Metro Labyrinth Chapter 110.2: The Twelve “Master Threadweavers”

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　Half a century has passed since the “Tokyo Judgment”. In the year that marked the 50th year of the Tokyo calendar, a major event occurred that shook the country. Shinjuku, the most advanced and powerful tribe, which had been striving to revive scientific civilization with all its citizens, was destroyed overnight.

(……Demons.) (Shuu)

　Cities such as Shibuya, Gotanda, and Shinagawa followed Shinjuku due to the six monsters, who will later be called Demons. Shinagawa’s Ryuzaki Sukai also lost his life there.

　The remaining “Master Threadweavers” gathered all their strength to discover the true identity of the Demons and surrounded them, leading to an all-out war in the ruined city of Shinjuku. In the year 52 of the Tokyo calendar, the “Demon War” broke out.

　One hundred thousand soldiers, regardless of whether or not they had a Fungal Class, were gathered to fight against six Demons and countless Metro Beasts controlled by them.

　More than 50,000 soldiers and five “Master Threadweavers” lost their lives in the year-long, gruesome battle. They were Tsuruhashi Minato of Ikebukuro, Oyama Masuo of Senju, the benefactor of the Xolotl tribe, and Tategami Pipin, the first Commander of the Hunters’ Guild… It is explained that they did not die in battle, but stabbed by the demons in the back. The war ended with the defeat of the demons at great cost.

　After that, Shinjuku, which had become a battleground, was unjustly occupied by one of the Five Great Beast Kings, “Omnipotent Elephant Watanabe”. Fifty years have passed since then, and his effective rule continues.

　The Kameido, Shoumon, has established the Metro Church based in Akihabara, advocating Three Major Taboos, including “the development of the scientific civilization,” in order to prevent the repetition of the misfortunes of the past. The first religious organization in New Tokyo rapidly grew in influence and is now a central organization along with the metropolitan government.

　Although everyone has been busy with conflicts and natural disasters since then, it has not suffered any major calamity that could shake the nation, and it continues to this day. If the book were a little newer, it might have included the Ikebukuro coup d’etat eight years ago.

“…phew…” (Shuu)

　I lean back against the back of my chair and rub my temples. When I think how it’s quiet, Tamiko plops down on the illustrated book and sinks into a sea of slobber. The pages are soggy that it may become a forced purchase.

　I quietly get up so as not to wake Tamiko and go looking for another book. I weave my way through the somewhat moldy bookshelves, my eyes sliding over the spines of the books that line the shelves.

(There are three surviving “Master Threadweavers”.) (Shuu)

　Nemurogawa Chuta, the current Governor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Shoumon, the Metro Church Founder, and Akame Asagi, the current chief of Nerima. She is the only one who has never given up her position as chief and has remained celibate. She is truly the strongest single woman on earth.

(I mean, why is Shoumon the only one without a last name? Or is it their first name?) (Shuu)

　It only says Shoumon. I don’t even know if its their real name or nickname.

(I mean… I only know that.) (Shuu)

　The history of this country, which still has many questions and curiosity- more than the history of this country – resonated with me.

　What struck me personally was the fact that even “Master Threadweavers”, who boast overwhelming longevity and vitality due to [Immortality], can die.

　Of course, I knew this, but when I was reminded that [Immortality] is not really “immortality”, I couldn’t help but reaffirm my belief that “life is precious”. So, I have to careful in “toning down” my actions.

(Is it by cutting off the head?) (Shuu)

(Or are they chopped up so that they can’t regenerate?) (Shuu)

(Maybe burned up until they are charcoal?) (Shuu)

　Or even the “curse” from the other day might have a good chance of killing them. I get scared when I imagine such things. I can’t try it in the field, so I’ll have to learn about this in another book, if there is such a thing.

(I want to know more about the Demons.) (Shuu)

　As was the case in Ouji, there are no specialized books on demons or demonic diseases here either. I also picked up a book that looked like the one Satou had mentioned, “Ghost Shrine”, and I flipped through it, but again, there was no mention of it anywhere.

　I heard that the Metro Church has the most advanced research on Demons. There might be some clues there, but the Sugamo branch is not that big, so there is little hope.

(I doubt Noa’s great-grandfather’s notes would have anything either.) (Shuu)

(She said that there were very few descriptions of Demons.) (Shuu)

　I mean, Noa’s great-grandfather’s memo is not perfect either. How could he gather that much information in this world without the Internet?

(As I thought… I guess I’ll just have to ask those who fought against them directly.) (Shuu)

　The Governor and Founder attending the Founding Festival.

　The thought of making contact with them makes me nervous.

　It would be fine if I could keep my identity as a “Master Threadweaver” a secret.

　However, Satou found out quite easily, and so did Giran. I wondered if I would be able to keep my secret from the eyes of the great heroes who had been awake not just for days, but for a century.

“-Hey, you’re working quite hard.” (Heiya)

　When I returned to my seat, a suave-looking white-haired guy with was waiting for me. It’s Shimoyanagi.

“You’ve got all that skill, and now you’re going to study hard? Your ambition is so dazzling that a delinquent like me can’t even look at that.” (Heiya)

“Thank you? Also, is this unusual? Not for me, anyway.” (Shuu)

“So, I don’t look normal in the library?” (Heiya)

“Ah, no. I don’t mean that sorry.” (Shuu)

“It’s fine. I haven’t been in a library in decades. Basically, I get a headache if I see more than three lines of print.” (Heiya)

　He sat down in the seat across from me and poked the sleeping Tamiko’s cheek. Tamiko wakes up while mumbling.

“Are you looking for anything?” (Shuu)

“Well, that’s right… I have something to ask you and this little girl.” (Heiya)

“What?” (Shuu)

“Squeak?” (Tamiko)

“Yesterday, it was about the guys you ran into. It was a bit difficult to ask in front of Rin–representative Aomoto and Kaike.” (Heiya)

　Shimoyanagi moves closer to my face. I smell cigarettes.

“— Have you ever heard of the ‘Cross Border Brigade’? Did they call themselves that?” (Heiya)

　Tamiko and I muttered at the same time. We looked at each other and tilted our heads together in confusion.

“No… I didn’t hear that.” (Shuu)

“Squeak.” (Tamiko)

“…I see, thank you.” (Heiya)

　Shimoyanagi pushes his chair and stands up.

“Eh, um, is that their group’s name? Do you have any idea where they are?” (Shuu)

“…No, it’s not that big of a deal. Even for me, it’s like catching a cloud.” (Heiya)

　He was still very casual. There is something that is bugging me, but I don’t have any proof yet. I’m not sure what to make of it.

“I’m chasing after some stupid gossip, urban legend, or something of that nature. I don’t mean to be a prick, but you guys don’t go around yapping, got it?” (Heiya)

“Yeah.” (Shuu)

“But if… If such things really exist… They’re not in the books you’re reading, they’re like ghosts buried among the shadows of this country.” (Heiya)

“Shadows…” (Shuu)

“You guys should be careful too, festival music attracts those bad things. Ah, damn it, why don’t we sprinkle salt all over the city?” (Heiya)

　As I watched Shimoyanagi’s back as he walked away with a grumble, I felt a pull in my chest. I can’t quite grasp what it is.

　After that, I studied a little more before leaving the library. The illustrated book, now sticky with Tamiko-juice, was to be purchased, “I’ll read it when we get back home!” Tamiko said, looking so excited that she had to be shushed.

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