Ch.273Isaac’s Imagination (1)

After fleeing to Helium just before the release of volume 20, it was, as expected, because of my mother.

Her affection for the Jin-Lilly couple was extraordinary, so it was obvious she would fly into a rage if she saw the ending of volume 20.

I had to escape quickly, or my head might have exploded like a fruit.

You might ask why I don’t just tell people Jin doesn’t die. I generally avoid spoilers, even for acquaintances.

I once accidentally spoiled something for Cecilly and deeply disappointed her. Since then, I’ve learned to keep quiet.

My current task is to escape my mother’s not-so-subtle pressure and write volume 21. Going to Helium was for a more comfortable environment.

Of course, I didn’t go to Helium alone. Marie, who was planning to stay at the mansion during the break, and Adelia came along too.

We’ll probably stay at the Helium palace for about two weeks. My priority is to finish volume 21 by then.

“So, son-in-law. Does Jin really die?”

“… …”

As they say, out of the frying pan and into the fire. I froze completely when I heard Isillia’s question.

The moment I stopped, I felt countless gazes upon me. The stares of everyone at the table, including Deskall, the King of Helium.

Currently, our group is enjoying a pleasant break at the palace.

It’s an opportunity to introduce Marie and Adelia to Cecilly’s parents, and for everyone to get acquainted.

Cecilly thought it was a good idea too, so we were having a peaceful tea time. At least until that question came up.

‘He doesn’t die…’

I could only smile bitterly at Isillia’s question. I was itching to say he doesn’t die, but that would lessen the impact when volume 21 comes out.

Volume 21’s content is deeply related to demons’ inner darkness. It’s a very famous cliché from my previous life.

In a crisis, hidden power erupts and awakens—a kind of “berserk mode” or “awakening” cliché.

Demons fight their inner evil, and if they lose, they become devils that devastate everything around them. This isn’t just fiction; it applies to reality too.

To prevent this, demons value “restraint” as a virtue. Even if they occasionally get swept up in desire, they don’t transform into devils.

But there are moments when such restraint completely breaks down. Like Lust, Lilith when losing a lover to despair, or like Jin in volume 20 when his life hangs by a thread.

Just as we say “the thread of reason snaps,” the awakening event in volume 21 follows this concept.

“Hmm. Hmm. Isillia, please refrain from such questions. My son-in-law must have his reasons.”

When I could only manage a bitter smile, my sharp-witted father-in-law, Deskall, stepped in to stop her. Fortunately, he was considerate…

“But since it came up, I’m curious too. Could you tell just us?”

…or not. Both of them are the same. Like true spouses, their identical red eyes were filled with intense curiosity.

Well, as demons, it’s a natural question. I turned my gaze to the right.

Looking right, even Cecilly was staring at me with expectant red eyes. Like mother, like daughter.

Finally, looking left, I saw blue gazes of different shades fixed on me. As expected, Marie and Adelia.

It’s an awkward situation for me, but interestingly, they all have similar expressions.

But as I said earlier, I have no intention of telling them. So I feigned composure and lifted my steaming coffee cup.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you. It could be quite important.”

“Is that so? Then we’ll just have to wait for the next volume.”

Not just my father-in-law, but my mother-in-law beside him also showed her disappointment openly. Sipping my coffee and glancing around, I saw everyone else felt the same.

The ending of volume 20 is the talk of the town. From what I’ve heard, protesters are camping outside the publishing house, just like during the hiatus.

To be precise, they’re not protesters but fans who’ve rushed there to demand answers.

“If you won’t tell even us, it must be really important, huh?”

As I quietly drank my coffee, Cecilly, seated to my right, asked in a somewhat sly voice.

She seems to be testing me, but it won’t work. Cecilly has an exceptional ability to discern people’s true intentions, almost like mind reading.

But that only works for uncovering intentions; if truth and falsehood are appropriately mixed, it’s hard to distinguish.

In other words, if I maintain silence or speak ambiguously, there’s no risk of being caught.

“If it wasn’t, I would have told you, wouldn’t I?”

“That’s true. I’m betting he doesn’t die.”

Cecilly seemed to let it go with a shrug. In fact, as she predicted, it’s fairly obvious that Jin doesn’t die.

That’s because there are too many unresolved plot threads and foreshadowing left for Jin. A careful reader, not just an immersed one, would know Jin doesn’t die.

This is a world where concepts like clichés and flags haven’t been properly established or even created yet. It’s understandable that people are confused.

“By the way, I was really shocked that Jin’s real father is Gluttony. I had some suspicions, but I didn’t think it would actually be true.”

“I completely agree on that point. In fact, from the moment that was revealed, Jin’s defeat was foreseeable. Mental strength plays a huge role in battle.”

“The fact that Jin’s horns are larger than other demons and his dark mana is more concentrated were also foreshadowing.”

Additionally, it was revealed that Jin’s biological father is Gluttony, Beelzebub. This was also shocking to readers, though somewhat overshadowed by Jin’s death.

Jin was tracking Beelzebub, who was gradually working to overthrow Helium and Pandeum in the Biography of Xenon, and finally confronted him.

However, due to the shocking secret of his birth that Beelzebub revealed, Jin couldn’t even put up a proper fight and was defeated.

If the secret hadn’t been revealed, Lilly would have joined belatedly and forced Beelzebub to retreat.

Even that would have been problematic. Beelzebub is dangerous not just for his power but for his very existence, so he needed to be removed somehow.

He was planning to scatter dark mana throughout Pandeum to turn all demons into devils. He had to be dealt with quickly because of his danger.

“But not just Jin, Gluttony’s plan was chilling too. Trying to scatter dark mana throughout Pandeum to turn all demons into devils…”

Just then, Isillia brought up that topic. She shuddered at the mere thought.

This part isn’t just fiction; there’s actual research behind it. It’s based on a thesis comparing current demons with first-generation demons.

What would happen if current-generation demons were exposed to the dark mana that first-generation demons possessed?

Current dark mana has transformed into pure darkness, but first-generation demons were filled with all sorts of filthy and evil energies.

Especially since current demons fundamentally value “restraint” as a virtue, they have many vulnerabilities.

There’s even research suggesting that the reason for evil cycles is because of this custom. Suppressing desires too much manifests as a physiological phenomenon.

“It’s certainly a realistic story. If the existence of devil worshippers hadn’t been exposed, they might have actually carried it out.”

“Thanks to that, our citizens have become more vigilant. They’ve become even more restrained, determined not to be swayed by dark mana.”

“Is this a book of prophecy, or what?”

Cecilly smiled brightly at me. Her smile was one thing, but Deskall and Isillia nodding in agreement was even more impressive.

Indeed, as Beelzebub’s sinister plan was revealed, the world, especially Helium, was shocked.

The plan was too realistic. Fortunately, there was no “why is this happening,” but it’s still quite burdensome.

I was already treated as a savior by demons, and that tendency has grown stronger. Now it’s not just salvation but worship.

“I still can’t believe that the benefactor who saved our demon race is my son-in-law.”

“Mom, you’re not the only one who feels that way. Marie and Miss Adelia probably feel similar.”

As mother and daughter exchanged words, Marie and Adelia’s reactions were worth seeing.

Marie proudly thrust out her chest with a confident attitude, while Adelia showed an embarrassed response.

For reference, Adelia came as my knight, but now she sits beside me as my woman.

“Of course, I’ll be the first to have a child.”

“Cecilly, you! Again! Again!”

“Can’t you yield just once? I don’t think I can wait until graduation.”

“No way. I might compromise on other things, but not on having a child.”

Their fight started again. It looked like a cat and fox fighting, so I couldn’t say anything.

Our golden retriever (Adelia) was just watching nervously and nibbling on snacks. She’s really cute like that.

Deskall and Isillia were watching without intervening, seemingly supporting their daughter while also acknowledging Marie as the official wife.

They didn’t seem to care how many women I had. Perhaps they consider it natural since I’m the savior of demons.

Honestly, when I said I’d introduce Marie and Adelia, I wondered if it was appropriate, but the conversation went well.

“So, son-in-law, will you be staying in Helium for a while?”

In this warm atmosphere, Isillia asked me. Her gentle smile is identical to Cecilly’s.

For now, I plan to stay in Helium as she suggested. Unless there’s a natural disaster, I’ll finish writing volume 21 here.

“Yes. I’ll probably stay until I finish volume 21.”

“That’s great. Then perhaps when you finish…”

“I’m sorry.”

I bowed my head and refused immediately, causing Isillia to look disappointed.

But it wasn’t an unexpected reaction. Moreover, her immediate apology shows she knows it was impolite.

“In that case, we’ll provide the best accommodations for you here in Helium.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“No need for thanks. The debt we owe you could never be repaid in a lifetime.”

I smiled awkwardly at his gratitude. It’s a bit embarrassing to be praised so highly by the King of Helium.

Knock knock knock-

During our peaceful tea time, someone knocked on the door. All our gazes turned toward the door.

We had specifically instructed that no one should enter during tea time, so who could be knocking?

This gathering alone could raise suspicions in various ways. Yet someone knocked anyway.

It must be an urgent matter. Deskall opened his mouth with a puzzled expression.

“Who is it? I clearly said not to disturb us.”

[I apologize, Your Majesty. I have urgent news to deliver.]

A servant’s voice came from beyond the door. It seems the king needs to hear this personally.

Deskall, sensing something was amiss, stood up and headed toward the door.

It was safer for him to go out and check directly rather than letting the servant in, given our current situation.

Creak-

As the door opened, Deskall began listening to the urgent news from the servant. My gaze, along with everyone else’s, turned in that direction.

After finishing his conversation with the servant, Deskall slowly closed the door. He stood still for a while, seemingly lost in thought.

“Darling, what’s wrong?”

Only when Isillia asked worriedly did Deskall turn his head. His red eyes were filled with concern and complex emotions.

In the now serious atmosphere, when no one dared to speak, Deskall’s gaze shifted.

Directly to me. Then he spoke with a voice filled with complexity.

“It’s nothing. Just… surprising.”

“Surprising?”

“Yes.”

Deskall walked over to me and patted my shoulder.

“Thank you so much.”

Why so suddenly?

“You truly are a blessing sent by Mora for us.”

I just wrote a story.

******

Around the same time. At the Luminus Temple in Mayshall territory.

Kate, the Cardinal of the Church of Luminus, is staying at the temple.

Despite her worship of Issac as a saint, she faithfully fulfills her primary duty.

That duty is, as everyone knows, to eradicate heretics and devils. As the Grand Inquisitor, she is dispatched immediately when issues arise.

She’s staying here due to the special event of the exhibition, but she’s ready to move at any time if work calls.

This remains true even after the release of volume 20 of the Biography of Xenon.

Kate has definitively established the Biography of Xenon as a book of prophecy and is gradually tightening the noose around devil worshippers based on the content of each new volume.

“So this content was also true.”

“Yes. Although the plan was abandoned due to the risk, it was actually formulated.”

Currently, she is nodding after hearing the “urgent news” delivered by a believer. Simultaneously, her heart began to race.

It was just as she had predicted. Beelzebub’s evil plan from volume 20.

The wicked plan to cover all of Pandeum with dark mana and turn all demons into devils existed in reality too.

Although it was abandoned even within the devil worshippers due to concerns about conflict with demons, devil worshippers aren’t just humans.

Long ago, radical demons who went berserk after being oppressed by Sabre joined hands with devil worshippers to take revenge on the world.

This is one of the pieces of information discovered by Helium’s secret organization, “Reaper.” While Reaper’s main purpose is to provide peace for demonic brethren who have turned into devils, they also engage in intelligence activities.

And they obtained information that a plan identical to the one in volume 20 had been formulated. This information has also been shared with Sabre, with whom they are collaborating.

“You almost missed it because the plan was formulated so long ago?”

“Yes. It was planned 300 years ago, so even finding documents was difficult. Coincidentally, it was around the same time as the devil summoning that was carried out back then. If a devil had been successfully summoned, they would have implemented it immediately.”

“Is there a possibility it could be implemented again?”

“Very high. The more a plan fails, the closer it gets to success.”

Kate wore a sardonic smile. Now, only failure awaits, not success. The Biography of Xenon has exposed the entire evil plan.

The demons of Helium have also begun to be vigilant due to the highly realistic story. If a resident goes missing, everyone, regardless of age or gender, works together to find them.

After the spoiler incident, Kate closed her eyes quietly, sensing that the devil worshippers’ plans were gradually falling apart.

All of this is thanks to Issac, the author of the Biography of Xenon. Kate felt her heart pounding and placed her hand on her chest.

Every time his scripture (?) is released, the world seems to be filled with light.

‘I want to receive his seed as soon as possible, but…’

I shouldn’t interfere. Right now, I need to focus on my primary duty.

With this in mind, Kate slowly opened her eyes and looked at the believer in front of her. Her blue eyes were compassionate, but for a moment, they seemed to blaze with fire.

“I understand. What does Helium say about this?”

“They plan to make an official announcement. Alleviating the citizens’ anxiety is their priority.”

“I see.”

While the Church of Luminus is also preparing countermeasures.

‘Am I really not a returnee or something like that?’

[I told you, no. It’s just incidents arising from cultural differences.]

‘For that, there are too many coincidences. Really, am I not?’

[If you were a resident of this world, I’d give you my divine status.]

Issac ran to Mora and once again doubted himself.