Ch.307Isaac (1)

The tactical nuclear bomb I dropped from the start filled the auditorium with silence for a while. I smiled, savoring that silence.

Since I received a voice amplification spell from Cecilly, there wasn’t a single person who hadn’t heard me.

Therefore, everyone must have heard that I am Xenon, the author of the Biography of Xenon. And it’s not strange that there’s no reaction, only silence.

It’s hard to believe at face value. Unlike during the trial, there was no build-up—I revealed it immediately.

So they’re probably more confused than surprised. Even with Count Kamar’s testimony, this is far removed from the image of Xenon they’ve held until now.

Due to preconceptions, the image of Xenon that the world has constructed is varied, but most connect him to being a “sage.”

Naturally, a sage would evoke the image of an elderly person with more knowledge and experience than others. Definitely not a fresh young man like me.

As time passed, various speculations circulated—like time traveler or prophet—but the image of a sage never disappeared.

“…Is it true? That man is Xenon?”

“He must be using a proxy, right? Or not?”

“Red hair and golden eyes match… but Baron Mayshall has the same features.”

“He’s that young?”

As expected, reactions flowed just as I had anticipated. People sitting on the first floor—the commoners—accepted it without much thought, but the nobles on the second floor did not.

They truly doubt whether I am Xenon. It would be strange if they didn’t doubt it.

This is why I asked Kate for help in preparation for this moment. As the murmuring in the hall gradually grew louder, I maintained my smile and opened my mouth.

“I understand that everyone might find my words difficult to believe. I can understand your feelings. That’s why I’ve asked for help from a special guest. Cardinal Kate?”

At my call, Kate, who had been hiding behind the stage curtain, slowly revealed herself. The murmuring instantly subsided at her appearance.

Her very existence scattered a sacred aura, and her brilliant appearance also radiated light.

While everyone’s attention was focused on her, Kate walked gracefully to my side and gave a slight bow.

Then Kate turned her body forward, gently clasped her hands together, and began her work.

“Light.”

Unlike other clergy, a simple incantation. But since it’s not just any clergy but Kate, even that single word carries immense power.

Flash!

As proof, a burst of golden light accompanied Kate’s incantation. The brilliant divine power unique to Kate that I had seen in the waiting room.

While the divine power of ordinary clergy appears white, those with exceptionally deep faith like Kate approach a golden hue.

I’ve heard that even among cardinals, emitting such dazzling golden light like Kate is very difficult. In terms of divine power alone, she possesses strength comparable to the Pope.

While everyone, including myself, watched quietly, Kate, who had been gathering divine power, moved on to her next action.

“Blessings upon this place!”

Kate spread her arms wide, dispersing the golden light she had carefully gathered. The auditorium was already bright, but with the golden light spreading, it seemed even brighter.

No, it actually became brighter. The light she scattered in all directions seeped into every corner of the building, including the ceiling.

It shines beautifully, like fireflies carefully perched on grass illuminating light, or like a Christmas tree glowing in various colors.

The declaration of sacred ground, possible only for a few clergy and those with righteous faith.

It’s truly a spectacular sight. I should say it’s fitting for a fantasy world—a scene that will remain vivid in memory.

“It’s done.”

“Ah… it’s over?”

“Yes.”

Thankfully Kate spoke to me; otherwise, I might have forgotten I was standing on stage. I thanked her and turned my head forward.

People, like me, were admiring the golden light attached to every corner of the auditorium.

Though I don’t know its power, the phenomenon itself was as beautiful as a work of art, so their reaction was natural.

“What Cardinal Kate just did is simple. It temporarily gives this building the same effect as a temple.”

“This place is like a temple now?”

“Is that even possible?”

“Since it’s Cardinal Kate, maybe it is…”

Here too, the reactions are starkly divided. Some people, including nobles, are shocked, while most, including commoners, simply accept it and move on.

It could be a difference in education, but the difference in interest is probably greater. I don’t know exactly how difficult this is either, so I just think it’s impressive.

Anyway, now that the declaration of sacred ground is complete, I looked over the murmuring audience and opened my mouth.

I didn’t forget to speak with a voice filled with strength so they would focus better than before.

“Therefore, I declare here: I will never lie from now on, and if I do lie, God will directly punish me. Will you believe everything I say with this assurance?”

“… …”

Perhaps because they had experienced a phenomenon that defied common sense, no one dared to speak up.

Silence is affirmation. Moreover, since none other than Cardinal Kate herself declared this sacred ground, they have no choice but to believe.

Having perfectly laid the groundwork, I looked around at the gazes fixed on me one by one.

There are some welcome faces, but also some not-so-welcome ones that came into view. But most are unfamiliar faces.

I’m about to reveal the identity I’ve been hiding to these people. I exhaled a long breath due to an inexplicable flutter.

Even a simple public announcement makes me this nervous—how do people who stand on stage suppress this tension? I suddenly have newfound respect for artists who perform on stage.

‘This is the end now.’

The merits of hiding my identity were countless. I was able to escape from unknown threats, including demon worshippers.

That benefit ends today. As Cecilly said in her speech, a bird is not born to die in a cage.

The future will be full of talk and trouble, but if I can know and prepare for it in advance, there won’t be a problem.

I looked around the audience once more and spoke quietly but with a powerful voice, enunciating each word.

“Many of you must be confused. Wasn’t Xenon supposed to be an elderly sage? Or someone who returned from the future or a prophet? Wouldn’t that make him closer to clergy?”

In reality, among the numerous speculations, sage was the most common, followed by clergy.

Without deep enough faith to receive direct help from God, receiving prophecies is impossible. This is the most basic common sense in this world.

However, breaking everyone’s expectations, I appeared as an ordinary nobleman. Though my father’s achievements are extraordinary, let’s set that aside.

“Not at all. I am neither a sage, nor a person from the future, nor a prophet. The work ‘Biography of Xenon’ came solely from my mind. Please keep that in mind. I am not as great a person as you might think.”

It’s not humility—I’m really not that great. Except for the fact that my past life’s memories are clearly imprinted in me.

If I mentioned that, they would undoubtedly think I received God’s blessing, so I didn’t say it out loud. The gods would probably overlook this to prevent confusion.

Then how do I explain all the “why is this happening” incidents? I’m about to do that now.

First, the contamination of the World Tree’s roots, which was practically the starting point of these incidents. As soon as that incident came to mind, I turned my head in another direction.

Where I shifted my gaze, Arwen was sitting modestly. When our eyes met, she flinched and then smiled broadly, bowing her head.

Arwen had always given a strong impression of cuteness, but today that feeling seems even stronger.

There is no trace of the solemnity of a queen, only a shy girl.

“You might wonder, ‘How did you know about the contamination of the World Tree’s roots and the demon worshippers?’ Actually, both of these can be inferred to some extent if you dig a little deeper into history and mythology. Demons pushed this world toward destruction, but thanks to the World Tree, a gift from Goddess Hirt, we were able to drive them away. In other words, the World Tree is God’s treasure that demons must destroy first. Of course, when I investigated directly, it was the aftereffects of the Demon War spreading like ink, but would demons just leave it alone?”

“… …”

“Not at all. And as for demon worshippers… I think our complacency and judgment dulled by peace are more to blame than history. The Demon War is not just mythology but a ‘history’ that occurred once. History that has occurred once will surely come to us again. Yet we had forgotten that.”

While the World Tree might be unknown, the demon worshippers were a matter that could have been noticed with just a little vigilance. It’s just that the centuries-old cunning of demon worshippers covered it all up.

As seen in the case of the corrupted cardinal, it’s fair to say that demon worshippers already dominate the entire underground.

Now that Cardinal Bark has died and Sabre has even declared a holy war, they are steadily being swept up, but the reality is that it’s still far from enough.

“Other incidents are similar, but some parts are truly coincidental. Like the elves’ forbidden magic of fusion, or Helium’s secret organization Reaper, and so on. Honestly… I have nothing special to say about these. They all just came from my mind.”

For some incidents, there was no room to make up lies, so I had to attribute them to mere coincidence. Still, thanks to the declaration of sacred ground, the atmosphere suggests people believe me.

Honestly, if the sacred ground hadn’t been declared, most wouldn’t have believed me. Each incident was capable of shaking the foundations of nations—who would believe it was coincidence?

“The same goes for the demon race. I’ve only heard about what kind of people the demon race are; I’ve never met them directly. Therefore, I had no preconceptions and could write stories like Sakran. Above all, if the demon race were truly demons, they would have drawn their swords long ago. But the demon race endured despite persecution from everyone and worked hard to see the light. I really liked this point, so I wrote such a story. There’s no other reason. Those who strive to claim the light are beautiful in their very existence and will.”

I didn’t forget to praise the demon race. At my praise, Cecilly clasps her hands together and looks at me with an ecstatic expression.

It’s a slightly burdensome gaze, but it’s fine since she’s happy. In fact, the demon race is such a race, so it’s not a lie.

“Then many people will wonder: Why did I write the Biography of Xenon? What purpose did I have in writing such a work?”

“… …”

“I’ll tell you here. The Biography of Xenon was a work that started purely as a hobby. I had no intention of spreading any particular ideology or theory, nor did I seek fame. I just started writing in the hope that everyone here would enjoy it.”

As everyone probably knows, the Biography of Xenon started as a hobby.

It became half an obligation to withstand the physical attacks of my beloved lovers, but the essence itself hasn’t changed.

Of course, it has deep meaning as the first work I wrote after reincarnating into this world. If I complete it, I’ll feel both refreshed and relieved.

“So I hope you all read the Biography of Xenon with joy. It’s quite disconcerting that events from the Biography of Xenon also occur in reality, but I hope you won’t be afraid because of that. I don’t want anything; I just want you all to enjoy it.”

This is sincere without a single lie. Every time the Biography of Xenon is released, people anticipate what incident will occur rather than focusing on the story.

As an author, it’s ambiguous whether I should like this or not, but it’s uncomfortable all the same. Because attention is focused on strange places rather than praise for the work.

It’s certainly good that the Biography of Xenon has saved the world from crisis. But treating it like scripture is burdensome for me.

Above all, as seen in Cecilly’s demonization case, it has reached the point of creating events that didn’t even exist, which scares even me.

“Some people might hear me and think: If you’re so afraid, why not stop writing? If the current situation is burdensome, why not put down your pen?”

I actually had such thoughts before. It wouldn’t have been bad to focus on history and become a scholar instead of an author.

But that thought was thrown into the trash not long after. Why?

“Everyone, I enjoy writing.”

Because I’m a writer who loves to write.

“I like showing my writing to you all, and I like you reading my writing.”

Because I want many people to see the stories from my imagination.

This author’s temperament, which existed in my past life, hasn’t changed even after reincarnation.

“It’s fine to call my writing a book of prophecy or scripture. What I want is simple. For you all to truly enjoy reading my writing. For a common culture to emerge without distinguishing between gender, age, race, or class. To write something that everyone can enjoy, as seen at the exhibition.”

“… …”

“That alone satisfies me. I don’t need fame, ideology, power, or wealth. Just your reactions alone fill me up.”

The reason I didn’t put down my pen despite feeling burdened: because many people, including those present here, read my writing.

For those people, I will never put down my pen. Even if someone threatens me not to write, I won’t yield, and even if my hands are cut off, I’ll use my mouth or feet.

Whether my firm yet modest will was conveyed, no one expressed any disagreement. That’s because they must have realized that I have no greed.

I scanned the interior filled with golden light and smiled slightly. Now there’s only one thing left.

“Let me introduce myself once more. My name is Issac Dukar Mayshall.”

My name is Issac Dukar Mayshall.

“In this world now.”

In this fantasy world.

“Writing about things that could happen in this world.”

Writing fantasy novels.

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

Just an ordinary author.

“I will continue to write diligently.”