Chapter 280: Unjustly Criticized(3)
Chapter 280: Unjustly Criticized(3)
Three days had passed since Cecile entered her closed-door training, and the session, which was expected to last a week, had come to an end.
The training must have been quite intense; word had it that the training grounds were half-destroyed, to the point where they practically needed to be leveled and rebuilt.
Due to the presence of black mana, even simple magic cast by a Demon possesses immense power. Because of this, I heard that their buildings are designed to be incredibly sturdy.
Even a simple building is as robust as a fortress wall, so one can only imagine the durability of a royal training facility. And yet, such a place was half-destroyed.
I wondered what kind of enlightenment she had gained, but since it could be a deeply personal matter, I didn't intend to pry.
What mattered now was showing the manuscript to Descal and Cecile. The manuscript for Volume 21 was finished, save for the final proofreading.
I managed to finish that proofreading while Cecile was bathing and changing, so I proceeded with my work in a relaxed state of mind.
I planned to show the manuscript to Cecile first, rather than Descal. The reason was simple: Descal had no time.
People often forget because he’s my father-in-law, but Descal is the King of Helium. Helium is currently going through incredibly busy days, and he has no spare energy.
Of course, if I requested a meeting, he would come running barefoot, but I didn't want to go that far. Therefore, I planned to consult with Cecile first, as she had plenty of time.
However, even though I was showing her the manuscript, I had zero intention of changing the story. This was strictly to discuss how much time they would need to prepare for the fallout.
With the recent Albenheim Mixed Blood Incident serving as a clear precedent, I needed to be cautious.
Knock, knock, knock—
"Isaac. It’s me. Can I come in?"
I was in the middle of checking for typos and doing a final read-through when Cecile knocked. I had told her to come when she was free, and it seemed she had come immediately.
As soon as I heard the knock, I looked at Adelia without a word. Meeting my gaze, Adelia nodded and headed toward the door.
Creeak—
As soon as Adelia confirmed it was Cecile, she swung the door wide open. I lifted my head to see Cecile, appearing for the first time in three days.
She was wearing the black dress she always wore in the palace—the kind of dress where the cleavage was so exposed I never knew where to look.
"I'll leave you two to it, then."
Adelia, who had opened the door, bowed deeply and excused herself. This was something I had arranged in advance.
Soon, only Cecile and I were left in the bedroom. Normally, one might think we were left alone to do that sort of thing.
But today, I had truly called Cecile to share opinions, without a single lewd thought.
Click— click— click—
Once we were alone, Cecile slowly approached me. The sharp sound of her heels reached my ears.
As she drew closer, I was about to organize the manuscript when I felt something strange and looked at her again.
She was wearing the smile she always gave me—a smile full of playfulness, yet carrying her signature sensuality.
But putting the smile aside, her atmosphere was quite different from before. It wasn't just the sensuality; it was as if her aura had become much stronger.
I had felt something similar about six months ago, when she entered her peak cycle and we spent our first night together.
"What did you call me for?"
While I was staring at her blankly, Cecile had reached right in front of me. Whether intentionally or not, she leaned down slightly to meet my eye level.
Thanks to that, her deep cleavage was revealed vividly, stealing my gaze. I couldn't help but blink in momentary fluster.
It might have been my imagination, but they seemed even larger than they were three days ago.
Even her black dress, which must have been custom-made, seemed unable to withstand the size, with her flesh slightly spilling out.
Until three days ago, it had held everything securely, but now it looked like it was screaming under the strain.
"Isaac?"
"Ah, sorry. Ahem."
I almost made a mistake. No, maybe I already had.
I hurriedly snapped out of it at Cecile's call and cleared my throat. My face felt a bit hot from the embarrassment.
That was how much her atmosphere had completely changed. What kind of training had she done for three days to make both her beauty and her figure reach such a peak?
Usually, when one grows, their martial power increases; their appearance doesn't get an upgrade.
Humans age noticeably slower as they grow stronger, but Cecile is a Demon. They are a race far removed from aging to begin with.
"Uh... Noona?"
"Yes?"
"You seem to have become even more beautiful since I last saw you. What kind of training did you do for three days?"
Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked her directly. It was a change I couldn't understand with my common sense.
Cecile smiled brightly at my question and answered in a tender voice.
"It's all thanks to you, Isaac."
"...Thanks to me?"
"Yes."
I felt even more puzzled. I hadn't done anything.
It would be one thing if Cecile had been squeezing me like a tube of toothpaste every night, but she had been in closed-door training and had ordered that no one be allowed in.
There was no way for us to have any contact during those three days. When I tilted my head in confusion, Cecile gave a soft laugh and lightly snapped her fingers.
With a pop, a chair appeared out of thin air. It seemed she had summoned a chair using spatial magic.
"Let's move past that for now. So, why did you call me?"
Cecile sat gracefully in the chair she had summoned and asked me. That beautiful smile was still fixed on her face.
While inwardly questioning her markedly different aura, I showed her the organized manuscript.
The more beautiful she became, the better it was for me; I certainly didn't dislike it. The fact that Cecile was my woman wouldn't change, after all.
"Here. This."
"This is..."
"It's the manuscript for Volume 21, which is about to be released."
"The manuscript?"
When I mentioned it was the manuscript for Volume 21, Cecile's eyes widened in surprise. As if asking if I was serious, her red eyes darted busily between me and the papers on the desk.
I had expected this reaction. As Cecile likely knew, I generally disliked people peeking at my manuscripts.
Even though people were now spouting nonsense about it being a book of prophecy or a holy scripture, the Xenon Biography had originally started as a novel written for fun.
Therefore, someone peeking at my manuscript was the same as someone spying on my private hobby. No one would find that pleasant.
Still, if a close acquaintance requested it earnestly, I was more than willing to show them. At the very least, they were being considerate of my position, so that much wasn't difficult.
Anyway, moving past that, I looked straight into Cecile's wide eyes and spoke.
"Yes. You know about that incident, right, Noona? The Mixed Blood Incident in Albenheim."
"Of course I do. I watched the speech with you back then."
"An incident comparable to that might break out. Once Volume 21 is released, that is."
"..."
Cecile maintained her smile, seemingly unbothered by my grave warning. It was the same radiant smile she always gave me.
I couldn't help but feel puzzled by her unexpected reaction. I wondered if it just wasn't sinking in, but that couldn't be it.
She is brilliant. Moreover, as a princess of a nation, her political insight is excellent.
In particular, one of the biggest reasons the Demons can stay so united is because of their social characteristics.
Before the launch of the Xenon Biography, the Demons were steadily building their own civilization while waiting for the time they could finally soar outward.
There were moments when cracks almost appeared, but they had never faced major social upheaval.
Therefore, the possibility of an incident similar to Albenheim's Mixed Blood Incident occurring in Helium should be taken very seriously.
The Demons embrace restraint as a virtue and a racial conviction, yet the plot of Volume 21 sits on the complete opposite end of that spectrum.
'Does she not realize the severity because she hasn't read it yet?'
Perhaps that was it. I looked at the smiling Cecile with questioning eyes and made a gesture.
A sign that she could read the manuscript. At that sign, Cecile reached out and took the papers.
It was only then that I noticed her hands were so clean they perfectly fit the description of 'slender jade hands.'
Normally, her hands should have had calluses from sword training. But now, they were the hands of a woman who looked like she had never held a sword in her life.
'Did she really gain enlightenment?'
In novels, sometimes when characters gain enlightenment, their skin peels off to reveal new skin, or they even become younger.
And this wasn't just a setting for novels; it was something that applied to this world as well. It was what my father called 'historical accuracy.'
Had Cecile experienced a similar phenomenon? If so, it would explain why her breasts had grown and her sensuality had intensified.
I just didn't know where she had gained that enlightenment. Since she has a fair amount of knowledge in martial arts as well as magic, she must have gained it somewhere.
Rustle—
Cecile began to read slowly from the first page. The first page starts with a flashback of Jin and Lily.
The life flashing before one's eyes that unfolds when death is imminent. Once that vision ends, one comes face-to-face with their Inner Evil.
Jin had restrained himself until now because of Lily's existence, but his Inner Evil only appeared when death was at his doorstep.
As Jin's consciousness faded, it took control of his body, though it didn't completely usurp him.
However, because it still possessed the desire to protect Lily, it prioritized dealing with the gluttony first. The problem started after that.
'That's when the real struggle begins.'
Jin faces his true enemy: his Inner Evil, which is himself. It looks exactly like him, but with all the colors reversed.
Furthermore, unlike other Demons, Jin is a half-blood of human and devil—a first-generation Demon. His Inner Evil is bound to be stronger than that of any other Demon.
Yet, Jin perfectly subjugates it through nothing but his love and devotion for Lily.
Even when the Inner Evil hurls all sorts of insults, even when it spits out the worst curse—that Lily will go to another man.
Jin holds out steadfastly and perfectly subjugates his other self. Simultaneously, his demonization is undone, and he regains his reason.
'After that, he can use the devil's power at will, but...'
Let's move past that. What's important now is the social chaos that will erupt in Helium once Volume 21 is released.
"Indeed... as you said, there are some quite important matters mixed in here."
"Right...?"
After some time had passed, Cecile offered her critique after reading about half of the manuscript. I couldn't help but be flustered once again.
Why wasn't she surprised? It would be one thing if she hadn't read it yet, but she had already finished half.
Her expression wasn't even serious; she was grinning as if she had found something fun. Her serious side was nowhere to be seen, replaced entirely by playfulness.
"...Noona?"
"Yes? What is it?"
When I called her cautiously, Cecile took her eyes off the manuscript and looked at me.
She neatly organized the pages she had read halfway, indirectly signaling that she didn't need to read any further.
Come to think of it, was Cecile's speed-reading always this fast? It varies from person to person, but this was too fast.
Just as I was feeling more than just confused—bordering on lightheaded—from the situation where nothing made sense, Cecile spoke.
"Isaac."
"Huh? Oh, yeah. You called?"
"I'm asking this seriously. You're not really someone from the future, are you? Or perhaps someone from another world, like Queen Arwen mentioned last time."
"..."
The sudden question brought more confusion than shock. I blinked and stared blankly at Cecile.
As if satisfied even without an answer, she gave a smile that was nothing short of beautiful and slowly stood up from her seat.
Naturally, my gaze followed her upward as I watched to see what she would do.
Clap!
As soon as she stood up, Cecile clapped her hands elegantly. Upon the clap, a translucent barrier spread out from her.
The barrier expanded until it covered not just us, but the entire bedroom.
It seemed to be a soundproofing barrier. As soon as I saw her suggestive expression, I realized what she wanted and gave a bitter smile.
She had spent three days doing nothing but training and living an ascetic life, so it was only natural for things to build up. No wonder her sensuality seemed more intense than before; this must be why.
But not now. We should at least wait until night; it didn't quite suit such an important situation.
"Noona. I understand how you feel, but even so, right now is..."
"My Inner Evil whispered to me. That Isaac doesn't love me. That he will writhe in agony in the distant future, so why do I love him?"
"...?"
What kind of random nonsense was this? I blinked as soon as I heard the story she brought up.
That wasn't Jin's story from the Xenon Biography. It was a story Cecile was telling.
The problem was that this wasn't the end. I slowly lifted my head, my face still blank.
"It even spat out words saying that all of Isaac's love for me is a lie. Just like the description in the Xenon Biography, a version of me with the exact opposite colors and personality said those things. At first, it even stimulated my desires so much I felt like my heart was going to tear. It didn't take long to realize that the source of that desire was my possessiveness toward Isaac."
As she said those words, a change began to occur in Cecile.
The first thing that caught my eye were her horns. Her small horns began to grow noticeably larger.
Originally, they were small, almost like ornaments, but now they grew until they were as long as Cecile's face.
Along with that, their color was dyed red instead of black.
What is this?
"But I retorted to the evil—no, to her. That even if I am sad, I will not regret it. Just as I told Isaac, I will miss him without regret. Also, that having possessiveness ultimately means I love him."
This alone was shocking enough, but the problem was that there was more. Just like the description in the book, the whites of Cecile's eyes slowly began to turn black.
Commonly known as 'Reverse Eyes.'
It was a physical characteristic seen only in devils deeply steeped in evil, or in Demons who had become devils.
Seriously, what? Are you kidding me?
"Truly... it was a battle so intense that words fail to describe it. I didn't know how strong my Inner Evil was because I had never engaged with it. Until now, we Demons simply hadn't faced our Inner Evil; we had never fought it. I was the same. But after reading your manuscript, my thoughts changed."
"..."
Fwip!
As the finishing touch, wings unfurled from her back. Devil wings, in a color even darker than a bat's.
Horns significantly larger than before and reverse eyes. Finally, devil wings spread wide on both sides.
It was the very image of a 'devil' that only appeared in ancient texts, yet Cecile was maintaining her reason perfectly.
As I stared at Cecile, who had transformed into a devil in real-time with my mouth agape, she put a hand to her mouth and smiled.
Was it the succubus blood manifesting, or was I just drawn to her completely transformed appearance?
The moment she spread her wings, the sensuality radiating from Cecile made my face flush and my heart begin to race.
Meanwhile, she quietly folded her wide-spread wings and spoke.
"That I, and we, can also subjugate our Inner Evil. That we can have courage without fearing the evil."
"..."
Thump—
With those words, Cecile suddenly climbed onto the desk. Every single movement oozed a thick, heavy allure.
Then, she crept toward me and slowly reached out to caress my cheek.
I could vividly feel the sensation of her soft, warm palm—not a hand roughened by swordsmanship.
"I apologize for peeking at the manuscript. I was so curious I couldn't stand it. But Isaac, I have a bone to pick with you too, you know?"
Her hand, which had been caressing my cheek, moved down and began to touch my lips. Her other hand also moved to my head.
Then, she slowly pulled my head toward her and buried my face in her large breasts.
It was an act I often did every night, but emotions on a completely different level from back then were echoing in my heart.
More than anything, even though we hadn't even started the main event, my strength was being drained; it felt like she had become a succubus in the truest sense.
"And you still claim you're not a prophet? Don't talk nonsense. Isaac, you are definitely a Saint sent by the Gods to save this world. Cardinal Kate wasn't just talking nonsense."
No, I'm not. This is just Noona forcing her own narrative on me.
I wanted to spit those words out exactly as they were, but perhaps because the succubus blood had manifested, my mind wasn't becoming hazy... it was actually becoming clearer.
Though Cecile's sensuality was at a massive level, I possessed the divine power I had received directly from Mora. I was somehow defending myself with that.
Still, the fact that I couldn't speak remained the same. Cecile's breasts were as soft as a bed, and she was blocking my mouth.
"You probably can't speak because of a restriction placed on you, like the theories circulating in the world suggest. Isn't that right?"
"..."
No. It's not, so could you please let me out of this mound of flesh?
As a man, it felt good, but it was suffocating. It was so soft I felt like I might fall asleep.
But Cecile, perhaps unaware of that fact as she was caught up in the mood, simply continued with what she wanted to say.
"I know what Isaac is thinking. I'll discuss this with my father. There will probably be a national address in a few days."
"..."
"But before that..."
Cecile trailed off, then brought her lips to my ear and whispered seductively.
"Can I release what's been building up? If possible, I want to do it in this state. That girl kept stimulating my desires. Maybe that's why I don't think I can wait until night."
"..."
"It's okay, right?"
After that, I was squeezed dry.
I'm not just saying this—if I didn't have divine power, I might have truly met a happy death in that bed.
*
The day after Cecile's demonization incident, I immediately went to see Mora.
'You said there wasn't any!!'
[There wasn't, right?]
'You said there was absolutely none!'
[I did, didn't I?]
'Then what on earth was that yesterday?!'
[Ta-da! Turns out, there's no such thing as "absolutely"!]
'...'
[Sorry for teasing. But we're frustrated too, okay? Don't scold us too much. Seriously.]
There's no forced angst quite like this.