Ch.371Feared Outcome (1)

The overall content of the event involves the subjugation of devil worshippers, which leads to a private audience with me.

So how many devil worshippers must be eliminated to secure this private audience with me? That’s the perspective.

First, points are awarded for either eliminating devil worshippers or bringing them to the church. This is the most basic principle.

Additionally, devil worshippers are characteristically difficult to detect as they move without leaving any traces.

Therefore, information is extremely valuable, and informants may receive greater contribution points than those who directly handle the situation.

Beyond this, points can be earned for rehabilitating those who have been brainwashed by devil worshippers, rescuing slaves who were nearly used as sacrifices, and so on.

Even without direct subjugation, points can be earned, and people are making the most of their individual strengths.

According to reports, while there have been many direct eliminations, the number of informants far exceeds them.

As more investigations occur, increasingly horrific incidents are being uncovered, prompting government support.

If devil worshippers were merely heretics or pagans, it might be different, but since they’re far worse than a social cancer, everyone has been able to unite with a single purpose.

There were concerns that devil worshippers might become desperate, but no such signs have appeared yet.

Finally, the most important aspect of the event—its duration—hasn’t been specified.

If the event were to end at a certain point, people would likely stop hunting devil worshippers.

Humans are cunning creatures who will promptly quit without rewards. Only a minority act out of conviction and duty.

Therefore, I plan to give rewards unexpectedly and continue the event indefinitely rather than ending it.

“Daddy, what are you doing?”

“Daddy’s working.”

“Working?”

“Yes.”

I need to write now. I continued typing while answering Ariel’s questions.

Though the event is actively underway, I can’t delay completing the Biography of Xenon. Moreover, since I need to do a Q&A now, it’s better to work on it in advance.

Meanwhile, Ariel stood quietly after hearing my answer, then slowly approached me.

“Heave-ho. Heave-ho.”

And she climbed energetically onto my lap. Having anticipated her action, I was careful to ensure she wouldn’t fall.

Eventually, Ariel, now on my lap, blinked while looking at the typewriter. I smiled briefly at her cute behavior before continuing my writing.

Click-clack- click-clack-

“Wow.”

Ariel’s eyes sparkled, seemingly fascinated by how characters appeared on the hologram as I typed.

She stretched out her tiny arms and waved them around, which was incredibly adorable. To prevent her from falling, I slightly spread my thighs to secure her.

“Umm… Xenon looked at the vessel containing Diabols’ soul. It had octopus-like tentacles attached to its face… Xenon? Diabols? Soul?”

Perhaps the newborn(?) didn’t know many words yet. Ariel tilted her head in confusion.

As she tilted her head, the sprout on top of her head moved along with it. I wondered when that sprout would grow and what purpose it served.

Too curious to continue typing, I gently tapped the sprout.

“Hmm?”

Ariel looked up at me as if she could feel the touch on her sprout. Her golden eyes were filled with questions.

I silently gazed at her face for a while before squeezing her plump cheeks.

They were soft like marshmallows, and her baby-like skin was addictively touchable. I wished I could keep touching them.

Ariel seemed to enjoy my affection, closing her eyes and smiling brightly.

After this tender father-daughter moment, I gently placed Ariel down from my lap and quietly said:

“Ariel, daddy’s busy right now. Would you like to play for a while?”

“With whom?”

Thud-

Just as Ariel asked, Adelia emerged from the bathroom. Seeing her, I immediately said to Ariel:

“You can play with Adelia mom over there. Go on.”

“Okay! Mom! Mom!”

“Oh, oh?”

Ariel ran energetically toward Adelia, calling out to her. After a moment of surprise, Adelia greeted her with a smile.

Originally, I was supposed to train with father, but he’s currently absent. He’s probably handling remaining duties at the mansion.

Though training with Adelia and me is important, the territory’s affairs aren’t completely settled, and he needs to protect mother and Lilly.

It’s not a major issue since teleportation allows for easy travel, and if necessary, the entire family could relocate.

“Mom, play with me.”

“Alright. What shall we play today?”

“Umm… what’s knight play?”

“…Did you read my mind again? That’s not fair.”

Adelia stroked Ariel’s head with a smile, seemingly amused that Ariel had read her thoughts.

Ariel simply smiled innocently. Adelia then took Ariel’s hand and led her to another room to avoid disturbing me.

‘Adelia must feel quite awkward.’

I recalled Adelia’s unfortunate family background. Born to a prostitute mother and raised in harsh conditions.

She constantly worried whether she could be a proper mother. And now with Ariel’s sudden appearance, it must be challenging for her in many ways.

But from my perspective, she’ll make an excellent mother. The very fact that she worries about such things shows her admirable character.

Moreover, she said she would learn from her own family history as a negative example, so I’m confident entrusting Ariel to her.

‘I should focus on writing now.’

Once Adelia left with Ariel, I immediately concentrated on my writing. It might seem irresponsible, but I’ve been exhausted since this morning.

As they say, parenting is the hardest job in the world, and Ariel’s energy seemed limitless.

As soon as she woke up this morning, she demanded to play, and we can’t even go outside in the current situation.

So education became the alternative. Though Ariel looks like a child, she’s a newborn.

Naturally, she knows fewer words than she doesn’t know, so we’re instilling basic knowledge and vocabulary through education.

‘Fortunately, she prefers literature over martial arts.’

Perhaps taking after me, Ariel prefers literature to martial arts. Not that she dislikes martial arts—it’s simply a preference.

Her basic strength is comparable to an adult’s, especially her bite force, which is extraordinary.

She chews everything she puts in her mouth and even ate the world tree seed shell, which has a hardness comparable to iron, with relish.

That’s why controlling her strength is essential, and father and Adelia are intensively caring for this aspect.

Father, in particular, is paying the most attention to Ariel’s strength control, saying nothing is more dangerous than uncontrolled power.

Anyway, Ariel has many immature aspects, so my family and I are nurturing her with love.

‘When can I take her outside?’

But I can’t keep Ariel confined to the dormitory forever. Children need to develop social skills by playing with friends.

Growing up surrounded only by adults isn’t good. For Ariel’s future, she needs to make friends.

Though I’ll think about this gradually, I plan to reveal Ariel’s existence soon.

‘For that, I need to finish this work quickly.’

I looked at the sentences on the hologram before placing my hands on the typewriter.

Volume 28 of the Biography of Xenon—the climax and the true beginning of tragedy.

This part mainly features the battle between Xenon’s group and the great demon Diabols, who was resurrected through a vessel created by greed.

The vessel’s appearance borrows from Cthulhu mythology—a monster with an octopus-like face.

‘In this world, the Kraken exists, so this will resonate strongly.’

Everyone knows about the Kraken, the octopus-like monster that’s the terror of the sea. And in this world, it’s a real monster.

According to literature, the Kraken was born when demon blood seeped into the sea. The same applies to other sea monsters.

Even on Earth, sea voyages often risked lives, but in this world, every departure means risking one’s life.

That’s why it’s not unusual for veteran sailors to be as strong as knights.

However, they’re more like “specialists,” so direct comparisons aren’t appropriate.

‘Since it’s a vessel, I should nerf it somewhat.’

Even with greed’s help in obtaining the vessel, it’s realistically impossible for Diabols to exert full power.

If he exerted more power, the vessel would be completely destroyed, so controlling his strength is essential.

But even with that limitation, he remains an extraordinary powerhouse. Even Xenon’s group would be helpless without Lilly’s support.

In fact, other races without Lilly’s support had to retreat due to the darkness Diabols spread.

Especially for demons, mere contact initiates demonization, causing great confusion. This alone suggests how powerful Diabols is.

He’s truly a walking calamity. Moreover, since only his soul is in the vessel, he’s not even at full strength.

‘Honestly, the character itself isn’t that appealing.’

Diabols isn’t a particularly charming character for his setting. Even I, as the author, acknowledge this.

Befitting his status as a great demon, he possesses immense power and influence, but his sole purpose is to bring destruction to the world—nothing more, nothing less.

Readers will likely feel confused and disappointed as they see Diabols fall rather anticlimactically later on.

After nearly 30 volumes focused on Diabols’ resurrection, they might question why the conclusion is so bland.

‘And that’s when I’ll deliver the twist—Diabols’ final strike targets Lilly, not Xenon.’

Diabols strikes Lilly while leaving a hint about his future resurrection. This scene will shock readers.

They’ll be confused, thinking: “They even had their wedding night, so they should have a happy ending, right? Are Lilly and Jin not meant to be together?”

Just thinking about it is thrilling. If this were my previous life, comments would be flooded with question marks or stunned silence.

Moreover, this world hasn’t even properly established clichés, and its mythology differs significantly.

While Greek and Roman myths often end heroes’ journeys in “tragedy,” this world has only shown hopeful stories.

‘Actually, there aren’t even clichés here. There’s nothing.’

I gleefully wrote the battle scene with Diabols. Mother might scold me, but Luminus said:

While corrupted souls can be purified, it’s an extremely difficult process even for them.

If it doesn’t work out, I can always release a side story, so I can write with peace of mind.

‘I should finish quickly and play with Ariel.’

As I was enjoying this peaceful moment with such thoughts:

[Feared event becomes reality… Innocent victims in the event.]

[A phenomenon bordering on madness. Is this truly the right thing?]

[Victims’ families are demanding accountability from Xenon, the ultimate responsible party…]

[Confirmation: The victims and their families were not devil worshippers. Therefore, we must decide to end the event…]

The feared situation has become reality.

[Did the “vessel” really exist? Vivid testimony from adventurers who explored underground caves pursuing devil worshippers.]

[It was a majestic place like a temple, with a statue inside that had an octopus-like head. The statue was so lifelike and intricate it seemed ready to move.]

[They immediately retreated upon seeing it, feeling they might go mad, but only one survivor remained.]

[Is this testimony reliable?]

“?????”

What the hell is this now?