Chapter 71: The Aftermath(2)
Chapter 71: The Aftermath(2)
The original manuscript of Xenon Chronicle Volume 1 had been stolen. This single piece of news was more than enough to turn the world upside down.
If it had been a transcript or a first edition produced by the publisher, people might have just let it slide. But this was the original manuscript—the very pages Isaac had written by hand and sent to the publisher.
Beyond leaving a massive footprint on the cultural landscape, it was an artifact of immense historical significance. Its theft was nothing short of a crisis.
[SHOCKING! Original Manuscript of Xenon Chronicle Volume 1 Stolen! Who is the Culprit?]
[The vault wasn't picked; the entire door was ripped off... This is definitely not the work of an ordinary organization.]
[The Publisher is currently unconscious from the shock. While he will be held accountable for the negligent management of the manuscript, there is significant room for leniency.]
[Who could have predicted they would steal the entire safe? And for what purpose?]
The news spread like wildfire in less than three days. Since it was such a shocking incident, newspapers churned out special editions like factories.
This led to another situation where crowds gathered to demand an explanation from the publisher, but they were soon dispersed.
High-ranking officials, sensing the gravity of the situation, had dispatched an investigative team directly from the Imperial Palace to examine the vault. Fearing they might get caught in the crossfire, the people returned to their daily lives, though their suspicions remained.
However, they all shared a common fear: that Isaac might become so enraged that he would declare an indefinite hiatus.
For now, all they could do was hope the higher-ups conducted a thorough investigation.
[No traces of black mana detected. Therefore, it is definitely not the work of the Demon Clan.]
[Traces show that parts were cut with mana to make them easier to remove, followed by the use of brute force. This suggests the culprit is a powerful individual skilled in mana manipulation. The operation is estimated to have taken less than 30 minutes.]
[Investigation concludes the culprit is likely not human. Very few humans can cut through a magically reinforced vault with mana. Therefore, it is highly probable the culprit is a Beastkin or an Elf, races naturally endowed with superior physical capabilities.]
[It is also not the work of Dwarves. They wouldn't have ripped the vault apart; they would have simply figured out the combination.]
As the investigation progressed, the list of suspects narrowed down to Beastkin and Elves.
The operation was too swift and efficient to be the work of a human, and Dwarves, with their superior craftsmanship, would have picked the lock rather than tearing the door off.
The Demon Clan was also ruled out after reports confirmed that their signature black mana was not used.
That left the Beastkin and the Elves. Both possessed physical abilities that far surpassed others. Furthermore, the Elves were second to none when it came to magic, adding weight to that possibility.
But there was one major problem.
What was the culprit's motive for taking the original manuscript of Xenon Chronicle? What could they possibly gain from it?
The experts hit a wall at this point, and progress stalled. For now, they had no choice but to track the manuscript's whereabouts.
Since the manuscript was valuable enough to be designated a national treasure, it was highly likely to be sold on the black market or put up for auction through illicit channels. The Imperial Palace, well aware of this, began a comprehensive sweep.
[The biggest concern is Xenon’s state of mind. He must be deeply displeased by the disappearance of his manuscript.]
[What if he declares his retirement instead of just a hiatus? Everyone will go beyond sadness—they will surely explode in rage once more.]
The greatest worry was Isaac himself. People were anxious because his own handwritten manuscript—not just anything else—had vanished.
For this reason, the investigation was accelerated, but unfortunately, the culprit had left almost no evidence, making it difficult to find even a single clue.
[Strong protest from Albenheim: "We do not engage in such lowly acts."]
[Animus also protests... "Why would we read a novel where a human is the protagonist? Preposterous."]
To make matters worse, both the Elven nation of Albenheim and the Beastkin nation of Animus protested—not just as individuals, but at a national level.
Since both nations provided plausible rebuttals, the case fell further into mystery. Naturally, the anxiety of Xenon Chronicle’s devoted readers grew by the hour.
They feared Isaac might actually announce his retirement. People waited in agonizing suspense for Isaac to make an official statement.
As one storm passed and another began to brew, leaving the world in turmoil once again, what about Isaac—one of the primary victims of this situation?
Was he enraged? Was he grieving? Or was he simply moving on with indifference?
His letter arrived at the publisher approximately one week after the incident.
As usual, it was a long letter, but the summary was as follows:
[Please, just find it. It is my treasure.]
Another massive bombshell had dropped.
The news that the manuscript had been stolen only a day after I entrusted it to the publisher came as a huge shock. I had expected an uproar, but I never dreamed it would be stolen within twenty-four hours.
According to the newspapers, the method used to rob the vault was incredibly crude. They didn't even bother with the combination; they just ripped the door right off. I couldn't help but feel more bewildered than angry.
I had no idea what their motive was, but one thing was for certain.
"...This is irritating."
I was on the verge of losing my temper. Since I was usually evaluated as being stoic, I didn't often express my emotions outwardly.
But the fact that I was muttering my feelings through gritted teeth meant I was truly furious. Honestly, anyone in my position would be.
Xenon Chronicle wasn't a web novel saved on a computer; it was a story I had written by hand. Naturally, I was deeply attached to it.
Furthermore, anyone would be angry if something precious they entrusted to someone else was stolen. Still, it was hard to blame the publisher; they probably never imagined someone would literally tear the door off a vault.
That made it even more infuriating. I wondered what kind of lunatic would go to such lengths to steal my manuscript.
Was it because the manuscript's value was so absurdly high that they planned to sell it? That seemed unlikely.
Based on the investigation alone, the culprit wasn't just some petty thief. It might have been orchestrated by a power that even high-ranking officials would find difficult to touch.
‘But why?’
What was their goal? If they were caught, it would lead to national condemnation and severe repercussions.
I let out a deep sigh at the culprit's incomprehensible motives. It was the first manuscript I had written since my reincarnation, and its hollow disappearance left me feeling depressed.
"Um... Isaac? Are you okay?"
"... ..."
As I was sighing in frustration, Mari, who was sitting next to me, asked in a worried voice. I turned my head as soon as her voice reached my ears.
I saw Mari’s face, her eyes filled with genuine concern.
"...Mari."
"Yes, Isaac."
"Come here for a second."
We were in a lecture hall, but there weren't many people yet. Besides, everyone already knew about our relationship.
Mari looked puzzled for a moment when I spoke in a low voice, but she quickly complied. When I opened my arms, she seemed to realize my intention and gave a small, beaming smile as she opened her own arms.
Squeeze—
They say a hug is the most effective and simplest way to relieve depression. The moment I embraced her, I felt my gloomy mood being washed away.
As expected, hugging Mari was healing. As soon as I held her, I rubbed my face against hers like a child.
I wanted to stay like this forever, but with so many eyes around us, I had to pull back, feeling a lingering regret.
"Do you feel a bit better now?"
After the hug, Mari asked with an "I give up" expression. Her pale cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps a bit embarrassed by the unscheduled display of affection.
I nodded with a gentle smile. Honestly, I wanted to kiss her, but I barely managed to restrain myself since we were in a classroom.
"You don't need to worry too much. The Imperial Palace is personally leading the investigation, so they'll find the culprit soon. I want to help too, but it'll be difficult now that the Palace has stepped in."
"Just staying by my side is enough."
"Wow... Hug me again, quick."
Touched by my words, Mari spread her arms wide and asked for another hug. I gladly accepted and embraced her once more.
And so, for the second time in that lecture hall, we shared a warm moment. I could hear whispering around us, but I didn't care at all.
I was a little embarrassed, sure. But it felt good.
"So, you're just openly advertising that you're a couple now?"
Just as we pulled apart, a familiar voice reached my ears from behind. I turned to see Cecile watching us with a sultry gaze, her chin resting on her hand.
At first glance, it looked like she was just teasing us, but from my perspective—having exchanged letters with her—there was something strange in her eyes.
"Jealous? Jealous? Even if you are, I'm never giving up our Isaac."
Mari pulled me close and hugged me tightly, teasing Cecile. She probably thought Cecile had asked out of envy.
Cecile simply shrugged and stepped back without a word. Even as she retreated, her reddish eyes remained fixed on me.
‘By the way, I don't see Lina.’
Class was about to start, but there was no sign of Lina. She might have skipped class because of the manuscript theft.
After all, such a major incident occurring right after the protests had settled meant she would be busy in many ways. She wouldn't be able to focus on her studies even if she tried.
‘I’m sure she’ll handle it.’
No. She has to handle it.
If the Imperial Palace doesn't want to prove its incompetence, they must find the culprit. Moreover, from Lina's perspective, she would have to work day and night to mend her relationship with me, which had been on the verge of collapse.
The only thing I could do right now was ask Lina for updates every few days. Since even my father wouldn't be able to solve this, I just had to wait patiently.
‘But seriously, what kind of crazy person stole the manuscript?’
If they were found, I really wanted to see the culprit's face.
Just so I could give them a good punch for messing with someone else's property.
*
"Did you hear the news? The original manuscript of Xenon Chronicle was stolen."
"What? What are you talking about? Wasn't the manuscript just announced yesterday?"
"Exactly. But they say it was stolen in just one day. I don't know who did it, but they apparently ripped the vault door right off."
"Hah. What a lunatic. It must be total chaos."
"I heard the Imperial Palace dispatched an investigative team directly. Things are getting serious."
Pubs always come to life in the evening. Many people talk about the day's events, or they simply drink until they're unconscious.
Amidst this lively atmosphere, one person sat alone in silence. It was hard to make out her face because of the robe she wore, but her slender build and the glimpses of her face revealed very fine features.
One could guess she was a woman, and her skin was a unique copper tone. Unlike the others, she sat alone at her table, quenching her thirst with beer while quickly scanning her surroundings.
‘Fortunately, there are no pursuers.’
Had she committed some crime? She felt a sense of relief and felt the area over her right breast.
The 'valuable item' she had obtained today, even at the cost of some overexertion, was resting safely there. She didn't know if a Dwarf had made it, but it had been magically treated and made of such tough material that it was difficult to work with. Not that it mattered much to her.
Though she had ended up crudely ripping the door off because it was hard to cut with mana at the end... the result was good, so it didn't matter.
‘The Queen will be pleased, won't she?’
At the thought of her Queen's smile, she habitually toyed with her long ears.
Unusually, unlike a normal Elf, her ears were about half-clipped.