Ch.344It’s Dangerous Outside (2)

Even while learning martial arts, I didn’t stop writing. If I stopped here, those devil worshippers might become emboldened.

Rumors were already spreading that I had gone into semi-seclusion, and if I stopped writing too, they would likely attack again.

Being completely confined to the house could be disastrous in the worst case—they might even use magic to bomb it.

Some might ask if I’m being excessive, but the last attack taught me something: when it comes to devil worshippers, you must assume the worst.

These are people who paralyzed an innocent person’s heart just to target me. They might drop a meteor just to catch me.

Fortunately, their power has been rapidly declining since Cardinal Bark’s death, but I can’t let my guard down.

I just need to slowly build my strength while writing until their kind is extinct. Besides, staying locked up in the house is quite dangerous.

True to the fantasy world, security is thorough, but there are many assassins who can render such security useless.

I don’t need to look far—Rain easily broke into our mansion. From the perspective of elves and demons, human magic must be at an infant’s level.

That’s why Father told me our mansion is currently undergoing remodeling. A strange situation has developed with elves and demons collaborating.

The security magic installed in the dormitory is excellent even by their standards, so I’m not too worried, but preparation is essential.

‘But why does it feel like the ending is taking so long?’

It seems like we’re close to the conclusion, but the story is unexpectedly getting longer. The war officially begins from volume 26, and the hidden elven myths are revealed.

Therefore, from volume 27, Xenon’s group battles against Pride, but there are several flat parts that are disappointing.

So I’ve been adding various elements, resulting in many excellent scenes and smooth progression. Being a war segment, it naturally became longer.

‘There are many great scenes for everyone.’

I didn’t forget to include signature scenes fitting each race. Since these are highlight sections, they must be included.

Plus, as we race toward the conclusion, I made sure to inject glory moments for each race. This isn’t optional—it’s mandatory.

Humans show their unyielding perseverance, elves and demons engage in magnificent magical battles, dark elves and demon hunters display restrained movements, beastkin charge gloriously, and dwarves…

‘Weapons, I suppose?’

Direct combat would be fine, but since they’re strongly perceived as craftsmen, creating tactical or strategic weapons might be better.

For example, cannons with powerful firepower, or golems equipped with artificial intelligence.

Cannons—or rather, gunpowder itself—has already been invented. Though I’m far from military matters, the existence of gunpowder in this era isn’t strange.

It’s just somewhat overshadowed by magic, which is perceived more as a tactical weapon than cannons. Unlike magic users, gunpowder can be mass-produced, making it useful for ordinary soldiers.

No matter how many knights you train, it’s extremely difficult for an ordinary human to defeat monsters, especially ones larger than ogres.

Just as the invention of “guns” in my previous life put humans at the top of the food chain, the invention of weapons here has helped drive back monsters.

The flaw is that people stronger than weapons are everywhere, but let’s move on.

‘Golems would be appropriate.’

Golems—the strategic weapon that comes to mind with fantasy. They occasionally appear as ancient relics in some stories, but not in this world.

They move with artificial intelligence and, though expensive, are reliable weapons.

If steam locomotives have been invented in this world, why not power-driven golems? And the artificial intelligence issue?

I can explain that by saying they use magic. They’ll probably try to dig into the detailed theory, just like with Marie’s magic last time.

‘What does it matter?’

When mechanical civilization develops, the greatest beneficiaries aren’t the high and mighty, but ordinary citizens who must do everything by hand.

Although the golems in the book are invented during wartime, science typically develops rapidly during wars.

In this world too, human science and magic developed greatly through racial wars. Of course, demons secretly passed on magic, but humans made it their own.

So it’s not completely implausible, and everyone would probably rush to create them, claiming it’s knowledge from the future.

‘The problem is that they might actually be used as war weapons.’

In the past, I might have been uncomfortable with this. But if the Biography of Xenon concludes, I plan to write about Earth’s World War II next.

All kinds of war machines will appear there, so why make a fuss about mere golems?

Even if they actually invent them, it doesn’t matter because it advances mechanical civilization one way or another.

Eventually, golems could be used for farming or monster extermination. I should just write freely.

‘But didn’t Luminus say those dwarves would bring tanks later?’

I paused my writing and recalled what happened at the exhibition. The three fools, including Eins Martison, the magic engine inventor.

They might invent tanks out of curiosity and bring them along. Comparing with Luminus’s prophecy, the possibility is very high.

‘The worldbuilding is getting more interesting. Here too.’

This world already shows unbalanced development. Despite having refrigerators and air conditioners, they dismissed steam locomotives as absurd.

I suspect it’s because of a culture that favors magic and disregards technology. If highly advanced science is indistinguishable from magic, the reverse should also be true.

But thinking carefully, mechanical development would have inevitably occurred. This wouldn’t change even if I didn’t write about it.

The reason is the clear limitation of magic. Magic is “versatile,” not “omnipotent.”

Luminus told me directly that I merely accelerated what would eventually happen. So I should write freely.

‘But there’s something most important.’

I twirled my pen while looking at the pre-printed manuscript. Volume 27 was almost complete, but one thing bothered me.

That was the name—specifically, the name of the allied forces opposing the demons.

Some might ask why it matters since they’re just allies. But this is a war for the world’s survival.

In some fantasy media, there’s a scene where the protagonist shouts “For XXX!” before charging.

That single roar raises the morale of comrades and the entire army to its peak, overwhelming the enemy in a highlight moment.

Such a magnificent scene is included in volume 27, but I haven’t decided on the name yet.

‘Earth’s name was also based on ancient language…’

With over 3,000 years of history, languages here have also evolved diversely. Though a common language is now standard, old languages are still occasionally used.

Most users are elves and demons with lifespans approaching 1,000 years. Most are over 500 years old.

So while using a dictionary would be fine, the challenge is how to incorporate it.

Of course, I could simply write “Charge!” without naming it. But for impact, I must include a name.

‘How did those people come up with such cool planet names?’

Just thinking of planets that come to mind, they all have impressive names. Since a name alone can create such impact, I need to be careful.

I tapped my pen on the pre-printed paper, deep in thought. There was a blank space in the middle of the manuscript, deliberately left empty.

I had postponed it due to lack of inspiration, and now I was still stuck even as I was finishing up.

Honestly, I could use the name of Hirt, the goddess of nature, and it would be fine.

This alone could determine the planet’s name without issue. Hirt is nature and everything in this world—who would object?

‘So if I modify Hirt slightly…’

Just as I was about to press my pen after much deliberation…

Rumble rumble—

“Huh?”

A sudden vibration. I lifted my pen from the paper and looked around.

It lasted less than a second, but it was clearly an earthquake. The same kind that occurred when I had a fever.

“What’s that?”

“Isaac. Did you feel it too?”

As I was wondering, Father emerged from the training room. He was dressed lightly, having just been training Adelia Cross.

Seeing that Father had also felt the vibration, I nodded.

“Yes, I felt it. It seems like an earthquake?”

“Hmm… I heard there was an earthquake before too… Anyway, I understand.”

Father went back in after saying just that. I wished him good luck and picked up my pen again.

And as I was about to write the planet’s name based on Lady Hirt…

Rumble rumble rumble—

“…”

Is it telling me not to write? I lifted my pen from the paper just in case.

The vibration stopped simultaneously. Then, wondering if it was a coincidence, I put the pen back on the paper…

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!!

A stronger vibration than before began to shake the dormitory.

“Isaac! Evacuate quickly!”

“Young master! Hurry outside…!”

“…”

Why? I couldn’t understand the reason at all.

I would need to visit the temple soon to ask about this.

******

About three days later…

[Alfheim. A gift for Xenon is ready.]

I finally had a reason to get out from under the covers.