The Swordmaster Wants To Live Peacefully [EN]: Chapter 213

Swordmaster Wants to Live Peacefully – Episode 217

National Central Library

After finishing his schedule, he headed to the National Central Library alone.

The National Central Library was the very center of knowledge, where all the books of Korea were gathered—but now, it was nothing more than ruins.

Several Abyss incidents had occurred nearby, resulting in attacks, and the internal collection had been moved elsewhere for storage, leaving only the desolate building behind.

Partially collapsed, the building was now off-limits.

Yuseongwoo lightly crossed the barbed wire and entered.

Without a single person, the place that was once a repository of knowledge was now eerie, as if ghosts would appear.

‘……I’ve never been here before, though.’

Passing through the shattered main gate of the National Central Library, he entered and saw the traces of terrible destruction.

He could tell from the remnants that there had been a fierce battle here.

‘They set up the first line of defense here, but it was quickly breached. The tanker [a defensive role in combat] wasn’t very capable, it seems.’

Bloodstains that hadn’t been cleaned were stuck to the floor here and there.

Someone died here, and someone was injured here.

With that information, he crossed the site and headed to the data storage, where the books would have been kept.

The door was broken there as well, so he could easily enter.

Stepping into the data storage, he looked for the way to the basement.

‘Basement floor 4.’

Originally used as the ‘Ancient Library.’

Finding the way to the basement, he opened the door and walked down the stairs where no light entered.

It was terribly dark, but it didn’t bother him much, as he could see as well at night as he could during the day.

When the National Central Library was attacked, the basement was used as a shelter, so the way down was quite cluttered.

Still, it was cleaner than the ground floor, as monsters hadn’t invaded this far.

“There was a place like this in Korea.”

He wasn’t exactly estranged from studying, but how many people could enter the underground archive of the National Central Library’s data storage?

Descending to the basement, he wandered around the enormous archive with a sense of wonder.

He passed through the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd basement floors to the 4th floor.

While the 1st to 3rd basement floors were archives for general books, the 4th basement floor was for storing ancient documents.

A more eerie atmosphere wafted through the air.

“Hmm.”

Entering the ancient document room, Yuseongwoo saw a small stream of light flowing out from the inside.

It wasn’t very bright, and the flickering light made it look like a candle.

Following the light, he entered the inner part filled with the smell of old books and found a table and a chair.

As expected, a small candle was placed on the table in a luxurious silver candlestick, dimly lighting the archive.

And there was a book.

The cover of the book, dyed in dark blue leather, had nothing written on it.

A luxurious book with only the edges decorated with gold thread.

Yuseongwoo sat in the chair, picked up the book, and put his feet on the table.

In a haughty posture, he turned the cover of the book and found it filled with unknown characters.

Not Korean, of course.

Not English either.

A script that could not be seen anywhere on Earth. They detached from the book and began to draw a circle around Yuseongwoo and the table.

The manifestation of magic.

A formula formed by letters rotating in a specific pattern.

Realizing it was high-level magic, he quietly waited for the magic to finish unfolding.

It didn’t seem to be sending him anywhere, and it didn’t seem to be an attack magic either.

Whoosh-

A wind blowing from somewhere extinguishes the candle on the table.

Darkness descends in an instant.

And when the candle is lit again, the ancient library was surrounded by darkness.

The bookshelves that should have been visible were not, and nothing could be seen beyond the darkness.

Rustle-

Next, he heard the sound of a page turning.

Yuseongwoo slightly lowered his feet from the table and looked at the opposite side.

Before he knew it, a girl was turning the pages there.

White hair and deep blue eyes.

Her doll-like appearance and the mysterious black and white gothic dress stood out.

Even the headdress she wore on her head looked like a luxury item.

“You’re the one who sent me the note. This space… isn’t reality. It’s a kind of ritual space.”

“I thought you were only skilled with swords, but you seem to have some knowledge of magic as well.”

“If you see it often, you tend to pick things up.”

Of course, he was usually on the receiving end of that magic…….

Yuseongwoo didn’t bother to say the rest and rested his chin on his hand.

Then the girl turned the pages a few times and then closed it with a thud.

“As you said, this space is not reality. It’s a kind of projection magic that tricks the world into thinking it’s in the same space by creating the spatial characteristics of the two places in the same way.”

“I see.”

He didn’t understand everything.

He could roughly understand the principle of how the magic was activated.

So, by projecting the opponent into each other’s space, they could have a conversation, but physical contact was impossible.

Yuseongwoo nodded and continued.

“So, what’s the main point? Or should we introduce ourselves first?”

“…Koreans are impatient now and then. I am Dantalion, a bishop of the Ascension Church. I’m called a bishop, but I’m just stuck in a room reading books.”

Demon Dantalion.

Yuseongwoo had expected her to be an unusual being since she sent him the message.

But even just looking at her, he could feel that she was on a different level than Andro.

Andro borrowed the power and name through a contract with Andromalius, but Dantalion in front of him exuded power just by projecting her appearance.

She had the strength to be the bishop of the Ascension Church.

Since she confidently introduced herself as ‘Demon Dantalion,’ it seemed right to see her as the real one.

“There’s no need to overthink it. I’m Dantalion of the 72 demons of Solomon. The great magician Solomon was a man of great learning. He was also a record maniac, even leaving records of us demons.”

“But I haven’t heard that the demon Dantalion is a girl.”

“Hmm, I’m a little curious about that part myself. Demons are not without influence from human thought, but at some point, the appearance of demons gradually began to change. Mostly into beautiful forms. Thanks to that, it has become easier to seduce humans… It’s a strange thing.”

“I think I know.”

If the appearance of demons changes due to human subjectivity… it’s probably because of subculture.

Dantalion was also a frequently used character among humans.

It’s a product created by otaku [people with obsessive interests, commonly anime/manga].

Yuseongwoo, who roughly understood, nodded and said.

“I’m Yuseongwoo. I have nothing to introduce except that I’m good with swords.”

“In my opinion, that’s quite an understatement for someone who has accomplished feats that humans could never achieve in their lives. You annihilated two bishops of the Ascension Church, and you were the one who handled things in the Vatican.”

“You seem to know a lot for someone who’s stuck in a room reading books.”

As he frowned, Dantalion smiled slightly.

It was a smile that suited her doll-like face very well.

“…I have many nicknames, but I’m also called the demon of records. What humans see and hear is bound to be left in some form. I weave them into the form of a book.”

“So, you read my actions through them, is that it?”

“That’s right. There is some limited information, but the things you’ve done have all been fascinating. It felt like reading a fun novel after a long time. To the point where I became your fan.”

“I don’t like that very much. I’d like to get to the point now.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve talked to someone, so I got excited and talked too much. First of all, what’s written on the memo I sent you is true.”

What was written on the memo that Yuseongwoo received after attacking Dalgi was an introduction to herself as a bishop of the Ascension Church and a desire to cooperate.

Dantalion explained that she would help defeat other bishops of the Ascension Church.

“I am satisfied with just living alone surrounded by books. I don’t really like being a bishop of the Ascension Church. I’m called the demon of records, but I don’t have the omniscient power to know everything, so I don’t know much about the Ascension Church.”

“From what I’ve heard so far, I don’t think you’ll be of any help.”

“Keep listening. But the Ascension Church did not restrict information about other bishops. I can give you a lot of help based on that.”

“There’s not enough motivation to betray yet. I don’t have much reason to trust you.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Dantalion gently stroked her chin and pondered for a moment.

Then she opened her mouth to convince Yuseongwoo.

“I don’t have much interest in the human world. All I want are records, and a life where I can just read them is enough. I thought I could live that kind of life if I joined the Ascension Church… but this place seems to be completely different from what I thought.”

“Does the Ascension Church require something?”

“It was okay until recently, but recently the demands have been getting stronger. I am the bishop of the Ascension Church, but my personality is unique. I don’t build power, but I’m closer to organizing and giving out information. Thanks to that, I’ve been busy lately.”

“So?”

“Ahem, so to tell you why I’m turning my back on the Ascension Church, to be honest, I have too much work and it’s annoying. I want to read books, but I can’t. The level of information they demand is going too far. Shouldn’t work guarantee work-life balance? If I work for two hours, I should sleep for twelve hours, and spend the rest of my time on leisure activities, shouldn’t I?”

“What is the level of labor intensity required by the Ascension Church that you’re thinking of betraying?”

Do they keep you up all night for three days without sleep?

If so, the Ascension Church is truly a black company [exploitative workplace]. The most terrible one.

It wouldn’t be strange to destroy it right away!

Dantalion replied as if she was wronged.

“They make me work for eight hours a day! From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.! Thanks to that, all my leisure time is being taken away!”

Those were words that Koreans would have strangled her for.

When Yuseongwoo’s reaction wasn’t very good, Dantalion crossed her arms and continued.

“It may seem like nothing by human standards, but it’s very important to me. But if I just come out of the Ascension Church, I’m in a central position, so I’m sure I’ll be threatened.”

“So, you’re going to use me to kill the other bishops and even the leader, then get out of the Ascension Church and enjoy your hobbies, is that it?”

“It’s the opposite. I’m going to *continue* my hobbies. My real job is reading books.”

Yuseongwoo narrowed his eyes at Dantalion’s confident words.

This demon is no ordinary person.

To be exact, she’s out of her mind.