Ch.82Rest (1)

The journey home was very smooth without any disturbances.

The carriage that Dmitri had called for at a high price was equipped with facilities no less comfortable than the lodging, adding to the comfort, and the food he handed me to eat on the way was also delicious.

The food prepared by the Reckyless mansion’s chef was a kind of kebab, and while the vegetables were good, the quality of the meat was exceptional, making it impossible to get tired of eating it. Thanks to the three portions they packed for me to eat steadily on the way, I wasn’t hungry.

Normally, kebabs are inappropriate food to eat in a shaking carriage, but the interior had shock-absorbing magic installed, so there was no major difficulty in dining. Rather, it provided enough comfort that one could stretch out and sleep.

After neatly devouring one of the kebabs Dmitri had gifted me to fill my hungry stomach, I read a book while fighting off the approaching food coma. For reference, the book was a history text about the racial wars that I had been focusing on until meeting Dmitri.

Dmitri had gladly gifted it to me since I hadn’t finished reading it. I expressed some reluctance when he also gave me a remover, but Dmitri said he was fine with it and kindly offered that he could just buy another one later.

I’m not sure if he gave me gifts because I’m Marie’s boyfriend or if he had other intentions. Perhaps he liked me after our conversation.

Anyway, it’s certain that Dmitri has a good impression of me, and his doting father aspect wasn’t that severe. Dmitri is just an ordinary father you could see anywhere.

‘Perhaps he knows that I’m the author of Biography of Xenon.’

I speculated inwardly while munching on a kebab. Although it’s just my guess, the excessive kindness Dmitri showed me makes it quite suspicious.

Of course, he didn’t pressure me like Rina or Leort did, nor did he ask directly, so I can’t be certain. Again, it’s just my speculation.

‘Let’s just focus on getting home for now.’

After finishing the kebab, I threw the remaining trash in the garbage bin. Feeling adequately full, I looked out the window to check the time.

Beyond the glass window, the sky was gradually turning crimson. About six hours had passed since we departed around lunchtime.

The distance from home to the capital takes up to 10 hours by carriage, but this expensive carriage would take less time. I thought we would probably arrive after just a bit more reading.

As soon as I arrive, I’ll greet my parents, finish dinner, and the day will quickly pass. Inside the carriage heading home, I pondered deeply about what to do during the vacation.

‘I’ll probably write Biography of Xenon bit by bit…’

Although I had already posted a notice about taking a hiatus, my hands were already itching. There’s not much to do during vacation here except reading, without smartphones or computers.

I’ll occasionally exercise with my father, but even that isn’t enough. A month might seem short at a glance, but that’s only when it has already passed; when you’re in it, it’s actually quite long.

While I was contemplating how to spend my vacation in a fulfilling way that would be talked about, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

‘Should I write a side story?’

In the notice, I said I was taking a hiatus from Biography of Xenon, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t publish other books.

Moreover, there’s a past story that many people are curious about. That’s the story of my master and the Elf Queen.

How the two of them could have a love that transcended species, and why the master looked only at the Elf Queen until he grew old—these curiosities.

Although the main story of Biography of Xenon occasionally described the past, it was far from enough. So many readers are speculating, but unless they can look inside my head, they’ll never know.

‘Besides, the master is close to being a comic character, so it was difficult for people to accept.’

Looking at how the master taught Xenon, he’s clearly an eccentric. Also, using frivolous speech that doesn’t match his age, there were quite a few readers who were shocked when his relationship with the Elf Queen was revealed.

But some argued this made him more charming, saying that such types are usually more devoted to their loved ones, and highly evaluated the master. From then on, the master’s popularity rose rapidly, and many people looked forward to future developments.

Of course, that turned into anger when I abruptly went on hiatus.

‘That’s good. Since it’s a side story, it doesn’t matter if it’s short.’

Once I had a rough idea of the length, I took out my notebook and started writing down the plot one by one. Since it’s a side story showing the relationship between the master and the Elf Queen, there will be almost no direct combat, and it’s closer to a romance.

Although there’s a somewhat impulsive aspect to it, Biography of Xenon is just a hobby anyway, so there’s no big problem in writing it. Still, I need to write with quality that all readers can accept.

By revealing their relationship more intensively through the side story, the master’s death could have an even greater impact. Moreover, since I’ve already decided on his last words, I could include similar dialogue in their first meeting.

‘Let’s see… The master was once a renowned mercenary, and the Elf Queen had just ascended to the throne at that time…’

I was busy setting up the plot in the carriage on the way home, and…

“Issac. Look at this. All these letters are for you.”

“…All of these?”

“Yes. Our son is quite popular.”

As soon as I got home, I couldn’t hide my astonishment at the boxes full of fan letters.

The letters my parents sent to the academy were just the tip of the iceberg. No joke, looking at the pile, it would take days to read them all.

“And before you look at those, could you see this first? Your mother picked these out, and I’d like you to see them first.”

While I was staring blankly at the mountain of fan letters in astonishment, my mother handed me a few letters.

Coming to my senses, I checked the letters my mother had given me. Some letters had elaborate patterns drawn on them, while one was plain.

What kind of letters were these that my mother had selected them? With such questions in mind, I checked one of the letters.

‘Lirus Orchestra?’

The name of an orchestra I’d never heard of. I looked at the name of the organization that sent the letter and then glanced at my mother.

My mother was smiling brightly, clearly pleased about something. Judging by her expression, it couldn’t be anything bad.

I turned my attention back to the letter and opened the envelope. Unlike its elaborate exterior, the contents were an ordinary letter.

[Hello, Author. I am Lirus, the conductor running the Lirus Orchestra in the Kingdom of Teres. And I am also an ardent fan of your work, Biography of Xenon. I’m not sure if this letter will reach you, but I have a small wish, so I’m sending you this letter.]

Since they mentioned a small wish, I expected it to be a strange proposal. But as I read more of the letter, my expression couldn’t help but turn to increasing surprise.

[…Therefore, although inadequate, we would like to express Sakran’s life through our music. Every time I see his end, the scene replays faintly in my head, and at the same time, music flows out. Please, if you would allow us with our insufficient skills, we would like to compose. We don’t mind how you decide to distribute any profits generated from this. If you give us this golden opportunity, we will certainly repay you with a wonderful piece. Sincerely, Lirus.]

They want to express the memorable scenes of the novel through music. It’s a surprising proposal for me.

And considering the era’s background, it can be seen as a kind of “fan art.” Fan art in the literal artistic sense.

I stared blankly at the letter sent by the Lirus Orchestra and then hurriedly checked the other letters. Since my mother had selected them, they must have been sent from similar organizations.

Sure enough. From organizations like orchestras and theater troupes to painters, sculptors, and finally craftsmen, etc.

Major fields in the arts all made similar requests. They said they wouldn’t care about profits at all, just please let them depict scenes from Biography of Xenon.

After looking at the letters with similar proposals, I raised my head and faced my mother. She was still smiling brightly, waiting for my reaction.

“…Mother?”

“Yes, dear?”

“I don’t know much about this, but all the people who sent these letters…”

Even though I trailed off, my mother nodded and answered with pride.

“Your guess is right. They are artists who can proudly claim to be the best in their fields.”

“…”

“This mother is so proud of you. From now on, I should ask the publisher to send letters to our home. Maybe requests will come from other places too.”

And so, my vacation began with receiving letters from masters of the cultural world.

*****

“Sigh…”

Two weeks after Biography of Xenon announced its hiatus, the publisher’s president exhaled deeply at his growing worries.

The events that had happened to the president in the past month were truly tumultuous in his life.

Suddenly Biography of Xenon declared a hiatus causing large-scale protests, then the manuscript was stolen just a day after its preview was released, and after that, he received a tax audit resulting in an enormous fine.

Fortunately, the tax issue was resolved by speaking well, otherwise it would have been dangerous enough for the publishing house to be seized. However, the fine alone was painful enough for the president.

‘How long can I hold out?’

Although Biography of Xenon declared a hiatus, its popularity isn’t fading at all. Until now, Biography of Xenon is selling like hotcakes, and the printing press is actively operating.

However, since it was announced that there would be a hiatus for at least a year, sales will plummet as days go by. Although there’s no debt, it was devastating for the president who had already tasted money.

Somehow he needs to hold out until a new volume of Biography of Xenon is released, but it’s questionable how long he can endure. Just maintaining the printing press costs a fortune, and it’s difficult to sustain with only the revenue from Biography of Xenon.

‘Damn it. What kind of madman stole the entire safe? This is driving me crazy…’

The culprit who stole the manuscript has not yet been identified. Even the investigation team dispatched by the Empire said there were no clues and eventually had to return empty-handed.

It was maddening enough that the manuscript was stolen, but not even being able to find a clue made each day hell for the president. He’s in no position to complain even if he gets hit by a stone while passing by.

Fortunately, there were mitigating circumstances, but the mental anguish is unavoidable. The president rubbed his face with both hands and let out a groan.

“Ugh… Should I cut the employees’ salaries… No. Then I’d have to hire new people… I’ll just have to save and economize.”

They say a person’s true abilities are revealed in moments of crisis. Facing the greatest crisis of his life, the president tried his best to figure out how to wisely overcome this crisis.

In his heart, he wanted to go find the author, cling to his pant leg, and beg for just one more volume, but that’s impossible, so pass. It’s an impossible story anyway since he doesn’t even know who the author is.

‘At this rate, sales will plummet within a month. I need to figure something out…’

It was while the president was wracking his brain in agony.

Clank!

“President! I have something to report!”

Matthew, an employee the president cherished, burst in without knocking. He was the one who was injured during the manuscript theft, but since it was just fainting, he could now move without any problems.

The president, momentarily distracted from his worries, jumped in surprise at Matthew’s sudden visit. But that was brief; he glared coldly at Matthew, who seemed to have sold all his manners, for not knocking.

“…Are you starting to go crazy too? No matter how busy you are, you should at least knock…”

“That’s not it, please look at this! It’s a manuscript sent by Xenon!”

“What?!”

At the news Matthew delivered while showing the mail, the president sprang to his feet. If Matthew’s words were true, what’s in that mail is nothing short of a lifeline.

The president then stepped away from his seat and strode toward Matthew. Without a word, he snatched the mail from Matthew’s hand.

Since it looked like an ordinary mail on the outside, the president asked Matthew in a trembling voice.

“Is, is it true? Is it really sent by Xenon?”

“Yes! As usual, he hired a messenger to send it to me. It’s definitely right!”

“But he clearly said he was going on hiatus…”

“I don’t know the reason either, but you should take a look. I was in such a hurry that I haven’t opened it yet.”

As Matthew said, the mail boasted a clean exterior without any damage. Realizing that his words were true, the president hurriedly opened the mail.

Inside the mail was a manuscript, which the president took out with trembling hands like an aspen tree. As he took out the manuscript, a letter that was tucked between fell to the floor.

The president handed the manuscript to Matthew and checked the letter first. He didn’t know why the author had changed his mind, but the letter would tell.

Eventually, the president checked the neatly folded letter with a pounding heart. The familiar handwriting caught his eye.

[Hello, President. This is Xenon. You might find it strange that I’m sending a manuscript after declaring a hiatus. But I said I was taking a hiatus from Biography of Xenon, not that I wouldn’t publish side stories.]

“Si-side story!”

At the content of the letter saying he wrote a side story, a broad smile spread across the president’s face. It was truly a downpour beyond a welcome rain in drought.

The president, unable to hide his joy, quickly read the next content.

[The name of the side story is ‘Kayre’s Side Story,’ which is the name of Xenon’s master. It contains how Kayre came to be connected with the Elf Queen and how their love blossomed. I’m not sure if readers will enjoy it, but I’m sending it because you might be bored.]

Even up to here, it was like salvation for the president. But the content didn’t end there.

[And many artists have made requests to me. They say they want to express my work in their most confident fields. I would like you to convey to them on my behalf. Tell them I don’t care whether they generate profit or not, they can do as they wish. Instead, I would like visual artworks to be sent to me separately. Just in case, I’ll include my handwritten signature that I made separately. Sincerely, Xenon.]

Thud!

After reading the entire letter, the president unknowingly fell to his knees. When the president knelt, Matthew, who was reading the manuscript, was startled and urgently called out to him.

“Pre-President! Are you okay? What on earth does the letter say…”

“Oh! Luminus! Thank you so much! You haven’t abandoned me yet!!”

Regardless of Matthew’s concern, the president was busy seeking the divine, kissing the letter.