Dantalian no Shoka 10

105
Pop-up Book
Around 18th century in a London's bookshop, Robert Thayer started to publish tunnel books.
This phantom book has the power to realise things painted inside it.


106
The third story
" The book of life "


107
The third story
" The book of life "

108
?: " You know, you know?" // In this world there is only 1 book that will never bore you. // Long time ago there was a boy who stole that book--- !!
?: Eh? From what library was it stolen from? Isn't it obvious / from there----


109
?: Young lad.... seems you like books?
Huey: Mmmm / I really love books, how about you?
?: Me? / .... I hate them, they're boring.


110
?: Hmph // They just keep repeating everything!! // There is nothing new!! // For example if one would be to break down the basics of the book you're reading, // it becomes a rearranged cliché of old myths and folk tales. // Humans got tired of making up stories a long long time ago.
Huey: ....... // That might be true
?: However // In this realm there is only one book that will never bore you.


111
?: Its your book, young lad.
Huey: ..... // My book...?
?: Thats right, Its a book that has everything written it it from the day you were born till the day you die.
Huey: You really think there is such a book?
?: I knew you'd say that. ... I also didn't believe it before I saw it with my own eyes. // For everyone there is a book somewhere in the world that transcripts their whole existence. // In that book there is not just me, but the whole Great Britain.. No, the whole world and all the people are put in there.


112
?: People with various incidents, and experiences, with long life have a massive books. // Those who die at young age, // or live long but lead a dull life, have thin books... // Shouldn't had read the books.
Huey: where on earth... // did you read it? The book of your life.
?: ..... I have long forgotten that, It happened when I was still a child. // However


113
?: I can still clearly remember the scenery. // It was a library, in the shape of a labyrinth. // The books were piled tightly on endless shelves. It looked like a cave all the way till the middle of the earth.
Huey: In that library... // was the book of your life?


114
?: My life has... // My life was a boring one, and a very short one. // You'd be shocked how thin it was..... // I didn't want to die, With all my knowledge i though... // My life span was originally decided by that book.// If grim the reapers really did exist....


115
?: then probably after reading our books to the last page.... // They'd come to this world, to take the owners of the book.... // So it is for the best if the book never ends... You see that is how I thought.
Huey: .... something like that... is it even possible?
?: Didn't I tell you? // My book is even thinner than this one....


116
?: Look at this... If you tear out the bothersome covers, // And if you'd glue the first and last page together exactly... / Then no mater how long you keep reading the book, as soon as you reach the last page you're back at the beginning... // In other words, my book, has neither the beginning 'or the end. // It keeps on repeating itself endlessly. // And yet...


117
?: I have become to regret my decision... // Indeed I do not die, but my life is a constant repetition of itself // Because it was a rather thin book, it is quite obvious.... // say... Lad, // If you ever happen to wander off to that library.... // Could I ask of you to find my book and tear it apart? // If not then I will keep on endlessly repeating the same dull life, as I am.....


118
Huey: ... I will. // I promise you.
?: oooo.... // Thank you. // Thank you....


119
?: My-My... // The geezer fell asleep... It must had been tough on you guys also. // having to listen to the old man's horror story.
?: Horror story?
?: Aaaah, when ever he gets drunk he starts with that same old story over and over and over ... / I have also had to listen to it too many times.
?: I see... // Life is a repetition of the same old thing... right? // Shockingly, it wasn't all lies...


120
?: it was rather interesting story. // Thank you, Master.
?: Hey... hold on.


121
?: *tsk / tsk* // ....is something wrong?
?: ...I was just thinking how cute they are. // No mater what decade it is, humans are still so oblivious... // Their foolishness is somewhat cute, / and at the same time pitiful.


122
?: Truthfully, humans // look foolish / foolish.
[The book of souls END]


123
The book of lifespan
A phantom book that holds all the records of a human life from birth to death.
Upon sticking the beginning and ending together firmly, life will keep repeating itself eternally