Chapter 173: Book 14(2)
Chapter 173: Book 14(2)
With the release of Volume 14 and the reactions pouring in, a single thought suddenly crossed my mind.
At this point, I’m starting to think the world just hates me.
Luminous and Mora might see things differently, but from my perspective, I couldn't help but feel that way.
The pollution of the World Tree's roots, demon summoning, the Reaper, magic locomotives, and so on. I already had enough headaches to deal with, and now everyone was buzzing about "forbidden magic" and whatnot.
I had simply written a novel based on my imagination, but seeing that imagination manifest as reality was beyond absurd—it was practically a religious experience.
Maybe I should just give up. It wasn't "Isaac's imagination becomes reality"; it was more like the world was actively messing with me.
What made it even more troublesome was that even if I denied it now, it would only sound like a flimsy excuse. No one would listen to me anymore. There were simply too many incidents to dismiss as mere coincidence.
If there was any other notable reaction, it was that a faction claiming my knowledge was dangerous and calling for my exclusion had surfaced, only to be driven back down by a wave of fierce public backlash. Honestly, people slandering or envying me was nothing new, so it didn't bother me much.
It was just that the scope had widened a bit. Previously, it was mostly other novelists who criticized me; now, even the nobility had joined in.
If he knows forbidden magic, doesn't that mean he knows other dangerous things too?
Before Albenheim, there were several instances where Xenon had been framed or even attacked by human nobles, leaving many of them with a guilty conscience.
Because of this, a few prominent figures had spat out some radical rhetoric, but they quickly retreated after facing a massive backlash. However, their wariness hadn't vanished.
As a result, I found myself in a nerve-wracking situation in more ways than one, the pressure weighing heavily on my shoulders. I had originally started the novel as a hobby, but now I hesitated to pick up the pen, terrified of what might manifest in reality next.
I was so conflicted that I even considered completely overhauling the Beastkin arc I had painstakingly planned. But since the story was already heading toward that arc, even that was difficult.
I was forced to agonize over whether to just clear my mind and keep writing or to go on a hiatus for a while.
[Since things have already turned out this way, why not just keep going? No matter what you write from now on, people are going to find meaning in it anyway.]
'Instead of giving me advice, you're just piling on the pressure.'
[Neither I nor my brother can really help you right now, can we? You can prepare for a future that's already arrived, but you can't stop it.]
In the end, I had visited Mora to receive some divine power for my "nightly duties" with Cecile and to seek some advice, but I hadn't gained much.
According to what Mora told me, these events—starting from the omens of demon summoning—were all predestined.
That was also why she had said she didn't know when I asked if it was okay to write about the "fusion." Since the future was already fixed, she had no idea what would happen.
[Wasn't there a saying on your Earth? "First, take a shit. Then you will become famous." Right?]
'It's "First, become famous. Then people will applaud even if you take a shit." If you just go around shitting, people will just think you're a madman.'
[Ah. Right. Well, as long as you got the point!]
'Sigh...'
I let out a deep internal sigh. Regardless, just as Mora said, from now on, people would likely try to discern whether whatever I wrote was truth or fiction.
It meant they wouldn't see the novel as a novel, but as a literal book of prophecy. It was also awkward for Luminous or Mora to hand down an oracle; the moment they stepped in, it might actually backfire.
As the word "prejudice" suggests, once a perception is fixed, it's hard to change. You don't have to look far—just think about how the Demon Clan has been treated for over a thousand years.
The pollution of the World Tree's roots was already at the suspicion stage, but now that the fusion had been revealed as forbidden magic, the Xenon Biography would be treated as a prophecy in all but name, despite being labeled a novel.
'...Is there really no way?'
[There's nothing we can do to help, not even me. The best way is to include stories that couldn't possibly exist in this world.]
'And the result of that is exactly what's happening now.'
[Hmm... I suppose you're right.]
Mora pondered for a moment before offering a suggestion in a carefree tone.
[I think the best way is to just ignore it. It's true you're from another world, but you're not a prophet or a regressor from the future, are you? As you keep writing, people will eventually realize that.]
'The problem is the impact that will occur before then. As you said, the misunderstanding might be cleared up, but the phenomena caused by the book...'
[We can handle that on our end. Or you can just ask us. Ask what kind of reaction will come out if you write this or that.]
'When I asked about the fusion last time, you said you didn't know.'
[You should have asked more specifically. Not "Will this be okay?" but "What kind of reactions will this cause?" If you ask ambiguously, we have no choice but to answer that we don't know. If you want a clear answer, you have to ask the right question.]
It sounded a bit like coding. I was a humanities major, but I knew the basics of programming.
'That feels a bit unfriendly...'
[Oh, please. As my brother said, knowing the future is like buying time. And it's only because we're fond of you; most other believers don't even get to commune with us. Talking like this without any formalities is something other believers could only dream of. You're special.]
'...I'm sorry. I was being disrespectful.'
I had almost made a huge mistake with a god. As the saying goes, "When kindness continues, people start thinking it's their right." These were gods. Transcendent beings who could look into the future, even if they weren't omnipotent.
Just because I had become close to them didn't mean I had become their equal. History was full of examples of those who received divine favor, grew arrogant, and were struck down by divine punishment.
There was no guarantee I wouldn't end up like that, so I needed to make sure I maintained proper boundaries.
[It's fine. You're handsome, so I'll overlook it with my generous heart. Instead, why don't you try growing your hair long?]
'I'll pass on that. It's a pain to maintain.'
[Aw, come on. Just try it once. It's not like there aren't many men with long hair.]
As Mora complained, there were indeed more men with long hair in this world than one might expect. However, it wasn't for fashion; most of them just didn't maintain it because it was "too much trouble."
There were no professional barbershops like hair salons, and hairstyles themselves weren't standardized. Soldiers, however, tended to keep their hair neatly trimmed since long hair could get caught on things or be pulled by enemies during combat.
I had considered growing it out once at the beginning, but I had cleanly given up on the idea. I realized too late that washing long hair was a chore in itself.
'I'm sorry...'
[Phew. Fine. If that's your choice, I can't help it. I really think it would suit you, though. What a shame.]
'If I get the chance, I'll consider it.'
[Really? Okay. I'll have to ask that girl to help me out. Heehee.]
'... ...'
How could she use such a petty tactic? Hearing Mora's snickering laughter, I felt as if my energy was being drained.
I could see why the believers found Mora exhausting. With her being so immature, a mortal would naturally feel pressured.
The only saving grace was that she wasn't petty and possessed a broad mind. The believers found her difficult to deal with, but they didn't fear her.
'...Mora?'
[Hmm? Did you call?]
'Then, if I write Volume 15, what kind of reaction will...'
I started to ask about the reaction to Volume 15 but stopped myself. Checking the reaction in advance to prepare thoroughly wasn't a bad choice, but doing so would inevitably influence my writing.
Furthermore, there was a risk that the story I had already planned would get tangled into a mess. Knowing the future was a great advantage, but conversely, it meant one couldn't experience growth.
And it wasn't right to ask the gods for help every time I published a book. I had to figure things out on my own; if I relied on someone else, I would only be treading water.
So, I hesitated before giving up on asking about the reaction to Volume 15. It was obvious a similar reaction would occur anyway, and as Mora said, the only answer was to keep publishing books until the misunderstanding was cleared.
I didn't know what kind of incidents would happen in the meantime, but relying on someone else was not a good choice.
'...Never mind. As you said, I think the best way is to just keep publishing books until the misunderstanding is cleared.'
[Good thinking. We can warn you, but we have no means of coercion. The "divine punishment" you know of is only possible through the Temple. That's why heinous villains can exist so openly.]
'Then is it impossible for believers to unite in prayer and bring down divine punishment on a villain?'
[Before that happens, wouldn't people just take care of the villain themselves if we said a single word?]
'Oh... that makes sense.'
The phrase "take care of" didn't quite suit a god's mouth, but that made it all the more impressionable. Indeed, when Luminous said a single word, everyone from the Holy Theocracy 'Savior' to the Cardinals went into a frenzy to find me, even putting themselves on a pilgrimage route.
I pondered what else to ask when the recent reactions came to mind. Unlike before, there were evaluations saying my knowledge was dangerous and that I needed to be found immediately.
Although these were only printed in newspapers and I had many people protecting me, there was always a "what if" in this world. Moreover, I had heard that even nobles from Albenheim had visited the publisher.
If things continued like this, trouble might brew, so I thought it best to prepare for this, if nothing else.
'Mora. Then, could you just tell me what I should be careful of in the future? I would be grateful if you could also tell me about any dangers that might befall the people I love.'
[Hmm... well. Rather than danger, I think something interesting is about to happen soon. And at your mansion, no less.]
'What do you mean by that?'
What was going to happen at our mansion? I flinched for a moment and then asked again with urgency.
I wanted to prevent problems from occurring at the mansion, of all places. My mother was currently pregnant with Lily, and it would be a disaster if she suffered a miscarriage due to stress. Again, my mother was older than one might think.
Contrary to my anxiety, Mora chuckled with an intrigued voice and left me with a cryptic message.
[You'll get to see hyenas crawling into a lion's maw, unaware of where they're heading.]
'...I'm not sure I understand.'
[You'll find out exactly a week from now when you return to the mansion. Nothing you're worried about will happen, so don't worry. I guarantee it.]
'If you say so, I'm relieved, but...'
Even the thought of an incident occurring at the mansion was a huge concern for me. During the exhibition, Rain had personally infiltrated the mansion and caused chaos.
It seemed best to prepare thoroughly. I wanted to prevent those around me from being harmed because of me.
'It would be better if Cecile was there too, right?'
[Then you'll be able to take care of them even more decisively. Oh, but I recommend you just sleep that day. You might face an embarrassing situation otherwise.]
'...Understood. Is there anything else?'
[The aftermath will be handled well even if you don't get involved. You just need to keep writing your book.]
'Can I really just stay still?'
[Rather than staying still, maybe just write a few letters? It'll be quite fun.]
Just what on earth was going to happen at our mansion that she would call it "fun"? I tilted my head in confusion, but it was hard to figure out until that day arrived.
It was also difficult for Mora to tell me directly, as doing so might completely alter the future. To prevent that, I didn't ask for details.
'Thank you. Then I'll trust you, Mora, and return to the mansion in a week.'
[Go ahead. You're going to receive your divine power before you go, right?]
'Yes.'
Before leaving, Mora transferred divine power to me, as she always did. As her divine power was absorbed into me, I felt my heart grow calmer and my mind clearer.
Unlike Luminous, Mora's divine power didn't have a distinct feeling at first. While Luminous's divine power made me directly feel that I had become stronger, Mora's was different in that it stabilized the mind.
Still, through my first night with Cecile, I had realized how important Mora's divine power was. If not for the divine power, I would have been exhausted and collapsed before Cecile.
'But it feels like there's a bit more today... is it just my imagination?'
[It's your imagination. Isn't it better to have more divine power anyway?]
'I suppose so.'
I let it slide without any suspicion at first, but the problem arose the next morning.
Since Cecile wasn't in her "peak period," we only went a few rounds before falling asleep, so I was able to rest comfortably.
"Huh? Isaac. Your hair... why did it get so long?"
"...Ah, seriously."
When I opened my eyes, my hair had grown past my shoulders down to my shoulder blades. It was obvious to anyone that Mora had played a prank.
My hair was already a conspicuous red, and now that it was long, it gave off an even more intense impression. In the end, I irritably asked Cecile to trim it neatly, but...
"It already grew back? It hasn't even been an hour."
"What?"
Whatever she had done, every time it was cut, it grew back instantly like some kind of seaweed. No matter how much we cut, it kept growing, so I eventually had no choice but to give up.
"I'll just take good care of it for you. Should I tie it up like this?"
"...Do whatever you want."
"I'm the first one to tie your hair, right? I'm happy I got to do it before Mari. At this rate, wouldn't I be the primary wife?"
"... ..."
And so, another peaceful day in Helium passed by.
*
"...So that fellow sent a letter in secret?"
"Yes. He wrote it at home, not at the publishing house, and seeing as he didn't put it in the mail, it must be a letter written to Xenon."
"Good. Well done. We just need to track that fellow's tail."
An elf with dazzling beauty curled her lips into a smirk, muttering dismissively.
"No matter how much he flies and crawls, in the end, he's nothing more than a human."