After the high-profile theft incident occurred, one month quickly passed. During that time, I tried to focus on my studies as much as possible, but it was inevitable that I would be concerned.
The manuscript for Volume 1 of Xenon’s Biography is my first written work since I was born into this world, and I have a deep affection for it. Since I wrote it by hand, I feel proud every time I look at the manuscript.
However, when the absurd incident occurred, I was more bewildered than angry. To be honest, I couldn’t have imagined that the manuscript would be stolen within a day of its delivery, and I certainly didn’t expect that the entrance to the safe would be torn off entirely.
Of course, the responsibility lies not only with the careless publisher who did not hire adventurers but also with me, who handed over the manuscript too easily. Nevertheless, it is unfair.
After a month has passed since then, I devoted myself to my studies while thinking once a day about whose hands the manuscript had really fallen into. I hope it didn’t get burned or lost, if it did fall into someone’s hands.
“Sorry. We investigated thoroughly, but…nothing turned up.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Yeah. Just that the thief is skilled at handling mana and has strong physical abilities. Other than that, we don’t know who stole it. That’s the result of the investigation led by the empire’s top mages.”
The secret room of the café was suitable for sharing confidential stories.
Seated across from me, Rina apologized in a sincere voice. I drank the coffee I had ordered in advance and looked at her face.
Her expression had sunk deeply, indicating she had suffered over the past month. Her beauty had also declined due to poor condition management. Although Rina had not returned to the royal family like Leort, she had suffered quite a bit.
‘Even from the royal family’s perspective, it would be quite a bother.’
I had already handed in my response. It was my treasure, so I begged them to find it.
It had been stolen within a day of the end of the protest, so the royal family must have been suspicious. Especially for the royal siblings who had caused a big fuss, there would have been an inescapable pressure to find it.
Therefore, even Rina, who only attended lectures and did not lead the investigation, must have felt a significant pressure.
“…We can definitely find it. So don’t worry too much.”
Without saying anything, I just shut my mouth and remained quiet. It seems that she thought I was not saying anything because I was angry.
Given our history, it was understandable that she would think that way. However, contrary to her thoughts, I am not really thinking about anything.
It is a little disappointing that we were unable to find the culprit, but what can we do? I will just feel disappointed and leave it at that.
There is no point in pressuring Rina any further. It’s not like the culprit will turn themselves in, and it’s better for my mental health to let go of the problem. When the manuscript was stolen, I was angry, but as time passed, I became more composed.
“Alright, but what about the publishing company? Will they be punished?”
“It’s not enough to punish them for that alone. Although they only hired employees instead of adventurers, the safe’s performance was excellent. Besides, no one expected it to be robbed in just one day, so we let them off. Instead, they were caught for tax evasion.”
“Tax evasion? Besides the manuscript, were there confidential ledgers in the safe as well? Maybe the boss was in shock and didn’t think to take them out?”
“Yes, that’s right. As for what happens next, well, it’s tough because Xenon’s Biography is contracted with that publishing company. Instead, they will be fined a large amount.”
“How much is the fine?”
“Tax evasion is usually subject to a 200% to 300% penalty depending on the amount, so it’s going to be a lot. The minimum amount is probably one million gold.”
“Wow.”
One million gold is a minimum of 100 billion won. The profits earned from Xenon’s Biography are so high that even the tax evasion would be enormous. If I hadn’t taken a break, they would have paid the fine with tears of blood, but unfortunately, I’m on break now. It wouldn’t be strange if the publisher went bankrupt the moment the fine was paid.
Rina seemed to have a similar thought and spoke about the future of the publisher.
“But there’s no chance of bankruptcy. Xenon’s Biography is still selling steadily. And when you start serializing again in two years, you’ll make a huge profit again.”
“You made a lot of money, didn’t you?”
“To be honest, considering the popularity of Xenon’s Biography, this is a small amount. If we investigated it now, it would be big enough to bribe us later.”
Come to think of it, my parents said something to me before coming to the academy. They said Xenon’s Biography sold so well that they made a lot of money.
At the time, I wasn’t very interested in money and just passed it off, but now I am.
‘Should I buy better manuscript paper in the future? Ask my parents to send me more living expenses.’
A small and cute greed emerged.
I planned to serialize in about two years, but during that time, I had to find things that would help me write, not just manuscript paper.
Of course, I will continue to use the magic pen that my father gave me as a gift. Since it was a gift from my father that he bought using a large sum of money, it is the most precious treasure to me after my manuscript.
I thought carefully and glanced at Rina, who was still drinking her coffee with a dark expression.
‘I’ll have to ask Marie about this later.’
What I want is a kind of “eraser.” Every time I make a mistake in my manuscript, I have to rewrite it, which feels like a waste. So, I came up with an idea.
If there are magic items like the magic pen, there might be items that can erase ink like an eraser. Even if there aren’t, something similar to white-out would suffice.
It seemed like a good idea to ask my parents or someone else during the vacation to see if an eraser existed.
‘Come to think of it, the vacation is almost here.’
It’s already been more than four months since I entered the academy. Soon, all the assignments and exams will be over, and in reality, it’s only a matter of enduring for about two more weeks until the vacation.
Even though it’s only one month of vacation, it will be like a sweet rest to me. I’m looking forward to seeing my parents’ faces after such a long time.
‘I’m also going to visit Marie’s mansion…’
The most anticipated and worrying thing among them is the visit to Marie’s mansion. From her parents’ perspective, their daughter who was raised like a precious gem brought in a man from outside the family. They might look at me with cold eyes.
Although the Duke of Requilis is detached from authoritarianism, it’s different for parents who raise their daughter. I can only hope they will look at me favorably.
I looked at Rina while piecing together my summer vacation plans in my head. I didn’t know what she was worrying about, but she didn’t even open her mouth, lost in thought.
“Rina.”
“Uh, yeah?”
Rina jumped in surprise at my call. As expected, even talking to me would make her feel burdened.
I was a bit perplexed by the situation, but first, I decided to put Rina at ease. There was no need for the Imperial Princess to be so nervous, and most of all, it made me uncomfortable.
“You don’t have to worry so much. It’s something we can’t help.”
“That may be so… but ugh…”
Rina sighed with frustration and then revealed her inner thoughts to me.
“It hurts my pride. Our Imperial family even set up an investigation team, but we haven’t found any clues… It’s definitely a deliberate theft. There’s no way there wouldn’t be any clues if it wasn’t.”
“Well… if you think so, then it probably is. So what do you plan to do if we find the culprit?”
“I’ll get on my knees in front of you and apologize. Then I’ll find the ringleader. If the target is the nation, then we’ll handle it diplomatically…”
As Rina was speaking, she paused and looked at me. When I raised my head and looked at her quizzically, she shook her head.
“…Never mind. Xenon’s Biography is not yet under the empire’s control, so it doesn’t matter. Sorry. I’ve been preoccupied lately, so I guess I got carried away.”
“Well…what if I become subject to the empire?”
“What?”
When I asked, Rina stared at me with wide eyes, looking extremely surprised.
I let out a small laugh before answering. Just to clarify, I don’t have any intention of becoming subject to the empire. It’s just a hypothetical scenario as a writer.
“I mean it literally. I’m curious about what would happen if I became subject to the empire. Not as myself, but as a writer.”
“Well, then of course we are welcome! We can even give you a title if you want! We can!”
Rina must have been really tired for the past month. If it were any other day, she would have noticed that I was just playing around. But today, she was so excited that she even shouted.
Thankfully, the room we were in had good soundproofing, or else her voice would have echoed outside. It meant that my value was immense.
looked at Rina’s excited face with anticipation and smiled subtly.
“I told you last time that I’m not interested in titles. It just makes me more tired for no reason.”
“So, what do you want then? Even if I have to ask Father, I’ll give it to you as a gift.”
“No, there’s no need for that.”
I immediately declined.
Even though I could speak with the princess without any hesitation, the emperor was an insurmountable wall. Even as the author of Xenon’s Biography, I had to bow down before the emperor’s words.
Moreover, when Rina makes a request, there is a high possibility that even the emperor will be suspicious. I don’t want to be called to the palace for no reason.
I reached out to Rina as if telling her to calm down. She also seemed to calm down at my gesture, letting out a sigh and sitting back in her chair.
“…Sorry. I got excited again. Were you uncomfortable?”
“Yeah. If you were also uncomfortable, I’ll apologize.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I’ve done wrong to you and your family, so I should overlook this much.”
It’s definitely more comfortable to speak clearly once the words are out. I shrugged my shoulders and picked up my coffee cup.
“… …”
As Rina lifted her cup, she stared at my hand. She seemed to be looking at the pen hook on my index finger, judging from her focus on my hand.
“…Alright. Then that should work.”
I wonder what kind of scheme she’s cooking up again. Even though she spoke quietly, her tired voice rang clearly in my ears.
As I listened to her murmuring, I narrowed one eye slightly. I debated whether to show that I had heard everything or pretend that I hadn’t, but in the end, I decided to let it pass.
But still, I haven’t forgotten to firmly resolve myself.
‘Just try doing something strange.’
Now that I know how powerful my weapon is, I can pull it out whenever those at the top do something weird.
Anyway, the theft case seemed to be over like this.
“Thank you all for your hard work. Although it’s only a short month, I hope you have a pleasant break.”
“Wow!!”
A sweet rest came after the storm.
Translators note:
It looks like Rina is slowly redeeming herself.
