110. Book of Origins

Toph! Are you alright?!

Cough, cough... Keep your voice down please, Taweret...

... She isn't hurt. Thankfully, it looks like she just got tied up.

My wrists hurt a bit being rubbed by the rope... but I'm fine. Thank you all for saving me. I'm Toph. And you guys are...

We are the Teslovikers. For some reason, we're carrying out an investigation in Nebu.

Two women attacked us just then. Were they the people who attacked you?

I'm afraid so... It seems like they were planning to take me as a hostage to lure someone in.

Then you guys arrived, and, we heard the deafening shout of Taweret.

Then those two immediately dashed off.

They almost took me away with them. So even though I often tell you to keep your voice down,

it was your loud voice that saved me this time. Thank you, Taweret.

You're welcome! As long as you forgive me for smashing a wall to get into this hidden room...

... I never thought I would witness someone find the hidden room with brute force. It was an unusual situation, so I will let you off.

Yay! I knew you'd be so gracious to forgive me!

So, what brought you guys here today? From what you guys were saying, it sounds like you came here to see me?

Ah, right. Consider this a request from your rescuer, please chat with Awakener and the others.

I assure you they're all very trustworthy. And we even have an introduction letter from Anubis!

Please allow us to properly introduce ourselves. I'm Sova. Then this is Snezhana, Eriri, and Awakener.

Anubis told us about you. We came here to ask you about the Book of Falco.

We're sorry to ask you about this right after you escaped from those thugs. But we really need to get the information as soon as possible.

By the way, this is the introduction letter from Anubis we mentioned earlier.

... I've read the letter. It is indeed Anubis's handwriting.

Since you're introduced by such a renowned priest as her, it is a great honor for me to be of your assistance.

You said you wanted to know about the Book of Falco, right? Then you've come to the right person. What exactly do you want to know about the Book of Falco?

Hmm... Well... Such as the most basic things, like what exactly is this so-called Book of Falco?

I have been studying the Book of Falco all my life, but I have to admit it's quite a challenge to summarize what it is in a sentence...

Oh, dear. Here it comes, guys! This is usually a sign that Toph is about to ramble!

... Taweret, please clean up the wall you broke. Now.

, Ahem. Well, first of all, I must first explain why I choose the Book of Falco as my research topic.

Well... Please allow me to remind you to be brief. We are in a hurry.

Well, I understand. It all goes back to when I...

So this can also be considered as my mission as a historian...

Anyway, after I've been through all this...

Then I finally came close to the truth of the Book of Falco. Did you guys get all that?

Wow! Guys, this is so fascinating!

... (Zzzz)

... (Zzzz)

... (Zzzz)

... Zzz... Zz... Huh?! Y-yes! That's right! Well, thank you, Toph! Come on, guys. I'm sure we all have many questions we'd like to ask, right?

Huh?? Oh... Well, that's right...! S-so, what's the answer? I'm very stupid, so can you make it even simpler? Hahaha...

... Please look over here. This book only is enough to prove my research.

Is this a... book? Is this the Book of Falco? It really exists...?!

What? I didn't say it's the Book of Falco.

I-It's not?!

This book is a list of all the contents of the Book of Falco I have confirmed so far.

I'm comparing and studying the contents and forms of the so-called ''Book of Falco'' scattered around the world.

If it is a book, plus the place and date it was written, the author and where it was found, and after careful consideration.

T-Toph! I know what you are saying is very insightful and profound. But can you please tell us the answer first...?

Hm... Fine. So... After many years of research, I finally came to the conclusion that the Oracles, known as the Book of Falco, are most likely to exist.

But it doesn't exist in a physical form like a book. My conclusion is that the Book of Falco is a revelation passed down verbally.

Passed down verbally?! Who would have guessed?!

This is why the Book of Falco that exists in the form of a book can only be considered a secondary source and never be the original, even if it faithfully recorded a part of the verbal content in written form.

More importantly, it is impossible to judge which of those written records is true with only the information available.

For these reasons, from the academic perspective, we have to classify all the existing Book of Falco in book form as a secondary source.

Argh, my head is starting to hurt again...

That means that... anything in a physical book form is fake!, Am I right?

Yes. However, we must keep in mind that ''Lord Horus once mentioned the Book of Falco.'', This brand new information Awakener provided.

I believe this is a significant discovery that is enough to advance the research. And why is that?...

If we assume that my hypothesis that ''the real Book of Falco exists in the verbal form'' is correct, then who would be the most likely successor?

The successor is the commanders-in-chief of the Nebu Alliance.'' Don't you all agree that this hypothesis is remarkably convincing?

Moreover, when the Nebu Alliance was born as a modern country in 1963, the first commander-in-chief, Bastet, had orders to collect all copies of the Book of Falco in the entire Nebu region.

Our new hypothesis doesn't contradict these historical facts.

But then, the question now is how did Commander Bastet know that the Book of Falco was passed on verbally? And who inherited the Book of Falco before her...

Uh... I have found a new research topic. I have no time to waste here. I need to write it down into a report before I forget all my thoughts, then...

Uh... Miss Toph, ?

Don't bother. She can't hear us once she gets into a zone.

But we've got the information we need now, so that's fine, right?

You're right. It's just that... the answer has been right in front of us. I feel like someone is making us go around in a circle.

That's true. In the end, we still need to talk to Horus if we want to find out the truth.

... Wireless communication? It's Anubis calling.

This is Sova speaking. Any progress on your end?

I have reported directly to Lord Horus about the Book of Falco. The Lord's answer was, she wants to speak directly with you all regarding this matter.

Really? Didn't you say we can't meet with Horus?

I did, which is why this will not be a formal meeting. It will just be an informal, secret meeting.

Also, only one of you will be allowed to meet the Lord.

Only one of us? Well then, we will choose a representative from Teslovik...

There is no need for that. Lord Horus has already appointed a person.

... Are you listening, Awakener? Lord Horus is waiting for you.