approaching the end of the a long arch bridge. The silver-white bat sniffs, and your vampirized nostrils too detect the scent of food blending in the air.

You have arrived at the largest floating island in ‘Floating Peak Library’—Benedictus.

''"Ooohh~…! Quite lively Melchoir is, but more so on this island!"'

"I see, so this is where the smell is coming from…"

As you cross the bridge with the silver bat, you are greeted by a lively bustle and the smoke of a charcoal fire. Lots of food stalls are clustered near the bridgehead, cooking food over charcoal fires and ‘flame books’.

There is a roasted meat dish with beast meat is wrapped around an iron bar and pried off with a long chopper. There is also large roasted chickens stuffed with herbs and grilled to a crisp, made from farmed cockatrice.

There is shaved ice made made by freezing water with freezing magic, shaving it and sprinkling fruit syruo over it. There is also fukashi (crepes) made by mixing water with flour, baking it thinly on a griddle, and wrapping it over fruit and milk from bovine Labyrinth creatures.

There is sweet zenzai made from slime simmered with azuki beans. There is also grilled seafood grilled with fish sauce coated upon various legged marine mollusks.

The entrance to Benedictus is filled with such various buzz everywhere due to the many stalls, further emphasizing the bustle of the people.

"…This is Benedictus, the food storage of the 'Apothecary'…!"

(There’s food I’ve never seen before no matter where I look…! This whole floating island is a grocery store, how much food is being circulated around here…!)

"Most shops nearby are food stalls, and they aren’t great for preserving unlike the provisions for exploring Labyrinth, but they should tase better." 

''"U-Umumu …! So many delicious smells everywhere!"''

Arteria, peeking out from the robe hood, has her crimson eyes glittering. Even if one is not a vampire very unfamiliar with human civilization, one would have to marvel at this food distribution network.

There are 800,000 Alexandria citizens under the umbrella of the ‘Apothecary’. Without the elevators gathered on this ‘Floating Peak Library’ and the ‘Military Logistics’ (Logistics) related knowledge from the Labyrinth, this sophisticated food distribution network that supports the distribution and processing of such vast amounts of food would be impossible.

''"With so many people on the surface, I do wonder as to how they can support such a huge population…I see. So they deliver the grains harvested of the ‘Library’ from here."''

"So the secret of Library City Alexandria's prosperity lies within the Library Labyrinth?"

"Yes. It’s said that at least 60% of the ‘Apothecary’s economy is derived from the Library Labyrinth."

Living resources are harvested from the fertile ‘libraries’ scattered throughout the Library Labyrinth, and are distributed to every corner of Library City Alexandria via winged delivery by air and super-heavy duty elevators.

Each food store on this island isn’t simply a grocery store heavily involved with people’s lives, but also serves as both a retailer and wholesaler in general.

"Sure feels like the scale really is too great the more I think about it…hmm, anyway, please give me one crepe."

"Ah, I shall have one too."

"Coming right up!"

''"Wha-!? Crepe!?"''

Perhaps because you have imagined the lives of millions of people, your brain cells craves for good sugar. The sweet smell of the crepe causes you to brandish copper coin, and the shop attendant instantly wraps a crepe for you.

"Nom…mmmm, so sweet and delicious!"

''"Ah! I Have yet to decide from which shop to eat from. How despicable of you to enjoy by yourself! Ah! While I was wondering which store to go to, you are the only one who is cheating! One bite for I too!"''

The vampire is jealous that you can to eat the fragrant freshly baked crepes, and sticks her mouth out from within the hood. Given the size of a bat's jaw however, it probably is difficult to chew the large fruit.

''"Nom, on nom nom! Ahh! How inconvenient it is to eat! A mere fruit snob dares to defy this High Daylight Walker! You, spread my clothes wide!"''

(D-Don’t be so reckless. It’s too dangerous for a vampire to reveal oneself at such a crowded place.)

The bat angrily flails around, and you press her nose tip to appease her.

[[Image:ToMei_v1 Illustration 08.jpg|thumb]]

''"Pu-kyu! Nom nom nom nom! I too wish too consume some of this too! Om nom nom!"''

(It tickles! Stop baking me. I don’t have a choice here, you’re a vampire!)

There are many domesticated Labyrinth creatures and strange looking demi-humans around, so a silver-haired girl wandering around would not stand out too much…nevertheless, this is the inside of the Labyrinth. There is a likelihood of you bumping into an experienced explorer like a Doctor Magna.

If news of the ‘Library Labyrinth Silver Night’s return is known to the world, the Library City Alexandria will inevitably be in a state of panic. Unfortunate it may be, you can’t let Arteria roam around.

(…Ordinary people aren’t going to believe me even if I say you’re not a bad vampire, and besides, your clothes were damaged from yesterday’s battle…)

''"Muu~! Is there a problem with that robe!? With my cuteness, any clothing will feel appropriate to me!"''

(No, the problem is that anything looks good on you… …)

The chiffon dress with a large gaping hole is extremely lacking in social defences. The security in the ‘Library’ probably isn’t so bad, but it’s truly dangerous for a girl of her age to be walking around in it.

(…And I feel angry for some reason if others is to see Arteria’s skin… …)

''"Mu?...J-Jealous you are?"''

(Ugh! Hey, don’t read my mind. I’m not jealous here, you know!?)

You stuff Arteria, who asked happily (for some reason), deep within your uniform (robe). You may not be able to outtalk her if you keep going.

''"Pugya! Mumumumu!  How despicable you are!...I-I too wish to be like a human girl, ‘walking and eating alongside a lover’."''

(No-no no no, I'm not your girlfriend or anything!)

''"Wh-what now~!? You belong to I, so you are the mate of I!"''

(I don't even remember being your mate!)

You reject her…but you feel unfair that you are the one enjoying the meal while Arteria is concealed within the robe..

It is be a perfectly natural reaction for a vampire who has lived on blood alone in the darkness of the Library Labyrinth to want to ‘try eating something’ once exposed to the rich food culture of humans. As a vampire yourself, you are the only who gets to each crepes with Erika, and it is no wonder Arteria calls foul on you.

(…Well, I want Arteria to enjoy it too, but…)

You turn your face aside due to guilt, and the men and women walking on the streets enter your eyes. This Benedictus, with its many elevators and restaurants, appears to be a place for lovers to relax.

"…Do people enjoy themselves if they’re just with those they like, walking on the streets …?"

"Eh…O-Okutsuki-san?"

You feel an unfamiliar feeling in your chest, and blurt out.

Upon this magnificent floating island, spending time in this vibrant commercial town is definitely a leisurely moment for Arteria. The idea of touring with her through the beautiful streets embraced by the clouds seems somehow appealing.

(…Like them, me, with Arteria…?)

''"O-Okutsuki-san? Who are you referring to here …?

"—No no no! I can't let Arteria walk around dressed like that!"

"! Ah…"

You shake your head and forcibly correct your thoughts that are almost led astray by your emotions..

The fundamental problem is that you can't let Arteria walk around in clothes with big holes in them. The cobblestone streets are too corase for a True Ancestor who has lost her immortality to walk barefoot. Even if you are to use ‘Origami paper’ to make clothing, you have no women's fashion sense at all.

"Well, since we don’t have clothes, guess we have no choice! There aren’t any girls' clothes for sale on this island!"

"…Of course, this is a fruit stall you know?"

"Eh, ueehhh!?"

You turn around at this sudden voice, and see an elderly lady boss sigh exasperatedly. You unwittingly end up pondering before this stall, and is mistaken for a shopper.

"You seem frustrated thinking about buying clothes while looking at our merchandise here…are you thinking about this girl next to you?"

"Eh, no, actually …!"

You flinch in shame at the realization that you appear to be someone dangerous muttering to himself, ignoring his companion; the old granny then grabs your right right, and stuffs something onto your palm.

You open your palm…and find a piece of paper that says…’20% off all items!’.

"Eh…is this a discount coupon?"

"Say no more, I know. The frustrations of the young definitely has something to do with love affairs."

"L-Love?"

"N-Not at all! Arteria and I…aren’t like that!"

"Eh? A-Art…"

"…Hm, so it seems you don’t have such a relationship with this missy next to you…so, a boy? Are you intending to crossdressing to attract a man you like?"

"DEFINITELY NOT!"

It seems the granny no longer deems you as a weirdo muttering to himself, but a gay who is frustrated over this forbidden love. It appears the sex culture of the Library City Alexandria is much more liberal than in Japan…"

"Hohoho, just kidding. My daughter married a dressmaker, and they’re having a special sale to celebrate their honeymoon. As it says on the back of the ticket, go to the right, cross the bridge, and you’ll reach it."

(Sale?…U-Uh oh! If Arteria is hear this now!!)

You close your hood quickly, but it is already too late.

''"—Why do you hesitate!? You have a discount coupon, so do not neglect the goodwill of this old lady! Thank her properly and head towards that shop!"''

(You’re tens of thousands of times older than her…ah sorry, I shouldn’t mention the age! I’ll reflect on this! It’s my fault, don’t damage my hair roots!)

''"Om nom nom!...Dare to mention age again, and I shall drain all blood flow from your scalp!"''

As you scream apologies in your mind, the raging itch attacking the back of your head disappears.

Now that all of your hair follicles have been held hostage, you are powerless to resist. Besides, Arteria saved your life, and it would be immoral to imprison her within your robe for no reason.

"Haa…no choice now. I’ll gratefully usefor this ticket."

''"Mufufu~! You should have said so from the beginning.♪"''

"…O-Okutsuki-san? Are you actually going to buy clothes for that strongest species (vampire)?"

"She won’t be happy if I don’t…thank you very much, granny. I'll visit this store again sometime."

"…I can't believe we’re buying clothes for a vampire."

Erika seem to have said something, but you pay no heed. You thank the fruit and vegetable store owner and walk towards to the long sky bridge linking bridges Benedictus and the Sundry Island (Extachius).