| Author: Akashari | Original Source: Syosetu |
| Translator: Mui | English Source: Re:Library |
| Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library. |
 |
“…Momo, what do you make of this?”
“What do I—uh, it looks like… a notebook?”
While Master and I were exploring the underground village ruins, something finally changed when we entered the third house.
The interior was just as clean and tidy as the others—no dust on the furniture or the bed.
But unlike the first two, this one had a single notebook lying on the desk.
A plain, spiral-bound campus notebook—so ordinary it almost felt nostalgic to me.
“This… this kind of notebook existed in my world. Could it be that an Outlander lived here?”
“Possibly, but its condition is far too new. This is like Rigel—”
Master checked for traps around the notebook, then flipped through it in one smooth motion.
As expected of a notebook, it was filled with writing—but I couldn’t read a single line of it. The letters curled and twisted like Arabic script, completely foreign to me.
“As I thought, it’s preserved by a blessing. Outside Babel’s range of influence.”
“There’s so much written here, but I can’t make sense of any of it. Can you read it, Master?”
“…It’s faint in my memory, but I’ve seen these symbols before—about a thousand years ago. They belonged to a long-lost civilization.”
“If it was already ancient in your time, then how far back are we talking here?”
“Who knows. Hold on, I might be able to decipher it.”
“Okaay! Then I’ll just stay out of your way—hm?”
“Cleaning! Cleaning! Cleaning!”
I turned toward the clanking noise at my feet—and there it was, a mop-wielding robot bumping into my leg like a Roomba.
“Whoa!? Master, there’s something adorable down here!”
“Hm? Oh, so even the non-combat golems are still active.”
“Cleaning! Cleaning! Cleaning!”
It must have been following a fixed route, because when I stepped aside, the Roomba-golem zipped off, mopping every corner of the house.
Its tiny arms extended to wipe the windows—first wet, then dry—and it even straightened the bedsheets we’d disturbed earlier.
Honestly, with cleaning skills like that, I kind of wanted to take it home.
“Cleaning! Cleaning! Cleaning! Notebook! Notebook!”
“Wait—Master, is it looking for the notebook?”
“Ignore it. I doubt it’s capable of anything besides cleaning protocols.”
“Notebook located! Notebook located! O God—!”
“Whoa—what the heck!?”
“Update complete! Update complete! Next house!”
The Roomba-golem clasped its little arms together in prayer, and the notebook in Master’s hands gave off a brief flash of light.
Then, apparently satisfied with that, it finished its cleaning, turned toward the exit—and zipped straight out the door to the next house.
“Master, are you okay!?”
“I’m fine… but that golem—did it just reapply a protective spell on this notebook?”
“Ah, I see. So it’s a really smart little golem, huh?”
“Smart? That’s beyond smart. You don’t just casually handle magic with a half-baked prayer like that.”
“But it did actually work, didn’t it?”
“Well, yes, but… ah, enough. If you’re bored, go after that golem. I’ll keep working on decoding this.”
“Roger that! Call me if you get lonely, I’ll come running!”
“As if I’d call you.”
The notebook was still a mystery, but Master would figure it out.
I decided to leave it to her and focus on the golem.
If I didn’t have any work to do anyway, moving around suited me better.
Besides, Master clearly had something on her mind, so I decided to just throw myself into observing the little cleaner.
“Honestly, that pink head… Well then, let’s continue—”
――――――――…………
――――……
――…
■Month ■Day
I had a dream about a strange woman, and when I woke up, this blank book was lying by my pillow.
Well, if the world’s ending, I guess things like this can happen. Might as well use it as my diary.
It’s far too fine a paper for a man’s rambling notes, but it’s not like there’s anyone left to care.
A little luxury for the end of my life, I suppose. I’ll need something to kill time until I die.
■Month ■Day — Clear (Do I even need to write this?)
I decided to note the weather too, though there’s no point—this fake sky only ever shows clear day.
I gnawed on a ration biscuit, drank some water, and slept. Nothing else to do. Makes it hard to fill a diary.
Out of boredom, I joined the golems in their fieldwork.
Not exactly what I built this body for, but whatever.
■Month ■Day
Damn it, I’m sore all over. I’ve gained a new respect for farmers. If there’s a next life, I’ll repent properly.
The ceiling trembled a bit today. Seems there are still stubborn fools outside firing away.
Refugees who arrived yesterday said an enormous tower suddenly started rising overnight.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
■Month ■Day
Today was the worst day—and the best.
Am I lucky to still be alive, or unlucky?
Damn it, so that’s how it is. Any direct mention of it gets detected by the tower.
We’ve lost even the freedom to speak.
All we did was accomplish something… so why are we being punished like this?
Why do we have to run and hide from a handful of kids?
Area C is lost. We’re retreating to E.
At least I managed to bring this book with me. I’ll place a protection spell on it, just in case.
■Month ■Day
How much of humanity is left? For all I know, we might be the last.
I peeked outside for a moment—same as always, blizzard and hellfire covering everything. Is this the end of the world?
Yes, it was the end.
If nothing else, thanks to the golems my day-to-day life is stable.
The real problem is that they are closing in.
I’ve prepared poison for when the time comes.
My only regret is this book. I wish I could have filled every page.
■Month ■Day
I’m short on sleep.
Last night the dragons’ cries were so loud I couldn’t drift off.
Feels like they’re getting closer. Our remaining time must be counted in seconds now.
In the neighboring community they say if you ask the Saint, you can be freed from this hell and keep dreaming of paradise forever.
It’s tempting… but I’ll pass. If I sleep, I can’t keep writing my diary.
■Month ■Day
I’ve modified a cleaning golem to handle the prayers for me.
That way, even after I’m gone, this will stay preserved.
If someone ever reads this diary, know this: forget the sky.
Don’t even whisper “those words”—it’ll find you instantly.
If by some miracle humanity rebuilds itself, live with your feet on the ground. Or else, go seek out that massive tower.
There is no god in this world.
■Month ■Day
It’s strangely quiet outside today.
I can’t believe the dragons actually lost—so maybe humanity out there has finally gone extinct.
Even this community is thinning out.
Looks like everyone’s chosen “euthanasia.”
But not me. I’m going to live to the very end.
Stay with me until then, partner.
■Month ■Day
Damn it.
I can’t…
■Month ■Day
I’m entrusting my partner to the cleaning golem.
One last prayer.
I never thought I’d live long anyway—
guess it’s just our turn now.
But not like this.
Not this way.
From the sky—
Damn it.
That tower—
Partner, this is the last thing I’ll write to you.
I don’t want to die.
We didn’t want to die yet.
Please… someone, smash that cursed tower to pieces.
Support Us
Unlock Early Access
∴ Support your favorite series and unlock chapters before the public release. |
