The Forbidden Library was shaking as if there was an earthquake.
While Evan and Lucia, swords drawn, waited with the thought that something might happen, the bookshelf split in two, revealing a hidden space.
It was an installation set up in a non-magical area.
“Looks like I was right.”
Evan muttered a short phrase and entered the space within the bookshelf.
Inside, there was a single book floating alone.
It must have been older than the other forbidden books, as it was quite worn.
He reached out and grabbed the floating book, opening it.
Fortunately, the writing inside seemed well-maintained enough to be readable.
“Is this the only book here?”
“Since there are no other shelves and this was the only one floating, it seems so.”
“Then that book must contain something important.”
Lucia also entered the space and came close to Evan, starting to look at the opened book together.
Most of the books in the Forbidden Library were historical texts, so they assumed this book would be one too…
But it wasn’t a historical text.
It was a record written by someone.
‘…This is…’
Evan could easily tell that it was a book written by the Apostle of Fiction.
Unlike the other books, the writing on this one wasn’t printed; it was handwritten, and unfamiliar names popped up from the very beginning.
Even though those people were written as past apostles…
‘This confirms it.’
The Apostle of Fiction exists.
Moreover, current history was twisted by that existence.
‘I thought only some history was erased or changed…’
Looking at the recorded contents, it seemed that the Power of Fiction extended not just to the continent’s history but also to the actions of past apostles.
What really is true, and what isn’t?
Evan, feeling lost, quickly started flipping through the book.
Just as he was trying to find information about the Demon Realm or Silvestra, he sensed someone approaching the Forbidden Library.
Judging by the magical power, about ten people had entered.
Evan first took Lucia to a corner of the space and hid her, acting as if he were reading a book in front of him.
Then, the people revealed themselves before him.
It was the Pope and the Holy Knights.
“Evan?”
“…Pope? What brings you here?”
“We heard the barrier blocking the entrance to the Forbidden Library was broken. We came to check if there were any intruders, and what are you doing here?”
In response to the Pope’s question, Evan roughly shoved the book he held into his arms.
“I’m here to find some information that I need. And I found this.”
“And the space behind you…?”
“It’s a space where the books were stored. This book proves that the continent’s history has been twisted.”
After finishing his answer, Evan asked him.
“Did you really not know?”
His expression was slightly distorted.
“…What do you mean, Evan?”
“Did you really not know that there was such a space in the Holy Kingdom’s Forbidden Library and that there’s a book containing records before history was twisted?”
The Pope is the one who manages the entire Holy Kingdom.
So could it be possible that he didn’t know about this space?
Evan pressed his sword against the Pope’s neck and asked again.
“Or perhaps, did you know and pretended not to?”
“Evan. Calm down and lower your sword for a moment…”
“Answer me. I won’t lower the sword until I get a response.”
A threat to not let him go until he heard an answer.
The Pope glanced sideways and added a word.
“And send away the Holy Knights threatening me here as well. You know they can’t stop me anyway.”
The Pope let out a short sigh and gestured to the Holy Knights.
Then, the Holy Knights that had their swords aimed at Evan sheathed them and exited the Forbidden Library.
Now, aside from the hidden Lucia, only the two of them remained.
“…Now that there’s no one listening, please answer. Did you really not know about the existence of this space and the book?”
“Will you believe me if I say I didn’t know?”
“I’ll try my best to believe you.”
After a moment of silence, the Pope opened his mouth.
“…I really didn’t know.”
Evan’s expression crumpled even more.
He couldn’t hide the emotions that flared up instantly.
“You didn’t know? You’re the one managing the Forbidden Library. Do you truly think that makes sense?”
“Calm down, Evan. I’m just managing the Forbidden Library that was handed down from the previous Pope. Who would assume the previous Pope had installed such a device in the library to hide one book?”
The Pope’s words held some truth.
He is the one managing this place, not the one who created it.
“…Is that really the case?”
“Yes. I’ve checked all the titles of the books in the Forbidden Library. But this book… I’ve never seen it on the list of books in the library.”
Only after receiving a clear answer did Evan withdraw the sword he had placed against the Pope’s neck.
“I’ll believe you. What do you plan to do with that book now?”
“You mentioned there were records from before history was twisted?”
“Yes. By chance, I visited Anima, where I met an Undead who told me about the Apostle of Fiction. At the same time, I learned about past history, and it was quite different from what we currently know. So, just before I could confirm whether the Power of Fiction was at play, I found that book…”
After hearing the story, the Pope seemed to understand.
“Got it. I understand what you’re saying. Then I’ll read this book and revise the current historical texts.”
Evan nodded.
Despite not particularly liking him due to previous training before embarking on the Journey, he was someone who could handle such matters very effectively.
“I’ll trust you with this.”
“Then let’s move out. Going into the Forbidden Library recklessly is something that should be punished, but since you discovered such a book, I’ll let it slide this time.”
The Pope smiled and led him away.
Worrying that she might not be able to escape, Evan glanced towards the spot where Lucia was, but she was no longer there.
Given the flow of magical power left behind, it seemed like she took the chance to slip away while the Pope’s focus was on him.
“…Thank you for your kindness, Your Holiness.”
“Not at all. I’m just showing my gratitude.”
*
Thus, after briefly conversing with the Pope outside the Forbidden Library, Evan met Lucia at the entrance of Helia.
“You took a long time to come out. I was starting to worry.”
“I had some things to discuss with the Pope.”
“Oh, if it was something necessary.”
Lucia shrugged and began to descend the stairs.
Evan matched her steps as they went down the stairs.
Then, Lucia spoke up.
“So, what are you planning to do now?”
“The Pope said he would check the book and revise the historical texts. He’s someone who handles public matters well, so we can wait at home until the historical records are revised.”
“Um…”
Lucia made a somewhat displeased expression hearing Evan’s words.
Seeing her like that, Evan asked.
“Is there something bothering you?”
“It’s not that. I just… have a bit of an uneasy feeling.”
“Speak up. I’ll listen to you.”
After thinking for a moment, Lucia posed a question.
“Do you think the Pope is a good person?”
At her question, Evan recalled the image of the Pope he had seen.
And he answered.
“I’m not sure.”
Evan could firmly deny if he was asked whether he was a villain.
However, he couldn’t provide a definitive answer when asked if he was good.
He helps the weak.
He tries to save a world threatened by evil.
If you only consider that, he could be seen as good…
But seeing his demeanor that casually suggests that some people might need to be sacrificed to protect the world, it wasn’t a call for judging him as good.
“I think the Pope is a villain.”
Just as Evan was pondering his answer, Lucia spoke first.
“Of course, he’s not as bad as the entity that twisted history and made me this way, but they define the Demon King and the Demonic races as evil too.”
From her perspective, it certainly made sense.
If she was living peacefully without invading anywhere or killing anyone, it wouldn’t be easy to view those suddenly labeling her as a singular evil of the continent and wanting to kill her kindly.
“Therefore, Evan, I’ll ask you this. Don’t just blindly trust the Pope and stay idle; can you continue to investigate separately? It’s just a request, so feel free to refuse if you don’t want to.”
A request.
Evan muttered that word for a moment and then asked.
“…But is it okay to ask me? I’m not much different from the Pope in the grand scheme of things.”
At his question, Lucia looked directly at Evan and replied.
“I don’t trust the Pope. But I trust you. From what I’ve observed, you seem like a reliable person. And…”
She took a step closer.
In that moment, Lucia’s crimson eyes fully captured Evan’s figure.
“Because you were the one who first chose to trust me.”
