The Ancient Labyrinth Library (?) is the ancient maze-like library within Glass' World and is the home to the Library Rabbits.
Background[]
The Ancient Labyrinth Library is said to be an infinite repository of all knowledge which has been found within Glass' World. It was created by an ancient civilization and is considered dangerous to enter. It is the end-destination for all books and holds ancient knowledge which has been lost to the general population. Historically, any impossibly difficult problems were solved by going to these archives.[1]
In recent history, Legendary Hero Kizuna had asked her friend and merchant Alto to lead the long-term efforts to survey the library since it has such valuable information.[2]
Description[]
Layout[]
Similar to the Infinite Labyrinth, the Ancient Labyrinth Library is a maze of unrestricted size. However, while the Infinite Labyrinth is relatively flat, the Labyrinth Library goes much deeper. At the top are traditional facilities such as an inn, tavern and shops but it gets dangerous as it goes deeper. Throughout the labyrinth a treasure chests of various designs.
At the bottom of the explored area is a large door with a symbol of the four Legendary Heroes. In the center of the door is a gem which acts as a lock. This door opens once it senses a Legendary Hero. Behind this door are lines of bookshelves which seem to stretch to infinity. Within this area is a special bookshelf with a level that is shaped like a book. Behind it is another lock with a symbol of the Pacifier.
Using the Pacifier's power, one is able to bypass the lock and access the secret passage to chamber of the master librarian. Within the chamber is the Red Poison which can be used to unlock the 0 Series and create a Guardian. The chamber walls have murals which depict the war behind the waves with imagery like a cat-like creature, pyramids and the Weapon Spirits. The room also contains a bookshelf which can only be accessed by a library rabbit. On this bookshelf are tomes of ancient and powerful knowledge such as the true nature of the waves and how to break curses. There is a stairway further down the labyrinth but it has not yet been explored.[2]
Rules[]
There are rules that any visitor must follow when within the Ancient Library Labyrinth. The first time the rules are broken, the culprit is reminder of the broken rule. If the rules are still broken, the culprit's magic is sealed and then powerful monsters would be drawn towards them. If the rules are still broken, the culprit will be ejected from the library and unable to return for a certain amount of time.
While there are multiple rules of the labyrinth library, the only one explained is:
- Do not use fire
Technology[]
A common piece of technology used within the labyrinth is a guiding disc. Looking similar to CDs, these devices will lead the way towards a registered location within the labyrinth.
Summary[]
Volume 9[]
After Kizuna had escaped her imprisonment in the Infinite Labyrinth, Alto had met with her and provided some ancient tomes from the Ancient Labyrinth Library which seem to hold information on the waves. However, due to the age and likely coded information, it was given to Rishia to translate.
Volume 18[]
After saving Kizuna from being kidnapped, she was found to be under a strong curse of sloth. With no way to break it, the heroes decide to go to the Ancient Labyrinth Library to search for a solution. Guided by Ethnobalt they journey into the dungeon. Using Naofumi's Legendary Shield and Glass being a descendant of this world's pacifiers, they were able to bypass the locks. Here they found the Red Poison able to break effects from outside forces and texts containing ancient knowledge.
Residents[]
Library Rabbits[]
There are two legends regarding the origins of the Library Rabbits. First, is that they came from the moon.[3] And second, that they are all descendants of the Legendary Library Rabbit and the Master Librarian of the Ancient Library Labyrinth named Ethnobalt. However, this legendary figure was killed in an ancient battle.[4] The leadership of the library rabbits has been passed down through the generations, but none had the immortality or were worthy of the title Master Librarian. This was changed when Ethnobalt - named after the original rabbit - travelled into the depths of the labyrinth library with the Heroes and found the Master Librarian's retreat. There he found the Red Poison. With this, the Library Rabbit conducted the ceremony to make him the true master librarian. He was able to survive the process which gave him a significant improvement on his ability to find the books he is looking for.[5]
Library Rabbits are not suited for combat. Unlike most other races their stats do not increase when they level-up. Instead, they are an intellectual race and have their own unique powers. They are able to find the vague location of books on topics they are looking for and can test to see if a certain book suits their purposes.[1] Library Rabbits are the traditional wielder of the Vassal Book. If one wields the Vassal Book, their ability to find the books they need are refined.[2]
Book Monsters[]
Within the library are various book like monsters which attack adventurers travelling through the labyrinth. These monsters fit with the theme of a library and drop "intellect powder".
- Demon Magic Book: This book flies in the air like a butterfly. This monster can spit water magic to attack.
- Magic Tome Dragon: This monster is created from an assembly of books which resemble a dragon.
Trivia[]
- The Ancient Labyrinth Library seems to be inspired by the Akashic Records trope - a repository of all knowledge.[1]
- The counterpart to the Ancient Labyrinth Library in Raphtalia's World is Sanctuary
- The mural of the cat-like creature is most likely a reference to the God-slayer Ark from the WN, who takes the form of a cat.