Ch.172Volume 14 (1)

The Biography of Xenon Volume 14 made its appearance in the world. And once again(?), it caused quite a stir without fail.

First was the ability called “Fusion,” which allowed Elves and Dark Elves to truly become one in the most literal sense.

This wasn’t just a simple fantasy but an ability that piqued the curiosity of many scholars and mages from a magical perspective. Moreover, people were already half-convinced that Xenon (Issac) was some kind of prophet.

Up to this point, there was merely an exchange of opinions, but after Volume 14 reached Alfheim, the situation began to change rapidly.

[The fusion described in Volume 14 is actually possible magic. However, it’s unethical as described, with serious repercussions, and is strictly forbidden.]

[It was magic used by Elves during the Demon War 3000 years ago. However, after receiving the World Tree as a gift, all records were purged due to its dangerous nature.]

[Fusion, or Unity, is only possible for Elves chosen by the gods, and among them, only warriors with noble character…]

It was revealed that the fusion featured in the memorable scenes of Biography of Xenon Volume 14 was actually usable magic—forbidden magic, at that.

The formal name was Unity, and as described, it wouldn’t disappear until all energy was consumed, absorbing everything around it to sustain itself.

Being truly pure energy, it absorbed both regular Mana and Dark Mana without distinction, and the energy entity could create storms with just a gesture, just like in the book.

When this fact was announced directly in Alfheim of all places, people—especially the Elves—were in an uproar.

[Those who attempt Unity will be severely punished, as will those who utilize its theory.]

[The Queen’s order has been issued, but scholars and mages are showing interest in the theory explained in the book…]

[The theory that massive energy absorbs surrounding energy to prevent its own dissipation was once proposed by a Yggdrasil scholar. However, it was abandoned due to fierce opposition from the Council of Elders…]

Unity provoked various reactions. Although Arwen had issued an order threatening severe punishment, it wasn’t enough to curb the curiosity of scholars and mages.

While some worried this might lead to truly dangerous situations, others firmly declared the theory absolutely impossible.

The reason was that energy absorbing surrounding energy to prevent its own dissipation implied a kind of “self-awareness.” After all, the energy entity created through Unity was ultimately a living being with its own consciousness.

Living beings struggle to survive when faced with danger by instinct, and energy entities were no different. This meant that to verify this phenomenon, one would need to create an energy entity with consciousness.

No matter how boundless the power of magic might be, “creation” was an ability only gods could perform. Mages realized this and completely abandoned any thoughts of attempting it.

It seemed the matter of Unity would pass, but the real problem emerged after the situation had calmed down.

[Xenon knew about the forbidden knowledge of Unity. Could he know other such knowledge as well?]

[Looking back, the knowledge he possesses is consistently filled with dangerous things. If he truly knows the future, his knowledge could become a weapon.]

[Xenon is undoubtedly someone who saved this world from crisis. However, it’s also an unchangeable fact that he is dangerous.]

As misunderstandings arose that he even knew forbidden magic, negative evaluations surfaced.

In truth, the assessment that Xenon was dangerous had existed before, but people were too distracted by the books to pay much attention. Moreover, even that merely meant he was culturally dangerous, not that the author himself was dangerous.

But starting with Volume 14, people began to grow wary.

If he knew forbidden magic that had been erased even from records, might he not possess other dangerous knowledge as well?

While Xenon was a hero who had warned about the corruption of the World Tree’s roots and signs of demon summoning, his knowledge was deemed very dangerous for that very reason. Such evaluations began to emerge.

When someone achieves great feats, there are those who look up to them, but also those who envy them. The human heart, especially, is fickle.

Throughout history, those who left their names in the annals received universal respect but also faced immense opposition in equal measure.

Starting with Volume 14, forces that had been slandering and criticizing Issac began to show themselves. With the pretext of forbidden magic, it was easy to condemn him.

Of course, with even the Church of Luminus acknowledging him through divine revelation, no one was bold enough to openly criticize him. Even the condemnations published in newspapers were cowardly written anonymously, without attaching names.

[Those who harm the saint recognized by Luminus will be severely punished.]

[Are you not afraid of divine wrath?]

[While his knowledge is indeed dangerous, there’s no immediate problem. Rather, he’s the world’s benefactor who prevented the demon invasion.]

Above all, the Papal Kingdom of Sabre, which followed Luminus’s divine revelations like fanatics, wouldn’t stand idle. Even though they had moved away from their fanatical tendencies since the indiscriminate slaughter of demons, they remained devout.

Not just Sabre, but the Empire of Minerva, the Kingdom of Teres, and Helium had similar stances. Helium needed no explanation, while the Empire of Minerva and the Kingdom of Teres were in positions of mutual check.

Anyway, with nations rather than individuals taking action, those who had been criticizing had to be cautious. Still, they continued to insist that Xenon’s knowledge was dangerous.

In fact, their opinion seemed somewhat valid at a glance, which intensified the efforts to track down Xenon. As a result, one person was suffering the most.

“Ah, really. I told you I don’t know! I just receive the manuscript and send it to the printing house!”

“I said you just need to tell us who gives you the manuscript. Speak up. What do you want? Money? Or perhaps honor?”

It was the publishing house president. As always, he pleaded in frustration to the nobles who had come to track down Xenon.

The previous visit from Alfheim nobles was somewhat tolerable. He didn’t have to betray Xenon, and he could just have Matthew forge a signature.

That strategy had worked brilliantly, and the Alfheim nobles stopped coming. Afterward, he enjoyed life watching money multiply with glee.

But due to the forbidden magic described in Volume 14, those nobles came barging in again. The reason was that Xenon, who knew magic lost even from records, was deemed very dangerous.

While he valued his loyalty to Xenon—Issac—over money and power, this time the “justification” was too clear. One only needed to think about why forbidden magic was called forbidden.

Because of this, the publishing house president once again faced the stubborn Alfheim nobles.

“If the knowledge spread by Xenon causes great chaos in the world, you, who allowed it, will also be responsible. Are you okay with that? All the money you’ve saved could disappear.”

An Elf man dressed in what appeared to be luxurious silk spoke calmly but with a threatening tone to the president. Being an Elf, he was taller than the president and looked down at him.

However, the president didn’t back down one bit. Given how many nobles he had dealt with, a mere Elf noble wouldn’t make any difference.

“Money can be earned again. But I cannot betray my loyalty to someone.”

“Hmph. Loyalty? You’re just doing it because you can make more money.”

The Elf noble snorted dismissively. Since it was actually true, the president kept his mouth shut.

But he had no intention whatsoever of revealing Issac’s residence. The moment he did, his connection with Issac would be completely severed.

Right now, his priority was to drive away the nobles somehow. The president rubbed the bridge of his nose firmly and quietly asked them to leave.

“…Will this solve anything? I’m already busy enough, and now my head hurts. Come back later.”

“Remember this, human. The knowledge Xenon possesses is very dangerous. Not just us, but many others think similarly.”

The Elf nobles left with what was essentially a threat in response to the president’s dismissal. As their footsteps gradually faded away, the president collapsed weakly into his chair.

Dangerous knowledge or whatever—why didn’t they just find him themselves instead of pestering him? It probably meant Issac was that difficult to find.

Since the president was the only clue and connection, they likely came to him as a last resort.

While last time they came simply to “verify” a signature, now they were deliberately “tracking” Issac.

Not only Alfheim nobles but other nobles were also preparing to find Issac, but the fact that they were Elves made the weight of their presence completely different.

‘They seem quite skilled… Elves who can use magic proficiently are dangerous.’

While they might not have the authority to directly investigate taxes like the Empire of Minerva, Elves were far superior at tracking step by step. No matter how intricately Hawk wove his web to transmit manuscripts, discovery was just a matter of time.

The reason they hadn’t been discovered until now was because different couriers were employed each time, and above all, the Elves hadn’t shown much interest. At least not until the release of Volume 13.

Hawk’s delivery method might be effective against humans, but whether it would work against Elves was uncertain. Elves were one of the races that could use magic as naturally as breathing.

‘This won’t do. At this rate, I should at least send a warning.’

That way, he wouldn’t be responsible if problems arose. Just as the president was about to write a letter to Issac, he looked around cautiously.

Come to think of it, those Elf fellows might have done something while they were here. No matter how urgent, one should still be careful.

With this in mind, the president decided it would be better to write the letter at home rather than at the publishing house, and he leaned back in his chair. Perhaps because it was a recently replaced leather chair, it felt quite comfortable.

‘I’m suffering like this, but what is that Xenon fellow doing?’

What else would he be doing?

“Issac.”

“Yes?”

“You’re really not a prophet or someone from the future? This is just a coincidence too?”

“I told you it’s a coincidence.”

“Hmm. Alright. Take off your clothes quickly.”

“Suddenly?”

He was busy enjoying a happy life with his beloved.

“Don’t you want to tease me?”

“Not at all.”

That day was followed by another long night, to boot.