Chapter 55
Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: 14. Book of Life and Death - Introduction, Development, Turn, Conclusion (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I'll get straight to the point. I suspect that you, Louis, might be the Zodiac."
"…."
"You're not surprised. It's as if you expected me to say something like this."
"Of course not. There's no reason for me to be surprised."
Louis muttered those words with a face utterly devoid of emotion.
"From the very first time we met, you've suspected me, haven't you, Alpha? When you think about it, this isn't anything new."
"Heh, as expected, you're sharp, Louis. Even without me saying much, you've grasped the entire situation."
With that, Alpha lifted the corner of her mouth.
"High intelligence and brilliant mental agility. It's almost... just like the Zodiac's. Wouldn't you say?"
"…."
Even with Louis's father, the investigator, standing right beside him, Alpha uttered those words.
That meant, at this moment, Alpha believed Louis was the notorious killer, the Zodiac.
"Personally, I consider you a friend, Louis. I really hope you're not the Zodiac."
"…So? What are you getting at?"
"I'd like to... try using a certain spell on you."
"A spell? What kind?"
"It's simple. It's a spell that detects whether the other person's words are lies or truth."
Alpha gazed at him with icy eyes, as if she'd finally cornered Louis in checkmate.
— Viewer 1 "Whoa, this time Alpha's really cornered Louis, huh?" — Viewer 2 "Yeah. A spell to check if someone's lying or not. No way out of that situation normally." The viewers clicked their tongues unconsciously at this development.
This was because, for several episodes now, Alpha had been continuously suspecting Louis of being the Zodiac, showing an obsessive fixation on him.
— Viewer 3 "Alpha's coming in strong. Using a spell meant for criminals on Louis directly. That's basically convicting him as the Zodiac already, right?" — Viewer 4 "If Louis somehow gets out of this, Alpha's credibility is gonna tank hard." The other characters in the story hadn't even noticed, but the audience, watching from an omniscient viewpoint, knew Louis was the killer Zodiac.
Thus, if Alpha's 'lie-detection spell' worked properly, Louis would be caught red-handed.
But most viewers believed that even in this dead-end trap, Louis had an ace up his sleeve to counter Alpha.
Because he always had before.
When the imperial investigator nearly exposed him.
Even when Alpha was surveilling and wiretapping his entire house.
Louis had stayed calm and escaped those crises with ingeniously bizarre methods.
So, expectations were high that he'd surpass them again this time.
Even though Louis was undeniably the villain in Book of Life and Death.
That was why some viewers were secretly rooting for him.
And as if meeting those expectations,
"Fine. If that's what it takes to satisfy you, go ahead."
Louis accepted Alpha's proposal with utter confidence.
Seeing this, Alpha felt a twinge of unease.
"…What? Louis. What the hell are you thinking?"
By her calculations, Louis should've refused or dodged the proposal at all costs.
Yet here he was, accepting the 'lie-detection spell' as if it were the most natural thing.
Had Louis anticipated this and set a trap beforehand?
But she couldn't back out now after proposing it herself.
In the end, before the imperial grand mage, Louis underwent interrogation as the spell activated.
"Then, let's ask. Louis, is your hidden identity the Zodiac?"
"No, I'm not the Zodiac."
"Louis, have you ever killed continental criminals using some unknown method?"
"No, never. I didn't kill them."
Louis lied calmly, his expression unchanging.
— Viewer 5 "Damn, in a way, that's impressive. Lying with such a straight face." — Viewer 6 "Gotta admit, Louis's mental fortitude is god-tier." The viewers were left in awe.
And then.
"…Impossible."
"What happened?"
"No lies."
"…Pardon?"
"Everything this man just said was truthful."
At the grand mage's words, Alpha's eyes widened in shock.
"That can't be! There must be some mistake or trick—"
"Alpha. As a grand mage, I swear on everything I have."
"My spell was flawless."
"…No way, that's ridiculous…."
As Alpha wore a despairing expression, Louis stood, patting her shoulder.
"Tough break, Alpha."
"But don't be too disappointed. You'll have plenty more chances to face the Zodiac… ahead."
"…."
In that instant, Alpha clearly saw it.
For a split second, the corner of Louis's mouth twisted upward ever so slightly.
Passing Alpha, Louis exited the investigation office.
Toward him, the Reaper—who'd watched silently till now—let out an incredulous chuckle.
"Kukuku… Entertaining, Louis. To think you'd pull off such a clever stunt."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb. The target you made that mage cast the spell on wasn't you, was it?"
"I didn't get why you kept switching seats before the interrogation, claiming discomfort… Now I do."
"You planned from the start to make her cast it on me instead?"
— Viewer 7 "Ah, got it!" — Viewer 8 "That's why the spell didn't work on Louis!" The anime viewers gasped in realization.
The seventh rule of the Book of Life and Death, known only to Reapers, not humans:
Reapers exist in the human realm, but
humans cannot perceive them by any means.
Only those who touch the Book bare-handed can see Reapers.
Conversely,
humans can't see Reapers, but interfering with them isn't entirely impossible.
Only Louis knew of the Book at this point,
and exploited that rule with a ploy.
"Countless humans tremble before Reapers, but one using a Reaper? Originally a rules violation, but you amused me, so I'll let it slide this once."
"Thanks. Now Alpha can't pursue me as the Zodiac anymore."
Louis smirked as he muttered.
In the eyes of the current Book's master,
he could see it.
Recently, the gate between the afterlife and this world had opened once more,
dropping another Reaper's Book into the human realm.
"The human who picked up the second Book of Life and Death, the second Zodiac, shares my ideal of punishing criminals. He's using his Book to dispose of trash too."
"The second Zodiac is a powerful wildcard, but also perfect for me to manipulate."
"I'll control the second Zodiac... and this time, kill Alpha for good."
With Louis's chilling smile and murmur, the screen faded to black.
The viewers, breathless till now, clutched their hearts.
— Viewer 9 "Grrraaah! Today's Book of Life and Death was peak too!" — Viewer 10 "Mecha God Chronicle has breather episodes that slow the pace, but Book of Life and Death just barrels forward—love it!" — Viewer 11 "You punk, you just called Kai and the heroines' fluffy daily life in Mecha God Chronicle boring?" — Viewer 12 "The fast pace is great, but honestly, a bit worried?" — Viewer 13 "Worried about what?" — Viewer 14 "At this rate, it'll wrap up in 10 episodes. Scary how they might handle the ending." At that remark, those around burst into absurd laughter.
— Viewer 15 "What a weird worry." — Viewer 16 "Forgot Mecha God Chronicle already hit 50 episodes?" As everyone reacted that way, the worrier sheepishly scratched his head.
"…Haha, yeah? I overreacted, huh?"
— Viewer 17 "Damn right! Book of Life and Death will keep delivering pleasure—for 50 episodes!" — Viewer 18 "To 50 episodes! No, director's cut and movies too!" ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Oh, right—I forgot to mention something to you all."
"What is it?"
"Book of Life and Death will conclude within the next 10 episodes. With Louis's death and Alpha's victory."
"…Huh?"
At my casual bombshell, the entire production staff's jaws dropped.
But only for a moment.
"Wh-what…?!"
Kaya shot up,
grabbing my collar like lightning.
"What did you just…?!"
"I know it's disappointing, but it can't be helped. From the planning stage of Book of Life and Death, I decided to end it around here—"
"No, not that!"
Kaya wailed at me like someone witnessing the empire's fall.
"Why spoil the ending of Book of Life and Death right in front of us?! I was so hyped for it! Why?!"
"…."
Ah, that part.
On Earth, everyone knew 'that work's' ending, so I slipped.
You know, the final boss of part 3 having time-stop as a basic ability or whatever.
Yeah.
Sorry about that.
```