Chapter 305: Foreshadowing(4)
Chapter 305: Foreshadowing(4)
In the past, I could never quite get used to the way the world would fall into an uproar over a single letter of mine.
It was overwhelming, and the reactions usually far exceeded the value I placed on myself.
I told myself I had to get used to it eventually, but the burden on my shoulders remained heavy. Unless it was a very specific situation, I wasn't exactly known for my nerves of steel.
Besides, they say the eye of the storm is calm; even when chaos erupted around me, I was usually busy enjoying a peaceful daily life.
I’d check the newspapers for interesting reactions or wonder if another "Why Is This Real?" moment had cropped up. Even when those moments did happen, my primary emotion was usually just bewilderment.
But this time was different. I had to step out of the eye and walk boldly into the heart of the storm myself.
The value of the name 'Xenon' that I had cultivated through my serialization... it was no longer just that of a great writer. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it had reached the realm of the divine.
With a bit of hyperbole, a single word from me could turn an entire nation upside down.
Helium during Sacran's sacrifice and demonization.
Albenheim during the pollution of the World Tree and the half-blood incident.
And finally, Savior during the fall of the cardinal.
These feats—if you can call them that—were all achieved through the Xenon Chronicle. Moving a nation with a single word from the man who accomplished all that was no difficult task.
If I simply claimed a certain country had committed a certain deed? People would charge forward without even bothering to check the facts. The Ters Kingdom was currently on the verge of facing exactly that.
Walking into such a storm was terrifying in many ways, but ironically, I felt as if I were just going for a stroll.
Normally, I should have been nervous, but instead of tension, I felt nothing but serenity. Perhaps it was because I had already revealed my identity in the Ters Kingdom.
It was a truth that had to be revealed someday anyway, and if I hid it any longer, people might start entertaining ridiculous delusions.
My "stacks" were already piling up as it was; if this all turned out to be a bluff, the resulting backlash would be devastating.
Above all, once that incident occurred in the Ters Kingdom, it was only a matter of time before my identity was exposed.
Count Kamar had leaked it to the newspapers as a sort of probe, but it was already half-true, and my father was currently in a very difficult position because of it.
I had sent the letter primarily to clean up that mess. For the record, I sent the letter through Gartz, not Siris.
Siris was the messenger connecting me and Arwen, not a common errand runner.
Besides, Gartz would gladly do whatever I asked, which allowed me to feel more at ease.
[Xenon, Who Remained Hidden Even in the Midst of the Vortex. Is He Finally Revealing Himself?]
[The Great Figure Who Changed the Course of the Era in Less Than Two Years. His Identity to be Revealed in the Maishal Territory...]
[World Leaders Begin to Gather in the Maishal Territory.]
Amidst a world in total upheaval, the most striking news was undoubtedly the gathering of world leaders.
The official participants announced so far were Helium, Albenheim, Bellua, and several smaller nations.
The Minerva Empire, the Ters Kingdom, and the leaders of the Animus, including Machina, did not attend in person but sent representatives instead.
However, no one could find fault with this, as sending a representative was essentially declaring that person to be the next in line for the throne.
It was a situation that could not be ignored, but as always, certain types of reports began to surface.
[Why is Xenon, Who Has Remained Silent Until Now, Revealing His Identity?]
[A Collaboration Between the Minerva Empire and the Ters Kingdom?]
[Could This Be a Plan by Demon Worshippers...?]
Commonly known as 'conspiracy theories.' From a third party's perspective, the current situation provided more than enough fuel for such theories.
It wasn't as if there was a clear lead-up; it felt like this had dropped out of the blue, so it was impossible not to be suspicious.
This was also why the leaders of several countries sent representatives instead of coming themselves.
No matter how good the security of a territory was, if demon worshippers went mad and launched a large-scale terror attack, the world would fall into chaos.
Of course, with not only the Church of Luminous but also the Temple of Mora present, the probability of that was close to zero, but the world always has its "what ifs."
As figures far more influential than those at the exhibition gathered in a territory that was still developing, even I began to feel a creeping sense of dread.
[The Holy Theocracy of Savior: 'Evil,' Not Darkness, Shall Never Set Foot Inside.]
[Numerous Clerics, Including Cardinal Kate, Begin to Gather in the Maishal Territory...]
[The Mora Sect Joins the Luminous Order. 'We Know the Dark Places Better...']
Soon after, news reached my ears that completely dispelled those conspiracy theories.
The Luminous Order and the Mora Sect were joining forces to ensure no accidents occurred.
Unlike the other two, the Hirt Church had no hierarchy or formal structure, so there was no official news from them, but the general consensus was that they wouldn't just be sitting idly by.
Thus, a massive event worthy of the history books was organized just because I decided to "come out." Strangely, though, I didn't feel burdened.
Instead, I felt relieved, thinking I could finally clear the blockage in my heart. If I was nervous about anything, it was just how exactly I should reveal it.
This feeling persisted even when I returned to the mansion. Outside, everyone was frantic welcoming all sorts of VIPs, but the mansion was quiet...
"How about this outfit? Don't you think this will do?"
"Wouldn't a simple, loose white T-shirt and dress slacks be enough?"
"Goodness, listen to what you're saying! Do you have any idea how many people are going to be looking at you?"
...Actually, it wasn't quiet at all; everyone was very busy choosing my clothes. I smiled bitterly as I watched the women, led by my mother, work hard to pick out my attire.
Not only Mari and Adelia, but even Cecile, who had rushed to the mansion after hearing the news, was helping choose.
I wanted to go with something modest, but they adamantly refused, saying it would be rude to wear such clothes in a place where world leaders were gathered.
I had originally planned to dress humbly, but my mother insisted that would actually leave a bad impression.
She said that if I showed up in modest clothing to such an official function, the leaders would think I was looking down on them.
I had mostly met people on a personal level until now, but in this world, every little detail like this carried meaning.
"If you knew this was going to happen, you should have told us in advance! And you should have given us at least a month. Honestly, do you have any sense at all?"
My mother vented her frustration while picking out my clothes. Not only her, but the other women—even Adelia—nodded in deep agreement.
Embarrassed by their reactions, I scratched my head. I had sent the letter thinking a week would be enough, but apparently, it was woefully insufficient.
The reason I chose the theater as the venue was that I didn't plan on giving a grand speech; I just wanted to briefly reveal my identity and say what I wanted to say.
"Have you made plans for afterward? Things are going to get much more complicated than they are now."
Mari, who was fitting my clothes like the others, asked about my future plans. I nodded at her question.
Once I revealed my identity and it was proven to be true, I would become busy beyond comparison.
At the very least, nations would provide guard knights to protect me, and demon worshippers might pose a threat.
Not to mention, political attacks would come without hesitation. I was taking all of this into account.
"Yeah. First of all..."
I trailed off and looked at Mari, who was working hard on my clothes right in front of me.
She was so focused on her task that she didn't even realize I was staring.
"I should probably set a wedding date with you, shouldn't I?"
"...Eh?"
My statement must have been quite a shock. Mari stopped what she was doing and her eyes went wide.
Her blue eyes, wide with surprise, were so adorable that I wanted to pull her into a tight hug.
I gave the startled Mari a faint smile and then looked elsewhere.
My mother was still preoccupied with the clothes regardless of what I said, and Adelia was the same. But there was one exception: Cecile.
She had frozen the moment I mentioned a wedding. I had expected it, but it seemed it wasn't something she could just let slide.
"Wasn't the plan for after you graduated from the Academy?"
My mother asked in passing as she neatly organized the clothes. I answered while Mari was still dazed.
"That was the original plan, but I think it'll be difficult. Someone like Princess Hiriya might try to wedge themselves in, and Mari might even be put in danger. It's much better to have the wedding soon and live in the same house."
"Hmm. I see. That would certainly be better. But instead of doing it immediately, wait until things have settled down a bit. Things will be complicated for about six months, so it might be better to do it a year from now."
"I'll keep that in mind."
As I answered, I didn't forget to glance at Cecile. Though she had frozen earlier, she was now back to picking out my clothes.
Even though she was pretending to be calm, her heart was likely in turmoil. As always, Cecile's desire for me was just as strong as Mari's.
She had frequently provoked me by saying she would be the first to bear my child, and last time, she had even made that bombshell statement.
Knowing Cecile, hearing that I would marry Mari first must have been bittersweet. Even if she knew it was the natural order of things, she was only human, so it was normal for her to feel left out.
Since polygamy was the norm, having multiple weddings wasn't an issue. In fact, if you just skipped the ceremony and treated it like a contract, trust wouldn't be built.
In other words, a wedding was like stamping a seal on a contract. Even for a political marriage, a wedding was a must.
"You're happy, right, Mari?"
"Y-yes? O-of course I am! Hehe. A wedding. A wedding."
As soon as I made the statement that officially sealed the deal, Mari's face broke into a silly grin. If I mentioned having children right now, her face might actually melt.
I stroked her hair once and then looked at Cecile. I spoke to her, as she seemed somewhat gloomy.
"What about you, Noona?"
"Huh? Me?"
"When would you like to have our wedding, Noona?"
And so, I set a wedding schedule for her to cheer her up.
At my words, Cecile blinked a few times, then answered with a expression full of happiness.
"Let's do it right now! These clothes we're picking out are for the wedding day, right?"
"Hey! Don't start that again!"
"Hehe."
Her playfulness never stops. I smiled warmly as I watched the two of them start bickering again.
Hearing them argue about who would have the first child or how the wedding and children were separate matters made me feel at peace.
I wondered how lovely the children who took after them would be. It seemed I was finally able to fully embrace this future.
"By the way, Isaac."
"Yes?"
"Are there any other daughters-in-law I need to prepare weddings for besides the ones here?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because if there are more, I think it would be better for you to just drop out of the Academy. If you're having a wedding every six months, will you even have time to study?"
"..."
I was speechless. Even at a minimum, there were two, and if more were added, my time would indeed vanish just as my mother said.
"Sigh. Did you just jump into this without thinking again? Adele."
"Yes, Baroness."
"From now on, you plan Isaac's schedule on a yearly basis. Otherwise, things like this will keep happening."
"I will keep that in mind."
"By the way, don't you have any intention of having a wedding? Even a concubine can have a ceremony."
"I appreciate the thought, but I will decline. I am content as I am now."
After a very, very busy routine passed...
"What should I say first?"
"Just do whatever feels comfortable for you."
The day of the final battle dawned.