Ch.173Volume 14 (2)

As Volume 14 was released, I suddenly had a thought about the various reactions that were emerging.

By now, the world must hate me.

Luminus and Mora might have different positions, but from my perspective, I couldn’t help thinking that way.

The corruption of the World Tree roots, demon summoning, Reapers, Magic Engines, and so on. As if I didn’t have enough headaches already, now people are making a fuss about forbidden magic and whatnot.

I simply wrote a novel based on my imagination, but when that imagination appears in reality, I feel beyond bewildered—almost enlightened.

At this point, shouldn’t I just give up? Isaac’s imagination becomes reality—what’s the point anymore?

What’s most troublesome is that even if I deny it now, no one will listen to me; they’ll just consider it an excuse. There have been too many consecutive incidents to dismiss as mere coincidence.

If there’s any different reaction, it might be that forces trying to exclude me for my “dangerous knowledge” surfaced briefly, received harsh criticism, and then retreated. Actually, I wasn’t bothered since there have always been forces slandering and envying me.

The scope has just widened a bit. If it was mainly novelists criticizing me before, now it’s spread to nobles as well.

“If he knows forbidden magic, doesn’t he likely know other dangerous knowledge too?”

Before Alfheim, Xenon was falsely accused by human nobles and even attacked, creating many uncomfortable parallels to my situation.

Because of this, some celebrities made extreme statements, but they faced such strong backlash that the controversy died down quickly. However, the wariness never completely disappeared.

As a result, the pressure weighing on my shoulders became burdensome in various ways. What started as a hobby novel now made me hesitant to continue, not knowing what else might manifest in reality.

I’m seriously considering whether I should completely revise the beastmen part that I had already planned out. But story-wise, I need to enter the beastmen arc, so even that is difficult.

I could only contemplate whether to clear my mind and continue writing steadily or take a hiatus for a while.

[Since things have come to this, why not just keep going? I think whatever you write from now on will surely have meaning.]

‘Rather than giving advice, you’re just adding to my burden.’

[What can I do? Neither I nor my brother can really help you. The future that has already arrived can only be prepared for, not prevented.]

In the end, I visited Mora hoping to receive some advice while also getting divine power for my night with Cecilly, but I gained little from it.

According to Mora, from the signs of demon summoning, these events were predetermined.

That’s also why she answered that she didn’t know when I asked if writing about fusion would be okay. With the future already fixed, she had no idea what would happen.

[Don’t you have a saying on Earth? First, defecate. Then you’ll become famous. Right?]

‘It’s “First become famous. Then even if you defecate, people will applaud.” How can I just defecate recklessly? People would think I’m crazy.’

[Ah, that’s right. But you understood what I meant!]

‘Sigh…’

I sighed deeply in my heart. Anyway, as Mora said, from now on, people will likely try to determine whether what I write is true or false.

It means they won’t treat my novel as fiction but as a genuine book of prophecy. Yet it’s awkward for Luminus or Mora to issue an oracle about this, as their intervention might backfire.

As the word “prejudice” suggests, once a perception is fixed, it’s difficult to change. You don’t have to look far—just consider how demons have been treated for over 1,000 years.

Even the corruption of the World Tree roots was just at the suspicion stage, but now that fusion has been revealed as forbidden magic, the Biography of Xenon will be treated as a prophetic text in all but name.

‘…Isn’t there any way?’

[Neither I nor any of us can help you. The best approach would be to include stories that couldn’t possibly exist in this world.]

‘But that’s what led to the current situation.’

[Hmm… that’s true.]

After thinking for a while, Mora advised me in a casual tone.

[I think the best approach is to just ignore it. You may be from another world, but you’re not a prophet or a returner from the future. Eventually, people will understand as you continue writing.]

‘The problem is the impact before that happens. As you said, misunderstandings will be cleared up, but the phenomena that will emerge because of the books…’

[We can handle that at our level. Or you could ask us. Like, what reaction would come if you wrote this?]

‘But when I asked about fusion last time, you said you didn’t know.’

[You should have asked more specifically. Not “Is it okay?” but “What reactions will emerge?” If you ask vaguely, we can only answer that we don’t know. You need to ask the right question to get the answer you want.]

It’s kind of like coding. Though I was a liberal arts student, I know the basics of programming.

‘It seems a bit unfriendly…’

[Listen. As my brother said, knowing the future is like buying time. And while we care for you, most other believers don’t even receive divine communication. Even having such casual conversations is difficult for other believers. You’re special.]

‘…I’m sorry. I was being disrespectful.’

I almost made a grave mistake with a deity. As they say, when kindness continues, one starts to see it as a right. But these are gods. While not omnipotent, they are transcendent beings who can foresee the future.

Just because I’ve grown close to them doesn’t mean I’ve become their equal. Historically, there are countless examples of those who received divine favor, became arrogant, and were punished.

I should carefully maintain boundaries to avoid the same fate.

[It’s okay. You’re handsome, so I’ll be generous. But why not try growing your hair long once?]

‘I’ll pass on that. It’s too much trouble to maintain.’

[Come on, just try it once. It’s not like long-haired men are rare.]

As Mora complained, there are indeed many long-haired men in this world. But it’s not for fashion—most just don’t bother with maintenance.

There are no specialized barbershops, and hairstyles aren’t standardized. Soldiers, however, keep their hair short to prevent it from getting caught or pulled by enemies during combat.

I once considered growing it out but cleanly gave up. I belatedly realized that even washing long hair is a burdensome task.

‘I’m sorry…’

[Sigh. Alright. If that’s your choice, I can’t help it. It’s a shame, though—I think it would really suit you.]

‘I’ll consider it if the opportunity arises.’

[Really? Alright. I’ll have to ask that child. Hehe.]

‘… …’

What a petty method. Hearing Mora’s giggling laughter, I felt my energy drain.

Now I understand why believers find Mora exhausting. With such childishness, it must be awkward from a mortal’s perspective.

The fortunate thing is that she’s not narrow-minded but has great generosity. Believers find Mora difficult to deal with, but they don’t fear her.

‘…Mora?’

[Yes? Did you call me?]

‘Then if I write Volume 15, what kind of reaction would…’

I was about to ask about the reactions to Volume 15’s publication but stopped myself. While it’s not a bad choice to check reactions in advance for thorough preparation, doing so would inevitably influence my writing.

Moreover, there’s a risk that the story I’ve already planned could become a mess. Knowing the future offers good merits, but conversely, it means you can’t experience growth.

And it’s not right to ask the gods for help every time I publish a book. I should figure things out on my own; depending on others would mean standing still.

So I gave up on asking about Volume 15’s reactions. It was obvious that similar reactions would emerge, and as Mora said, the only solution was to keep publishing books until the misunderstandings were cleared up.

I don’t know what incidents might occur in the meantime, but depending on someone else isn’t a good choice.

‘…Never mind. As you said, continuing to publish books until the misunderstandings are cleared seems like the best approach.’

[Good thinking. We can warn, but we have no means to force. Even the “divine punishment” you know about is only possible within temples. That’s why heinous villains still exist openly.]

‘So it’s impossible for believers to unite in prayer and bring divine punishment upon such villains?’

[Before that happens, wouldn’t people take care of that villain themselves if we just said a word?]

‘Oh… that makes sense.’

The word “take care of” didn’t suit a deity’s mouth, but that made it all the more impressive. Indeed, when Luminus spoke just once, even a Cardinal from Sabre embarked on a pilgrimage, desperately searching for me.

I thought carefully about what to ask next and recalled the recent reactions. Unlike before, there were evaluations saying my knowledge was dangerous and I needed to be found immediately.

Although it was only reported in newspapers, and many people were protecting me, there are always “what ifs” in the world. Moreover, I heard that nobles from Alfheim had visited the publishing house.

If things continue this way, there could be trouble, so I should at least prepare for this if nothing else.

‘Mora, can you just tell me what I should be careful about in the future? I would appreciate it if you could warn me about dangers that might befall not only me but also the people I love.’

[Hmm… well. Rather than danger, something interesting is about to happen soon. At your mansion.]

‘What do you mean?’

What could happen at our mansion? I flinched momentarily and then urgently asked again.

I want to prevent problems from occurring at the mansion above all other places. My mother is pregnant with Lilly, and if she gets stressed and miscarries, it would be terrible. I’ll say it again: my mother is quite old.

Contrary to my concern, Mora giggled with an intrigued voice and left me with cryptic words.

[You’ll see hyenas crawling into what they don’t realize is a lion’s mouth.]

‘…I don’t understand what you mean.’

[You’ll find out when you return to the mansion exactly one week from now. None of the things you’re worried about will happen, so don’t worry. I guarantee it.]

‘If you say so, I’m reassured, but…’

Even just an incident at the mansion is a major concern for me. During the exhibition, Rain directly infiltrated the mansion and caused chaos.

It seems I should prepare thoroughly. I want to prevent harm to those around me because of me.

‘Should Cecilly be there too?’

[That would make it even more certain to crush them. Oh, but I recommend just sleeping that day. You might face an awkward situation otherwise.]

‘…Understood. Is there anything else?’

[The aftermath will be handled well without your involvement. You just need to keep writing your books.]

‘So I don’t need to do anything?’

[Rather than doing nothing, maybe just write a letter? It’ll be quite entertaining.]

I wonder what could possibly happen at our mansion that would be so entertaining. I tilted my head in confusion, but it was difficult to guess without that day arriving.

It’s hard for Mora to tell me directly because if she did, the future might completely change. To prevent that, I didn’t ask for details.

‘Thank you. Then I’ll trust you and return to the mansion in a week.’

[Good. You’ll receive divine power before you go, right?]

‘Yes.’

As always before departing, Mora transferred divine power to me. As Mora’s divine power was absorbed into me, I felt my mind become calmer and clearer.

Unlike Luminus’s divine power, Mora’s doesn’t give an immediate sensation. While Luminus’s power makes you directly feel stronger, Mora’s stabilizes the mind, which is the difference.

Still, through my first night with Cecilly, I realized how important Mora’s divine power was. Without it, I would have collapsed from exhaustion before Cecilly.

‘But it seems like more than usual today… or am I imagining it?’

[You’re imagining it. The more divine power, the better, right?]

‘That’s true.’

At first, I dismissed it without suspicion, but the problem arose the next morning.

Since Cecilly wasn’t in her bad cycle, we made love a few times and quickly fell asleep, allowing me to rest comfortably.

“Huh? Isaac. Your hair… why has it grown so long?”

“…Oh, really.”

When I opened my eyes, my hair had grown long past my shoulders to my shoulder blades. It was clearly Mora’s prank.

My red hair was already eye-catching, but with it grown so long, it became even more intense. Eventually, I asked Cecilly to neatly trim my hair out of frustration, but…

“It’s already grown back? It hasn’t even been an hour.”

“What?”

Whatever Mora did, my hair grew back immediately like seaweed every time it was cut. No matter how many times we cut it, it kept growing back, so we eventually gave up.

“I’ll just manage it nicely for you. Should I tie it like this?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

“This is the first time I’m tying your hair, right? I’m doing something even Marie hasn’t done. At this rate, I should be the legal wife, don’t you think?”

“… …”

And so, a peaceful day in Helium continued to pass.

*****

“…So that bastard secretly sent a letter?”

“Yes. Since he wrote it at home rather than the publishing house and didn’t put it in the mail, it must be a letter written to Xenon.”

“Good. Well done. We just need to track that bastard.”

An elf with stunning beauty curled her lip and muttered contemptuously.

“No matter how skilled he is, he’s still just a human.”