When the era name was changed to Seika,
in order to arrest the spread of negative influences which would harm the society,
Media Enhancement Act was enacted.
In order to protect the freedom of expression from the brutal inspection of the Media Enhancement Force,
libraries have adopted the military approach.
Conflicts between both parties intensified.
In Year 31 Seika,
a reckless, hot-blooded young girl with agile legs joined the war.
お茶!•Ocha! Subs Translation/Timing: Ashlynne, Typesetting/Encode: Edo, XRayMind TL checker: Silencers, Karaoke: linkinstreet, Raw: Zero-Raws
Situation 06 Library Corps Refrains from Firing
Found them?
No.
Don't tell me they went above.
You can run really fast.
Because this is my specialty.
Contact the base.
Understood.
What should I report?
Tell them that we're in the worst situation.
Got it.
That night,
in order to recover a valuable book called the Book of Prophecy,
Lt. Komaki and I went to an antiquarian bookshop in Yamanashi.
Please take care of this.
Is it really okay? Something this valuable...
I can't display it here anyway.
I want more people to read this book.
There's no other way than to put it in the library.
Thank you.
Is this book really that valuable?
When the Media Enhancement Act was enacted,
this book suffered a brutal inspection under the Act.
Not a single copy has been published ever since.
Is it a translated novel?
It's a science fiction written by an American author.
Sci-Fi?
It describes a world plundered of books.
The protagonist is in an organisation similar to the Media Enhancement Committee. His job is to incinerate books.
That is as if...
Feels like a prophecy of our current situation, isn't it?
Eventhough this book was written 60 years ago.
So this is why it's called the Book of Prophecy.
A French director adapted it into a film, too.
But we aren't able to watch it due to the suppression.
The car behind us looks suspicious.
Exit at the next turn-off.
Roger.
Maybe I was being paranoid...
Looks like it.
Were we trapped into this?
It's the car from before!
I knew it!
I'll distract them.
Sign : "Dead-end Ahead"
I saw them.
Over there.
Crap.
Run for it!
Genda here.
Stop right there! I'll shoot if you don't!
Lt. Komaki!
I'm fine. It's just an abrasion.
Who fired the shot just now?!
The neighbourhood is a neutral ground as per agreement.
Even the Media Enhancement Committee does not have the rights to fire here!
I'll punch the hell out of you, so come over here now!
Kasahara-san, this isn't a good time to say things like that.
But- That's because-
Was that from Kasahara?
Yeah. But it was disconnected as soon as I picked it up.
Huh?
And she didn't answer although I called her many times after that.
Komaki too?
Same goes for Sakai and Harada.
At this time,
they should be somewhere around Hachiouji and Hino, right?
Are they here?
Couldn't find them.
Right. Move to our meeting point at One Block.
We barely escaped...
Is your leg okay?
It's just an abrasion from the bullet...
But it doesn't look like I can run anymore.
How cruel.
I can't forgive the Media Enhancement Committee just now.
What's so funny?
No. Nothing at all.
Kasahara?
What happened?
Yes.
Yes, understood.
We'll stay put until rescue arrives.
Ah, besides that, Lt. Komaki is injured.
No, it's a minor injury to the right calf.
Kasahara-san!
The Enhancement troop fired a shot!
In a neighbourhood on top of that!
Both of them are in Hino.
Bring your men over there immediately.
Understood. Let's go!
Was Lt. Komaki injured?
His leg is wounded,
but it doesn't seem too serious.
Those bastards...
Tezuka. Hurry up!
Right.
Thanks. It's better if you didn't say anything about my injury though.
It will only make them worry needlessly.
I have the obligation to report.
Not only that...
You can't forgive the Media Enhancement Committee for breaking the rule that prohibits any gunshots in the neighbouhood, right?
I'll make sure that the Library Corps protest against it...
It'll be in vain. They used a silencer.
None of the neighbourhood residents would've noticed it in the middle of the night.
But, what about your gunshot wound and the bullet marks on the concrete wall...
They will definitely find ways to cover it up.
To them, rules are not something to be obeyed.
Rather, they exist to be broken.
No! No! Don't come near me! No!
NO!!!
Damn. I need to go to the toilet.
It's been a long time since I enjoyed my single life...
Oh crap!
What's wrong?
My phone's battery is dying soon.
It seems like mine was broken earlier on.
Well, we just need to wait for the rescue.
Lt. Komaki.
Hmm?
Why did you laugh just now?
Please tell me.
It wasn't a funny situation no matter how I look at it.
It wasn't...
They're not in this area.
You couldn't find them even though you searched?
"Hino Marshalling Yard"
Where on earth did they hide themselves?
Hino Marshalling Yard.
What?
The Hino Marshalling Yard.
Contact the railway company and get permission to search their premise.
Huh?
Under the condition that we will not obstruct their freight trains.
Retreat from here. Move!
Yes, Sir!
You be stay safe.
Tell me, please.
Why were you laughing just now?
Nothing... I just thought that you're very much like him.
Huh?
Your devil of an officer.
It's a long story though.
But it doesn't matter.
There's nothing we can do while waiting for the rescue anyway.
Let me say something beforehand...
Hmm?
What you're going to say about Lt. Doujou...
...might sting me unwittingly.
Please don't be too blunt.
It was the second year after Doujou and I joined the Library Corps,
a year before we were assigned to the Task Force.
It was during a battle at a local children's hall to protect the books in it.
Task Force members were dispatched.
Doujou and I weren't members at that time.
However the Library Corps were gaining a lot of attention. We were sent there consequently.
The hall held a variety of picture books and fairy tales.
There were also some rare collections.
Because of that, the Media Enhancement Committee targeted the hall.
If I'm not mistaken, it was a fairy tale that prompted Kasahara-san to join the Library Corps, right?
That's right.
Picture books and fairy tales are often targeted by them, eh?
Fairy tales bring out the ironies that are often neglected by the adults
using simple and easily understood words.
From the point of view of those in power, these books should cease to exist.
It is exactly because of these political agendas that our society became what it is today.
If we were observed by people whose world has no Media Enhancement Act or Library Freedom Act,
we would've looked absolutely ridiculous.
Yeah, that's right.
But sadly, this is the reality we face.
I'm beat...
Where did all these people come from?
Breaking through seems impossible.
Yeah.
They've totally outnumbered us too.
We can't just recklessly open fire from here.
Lt. Doujou,
The Media Enhancement Committee fired at Lt. Komaki, right?
That's what Kasahara said.
What about it?
Nothing.
I'll go look for areas with less defense.
The battle, which started since midnight, evolved into a deadlock.
Finally, dawn was breaking.
Focus your firepower to the left.
The battle will be over once the hall opens.
This shall be our victory.
Before that, they must not advance. Not even a single step!
Yes, Sir!
We can't advance from the right too.
10 minutes before the hall opens.
It's about time the battle ends.
The children's hall is closed today.
Go home!
Truck : "Musashino Logistics"
Let me in! I brought some food for the rabbits.
No way!
What are they doing?
They're close to losing. That's why they're agitated, no?
My grandma cooked some carrot for the-
Shut up. Just go home!
Wait! You brat!
What a reckless-
Don't tell me they fired at him?!
It was meant to intimidate.
The bullet hit the ground some 10 meters away from the child.
Even so-
Yeah, it was absolutely outrageous.
I was really pissed, but...
something beside me made a really loud noise.
When I realised it, Doujou had already dashed out before I could stop him.
Hey!
Who fired the shot just now?!
Come out now, I'll punch the hell out of you!
I knew it was something like that.
Well, I thought it was pretty awesome.
Is this the result of Doujou's education,
or Kasahara-san's natural instinct?
It's neither one of those!
It's only a matter of time before they find us.
I'll distract them.
Lt. Komaki, please escape with the Book of Prophecy.
There you go. That expression is just like Doujou's back then.
No- But-
Anyway, it's great as long as the Book of Prophecy doesn't fall into their hands.
There they are!
Kasahara-san, that's enough.
We don't need unnecessary casualties for both sides.
Hey, don't be so rough!
The don't have the Book of Prophecy with them.
What did you say?
Did you hide it?
What now? Planning to torture the information out of us?
I don't think that's how it works in this time and era.
Me aside. If you dare use violence on our female member,
I'll make sure you regret it.
I don't think you will tell us the location of the book, even if we torture you.
We can definitely find it if we searched thoroughly.
Are you hurt?
Only minor injuries for both of us.
A couple of their guys got some broken ribs, though.
You always go overboard anyway.
I don't need you to lecture me.
Oh yeah, about the story just now.
Huh?
About Lt. Doujou dashing out alone to confront the Media Enhancement Committee.
What happened after that?
Who fired the shot just now?!
Come out now, I'll punch the hell out of you!
You dumb bastard!
And then Doujou was jointly beaten up by the Media Enhancement Committee.
Don't let Doujou have all the fun to himself!
Our team leader was Captain Genda.
That's why we couldn't just stand and watch.
On his mark,
all of us attacked the Media Enhancement brats.
After that... How should I put it...
After the battle,
Doujou was asked to submit a written apology.
Captain decided right there and then
that Doujou would become the group leader and my group mate.
Eh?
For someone as reckless as Doujou,
who knows what he might do if he wasn't given some responsibility.
The first train?
Hey! Stop the train now!
Hurry up!
Excuse me, I want to go to the toilet for a while.
I can't hold it anymore...
Shut up!
I'll tell you where the book is hidden if you let me go to the toilet.
Shut up!
The Book of Prophecy is in the train.
I don't care who, someone stop the train now!
An ambush from the Library Corps!
What?
If that is so, I will-
Enoki, enough.
Huh?
I said it's enough.
What are you talking about?
The Book of Prophecy is in the train,
we can still catch it!
The Judiciary Department ordered the Media Enhancement Committee to stop.
Judiciary Department?
That's impossible!
It seemed that some residents reported hearing a gunshot in the neighbourhood.
Our job here is over. Retreat!
Retreat!
Is everyone alright?
Yeah, we're fine.
Which one of you shot Komaki?
Was it you?
Is he going to hit him?
Did he really hit?
Lt. Doujou!
Be prepared for a vigorous protest from us for violating the agreement.
Don't think we'll just let it go!
Although Doujou is reckless, he has the ability to learn.
Do learn from him.
Yes, Sir!
I've just received a call telling us that the Book of Prophecy was safely recovered at the Hino Station.
With this, it's finally Mission Accomplised, eh?
On the other hand, the Media Enhancement Committee retreated just like that.
The Judiciary Department did order them to stop after all...
I can't believe that the residents would report something like this.
It's also unusual for the Judiciary Department to take actions so early in the morning.
Reporting to the Judiciary?
It can't be...
I'm back.
It was a battle between life and death for me, you know?
"Charging"
"Receiving Messages"
20 messages received?
Senders : "Shibasaki"
Shibasaki,
Thank you.