Follow the Script

Chapter 16

Just like before, it was yet another victory for the librarian, a victory with no escapees. With the calmness of the library returning once more, he could finally recover and catch his breath, even if it was only for a single moment. Leaning against a desk, he delicately placed his head on top of it, feeling the cold surface of the furniture. However, a silent threat loomed above his head, reminding him that the witch was still roaming around, probably searching for her vengeance.

Y/N: ...

In his hands, his prize proving his efforts to combat the lunatic jester was resting there. It was a mere torch with its flame remaining constant, torch capable of turning someone into a monster by breaking their mind. Now in possession of it, he made sure to not avert his eyes to it and watched the girl accompanying him enter the small space between a dozen of bookshelves.

Koishi: Are you alright mister Y/N?

Y/N: Been through worse.

His answer was simple and effective, completely out of it after a fight that challenged both his physical endurance but also his mental health. When is exhaustion was added to the top of everything, the result was right in front of Koishi.

Y/N: This thing must be really powerful to affect people's mind so easily.

Koishi: Must be, I don't really know myself.

She sat down beside him, still holding the book bearing his name thightly around her body, fearing that it might disappear like the man in front of her eyes. Time was running out for both of them and they both knew it, one of them not accepting this outcome unlike the second person.

If they waited for too long, Y/N's future executioner will arrive and they will not spare a single second, taking their revenge for eliminating the shrine maiden, the biggest sin he could have committed in this place. Of course, he knew that it would happen someday and he was willing to let himself disappear in case his plan failed.

...if it failed, then he would have no reason to live anymore. Truly a perfect ending for both the residents of Gensokyo and the forsaken librarians.

Koishi: You did say that all we needed were souls... do we have enough now?

She asked him with interest, wondering if they were finally done. The man behind this plan remained silent for a moment before glancing back at her. There was neither confirmation nor denial within them.

Y/N: We would need an incredible source of power coming from souls but... we haven't seen something like that so far.

The closest thing he could imagine would be Mokou's paradoxical existence, a being that can never die. If such a person were to perish in a place where death is permanent, the paradox would create such energy to solve itself that he could repeat his plan 10 times over and even more.

Y/N's mind: No, that woman won't fall for such a trick a second time, we have to look for something else.

Maybe there was another person trapped within the same paradox? Not knowing the outside world very much, he was left with no solution. The woman of flames was heavily reprimanded for her reckless actions, she probably wouldn't even bother trying if she was given another chance.

Y/N: Say, do you know how this thing works?

He asked the youkai by his side while brandishing the torch that he was carrying with him. Tilting her head to the side, she shrugged silently, making the man heave a sigh and lower his hand.

Y/N: I'll take a look at that Clownpiece's story, I might find something useful about it.

He stood up and left, quickly followed by the satori sister, humming to herself without a smile. That little song was her only way to remain calm in this situation.