Ch.99Highlight (1)

First, to conclude… I got motion sickness and threw up. And I kept vomiting until everything in my stomach came out.

It happened because gravity suddenly disappeared and Cecilly decided to play with me like a toy. As she moved her fingers around, my body jerked in all directions like I was on an amusement park ride.

Though Cecilly was used to magic, this was my first experience, so it was too much for me.

“Urgh…”

“I’m sorry. Are you… okay?”

When I started dry heaving with a pale face, Cecilly worried about me from the side. I felt somewhat better having such a stunning beauty concerned about me, but my condition hadn’t improved.

My head was spinning and my stomach was turned inside out. I could rest a bit at the mansion, but I’d have to give up seeing the exhibition until the highlight.

“…I think I need to rest at the mansion.”

“I apologize again. I wish I could cast a healing spell on you, but since I’m a demon…”

“Demons can’t use healing magic?”

“We can use it, but only on other demons. As you know, dark mana is the power of demons. If used on other races, it would cause terrible side effects.”

As she explained, dark mana is exclusive to demons. It’s the exact opposite of the holy power used by clergy.

While holy power benefits all races except demons, dark mana has harmful effects just from contact.

Healing magic wasn’t much different, but I wondered about the floating magic she had just used.

“Then what about that magic earlier…”

“Levitation doesn’t work by flowing mana into the body like healing magic does.”

Magic truly is a mysterious and fascinating ability. I’m ignorant about magic, so I couldn’t explain it in detail in the Biography of Xenon, but I think I’ll be able to soon.

For that, I’ll need help from someone knowledgeable about magic like Cecilly. But since she’s a demon, she’ll probably explain it as “it feels like this” rather than giving formal explanations.

‘Let’s just head back to the mansion for now…’

Even though I rinsed my mouth with water, it still felt unpleasant. Especially that gritty feeling on my teeth after vomiting was very uncomfortable.

I smacked my lips a few times and slowly raised my head. When I looked up, I saw Cecilly’s face looking at me with concern.

She must be feeling guilty since her fun prank ended up like this. I forced a smile to show her I was fine.

“…I’ll head back to the mansion first. What about you?”

“Let’s go together. I should at least take responsibility…”

“Who’s taking responsibility for what?”

While Cecilly was speaking, a sharp female voice pierced my ears. We both turned our heads at the same time.

When we turned, my lovely girlfriend Marie was glaring at us with her arms crossed.

She looked back and forth between us, and when she noticed my pale complexion, her eyes widened. Her sharp, cat-like gaze disappeared instantly, replaced with concern.

“Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?”

Marie hurried past Cecilly as if ignoring her and came to support me. As she helped me, I glanced at Cecilly’s expression.

She maintained an expressionless face, which made it harder to read her thoughts.

However, when our eyes met, she immediately showed an apologetic expression and apologized to Marie.

“I’m sorry. I played a prank without considering the differences between our races.”

“What kind of prank?”

Cecilly explained in detail to Marie’s question. However, she didn’t mention meeting Arwen.

“…No wonder you threw up.”

After hearing the whole story, Marie muttered as if it was ridiculous. Then she gently caressed my cheek with her soft hand.

Thanks to her kind and warm touch, my condition seemed to improve, though I still felt slightly dizzy.

Afterward, Marie continued stroking my cheek, pretending to be concerned, then spoke to Cecilly.

“Was that what you meant by taking responsibility? Going back to the mansion with Issac?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go back together. I’ve pretty much seen everything anyway. Besides, the highlight starts in the evening.”

As Marie said, the true beginning of the festival is after sunset. It’s already lively now, but the atmosphere will heat up even more in the evening.

The exhibited works can also be viewed in the evening. There’s just a separate highlight, but the exhibited works remain in place.

“Alright. We can have dinner while we’re at it. Can you stand up?”

“I think I’m okay now.”

Though I was still a bit dizzy, resting at the mansion would help me recover. In the meantime, I could read the new book I bought.

I took a step forward, barely holding back my churning stomach. Marie supported me from the side, afraid I might fall.

But I don’t know if she’s unaware or doing it on purpose, she pulled my arm toward her chest. Thanks to that, I could clearly feel the soft, rice-cake-like sensation.

Am I embarrassed about it?

Of course not. Quite the opposite.

I’ve experienced this so many times that I can now enjoy it rather than just enduring it.

Of course, if Cecilly had done this, my conscience would have made me stiffen up, but Marie is my girlfriend. I can handle this much without making a fuss.

Still, I should say something for propriety’s sake. Feeling my arm almost buried between her cleavage, I quietly called out to Marie.

“Marie?”

“Yes?”

“I can feel quite a lot.”

“Don’t men like this sort of thing?”

I can’t deny it, which is both sad and delightful. While I was experiencing these contradictory emotions, Marie continued with her characteristic beaming smile.

“Besides, you’re a pervert, so you like this even more. Right?”

“Why am I a pervert?”

“Your lips are twitching.”

“…Anyway, please don’t talk like that with Cecilly next to us.”

“Then stick close to me. Like this!”

Marie pulled my arm strongly while holding it. Naturally, my body leaned toward her and we were pressed together.

Surprised by her bold action, I glanced at Cecilly, slightly worried she might feel uncomfortable…

“Hmm.”

Contrary to my expectations, Cecilly let out a sensual hum and raised the corners of her lips. Her eyes also had a mischievous look that made me feel uneasy in many ways.

Marie seemed to feel the same way, as she held my arm even tighter, as if refusing to give in. Thanks to that, my arm was completely buried between her breasts.

Eventually, Cecilly looked back and forth between us, then gently extended her hand and lightly grabbed my other arm, which had been free until now. Then she spoke in a slightly excited voice.

“Is this how you do it?”

Squish-

Like Marie had done, Cecilly also buried my arm between her breasts. Both my arms were now screaming for help (or expressing happiness) between the breasts of two beautiful women.

I tightly closed my eyes and prayed to God to prevent my male instincts from emerging. But I couldn’t stop my twitching lips. In the end, I lowered my head to hide my expression.

“Hey! Let go of that hand!”

“Why? I’m just playing around like you are.”

“This is something only lovers can do. You did the same thing at the last event, calling it a patience test!”

“That was then, this is just a prank now. I can’t help it when you keep doing that next to me.”

“You…!”

Was it my imagination, or were sparks really flying between Marie and Cecilly? The problem was that I was caught in the middle.

As I was being dragged around like a puppet with cut strings, I slightly raised my head and glanced at Cecilly.

Because I had lowered my head, her overwhelmingly present chest came into view. And my arm was wedged between them.

When I raised my gaze further, I saw Cecilly’s seductive face. Even her two horns were turning increasingly red.

‘She looks like she’s having trouble controlling herself…’

Cecilly seemed to be playing more mischievous pranks than usual today. I took my eyes off her and looked at the opposite side.

I saw Marie’s pretty face, glaring at Cecilly with sharp eyes like a cat with raised fur. Seeing Marie jealous like this made her even more adorable.

Still, I felt like I’d get an earful later. I lowered my head again and slowly moved my feet.

‘I’m really being spoiled…’

And only when we arrived at the mansion did my arms finally become free.

“Issac. Come here.”

“Why?”

“…Never mind. I’ll just bite you here. Chomp!”

“Ouch!”

I got bitten by Marie as some kind of confirmation mark.

*****

After being bitten on the cheek by Marie and then kissed, I was finally able to escape from her embrace.

…Honestly, I think I enjoyed the hug for about 30 minutes too. Indeed, there seems to be no sweeter or more effective remedy than an embrace between lovers.

Anyway, I returned to my bedroom to rest. On the way, I briefly met Adelia and Nicole as a bonus.

The dizziness had improved during the return to the mansion, but I still needed to stabilize due to my upset stomach.

“Phew.”

I drank cold water to soothe my stomach and lay down on the bed. Since it was my first experience flying through the sky, I felt dizzy just thinking about it.

It felt like the organ responsible for balance was damaged. It was a spectacular experience for me, beyond just being new.

‘It would have been nice without the pranks.’

There’s nothing quite like the view of looking down at a village from the sky. I thought about asking her again, but given Cecilly’s personality, she’d likely play pranks.

Moreover, Cecilly’s behavior has seemed a bit strange lately, making me hesitant to ask. When her horns turn red, it means her evil cycle is approaching, and her horns now had more red than black.

Has she become more faithful to her desires as the evil cycle approaches? She’s probably managed to get through the evil cycle without issues for over 100 years, but I couldn’t help worrying.

“Alright.”

What’s the point of worrying like this? I got up from the bed and walked to the desk.

It’s personal rest time until dinner, so I can spend it reading books. I just happened to have a book I bought from the bookstore.

Marie also said she’d stay with her family in the guest room to fix her makeup, so I could enjoy some leisure time.

Knock- Knock- Knock-

“Issac. It’s me. May I come in?”

I was just about to sit at the desk and start reading. Cecilly’s voice came through the door with the knock.

Come to think of it, before entering the mansion, Cecilly had asked if she could visit my bedroom briefly. I didn’t mind, so I gladly agreed.

So I put the book on the desk and gave permission.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me then.”

Click-

Once permission was granted, Cecilly opened the door and slowly entered. Her knight escort Gartz was nowhere to be seen, so she was alone.

I stood up as Cecilly entered the room. Marie had been in my bedroom once before, but this was Cecilly’s first time.

So rather than staying still, it would be better for me, as the room’s owner, to guide her around.

“Ah. You don’t need to stand up. I can come to you.”

Just as I was getting up, Cecilly extended her hand to stop me. Unlike her usual informal speech, she was using formal language.

I blinked, standing in an awkward position. Now that I think about it, she had said something like this at the academy.

She said she would speak formally when we were alone as a sign of respect. I had completely forgotten since we hadn’t been alone recently.

“So this is where my benefactor rests.”

As I straightened up from my awkward posture, Cecilly looked around the bedroom and gave her impression. To a princess of Helium, it must seem like a very ordinary room.

While I was feeling embarrassed and fidgeting with my hair, Cecilly’s gaze, which had been scanning the surroundings, fixed on my desk. On the desk was a book and a stack of unused manuscript paper.

“And this is where you wrote the Biography of Xenon until you entered the academy. Right?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so. This place…”

Cecilly walked slowly toward the desk, her eyes sparkling. As she approached, I remembered something I wanted to show her and bent down.

As I bent down, I saw a drawer firmly locked with a padlock. I easily unlocked it using the key I always carry. Then, as I opened the drawer, discolored manuscript paper that had aged over time was revealed.

As you might have guessed, these are the drafts of the Biography of Xenon, except for volume one. I thought Cecilly would like to see them.

“Would you like to see these?”

“These are…”

“They’re the drafts of the Biography of Xenon. I thought you might like them.”

“Ah…!”

I just expected her to like them, but Cecilly’s reaction was extraordinary. She had an expression as if she had received a treasure.

She looked back and forth between the drafts in my hand and me, then received them with trembling hands. Then she checked the condition of the drafts, turning page by page.

“It’s really true… They match perfectly with what I’ve read.”

“Now you can believe that I’m the author of the Biography of Xenon, right?”

Of course, Cecilly already knew I was the author of the Biography of Xenon. This was just for confirmation.

I had originally planned to show her the drafts at the academy, but I didn’t get the chance, so I showed them to her now.

“…Yes.”

When I spoke with a bright smile, Cecilly blushed slightly and nodded. Eventually, she looked back and forth between the drafts and me, then carefully asked.

“Um… my benefactor. May I ask for one favor?”

“What is it?”

“Could I keep these drafts in Helium…”

“No.”

What’s not allowed is not allowed. Perhaps because of the memory of having the draft of volume one stolen, I want to manage the other drafts myself.

If the situation really doesn’t allow it, I would entrust them to a country, but not now. It’s absurd to entrust them to someone when even a single draft could cause unpredictable consequences.

Even if that someone is Cecilly. I don’t think she, as a demon, would use the drafts politically, but it’s too early.

“…I’m sorry. I was too hasty.”

When I firmly refused, Cecilly apologized with a dejected expression. It was completely different from her usual self, making my heart flutter slightly.

But I have a girlfriend. I cleared my throat, thinking of Marie in my mind.

“Given the current situation, it can’t be helped. I’m not sure exactly what value these drafts have for demons, but there are many concerns. You know that too, right?”

“Yes. But we demons would never exploit these drafts. The Biography of Xenon is like salvation given to us by God. And these drafts are no different from sacred relics bestowed by God.”

“Ahem…”

Is this what it feels like to be gilded? I cleared my throat again, feeling embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Cecilly looked at the drafts with regretful eyes and then returned them to me. I put the returned drafts in the drawer and sealed it tightly with a padlock.

“Is it really okay to keep them there? At least a safe…”

“In the first place, hardly anyone knows I’m the author of the Biography of Xenon except for a few, and a safe would attract more attention.”

There’s a saying that it’s darkest under the lamp. If I kept them in a safe, it might draw attention.

Moreover, didn’t the publishing house say that their drafts were stolen despite being kept in a high-performance safe? With that level of skill, any mediocre safe would be meaningless.

“If, and I mean if, my identity is ever revealed to the world, I’ll consider it then. Helium puts less pressure on me compared to other countries.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Just looking at you gives me the answer.”

Rina and Leort have criminal records, so I’m reluctant to entrust them with it, and the Kingdom of Teres… I don’t like their character, even if I don’t know about their politics.

Entrusting it to Marie’s family, the Reckyless, would still mean the imperial family is above them, increasing the probability of conflict. The Reckyless family would also worry about this and entrust the drafts elsewhere.

Therefore, only Helium remains. As Cecilly said, if these drafts are treated as sacred relics, other countries wouldn’t dare touch them either.

Above all, demons have a much longer lifespan than humans. This means Cecilly could keep them even after I die.

‘Thinking about it carefully, Helium is in a neutral position.’

While I was thinking about this.

After hearing my answer, Cecilly made a mysterious expression and then smiled softly. It was a beautiful smile that could stir the hearts of many men.

“My benefactor… I always feel this, but you’re really amazing. Even when you wrote these drafts, you must have viewed us demons favorably… right?”

“I just thought of you as people. If demons transform into devils, there are many people in this world who are worse than devils.”

Notably, ‘humans.’ There was a famous meme in my previous life where a devil shouted at God.

Why did God create humans when He had already created devils like them?

It’s a symbolic meme showing that human cruelty can sometimes be worse than that of devils. In fact, there’s a theory that angels and devils represent the inner aspects of humans.

Finally, I’ve seen countless people on the internet who are worse than devils. There were cases where I wondered if that was really something a person would do.

“Thinking of us as people… Sometimes it feels like you’ve lived longer than I have.”

“Haha. What an interesting joke.”

I felt a bit stung but laughed it off. I plan to keep the fact that I’m a reincarnator secret until I die.

“I wish you had a longer lifespan…”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. But benefactor, may I ask one thing? I thought of something after reading the Kayre side story you published recently.”

“What is it?”

I crossed my arms, as if telling Cecilly to go ahead with her question. Then, after hesitating for a while, she looked straight into my eyes and spoke.

Her voice seemed somewhat tense, and also mixed with expectation.

“Do you really… think elves and humans can be together?”

“Hmm…”

“More precisely, I’m curious if you think they can be together despite such a severe difference in lifespan. No matter how much they like each other, one cannot go against the fate determined by God.”

Cecilly mentioned the fundamental issue of love between different races: ‘lifespan.’ I fell into thought after hearing her question.

As I’ve always mentioned, lifespan is like a fate determined by God. For humans, even living 100 years is considered long, while elves boast lifespans easily exceeding 300 years.

So even if these two love each other, separation is inevitable. The elf would have to live with that wound for the rest of their life, even if the human doesn’t realize it.

‘Elisha would be like that too…’

After the death of Xenon’s mentor, Kayre, the elf queen Elisha falls into great sorrow. She regrets not expressing her feelings even though they both knew how they felt about each other.

Not only this, but I’ve also witnessed many poignant love stories due to lifespan differences in my previous life. Most ended without coming together, with ‘regret,’ and in serious cases, they took their own lives.

And there’s always a saying mentioned here: If you’re not going to decide anything, it’s much better to make a choice and regret it.

I stared at Cecilly, who was quietly waiting for my answer. Her red eyes contained tension and concern.

After facing her for a while, I quietly opened my mouth to express my thoughts.

“As you said, lifespan is determined by God. Even if they love each other, separation is inevitable. Humans might not mind, but elves would fear that part. In a way, humans could be seen as selfish.”

“…So should they give up?”

Cecilly spoke with a gloomy expression after hearing my answer. She seemed saddened that Kayre and Elisha couldn’t be together.

I briefly wondered whether I should say this or not. After Kayre’s death, the scene where the female protagonist, Merry, awakens after seeing Elisha in deep sorrow is directly connected.

As Edin predicted at the previous event, Merry is an elf. And she has romantic feelings for Xenon after going through life and death together.

She contemplates after witnessing the tragedy of Kayre and Elisha with her own eyes, but eventually pulls herself together and approaches Xenon.

Xenon, who is mourning the death of Kayre, who was like a father to him, hears Merry’s confession.

“No. There’s no need to give up.”

“Then how…”

“It’s simple.”

I faced Cecilly directly and said with a bright smile.

“You miss them.”

“… …”

“Isn’t it better to remember someone and miss them than to live buried in regret for a lifetime?”

Originally, memories are most happy and beautiful when they’re being made, but they’re saddest when they remain as just memories.

If Elisha had accepted Kayre’s feelings, those memories would have remained as longing rather than regret.

And she could either carry that longing for the rest of her life or bury it somewhere and create new memories.

“Separation is inevitable, but whether to fill that short time with happy longing or sad regret is up to the individual. If it were me, I think I’d choose longing.”

“…That’s an answer worthy of you.”

Cecilly smiled gently and faced me. Then she reached out both hands and lightly held mine.

“Thank you so much. For helping me shake off my worries.”

“It’s nothing… Wait, what?”

What is she saying? I sensed something strange upon hearing Cecilly’s words of gratitude.

While I was confused, she released my hands and carefully stepped back, one step at a time.

As she did so, she glanced at the bed beside her, then looked at me and said suggestively.

“Come to think of it, the bed is quite wide. It seems like two people could lie down without any problem.”

“… …”

“Well then, I’ll see you at dinner shortly.”

Creak-

Cecilly, who had already reached the door, opened it. But her gaze was still fixed on me.

As I stood there with a dumbfounded expression, Cecilly maintained her bright smile and left with final words.

“My lovely benefactor.”

Slam!

The door closed firmly.