As the name suggests, the Royal Library is a library built by the Nunchara Kingdom.
　The library is ridiculously large, as if the prestige of the kingdom depended on it, and the decorations on the outside are quite elaborate.
　It was said that the fire around it was terrible, but it never burned down and continued to boast its dignity.

　According to what the rationalized ghosts told me on the way, the library is open to all citizens according to the king's policy.
　But perhaps that's why the entrance to the Royal Library is open to the public.
　Moreover, unlike the temple, it's not sanctified. That means that the inside is full of undead.

　No, on the contrary.........

"A great deal of unclean air is leaking out, man.

　There's a long, futile ascent of the stairs in front of the entrance, but to look at it from inside the library, the evil air is flowing down like dry ice.
　In the impure land, the undead monsters will be powered up and animals and other things will instinctively stop coming near it....

''Neecha, I'm scared.''

　Oh no, Stella is clinging to me.
　But you have to admit, it's impressive that you haven't let go of Erik's hand.

You home?
Ughhhhh....

　Hmmm, I don't want you to look at me with those teary eyes.

I'll be fine. Stay with your brother and you'll be safe.
Yes.

　He still looks a little anxious, but he seems to be following me. I have to keep an eye on him.
　Taking Stella's hand and holding the holy silver gun in my other hand, I slowly stepped into the library.

　The moment I reached the lobby, which was vaulted to the top, I gasped.
　Pale people are coming and going with their thoughts, or they are reading books while preserving the silence.
　The scene is reminiscent of a bygone era, yet it is filled with an indescribable sense of strangeness.
　I thought it would be full of zombies, but it's not.

Welcome to the Royal Library. Are you looking for a book?

　As we twisted our heads around to see if we should shoot the users, a male ghost who appeared to be a librarian spoke to us.
　It seems that he doesn't attack the living out of hatred, but rather conducts his business in a way that recreates the memories of when he was alive.
　Like the people outside, they must have gotten out of Neunyan's control and regained their original Ghost's habits.

''Oh, sorry, but what I'm looking for isn't a book, it's this girl's mother - her name is Sheila, and she's supposed to be the librarian here.
Oh, I see. I'm afraid Sheila is out at the moment, sir.
Out?　Where did he go?
'I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to discuss this with your family. Excuse me.

　After bowing, the Librarian Ghost went back to his other duties.

''Something's wrong...''

　I feel like it's a normal way to say that to keep outsiders away, but do you say it like that when you're just out and about?
　Is there a place that you can't say in a librarian's line of work in the first place?

'Nee-cha?'

　As I was contemplating the uncomfortable feeling on my chest, Stella tilted her head.

'Let's take a break.'

　The Ghosts seem to be quiet, and I choose a suitable table and sit in a chair with Stella and the others.

''Mommy, where is it~''

　Hmm.
　Since entering this unholy space, I feel like Eryk is feeling better in some way.
　Maybe I can talk to him a bit now.

"Hey, Eriq. What can you tell me about your mother?
'Yeah. Mum knows so much about books and everything!

　Anything.

What book did you learn about?
Everything.

　Hmmm, I guess this question isn't good enough.
　I asked a few other questions, and then I pulled around at about the sixth one.

'Has your mother ever gotten mad at you about a book?'
Yes. The book would be damaged if it was exposed to the sun, so it should be stored in a place where it won't be exposed to the sun. Also, I got angry when I read a book about a bad god.
Is that in this library?

　Eryk nods cocooned.
　I think I could see it somehow, but it's still not enough.
　The librarian ghost from earlier was just nearby, so I call out to him.

''Excuse me. I need to use the forbidden library by the king's order as soon as possible, where is it?
'Forbidden book?　I'm sorry, but the man in charge of the forbidden library is called Sheila. We have no idea.

　I don't remember the conversation I just had because I'm a ghost. He answers smoothly.
　And sure enough, it's a forbidden library. I wouldn't get mad at a child for reading a picture book about myths, and I thought that if it was a book written by an evil god, it might be forbidden, but is it a hit?
　But if that's the case, from what Eryk said earlier, it seems to me that Sheila-san has taken her own children to the forbidden library before.......

''Then I would like you to take me to this Sheila-san's place.
'Is it really by the king's command?　Excuse me, but can you prove it?

　It's a pain in the ass.

This way.
It's like being guided by the will of God--

　The librarian receives the amulet and disappears into the light with a bang.
　The other ghosts continue to read the book without a care in the world.

'Sheila-san is the librarian of the forbidden library. That's why she can't tell outsiders where she is........I guess going out is a cloak-and-dagger, huh? Oh well.

　Cowering his shoulders, he looked back over his shoulder and called out to Eryk-kun, who was in a daze.

''Eryk-kun. Do you know where the forbidden bookcase is by any chance?



Oh, boy, that's clearly the bossy vibe.

　Unlike near the lobby, the closer we got to the Forbidden Book Depository, the more rabid ghosts started attacking us.
　Eryk-kun leads the way with Stella-chan in tow, slaughtering the ghosts that attack only me as we proceed.　

''Who are you............disturbing our tranquility?

　Eventually, a huge ghost appeared without a sound in the hall where they arrived.
　The old man's head and his right and left hands were each floating.
　In his right hand he held a staff and in his left hand he held what looked like a jewel.

'I am Latalo. Guardian of the Forbidden Book Depository. Lord of Knowledge.'

　Hmmm, you work for Neumann?　I don't feel any hostility for that.

'You're the one who was making the library unclean.

　A library that keeps out the sunlight would be the perfect place for a ghost to operate, and for a sorcerer like Latarro, it would be a treasure trove of knowledge. It would be a good base of operations.
　I thought it was odd that there were no corpses or zombies, but I wonder if this old man's will is at work?

"Hmm. That hint ... you're the one who took down the Neuroid.

　Ah, I knew it was Neunyan's man.

Are you going to join your master?

　When I laughed back at him as a provocation, the old sorcerer's spirit surprisingly shook its head.

''No, let's not. Now that that that immortal king has been destroyed, the contract is null and void. I have never been a fan of violence to begin with I do not condone the ignorant and ignorant fools of the Empire, but that is all. And you are no longer with the Empire.

　The Empire?
　Well, I don't know what he's talking about, but from what I can see, he doesn't seem to be motivated.
　It's not like he was working for the No-Life King out of loyalty.

"Swear not to destroy me and I'll give you the knowledge you want.

　Huh.
　Well, I don't want to take this guy down, and I'm not complaining about the information I'm getting.

If he's lying, I'll destroy him.
I wouldn't lie to you if it were based on a contract. It's a pretense, but it's really just a plea for your life, considering the difference in strength.

　Laughing off the light threat, the old ghost raised his wand and a piece of paper and an inked quill flew out of nowhere. 'You really want me to sign a contract, not a verbal agreement.

''Fine. I won't destroy you.''
"I will give you knowledge without falsehood.

　The quill pen describes each other's oaths on a piece of paper in the manner of an automatic writing system.
　At the end, me and Latarro's names were signed. When I look at it with my appraising eyes, I can see that the magic waves have passed through firmly, just as they did in the blood seal letter sometime ago, and the effect of the contract has been confirmed.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm sure it's a relief.

　As the piece of paper was absorbed by the treasure ball in his left hand, Latalo's head lost its chemistry.
　Well, if your head works, you can't put up a reckless fight against an opponent who would defeat the No Life King.

''Now, if there is anything you want to ask, go ahead and ask.
Well, to tell you the truth,

　So that's what it's all about.

So, you're looking for the mother of your child.

　Old Rata meditates a little thoughtfully.

'Unfortunately, the librarian was not here when it manifested itself here.
'Gee, so you were really out...'

　It wasn't a cryptic word or anything, it just meant what it said.

'But the name does sound familiar. Sheila Estillia, the Librarian of the Forbidden Book Depository she was undoubtedly among those who contracted with me and gave me knowledge.
Huh!

　A librarian makes a deal with a ghost in a forbidden book?
　Even by the otherworldly standards I've seen, this is clearly illegal.

I'm an ancient ghost that was originally sealed inside this forbidden book. There's no mystery to it.

　Oh, my God.
　Eryk, your mum could be a frickin' disaster.

Is there anything else you'd like to know?

　As I chuckled, Old Lata said unexpectedly.

'Yeah, can I ask you something else?'
"As long as you keep your promise not to destroy me, I will give you knowledge.

　Sure, it's the contractual language, but what a disciplined guy he is to bother to tell me.
　'I'm not going to destroy you, not me! I'm ashamed of myself as a human being, for I was going to have my old wife's goddess exorcise me while shouting, "I'm sorry.

'What kind of knowledge was Sheila-san trying to get?
Knowledge of the evil god Hazade.

　Hazade I've heard of him.
　As I recall, he's the evil spirit that Neunyan mentioned.

"Hazade, the evil god of mischief. The creator and destroyer of the seven worlds, who once ruled over the seven worlds. After destroying all but six of the worlds he controlled, he was overthrown by the other gods, including the sun god Lutar, and sealed deep beneath this world.

　Old Rata kindly told me about the evil gods.
　The fact that they were worshipped across multiple worlds meant that they were at least high ranking gods. His powers include "destruction" and "creation". It's a good thing that he's a god of the highways. Also, they seem to be in charge of the "Almighty" and "Absolute".
　Judging from the fact that the No-Life King was involved, he can manipulate death at will. You should think of him as constantly activating the effect of instantly killing anyone who sees him.

　If you're going to fight him with his current body, he's a formidable opponent. If they were to fight each other, the aftermath of the battle would be enough to destroy the world.
　Well, defeating the evil gods isn't my objective, and if it's sealed, there's no need to force myself to eat it.

''It's possible that Sheila Estillia is involved in our resurrection. The Immortal King may have known something about it, but...

　Certainly if old Rata was right and Sheila-san was involved in the Evil God Hazade, it's possible.
　I never thought that the search for the ghost child's mother was deeply involved in the destruction of the King's Capital and the Evil God.

''In the first place, what is the meaning of this incident?''

　When this happens, you need to know properly.

　The purpose of Neunyan.
　Sheila Estillia's identity.
　The whole story of the incident.

Very well. To the best of my knowledge, I will tell you.

　This is how I was going to get to the bottom of it all at once.

　And I've come to know.
　The truth about this city is too unexpected and outlandish.