Just like the surface level, the basement-like area is structured as a library, albeit on a much smaller scale. There are 17 shelves, each titled with the word "year" followed by a number. Assuming that each shelf is listed in chronological order, that means that each shelf corresponds to each year of Endori's life.
17 years of memories, huh. There has to be something good here somewhere.
"Mr. Vex, I will take a look at section 11. Where will you go?"
"I'll start at section 17, since that should contain the most recent and relevant memories. Is there a particular reason why you are going to section 11?"
"Oh it's nothing much, just some…unresolved occurrences in our childhood."
"Say no more, I understand."
No need to get involved in whatever that is. I'm just glad that she'll be preoccupied so I can focus on my mission.
I walk over to section 17. Compared to the shelves upstairs, the books are slightly thicker, but there are fewer per shelf. I honestly cannot tell how the books are sorted on the shelves. Perhaps it's some color-coded system? Nothing is written on the spines.
Eh whatever, I don't have time to figure this out. I'll choose this pink book.
I take the pink book off the shelf and inspect the cover. Just like the spine, there's nothing written on it; it's just a plain, pink book. I open the book and–
"?!!"
The book has no words or pages inside. Instead, there is a big, black screen.
"How does this work? There's nothing to read."
Before I could even think about closing the book, the screen lit up. A scene began playing…is that me? Looks like this is a memory of our first meeting, which happened a few hours ago. It's from Endori's perspective, of course.
I wonder why is this an important memory? I'll continue to watch.
Finally, I get to see Vex up close. He's even more handsome than I imagined! His dreamy silver hair, lovely lavender eyes, and fit physique are too much for me to handle. I need to remain calm, or I will scare him away! I must remain in a position of power and elegance.
"Yes. One day he was here as usual, then after one of our 'interactions', he disappeared the next morning without a trace. As for some of the others, I blinked and they suddenly vanished. For instance, my future husband indirectly kissed me, and he immediately disappeared."
"I'm sorry, Endori–I mean Lady Endori, but I can't help you. My curse isn't some magical mystery solver that you seem to think it is."
My heart, my heart! He called me Endori! He's so calm and collected even in the face of nobility. He must like me too; it's love at first sight!
"How dare you respond to Lady Endori like that!"
Shut up Serine, who gave you permission to speak to my man?!
"Serine, please let me address him, understand?"
"Yes, milady."
You better watch it next time, you stupid homewrecker! That's your future lord you are disrespecting. It's like she's trying to sabotage me! Ahem, now back to Vex.
"Vex, I entrust that you will find a way to help us resolve this mystery."
"I'm not so sure…"
Ooo, showing hesitancy towards a noble lady's request, huh? How bold of you–and very manly. Much better than my so-called fiance that dad is forcing me to marry! Hehe, I'll use my secret weapon.
"You are technically a criminal, correct? If you help me, I'll pardon you and the demi-human."
And I'll make you my husband!
"Okay, I'm in."
"Tehee, I knew you would cooperate!"
Yes, it worked! I can hear the wedding bells already! Though what's the deal with this demi-human he has with him? Wait, could it be that he knew I wanted a demi-human and brought it to me himself as a proposal gift?!
I need to calm down before I expose my feelings! That time can wait for when it's the two of us alone later. I'll go touch the demi-human girl's fur; that should calm me down.
I'd much rather touch Vex's hair, but if I even go near him right now, I just might–
SLAM!
"Okay, that's enough of that!"
I shut that memory book and place it back on the shelf. Turns out that the "elegant" and "mature" noble was really insanely perverted!
Okay, let's try this other pink book.
Vex, where did you go? I miss you so much! It's like I can still feel your presence deep within me, despite your disappearance. This must be our true love connection!
I can't wait to feel your silky silver hair, your strong abs, and rest in your arms as I stare into your lovely eyes!
I just had a daydream where you requested to come alone in my room and allow me to undress you as you undress me. I finally got the chance to see your big, magnificent–
SLAM!
That's NOT how I look naked.
"Are all of these pink books just Endori's perverted intrusive thoughts?! That's it, I'm choosing a different color, in a different section before she met me."
What a bunch of useless memories. It's no wonder why her brain cells think I'm a celebrity! I hope to get something useful, get out of Endori and stay away from her as much as possible.
I step out of the year 17 aisle and move over to the neighboring year 16 aisle. Compared to the previous section, this one looks more complete and packed full of memories. For one reason or another, there are drastically fewer pink memories here–not that I'm complaining.
There's a section of black books here. Now that I think about it, when I took a glance across the different aisles, I noticed several black sections on each. I wonder what kind of memories are these?
I grab a black memory from the top shelf and open it. Another screen starts to play a scene. Looks like it features…Lord Olan and a maid?
"You stupid whore, can you do anything right?!"
"But my lord, I–"
"Shut-up! I told you to find a suitable husband for Endori. She can't be a true noble woman without a husband!"
Not again. Father and mother are arguing over me. I don't want this, but all I can do is watch silently…
"I tried to offer suggestions to her, but she rejected them all. She wants to find her own love."
"Preposterous, there's no such thing in the Achan family! For generations, the fathers have picked husbands for their daughters. I entrusted you, her birth mother, to do it, but alas, I see why this has been a job for the men."
But father, please!
"Wait, where are you going, my lord? Endori wants to discuss this matter with you herself!"
"I'm going to find a husband for Endori myself in record time–end of discussion!"
"My lord, I told you that Endori wants to–"
No mother, it's pointless to try to change his mind at this point! Please don't–
SMASH! SHATTER!
"Who permitted you to touch me? Remember your place, woman! You are no more special than my other wives."
"Father! Father, it's not her fault, it is mine alone so please…"
"Endori, clean up this broken glass and call the other maids to heal your mother's wounds. Some of her blood got on my clothes, so I have to get changed before I get busy."
"But father I…I–!"
"Do you need to receive the same lesson as your mother? Surely you aren't that dumb! Now stop crying–it's very unfitting for a noble. Understand?"
"Yes…sniff…y-yes sir."
"Good, now get on with it! Pick up the shattered glass with your bare hands for all I care. Perhaps you can try using your useless curse to make it disappear!"
SLAM!
After father left, I helped mother off the floor and walked her to the bed. Blood drips from her nose as she lies unconsciously.
I hurried back to the area of the incident to pick up the shattered glass. My fingers are bleeding in pain–it's like I can feel life flowing out of my body.
I want to cry.
I want to scream.
I want to love.
I want him to die.
I despise you!
The memory ends.
"..."
I am truly at a loss for words. I thought the Achan household was thriving while leaving the common folk to suffer, but we weren't the only victims.
"Tch. That bastard. He deserves a worse fate than becoming a cell!"
It's no wonder why Endori became secretly obsessive–she has lacked the love that she desires to experience.
"I feel sorry for you, Endori. In a way, you and I are not so different…"
I return the book to the shelf. My heart can't take anymore of that.
"So black books are out of the question, and the pink ones definitely are too…"
I got it, why didn't I think of this before? The noble family are likely to pass down generational secrets when their children become adults at 15. I'll search that aisle instead. If there's nothing good there, or some other weird memory, I quit.
"Aha! Now that's more like it."
I spotted a section of golden memories at the year 15 aisle. Gold is highly valuable, so this memory should be as well. Assuming that further left, the closer the memory is to her birthday. I will start with the earliest book.
"Okay, here goes…"
"Grandma, thank you for inviting Serine and me to your mansion for my birthday. Today was a lot of fun!"
"The pleasure is mine, dear. You are 15 now, so you are expected to be a strong, elegant noble lady–even more so than before. I know that you have a lot to think about going forward, but I will do my best to teach you what I know in order to assist your journey into adulthood."
"Come on grandma, are you going to talk about marriage too?"
Father refuses to hear my opinion. I'd rather not be lectured to…again.
"No dear, I know better than to get involved in that. I want to talk to you about something much more important. It concerns important family history."
Grandma looks very serious right now; I'd better listen carefully.
"Okay grandma, I'm ready."
"Good, I'll try to make it as brief as possible. Many centuries ago, curses came into the world."
"You mean that there was a time before curses?"
"Yes, there was such a time. Many historians debate the origins of curses, but the nine noble families know the truth. To be more specific, the leader of each family knows the truth, and passes it down to their direct descendant who will take their place. Since you are Lord Olan's only child, you are next in line to lead the Achan family."
"So what's the truth and why is it so important?"
"To put it simply, our ancestors, along with the other eight families, were blessed with nobility and wealth by the goddess of this world. In exchange, the goddess placed her curses onto the world–impacting future generations. Only the original noble lord and ladies were safe from being cursed; not even their families and children were spared."
"Why would our ancestors agree to such a deal?"
"Well…I'm not sure. Some details were lost to time, but what we do know is that the family leaders must go to a temple once a year and pray to the goddess–else your family's wealth will be cursed. If there's only one thing you remember from my lecture, please remember that, okay?"
"I will not forget it, grandma. Though I wonder, is there a way to summon this goddess? What if I would like to directly speak to her, or make a request?"
Maybe she can bless me with my lover! Or at least curse my father…
"Who knows? No one has seen her for thousands of years. There are myths that you can summon her with the right offering. Only lunatics who want to throw away their lives would bother searching based on that though. You're not thinking of trying, are you?"
"I wish I could, but it doesn't seem worth it."
Drat! There goes my hopes.
"Now enough of that boring stuff! Phew, it feels good to complete my elderly duties. Now you have to pass this information down to your descendant!"
"Good for me, I cannot wait…"
"Oh cheer up dear, I was just joking. You're 15 now, right? Come on, let's go have a glass of the finest wine in Avarice! I've got so many recommendations I want to drink with you."
"Grandma, please don't get drunk again; it's embarrassing…"
"Sorry, can't hear you! I'm on my way to the bar!"
"Grandma!"
The memory ends there.
So that's the noble families' secret? A goddess blessed their ancestors but cursed the rest of the world. So a goddess is responsible for all of the suffering…
I've never been a particularly religious person. We are taught vaguely about the existence of deities in general, but since they don't directly interact with this realm, many people live their lives without thinking about them. I mean, who can blame us? It's not like any of them seem to care about human life.
"If I can gather the special offering, then I can summon that goddess. Then upon accepting my offering, she will be beholden to my request. I can make her undo the curse she put on this world!"
I know that it's only a myth, but it's my best shot. Looks like I've got no other choice.
"Though I still have no idea what kind of offering the goddess is looking for…"
Eh, I will figure it out later. I got what I wanted out of here–no need to pry into Endori's memories more than necessary.
Where did Yami go again? I think it was the year 11 section if I remember correctly.
"...I knew it. I knew it! It was her fault this whole time. I knew I was not crazy!"
As I walk closer to the aforementioned section, I can hear Yami's voice. Her voice sounds as if she just relieved a lifelong burden that she kept hidden in her heart.
I won't even bother to ask.
"Hey Yami, I'm just letting you know that I'm heading out of here. You are free to stay here by all means."
"That will not be necessary, Mr. Vex. I'm coming with you right away–?!"
Before she could even finish half of her sentence, I started walking towards the exit. I can hear her scramble to return the memory to its original spot and rush over to me.
"Mr. Vex! Please wait…haah haa…please wait!"
Upon exiting the basement, I see a scene quite the opposite to what it was before. There were very few brain cells roaming around the huge library, other than Amilia. Now in addition to Amilia, the library is packed with hoards of brain cells.
Their eyes are glowing pink, they are moving as a pack of lioness, hunting for prey.
"Amilia, where is he? We can smell his lingering scent!"
"Yeah, we know that he's been here, no need to lie to us!"
"Girls, please back off! You are interfering with my work."
It doesn't require a genius to guess who's the "he" that they are looking for. Yami whispers in my ear.
"Mr. Vex, what is happening?"
"I don't know, I have no idea how a girl's brain works. Shouldn't I ask you these kinds of questions?"
"How many girls have a sentient society living inside their bodies?!"
Man, the elevator is just past the library help desk, but cells are partially obstructing the path.
"I'll go ask Amilia for an explanation."
"Okay, that's fine, Mr. Vex."
For good measure, I put on my hood to make my face more obscured. As I steadily walk towards Amilia, more and more cells start looking in my direction. Most were still lurking around the library, in search, but all of this growing attention is making me feel anxious.
"Vex, you need to get out of here!"
Fortunately, Amilia displays enough situational awareness to whisper, but not enough to refrain from saying my name.
"Shh, don't say my name! What's the deal with them?"
"Right now, Endori's estrogen levels are rising, causing her libido to skyrocket."
"What on earth is causing that? What is she doing?!"
"It's not about what she's doing, but what she's thinking. Right now, she is taking a nap and is having intense dreams about you and her–"
"I get the picture, no need to be detailed."
"Well as you can see, it's impacting us brain cells. I'm doing my best to hold back my feelings and keep my sanity, but I can only hold off for so long! Please escape the brain before we get our hands on you!"
"Will do my best to try, at least. Thanks, Amilia."
"Oh no, I can't hold it anymore, I can't resist!"
Amilia, who once looked like she was barely holding on to her mental stability, is now becoming an instinctual beast just as the other cells. Her eyes are now radiating pink hearts.
"Dang it, I can't even show basic courtesy."
"VEX! PLEASE KISS ME!"
In an instant, every brain cell in the library turned in our direction in response to Amilia's outburst. If I get caught, it's game over.
"Uhh, Mr. Vex, they are steadily closing in on us…"
"They are after me, though you might become collateral damage. Are you sure you still want to follow me?"
"Yes, I can't survive here alone. Besides, I don't know when I'll be cursed to become a cell myself, so I want to escape Endori's body as soon as possible!"
"Okay, then it looks like I have no other choice!"
"--?!! Mr. Vex?!!!"
I abruptly pick up Yami and carry her on my back. I wanted to avoid this kind of situation, but I can't rely on my curse to get out of here.
"I'm going to dash towards the elevator. Your role is to use your curse to touch any cell that gets too close to me and slow them down. Since I'm carrying you, you don't have to worry about the drawbacks!"
"O-okay, Mr. Vex. I-I understand!"
In unison, the brain cells scream my name and pounce towards me.
"Here we go. Hold on tight, Yami!"