Chapter 455: The Sequel(2)
Chapter 455: The Sequel(2)
The Passing Hero, the final side story and prequel sequel to the Xenon Chronicle, has finally been revealed to the world.
Readers, who had assumed the series was truly over after the side story featuring Jin and Lily, cheered at the appearance of another installment while simultaneously feeling puzzled.
Is there really more to the story? Wasn't the Jin and Lily side story the end? What could this possibly be about?
While most people harbored these doubts, the publisher released an intriguing announcement ahead of time.
[The final side story, The Passing Hero, is a prequel, much like the side story of Kair.]
It was revealed to be a prequel, similar to the one that depicted the younger days of Xenon’s master, Kair, and his poignant love for Elisha.
Originally, the word "prequel" did not exist in this world; it was a term Isaac had coined specifically for the release of Kair’s side story.
Regardless, upon seeing the title The Passing Hero for this prequel sequel, readers were consumed by curiosity.
Just whose story was it? Judging by the title, it seemed likely to be someone who had appeared in the main story.
[Who is the identity of the 'Passing Hero'?]
[Many readers are betting on Sacran...]
[One thing is for certain: that hero will die. It’s been that way every time so far.]
[Offering my condolences in advance to the protagonist of The Passing Hero, whose death is already guaranteed...]
While many speculated that Sacran would be the protagonist, they also offered preemptive condolences, expecting another tragic death.
To date, every protagonist of a Xenon Chronicle side story had inevitably died. It had become a sort of formula etched into the readers' minds.
Kair met a tragic end, and even Jin had originally died before being resurrected due to the readers' outcry.
Naturally, the sentiment that "the protagonist of a side story must die" was unavoidable. It was a bittersweet reality, but it also meant the audience understood Isaac’s style perfectly.
Just as the predictions were reaching a fever pitch, the publisher dropped another bombshell.
[The protagonist of this side story is a separate individual who did not appear in the main story.]
A protagonist who hadn't even appeared in the main series. Upon hearing this, the readers' excitement was replaced by renewed skepticism.
There were plenty of charming characters in the main story; they wondered if it was necessary to make a complete stranger the lead.
However, those doubts vanished shortly after the book was released.
[The protagonist, 'Kalk,' is a man truly worthy of the epithet 'The Passing Hero.']
[Though the people did not recognize him, he left behind the 'Hope' that would become the greatest threat to the demons.]
[There are many heroes in this world who, like him, have fallen into obscurity without even leaving a name behind.]
Whether it was because it felt like a quintessential Xenon work or because it was a chronicle of a hero far removed from the ordinary, it received acclaim rivaling the main series.
The protagonist, Kalk, was nothing more than an ordinary adventurer and mercenary who lived from commission to commission. However, his true value shone brighter the deeper the crisis became.
He possessed the charisma to command his subordinates, a cold composure maintained until the very end, and a level of stamina and grit that seemed entirely inhuman.
In particular, the speech he gave to his gathered comrades and subordinates just before stopping the demons summoned by the demon worshippers was a masterpiece.
["We will be forgotten! We will be swallowed by a great evil and vanish without a trace! So, if you wish to leave with hope, then leave this place. But if you wish to lean on hope, then stay!"]
["Good. It seems only the fools are left. As passing heroes, you will likely never be recorded in history."]
["We stay here. We die here! It has been an honor to share my life with you!"]
The prequel was set before the demons began their full-scale activities, a time when only faint omens were beginning to surface.
The main plot followed Kalk as he recognized those omens earlier than anyone else and fought desperately to stop them.
A highlight of the story was Kalk’s encounter, battle, and conversation with Envy and Leviathan, which highlighted the stark difference in their perspectives.
Unlike Envy, who spewed curses at the world and sought its destruction, Kalk never let go of hope, no matter how many scars he bore.
Thus, the final battle culminated in Kalk and Envy clashing weapons.
Though he was defeated due to the overwhelming difference in power, Kalk’s characteristic nonchalance shone through even then.
["Even if it's time to go, a smoke wouldn't hurt, right?"]
A final smoke before death. Kalk closed his eyes while smoking a World Tree leaf cigar—one he had saved until the very, very end.
Envy watched him and, leaving only the words "I envy you," departed the scene. He even personally cremated the body so that it would not be desecrated.
The scene that followed showed the refugees who had escaped thanks to Kalk. Unfortunately, despite Kalk’s desperate efforts, the demons caught up to them.
In the midst of that chaos, a woman clutching a small, frail baby jumped into a river to survive at any cost.
Fortunately, someone found them as they drifted down the river and saved the child, but the woman had already exhausted her strength and passed away.
Finally, the side story concluded with the revelation that the child’s name was 'Xenon.'
[Kalk, who believed in hope, and a mother’s sacrifice for her child. The name of that hope was Xenon.]
[Hope is uncertain. But that is precisely why we believe in it.]
[Is Kalk Xenon’s father? Or is it a device left for the readers to decide for themselves?]
It was never explicitly stated in the work that Xenon was Kalk’s son. Critics reacted by suggesting it didn't really matter either way.
Regardless, Kalk’s sacrifice provided the opportunity for Xenon to grow up safely and eventually become the great hero who saved the world.
The choice to make the protagonist a separate character from the main story was perfectly justified, and readers once again showered the work with praise for its meticulous construction.
Of course, in reality, Xenon was indeed Kalk’s son. This was a plot hole created because Isaac had truly 'accidentally' forgotten to include it.
Still, because there were no major holes in the story itself, it was hailed as a brilliant masterpiece.
"I've decided."
"On what?"
"I'm going to save up money and buy a World Tree leaf cigar."
Naturally, a situation Isaac and Musk had anticipated occurred: the demand for World Tree leaf cigars skyrocketed.
That single cigar saved until the very end, combined with Kalk’s final line, created an incredible synergy.
The scene was praised for reawakening the 'romance' in the hearts of adventurers who never knew when or where they might die.
Because of this, sales of World Tree leaf cigars surged, and Albenheim beamed with joy as their exports suddenly spiked.
The World Tree leaf cigars, which previously hadn't yielded much profit, established themselves as a flagship product thanks to the Xenon Chronicle.
"Do you really have to go that far?"
Anne spoke in a tone of disbelief after hearing what Roy said. Kalk’s end was cool, but it didn't seem like something worth imitating to that extent.
Furthermore, the Roy she knew was a non-smoker. It wasn't that he hated cigarettes; he just didn't smoke.
Yet here he was, saying such things after reading the newly released The Passing Hero. As a friend, she didn't want to understand him even if she could.
"Didn't you feel anything while reading it? Even after seeing Kalk’s heart-pounding end?"
"I have no intention of dying. More importantly, look at reality. Do you have any idea how much a World Tree leaf cigar costs?"
Unlike the romantic Roy, Anne was quite realistic. Even she had been momentarily tempted after reading the work, but she faced the facts.
First of all, as mentioned many times before, World Tree leaf cigars were insanely expensive. It was a luxury item that even nobles hesitated to buy.
It was only natural, as they were made from the leaves of the World Tree itself. In exchange, they were worth the price and were even beneficial enough to be used for medicinal purposes.
In other words, it was a luxury that adventurers who lived day-to-day on commissions couldn't even dream of.
"I know very well. But if I keep saving up, I'll be able to buy at least one someday."
"Why don't you just sell your signed copy instead?"
Roy was currently treasuring the signed copy Isaac had given him. He valued it so much that he had hidden it in a place even Anne didn't know.
Though quite some time had passed since Isaac revealed his identity, there were very few signed copies in the world.
Since he was a prime target for demon worshippers, there was a risk of ambush if he held public events, and for various other reasons, he rarely left his home.
Even if he did come out, the crowds were so immense that there was no chance to get near him. So, Roy could only explain his possession of it as pure luck.
"If you just put that signed copy up for auction, becoming a millionaire overnight would be a piece of cake."
"Ahem! What are you saying! The signed copy I have is one of only a few in the world! I have to keep it as a family heirloom for generations. Besides, if I put this up for auction, wouldn't Lord Xenon be sad?"
"That’s a fair point, so I have nothing to say."
Anne said as she looked around. They were currently in the Maishal Territory.
Since the incident at Jin’s funeral, they had been living there while helping out with various tasks. There was more work than expected, and the pay was good, so they planned to stay for a while.
However, there were just as many readers sending passionate interest toward Xenon. In such a situation, what if Roy’s identity as the owner of a signed copy was discovered?
An incident worse than wandering through the slums might occur. In fact, that slip of the tongue just now was quite dangerous.
'Fortunately, no one is paying attention right now.'
Perhaps because it was a bustling tavern, no one cared. She checked potentially suspicious spots just in case, but it was the same.
Looking at this, Anne thought about the crime rate in the Maishal Territory. The Maishal Territory had a significantly lower crime rate compared to other places.
While direct support from the Imperial Family played a part, the decisive factor was likely the presence of both Luminous and the Temple of Mora.
Committing a crime in a land overflowing with divine power would be daunting enough, but in a place hailed as a 'Sanctuary'?
The moment someone was caught, they would undoubtedly be dragged to an interrogation room. Thanks to this, the residents of the territory could live with smiles on their faces every day.
With the number of settlers moving in increasing daily, nothing but prosperity lay ahead.
"Huh? What’s this? There’s an Author’s Note at the end."
While Anne was looking around, Roy, who had been finishing the book, widened his eyes. At those words, Anne let out an "Ah" and spoke.
"Read that. It’s causing quite a stir right now. It’s actually about the sequel."
"A... a sequel?!"
At the mention of a sequel, Roy’s eyes grew even wider. He hurriedly began to read Xenon’s words slowly, his heart racing with excitement.
[Hello, dear readers. This is Xenon. With The Passing Hero, the long journey of the Xenon Chronicle finally comes to an end. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the readers who have followed this vast story of over 30 volumes.]
(…omitted…)
[There is much I want to say, but first, I have one question for you all. It might seem like a random thought, but I’ve wondered this at least once: If magic and mana did not exist in this world, how would the world have changed?]
[Furthermore, if it were a world inhabited only by humans, who are considered the weakest race, and if even the existence of gods was so uncertain that there was no one to rely on, what would humans have relied on to live?]
[It might be a dangerous idea, but I’m sure you are curious as well. A world without mana and magic. A world without giant monsters like dragons. Yet, a world with only the weakest humans and where even the existence of gods is uncertain. What would humans look like in such a world?]
[I intend to write a story about such a world, specifically one deeply connected to 'War.' Because the essence of history is, without a doubt, war. Oh, that doesn't mean I advocate for war at all.]
[Finally, just in case, I have already received permission from the gods to write this. There is a brief prologue following the Author’s Note, so I hope you will read it through.]
It started as a thank-you message for the conclusion, but what followed was a series of puzzling statements.
A world without mana and magic. For Roy, who currently used mana to strengthen his body, it was something impossible to fathom.
Wasn't it because of mana that even the weak human race could build civilization and, furthermore, stay safe from surrounding threats?
Of course, there might not be giant monsters like dragons, but even wolves were a great threat to humans.
It was often said that for commoners, wolves were even scarier than monsters.
'If such a world existed, it would have perished long ago.'
Most people shared Roy’s thoughts. Mana and magic were inseparable parts of this world’s civilization.
However, since it was Xenon’s work, there was bound to be something different. Roy turned the page as mentioned in the Author’s Note.
[Early 1500s. The New Continent is discovered due to the development of navigation. Subsequently, the Age of Discovery begins, lasting until the 1600s.]
[Oceanic navigation techniques for long-distance travel were developed, which naturally led to the advancement of various technologies, including shipbuilding.]
"Huh?"
Roy was puzzled by the sudden appearance of dates and brief explanations. He had expected the prologue to be long, but it was incredibly short.
Also, seeing the word 'navigation,' it seemed to be related to the sea, but he couldn't tell for sure yet.
[1700s. The 'Machine Revolution' breaks out due to technological advancements from the Age of Discovery.]
[Various machines appeared, led by the steam locomotive. With the full-scale appearance of machines, productivity increased explosively.]
He had heard of steam engines. After all, a 'steam locomotive' had appeared in the Xenon Chronicle.
Furthermore, in reality, the 'mana engine' had been invented, inspired by the steam locomotive. Although a mana locomotive hadn't appeared yet, it was expected soon.
However, the point to note here was the Machine Revolution. The steam locomotive that had appeared in the Xenon Chronicle was included in this Machine Revolution.
It was originally the Industrial Revolution, but Isaac had replaced it with 'Machine Revolution' for a more intuitive explanation.
'Machine Revolution? Is that steam locomotive also called a machine?'
Of course, since the definition of a machine hadn't been properly established, Roy moved on easily.
[Late 1700s. 'Imperialism' emerges, where one nation suppresses others through economic and military power to gain political, economic, and cultural dominance.]
[The United Kingdom, Russia, Portugal, Spain, etc. Countries with powerful military and culture come to possess various colonies.]
[Imperialism remains prevalent until the early 1900s, emerging as the cause of numerous conflicts.]
[Against this backdrop, a new nation called the 'United States' is born.]
The growth of technology and economy meant the growth of the nation. Naturally, military power was bound to become stronger.
And Imperialism, at a glance, seemed like completely dominating another country.
This was similar to the phenomenon shown by the Human Alliance, the predecessor of the Minerva Empire, in the past.
[1871. Bismarck of Prussia annexes and unifies surrounding nations. As a result, the 'German Empire' is born.]
[Bismarck attempts to isolate France by forming an alliance with Russia, but is dismissed upon the accession of Wilhelm II.]
[Taking advantage of this, France forms an alliance with Russia.]
Brief but easy-to-understand facts were listed one after another. For some reason, he felt himself being drawn deep into it.
It felt like reading an alternate history. Just what kind of world was it that was so complex yet so easy to grasp?
[June 28, 1914. Two gunshots ring out in 'Sarajevo,' the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina.]
[Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife, Duchess Sophie of Hohenberg, are assassinated in Sarajevo.]
"Gasp...!"
As soon as he saw that the Crown Prince and his wife had been assassinated, he couldn't help but take a deep breath. To think, the assassination of a Crown Prince and his wife.
Anyone could see that this was a massive event that would trigger a war. And sure enough.
[July 28, 1914. As the Austro-Hungarian Empire declares war on Serbia, World War I breaks out.]
As expected, the sentence stating that war had broken out appeared. But the end of that sentence was strange.
It wasn't just an ordinary war; it was World War I. For a moment, he wondered what that meant, but then he re-read the previous text.
The part about Imperialism flourishing and becoming the seed of conflict. Perhaps it was closely related to that.
For now, nothing had been properly revealed, so it was hard to tell. However, this alone was enough to pique his interest.
Finally...
[April 20, 1889. Adolf Hitler is born in Austria.]
The prologue ended by announcing the birth of the person presumed to be the protagonist(?). Roy looked up after finishing the prologue.
Then, he began to exchange opinions with Anne, who had already read it.
"Is the protagonist’s name Adolf this time?"
"Seems like it? Otherwise, there’d be no reason to go back to the past again."
"I’m curious about what kind of world it is and what kind of exploits this protagonist will perform. It’ll surely be a story about saving the world, just like Xenon, right?"
It was the exact opposite.