Ch.385Cow’s Backward Steps (2)

The Biography of Xenon is a long novel series approaching 30 volumes.

As the story lengthens, naturally it contains various foreshadowing and plot threads, most of which have been resolved by volume 28.

Until then, critics and readers exchanged opinions about the nature of these plot points and their meanings.

They proudly displayed their deductive abilities by compiling theories and submitting them to newspapers or sharing their opinions.

While this could be considered spoilers, it’s not really spoiling since it’s similar to making deductions based on collected information.

Many of these deductions missed the mark. Without going far, Jackson once made such a deduction, and several people agreed with him.

Of course, there was a real spoiler when Kate directly sought out and punished the corrupt Cardinal, but that was only possible because I gave her a hint.

In that sense, I don’t plan to have a big reaction to this latest spoiler, though I might be surprised.

Reacting would be like agreeing with that opinion. The spoiler is too significant, so silence is the best answer for now.

‘But who said such a thing?’

I wondered as I looked at the news in the newspaper.

The sudden spoiler shocked readers, especially the Jin-Lilly couple fans, as if their world had collapsed.

Understandably so, given the ending of volume 28 and the revelation that even the World Tree couldn’t escape demonic corruption.

In that situation, it was said that Jin and Lilly wouldn’t end up together, and even worse, that Xenon would kill Jin.

The problem here is the source. I can’t find who said such a thing.

Rumors began spreading suddenly a few days after volume 28 was released.

Normally, critics or readers would publish their deductions in newspapers, but this wasn’t the case.

‘Besides, how would anyone know Xenon will kill Jin? On what basis? The existing foreshadowing wouldn’t be enough.’

Most people don’t believe it because it’s such a shocking claim. Most treat it as nonsense.

So far, there’s been no reason or justification for Xenon to kill Jin. They trust each other and are friends beyond species.

That’s why such opinions are dismissed. But as Jin leaves to find Diabolos’ soul, hidden foreshadowing gradually emerges.

The fact that Jin is the child of “Gluttony,” and his spirit of sacrifice—willing to become the darkest darkness for Lilly.

I don’t know if they considered all these factors, but if it’s true, I sincerely want to applaud them.

‘Or is it just attention-seeking?’

That’s a highly possible hypothesis. People seeking attention exist everywhere.

But even this is ambiguous. I can’t identify who spread this rumor.

The rumor spread through bards and madams. I can’t interrogate each one about where they heard it.

Most readers are dismissing it as nonsense, so I don’t plan to take action for now.

‘The problem is I can’t do anything.’

Honestly, I’ve been blindsided. If it had been a bit more logical, the fandom might have split in half.

As they say, fans create anti-fans, and the Biography of Xenon is no exception.

Fortunately, fans vastly outnumber anti-fans, but what if they split internally? The situation could be worse than I anticipate.

For example, those who say to view the novel as fiction versus those who riot because they can’t believe it.

Even my mother is threatening to separate bone from flesh if Jin and Lilly don’t end up together.

‘The event progress might be delayed.’

The number of readers invested in the Jin-Lilly couple is greater than I thought. Their story is so poignant and sorrowful that they have a substantial fan base.

Even if they dismiss it as nonsense outwardly, they can’t help but worry.

Xenon killing Jin isn’t important to them. The bigger issue is Jin and Lilly not ending up together.

Anxiety turns into foreboding, and as that foreboding accumulates, it transforms into doubt.

That doubt will naturally be directed at me. In the worst case, fans might come in droves to protest.

‘It’s more troublesome because it’s true.’

I’d like to speak plainly. But since it’s the plot twist I’ve put the most effort into, I have to keep my mouth shut.

I don’t mind if they throw stones, but I’d feel more guilty. It’s similar to hearing the spoiler that the limping man is the culprit.

If it were really nonsense, I would have shut it down with facts, like I did with Jackson during the freshman welcome party.

I sighed at the situation that had become more complex than expected. I hope things go well, but life isn’t that easy.

“Um… senior? Is something bothering you?”

Just then, a gloomy yet clear voice entered my ears. I immediately looked up.

Cherry, with her dead fish eyes as usual, was looking at me with a worried expression.

The atmosphere itself is fine, but she can’t seem to do anything about those lifeless eyes.

“No, I’m fine. Just had something to think about.”

“Could it be because of me…”

“No, no, no. Definitely not that.”

Of course, situations like this happen occasionally due to her rock-bottom self-esteem. This must be what it feels like to be trash.

Although she’s been freed from her shackles, Cherry needs a lot of love and attention.

The child is so depressed that she doesn’t even have friends to accompany her. There aren’t even lecherous men trying to take advantage of her looks and figure.

‘Why is that? I really don’t understand.’

Perhaps they have enough sense to perceive that much. Moreover, Cherry returns straight to the dormitory after classes end.

She also didn’t attend the freshman welcome party. Being a count’s daughter but with rock-bottom self-esteem, I’ve never seen her interact with anyone.

Except for one person: Kate. Two people with a combination comparable to nuclear fusion.

The reason Cherry can confidently visit the dormitory is not because of me but thanks to Kate. They have a lot in common, so she visits frequently.

“Hmm. So how are things these days? Are you getting along well with Kate?”

“Yes… we’re getting along well… we were just talking earlier…”

“What did you talk about?”

“Opinions on how to better serve Senior Issac?”

“…”

That’s a bit creepy. Although I’ve permitted legal stalking from Cherry, that was for when she goes outside.

Now she’s just holed up in the dormitory, so there’s no opportunity for stalking. She just visits confidently.

“So fluffy.”

When my mind was slightly dazed, Ariel, sitting on Cherry’s lap, smiled brightly and said.

Naturally, she’s resting her head against Cherry’s large breasts as a cushion.

For reference, I only revealed Ariel’s existence to Cherry today. Yet they’ve already become this close.

In the process, I saw something rare—Cherry’s gloomy eyes widened like saucers.

This means that even Cherry was shocked by the existence of an angel.

“Comfortable?”

“Yes! Comfortable!”

“Hehe.”

Of course, she quickly fell for Ariel’s lovability. Even Cherry, who exudes a gloomy atmosphere, has noticeably brightened after meeting Ariel.

She creates a warm atmosphere even when Ariel sits on her lap without hesitation, or even uses her chest as a cushion.

It feels like Ariel is filling Cherry’s empty heart. It seems good to leave them be since Ariel is having a positive influence on Cherry.

I smiled warmly at the sight and then picked up my teacup. Cherry’s visit was related to work, not anything else.

“You can’t figure out how to write the development?”

“Yes… You told me last time, senior. That small events change the big future. But I can’t figure out how to change that future…”

The genre Cherry is writing is romance fantasy, specifically a regression story. In a way, she’s incorporated all the common clichés.

At least by Earth’s standards. Currently, Cherry is playing the role of a pioneer in romance fantasy.

But being a pioneer makes it very difficult to get a feel for it. What seems like a very simple problem to me might be mind-boggling from her perspective.

It’s the same now. Due to the nature of regression stories, there’s always a development where the known future completely changes.

Cherry can’t figure out how to change it.

“Is that future very important?”

“The future itself isn’t important, but it will serve as a starting point for the greater future ahead.”

“Hmm…”

I thought about it for a moment after hearing that. Romance fantasy, or rather romance, flows around characters, not events.

Therefore, evaluations are polarized depending on the charm of the characters. Or it progresses with truly unpredictable developments.

Even popular makjang dramas rely heavily on the charm of their characters.

“Come to think of it, the protagonist is struggling to prevent a war, right? That’s why her past self died.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then is that future about the war?”

“No. There’s a way to prevent the war. I’m just worried about how to write the process of preventing it.”

I’m also a regular subscriber to Cherry’s novel, “One more Red Sunset.” It’s a novel that perfectly matches my taste.

It also features a common weakness of female protagonists in romance fantasy: trying to shoulder everything alone.

Resolving that is the role of the male protagonist and the charm of romance fantasy.

However, Cherry needs to lay some groundwork first.

“Hmm… how about temporarily halting the plot development?”

“Halt… it?”

Cherry looked puzzled at my suggestion to temporarily halt the development. I continued my explanation without stopping.

“What you’re writing is romance, right? The plot can progress slowly. The most important thing is the relationship and emotions between the characters. Like drawing trees one by one until they become a forest, you can write like that. After all, it’s the same person causing the events. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Ah… I see. I understand now.”

“There’s no need to rush. Progress as if it’s slowly seeping into the heart. Just make sure the dialogue matches the characters’ personalities. Got it?”

“Thank you…”

Cherry bowed her head gently with a calm smile, indicating that my advice had helped. She carefully embraced Ariel.

Then, raising her head again, she quietly spoke while holding Ariel.

“Um… Senior Issac. May I ask for one favor?”

“What is it?”

“I’d like to take a nap with her…”

“Me?”

Hearing herself mentioned, Ariel looked up and faced Cherry. Cherry glanced at her while looking at me.

Her dark, sunken eyes contained an inexplicable plea. I wondered if Cherry had been enchanted, but…

“When I’m with her… my heart feels warm…”

“…”

“If Senior Issac fills me with water, she seems to warm that water…”

“Fill you? Warm?”

Is it similar to giving a cute cat to someone with autism? The effect would be even stronger than that.

I smiled at the thought. As long as she doesn’t leave the dormitory, it’s fine.

“Alright. But don’t take her outside. Only here. Understand?”

“Th-thank you… But where…”

“Sleep over there.”

I pointed to the bed in the living room. I usually use it for naps, but it’s perfectly suitable for guests too.

Cherry immediately went to the bed, carrying Ariel. She seems to want to feel that warmth a little longer.

Ariel didn’t protest either, suggesting she found Cherry’s embrace comfortable.

“Squishy squishy.”

“N-no. D-don’t touch…”

“Why? Because you only allow daddy to?”

“H-how did you know?”

“I have ways of knowing everything!”

Hmm. I’ll have to scold her later. I tried to ignore the sounds I heard, letting them in one ear and out the other.

Fortunately, the sound of steady breathing soon indicated they had fallen asleep.

‘But really, who said such a thing?’

A few days passed while I pondered this question.

[Famous adventurer from the Empire of Minerva causes a disturbance, insisting Jin and Lilly will definitely end up together…]

[Growing anxiety among readers.]

[Xenon remains silent… Is silence a sign of affirmation?]

The situation I had hoped wouldn’t happen began to unfold gradually.