847. Changes Within The Impuritas

847. Changes Within The Impuritas

The Hearts stationed in Frontier were eradicated shortly after the arrival of the pale star. No number of Hearts short of the Hearts of the City could stand against a Beholder.

The circus tents of the Blood Festivals deflated as blood burst through torn holes like a dam. Paper cocoons burned as the Librarians ceased being produced. Thousands remained, as did the Masques and monsters of the Blood Festival. But they were quickly run down now that their numbers could no longer be replaced.

This occurred as the pale star had stabbed the blade into the world, causing pale swords to appear across all of Grandis, and even within the Bellum Empire itself. The war eventually came to an end as Infusion canisters and Beholder E. put an end to the war in Frontier.

A pale wave swept over them as soldiers of the Golden Middle and Inflow Direct finished the last of the Impuritas, taking several Librarians primarily as prisoners.

Beholder E. carefully observed the situation. If he had a face, then he would have worn an awestruck face as he slowly scanned the aftermath of the pale star’s attack.

“None of us were affected. But the roaming beasts were transformed into those spires.” He commented. It was further confirmed by other observers, both verbally and through communication devices. “Hm…”

“My Beholder.” A Liquidator formally approached and threw a hand across their chest. This was a sign of respect and honor towards one’s superior in Inflow Direct. “Shall we begin refilling your canisters?”

“No need. I was merely thinking about the Frozen Springs.”

“Ah. Midas Company?”

“The beast the White Wing called a Faux Angel. It was similar to what we witnessed here. That large bird with many eyes of contempt. Experiences such as these are bleak reminders of how little sway we have beyond what is known.”

The Liquidator did not know how to respond to this, so they chose to not respond at all. Beholder E. then added as he raised a mechanical arm to dismiss him.

“Liquid Miracles were meant to empower the ordinary to face unnatural adversities. I will have to look into increasing production if that will become a common sight. Did you find it?”

“Our group has found the entrance into the Librarian’s Heart of the City. They were trying to burn books among bodies and unrecognizable materials. If I may?” The Liquidator asked.

“Continue.”

“I believe they were trying hide something. They must have realized they were not going to win. Either that, or they had recieved an order to erase what was found.”

“With how the Impuritas work; that gained knowledge can be passed through death. I find it odd that an Impuritas would attack its own.”

“We’ll investigate it further. We can afford to diverge resources to progress the investigation. The Captains have the Librarians responsible for the arson.”

Beholder E. and his Liquidator finished up at once. He roamed the battlefield, treading through the corpses of the enemies whilst carefully sparing the bodies of fallen comrades. He had never thought to see the day when he would fight alongside another Atelier against a common foe.

It instilled pride in him. But amongst that surge of emotion was immense sorrow. Not all of these were what he would call adequate combatants. The Golden Middle’s forces here were a mixture of experienced fighters and newly appointed Soldiers.

They were but civilians in his eyes.

The Golden Middle ought to limit themselves to the Nex Meglaopolis. Their spirit is commendable, nonetheless.

Mountains of smiling corpses built by the bodies of the Blood Festival littered the battlefield almost as much as the piles of desecrated Librarians. Liquidators and Golden Middle personnel remained alert even when the battle was over. Smoking ruins, battered walls, and kilometers of unreclaimable land surrounded Beholder E.

Eventually, he met up with several Liquidators and Eradicators. Accompanying them was also Secur-80 and a heavily battered Evergreen. There were several figures restrained with dark chains belonging to the Chained Theocracy. It was impossible for even a Liquidator to reliably destroy them, so they were perfect for restraints and were commonly used in the City of Clubs for public order matters.

“Here he is.” Evergreen choked on her breath, coughing out blood. “… Right on time. Librarians. The lot of them…”

“We don’t know that yet for sure.” Secur-80 commented as they observed the unconscious figures.

“They were found inside of the Heart of the City. I can testify that they are Librarians.” A Liquidator assured. “… But my testimony cannot be corroborated with the evidence before us.”

Beholder E. gazed down at the ‘Librarians’. The first thing he noticed what that they were covered in blood. That blood did not come from somewhere else.

Indeed. Those Librarians bled from their own wounds.

“… Librarians can’t bleed.” Evergreen stated. Everyone knew this. They were essentially constructs of paper and words. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Could it be that the Heart of the City managed to create life?” Secur-80 theorized.

However, this was quickly proven wrong.

“We have another one! We can’t tell if they’re a lucky citizen of this country or one of them.” A Golden Middle soldier called out. They had discovered yet another anomalous Librarian that bled just like an ordinary person.

“Is there an Aspiring Moon that can help?” A Liquidator asked.

“There is one. Up there with the princess.” Evergreen muttered. “… Do you think that thing is responsible?”

“If that is the case, then what would that make the Impuritas that have transformed to possess a likeness to the ordinary?” Beholder E. wanted to say ‘us’, but he knew that he did not qualify to be like the others. “The answer lies with the Arbiter.”

“The Arbiter…?” Evergreen uttered. Slowly, her eyes widened as she realized what Beholder E. was implying. “That is the Arbiter –!? Ack!”

“We’ll learn in time. Treat this one well.” Beholder E. uttered to a Liquidator.

“As you wish –”

Beholder E. plucked a book that was brought out by the Liquidator. He skimmed through the book briefly before returning it to her.

“Off the charts. Administer however much you wish. We have one Healer present. The revamping of our production factories will offset whatever is used today.”

“Understood.” The Liquidator pocketed the book.

Beholder E. wished to understand why few of the Librarians had changed, and why it was only them rather than the Blood Festival. Pondering this, the machine-man roamed far into the withered gardens of the palace grounds.

And there, he spotted a trail of blood. He followed the trail through broken glass, debris and weeds. Eventually, he came across the heaving back of a young woman dressed like the Librarians he had mercilessly cut down.

“… Want to live… Don’t want to die… want… to live my own tale…”

It wasn’t their struggle to live that had caused them to transform. Otherwise, there would be many more. Beholder E.’s instincts told him this was the correct train of thought. His presence was immediately known by the woman, but she could not muster any strength to drag her body any further.

He stared at her, neither moving to end the Librarian nor to offer her assistance.

An enemy was still an enemy.

A certain quality must have allowed them to transform. ‘Live my own tale’. Librarians have always been bound to pre-written tales. Arguably more than their Hearts. This phenomenon will be worth pursuing. At first glance, these may be the Librarians that have turned against their hearts.

Beholder E. had no reason to interfere with fate. However, it would be a waste to allow one to die here. Information was needed. Killing off specimens of a newfound phenomenon would be inhumane.

However, just as he could approach the Librarian, a shout rang out:

“Bring the Black Wing here immediately! The Golden Thumb’s Underboss is afflicted with the same anomalous symptoms as the Librarians! Quarantine the area!”

The phenomenon was not just limited to the Librarians.