Chapter 281: Unjustly Criticized(4)
Chapter 281: Unjustly Criticized(4)
Everyone has probably heard this phrase on the internet at least once: It was there, but now it’s gone.
Literally, it’s a term used for those absurd moments when something that clearly existed suddenly vanishes into thin air.
However, the opposite situation is just as flabbergasting. In both cases, you end up looking like a liar all the same.
That is exactly the situation I am facing right now. I am confronted with the utterly nonsensical reality that something which definitely wasn't there, now is.
I’m talking about the "Demonization" of the Demon race, which appears in the soon-to-be-released Volume 21 of Xenon Biography. To be precise, it’s the story of subjugating one's Inner Evil to become a complete whole.
Do you remember the "Unification" displayed by the two Elf heroes during the Demon Invasion of Albenheim—or rather, Elvenheim—in Xenon Biography?
Even back then, Unification was strictly a product of my imagination. It was a setting born from the thought: Since this is a fantasy world, wouldn't this be possible?
But now, I’m told it’s a lost Forbidden Magic that was deemed too dangerous. There’s even a movement to theorize the symptoms that manifested during that Unification.
That alone is ridiculous enough, but at least that was a setting—no, a magic—that explicitly "existed."
The difference between having a precedent and creating a precedent is astronomical.
Deep down, humans instinctively harbor a fear of the unknown. Since they don't know what lies ahead, few are willing to take that first step.
That’s why this is different from a "Why Is This Real?" moment. "Why Is This Real?" isn't about creating a precedent; it's about uncovering something that was already there.
The pollution of the World Tree's roots, the existence of Demon Worshippers, Helium's hunter organization "Reaper," the Elven fusion, the Fallen Cardinal, and so on.
While many "Why Is This Real?" moments have exploded throughout the publication of Xenon Biography, there has never been a case of creating a brand-new precedent.
[How are you going to explain the Mana Engine then?]
'That existed on Earth too. Seeing as the steam water pump was already invented here, it wouldn't have taken long to invent the engine anyway.'
As I said, the Mana Engine—or rather, the steam engine—exists on Earth. It’s still surprising, of course.
But Demonization—the act of a Demon subjugating their Inner Evil—has no precedent.
There have been cases of being consumed by evil, losing all reason, and going on a rampage, but there has never been a case where one maintained their reason, as Cecile demonstrated to me.
Above all, Demonization aside, there is one part I understand the least.
'How can it be exactly the same as how I described it? This makes no sense.'
Cecile told me. Her Inner Evil had a color scheme that was the complete opposite of her own, just like Jin in Xenon Biography.
Unlike a Demon with black hair and red eyes, the Inner Evil had white hair and blue eyes, with the whites of the eyes stained pitch black.
Even Cecile’s appearance after Demonization was identical to the book's description. No matter how much cultural difference there might be, this is at the level of a God specifically targeting me with "Forced Angst."
So, I went to Mora to demand an explanation. I asked if this made any sense, and if I was actually a Regressor without even knowing it.
This incident goes beyond crossing the line; it’s an unprecedented event, a textbook case of what people call "Forced Angst."
[I understand what you're saying. But the Inner Evil is, after all, an emotion contained within one's imagery.]
'Imagery?'
[Yes. Try imagining what I look like in your head. You've read plenty of mythology books, haven't you?]
Though puzzled by Mora’s sudden suggestion, I complied obediently for now.
According to the mythology books I’ve read so far, Mora is a beauty with black hair and blue eyes.
Added to that is a beauty that looks like she enjoys playing pranks. Her appearance suits a beaming, mischievous smile, like a playful girl who listens well.
[I'm actually a bit prettier than that, but I'll let it slide this once.]
Ah. I see. So you can see the shapes I imagine.
[Anyway, my image is appearing in your head exactly as you imagine it, right?]
'Yes.'
[That’s what imagery is. The image you hold of yourself is projected directly. The same goes for the Inner Evil.]
'If that’s the case...'
[It means the appearance of the Inner Evil changes according to what that girl, Cecile, imagines.]
Cecile confessed to me during her Demonization. She said she was so curious while I was napping that she stole a look at my manuscript.
She entered closed-door training right after that, so the timing fits perfectly. And if the Inner Evil was manifested through imagery as Mora explained...
'Even so, it doesn't change the fact that this feels forced.'
[The one being "forced" isn't me, it's that girl. I didn't do anything wrong.]
'You said there was no such thing!'
[I said there wasn't at the moment. I never said there was none at all.]
Is it just my imagination, or is this conversation going in circles like a broken record? I wiped my face with my hands, finding the situation hard to accept.
I’ll have to discuss this with Descal, but the shock he’ll receive will be far greater than mine. Furthermore, there will be a speech after the release of Volume 21.
Just as Arwen confessed to being a mixed-blood during the Half-blood Incident, Cecile will show her Demonization to the people.
The situation has strayed so far from what I anticipated that I don't even know where to begin.
[You don't need to overthink it. As I told you before, there's nothing in the near future that will threaten you or the people you love.]
'Didn't you tell me last time that there was a crisis?'
[That was a personal crisis. The crisis my brother and I mentioned is something that would threaten your future itself.]
Gods possess the authority to glimpse into the future. They can use that to inform their cherished believers when a crisis is approaching.
However, depending on their divine power, they might deliver a vague oracle, or they might tell it straight like they do with me.
Also, it depends on how great the crisis is, so it’s by no means an omnipotent ability.
Still, I could breathe a sigh of relief knowing there was no immediate threat to the safety of myself and my loved ones.
That meant that even if Cecile’s speech had a huge impact on Helium, no ill effects would befall her.
[As I've said before, knowing the future itself ends up having a great impact on the future. We tell you the future with that in mind.]
'You're talking about the Time Paradox, right?'
[I suppose that's what they call it on Earth. What you know is likely correct. Choosing one out of infinite "choices" and informing the current you. Through that choice, a branch of the future is created, and events occur. We call that "Destiny."]
'...It's complicated.'
It was strange for a mere mortal like me to even try to understand a Transcendent Being like Mora. Even in my past life, the Time Paradox was full of contradictions and difficult to grasp.
Space might be one thing, but even in myths, "Time" is known as a power that only Gods can barely, just barely, manage.
However, no matter how much a God can rewind, slow down, or speed up time, they cannot stop "the flow of time" itself.
'Anyway, there's no problem if Cecile-nuna demonstrates Demonization in front of people, right?'
[No problem. In fact, the Demons will probably be delighted. Demons always carry a sense of anxiety because they know they're walking time bombs. The mere fact that they can completely crush their Inner Evil is incredible. Cecile will serve as a clear precedent.]
A race cursed from birth—that is the Demon race. To a Demon, the Inner Evil is the culprit that made their lives tragic.
Because of this, it was difficult for them to even express emotions properly, and they tended to avoid meeting other races. This remained true even after the publication of Xenon Biography.
Fortunately, since the exhibition, things have eased considerably, and it’s now common to see them mingling warmly with other races.
But even so, they must know better than anyone that they are essentially time bombs.
To live while feeling joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure like ordinary humans, with the Inner Evil completely excluded—that must be the lifelong wish of the Demon race.
'I wonder what kind of speech Cecile-nuna will give.'
And Cecile would perfectly resolve that wish through her speech.
However, it was highly likely to take a different turn from Arwen’s speech. Demonization was all well and good, but the timing was the issue.
The nobles of Helium, as well as the citizens, would surely harbor doubts about when, where, and how Cecile suppressed her Inner Evil.
This was the key. Depending on how those doubts were resolved, the speech would either end successfully or leave a lingering sense of unease.
Arwen was a mixed-blood herself, and I was able to help her, but there wasn't much I could do for this speech in Helium.
[You don't really need to worry about that. It'll just lead to an interesting situation.]
'...Mora-nim?'
Coming from Mora and not Luminous, those words made me incredibly anxious. Especially since she had already set a clear precedent by having "Mother" visit Helium.
But as expected, Mora had no intention of telling me this time either, and she slickly brushed it off.
[Nothing will change even if I tell you. So, I won't.]
'...Do whatever you want.'
I didn't even have the energy to argue anymore. I knew she cared for me, but her playfulness was even worse than Cecile’s, making her a headache to deal with.
I let out a deep sigh inwardly and spoke to Mora in a somewhat exhausted tone.
'How many more times do I have to go through this? Now we're in a situation where self-fulfilling prophecies are happening.'
[It'll probably happen once or twice more, don't you think?]
'Are you saying even you can't be certain, Mora-nim?'
[Because the future changes according to your choices. Still, it'll just be some annoying things happening; there's nothing life-threatening, so you don't have to worry.]
'Well, that's a relief.'
I guess I have no choice but to just go with the flow. I sighed again.
I could handle "Why Is This Real?" moments by now, but this was the first time a self-fulfilling one had happened, and it seemed my mental state had taken a hit.
Venting my frustration to Mora seemed to help my mental state recover a little, but there was still a remaining problem.
That was the fact that Cecile had firmly concluded I was a reincarnator. Like the proverb about a blind man catching a flea, she had figured out I was a reincarnator despite her own "Forced Angst" logic.
She had been suspicious ever since Arwen’s remarks, but this incident had completely confirmed it for her.
Of course, it wasn't that I felt awkward or uncomfortable. I had planned to reveal the fact that I was reincarnated to my family eventually.
But it was burdensome. Even without looking far, Kate practically worships me, and now Cecile has become just as extreme.
A saint who crossed over from another dimension to save the Demon race, something made possible only because the Gods pushed themselves, and so on.
She was listing a string of things that were half-right and half-wrong, making it awkward to clarify.
[Why don't you just tell her? It'll be hard to keep denying it anyway.]
'I'm planning to tell only Cecile-nuna for now. I'll have to slowly lay the groundwork for the others.'
[What about that girl, Arwen?]
'Does Arwen think I'm a reincarnator too?'
[Hmm... her case is a bit complicated. Do you know about parallel worlds?]
Why are parallel worlds suddenly coming up?
[She thinks you came here from a world like Xenon Biography where a hero like Xenon didn't appear. She believes you've personally experienced the stories of the Elf Queen and Kair, as well as Xenon and Mary.]
'No. That's just nonsense...'
[Think very carefully about the favors you've shown her so far. I wonder if she's really just "misunderstanding."]
Is she being sarcastic, or is she teasing me? Regardless, the fact that Arwen is thinking such things is just absurd to me.
Was it a perfect synergy between my elevated status in various senses, Arwen’s misunderstanding, and the hints of reincarnation that led to this?
Furthermore, since Arwen is the Queen of Albenheim, she must have been even more immersed. It wasn't an entirely impossible theory.
Feeling a headache coming on, I let out a hollow laugh. They say it's easier if you just give up; I think it's best if I just write without thinking from now on.
'Sigh... fine. It'll be easier to just give up.'
[Good thinking. You know that stress is the root of all illness, right?]
'Of course I know. Oh, there's one thing I'm curious about. Can I ask?'
[Ask anything.]
'I'm curious about what kind of changes occur when a Demon defeats their Inner Evil, like Cecile-nuna did.'
[That depends on which demon they are a descendant of. In her case, she's a descendant of a succubus, so her figure and aura become more voluptuous. And as a bonus, her body becomes specialized for absorbing essence. You know what I mean, right?]
I knew all right. I was thoroughly squeezed dry while having relations with Cecile yesterday.
It’s embarrassing to say, but Cecile’s "inside" has evolved even further than before. To exaggerate a bit, I felt like I had become "3-minute curry."
On top of that, she had stamina and desire no less than during her Evil Cycle. If I hadn't received divine power in advance, I would have slept the whole day.
'Then, does that mean it'll be like that every single day...'
[No, it's not. Subjugating evil means obtaining that power. It's just that desire is included in that power.]
'Does the Evil Cycle proceed the same as before?'
[Most things are the same. Except for maintaining reason when she becomes a demon.]
I was terrified that Cecile might be in a state of estrus every single day, so that was a huge relief. If that were truly the case, Mora would have given me a serious warning.
I let out a sigh of relief inwardly and slowly planned out the future.
Though, calling it a "plan," there wasn't much to it besides Cecile’s upcoming speech.
As for confessing to being a reincarnator, I just had to slowly lay the groundwork from now on. It would be weird to suddenly say, "I'm a reincarnator."
After that, I shared various conversations with Mora, and it was just as I was about to receive divine power and return.
[Oh, right. One piece of advice: a major turning point is coming in the near future. It'll be a quite important one for you.]
'A turning point?'
[Yes. A turning point will approach, and the future will change depending on the choice you make.]
'Is it a bad future?'
At my anxious question, Mora answered in a very rare, serious voice.
[Both of you will suffer a bit. There won't be a crisis, but you'll be very busy.]
'Can you tell me roughly when it's coming?'
Then, her answer came back.
[In one month.]
It was a future that wasn't very far away.