Ch.71Aftermath (2)

The Biography of Xenon’s first volume manuscript was stolen. This news alone was enough to turn the world upside down.

If it had been a transcription or first edition made by the publisher, people might have overlooked it, but this was the original manuscript—the handwritten pages that Issac himself had sent to the publisher.

Beyond being culturally significant, it was a historically important artifact, making the theft an extremely serious matter.

[Shocking! Biography of Xenon Volume 1 Stolen! Who’s Behind It?]

[They didn’t crack the safe—they ripped off the entire entrance… This definitely wasn’t done by an ordinary organization.]

[The publisher is currently unconscious from shock. While they’ll be held accountable for negligent management of the manuscript, there are certainly mitigating circumstances.]

[Who would have thought someone would steal the entire safe? And for what purpose?]

The news spread like wildfire in less than three days. The incident was so shocking that newspapers printed special editions like they were running factories.

This led to another gathering of people demanding explanations from the publisher, but it dispersed shortly afterward.

High-ranking officials—an investigation team dispatched from the imperial palace itself—had begun examining the safe. People returned to their daily lives, fearing they might get caught in the crossfire, though they remained suspicious.

However, they all shared a common worry: that Issac might become so angry that he would indefinitely suspend his work.

For now, all they could do was hope the authorities would conduct a thorough investigation.

[No traces of Dark Mana detected. Therefore, it absolutely cannot be the work of demons.]

[Parts were cleanly cut with mana for easy removal, then forcibly torn off. This suggests the culprit is skilled in mana manipulation. The operation is estimated to have taken less than 30 minutes.]

[Investigation concludes the perpetrator is not human. Very few humans can cut through a magically protected safe with mana. Therefore, it’s likely a beastman or elf with naturally superior physical abilities.]

[It’s not a dwarf either. They wouldn’t tear out an entire safe like this—they would have figured out the combination.]

The investigation gradually narrowed down the suspects to beastmen and elves.

The operation was too quick and efficient to be done by humans, and dwarves would have used their exceptional craftsmanship to crack the safe rather than ripping off the door.

Demons were ruled out when no traces of their distinctive black mana were found.

That left beastmen and elves, both possessing extraordinary physical abilities. Elves in particular were considered more likely suspects due to their unmatched magical prowess.

But one major question remained.

What was the purpose of stealing the original manuscript of the Biography of Xenon? What benefit could anyone gain from it?

Experts were stumped on this point, halting progress. For now, they could only focus on finding the manuscript’s whereabouts.

Given that the manuscript was valuable enough to be designated a national treasure, it would likely end up on the black market or at some underground auction. The imperial palace, aware of this, began a thorough investigation.

[The biggest concern is Xenon’s reaction. With the manuscript gone, he must be quite upset.]

[What if he declares not just a hiatus but retirement? Everyone would be devastated and furious once again.]

The greatest worry was about Issac himself. People were anxious because it wasn’t just anything—it was the original manuscript he had written with his own hands.

For this reason, the investigation intensified, but unfortunately, the culprit had left almost no evidence, making it difficult to find even a single lead.

[Strong objection from Alfheim: We would never stoop to such base actions.]

[Animus also protests… Why would we be interested in a novel with a human protagonist? Preposterous.]

To make matters worse, the elven nation of Alfheim and the beastman nation of Animus both objected—at the national level, no less.

Both countries offered plausible rebuttals, pushing the case further into mystery. Naturally, fans of the Biography of Xenon grew increasingly anxious.

What if Issac really did announce his retirement? People waited nervously for him to make an official statement.

As one storm subsided only for another to brew, leaving the world in turmoil once again, what about Issac, one of the biggest victims in all this?

Was he furious about the current situation, saddened, or perhaps taking it in stride?

His letter arrived at the publisher about a week after the incident.

Though it was a lengthy letter as usual, it could be summarized as follows:

[Please just find it. It’s my treasure.]

Once again, a bombshell had dropped.

******

The news that my manuscript was stolen just one day after I entrusted it to the publisher came as a huge shock. I had anticipated some commotion, but never dreamed it would be stolen so quickly.

What’s more, according to the newspapers, the method of theft was incredibly crude. They didn’t crack the safe’s code—they ripped off the entire door. I felt more bewildered than angry.

I have no idea why anyone would take the manuscript, but one thing is certain.

“…This is annoying.”

I’m on the verge of losing my temper. I’m generally considered stoic and don’t often express my emotions outwardly.

But the fact that I’m verbalizing my feelings through gritted teeth means I’m genuinely angry. Honestly, anyone in my position would be upset.

The Biography of Xenon isn’t like a web novel saved on a computer—it’s a novel I wrote by hand. Naturally, I’m attached to it.

Anyone would be angry if something precious they entrusted to someone else was stolen. Still, I can’t really blame the publisher; they couldn’t have imagined someone would tear off the safe door.

That’s why I’m even angrier. What kind of lunatic would go so far as to rip off a safe door to steal my manuscript?

Given the manuscript’s immense value, could they be planning to sell it? That seems highly unlikely.

Based on the investigation, whoever stole the manuscript isn’t just an ordinary thief. Perhaps it was orchestrated by forces that even high-ranking officials would hesitate to confront.

‘But why?’

What was the culprit’s purpose in taking the manuscript? If caught, they would face national condemnation and serious repercussions.

I sighed deeply at the incomprehensible motives of the thief. It was depressing to lose the first manuscript I’d written since my reincarnation in such a pointless way.

“Um… Issac? Are you okay?”

“…”

As I was sighing in dejection, Marie, sitting beside me, asked with concern in her voice. I turned my head as soon as her voice reached my ears.

Turning my head, I saw Marie’s face looking at me with genuine concern.

“…Marie.”

“Yes, Issac.”

“Come here for a moment.”

Although we were in a lecture hall, there weren’t many people yet. Besides, everyone knew about my relationship with Marie.

Marie gave me a puzzled look when I called her in a low voice, but she complied obediently. When I spread my arms, she seemed to catch my intention and smiled brightly, opening her arms as well.

*Hug*

They say hugging is the simplest and most effective way to alleviate depression. As soon as I embraced her, I felt all my gloominess wash away.

Hugging Marie is always healing. I buried my face against her like a child.

As much as I wanted to stay like that forever, there were too many eyes watching, so I reluctantly pulled away.

“Feeling better now?”

After the hug, Marie asked with an expression that suggested she found me incorrigible. Her fair cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps embarrassed by our unexpected display of affection.

I nodded with a gentle smile. Honestly, I wanted to kiss her too, but I barely restrained myself since we were in a lecture hall.

“You don’t need to worry too much. The imperial palace is actively investigating, so they’ll identify the culprit soon. I’d like to help, but it’s difficult when the palace is directly involved.”

“Just stay by my side. That’s all I need.”

“Wow… come here and hug me again.”

Seemingly touched, Marie spread her arms wide, asking for another hug. I gladly accepted her request and embraced her again.

So we shared our warmth for the second time in the lecture hall. I could hear whispers around us, but I didn’t care at all.

I was a bit embarrassed, but it felt good.

“Now you’re openly advertising that you’re lovers?”

Just as we separated, a familiar voice came from behind. Looking back, I saw Cecilly resting her chin on her hand, gazing at us with seductive eyes.

At first glance, she seemed to be just having fun, but from my perspective as someone who exchanged letters with her, there was something peculiar about her gaze.

“Jealous? Jealous? Even if you are, I’m never giving our Issac to you.”

Marie pulled me strongly and hugged me tightly while teasing Cecilly. She probably thought Cecilly asked out of envy.

Cecilly just shrugged her shoulders and stepped back without saying anything. Even as she retreated, her reddish eyes remained fixed on me.

‘By the way, I don’t see Rina.’

The lecture was about to start, but there was no sign of Rina. She might have skipped class because of the manuscript theft incident.

Well, it hadn’t been long since the protests calmed down, and now this major incident had occurred, so she must be busy on multiple fronts. She probably couldn’t focus on her studies even if she wanted to.

‘I’m sure she’ll handle it well.’

No, she has to handle it well.

If the imperial palace doesn’t want to prove their incompetence, they must find the culprit. And from Rina’s perspective, she needs to work tirelessly to improve our relationship, which was on the verge of collapse.

All I can do right now is ask Rina about the situation every few days. Even my father couldn’t resolve this case, so I’ll have to wait patiently.

‘But really, what kind of madman took the manuscript?’

If they find the culprit, I’d like to see their face at least once.

So I can give them a good smack for messing with someone else’s property.

*****

“Did you hear the news? About the Biography of Xenon’s manuscript being stolen.”

“What? What are you talking about? Wasn’t the manuscript just announced yesterday?”

“That’s right. But it was stolen after just one day. I don’t know who did it, but they completely tore off the safe entrance.”

“Huh. They must be crazy. This is going to cause an uproar.”

“I heard the imperial palace dispatched an investigation team directly. The situation is getting more and more serious.”

Taverns always become lively in the evening. Many people discuss the day’s events, or sometimes drink themselves into oblivion.

Amidst this vibrant atmosphere sat a solitary figure. With a robe pulled over their head, it was difficult to make out their face, but the slender build and the partially visible face with fine features suggested it was a woman.

She had distinctively tanned skin. Unlike others, she sat alone at a table, moistening her throat with beer while quickly scanning her surroundings.

‘Fortunately, no trackers.’

Had she committed some crime? She inwardly sighed with relief while touching the right side of her chest.

The “precious item” she had obtained today through considerable effort was safely tucked away. Whether it was crafted by dwarves or not, it had magical protection and was made of sturdy material, making it difficult to work with, but that hadn’t posed much of a challenge for her.

Although in the end, she had difficulty working with mana and crudely tore off the door. Still, the outcome was satisfactory.

‘The Queen will be pleased.’

Thinking about seeing her queen’s smile, she habitually fingered her elongated ears.

Unusually, unlike ordinary elves, her ears were cut in half.