Ch.70Aftermath (1) – Afterword Added

The protest that seemed ready to explode at any moment began to cool down after Issac sent a letter to the publishing house.

The letter was very long, filling an entire page, but to summarize it briefly:

[I’m really anxious because it’s too noisy. What if I get hurt too? I haven’t received any pressure or threats, so please don’t worry too much. I’m very healthy and writing as a hobby, and I’m just taking a short break because I have a lot to do. So please don’t misunderstand and wait a little longer. I love you all, dear readers.]

Despite the sincere plea that filled the entire page, the protesters initially… well, they refuted it, calling it a lie.

They shouted, asking if the letter was really written by Issac, or if it was a fake letter written to somehow defuse the situation because the volcano was about to erupt.

Since this was certainly a valid point, the publishing house showed proof through action rather than words. They presented the original manuscript of Biography of Xenon Volume 1.

The beginning of a masterpiece that had started to leave a significant mark on the cultural world and was currently loved by everyone.

Moreover, it wasn’t a transcription received from the publisher, but something Issac had written directly with a pen. Naturally, the public couldn’t help but be shocked beyond surprise.

“That’s a lie! How do you expect us to believe this?”

“Prove that it’s the original manuscript and not a transcription!”

“Prove that it’s real!”

Of course, they didn’t believe it right away. From the protesters’ perspective, it was difficult to believe that both the letter and the manuscript that the publishing house claimed to be the original were genuine.

The protesters included people of all ages and genders, but many of them had considerable life experience. In other words, they knew how dirty and petty the upper world could be.

For this reason, even when the publishing house desperately claimed it was the original manuscript, they didn’t receive trust. However, the situation soon reversed.

“I-I think it’s really the original manuscript! It’s not a transcription but the original.”

“Is that really true?”

“For what reason? Is it because the manuscript paper looks old?”

“No. The age of the manuscript paper isn’t even a reason. They could have written on old paper. But the ink is different. If the ink has discolored to this extent, it means it was written quite a long time ago. Above all, do you see these countless dots? These are traces of contemplation. Authors typically go through a lot of deliberation in the introduction part.”

The verification came when a collector and expert who had heard the news came to check the manuscript.

If it had been an ordinary collector, it might have been different, but since this was one of the renowned collectors even within the Empire of Minerva, the credibility had to increase significantly.

“Is there any trace of magic being used? You never know.”

“Listen. Magic has countless abilities, but it can’t do anything about time. However, this manuscript paper contains the traces of time intact. So I have no choice but to believe this is genuine.”

“Really…!”

When such definitive evidence emerged, the publishing house spokesperson felt like dancing with joy right then and there. However, since the situation wasn’t completely resolved yet, he barely suppressed that emotion.

Following this, the spokesperson quickly snatched the original manuscript from the collector and shouted toward the crowd focused on him. Since the publishing house had specifically hired someone with a loud voice, it resonated powerfully.

“I believe this proof is sufficient now! The handwriting on this original manuscript and the letter match perfectly! So the content of this letter is what the author of Xenon wants to tell you all! Do you still want to protest after this? What if, by any chance, this protest intensifies and causes harm to the author who is hiding?”

“What more can we say?”

“If that’s what the author says, we should go.”

“Let’s go back. Two years is a long time, but what can we do? If the author wants to rest, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Sigh… I’ll just have to work for two years.”

And so, the long-standing protest gradually dispersed. Even as they dispersed, some occasionally looked back at the publishing house with regretful eyes, but they too soon turned away.

However, there were some who remained until the end, most of them with their eyes fixed on the original manuscript.

‘The original manuscript of Biography of Xenon Volume 1…’

‘How much would that be worth?’

‘If I just had that…’

It’s natural to feel greedy when an item of such high value, worthy of being designated as a national treasure, is right in front of you. The employee, sensing the strange atmosphere, got goosebumps and hurriedly entered the company.

As soon as he entered the company, he could see the president pacing back and forth restlessly in the corridor. When the employee returned with the original manuscript, the president hurriedly asked him.

“W-what happened? The protesters? Have they all retreated?”

“Of course. Those who remain will leave soon too.”

“Phew… I’m relieved. Well done. Really well done.”

Hearing the employee’s answer, the president let out a sigh of relief and patted his shoulder as if to say “good job.”

The employee was smiling on the outside, but inwardly, he was quite expectant. Usually, the publishing house president was known to give tremendous bonuses when performance was good.

The reason he could endure and persevere through the hardships of work life was precisely because of the president’s generosity.

“You’ve worked really hard. I’ll give you a hefty bonus, so go home for now.”

“Thank you!”

“No need for thanks. I’m the one who’s grateful. Hahaha.”

As the president let out a hearty laugh, the employee also smiled broadly. Usually, workplace life often gets complicated because of superiors, but not here.

The main reason this small publishing house could grow so much was indeed because of Biography of Xenon, but the reason they could navigate through the flood of work was thanks to the president.

The problem is that he’s still a boss, after all. Nevertheless, the employee was grinning at the thought of a hefty bonus and going home.

“Ah, and please give me the original manuscript. I need to handle it quickly.”

“Understood. How do you plan to handle this?”

“I have a plan. Please give it to me.”

The employee handed over the original manuscript to the president without any suspicion. The president checked multiple times to confirm it was indeed the original manuscript of Biography of Xenon and then let out another sigh.

Starting today, the storm seemed to be subsiding. For the president, this meant he wouldn’t have to deal with nobles visiting almost every day.

It was a great relief, especially since his once-full head of hair had been falling out due to stress. The president told the employee to go ahead and then returned to his office.

“You’re here.”

When he returned to his office, Matthew, the secretary the president trusted, was waiting. He was there because he had been instructed to wait in advance.

The president looked at his face once and then sat down in his desk chair. The soft leather feeling transmitted through his back.

“Phew…”

“Did everything go smoothly?”

“Yes. Now there won’t be any more shouting protesters or nobles visiting.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Indeed. Our precious company almost burned down.”

Just let it burn. Matthew thought with half-sincerity.

One of the dreams of an office worker is to see their company burn down. Moreover, Matthew, who was no different from the president’s slave, felt this desire even more strongly.

Of course, he only thought this in his mind and never voiced it. The reason he maintained this shitty work life was because the salary was high.

“Ah, by the way, who’s on duty today?”

“It’s Elise.”

“Then you should be on duty with her today.”

“…What?”

Matthew blinked. He didn’t understand the president’s sudden order.

To this, the president showed the original manuscript to Matthew and began to give a proper explanation.

“As you know, we need to guard this original manuscript until the courier arrives. He said he’d come within three days at the latest, so we need to protect it until then. If this disappears, our company is finished.”

I wish it would end. But today is Thursday, so it might be okay. Matthew nodded while grumbling inwardly.

Unaware of his inner thoughts, the president looked at the original manuscript with a solemn face. The news that this manuscript was genuine would spread across the region starting today, so it was urgent to handle it quickly.

This wasn’t just any item, but the original manuscript of Biography of Xenon Volume 1.

It’s an item that should be designated as a national treasure, so it’s beyond what a mere publishing house can handle. Perhaps as early as tomorrow, a high-ranking noble who heard the news might come and offer an unimaginable sum of money for the manuscript.

However, as mentioned before, he wouldn’t do the foolish act of cutting open the belly of the goose that lays golden eggs. Above all, the author had presented the original manuscript as a kind of evidence, not completely transferring ownership.

In other words, the moment he does as he pleases with the original manuscript, his life is over. The president carefully gathered the manuscript and raised his head.

‘I should put this in the safe.’

Only the president knows the password to the safe in the office. Anyway, Matthew, who is on duty today, is only going to guard the safe located in the president’s office.

He doesn’t think it will be stolen. Matthew doesn’t have the capacity to do such a thing, and he doesn’t even know the password.

The president, feeling somewhat relieved, exhaled a long breath through his nose and quietly opened his mouth.

“I emphasize again, but you must protect the safe. If this disappears, not just me, but our entire publishing house will lose its head.”

“I understand. But why are you putting it in the company safe? Why aren’t you managing it directly?”

“There’s no suitable place to put it in my house. Above all, nothing is as safe as the company safe. Look at that.”

The president pointed to one side, and Matthew’s gaze followed. The entrance to the safe, integrated with the wall, came into view.

Originally, it’s a place where the president manages the ledgers directly. It’s also a place to store cash obtained through tax evasion and bribes.

So its security is reliable. Not just the password, but it’s rare for someone to rip out something like that entirely.

Matthew nodded as soon as he saw the safe. That would certainly be reliable.

“I understand. But will just the two of us be enough? Wouldn’t it be better to hire adventurers in case of emergency?”

“Don’t worry. There won’t be any bold ones to act today anyway. It will take at least three days for the news to spread. By then, we would have handed over the original manuscript to the courier.”

“I see.”

“Well, from the second day, it might be good to hire adventurers as you suggested. Today, emphasize to Elise not to doze off.”

That’s no problem. Matthew willingly accepted the president’s instructions.

The president, seeing that the situation was settled for now, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Having not slept a wink for the past few days and living only in the company, he was completely drained.

Today, more than anything, he just wanted to go home and rest comfortably.

‘Now it’s over…’

Yes, he thought today was truly the end.

“President! Something terrible has happened!”

“What? Why suddenly again? Has a noble come?”

“No! When I came to work today, Matthew and Elise were collapsed, and above all…!”

-The safe has been stolen!

Until an event that should never have happened occurred.

The president wore an expression of not understanding the situation for about 5 seconds after hearing the employee’s shout. He wondered what he had just heard.

However, after fully accepting the situation, his face turned pale, and he rushed to the president’s office. On the way, he could see Matthew and another employee, who had been on duty, being carried out.

He wanted to check their condition, but the situation was so urgent that he had no choice but to ignore them. As the president rushed to his office, he quickly thought.

‘The safe was stolen? Not just the password being cracked? How is this possible?’

The safe where the original manuscript was placed was so heavy that it was impossible to carry, and it was integrated with the wall.

Moreover, it was a safe that had been magically treated at a high cost, making it difficult to destroy. Even if someone had destroyed it, the noise would have been so loud that it couldn’t have gone unnoticed.

And yet…

“…Huh.”

*Thud*

The president could only fall to his knees at the sight of the safe that looked as if the entire wall had been ripped out.

‘…I’m finished.’

Another storm began to approach.