"I.. I wish this guy would be dead!"
silence re-engulfed the whole library as Raziel doesn't know what to say, so Raziel just looks up at Cale using his peripheral vision, as though he's asking him what he should do. so Cale coughs two times and looks at their customer.
"Please tell us the whole story."
Mr. hunchman held his fist tightly, as he started to tell everything to them.
" as you know My wife died in a fire, leaving our one and only daughter to me without any house to stay in, plus she was born with a heart disease, that's when I first met silver, he help me to fix my daughter's heart in substitute of my 50 years of lifespan. thanks to viscount griffiths help, they let us stay on their house as a servants, I was hired as their chef while my daughter was a personal maid of the first son of griffith family, Louise Griffiths. at first, he was kind to us and helps my daughter a lot. he's also a water sorcerer with a rank of 4th segment of legendary stage, and the successor of viscount house.. yet.."
Mr. hunchman clenched his fist again and gritted his teeth. "one midnight, when I couldn't sleep, I happened to pass by the lord Louise room, and there I-I saw him.. I saw him sitting on the sofa with lots of naked g-girls surrounded on him, while some of them were d-drugged by him. I was supposed to tell everything at marquis Griffiths but t-that man found me out! not only that, h-he also involved my daughter! calling her every night, and going back every morning with a suction mark on her neck and lifeless eyes. I wanted to help her, but if I speak up at least a word about her, he is going to kill julie! Those incidents keep repeating and repeating with my daughter until she couldn't take it anyymore and decided to take her own life.. A-and this guy! this guy was the one who drove her into this!
his face was full of despair while looking at Raziel who calmly listened to him. his hands started to tremble as he held his hands so Raziel just looked at it using his expressionless face, seeing this, Cale spoke in a formal way.
"please refrain from touching the young master, we will help you depending on how much you can pay. though, as you know, we don't accept materialistic things."
"I-I'll pay you anything! just.. just avenge my daughter! I can give you my whole soul if that's what you want!"
Raziel gasps. after a few minutes of observing him, he slowly understands what this library does.
Since humans have so much desires for their body, they will do everything to get what they want, they will sacrifice everything, just to satisfy their own greed.
this was the former owner wants him to do, to divulge the true nature of humans by fulfilling their own wishes. for some reason, Raziel found this rather shrewd and cunning.
But does he care? No. and he will never be.
Just like the others, he's also a human full of greed. he'll do everything just to get back on his own world, even if he needs to trick someone and plunge the others to their own despair.
"A revenge.. was it?" Cale suddenly looked at Raziel when he heard him speak. not long after, the maid had come, holding a tray where there's a jasmine tea and a cheesecake. the maid put it on the table then after that, she stood up beside Cale.
Mr. hunchman replied, ".. Something like that.. no, that's right! I want revenge! I want that guy to suffer!"
there's a hint of anger in every words that coming out on his lips that he almost crumpled the card of 9 of hearts he was holding if not only because it was made of magical materials, Raziel observe him for quite awhile, as he take a cup of jasmine tea and sip some of it.
"there are different kinds of revenge, what is it that you want?"
"I don't care about the different types of revenge, if possible I want him to experience all those kinds of revenge! I want him to experience all the suffering that every person feels to the point that he would wish that he shouldn't have been born in this world, you people create miracles, right? then please.. please avenge us! I'm willing to give up my remaining lifespan to you!"
Mr. hunchman face was full of rage and sadness that he almost kneel down Infront of Raziel out of desperation, his hands was trembling while holding a cup of jasmine tea, he wanted to cry but to no tears coming up from his eyes. Meanwhile, Raziel looks at Cale, as he doesn't know what to do, will he accept the deal directly? or if there are some steps that need to follow when making a deal with someone?
seeing Raziel look at him, he just nods to him politely, "Very well, however, it'll take too much time as the son of viscount Griffiths was quite a cautious person. but since you're my very first customer, I will only take 30 years of your lifespan.
"30 years..?" mr. hunchman frowned.
"that's right.. is there a problem?" Again, Cale squinted his eyes but Mr. Hunchman simply shook his head and massaged his temple.
"N-no of course.."
"but we have to remove your memories about us once this deal ends. the miracle Library must remain hidden and should not be known around the world, I hope you understand this, Mr. hunchman." Cale spoke formally.
"yes.. yes of course. thank you so much! you don't know how happy I am!" he stand up while looking to Raziel meaningfully who just calmly sipping some tea, at the same time, Mr. hunchman couldn't help but doubt him as he just letting Cale to speak, rather than him. but Raziel have no choice, the former librarian didn't give him an instruction about how their job works. he can't blame mr. hunchman for doubting him.
"It is our job to fulfill people's wishes. after all, whatever your desire.. will be yours." He repeated what silver said to him with a soft smile, hearing Raziel's soft tone while saying those words, mr. hunchman felt chills, it was as though the devil itself was whispering in his ears.
so he awkwardly step back and smile, "I-I see.. thank you so much." before turning back on them. when Raziel notice his trembling voice, he just stare at him using his poker face and then after that, he glance at Hera and nod to her.
"guide him." Mr. hunchman stopped walking as soon as he heard Raziel's voice so he turned back and replied in an awkward way again.
"Y-you don't need to, Mr. azrail, I can walk there by myself."
"It is also our duty to secure our customer's safety, furthermore, the library is broader than you think.. you might lose your path." he still smiling genuinely, but for mr. hunchman, he thinks that those smile meant something, so he yield in.
"Got i-it." Hera bowed to his master face before guiding mr. hunchman.
"This way please." she said in a gentle manner as they started to walk towards the door, after seeing this, Raziel let out another sigh and held his head. From this point on, he started to think how he makes money in this world. the library doesn't accept money either but only some things like lifespan, soul and any other relic materials.
"You seem tired, my lord. would you like to go back to the mansion?" when he heard the word 'mansion' he was taken aback. he didn't expect that his wishes would come true, is this part of the owner's power? definitely not.
"a manor?" he asked, and when he realized how to stupid his question was, he just shook his head, but Cale didn't mind it.
"yes, it is owned by the former librarian, but now that he's already gone, All his possessions will be inherited by you."
"... Really?"
Raziel's expression couldn't be described right now after hearing the magic word he's waiting for. He's just thinking about how to get money and a house earlier and poof! It's been given to him in just a second.
So, he chuckled. "I guess I should be thankful to that person."
"..."
" a-ahem! so? do you have an idea where he went?" asked Raziel calmly, but Cale just shook his head.
"none, even for us, the staff of the library, thinks mr. silver as a man of mystery, he's a carefree person and only cares for fun. forgive me, my lord."
Raziel stare at him until, few minutes later he just stand up and pat Cale's shoulder that makes him gasp. "doesn't matter. just tell me how this job works while we were in the carriage, and also.. please give me something to wear, I might cause a commotion if people found me wearing this uniform that is unfamiliar with them."
it took a minute before Cale spoke, so he simply bowed to Raziel before speaking in a formal way.
"As you wish."
....
RAZIEL
After a few minutes of adjusting my appearance, I glanced at the mirror in front of me. My reflection stared back—a man dressed in a black vintage frock coat, straight trousers, and a short waistcoat. The high, stiff collar of my shirt added to the noble air I exuded, complemented by silver-rimmed glasses and a tall top hat.
Satisfied, I turned away from the mirror, only to find Cale standing by the door, holding an eerie black gothic cane. The cane's handle bore the intricate design of a crow, shrouded in a dark aura that pulsed with something… ancient.
For some reason, I'm unable to look away, as if it had always belonged to me.
"This is for you, my lord. " Cale said
"This cane is an ancient magical artifact named 'Nemesis.' It is one of the deadliest forbidden weapons, capable of killing, manipulating, and even resurrecting the dead. Those who return do not regain their will; they become your puppets, bound to follow your commands. It can also grant control over life and death, shifting its form into whatever weapon you desire—a scythe, a sword, a bow. It can even become objects of disguise, such as a flute, a violin, a ring, or a bracelet. However, there is a cost. The overuse of Nemesis will eventually enslave its wielder, consuming them in darkness."
His voice remained steady as he continued. "Additionally, the cane will resonate when its counterpart is within a hundred meters of you. That means Lucas Earhart is nearby—he holds 'Invidia.' "
"Invidia?"
"That's right. I suggest you should watch out from him. But anyway, if you start hearing shrill voices or whispers, you must feed Nemesis with life. The stronger the sacrifice, the better the chances of silencing the voices. In other words, human souls are the most effective offering."
'Lucas Earhart…?' The name settled heavily in my mind, tugging at something buried deep in my thoughts.
Cale spoke again, drawing me back. "Every master of this library possesses an ancient artifact, whether visible or hidden. It is a mark of your status as the Librarian of the Miracle Library. The scattered staffs across the world will recognize you through it. The moment you touch the cane, it will acknowledge you as its owner… but in doing so, you accept the dangers that come with it. From this point forward, you must protect the library at all costs."
I stared at Nemesis, debating the weight of the decision before me. My hand reached out before I could second-guess myself. The moment my fingers wrapped around the cane, an ear-splitting chorus of voices flooded my mind—screams of misery, despair, and fury. My jaw clenched, and I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood, shutting my eyes against the onslaught.
A dense black smoke curled around my hand, weaving itself into something tangible. When I opened my eyes, the cane had transformed—now a black ring inlaid with a blood-red gemstone. A delicate chain connected it to a bangle on my wrist, adorned with a red-eyed raven trinket and two crescent moons facing each other.
Wow, I admit that it really looks ethereal but.. why there's a chain and a bangle tho? isn't it too much?
Anyway, I just exhaled sharply, then took Nemesis from Cale's grasp, studying it carefully.
"This cane…" I murmured, narrowing my eyes when I suddenly heard a loud screech coming from it.
So I couldn't help but to form a strained smile, "No wonder it's feared. How many lives has it claimed? Hundreds? Thousands? Millions…?"
Yet.. despite everything, I felt no hesitation in holding it.
Shaking off the thought, I turned toward the door and started walking.
"Let's go, Cale."
"Yes, my lord."
The moment I stepped outside the library, the sight before me took my breath away. Above, twin crimson moons hung in the sky, casting an eerie glow over a city built in gothic splendor. Buildings with intricate spires and arched windows stood tall, their silhouettes softened by smog drifting from the chimneys and the distant whistle of steam trains.
Seeing this scene, I closed my eyes once again and took a deep breath, steadying myself. The weight of everything settled in my chest, pressing down like an unseen force. I exhaled slowly, letting the tension slip away—at least for now.
Then, the sound of a carriage pulling to a stop broke through the silence. My eyes fluttered open, and there it was—a black carriage standing before me, my gaze shifted to the coat of arms displayed proudly on its door. A crimson shield bore the image of a black raven, its wings spread wide as if ready to take flight. Beneath it, a single lycoris flower rested—And below that, inscribed in bold, unwavering letters, was their motto:
'Tod und einsicht'
Soon, I went back to my consciousness when I heard Cale's voices, "my lord, please watch your step."
"uh, sure." Until I finally sat inside. At this point I started to ask him tons of questions.
I turned to Cale. "So? How does the library work?"
He nodded, as if expecting the question. "Right. But before that, let me start from the very beginning."
I listened intently as he continued.
"The Miracle Library exists to grant wishes. Those who receive a deck of cards are invited into its domain, and you, as its librarian, must fulfill their desires—without exception. In return, they must offer something of equal value such as magic, ancient relics, spirituality… and, most importantly—their soul, their freedom, or their will."
Hearing this, I scoff. " What a wicked line of work."
But even if I say that, It won't change the fact that I will be its owner from now on, that I'm already tied to this library forever.
".. indeed it is. Well, as I said earlier, young master, you exist for the library and the library exists to grant their wishes which is why, it is important for you to know how to discern a person whose wishes need to be fulfilled and how we rank them according to how important they are."
There's even a ranking? I mean, seriously?
"Tell me." I reply before crossing my arms.
"But first thing first.. let me tell you how to summon a deck of cards. It's just simple, you simply need to close your eyes and think of it.
As we know, deck of cards consist of suits, face and even wild card. Suits are consist of clubs, diamond, heart and spade, usually it has a red pattern on the back. While the face cards are the jack, king and queen, It's a black card with golden embellishment on its side, and most of them are given to special customers. As for the wild card, those are only given to SVIPs, though, I don't think you will be using this, since it just meant that person is bound to be the possession of the library. The purest the soul is, The higher the rank of the card will be given. For example... will you please close your eyes?"
I looked at him with confusion, but in the end I still did it.
Though... I admit that this place looks lively, there are newspaper boys selling a magazine happily, people buying some foods and other things, there are blacksmiths, pubs, cosmetics and a boutique shop that sells high quality fabrics, as well as restaurants.
"Now open it."
And as I opened my eyes, I gasped when I saw dozens of numbers above the people's head moving like a clock, and it's colors. some of them are red, some of them are yellow, some of them are blue and so on. I couldn't help but to be mesmerized by it.
It was like I was in a different world than them.
"is that.. their lifespan..?" I muttered, Cale understood what I meant before replying to him.
"Yes, and each color represents the state of their souls. Usually, An ordinary magician's soul color is mostly blue, green, yellow and red.. this is how you distinguish if the person is categorized as ordinary or not. The soul colors of suits card are Pink and violet, while 'special customers' is usually black and white. Please note these pointers I'm saying as it will help you discern a person who is fitted enough to fulfill their wishes, is there anything else you would like to know?"
I just keep staring at the people, without looking at Cale until.. I smiled. it's a genuine smile, and I think that I would be able to enjoy things like this..
".. how beautiful."
...