Chapter 43: Crisis(2)
Chapter 43: Crisis(2)
I couldn't help but stare blankly for a moment after reading the letter from my father. Given the characteristically short and blunt prose, there was no doubt it was from him.
However, the content felt less like a family update and more like something out of a spy thriller, laden with a sense of grim determination. It took me a moment to process it, but soon my expression hardened.
‘...Someone is on my tail?’
The only reason I had been able to submit my manuscripts to the publisher anonymously was thanks to my father’s help. I wasn't entirely sure what process he used, but I had a rough idea that he was pulling strings through his personal connections.
Thanks to that, I had managed to remain anonymous even when everyone started looking for me after Xenon Biography became a massive hit. In exchange, my father had emphasized that I shouldn't let my guard down, as not only the Imperial Family and the nobility but people from all walks of life were searching for me.
And it seemed that today, they had finally caught a scent. I stroked my chin, gazing intently at the letter.
‘Does he not know who it is?’
The subject was omitted entirely, so I couldn't tell who was tracking me. Knowing my father’s personality, he would have included the most important details even in a short note; the fact that it wasn't there meant there was a high probability he didn't know.
Then again, whoever was tracking me would have hired someone else to do the dirty work, so it would be stranger if he did know. Regardless, the fact remained that I needed to be careful.
‘...I should stay alert for now.’
Just because someone was on my tail didn't mean my identity was completely compromised. Still, it was best to follow my father’s warning, just in case.
To be perfectly honest, there was nothing I could do. For now, I could only hope that my father would "cut the tail" that was following us.
If I let myself get too distracted, it might interfere with my writing or cause others to become suspicious. The right move was to act as I always did while maintaining a sense of vigilance.
‘But is there only one page?’
Usually, my parents sent letters together, so if my father had written one, there should be one from my mother as well. While my father kept his brief to deliver the news, my mother would have written a long letter to check on my well-being and ask about my progress.
And sure enough, just as I expected, another letter was tucked neatly inside the envelope I had torn open earlier.
I pulled it out and smoothed it over, and her beautiful, elegant handwriting immediately caught my eye. Unlike my father’s, her prose was delicate and characteristic of her.
[Isaac. Since it seems your father only wrote what he had to say without asking how you are, your mother is sending a letter as well. Reading your last letter, I felt so relieved to hear that you are adjusting well to life at the Academy. However, the weather has been getting quite hot lately, and I worry that you, who always struggled with the heat, might be suffering. I can still see the image of you collapsing after training with your father back in the day. Even though I jokingly ask when the next volume is coming out, your health is always the most important thing. I know Academy life must be busy, but please, keep your health in mind...]
Reading the sentences that filled the page, a warmth naturally spread through my chest. Whether in my past life or this one, mothers truly seemed to be angels who thought of nothing but their children.
While some noble matriarchs treated their children as political tools, my mother was different. She was simply a mother to a normal family.
A genuine smile touched my lips as I slowly read through the rest of her letter. Her flowing cursive was a joy to look at.
[Your father told you to be careful, but you don't need to worry too much. Even if you are discovered, our family will protect you. You might not know this, but your father was once a famous commander of a knight order. So, even if you are found out, not even the Imperial Family will be able to touch us easily, so do not worry. If push comes to shove, your father will step forward to the Imperial Family himself.]
The claim that even the Imperial Family couldn't easily touch them made it impossible to guess who he had been in the past. Then again, Lina had told me he was a man who had turned down the title of Count to become a Baron, so he was certainly no ordinary individual.
He was like the classic "hidden master" found in novels. However, seeing as he chose a lower title for himself, he definitely had a dark past—especially since he had declared his retirement at a fairly young age.
[...So, our family is always rooting for you. Don't overdo it, and keep doing what you want to do. With love, Mother.]
The lingering emotions remained even after I finished the letter. My mother had mentioned she used to be a good writer, and looking at this letter, I could tell she wasn't exaggerating.
From the handwriting, which was beautiful enough to be called art, to the moving sentiments—it was perfect in every way.
‘...I shouldn't disappoint them.’
Even if she jokingly pressured me about when Jin and Lily would finally get together, it was only a joke. If anything, my mother hated the idea of the story going astray due to outside pressure.
I read through my mother’s letter one more time, folded it neatly, and placed it in my desk drawer. The first drawer held my manuscript paper and extra notebooks, while the second drawer was reserved for letters from my parents.
‘First...’
Since I had finished everything I needed to do today, I sat in my chair and began writing a letter—not Xenon Biography, but a reply. Her letter was full of worry, so I had to reassure her.
Of course, I thought it best to mention that, due to circumstances, the next volume of Xenon Biography wouldn't be out for at least another two months.
‘As for being followed... there’s nothing I can do about it, so I might as well just write.’
With a heart made much lighter by my mother’s letter, I began to pen my reply.
*
The Minerva Empire was one of the strongest nations in human society. Not only was its territory vast, but its military and economic power were peerless and overwhelming.
Because of this, every statement issued by the Empire carried immense weight across the world, to the point where even other races could not ignore them.
However, even for the Minerva Empire, there was a nation that had been considered an eternal rival since ancient times: the Ters Kingdom.
Compared to the Minerva Empire, the Ters Kingdom had a smaller military and a relatively weaker economy, but it was overwhelmingly superior in one area. That was soft power—in other words, "Culture."
Music, literature, education, science, technology, magic, and even the cultures of different species. It was no exaggeration to say that all the world's culture was contained within the Ters Kingdom.
However, the Minerva Empire had not simply stood by and watched; there were many instances where they pressured the Ters Kingdom to seize its cultural assets. A prime example was Halo Academy, hailed as the greatest academy in the world.
It was the result of the Minerva Empire recruiting all the professors and related artisans from the Ters Kingdom when the academy was first established. From the Ters Kingdom's perspective, it was like having their pockets picked in broad daylight. They protested fiercely and eventually began to strictly block such talent drains by law.
In short, if the Minerva Empire possessed strong external power like military and economic might, the Ters Kingdom possessed solid internal substance. Its very nickname was the "Land of Culture," a title even the Elves acknowledged.
Of course, this didn't come without side effects. Because the cultural organizations were so robust, major incidents like the "Jayros Revolution" had occurred. But using that as a stepping stone for further growth meant it wasn't entirely a negative outcome for the Ters Kingdom.
"So, you're saying that while you've caught the tail, it's difficult to track it back to the source."
Inside an office that exuded an atmosphere of both antiquity and sophistication.
A middle-aged man, his sky-blue hair tied back in a single ponytail, spoke to the man standing across from him. Unlike his gentle-looking face, his sky-blue eyes held a sharp edge, and his tone was equally formidable.
The man in the black uniform standing opposite him bowed deeply, clearly expressing his sincere apologies.
"I am sorry, Your Majesty. It is entirely due to my lack of competence."
"No. That is enough. Catching the tail is sufficient. How much information can we extract from them?"
"I am ashamed to say this, but practically none. He is merely an errand runner who took the job for money, and the client is difficult to track."
"Hmm..."
Friedrich Ducard von Kerchers, the King who ruled the Ters Kingdom, rested his fist against his chin in deep thought.
By sheer chance, an opportunity had arisen to step on a tail, but unfortunately, it was nothing more than a lizard's tail—the kind that is shed the moment it is caught.
He had hoped it would be a clue to finding the author of Xenon Biography, who was as mysterious as a riddle, but the man was just a useless errand runner. The disappointment was as great as the expectation had been.
Friedrich let out a sigh of regret before asking the man.
"What about the movements of other countries? They must know that we caught a tail."
"They won't step forward readily for now. They know all too well that catching a tail isn't the end of it."
"I suppose so. Regardless, we must be the ones to find him first."
People all over the world were searching for the author of Xenon Biography, Isaac, but the most passionate among them was undoubtedly the Ters Kingdom.
While high-ranking nobles and the Imperial Family in the Minerva Empire were mobilizing resources to find him, it wasn't to the same extent as Ters.
If the Minerva Empire was taking a passive stance for fear of scaring him away, the Ters Kingdom was gathering clues indiscriminately.
The reason the Ters Kingdom was searching for Isaac was simple.
"I want to find him quickly and deal a heavy blow to those Minerva bastards."
"I agree. We've had so much stolen from us over the years that it makes my blood boil."
As seen in the example of Halo Academy, too many cultural assets had been taken by the Minerva Empire. Although it was now blocked by law, the Empire had been nibbling away at their culture for a long time, causing countless losses.
In the end, "money" was the most important factor in developing culture, and the Minerva Empire had used its vast wealth as bait to lure away numerous artisans and artists. It was a situation that would make anyone in the Ters Kingdom explode with rage.
"Furthermore, historically, there has never been a case like the author of Xenon Biography, who changed the world simply through a novel. It is unprecedented."
"Yes. It was surprising enough that the Demon Princess enrolled in Halo Academy, but to think they are sending a diplomatic mission to our country soon... It is truly a reality that is hard to believe."
"If that author were to write something criticizing our country, the mere thought of it is terrifying. Though I doubt that will happen."
Above all, Isaac’s value itself was terrifying. He had already flipped the perception of the Demon race 180 degrees with Xenon Biography; what if he wrote something criticizing a specific country?
On Earth, where the internet was widespread, it might be dismissed as just another book, but not in this world. It had the potential to be misused as a literal "weapon" for brainwashing.
And from the perspective of leaders who ruled nations, they feared internal collapse far more than foreign invasion. Once the pillars crumbled, there was nothing left to be done.
The Ters Kingdom, which had suffered greatly through the Jayros Revolution, knew this fact better than anyone.
"I understand for now. I will provide all the support you need, so you must find the author. However, even if you find him, ensure he is brought here 'courteously.' Do you understand?"
"I will keep that in mind. I will bring good news as soon as possible."
"Very well. Is there any other news?"
"There is news regarding Princess Adele..."
Friedrich’s face contorted the moment his aide mentioned that specific person. His reaction suggested he didn't even want to hear her name.
"That's enough. She is someone I have already cast away; is there any reason I need to know?"
"But Your Majesty, Princess Adele is..."
Before the aide could finish his sentence, Friedrich held up a hand, signaling him to stop.
"Enough. If she were my child, I would have enrolled her in the Ters Academy, not the Halo Academy. I have only four children. Keep that in mind."
"...Understood."
Faced with Friedrich’s absolute firmness, the aide could not continue.
Perhaps he had a shred of conscience left, or perhaps not. Friedrich stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and then gave the aide an order.
"Well... it might be good to let her know. Tell her that we might soon find the author of Xenon Biography, whom she adores so much."
"...May I ask why you are telling her?"
"Because only then will she not throw her life away so easily. One must give her hope, after all."
"..."
What a twisted hobby, the aide thought, barely suppressing the urge to frown.