Ch.283Bombshell Statement (2)

As you can see from my past behavior, I’m quite clumsy and prone to making mistakes. To be precise, I’m terrible at lying. I’ve been told that my true feelings are completely visible in my expressions and eyes.

That’s why I rarely lie, but I still make plenty of mistakes. Many of those mistakes have snowballed into bigger issues.

In that sense, Lillis is a setting error born from my mistake. Originally, she shouldn’t even remember her former lover, but instead should have had new memories overlaid.

From the moment she entered Diablos’ ranks, she should have been reborn with a different name, only to recall all her memories in her final moments.

The very fact that she remembers her “name” proves that she’s maintaining her sanity.

‘Well, if it works out, it works out…’

While it was clearly a setting error, after Volume 21 was released, a strange phenomenon occurred where Lillis began to be reevaluated.

There were even hypotheses—quite bewildering to me as the author—suggesting that Lillis hadn’t succumbed to her inner evil due to vengeance.

Thanks to this, not only did the quality of the work improve, but I inadvertently created foreshadowing I never planned.

Since I had no intention of explaining myself, I kept my mouth shut, and praise began sprouting like mushrooms after rain.

However, among the events that occurred when Volume 21 was released, the most significant matter is, of course, Helium.

The scene where Jin subdues her inner evil gave both hope and doubt to the demon race.

Because of this, when it was announced that she would give a speech in Helium, everyone’s attention naturally focused there.

Especially since this is the first time in history that Helium has invited foreign dignitaries for a public address. Naturally, all eyes are on it.

Perhaps the level of interest might even exceed that of the mixed-blood incident in Alfheim.

Of course, the Empire of Minerva will also send dignitaries. Not just Leort and Rina, but Duke Reckyless will also attend.

The difference from the Alfheim speech is due to the circumstances of each country.

Both are public addresses, but while Alfheim had active exchanges under Arwen’s rule, this is Helium’s first time.

Though both are public speeches, this one carries the meaning of a bird flying out of its cage and spreading its wings.

Moreover, unlike Alfheim, Helium had been semi-forcibly isolated. Since they only recently began diplomatic relations, they barely know each other.

The Xenon exhibition only revealed that demon culture is exceptional, but almost nothing has been properly confirmed.

Because of this, dignitaries from other countries are flocking to see what potential Helium possesses.

Some to verify Helium’s capabilities, some to understand its ideology, some to see if Helium is truly as gloomy as rumored.

Nobles from numerous countries headed to Helium with various purposes and objectives.

Among them were the Empire of Minerva, Kingdom of Teres, Dutchy of Bellua, and other smaller nations.

Although Queen Arwen of Alfheim said she would send a representative due to state affairs, it’s still quite a large-scale event.

“Issac, you’re amazing every time I see you.”

“In what way?”

“Every time you release a book, the whole world stirs. Starting with Alfheim, then Sabre and Helium. Is our Empire next?”

Before the speech began, having arrived early in Helium with Cecilly’s help, I smiled bitterly at Rina’s question.

As Rina said, it’s understandable to think that way since a particular country causes a commotion every time I release a new book.

I also understand why she pointed to Alfheim rather than Helium as the starting point.

What Rina was referring to was ideology that could shake a nation’s foundation.

While the perception of demons has completely changed, their ideology never has. The same goes for other countries.

But in Alfheim, the mixed-blood issue emerged, and then in Sabre, the existence of a corrupt Cardinal cracked the nation’s principles.

And now Helium. Due to Volume 21’s content, the beliefs Helium has held as its foundation are now shaking.

“Hmm… I’m not sure?”

So I answered without much thought. I truly don’t know, intentions aside.

While Alfheim was truly an unexpected incident, for Sabre and Helium, countermeasures could be prepared in advance.

In that sense, I’m expecting the Kingdom of Teres next, not the Empire of Minerva.

Volume 21 ended somewhat inconclusively due to poor volume control, but Volume 22 will feature the full-fledged revenge of jealousy.

I suspect the Kingdom of Teres might back away then. Especially Hyria’s conscience might be pricked.

Of course, this is all speculation, nothing certain. I’m not a prophet, how would I know?

“You’ve improved your acting since I last saw you. Keep it up.”

I genuinely didn’t know, but for whatever reason, Rina seemed satisfied with my response.

I looked at her with a puzzled expression before shifting my gaze forward. As I did, I noticed the crowd of people gathered there.

Not demons, but dignitaries visiting from around the world. Not just humans, but other races were visibly present too.

Though the kaleidoscope of colors made me dizzy, seeing such a sight in Helium felt quite remarkable.

“Helium must be quite tense. It’s the first time since its founding that they’ve invited so many guests.”

“Isn’t this your first time in Helium too, Rina?”

Marie, standing beside me, posed a question in response to Rina’s assessment.

Though by rank she should use honorifics, neither seemed to mind.

“Of course it’s my first time. I wanted to come, but imperial duties kept me busy. Even attending this speech required squeezing time out of my schedule.”

“Busy?”

“Yes. Thanks to someone.”

Rina responded to Marie’s question with a clear laugh, then looked at me. That smile contained a hint of resentment, making me laugh awkwardly.

She is the imperial princess. The princess with immense power and authority, second only to the Emperor and Leort.

With various incidents occurring in other countries due to the Biography of Xenon, she couldn’t help but be busy.

I heard she was extremely busy with accumulated work and the exhibition. Fortunately, unlike other countries, the Empire of Minerva didn’t face any major issues.

Compared to Arwen working overtime almost daily during the Alfheim mixed-blood incident, Rina’s situation is certainly better.

“While Marie and I were busy enjoying Helium~ Being a princess isn’t all good, is it?”

Marie teased Rina with a mischievous expression, apparently aware of this fact.

Though she’ll have to engage in political battles after marrying me someday, her situation is much better than Rina’s.

After all, her brother Kay will inherit the Duke Reckyless title, and once I reveal myself as Xenon, her future looks bright.

My status has already risen so high that political attacks would be futile unless I behave recklessly, and I have reliable guards by my side.

Marie can tease like this because she has that assurance.

“…”

Rina looked like she wanted to hit Marie for her teasing.

But considering her own past wrongdoings toward Marie, and with me watching right beside them, she held back.

She could attack if she wanted, but Rina had been severely affected by the hiatus incident. Because of this, she finds it difficult to treat me carelessly.

So she sighed deeply, shook her head, and spoke as if saying “do as you please.”

“Fine. I’m jealous, very jealous. While some of us are working hard, others just play with their boyfriends…”

“Hehe.”

Marie, thinking her attack successful, grabbed my arm and smiled brightly. Though she seemed like a naive child, she was cute, so I just patted her head.

Even such conversations are evidence that Marie and Rina have grown closer.

In the past, they would have ignored each other or openly shown dislike.

Rina, seemingly aware of this, just smiled at Marie without showing any signs of displeasure.

“Let’s head forward for now. The speech seems about to begin.”

I mediated between the two women and pointed ahead. The square was already packed with countless people.

As in Alfheim, Helium’s nobles sat in front, with the guest seats slightly behind them.

“Adelia should be over there.”

“Understood.”

Adelia, who had been quietly guarding beside me, returned to her seat. After taking our seats, a strange sensation spread throughout my body.

A sensation I had felt during Arwen’s speech as well. Whether to call it déjà vu or not, I vividly felt that I was in a different country.

Though I visit Helium frequently, it’s a country inhabited by non-humans, a different race.

I looked around carefully to see if there was anyone I knew.

“Ah.”

“…”

Then I met a pair of sky-blue eyes directly. As you might have guessed, it was Hyria, the second princess of the Kingdom of Teres.

She looked at me with her characteristically sharp gaze, then alternated between me and Adelia, who was far away.

Judging by her dissatisfied expression, she still doesn’t like Adelia.

How narrow-minded must she be to still hold such a grudge? From this perspective, the past Rina seems much better.

‘When will she ever give up?’

I gave Hyria a slight bow and then shifted my gaze elsewhere, checking if there was anyone else I knew.

Since this was Helium’s first opening after being semi-forcibly isolated, more dignitaries were seated than at Arwen’s speech.

Among them was even an unexpected figure.

‘K-Kate?’

Kate, a Cardinal of the Church of Luminus who had directly punished the corrupt priest.

I don’t know when she arrived in Helium, but she was seated in the guest section, accompanied by holy knights.

This essentially indirectly expresses Sabre’s desire to trade with Helium.

However, given that Sabre has a history of massacring demons due to fanaticism, their relationship will inevitably be awkward.

Even now, Helium’s nobles are glancing at Kate with meaningful looks.

‘That shows how important this is.’

For Helium, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leap, or rather soar, toward the world. The entire race could also advance to the next level.

In that sense, Cecilly’s speech could either change history as a great oration or be just another ordinary speech.

Having seen various historical records, I believe her speech must become a great one.

The pressure might build, but who knows when such an opportunity will come again.

Fervently hoping that she would deliver a speech as compelling as Arwen’s, I waited quietly.

Though I’m not the one giving the speech, my heart is pounding with tension for some reason.

“Oh? Is that person…”

“I think it is.”

“That woman must be Princess Cecilly.”

While waiting quietly without saying anything, I heard whispers from the front.

Given that Cecilly’s name was mentioned, she must have appeared. I raised my head like a meerkat.

Though she hadn’t yet ascended the platform, I could see Cecilly slowly climbing up.

Instead of her usual revealing black dress, she wore a modest red dress.

Since this was a speech rather than a social gathering, she seemed to have dressed formally.

“…”

“…”

As soon as Cecilly revealed herself on the platform, the previously buzzing square fell silent.

Not just demons, but the eyes of guests who had traveled from afar fixed on her. Eyes of various colors, not just red.

Occasionally, I heard praises about her appearance—how beautiful she is, how pretty—but it wasn’t something to pay much attention to.

After some time passed, Cecilly looked around the audience and met my eyes directly.

Then she smiled slightly, cleared her throat a few times, and quietly began to speak.

[Hello, beloved citizens. And guests who have visited Helium from distant foreign lands. My name is Cecilly Drat Isillia Vin. Princess of Helium, the sanctuary of demons, and…]

Somehow, it reminds me of the first entrance ceremony. Her speech then was truly…

[I am the woman of Xenon, the benefactor of demons.]

It was amazing… Wait, what?

“What?”

What did she say?