Chapter 222: A Familiar Face(1)
Chapter 222: A Familiar Face(1)
The ones who threw a wrench into the nearly finished contest were, as some might have expected, the Holy Theocracy of Savior—specifically, the Order of Luminous.
If I were just an ordinary literary giant, the Order might have let it slide with a simple understanding. However, since I was a 'Saint' recognized by Luminous himself, they claimed they could never allow my honor to be tarnished. Or something like that.
From my perspective, the situation was absolutely mind-boggling, but a defining characteristic of this era is the extreme importance placed on honor. The world is crawling with people who would literally live and die for it.
In the end, the publisher had no choice but to tearfully scrap the contest. Though the situation was beyond absurd for me as well, I had to postpone it for the time being.
You might ask why I don't just send a letter and explain things. If that were possible, people wouldn't have started rumors about me being a regressor in the first place. It’s beyond the level of talking to a brick wall.
Asking Luminous directly wouldn't help much either. Luminous is a 'God' who delivers oracles, not a messenger who relays requests on behalf of others.
Gods merely provide oracles closely related to the future or suggest paths for mortals; they do not interfere directly. If direct interference were possible, why would there be evil people or sinners in this world?
I was so annoyed that I considered going on a hiatus, but since everyone seemed strangely accepting of the situation, I pushed that thought aside for a moment. It seemed better to take the contest slowly and focus on my writing for now.
Besides, a hiatus might negatively impact the Order. I should endure it for Luminous's sake. He was a kind soul, even if he occasionally screwed me over by mistake, which made me feel a bit guilty.
'I need to write quickly to make my future easier.'
Back in my quarters after finishing my daily routine, I thought to myself while working on Volume 17. Since starting my second year, the number of literature students has surged, making me busy in many ways and increasing the number of people I have to meet.
As a result, my writing time has significantly decreased, but I'm squeezing out every second I can. If I don't, my future is as clear as day.
Now that Leona is confirmed as my wife, I need to accelerate the writing of Xenon's Life to receive even a little more divine power. Otherwise, in the distant future, I might end up shriveled like a mummy.
Mari and Cecile are manageable. The genes I inherited from my father are manifesting more over time, and my physical strength and stamina are increasing by the day.
But from the third person onward, it’s going to get difficult. Considering I have to account for not just Leona but Adelia as well, the burden is bound to get heavier.
Furthermore, if Cecile’s dark cycle and Leona’s estrus ever overlap, it won't just be a figure of speech—I'll be fighting a fierce battle. I need to prepare in advance to make things easier later. There's a reason the saying "Better safe than sorry" exists.
'...But the number of women keeps growing. Am I really a playboy?'
They say the first time is the hardest, and the second and third are easy. I agonized over accepting Cecile, but after that, it became strangely simple.
I’m not sure if I’m just adapting to the mindset of this world or if I actually have a playboy streak in me.
Mari only grumbles when the number of women increases; she accepts them all as long as there's a sufficient reason. Of course, she always emphasizes that she is number one.
Since she is indeed always first in my heart, I shower her with affection. Naturally, I divide it appropriately so Cecile doesn't feel left out either.
'A human, a demon, and even a beastkin... I have one from every race. At this rate, an elf isn't going to join in later, right?'
That’s a truly useless thought. Cecile aside, I only met Leona through a series of pure coincidences. If not for those, we would have remained strangers.
The same goes for the elves. The only elves I know are Arwen, Elena, Cindy, and Siris—just those four.
...The fact that they are all women is a bit concerning, but our relationships are strictly platonic.
'Come to think of it, I haven't been in touch with Arwen.'
I paused my writing for a moment and thought of Arwen. Since the winter break, we haven't seen each other or even exchanged letters.
Arwen is bound to be busy in her own right. Since the Elder Council, which had sustained Albenheim for hundreds of years, vanished into history, she probably needs ten versions of herself to get everything done.
Moreover, it’s not as if there are no people dissatisfied with her rule, and she is publicly known as the sole link to Xenon.
With the pressure from neighboring countries and internal affairs to worry about, her head must be throbbing. I wanted to help, but since there was nothing I could do, I had stayed quiet until now.
'I should write her a letter soon.'
No matter how busy I am, I should stay in touch so she doesn't feel neglected. Especially during difficult times like this, a single word of warm comfort can be a great source of strength.
Since Arwen has had few people she could trust until now, a single letter will be a huge consolation. I really haven't seen her in too long.
Still, I have to keep writing. Fearing I might forget, I noted 'Write to Arwen' in the notebook where I organize the plot and dove back into my concentration.
'From Volume 17, I should move on to Jin and Lily.'
The content of Volume 17 focuses on the story of Jin and Lily rather than Xenon. I plan to show their sweet romance alongside a sense of lingering sorrow.
While the protagonist's exploits are always eye-catching, the roles of supporting characters who are just as popular as the lead are essential. Furthermore, the heartbreaking story of Jin and Lily is receiving a lot of support from many readers.
A story about a demon, a member of a discriminated race, and a Saintess protected by God. This premise alone could easily fill several volumes of a romance novel. And I’m currently weaving that into Xenon's Life.
'The beastkin arc was about three volumes... so I should write the Holy Nation story similarly. It won't be that long.'
For the record, the ending of Volume 17 will drive the readers crazy. It’s a situation that occasionally happens between lovers.
You know, that trope. Because of a festival, the inn is so crowded that there’s only 'one' room left. Jin and Lily end up sleeping in that room together.
Naturally, the two, who know each other's feelings but haven't been able to confess, will be flustered and embarrassed. Since it’s the first time either of them has slept in a room with the opposite sex, it’s a perfectly normal reaction.
Just as Jin, unable to take it anymore, tries to get up to sleep outside the door, Lily gently grabs his arm.
When a flustered Jin looks at her, Lily, her face turning bright red, doesn't look away and speaks boldly.
'Don't forget your duty as a guardian knight.'
It’s a development that readers who ship Jin and Lily—including my mother—will absolutely love. However, as I mentioned before, I plan to bring them together only at the very, very end.
They’ve ended up in a situation where they might spend their first night together, but if it goes that way, the work becomes a pure romance. I'll say it again: Xenon's Life is an adventure story. That means a crisis can strike anytime, anywhere.
Thus, at the moment the atmosphere turns intimate and their faces draw close, an unexpected attack occurs. The process was good, but the ending is a total wreck.
Volume 17 ends with them finding a clue about the attacker's identity. It signifies that the roots are so rotten that someone would openly attack the Saintess of the Holy Nation.
'The Holy Nation still discriminates against demons.'
I’m referring to the book, not reality. No matter how heroic Sacran's sacrifice was, that’s from the readers' perspective, not within the work itself.
Fortunately, Jin has been with Lily since they were young, so the stares are less intense, but they still aren't exactly good. One of the Cardinals even openly insults Jin, which says it all.
'But that Cardinal is a true priest, and the Cardinal who actually defended Jin is the one colluding with demons.'
A priest whose faith in God is sincere despite his discriminatory views toward demons, and a deceiver who acts like a priest while wearing a mask. I plan to present a twist to the readers by making these two confusing.
Once the incident is resolved, even the Cardinal who hated Jin will admit his mistake and trust him completely. He’ll also join the Allied Powers as a bonus.
Along with this, I’ll drop hints about Jin’s true identity—the Child of Gluttony.
'Wait, is there actually someone similar in real life?'
The content from Volume 17 to 18 is roughly like this, but the problem is reality. Now even I’m getting confused; this is such a 'plausible' story that I can't help but hesitate.
The Holy Nation in Xenon's Life is in such a dire state that there’s a Cardinal colluding with demons. People might question how a demon could crawl into a country founded under God's protection, or how a Cardinal could collude with one.
But what they need to realize is that God cannot interfere directly except in special cases (temples). It’s enough for that Cardinal to simply not pray to God.
Honestly, who would suspect someone who was upright enough to reach the position of Cardinal? Moreover, the higher the power and authority, the easier it is to fall into corruption.
Since it might be too sudden a twist, I plan to steadily plant foreshadowing here and there. For instance, being too busy lately to even offer prayers, or showing signs of doubting God in between.
A truly upright priest would never miss a prayer to God and should never harbor doubt. However, the position of Cardinal masks all of that.
'...But I don't really know much about the Holy Nation or Cardinals.'
I’ve heard that the lifestyle of the citizens is similar to any other country, but I don't know the internal affairs of the Papal Court.
I’ve been getting advice from a few people at the temple, but that’s about the temple; there’s almost nothing related to the Papal Court.
There is exactly one person I could ask for advice. Kate, the Cardinal and Grand Inquisitor who begged me for my seed last time.
I could ask her, but I’m holding off because I’m afraid she’ll ask for my seed again.
'For better quality, I really should ask.'
As I mentioned before, I want to be thorough with historical accuracy, even if I'm lax with combat. Since I’ll only be asking a few questions, I’m willing to generously overlook the seed comment.
I paused my writing, which was more than half-finished, and glanced at the clock. It was currently about 3:30 PM.
Since Elena was busy today, I had returned to my quarters as soon as classes ended, so I had plenty of free time. I thought about going to find Kate but decided against it.
I didn't know where she was or what she was doing, and she was likely busy with relief efforts anyway.
Unlike when she was pressuring me for my seed, she is an upright priest. A true priest who never forgets her duty, even if her common sense is warped in strange ways.
There were times I suspected her surname might imply a different kind of 'holy,' but now she seemed different.
Knock, knock, knock—
While I was staring blankly at the clock, someone knocked on the door. I looked away from the clock and toward the door.
I was just thinking about Kate; could it really be her? The thought crossed my mind, but verification came first.
"Yes, coming."
I got up and walked slowly toward the door. There weren't many people who would visit my quarters at this hour, so I was curious.
Is it really Kate? If so, I’ll immediately shut down any talk of seeds and ask for her help.
Creeak—
"Who is i— Oh?"
As soon as I opened the door, I couldn't help but be startled by the face that came into view.
She wore a black uniform cap, but her brilliantly shining golden eyes were far more striking. Also, her navy hair, which she used to grow down to her waist, was now cut short to the nape of her neck.
I was momentarily confused because she wasn't wearing it in her usual ponytail, but I still recognized her face instantly.
"Sis?"
"Hey, Isaac."
My older sister, the woman who had left a month ago to take the Navy Knights entrance test.
"It's been a while. Have you been well?"
Nicole greeted me warmly with her characteristic bright smile.
"I've been great! But..."
My bright smile lasted only a moment before my expression turned sour.
That was because, as I looked down, I could see the state of her arm.
Nicole seemed to notice where my gaze was fixed, as she spoke quietly with an awkward smile.
"Don't worry. I expected this much of an injury."
She had her right arm in a splint.