Ch.306I am(1)

The transportation in this world is extremely poor. Not only are there no airplanes, but trains have only just entered the development stage, and the only available transportation is horse-drawn carriages.

Even those carriages are very expensive to use. Since horses are considered strategic assets, they are naturally expensive.

So the one-week timeframe I provided is very insufficient for someone who needs to travel between countries.

Although teleportation devices exist, they can only be used in limited situations, and even then, only for travel between capital cities.

In that sense, the timeframe I suggested effectively limits attendance to high-ranking nobles.

However, many nobles are attending to expand their connections, and the same goes for commoners.

Since commoners vastly outnumber nobles, it’s natural that most visitors are commoners.

As a result, a crowd comparable to an exhibition has gathered in the Mayshall territory, and some have even brought their own artwork for the occasion.

However, since this isn’t an official exhibition, there are no performances or plays. People are simply here to see the Mayshall territory.

Though proportionally, nobles seem more numerous. Nobles and commoners can be distinguished by their attire.

Of course, even this is a small number. With so many people, many must be staying at inns.

Above all, nobles show more interest in this event than commoners. The reason is simple: commoners care less about who Xenon is.

More precisely, they show less interest and are divided into two categories.

Those who see me as the savior of the era, like Cecilly or Kate, or those who simply love the works themselves.

It’s easier to think of them as fanatics versus fans, but looking closely, the difference is paper-thin. That’s why I hear these two groups often argue, and sometimes even fight.

Nobles, unlike commoners, cannot remain purely fans. From the moment they become associated with me, they become embroiled in all sorts of rumors and gain power accordingly.

One needn’t look further than Arwen and Musk Grid to understand. Both are having difficult lives simply because of their association with Xenon.

The reason many nobles are attending this event is mostly political. Even if the world calls me a saint or God’s chosen one, I’m still human.

Some come hoping to gain even crumbs of benefit, while others come with pure intentions.

This shows how much influence the name Xenon has on the world.

“Hello, Issac. Have you been well?”

“Ah, Kate.”

In the waiting room of the venue where the event will be held. As the scheduled time approached, I was feeling nervous when I encountered a familiar face.

Kate, who will play a very important role today. As always, she was wearing a white nun’s habit and greeting me with a gentle smile.

The waiting room was filled with bright light thanks to demon magic and technology. However, it couldn’t compare to Kate’s hair, which resembled a golden wheat field.

“Did Luminus really give permission?”

“Yes. Luminus said he would gladly grant Issac’s request.”

Kate nodded in response to my question and gave a satisfactory answer. This is why Kate is important today.

Even if I stand on stage and reveal my identity, will people really believe me? I don’t think so.

They’ll probably think Xenon has put forward a spokesperson. For anyone not from the Teres royal family, this event seems too sudden.

But if Kate personally vouches for me, it’s a different story. Kate’s rank is Cardinal, and she currently wields tremendous influence in Sabre.

If Kate wanted, she could declare the venue a divine domain, at least temporarily.

“But is it really possible? To declare a sanctuary, even temporarily?”

I asked out of curiosity. It sounds easy, but logically, Kate has claimed something impossible is possible.

Originally, places where gods can directly exert influence don’t exist outside of temples.

“I can do it.”

“For how long?”

“Ten minutes elsewhere. Here, about thirty minutes. Unlike other places, this territory has two gods present.”

But Kate answered as if it were nothing special. I can now see how exceptional her abilities are and why she received divine blessing.

Although her common sense is skewed in strange ways, that’s probably why her faith in Luminus is so firm.

‘I should put this in the book.’

A technique perfectly suited for Lilly, who is called a saint. Unlike other techniques, it can be used in reality, so no one will object.

Moreover, the moment a sanctuary is declared, it means a god is directly watching, so no one would dare commit evil acts.

This is also why I can confidently take the stage. Plus, I have the protective magic Cecilly cast on me.

It might not deceive a god’s eye, but even if a demon worshipper somehow got in and launched a surprise attack, I’d be fine.

“By the way, Issac.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really going on stage dressed like that?”

Kate asks me with a questioning expression. I check my outfit after hearing her question.

Despite my careful selection, my current attire is very simple.

A plain red formal wear without any splendid decorations. Even the shirt is one easily found in the market.

Charitably, it’s a sophisticated outfit, but to the people here, especially nobles, it’s an outfit without any notable features.

In fact, I remember the women strongly objecting when I insisted on wearing this.

“Yes. People came to see me, not my clothes. This is enough for me.”

“You are a frugal person, Issac.”

“That’s the nice way of putting it. The harsh way is that I don’t know how to spend money like a noble.”

As Kate said, I’m often called frugal, but I really don’t know how to spend money.

Even if I wanted to spend, what more could I buy than a few sheets of manuscript paper? I don’t even have many expenses since both my magic pen and typewriter were gifts.

I do spend some when giving gifts to loved ones, but not excessively.

“Do you prefer frugal people, Kate?”

“I like people who spread light in this world, like you, Issac.”

“Haha. You’re gilding my face.”

“It’s not gilding, it’s the truth. So when will you give me the seed of light?”

“… …”

“I’ll be waiting anytime.”

She still hasn’t given up. I cleared my throat after hearing Kate’s determined words.

“Ahem. Ahem. By the way, Kate. Have you been well lately?”

“What do you mean?”

“That… the wound on your face.”

To change the subject, I mentioned something that had been bothering me. The clear scratch mark on Kate’s cheek.

Whether from an animal or self-inflicted, a rather severe wound was stamped on her face.

It was especially noticeable on Kate’s flawless skin.

I hadn’t brought it up to avoid awkwardness, but it felt wrong to ignore it now.

“Ah… this…”

As soon as I asked, Kate looked flustered and slightly covered the wound on her cheek with her hand.

Despite her fanatical tendencies, Kate is still a woman who seems uncomfortable with a facial wound.

But it’s strange. Someone like Kate should be able to heal such a wound immediately, so why leave it untreated?

Moreover, she’s the Grand Inquisitor. A clergy member with the duty to directly eliminate heretics and demon worshippers.

For someone like Kate to have such a disfiguring wound means something dangerous must have happened, so I couldn’t help but worry.

“…Issac.”

“Yes, Kate.”

“May I borrow your hand, if it’s not too much trouble?”

After hesitating to speak for a while, Kate carefully suggested. Her blue eyes were filled with something like desperation.

I briefly wondered about her reaction but lent her my hand as she wished.

After borrowing my hand, Kate traced it as if handling a craft, then firmly grasped it.

Shaaaa-

A golden light appeared as soon as she held my hand. It felt both warm and sacred.

Divine power that only clergy can manifest. That divine power now rippled in my hand.

“…Issac.”

“Yes?”

“Could you now caress my wound with that hand?”

Kate asked me in this strangely unfolding situation. I looked up and met her face.

She seemed somewhat tense, with an expression that seemed to be pleading. It was an expression impossible to refuse, and there was no reason to refuse.

So I extended my hand, rippling with divine power, and placed it on Kate’s cheek. I hesitated briefly, but only momentarily.

As I placed my hand on her cheek, Kate slowly closed her eyes and began to savor the sensation.

Shaaaa-

Surprisingly, as soon as I placed my hand on her cheek, the wound began to disappear. It returned to its original skin without leaving even a scar.

Although I knew divine power had healing effects, seeing it firsthand for the first time left me amazed.

“Haah…”

“…Is it done?”

When the wound was completely healed, Kate let out an excited moan. I quietly asked in the subtly changed atmosphere.

Kate gently held my hand against her cheek and slowly opened her eyes. When she opened them, her moist blue eyes shone brightly.

“Thank you, Issac.”

“What did I do…”

“No. This feeling of all impurities being washed away.”

She then spoke in a sweetly moist voice.

“Only you could do this, Issac. Thank you so much.”

“… …”

I feel like some strange switch has been turned on.

*****

As the scheduled time approached, the venue became packed with people. Those already seated, as well as those trying to find seats.

All these people came to find out who Xenon is. Just like the previous exhibition, countless people from around the world have come, requiring attention to many details.

If this were a social gathering rather than a seated venue, it would have felt even more crowded.

The venue was chosen because people don’t need to move around; they just need to sit in their seats.

“Did he deliberately give only a week’s notice? The rumors would spread quickly anyway.”

Leort expressed his opinion while looking at the stage where Xenon’s identity would soon be revealed.

Normally, such large-scale events should be planned at least a month in advance, but for some reason, the period was very short.

Moreover, the time it takes for news to spread worldwide must be considered. As such, a week is tight for anyone except high-ranking nobles.

“Perhaps he was sending a message that only those who could make it should come? If the time were extended, more people would arrive.”

Rina, sitting next to Leort, offered her opinion. Leort nodded as if her opinion had merit.

In reality, Issac had set the one-week timeframe without much thought, but they didn’t know that.

“But Rina. Are you really okay with this?”

“I’m fine, brother. He has a good personality and excellent looks, doesn’t he?”

“As long as you both agree and it’s just for appearance, I don’t mind…”

The conversation between the siblings is, as you might guess, about an arranged marriage. The moment Issac reveals his identity, Rina will have to enter an arranged marriage.

Although Issac is engaged to Marie, the imperial family will also need to offer a “gift.”

But that would complicate relationships. Officially, Rina should be the legal wife, but in reality, Marie is.

Of course, considering Xenon’s status, things should be arranged as he wishes, but human hearts aren’t so easily managed.

“As I’ve said many times, I’m fine with it. Besides, I’ve been thinking about this for a while, so I don’t have any particular feelings about it. Isn’t it easier to just think I’m going to a good man?”

“If that’s how you feel, I won’t say anything, but relationships between men and women…”

“Enough. Before saying such things, shouldn’t you think about yourself first? Things with Princess Hyria are already over, and you need to find someone else.”

Leort could only smile bitterly at Rina’s counterattack. Indeed, as she said, he needs to find a partner first.

Originally, Princess Hyria was a candidate, but as everyone knows, it ended the moment Issac slapped her.

Since then, he’s been searching domestically and internationally for a suitable bride, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.

“And if you’re going to do it, it’s better to do it before I get married. Otherwise, your standards will be too high, and it will be difficult to even find candidates.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll find someone myself, so stop nagging.”

If Rina marries first, her brother-in-law will be Xenon. Under such conditions, who would readily make a proposal?

Leort brushed off Rina, who was getting under his skin, and looked around. Most faces were familiar, but a few were different.

Especially Deskall Isillia Vin, the king of Helium, known as the “Demon King” in the world. Currently, Deskall is seated alongside his queen, Isillia.

The same goes for Cecilly. Perhaps because Issac isn’t there, Cecilly is also sitting with them, chatting amicably.

‘It’s going to be noisy for a while.’

Leort also knows through Rina that Cecilly is dating Issac. And that will return as a huge storm in the future.

The same applies to the Kingdom of Teres. From the Empire of Minerva’s perspective, the Kingdom of Teres’ self-destruction is a positive development, but what follows is the problem.

When a storm passes, only calm follows, but the storm that’s coming isn’t just a storm.

‘I should organize security personnel first.’

Just as Leort was carefully assessing Issac’s security personnel in his mind.

“Huh? Who’s that?”

“Someone’s coming up on stage?”

“Could it be?”

The murmurs of people reached his ears. Leort quickly shifted his gaze toward the stage.

As he did, he saw a man walking confidently with red hair fluttering.

So it’s finally starting. Seeing that man, Leort smiled with anticipation and focused.

Meanwhile, the red-haired young man, Issac, stood firmly in the center of the stage and faced the people directly.

“… …”

As soon as Issac stood confidently, the murmurs quickly subsided.

As the murmurs died down, Issac scanned the audience once and cleared his throat.

“Hello, everyone.”

And very quietly.

“My name is Issac Dukar Mayshall.”

In a calm voice.

“Author of the Biography of Xenon, I am Xenon.”

He dropped the bomb right from the start.