Chapter 150: Is This for Real?(2)
Chapter 150: Is This for Real?(2)
Words have a way of coming true. While often used when an offhand remark unexpectedly becomes reality, it also carries the lesson that one should watch their tongue.
I witnessed countless instances of words "becoming seeds" in my previous life. Most were posts on social media that would later become "sacred ground," drawing in crowds of internet pilgrims.
However, if you look closely, people usually speak of things that are at least within the realm of possibility—like getting into an accident the next morning or finding a stack of cash on the street.
The world is governed by various probabilities, including the extremely slim ones. Most cases of words becoming reality are simply instances where those low odds happened to hit the mark.
Speaking of probability, let’s look at an example.
What are the odds that an event written in a novel just for fun would actually happen in real life?
In my previous life, there was a novel that half-predicted the 9/11 attacks. Rumor had it that the author was later invited by the government to write various disaster scenarios.
That wasn't the only case; something similar happened in South Korea as well. It was a novel that "prophesied" the famous presidential gate scandal.
The general plot involved a shaman helping someone who would eventually become president. The story was so eerily similar to the actual scandal that even the author expressed their own bewilderment.
As you can see, works that seem to predict the future are countless if you look for them. The culture of my previous life was far more developed than this world's, and with such a massive volume of media being produced, someone was bound to "hit the jackpot" eventually.
My current situation is similar, yet slightly different.
The main plot of The Xenon Chronicle Volume 13 is that the roots of the World Tree are polluted by the machinations of Lucifer (Pride), leading to a demonic invasion of Albenheim that turns the land into a living hell.
The protagonist's party tries to return upon hearing the news but is held back by Lilith. By the time they arrive, they are greeted only by an Albenheim on the brink of total ruin.
If this were to happen in reality, it would be a world-shattering event. However, demonic activity has completely died down since the Demon War, and not a single demon has been spotted since.
Therefore, the pollution of the World Tree was something that should never have happened...
[SHOCKING! Yggdrasil’s World Tree was actually undergoing pollution!]
[The root pollution that even the World Tree’s mana could not purify. If it had continued, would a demonic invasion have actually occurred?]
[As the pollution of the World Tree’s roots becomes a reality, world leaders are agonizing over whether a demonic invasion might follow.]
[Who is Xenon, the man who foresaw this crisis? Is it a coincidence, or did he already know?]
And yet, it actually happened. What the hell is this, seriously?
I was left speechless as I scanned the news in the papers. I had expected the focus to be on Albenheim being invaded, but an entirely unforeseen variable had cropped up.
Polluting the roots to neutralize the World Tree, which emits mana lethal to demons—that was nothing more than a product of my imagination. It wasn't like I had conducted research on it or anything.
To begin with, I’ve only visited Yggdrasil, where the World Tree is located, exactly once. Even then, I only watched Arwen’s speech and returned home immediately; I didn't even get close to the tree itself.
Therefore, it was purely a coincidence. I swear on my life, I didn't write it because I knew something.
'Of all things, it had to be the World Tree...'
The problem wasn't just the coincidence; it was the fact that the World Tree’s roots were actually polluted. Apparently, a noble in Albenheim felt uneasy after reading Volume 13 and asked Arwen to check, and she agreed.
Normally, the Elder Council would have opposed such a request, but since it concerned the World Tree, even they couldn't easily say no. After a thorough investigation, they discovered that the roots were indeed being polluted.
Naturally, Albenheim was thrown into an absolute frenzy. To the elves, the World Tree was a gift directly from the gods and a symbol that had protected them for three thousand years.
And yet, the roots of that very tree were slowly being polluted, just like in the novel?
For the elves, this was not only a shocking matter but a catastrophic event that should never have been allowed to happen.
If there was any silver lining, it was that this wasn't the work of some villain like in the novel, but rather a lingering aftereffect of the Demon War from three thousand years ago.
Still, the fact remained that the pollution was progressing. Currently, the priests of Albenheim are working together to perform purification rites, but the aftermath is immense.
To give a few examples...
[Adventurers and mercenaries scramble to find traces of demons. Debates arise over the difference between demonized Beastkin and pure demons...]
[Leaders of various nations have decided to increase their vigilance against demons. Now that the pollution of the World Tree has become a reality, there is no guarantee that a demonic invasion won't follow.]
[Three thousand years is enough time for any race to become complacent with peace. The demons might be waiting for their chance, just like in The Xenon Chronicle.]
In short, almost no one is looking at the novel as just a novel anymore. The number of people searching for traces of demons has spiked.
"Since the unthinkable has become reality, there is no reason a demonic invasion won't follow." That was a direct quote from the newspaper.
The situation was already absurd enough to make my jaw drop, but it didn't end there.
[Xenon is no ordinary Sage. He must be a renowned scholar with connections to high-ranking Albenheim nobles, given his access to information about the World Tree.]
[Rumors are circulating that The Xenon Chronicle was written to prophesy the future. While the characters may be fictional, the situations in the novel could be events that will occur in the future.]
[Lucifer, the Sin of Pride, said: 'Long peace has a way of softening even the coldest judgment. Have you enjoyed your peace thus far?' This must be a warning from Xenon to all of us.]
Because I had inadvertently issued a "warning," the number of people looking for me increased even further. I was no longer just being treated as a Sage, but as a "Prophet."
While people deluding themselves was generally good for me, I had a strong feeling that this was spiraling out of control.
If I were to reveal my identity later, would they even believe me? Considering the current situation, I highly doubted it.
'...First, I need to send a letter to the publisher.'
I didn't know what might happen if I let this continue, so it seemed best to release a statement. The newspapers were blathering on about me being a prophet, but it was all just a coincidence.
I had no intention of exploiting this, nor could I even handle the consequences. I had to calm this situation down as soon as possible.
'It'll take some time since the publisher has to copy the letters by hand.'
I folded the newspaper and let out a sigh. I could never get used to the way the world turned upside down because of the novels I wrote.
If the reactions were mostly praise for the work, I’d be happy to move on, but all sorts of bizarre variables kept popping up. The first was the change in perception regarding the Demon Clan.
I’m worried that after I finish The Xenon Chronicle and start writing about World War II, all sorts of machinery will start appearing out of nowhere. Of course, since the history of my previous life would be fantasy to them, the probability of that is slim.
Let’s just ignore the fact that I beat those slim odds with the World Tree pollution. For now, the priority was clearing my troubled mind.
"...Heh."
No matter how much I thought about it, all I could do was laugh. How is this actually real?
The newspapers also mentioned the appearance of Dark Elves, but the main focus was entirely on the pollution of the World Tree's roots. As an author, the situation was nothing short of absurd.
Of course, as time passes and the situation settles, attention might shift toward the Dark Elves. Their appearance was a scene that couldn't be easily overlooked.
'Let's write the letter first. State that all of this is just a coincidence, and that I'm not a Sage or a Prophet, but just an ordinary scholar.'
An aspiring scholar, to be precise. You have to mix a bit of truth into a lie to avoid suspicion.
'Arwen must be busy right now, so I'll call her later.'
The pollution of the World Tree's roots was an unprecedented disaster, so Albenheim must be in total chaos. Naturally, Arwen and the rest of the leadership would be run ragged.
If The Xenon Chronicle really starts being treated as a book of prophecy, it’s obvious it will have a huge impact on Arwen as well. She’s already desperately blocking the Elder Council, who are dying to find me.
I let out another deep, heavy sigh to clear my cluttered head and threw myself onto the bed.
'Yeah. Once I send the letter, things will quiet down. They have to.'
A few days later.
[BREAKING NEWS! Traces of a demon summoning ritual discovered in a cave in the Kirs Mountain Range! An adventurer happened upon it in a remote area...]
[Other traces left by demons are being discovered in various locations. Is everything unfolding according to Xenon’s warning?]
[Traces of the radical faction of the Demon Tribe, who vanished after the Race War 300 years ago, have also been found... Helium has dispatched an investigation team upon hearing the news.]
"..."
I'm going to lose my mind.
[Is Xenon actually more than a Prophet—perhaps an 'Incarnation' of a god from the future? Did he risk everything to travel back in time to warn a world complacent with peace...]
[Positions of various denominations: 'Traveling through time is something even gods cannot do. However, if a god does not travel themselves but targets a mortal, it is not entirely impossible.']
I'm seriously going to lose my mind.
[Xenon has claimed he is neither a Prophet nor a Sage but an ordinary scholar, but most people do not believe him at all.]
[He must be hiding his identity for a reason. Is there perhaps a restriction that prevents him from directly speaking about future events?]
[Only an ordinary scholar from the future could publish a novel with such prose and readability. Because the culture of the future would be overwhelmingly more advanced than the present...]
You bastards. You're just putting on a whole one-man show, aren't you?
'I mean, I am a reincarnated person... just from a different world.'
It seemed the situation had become even more fucked.
*
Albenheim, before the traces of demons were discovered in the real world.
Albenheim was in the midst of a massive upheaval due to the unprecedented event of the World Tree’s pollution. While the Half-blood Incident was a social issue among the people, the World Tree was on an entirely different level.
To the elves, the World Tree was more than a holy relic; it was a gift from the gods. They had believed its pollution was an impossibility.
So, when Volume 13 was first released, everyone lived with the mindset that a novel is just a novel and shouldn't be applied to reality. But when their fears manifested as reality, they had no choice but to change their thinking.
The Xenon Chronicle was no longer a book to be read for fun; it was a book that had to be read.
"Your Majesty. Please, reconsider..."
"Request denied. How many times must I tell you no?"
Naturally, the impact reached the Queen of Albenheim, Arwen. Not just the Elder Council, but even the noble families were pleading to find Xenon—or rather, Isaac—leaving her at her wit's end.
In truth, Arwen herself had nearly fainted the moment she learned the truth about the World Tree’s roots. Since she had a personal friendship with Isaac, she knew he was writing The Xenon Chronicle purely as a hobby.
However, once the pollution was confirmed, even she couldn't help but feel a seed of doubt. The pollution of the World Tree was supposed to be impossible; she wondered if Isaac had truly predicted it.
A small part of her began to suspect, like the rest of the world, that he might actually be a prophet.
"Your Majesty. This is a matter of grave importance. Whether Xenon is truly a prophet or not, the fact remains that he saved the World Tree from a crisis."
Piren, a member of the Elder Council, spoke in his characteristically aged voice. He had come for an audience with Arwen, accompanied by two other council members as usual.
Though his tone was polite and respectful on the surface, Arwen could see the hidden intention behind Piren’s words. He wanted to bring Isaac here and use him for propaganda.
In fact, the elves of Albenheim currently felt an infinite debt of gratitude toward Isaac for saving the World Tree. The part in the book about Albenheim being invaded by demons?
None of that mattered; reality was what was important. While the appearance of Dark Elves had drawn attention, it was still at a minor level, with people mostly just expressing curiosity.
Furthermore, Arwen knew that due to her own mistake, the Elder Council had mobilized personnel to search the publishing house. This was information she had heard from Isaac, and only then did she realize she had neglected to incinerate her speech draft.
The draft was still where it had been, but the fact that its position had subtly changed meant someone had touched it. Thanks to that, Arwen realized just how many spies the Elder Council had planted.
"It is true, as you say, that Xenon saved our World Tree. And we are currently investigating to see if other contents of the book will become reality."
"Indeed."
"But have you not considered the burden that would be placed on Xenon? Think for a moment why he writes while hiding his identity. He surely has his own reasons for doing so."
That was why she could refuse so firmly. If the Elder Council were to find Isaac, she wasn't even sure if she could protect him then.
Piren, sensing that he couldn't break Arwen’s stubbornness, let out a frustrated sigh. Normally, he should have refrained from such an expression, but Piren still had one question left.
"...I understand. Then, may I ask just one thing?"
"You may."
"I am curious as to what exactly the relationship is between Your Majesty and Xenon."
"...What?"
This was a question that caught even Arwen off guard. But before she could even process her confusion, Piren continued.
"Your Majesty has denied us every time we sought to find Xenon. You even refused just now, even after the pollution of the World Tree’s roots was revealed. Thus, we cannot help but have our suspicions."
"W-what are you..."
Piren conveniently left out the fact that they had peeked at her speech draft, but the flustered Arwen didn't have the presence of mind to think of that.
It was true she was close to Isaac, and having made a mistake on top of that, she felt the blood in her body turn cold. She was in a state of high tension, wondering if the Elder Council knew even that much.
Seeing this, Piren, as if he had caught her in a trap, offered a hypothesis with a subtle smile.
"Was Your Majesty, perhaps, in a romantic relationship with Xenon?"
"...?"
What kind of bullshit was this? Arwen blinked her silver-grey eyes, staring at Piren with a expression that was a messy mix of bewilderment and absurdity.
What kind of thought process led to the hypothesis that she and Isaac were lovers? Arwen couldn't understand it.
"Your Majesty is a half-blood. And you lived in human society until you reached physical adulthood. You must have met various humans then, and I suspect Xenon might have been among them..."
"..."
Isaac wasn't even born back then. Arwen was so dumbfounded she couldn't speak.
Piren, interpreting her reaction in his own way, continued with a triumphant look.
"But due to the fundamental difference in lifespan, it must have been difficult to stay together. That is likely why Xenon put the pain he experienced into his book. Is that not so?"
"No... that's..."
"Your Majesty. Lingering regret is a difficult emotion to resolve. Especially when it concerns love. I hope you can cast aside that regret and consider what is more important for Albenheim."
"..."
"Then, we shall take our leave. Please, reconsider one more time."
With those words, the Elder Council members gave a polite bow and left the audience chamber. Arwen stared blankly at their retreating backs before letting out a hollow laugh.
"What kind of... bullshit was that?"
At first, Arwen dismissed it as nonsense, but...
[Is Xenon truly someone who traveled through time? Or is all of this a coincidence?]
[If he is an Incarnation of a god, it is not an impossible story.]
As traces of demons were discovered across the world and the hypothesis that Isaac was from the future emerged, her thoughts couldn't help but shift slightly.
Perhaps not now, but in the distant future, a crisis like the one in The Xenon Chronicle might have actually occurred.
Furthermore, Isaac had said he didn't need a reward for the speech, saying that seeing her looking beautiful was enough.
In addition to that, he had been generous regarding the treatment of Rain. In many ways, he was providing her with conveniences, both knowingly and unknowingly.
"...Should I read it one more time?"
Arwen began to read carefully from Volume 10, along with the Kair Side Story.