Chapter 7
Lurking in the Foggy Town
(Part 5)
After finding the suspicious file from the research institute’s basement, we first headed to the town’s municipal office.
There was someone working there, at least, but a shutter was down over the reception counter. It had a small, narrow slit just big enough to pass documents through and a tiny window, just large enough to see the other person, making any interaction extremely minimal. It was something I was used to by now, but the municipal worker looked at me, a traveler, with wary eyes.
Even when I asked about what we were looking for, they barely listened and flatly refused, saying they didn’t know. When I persisted and kept asking, they said if it wasn’t at the research institute, then the library was the only other place, and refused to engage further. Maria had also mentioned that since the town isn’t very large, if there were any documents outside the research institute, it would probably be at the library.
Having no other choice, we headed to the library next.
The library was unattended, and it seemed to operate on a self-service system for borrowing and returning. The light filtering through the cloudy windows and the books created a heavy atmosphere. Illuminated by the dim light, there wasn’t a single townsperson inside the building, and the vast space felt unnervingly quiet. Cleaning seemed to be minimal, done only occasionally, leaving the place slightly dusty.
Maria seemed to be physically struggling, so I had her sit on one of the chairs provided. I also set down my luggage and began silently searching for books that might be related to the research. Many books on the shelves seemed to have been returned but not properly reshelved, and while the total number was less than it should have been, it was still a considerable amount. They were somewhat categorized, but it was hard to say they were properly organized. I kept picking up books, flipping through them, and putting them back.
“Akatsuki-san, are you familiar with soul magic?”
I wonder how much time had passed when Maria asked me a question.
Startled, I turned to look at her and saw she was reading the research institute file I had placed near my backpack.
“I’m sorry, I looked without asking. I just… somehow got curious and couldn’t help it…”
“It’s fine. I haven’t heard of it in other towns either, so it’s natural to be curious. I also… don’t really know much about it beyond the fact that such magic exists.”
Honestly, this wasn’t a lie. I too had only heard about it long ago from an important magician. That person only saw me as a tool and we barely had any communication, like detailed explanations. I guess it’s because they probably thought I was just a stepping stone for the completion of the magic anyway.
As for the spell itself, I truly don’t understand it at all. I can’t even stop it by my own will. All I can do is, as my time of death approaches and magical power is absorbed into my soul, mix my memories and information into that magical power. Honestly, it’s not like all memories are inherited. But I generally remember the important things, so I manage.
“That magic… which concentrates all of a person’s magical power into their soul and passes it on… Do you think it exists? If it does, it would be like living forever, wouldn’t it?”
“Hmm, I think whether one sees it that way depends on the person… According to demon sensibilities, that seems to be the case, but I think if the memories aren’t there, it’s a different person.”
Even as I said that, Maria seemed to be pondering something.
Somehow, I felt I shouldn’t show her this file any longer, and I took it from her hands as she silently turned the pages.
“Would you like to have a light meal? If you just tell me where a shop is, I can go buy something.”
“Y-yes. But the restaurants have been closed for a long time… My house is nearby, so I can prepare something simple.”
“No, I can cook simple meals too, so please rest. Let me make it up to you for dragging you around all over the place.”
We hadn’t found any materials about soul magic in the library yet, but we decided to take a break and stop searching for a while. Just sitting for a bit didn’t seem like it would be enough for Maria to recover her stamina. Maybe eating something nutritious and resting would help her feel a little better.
It was convenient that Maria’s house was nearby. While I searched for materials in the library, she should be safe if she stays at home. Maria, who had been sitting in the chair, slowly stood up as if lifting her heavy hips, and began walking with unsteady steps. I hurriedly put back the books I had been looking through onto the shelves and opened the library’s entrance door.
“Ah!”
Just after passing through the library door, I inadvertently let out a sound upon seeing several figures standing a few meters away.
Dia!
Thank goodness, she’s safe… but the atmosphere suggested otherwise.
Behind Dia were four people with their hoods pulled deep over their eyes. It was my first time seeing them in person, but they seemed to be the Exorcists’ small, elite special forces unit. There was no friendly atmosphere whatsoever between Dia and the Exorcists; they were tense and on edge, neither side showing any opening. Could it be that the Exorcists have realized Dia is a demon? But if so, why are they with her?
The moment I stepped out of the library, Dia’s eyes also widened slightly. So she must have noticed me. Directly behind Dia, one Exorcist was standing very close, almost attached to her. It didn’t seem like she was trying to hide herself from me. Normally, she would probably run over to me immediately, but since she wasn’t moving at all, she probably had a weapon pressed against her back or something.
I was thinking that for now, it seemed I had no choice but to talk to the Exorcists, when Dia, looking as if she was troubled by something, lowered her eyes and then spoke.
“…Master, please step away from there.”
A quiet, yet powerful voice reached my ears. Combined with the fact she didn’t use my name as she usually does, a sense of tension surged through my whole body. Dia, with a furrowed brow, was looking not at me, but at Maria.
“The one there is a demon. Please step away.”
