As you may have expected it, it was the Holy Empire of Xavier, or the Luminous Order, who shut down any imitating authors.
If I were just an ordinary high-ranking person, they might have let it slide, but I was a ‘saint’ acknowledged even by the Luminous Order, so they couldn’t possibly allow for my honor to be tarnished, or something like that.
In my view, it’s a mind-boggling and bewildering situation, but the current era places a significant emphasis on honor. Those who live and die for honor are widespread in this world.
In the end, even the publishing company had to give up on the competing authors with tears in their eyes, and I, too, found myself in a ridiculously surreal situation, but it was postponed for later.
Can’t I just send a letter and explain? If that were possible, I wouldn’t even be hearing the words “regressor” or whatever. It’s like talking to a brick wall.
Even if I were to ask Luminous directly, it wouldn’t mean much. Luminous bestows oracles as a ‘deity,’ not as a messenger to convey someone else’s requests.
The gods only offer guidance and suggestions closely related to the future to mortals, without directly interfering. If direct interference were possible, why would there be criminals and people committing sins in the world?
I was so annoyed that I even thought about hitting someone during my break, but everyone seemed to accept it, so I held back for a moment. It’s better to take things slowly with the contest and focus on writing for now.
Furthermore, the break might cause inconvenience to my colleagues. I have to endure it. Sometimes, I feel sorry for causing trouble with my mistakes, but I do my best to make amends.
‘I need to write quickly for a better future.’
In my dorm after finishing all my work, I thought about writing volume 17. With the increase in literature students and the growing number of people to meet, my second year was getting busier.
As a result, I have significantly less time for writing, but I’m trying to squeeze in every available moment. If I don’t, my future is quite bleak, so I have to.
In order to receive more divine power, now that Leona has been confirmed as my wife, I need to put more effort into writing Xenon’s Biography. Otherwise, there might be a distant future where I become as emaciated as a mummy.
Up to Marie and Cecily, it’s fine. The genes inherited from my father were getting stronger day by day, boosting my stamina and strength.
However, it will get increasingly difficult from the third person onward. Moreover, I need to consider not only Leona but also Adelia, so the burden becomes even heavier.
Furthermore, if Cecily’s evil cycle and Leona’s estrus cycle overlap, I might have to engage in a life threatening battle, so it’s better to be prepared in advance. The saying ‘A wise man makes his preparations’ isn’t just for show.
‘…But the number of women keeps increasing. Am I really a playboy?’
Originally, once was difficult, but two or three times not anymore. I agonized a lot when accepting Cecily, but after that, it strangely became easy.
I don’t know if I’m gradually adapting to the mindset of this world, or if I naturally have a playboy disposition.
Even if Marie complained whenever I had more women in my life, but as long as there was a good reason, she accepted them all. Of course, Marie always emphasized that she is the first.
I, too, always pour my affection generously on her as she is my first. Of course, Cecily can feel a bit jealous, so I need to divide it appropriately.
‘Humans, demons, and even beastmen… I have almost every race. I wonder if even elves will get involved at some point?’
Such a pointless thought. Cecily is one thing, but I only met Leona purely by chance. If that hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t have known each other.
Elves are the same. Besides the four I know – Arwen, Elena, Cindy, and Siris – there aren’t many. The fact that they are all female is a bit concerning, but none was a romantic relationship.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t been in touch with Arwen lately.’
I paused my writing for a moment and thought of Arwen. Since winter break, we haven’t been in touch, not even exchanging messages with each other.
Arwen is unavoidably busy in her own way, as the Council of Elders that had upheld Alvenheim for centuries has vanished into history. Even if she had ten bodies, it wouldn’t be enough.
Furthermore, there are those who are discontent with Arwen’s rule, and she’s the only known link to Xenon externally. She must balance both domestic pressures and international politics, and it must be enough to make her head explode. Although I’d like to help, she has remained silent until now.
‘I should write a letter soon.’
No matter how busy I am, I shouldn’t neglect communication. Especially during tough times like these, a warm word of comfort can make a big difference. Arwen has trusted very few until now, so even a single letter would be a great source of solace. I’ve kept my distance for too long.
Nonetheless, I should keep writing consistently. I wrote “Letter to Arwen” in the notes where I organize the plot, just in case I forget. Then, I refocused.
‘Starting from volume 17, I should switch to Jin and Lily.’
Volume 17’s content will focus on Jin and Lily’s story, not Xenon. It’s planned to showcase their sweet romance and at the same time evoke a sense of nostalgia.
The protagonist’s performance always stands out, but the supporting characters’ popularity is equally essential. Furthermore, the touching story of Jin and Lily has garnered support from many readers.
The story of a member of the discriminated race, a Demon, and the Saintess protected by the gods. With this premise alone, you can churn out several volumes of romance novels. And I’m incorporating that into Xenon’s Biography.
‘The beastmen part was almost three volumes long, so… I should write the church part in a similar length. It shouldn’t be too long.’
By the way, the ending of volume 17 will drive readers crazy. It was a situation that could occasionally occur between lovers. It’s during a festival, and too many guests flood the inn, leaving only ‘one’ room available. In that room, Jin and Lily end up sleeping together.
Naturally, both of them know each other’s feelings, but they find themselves in an awkward situation, unable to confess. The two individuals, both sharing a room with the opposite sex for the first time, react entirely normally.
Jin can’t bear it any longer and tries to get up to sleep outside the room when Lily gently grabs his arm.
When flustered Jin looked at Lily, she blushed deeply but didn’t avoid his gaze, and confidently said.
‘Don’t forget the duty of a guardian knight.’
The readers of Jin and Lily’s story, including my mother, will love it to death. However, as I mentioned earlier, I plan to include this only at the very end.
They found themselves in a situation where they ended up spending the first night together by chance. If things continued this way, the story would turn into a romance. I’ll say it again, Xenon’s Biography is an adventure, meaning danger can strike anytime, anywhere.
As the atmosphere became strange, and their faces got closer, an unexpected attack occurred. The process was great, but the ending was a complete mess.
Volume 17 ends with clues about the identity of the attackers. It signifies that the roots have rotted to the extent where they would openly attack the saintess of the Church.
‘Because the Church still discriminates against the demons.’
This wouldn’t represent reality, but only what’s happening in the book. No matter how much Sakran might have shown a heroic image of demons, it’s only in the eyes of the readers, not within the story.
Fortunately, Jin had been living with Lily since childhood, so the looks he receives are less judgmental, but that doesn’t mean it was all good. Especially since one of the priests openly insulted Jin. It’s safe to say he had a lot to say about him.
‘But that senior priest was a true clergyman, in fact, the priest who supported Jin is the one who conspired with the devil.’
While they may have a discriminating view towards demons, there are genuine clergy who sincerely worship the gods, and the pretenders who perform clerical acts while hiding behind a mask. By confusing these two, I plan to provide readers with a twist.
When all the events are over, even the senior priest who disliked Jin will acknowledge his own mistakes and come to trust him completely. He will also join the Union. Furthermore, I will throw the hint of Jin’s true identity, as the child of Gluttony.
‘But is there someone similar in reality?’
The content from Volume 17 to Volume 18 is roughly like this, but the real problem is the present. Even I am confused now, and it’s a story that is truly “possible.” In the Xenon’s Biography, the situation is so serious that there are senior priests conspiring with demons.
One might wonder how the demons could creep into a country founded under the protection of the gods, or how senior priests could conspire with demons.
However, what you need to know is that, unless it’s a special case, the gods cannot directly interfere. If those senior priests don’t pray to the gods, that’s the end of it.
Honestly, it was constructed to the extent that one could take the position of a cardinal without arousing suspicion. Moreover, the more power and authority increase, the easier it is to become corrupt. It might be a sudden and unexpected twist, so I plan to insert subplots here and there. For example, there might be situations like recently being too busy to even pray or showing signs of doubting the gods from time to time.
If you’re truly a faithful clergy, you should never neglect prayer to the divine and never entertain doubt. But the position of a cardinal conceals all of that.
‘…But I’m from another country, and I don’t really know much about being a cardinal.’
I’ve heard that the people’s way of life is similar in other countries, but I don’t really know much about the internal affairs of the Holy Kingdom.
I went to the temple and got advice from a few people, but that’s about the temple, and it’s almost unrelated to the Holy Kingdom.
There is at least one person I can turn to for advice. It’s Kate, the cardinal who begged me for seeds the last time.
I should ask her, but I’m afraid she will ask for seed again.
‘For better quality, I guess I have to ask for a favor.’
As I mentioned before, I want to be thorough about authenticity, even though I may not know much about battles. I have the willingness to overlook the seed request, which will probably end with just a few questions.
I momentarily paused from writing, having completed over half, and shifted my gaze to the clock. The current time was around 3:30. Today, Elena was busy, so I had returned to my dorm as soon as the classes ended, leaving me with plenty of free time.
I thought about going to see Kate as it was, but I put that idea on hold. Kate’s whereabouts and activities were unknown to me, and she was also busy with her current relief work.
Unlike when she urged me to give her the seed, she was now a diligent missionary. Despite her occasional eccentricities, she never forgot her true calling as a dedicated missionary. I had sometimes wondered if her “mission” had a different meaning, but now it seemed different.
Knock Knock Knock
While I was staring at the clock endlessly, someone knocked on the door to the dorm. I averted my gaze from the clock and looked toward the door. I had been thinking about Kate just moments ago, so I couldn’t help but wonder if it could really be her. That thought crossed my mind, but for now, confirmation was the priority.
“Yes, come in.”
I rose from my seat and slowly walked towards the door. There would be very few people coming to my residence at this time, so I was curious.
Could it really be Kate? If so, I would have to set the seed story aside and ask for her help.
Creak…
“Who’s there… huh?”
As soon as I opened the door, I couldn’t help but be taken aback by the face that met her gaze. She wore a black uniform cap, but her brilliant golden eyes were far more striking. Also, the navy-blue hair, which had grown down to her waist, was now cut short to the neck.
She didn’t tie it into a ponytail, as she usually did, which briefly confused me, but even so, it was a face I could recognize instantly.
“Noona?”
“Hello, Isaac.”
My older sister, who is also a swordsman and who left for the navy knights entrance test a month ago.
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
Nicole welcomed me with her characteristic bright smile.
“I’ve been fine! But…”
I could only make a gloomy expression right after welcoming her with a bright smile.
It’s no wonder because I could see the state of her arm when I lowered my gaze.
Nicole seemed to notice where my gaze was directed and opened her mouth with an awkward smile.
“Don’t worry. I expected this level of injury.”
She had a brace on her right arm.
