Chapter 282: Bombshell(1)
Chapter 282: Bombshell(1)
A week had passed since I heard Mora’s prophecy that I would stand at a crossroads in a month’s time. Unlike any other, this week felt both fleetingly short and agonizingly long.
First, as planned, I discussed Volume 21 with Descal, the King of Helium.
I wasn't alone; Cecile was with me.
Given that, you can probably guess how the situation unfolded. I had the pleasure of watching Descal’s usually composed face cycle through a kaleidoscope of expressions.
For the record, Aisilia was there as well, and she actually shrieked and fainted. It was the kind of scream you’d hear from someone watching a horror movie—the sound of someone seeing something they were never meant to see.
Then again, it’s only natural. Seeing your beloved daughter suddenly transform into a demon in real-time would be enough to shock anyone.
Fortunately, Cecile had cast a thick soundproofing barrier beforehand. After I took the time to explain everything step-by-step, they gradually regained their composure.
At first, their eyes were filled with disbelief, but once they confirmed that she had maintained her absolute rationality, they had no choice but to accept the truth.
Since this was deeply connected to Cecile, they would have to take action as well. We eventually settled on a plan to hold a national address one week after the release of Volume 21.
Since this was a matter of state and not just a personal affair, the Academy would surely grant permission.
The Academy understood that a royal like Cecile was a symbol in her own right.
"Tell me, son-in-law. Are you truly a prophet?"
"No, I'm not."
It was an inevitable question from Descal and Aisilia, but I managed to dodge it somehow.
All that remained was the release of Volume 21 and watching Cecile’s upcoming speech in Helium.
Since I had a stake of over 80% in this entire situation, I made a tentative suggestion to her.
I asked if I could help her with the speech, just as I had written the draft for Arwen.
However, Cecile shook her head and declined politely with a clear, gentle smile.
"It’s okay. I can’t keep relying on you forever."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. There’s something I’ve always wanted to say if the day ever came when my people could finally step into the light. I want to say those words myself."
Hearing that, I realized once again: Cecile was the Princess of the Demons.
Standing above her people, she carried a heart that cared for them more than anyone else. The specific content of the speech didn't matter.
What mattered most was that her feelings were conveyed properly. And for that, sincerity is the best tool.
Furthermore, while Arwen’s situation had been a response to an unexpected social upheaval, Cecile was anticipating and preparing for the future.
This didn't mean Arwen was less capable than Cecile. As I’d seen before, Arwen’s oratorical skills were quite exceptional.
"Isaac."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you so much. For being born into this world."
Her crimson eyes, brimming with affection, gazed at me. Her slightly narrowed eyes and the faint curve of her lips exuded a subtle sensuality.
I stared at her beauty—which seemed to contain all the loveliness in the world—before letting out a short laugh.
Thank you for being born. It was a loaded statement in many ways. She likely said it because she believed I was a reincarnator.
At this point, I had neither the energy nor the desire to deny it. I looked at Cecile lying on the bed and reached out.
I started by stroking her face, then moved my hand up to caress her horns. They were horns where the red hue was beginning to swell.
As I touched them, Cecile closed her eyes to savor the sensation. While the horns themselves have no sensory organs, the act itself provides a great sense of security to a Demon.
"Noona."
"Yes, Isaac."
"Contrary to what you think, I’m really a nobody. Or rather, I was a nobody. I was no different from a pebble rolling around on the street."
I spoke in the past tense. I wasn't talking about the world I lived in now, but my previous life.
When I brought up my past life, Cecile rested her head on my chest and began to listen intently. Because we were so close, I could feel a soft sensation against my arm.
Since we had already shared a bed, there was no room left for embarrassment. I continued speaking while stroking her horns and her beautiful hair.
"I’m not lying or being humble. I didn't have great martial prowess or leadership like Xenon, nor did I have the will to sacrifice myself for someone else like Jin. I was just an ordinary person, busy laughing, chatting, and playing whenever I went out."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. I’m not as great a person as you think."
The memories of my past life were like deep-seated roots. Even though I had adapted to some extent, those memories still created a sense of dissonance.
To think that I, who was just an ordinary writer, was now a celebrated literary giant in another world. It felt like something straight out of a light novel.
The reason I remained humble and hesitated to reveal myself as Xenon stemmed from this. The common sense of a commoner was so deeply ingrained that it created a subtle gap.
"Then, what about having many women?"
"...Huh?"
"Was polygamy common there too?"
I was speechless. Everyone knows that, except for specific cases like the Middle East, most countries only allow monogamy.
But look at me now. I had already spent the first night with three women, and I couldn't even guess how many more might join them.
"It wasn't, was it?"
"..."
Reading my expression, Cecile gave a playful smile, delivering the finishing blow. Having nothing to say to that either, I could only manage a bitter smile.
Perhaps I had a latent "playboy" streak I never knew about.
With Mari, we started dating because our hearts aligned. In Cecile’s case, it was hard to refuse her earnest plea.
And they say the third time is easier than the second. Since Adelia loved me for who I was, even Mari had readily accepted her.
Leona had become my wife almost by accident due to cultural differences, but I didn't mind much. It felt more like having a pet than a wife.
Of course, I had to consider that the social culture here was entirely different from my previous life. This was a class society with royalty and nobility, whereas my previous life was one where everyone was equal.
Nevertheless, the reason I, with my vivid memories of my past life, could accept multiple women was that I had perfectly adapted.
Adaptation, my foot.
My hidden playboy genes had just been ignited. Having no way to explain it, I simply stroked Cecile’s hair.
She didn't seem to mind, laughing softly as she snuggled closer to me.
"Isaac."
"Yes, Noona."
"I’ll stay by your side no matter what happens. It won't be nearly enough to repay the grace you’ve shown my people, but I’ll make sure I’m never lacking as Xenon’s woman."
Lacking? It was more than I deserved. I looked at Cecile’s face as she spoke with a devotion that bordered on loyalty.
Seeing her leaning against my chest with her eyes closed, I couldn't help but find her adorable.
Lately, Cecile had been expressing her affection without restraint, and as a result, Mari’s jealousy was reaching new heights every day.
It was a relief we were in Helium; if we were at the Academy, nasty rumors would have surely started flying.
I have to do my best, too.
While I would do my best for Cecile right now, I would never show favoritism. If even one of my women felt neglected, that would be my failure.
Cecile was one thing, but there were also Mari, Adelia, and finally Leona. Three of them had already shared an intimate relationship with me.
Mm. No matter how I thought about it, I really needed to keep writing. The problem was that the story was nearing its conclusion.
I planned to write a novel related to World War II after the finale, but I wondered if that story would generate as much Divine Power as the Xenon Biography.
Unlike the Xenon Biography, which was a hopeful(?) heroic epic, the theme of World War II was 'gray.'
Would contributing to scientific or cultural development also cause a massive spike in Divine Power?
I had received Divine Power before due to "Why Is This Real?" moments in the Xenon Biography. But I wasn't sure about science and culture.
If a World War II novel were released, the chance of a "Why Is This Real?" moment would be near zero, but instead, scientific technology would leap forward.
Eins had already gone beyond mana engines and invented the automobile. The foundation for the Industrial Revolution was already firmly in place.
I didn't know when the magical locomotive would appear, but the World War II novel would definitely put an engine on the progress of science.
The Dwarves would probably make something weird again, but that wasn't my concern.
Zzz— Zzz—
While I was lost in thought, Cecile had fallen asleep, her breathing even. With her face pressed against my chest, she looked perfectly at peace.
I watched her sleep for a moment and smiled softly. It’s a thought I always have, but a beautiful woman is stunning even when she’s sleeping.
But what did she mean by a 'crossroads' in a month?
The thought occurred to me as I smoothed her hair. It was an 'Oracle' Mora had given me in an uncharacteristically serious tone.
She had kindly explained that no matter what choice I made, while there might not be a crisis, a path of hardship would open up.
The most likely possibility is...
I shifted my gaze to Cecile’s horns. As if proving that her Demon cycle was approaching, the proportion of red was far greater than the black.
In other words, her fertile period was slowly arriving. Like Elves, Demons have a fertile period once every six months.
However, since she had conquered her Inner Evil, her desires wouldn't explode during the cycle. Unless I was an idiot about contraception, the chance of Cecile getting pregnant was extremely low.
Could it be that contraceptives won't work?
Contraception in this world isn't as perfect as in my previous life. If the previous life was 99%, this world was about 97%.
You might ask if 3% is really that much, but considering the frequency of my relations with my lovers, it was a very high probability.
Don't understand? Imagine rolling a die and getting the same number three times in a row. That’s 1 in 216.
You might think I’m making a fuss over a mere pregnancy, but if you’d seen the psychological warfare between Mari and Cecile so far, you’d understand my feelings to some extent.
If Cecile got pregnant first, it would be a catastrophe. Above all, it would cause major problems for Cecile’s life at the Academy.
I prayed this wasn't it, but the high probability made me feel gloomy.
If it’s not this, then what...
I couldn't get a handle on what kind of choice it would be. I looked up at the dark ceiling and slowly closed my eyes.
For now, let’s focus on the upcoming speech and Volume 22. That was the conclusion I reached.
Oh, and I should make sure the contraception is foolproof, just in case.
...Wait.
I was already paying the price for my choices. I glanced at Cecile again.
As if she were perfectly satisfied today, her skin was glowing and supple even in the darkness.
It wasn't just Cecile; the other women were the same. Mari’s beauty had begun to shine like a flower in full bloom, and Adelia’s unique smile had become even lovelier.
On the other hand, I had become someone who couldn't live without Divine Power. Even though I was receiving it every day, the exhaustion remained the same.
...I should work out more.
The thought of receiving physical training from my father suddenly crossed my mind.
Anyway, the summer vacation in Helium ended, and the first day of the Academy term arrived.
[Volume 21 of the Xenon Biography, released amidst the concerns, worries, and expectations of readers! But the content is...]
Volume 21 of the Xenon Biography also made its appearance in the world. As soon as it was released, readers rushed to check Jin’s status.
In the ending of Volume 20, Jin’s chest had been pierced by Gluttony. In fact, it wasn't just pierced; a hole so large you could see the background through it had been made.
It was a wound that would mean instant death for an ordinary human, and even for a much stronger Demon. Readers turned the pages with trembling hands.
Is Jin really going to die? If he dies, what happens to Lily?
No way. He wouldn't die, right? He’s on the protagonist’s side, after all.
Kair died as soon as his side story came out. Well, that’s true, but still, Jin is...
As the comments showed, the reactions were incredibly diverse. Jin’s survival was the readers' greatest concern.
And when Jin completely conquered his Inner Evil and regained his reason, the readers breathed a sigh of relief. But separate from that, it caused a massive stir.
[Is it truly possible for a Demon to conquer their Inner Evil?]
[Even if it is possible, wouldn't they have to live as a devil for the rest of their lives?]
[Even for the Xenon Biography, this is too risky a gamble. Demons must never try to imitate this.]
The theory of 'controlling' the Inner Evil by conquering it, rather than just suppressing it. That theory sent shockwaves not only through the Demons but also through other races.
On the surface, Demons were a race with horns and many handsome men and beautiful women, but their most defining characteristic was their Inner Evil.
The Inner Evil that turned them into devils if they experienced tragedy or despair. That was the very essence and identity of the Demon race.
Since the founding of Helium, the Demons had made restraint their creed, but the Xenon Biography contained content that fundamentally denied that creed.
It meant that even the Demons of Helium, who revered Xenon as a Saint, couldn't help but feel somewhat uncomfortable, thinking, This is a bit much...
[Look at Lilith. She also became a devil and one of the Seven Deadly Sins, yet she maintained her reason.]
[Even looking at her end, you can see she never forgot the lover she cherished.]
[If one becomes a devil, they go berserk at first, but perhaps they can maintain their reason if there’s a specific trigger?]
However, the setting for Lilith, a high-ranking official on the devil’s side who had been overlooked until now, came back into the spotlight, and the narrative began to change.
Lilith was a Demon who had turned into a devil but operated under Diabolus’s orders while maintaining her reason.
Because of this, readers couldn't help but be impressed. In particular, Sacran’s final words acted as foreshadowing for Jin’s demonization, creating a powerful synergy.
As confusion and acceptance alternated during these hectic days, Helium released an official statement.
[One week from today, a national address will be held.]
[There is something to show and tell everyone, and it will be closely related to Xenon.]
[It will be a meaningful day that proves we are not devils.]
A national address where Helium invited not only its citizens but also dignitaries from other nations. The world was once again thrown into an uproar by that single announcement.
What kind of place was Helium? It was a nation that had been semi-forcibly isolated until it finally began to see the light through the Xenon Biography.
Whether it was a great power or an ordinary nation had yet to be determined, but everyone knew its potential was immense.
Most importantly, Helium had never officially invited foreign dignitaries before. This was effectively the first time.
For other countries, it was an opportunity to see how large Helium really was, and for Helium, it was a stage to express their will to their heart's content.
While the world was buzzing like this, Isaac...
"Eh? What?"
He realized something while reading the newspaper about the setting for Lilith, the Sin of Lust, who maintained her reason even after becoming a devil.
"I didn't put that in with that intention, though?"
That’s a plot hole.