Ch.249Summer Break Again (1)

After hearing Adelia’s offer to attend to me at night, my mind went hazy, but fortunately the situation was smoothed over.

Since she had been focusing solely on martial arts until now, she hardly knew any slang or euphemisms.

These kinds of expressions aren’t taught in books but are learned through interactions between people, so it couldn’t be helped.

I couldn’t really say anything since I had thoughtlessly invited Marie for coffee during the previous exhibition, not knowing any better.

Asking someone for coffee late at night was equivalent to “Want to come over for ramen?” in my previous life.

Still, I can laugh about it now since it led to happy days together. But I should probably explain things to Adelia.

I first asked her to learn about slang in detail. It seems Marie only saw the title and passed it on to Adelia, resulting in this situation.

When Adelia eventually learns about these euphemisms, she’ll probably kick her blanket in frustration, but that’s for later. She might find it difficult to even look at my face for a while.

Anyway, after this small incident passed, I explained to Adelia what she needed to do at the exhibition. I also told her about my recent meeting with Hyria.

The imperial side might try to block things or the Kingdom of Teres might do something unnecessary, so they might assign someone else to me. Just like Hyria officially requested, people from other countries can make requests too.

But even so, Adelia still needs to stay by my side. Although she’s somewhat relieved of her trauma, it hasn’t been completely resolved.

When Adelia heard this, she flinched slightly but then smiled with her characteristic confidence and replied:

“With you around, I don’t worry at all?”

I was so touched that I gave her a deep kiss in response. Her confident smile disappeared, leaving only a shy bride.

Adelia, no longer the gallant knight but just a woman, exudes an indescribable charm. To think that she was persecuted so much—my antipathy toward the Kingdom of Teres grows stronger.

After expressing my affection to Adelia a few more times and explaining what to be careful about at the exhibition, I returned to the dormitory.

As a bonus, before I left, Adelia followed exactly what she had learned from books.

While I’m looking forward to the exhibition, I’m most excited about seeing Adelia in a maid uniform. I’ve already explained it roughly to my mother in a letter.

So as soon as she returns to the mansion, Adelia will receive maid training and wear a maid uniform. She’ll also receive martial arts training from my father at the same time.

She’s what you’d call a battle maid, perfectly fulfilling a man’s fantasy. But this is a fantasy world, so battle maids actually exist.

However, the conditions to become a personal maid are very strict. Basic martial arts are fundamental, and one must also serve as a secretary.

She’s truly the epitome of being “accomplished in both literary and military arts.” Moreover, this is only possible because Adelia, though illegitimate, is royalty who received a high-level education—something ordinary commoners couldn’t even dream of.

After all, one should focus on a single well rather than dig many. There couldn’t be a more suitable profession for Adelia.

‘It seems to suit her strangely well.’

Now that my meeting with Adelia is over, I just need to finish what needs to be done until the vacation approaches.

The exam questions have been submitted, so my assistant work is done. However, I still need to grade papers, so I was stuck in the lab until after 5 o’clock one day.

It was fun to find which students submitted creative answers. The exam question was about explaining the history I had received a year ago.

I had written “history repeats itself” as my answer, which led to me becoming Elena’s slave—no, assistant.

Perhaps because the number of literature students had tripled, there were quite a few students who gave creative answers.

The most unique answer was “history is a mirror through which one converses with oneself.” The student who wrote this was a male student who, like me, had a deep interest in history.

Seeing Elena’s satisfaction with that student’s answer, it seems she’s internally marked him as an assistant. Finally, I’ll have a junior.

‘As for Cherry…’

I checked Cherry’s answer too, and she wrote something that was either characteristic of her or just strange:

[History is red.]

What red? It was such an incomprehensible answer that even Elena was bewildered while grading it.

As a bonus, she kept looking at my hair while grading. I deliberately ignored her gaze and graded according to the standards Elena had taught me.

Since Elena was handling all the second-year exam questions, I didn’t have to grade my acquaintances’ papers. After finishing all the grading, I immediately returned to the dormitory and had dinner.

After dinner, I sat down at my desk and began writing. Writing should be done quickly; otherwise, I forget what I intended to write.

This time, I’m not writing the main story but a side story—the past story of Jin and Lily, written for the demon race.

‘Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this popular.’

When I first wrote the Biography of Xenon, the perception of the demon race was at rock bottom. That’s why my family was concerned about the backlash when they first read it.

And sure enough, as soon as the romance between a demon man and a human saint appeared, there was a flood of attention and criticism.

How could a demon and a human fall in love, they said; no matter what, forming a relationship with a demon was incomprehensible.

It’s a very different reaction from the current status of the Biography of Xenon. There were even occasional requests to discontinue the series.

Fortunately, the proportion of readers who found it interesting was greater, and from volume 5 onward, the evaluation completely changed.

The contempt and hatred toward the demon race were uprooted, and naturally, Jin and Lily’s romance line also soared.

As more volumes of the Biography of Xenon were published, the real-world demon race also rose, and now they’re just another race included in “humanity.”

Because of this, people became curious about Jin and Lily’s past—how they met and confirmed their feelings for each other.

Although their past was mentioned here and there throughout the story, it wasn’t explained in detail. There was only an explanation that Jin, who had a miserable past, was saved by meeting Lily.

I originally planned to write the side story after completing the main story, but for the sake of the demon race who even invented the typewriter for me, I need to hurry.

Although there are only about two weeks left until the exhibition, it’s more than enough time. Volume 20 is scheduled to be released during the vacation after the exhibition.

This is all thanks to the typewriter. Even if it breaks down, there’s an excellent repair technician, Gartz, so there’s no need to worry.

Tap-tap-tap, tap-tap-tap—

The sound of the typewriter fills the dormitory. I looked at the parade of sentences displayed on the hologram window and paused for a moment.

Writing a side story is fine, but the perspective and atmosphere are most important.

Jin’s past was so gloomy that even the word “miserable” is insufficient to describe it. On the other hand, Lily grew up loved as she was to become a future saint.

Given the stark contrast in their origins, there will inevitably be conflicts. Especially important is the psychological change of Jin, who was twisted beyond measure.

‘In the main story, Lily teased that Jin was really a disobedient child back then.’

It couldn’t be helped. Jin was a demon born from the rape of a human woman by Gluttony, Beelzebub.

With an unwanted pregnancy and the child being a demon, there was no way for there to be affection. As a result, Jin suffered severe abuse from his mother from a young age.

To add a bit of exaggeration, if he had been a human child, he would have lost his life unable to withstand the abuse. The robust physique characteristic of demons manifested from an early age.

‘It really needs to feel like he was saved…’

Both now and in my previous life, I’m a fantasy writer. Naturally, the focus tends to be on adventure rather than romance.

There are fantasy adventure works that depict psychology well, but I’m lacking in many ways compared to those works.

Rustle—

I temporarily stopped writing and opened the desk drawer. Inside was not the draft of the Biography of Xenon but the draft of Cherry’s work, “One More Red Sunset.”

I’m keeping it separately because Cherry might make a mistake if she kept it. Along with the draft that was torn to pieces and then put back together.

I plan to keep this draft as it symbolizes her dreams, hopes, and wounds. If she ever hits a slump, I’ll show her this draft to stimulate her.

‘Doesn’t Cherry write this kind of side story well?’

Although only one volume has been released so far, Cherry’s psychological descriptions are truly exquisite.

While the Biography of Xenon increases immersion through exciting developments, Cherry’s work draws readers in through detailed psychological descriptions.

In fact, most of the praise for her work is for her excellent psychological descriptions.

The feature of a regression story is like a top-grade ingredient in cooking. Depending on how it’s cooked, it can become a masterpiece or a failure.

Lastly, the type of dish varies depending on how it’s cooked. In other words, if I want more detailed psychological descriptions, it would be better to get help from her.

‘Cherry would certainly help, but…’

It weighs on my conscience to receive this for free. Judging from Cherry’s current behavior, she seems willing to give anything.

So I should reciprocate, but I’m not sure what kind of compensation to give her. Although her family environment is broken, she has everything else.

I’ll talk to Cherry about this tomorrow. For now, it’s better to write as much as I can.

‘Mother would like it the most, right?’

Since she wanted Jin and Lily’s romance so much, she would be very happy when the side story comes out.

But the problem is volume 20. As I mentioned before, a major revelation is unveiled in volume 20.

The fact that Gluttony is actually Jin’s biological father. Upon hearing this, Jin collapses mentally and is utterly defeated.

Although Lily arrives belatedly, Jin is already subdued by Gluttony, Beelzebub. Beelzebub deduces Jin and Lily’s relationship and smiles vilely as he delivers the final blow.

Lily, watching this in real-time, screams loud enough to make the heavens weep, but Jin’s chest is pierced by Beelzebub.

‘…Should I release it after she’s fully recovered from childbirth?’

She’ll be quite shocked. Of course, Jin won’t die immediately as he’ll make a surprise appearance as the final boss, but the story ends at that timing.

I plan to use the forbidden technique known as a cliffhanger once again.

‘I’ll probably just get a few slaps on the back and that’ll be it.’

I shrugged and continued typing.

******

Around the time Isaac was diligently writing a side story for the demon race, at the Mayshall territory.

After the news spread that not only a Luminus temple but also a Mora temple would be built, the Mayshall territory became much busier than before.

Naturally, the workload of Hawk, the lord, also increased exponentially. Since there was nowhere else in the world where temples of both Luminus and Mora were built simultaneously, all sorts of merchants were flocking in.

The territory was already receiving attention because of the exhibition, but when the news spread, it exploded in popularity.

From Hawk’s perspective, it was good that the territory was developing, but the increase in overtime work proportionally left him with unrelieved fatigue.

As a former knight commander, he was physically robust, but if it had been someone else, they would have collapsed from overwork long ago.

“Hoo…”

“Why don’t you take a break while working?”

In the study of the Mayshall family mansion. As Hawk, sitting at the desk, rubbed his eyes and sighed, Annah expressed her concern.

The development of the territory was also good news for her as the mistress of the Mayshall family, but the most important thing was the health of her family.

She was especially worried because her burning love for Hawk had not cooled since their first meeting decades ago.

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”

“That’s what I’m worried about. I know how robust your body is, yet you’re feeling tired.”

Hawk gave a bitter smile at his beloved wife’s concern. Her words were all correct without a single mistake.

He wanted to throw everything aside, but procrastinating work didn’t suit Hawk’s nature. The habit of preparing in advance had continued from his days as a knight until now.

“I’m more worried about you. It hasn’t been long since you gave birth to Lilly.”

“What worry? Cardinal Kate blessed me with plenty of holy power, so how could there be any discomfort?”

“…”

Hawk chuckled, at a loss for words after hearing Annah’s response. Indeed, as soon as Kate heard the news of Annah’s childbirth, she blessed her.

Because it was a blessing cast by a cleric as high-ranking as a cardinal, Annah quickly regained her health. Not only that, but Kate also infused Lilly with holy power.

Thanks to this, both mother and child are so healthy that they could practically fly around. This is all thanks to Kate.

“That’s true. I want to pass the family headship to Isaac soon…”

“No way. If that happens, Isaac will have less time to write. Please be patient a little longer.”

“…Annah. Are you on my side or Isaac’s side?”

“I’m on our family’s side~”

Hawk shook his head at Annah, who thrust out her chest and gave a self-evident answer. It seems he can’t win an argument against Annah after all.

With this, he stood up to take a rest and spend some intimate time with Annah. As Hawk stood up, Annah approached him with a gentle smile and linked arms with him.

“So let’s go see Lilly. I’m worried she might not even recognize her father’s face at this rate.”

“She was just born not long ago, wasn’t she?”

“She’s had her eyes open for a while now.”

Hawk looked lovingly at Annah, who exuded youthfulness, boldness, and beauty no less than a maiden. Annah also received his gaze, creating a sweet atmosphere.

Both of them are past forty, but they boast a love no less passionate than any young couple. Thanks to this love, a late child was born.

“I wish the children would come soon. They probably haven’t seen Lilly’s face yet.”

“I agree with that.”

“And I also hope Isaac releases the side story. I don’t know what gift he received, but he said he’ll release one volume every two weeks, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

“…”

It seems what Annah is most looking forward to is the Biography of Xenon. Isaac might feel disappointed if he heard this, but despite her words, she loves her family more than anyone else.

Then suddenly, an interesting thought occurred to him. The side story of Jin and Lily that Isaac said he was releasing for the demon race.

Currently, Annah is eagerly waiting for that side story, and furthermore, she’s an ardent fan. She even occasionally jokingly asks Isaac when Jin and Lily will get together.

As soon as this thought occurred to him, Hawk asked Annah:

“By the way, Annah. You like the romance between Jin and Lily, right?”

“Of course. How could I not like it when their yearning hearts seem to reach even me?”

“Hmm… then what if. Just what if those two…”

“Stop right there.”

Perhaps she guessed what question Hawk was trying to ask. Annah cut off his words with a voice that was infinitely lowered, not the lively voice from before.

Even Hawk flinched slightly at that voice. It was a voice and atmosphere that could put the north wind and snow to shame.

Meanwhile, Annah spoke with a still smiling face:

“Isaac probably wouldn’t do this, but if, really, truly if he tears those two apart…”

“…”

“I might seriously consider expelling him from the family. Of course, such a thing would never happen. Hoho.”

She emphasized once more:

“Right?”

“…Y-yes. That’s right.”

Hawk answered with a grim expression.