Chapter 231: Spoiler(3)
Chapter 231: Spoiler(3)
There are things in this world that just seem plausible. Events or facts that, while lacking definitive proof, feel like they must exist somewhere.
In other words, it’s a "How is this real?" moment. There are countless instances where words scribbled down haphazardly or thoughts uttered without a second thought actually come to pass.
The reason for this is simple. The world is vast, the people living in it are diverse, and those people cause all sorts of incidents.
This is especially true on Earth, where culture is highly developed and the "Internet," a vast ocean of information, has become popularized, allowing people to encounter a wide array of civilizations.
Furthermore, mediums like movies, comics, and novels stimulate the imagination and satisfy fantastical desires.
Modern people think, "Why not?" about things that people in the distant past would have dismissed as "No way, that’s impossible."
The greatest example is the airplane. People of old could never have imagined flying through the sky in a creation of their own making.
But now, massive chunks of iron soar through the heavens, and there are even jet planes that fly faster than the speed of sound.
In this way, "imagination" varies according to the level of scientific and cultural development. Having memories of my past life, I can pride myself on having an imagination far superior to others.
If I were to let slip even a little bit about my past life, people would likely dismiss it as a joke, so to them, I simply appear to have a vivid imagination. However, having seen those things with my own eyes, I could only manage a bitter smile.
Of course, I can understand it, given the era and the lack of scientific advancement. The problem is that such imagination isn't limited to "airplanes."
The pollution of the World Tree's roots came from my imagination, and the demon worshippers, the masterminds behind the Xenon Biography, also came from my imagination.
The demon clan's hunter organization, the Hunters, appeared in my imagination, and the forbidden magic fusion also sprang from my mind.
Movies, games, comics, novels, and more. My imagination, nurtured through various cultural elements from my past life, must be at a level that is utterly shocking by the standards of this world.
The problem is that it’s all manifesting as reality. My unnecessarily vast imagination has returned like a boomerang to strike me in the gut more than once or twice.
To me, these are incidents born purely from the imagination in my head, but this place is a "fantasy world."
Yes. A fantasy world. The kind of fantasy world that only appears in movies, comics, novels, or games from my past life.
I had overlooked the fact that if I concocted stories in such a world, there was a high possibility they would happen in reality. Thanks to that, "How is this real?" moments have occurred several times.
On Earth, it would have been literal fantasy, but in a fantasy setting, it could easily be mistaken for a "prophecy." After realizing this, I gradually became more cautious.
[The darkness hidden behind the massive lamp of the Holy Nation 'Savior' is revealed!]
[A Cardinal of the Luminous Order was actually in league with demon worshippers...]
[The Holy Nation 'Savior' is in a state of shock. The person who uncovered the truth is none other than Kate Louise Angelica, who, as a Cardinal herself...]
But this time, a "How is this real?" moment of a different sort occurred. As seen in the recently published newspaper, a Cardinal in Savior who conspired with demon worshippers actually existed.
Since I had received direct confirmation of this from Luminous, it wasn't that I wasn't moved... no, I was actually incredibly flustered.
Because this was a situation I had expected to happen only when Volume 18 was released.
The mastermind behind the attack on Jin and Lily was a Cardinal of the Holy Theocracy, and the story involved uncovering that step by step until it culminated in a battle.
Yet, before that story could even be revealed to the world, the real culprit was caught in reality. For me, who was leisurely eating bread in my dormitory, it was an event shocking enough to make me choke.
[Cardinal Bark was a devout clergyman, but blinded by greed, he committed acts that should never have been done...]
[The Savior Order has now declared that it will eliminate all demon worshippers hiding in the shadows.]
[Furthermore, it has been revealed that demon worshippers are deeply involved in the underworld, including drugs, smuggling, and human trafficking...]
The contents of the newspaper were truly shocking. The clergyman named Bark was a high-ranking official even among the demon worshippers, and he had reportedly passed all of Savior's movements to them.
Originally, demon worshippers were very difficult to track because they operated in secret cells, but after Bark's identity was exposed, their organizational structure became clear.
The most noteworthy point among these was the influence demon worshippers exerted over the underworld. Thanks to catching one of the leaders, it became possible to grasp the extent of their influence.
In this world, just like on Earth, there are crimes such as drugs, smuggling, and human trafficking, and criminal organizations that grow through such profits also exist.
However, the shocking fact was revealed that there was no place where the hand of the demon worshippers had not reached within these criminal organizations.
Having hidden in the shadows for a long time, the negative impact they had on the world was at an appalling level. The problem was that there were quite a few high-ranking individuals involved with those criminal organizations.
Of course, they hadn't conspired with the demon worshippers directly, but since involvement with criminal organizations meant that funds naturally flowed to the demon worshippers, it was only right to lump them together.
[Savior: We hereby declare the commencement of a 'Holy War.']
Recognizing that the situation was far more serious than expected, Savior also initiated a "Holy War."
A Holy War is literally a sacred war—a war fought in the name of religion—but this time the meaning was different.
Savior must have been deeply embarrassed by the fact that a Cardinal, of all people, had conspired with demon worshippers. The newspaper even mentioned that several high-ranking clergymen had left the Order in despair.
So, that declaration was essentially made against the demon worshippers, not another nation. It was a display of their will to pull them out by the roots.
Also, to prevent such things from happening again, a culture of "Mass"—very familiar to us—was born, where not only high-ranking clergymen but also ordinary ones offered prayers together.
But Holy War, Mass, or whatever, none of it meant anything to me right now. There was something else that was immediately important.
[The prophecy regarding this matter was already foreseen in Volume 17 of the Xenon Biography! Cardinal Kate said that it's always darkest under the lamp...]
[The real culprit would not be the Cardinal who spoke harshly to Jin, but the one with a gentle disposition.]
[It is certain if you look at his usual lack of prayer and his doubt toward God.]
[Will the contents of Volume 18 unfold similarly to reality?]
As it turned out, Kate was the one who had hunted down and interrogated Cardinal Bark. She had become convinced after seeing the advice about it being darkest under the lamp and the contents of Volume 17.
Currently, she is detained in solitary confinement for committing violence within the Papal Court, but the newspaper stated she would be released soon in recognition of her contribution.
However, none of that mattered to me. The fact that the contents of Xenon Biography Volume 18 had gone beyond being "leaked" and were now "exposed" made me clutch my head.
If I wrote it as is, I was worried people would go wild again, calling it a book of prophecy, which gave me a headache. But if I changed the story, the plot I had constructed would be ruined, which was also a problem.
It was a literal catch-22. The newspapers seemed to be subtly anticipating what my reaction would be.
"Whew..."
I closed the newspaper and let out a deep sigh.
It felt like I had been struck in the head with a hammer. I had no idea what to do next.
It might be best to start with an explanation, but I doubted people would even believe me. First of all, I wasn't going to change the story. My mind was firm on that.
Pushing through as planned would cause less confusion, and above all, people would probably find their own ways to justify it.
Wuuuung—
"Hm?"
As I sat on my bed with a heavy heart, I felt a faint ripple of mana. It was such a familiar sensation that I didn't even go on guard.
I felt this ripple every time Siris teleported into my dormitory. And sure enough.
With a faint breeze, Siris appeared in my room. As usual, she wore her highly revealing bikini armor, providing a feast for the eyes.
As Siris appeared with her white hair fluttering, I spoke quietly.
"You're here?"
"Hello, Sir Isaac."
Siris bowed politely and offered her greetings. I asked her while still sitting on the bed.
Since I had sent a letter to Arwen previously, I was waiting for her reaction.
"What did Arwen say?"
"She added that she has had many difficulties lately, but thanks to you, she feels energized."
Indeed, Arwen is the only person publicly connected to Xenon. When Piren made his final desperate struggle, he spread strange rumors about her being in a relationship with me, and there was nothing that could be done about it.
From her perspective, being associated with me might be tiring, but it offered many advantages.
I heard that even after becoming Queen, she was able to lay the foundation to steadily build up her "connections," which had been lacking. For a politician like Arwen, connections are more precious than gold.
However, she is still suffering because of the aftermath. So, I sent her a letter last time to cheer her up.
"Here is the Queen's reply."
"Thanks."
I received the letter from Siris and opened it immediately. True to the subtly girlish Arwen, it was in the form of a rolling paper.
Upon opening the letter, elegant handwriting befitting the title of Queen caught my eye. She had written so diligently that it filled an entire page.
[To my dear Isaac. I have read your letter well. It gives me strength, like a sudden shower on parched land. I have had many difficulties lately, but thanks to you, I feel as though they have all been resolved.]
A satisfied smile spread across my face. Even though I was just reading the text, I had the illusion of hearing Arwen's voice.
...Wait a minute. I actually can hear her voice. What is this?
"It is voice storage magic."
"...I see."
I wondered if there was a need to use magic when she had already written the letter. Feeling a bit awkward, I slowly read through the letter.
I didn't know the principle behind it, but as I read the letter with my eyes, Arwen's voice played in my head.
I suppose that's magic for you. The world is full of wondrous things. It's probably possible because Arwen is an elf; it's an ability a human couldn't even dream of.
[Being confined to my office due to work, I find myself wanting to see your face. I want to pick out books together at a bookstore, just like at the exhibition, and watch performances together. I know I shouldn't be like this as a Queen, but since there is no one as comfortable as you, I shall whine just a little.]
How hard must her work be for her to complain even in a letter? Since ancient times, regardless of East or West, a hard-working monarch has always boasted a grueling workload.
Even the documents piled up in my father's office are like a mountain; as a Queen, Arwen's workload must be even worse, certainly not less.
Furthermore, even after ascending to the throne, she found it difficult to implement even a single policy due to pressure from the Senate, and she had almost no one she could trust.
Before meeting me, she had no one she could call a "friend"—it could be said she'd had a rather difficult life.
[Many things have changed thanks to meeting you. We prevented the pollution of the World Tree's roots in advance, and even the Senate, which was hindering Albenheim's development, has vanished into the mists of history. Even our relationship with the Dark Elves is gradually improving. If it weren't for you, I... I wouldn't have been able to do anything. I want to express my gratitude somehow, but there is nothing I can properly do for you. You already possess everything a man could want.]
Arwen's voice suddenly dropped. It's a bit awkward to say it myself, but I am currently a man who lacks for almost nothing.
Power, wealth, fame, and finally, beautiful women. To anyone, I would seem like a man who has it all.
[But my pride will not allow me to back down like this. If there is anything you desire, I shall grant it without reservation. Do not think of substituting it with the books from the Holy Land, as that is to atone for my own sins. The grace I have received from you is far more than I could ever repay, even with my own body.]
I couldn't help but flinch for a moment at those words. She probably didn't mean it literally, but was just expressing how grateful she was. Her voice wasn't tinged with embarrassment but was firm.
Still, seeing Arwen say such things, her gratitude toward me must be very deep.
[The story has grown long. If the opportunity arises in the future, please visit Albenheim. Just seeing your face would give me strength I didn't know I had. Or, if you permit, I shall cast aside my duties for a while and go to you. You might think me childish, but I hope you can indulge this bit of grumbling. A day must be a very short time for an elf, but since my connection with you began, a day feels like a week. I shall take my leave now, praying that the blessing of Luminous be upon you.]
[Oh, and you don't have to reply. Just let Siris know when you will be coming to Albenheim.]
With that, Arwen's voice faded. I smiled at the childish content that contrasted with her elegant handwriting.
I've been too busy lately to see her, but it might not be a bad idea to visit once during this break.
People's bonds grow stronger when they see each other's faces. There's a reason for the saying "out of sight, out of mind."
"I've finished the letter. Tell Arwen thanks."
"Understood. Ah, before that... the Queen asked me to inquire about one thing."
"Hm? What is it?"
Siris, with her characteristically blunt expression, relayed Arwen's question.
"She said that due to the recent events in the Holy Nation 'Savior', people will be certain that you, Sir Isaac, are a prophet or a person from the future."
"I've already resigned myself to that. Even if I say I'm not, they won't believe me."
"So, Lady Arwen asked this: Are you truly a prophet or a person from the future? Did you experience these things yourself?"
I told her I'm not. Now even Arwen seems to be doubting me.
But I have no intention of ever revealing the fact that I am a reincarnator to anyone. There's nothing to be gained by revealing it, and it would only cause chaos.
"It's nothing like that. Tell her it's all a coincidence."
I am simply in a fantasy world.
"There are no restrictions placed by gods or anything like that."
In a fantasy world, I am just a writer who writes stories that could happen.
"I'm just an ordinary writer who writes plausible novels."
A writer who writes novels.
Truly.