Ch.115Ripple Effect (1)

The exhibition, which was vibrant and exciting in many ways, concluded successfully. The artworks attracted considerable attention from tourists, and the collaborative performance between the Lirus Orchestra and Matrix Theater Company was magnificent enough to go down in history.

Additionally, the revelation that the director of the Matrix Theater Company was a demon drew worldwide attention. However, as the director himself stated, he was merely an artist, and there was almost no discrimination against him for being a demon.

Instead, this revelation solved the mystery of how such spectacular productions were possible, resulting in even greater interest in the Matrix Theater Company. The Lirus Orchestra also proved why they stood at the pinnacle of the world with their masterpiece “Life.”

After such a memorable festival concluded, people praised the Empire of Minerva and Mayshall territory. Despite the rushed preparation period, they had demonstrated their technical excellence.

The Empire of Minerva, in particular, made a profit rather than just breaking even. While they had sufficient technology, they had lagged behind the Kingdom of Teres culturally, but through this festival, they presented a different kind of culture.

A culture not just for certain classes, but one everyone could enjoy. This alone was immensely satisfying for the Empire of Minerva.

Of course, the Kingdom of Teres wouldn’t just stand by watching. They insisted that the next exhibition must be held in their capital, and the Empire of Minerva, though reluctant, passed the baton.

It was around the time when the festival’s excitement was gradually subsiding.

“Sigh…”

Inside the office of the publishing company that had contracted the Biography of Xenon.

The president sat at his desk, sighing in frustration as he looked at documents recording this month’s sales. The papers showed records from before and after the exhibition.

Sales had plummeted when Biography of Xenon went on hiatus, and they nearly hit rock bottom when the manuscript was stolen. Even at their lowest, the company’s size meant sales were still relatively high, but considering maintenance costs, they were facing serious losses.

Moreover, tax evasion was discovered during the theft investigation, resulting in enormous fines. Fortunately, they avoided imprisonment thanks solely to their contract with Biography of Xenon, but the financial loss was still painful.

Under these circumstances, it was natural for the publishing house to struggle. However, as if blessed by the gods, sales rose again after the exhibition.

Most exhibition visitors were fans of Biography of Xenon, but not all. Many people who were moved by the performances purchased Biography of Xenon to see the original work.

Above all, sales were steadily increasing thanks to Issac releasing the Kayre side story. It was a reality of ups and downs that made the president extremely anxious.

‘Sales will steadily decline during the hiatus period. I need to manage this somehow…’

While it’s important to strike while the iron is hot, what’s more important is preparing for the dark times ahead. Not those that come suddenly, but those that are approaching.

And the president was witnessing those dark times right before his eyes. Besides the enormous fines from the tax evasion case, he had to consider employee salaries and printing house maintenance costs.

If any one of these went wrong, the company could collapse helplessly. Fortunately, the government would provide support due to their exclusive contract with Biography of Xenon, but even this was uncertain.

‘Why did that damn thief steal the manuscript… Ah, this is driving me crazy.’

After the manuscript theft, they bought a new safe, but it was like closing the barn door after the horse had bolted.

Moreover, since the culprit had taken the entire wall, the publishing house would never handle the manuscript again, and Issac would never send a manuscript unless it was a new release.

‘Just two more years. I just need to hold on for two years. Even if I have to shut down the printing house until Biography of Xenon comes out again…’

While the president was planning for the future in his mind.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Clatter!

“Mr. President! Breaking news!”

“Ahhh!”

Someone rushed to the door from outside and flung it open so forcefully it nearly broke. The president, deep in thought, was startled nearly to death.

The person who opened the door was Matthew, who had continued working steadily even after the manuscript theft incident. The president had worried he might quit after such an experience, but Matthew had kept coming to work diligently.

Of course, that was one thing, and this was another. The president, trying to calm his startled heart, shouted at Matthew for entering without knocking.

“What kind of rudeness is this! Even if it’s you…!”

“Never mind that, read this first! It’s a letter from Xenon!”

“This is… what?”

The president stopped mid-shout and opened his eyes wide. He shifted his gaze to Matthew’s fluttering hand.

In his hand was an ordinary letter. It was slightly crumpled from his hurried arrival, but the president didn’t mind.

A letter from Xenon. With just this, the president instructed Matthew in an excited voice.

“G-give that to me right now! Is it really from Xenon?”

“Yes! Look at this handwritten signature! This indecipherable writing is definitely Xenon’s signature!”

The president received the letter from Matthew with trembling hands. He quickly scanned the handwritten signature.

The signature was Issac’s name written in “Hangul.” Not his past life’s name, but his name in this world after reincarnation.

Recognizing Xenon’s distinctive signature, the president hastily tore open the envelope. Matthew must have come straight to the president’s office upon seeing the letter, as there were no signs it had been opened.

Finally, the contents of the letter were revealed, and the president began reading slowly with unsteadily trembling eyes.

The fate of the publishing house could depend on what was written in this letter.

[Hello, dear readers. I am Xenon, the author of Biography of Xenon. I was surprised to hear that an exhibition for Biography of Xenon was being held in my hometown. I had merely told artists they could freely use my work for their art pieces, but I never expected an exhibition to be held.]

Initially, the letter expressed surprise about the exhibition. However, the notable point here was “hometown.”

Until now, there had only been speculation about Xenon, but from this letter, one thing became clear.

He was from the Empire of Minerva, and possibly born in Mayshall territory.

The president was briefly excited about this revelation, but maintained his concentration to read the entire content.

[So I visited Mayshall territory to see my hometown after a long time and to see how the exhibition would be held. It was refreshing to see that my hometown, which had no name decades ago, now had a regional name like Mayshall territory.]

The president’s prediction was correct. Xenon (Issac) was from the Empire of Minerva, specifically Mayshall territory.

The Empire of Minerva had explained that they held the exhibition in Mayshall territory because the capital was overcrowded, but now that Xenon was revealed to be from Mayshall territory, one couldn’t help but be suspicious.

But it could truly be a coincidence, so hasty conclusions should be avoided. The president, pondering about Mayshall territory where the exhibition was held, asked Matthew.

“Matthew. How long has Mayshall territory been directly managed by its lord?”

“Huh? That… it hasn’t been that long. I believe it’s less than 10 years…”

“10 years…”

The letter mentioned leaving his hometown decades ago. And since people estimated Xenon to be an elderly sage, it was very convincing.

However, people were completely unaware that this was all Issac’s fake. Since people assumed him to be a sage, Issac had simply thrown them a bone.

He had already resolved to turn Mayshall territory into a cultural district and had obtained his parents’ consent in advance, so he could mention his birthplace. Coincidentally, he could also make this bigger by reversing his hiatus, as long as he wasn’t discovered too quickly.

‘The Empire of Minerva is quite lucky.’

Of course, the president wasn’t fooled. When the first volume’s manuscript was brought, Hawk had personally visited the publishing house for a private meeting with the president. Since they were already partners, he wasn’t particularly surprised.

He just wondered why such bait was thrown.

The president briefly questioned why such information was revealed, but then dismissed it as unimportant. Whether Xenon spread rumors or not was of no concern to him.

What mattered most to him hadn’t been mentioned yet.

[Upon arriving at Mayshall territory, I could see various works. Paintings, sculptures, plays, and music… Among the paintings, I liked “Hectopascal Kick” by “Karlas Zvasa” the most. It was surprisingly identical to the scene in my mind. While most art pieces had profound themes, Karlas’s work was funny yet impactful, an entertaining piece. Since I write Biography of Xenon to give “fun” to my readers, it really appealed to me.]

The letter also mentioned how the Lirus Orchestra’s performance purified his ears, and how the Matrix Theater Company’s play was the best performance of his life, and so on.

He revealed evidence of his attendance at his own exhibition one by one while praising the artists. The president felt increasingly elated and focused his eyes.

This alone was enough for his publishing house to become Xenon’s spokesperson. They had already become his spokesperson by conveying what Xenon wanted, but people had been wary after the manuscript theft.

However, this one letter could solve all that. And his company’s value would skyrocket.

While the president was inwardly rejoicing and envisioning a rosy future, the letter contained content that was like pouring water into an almost dry river.

[Through the exhibition, I once again realized how much you all love my work, and how much my work is loved. I had decided to take a hiatus for rest, but through this exhibition, I felt all the emotions bottled up inside me being resolved. Thanks to this, I could make a decision. I will reverse my decision to take a two-year hiatus.]

“I will reverse my decision to take a hiatus.” This single sentence was like a lifeline from heaven for the president.

Moreover, it was the announcement of the resumption of Biography of Xenon’s serialization, which all readers in this world wanted most.

“Ah…!”

The president looked at the letter with an expression of deep emotion. There was an additional explanation that due to personal circumstances, the release of new volumes would be extended, and for the next year, they would come out once every three months at most, but this was meaningless to the president.

For him, just reversing the hiatus and resuming serialization was more than enough. With trembling hands that had already crumpled the letter, he read the final content.

[Everyone. Culture is certainly beautiful, but without understanding that culture, it’s just something well-made. I want Biography of Xenon to remain a culture that everyone can enjoy, regardless of gender, age, or class. People who attended the exhibition were busy enjoying the festival without missing anything. Due to personal circumstances, I cannot tell you where I live, what I do, or who I am, but I think I will go to wherever exhibitions are held. Wishing God’s blessing upon my beloved readers, I will now withdraw. Thank you.]

The long letter finally ended. But even after reading the entire letter, the president stood stiffly like a statue, showing no reaction.

Naturally, Matthew, standing beside him, was concerned. As the president just stood there, he called out to him in a cautious voice.

“Um… Mr. President?”

“…Matthew.”

“Yes?”

“Call a newspaper reporter immediately.”

The expression of the president, who had taken his eyes off the letter, was.

“And I’ll give you a special bonus from this month’s salary.”

It was so gentle that it would put a saint to shame.

*****

Biography of Xenon was canceling its hiatus and resuming serialization. This news alone was enough to excite all fans of Biography of Xenon in this world.

Not a few of these people noted that Xenon’s origin was the Empire of Minerva, specifically Mayshall territory, but this garnered less attention than the resumption of serialization. This aspect attracted more interest from national leaders than fans.

The Empire of Minerva sent a statement expressing pleasure at the mention of Xenon’s birthplace, while the Kingdom of Teres, in panic, countered that the Empire of Minerva might be up to something.

However, with the revelation of Xenon (Issac)’s distinctive handwritten signature, the situation worked in favor of the Empire of Minerva. They had already begun steps to develop cultural power, such as turning Mayshall territory into a cultural district.

While the world was once again in an uproar over the letter sent by Xenon, or rather Issac, there was one person who gained unexpected benefits.

“Are you the painter Xenon mentioned? I was curious to see your work, so I came to visit.”

“Ah, that’s…”

“Do you have other works? Since Xenon said they were fun, please show us too.”

“Wait a moment.”

With an artist’s distinctive red beret and an apron to prevent paint splatters, a uniquely grown mustache and round blue eyes. A figure that Issac would have said resembled “Mario” if he had seen him.

It was Karlas Zvasa, an unknown artist who painted the Hectopascal Kick. Since Karlas’s work was not only mentioned in Issac’s letter but also described as fun, it naturally attracted attention.

Karlas had been a common, unknown artist until now, but with just one mention from Xenon, he suddenly became a celebrity. As a result, he was greatly surprised by the people who unexpectedly visited his home.

He had thrown himself into the art world with the ambition to bring fun and laughter to people, but had never seen any results until now. Moreover, being a commoner, neither noble nor rich, he had spent his days starving while focusing on painting.

But his fan devotion to Biography of Xenon was genuine. When most people depicted Sacran’s end, he focused on scenes that occasionally made people burst into laughter.

The result was the Hectopascal Kick, and while it might be considered comical, Karlas was satisfied with it and displayed it at the exhibition. Of course, being unknown, it didn’t attract much attention.

“Um… everyone? I’m sorry, but could you come back a little later? I’m not prepared to receive guests…”

“Hmm. I apologize for the intrusion. Here is my family’s token. If you’re interested, visit the Geto Viscount’s house.”

“Please visit our mansion too. It’s not far from here, so it should be convenient for you to find.”

“We also…”

Karlas received the flood of visit requests with confusion, accepting each token one by one. For him, an unknown and poor artist, such treatment was extremely awkward.

Eventually, after receiving a pile of visit permits, Karlas entered his house and stood blankly for a while. He couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality.

But after entering his house, the distinctive smell of paint stimulated his senses, and he could grasp the situation. That by simply painting a scene from Biography of Xenon, he had become a celebrity in a short time.

His art, which wasn’t an excellent work that only certain classes could appreciate, but one that gave fun and laughter to everyone, had finally begun to shine.

Just because Xenon, and no one else, liked it.

“… …”

Karlas looked at the canvas he had been painting until just now. Pleased that his name was mentioned in Xenon’s letter, he was in the middle of painting another scene.

He had simply painted it as fan art, but an unexpected situation had occurred. Karlas blinked his eyes and muttered softly.

“W-what is happening…”

Meanwhile, Issac, who was unaware that his letter had created another master in the art world…

“Marie.”

“What?”

“How long are you going to stay at our mansion?”

“I’d like to stay forever.”

He was enjoying an indirect married life with Marie.