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Chapter 125 – Advisory (3)
June 7th, 2023
The advice received from Siris was very useful. Not only did I learn about the overall lifestyle of the Dark Elves, but also about their abilities, history, and beliefs, among other things.
While Dark Elves, like regular Elves, value tradition and history, they are more open-minded compared to the secluded Elves of Alvenheim, unless a major issue arises. However, there was still conflict between generations, worrying about the loss of their own traditions and culture if they assimilated with Alvenheim.
Interestingly, this atmosphere was prevalent among the younger generation of Dark Elves rather than the older ones. Furthermore, due to a distant past where Alvenheim turned against the Dark Elves, the wounds of conflict between them have not yet healed.
Currently, Arwen was making gradual preparations for reconciliation, but even that was ruined by Rain’s trolling. As a result, the Elves and Dark Elves are now close yet distant. They originated from the same roots, but their relationship was inevitably strained and separated by discord.
‘Moreover, at present, it can’t be said that the relationship between them is good…’
There is a document stating that the Elves’ long ears have lengthened in order to better hear the voice of the gods. In accordance with that document, the Elves also take great care of their ears, valuing them dearly and making every effort to restore them if they are damaged.
On the other hand, the Dark Elves have a custom of cutting their ears in half, as a symbol of their contempt for Alvenheim, who massacred and even banished them. Not only that, they wear earrings as a way to check their age.
If the elves of Alvenheim had properly inherited the historical truth, perhaps they would have known the abhorrent truth. However, the Elder Council, who did not want to reveal such a gruesome truth, tightly concealed the past and even treated the Dark Elves as “heretics.”
Not only the Elder Council but also the elves of Alvenheim have been educated from ancient times to view the Dark Elves with a hateful gaze, understanding what significance their pointed ears hold.
In reality, the gaze towards the Dark Elves is unfavorable, regardless of the generation, whether it be the older or the newer.
The reason I came to know this fact is through Arwen. She discovered historical texts that had been carefully hidden even in the Sanctuary, which led me to uncover the abhorrent historical truth.
Unlike other elves, Arwen possesses an unusually sharp intellect precisely because she knows the truth.
‘It’s truly fascinating material for me.’
In Xenon’s Biography, conflicts arise between the hero leading the elves and the hero leading the Dark Elves.
Fortunately, the elven hero who discovers the historical truth accepts the Dark Elves smoothly and becomes determined to reclaim the invaded Alvenheim.
It remains doubtful whether this will resolve the tension between the elves and the Dark Elves, but it will likely have a significant impact. Even the perception of demons has completely changed, let alone the elves.
Anyway, I received excellent advice from Siris and sent her back as she was. Before sending her back, she awkwardly asked if she would really appear in Xenon’s Biography.
In fact, characters like Siris will make a few appearances in the story, but it won’t disrupt the overall plot. She may not be a hero herself, but perhaps she will be the successor to that hero or something similar.
In this way, I continued writing Xenon’s Biography and prepared for the next volume, and as time passed, Friday, the day of the exam, was approaching.
“Ah~ it’s really frustrating. Why does the professor make the questions so difficult?”
“Because it’s an exam, I guess. So, do you think you did well?”
“I’m not sure either. But at least I attended diligently, so I should get an average score.”
The exam seemed harder than expected, and the person sitting next to me, Marie, complained. Meanwhile, she couldn’t help but cut the steak into small pieces and put them in her mouth because she was hungry.
Seeing her like that, I smiled briefly and then spoke quietly.
“Marie, you’re smart, so you’ll get a good score. I’m confident.”
“I don’t think Isaac should say that, though.”
A familiar voice came from the opposite side, not Marie. I turned my head in that direction.
As always, Cecily was sitting there, her beauty captivating like a black rose. If it were just her, it wouldn’t matter, but surprisingly, there was someone else next to Cecily.
“Yeah, it sounds a bit deceptive when you say that.”
It was Princess Rina of the Minerva Empire. Months had passed since the successful conclusion of the exhibition, and her beauty had grown even more enchanting.
Her adorable facial features, like a puppy, remained the same, and her unusually large eyes sparkled like sapphires. Adding to that, her chest, which couldn’t be hidden even under the school uniform.
Although they started with a strained relationship, they had become kinder to each other after the successful exhibition. The most significant factor was the restoration of her relationship with Marie.
If I had been a normal noble, I probably wouldn’t have been able to attend this gathering. But now that she has grown closer to Marie, I treat her like an ordinary friend. It feels rewarding to have personally brought them back together.
“I don’t know what they’re thinking, but I’m not that smart. Just think of it as a difference in perspective.”
“That alone is impressive. After all, Isaac isn’t a high noble like us who received a higher education.”
Rina smiled brightly and spoke. She wasn’t being sarcastic, but rather, apart from me, they are women of high nobility.
Therefore, the quality of education they received from their families was inevitably different, and it wasn’t unreasonable for Rina to think that way. This is only possible because I am a reincarnated person.
I shrugged at Rina’s words and spoke in a nonchalant tone.
“It’s an honor for my family that Her Highness views me favorably.”
“…Please don’t. It’s starting to feel awkward.”
When I joked, Rina made a face that showed she was uncomfortable. After a few months of setting aside all of her power and authority to be friendly with me, she tends to get nervous when I’m formal.
Rina was also deeply reflecting on her mistakes towards me, and I also liked Rina, who had a solid sense of right and wrong for a princess. So, I sometimes play these jokes.
Just think about how the Tersian royalty treated Adelia. Rina doesn’t treat others with the same hostility as they did.
‘Although this is because she is an illegitimate child.’
There are only two publicly known royal descendants in Minerva: Leort and Rina. However, just like in the Ters Kingdom, the possibility of hidden children, like in Adelia, is there.
Moreover, in line with the medieval era, extramarital affairs by husbands are permitted, while adultery by wives is strictly prohibited by law. This leads to many men having separate lovers. I’ve heard that this tendency is even stronger among the higher ranks.
‘Not that I’m implying anything, but…’
I alternated my gaze between Marie, who was earnestly eating steak to fill her stomach, and Cecily, who was sitting across from me. Both of them are my lovers and lifelong companions.
Thankfully, we have reached a peaceful agreement; otherwise, it would have been a chaotic situation with everyone grabbing each other’s hair.
“By the way, Isaac, when will Book 12 be released?”
Out of the blue, Marie, who was slicing her steak, asked me the question. At the same time, the gazes of Rina and Cecily also turned towards me. It’s fine to ask such a question since we have a separate room, and whatever we say doesn’t matter.
Anyway, I listened to her question and pondered in my mind. It has only been ten days since Book 11 was released, but Book 12 is nearly completed.
I have already solidified the structure and development, and I even received advice from Siris, so I had no obstacles in my writing. Moreover, there were hardly any distractions, allowing me to focus solely on the writing.
Most importantly, Book 12 is a transitional chapter, and the main story will begin from Book 13.
“It’ll probably be out soon. It’s a transitional chapter, so it’s relatively easier.”
“Really? It’s coming out so quickly. When did Book 11 come out?”
“It was exactly two weeks ago. By the way, it’s fascinating, isn’t it? Being able to write so quickly. It’s not easy to turn the images in your mind into words.”
Rina’s eyes widened when she heard the news that Volume 12 would be released soon. She turned to me and asked, and I pondered on how to answer her question.
To be honest, from my perspective, it’s not that difficult. In my past life, I read various books and cultivated my skills, honing my writing through transcription.
So, as long as there is a decent subject matter, I have no trouble writing. If I were to mention a challenge, it would probably be the first paragraph. Depending on the first paragraph, the subsequent content can vary significantly, so I can’t help but ponder and contemplate over it.
“Well, it’s hard to say. Writing isn’t difficult as long as you have good spelling and choose the right words.”
“…Somehow, that sounds unlucky.”
“Indeed.”
“Geniuses are all like that, right?”
The three of them spoke in unison, saying I was unlucky. I was slightly taken aback, but I shook my head with a wry smile.
Since I couldn’t reveal that I was reincarnated, it seemed like I had to live as an unlucky person. Although it’s questionable if the day will come when I can tell them this fact.
As I was about to finely chop the remaining steak and put it in my mouth, I suddenly remembered something. I swallowed the steak in my mouth and spoke to the person across from me, Cecily.
“Oh, right. Cecily Noona.”
“Yes?”
As I called out, Cecily blinked her red eyes and looked at me. She looked so cute with a fork in her mouth.
“I have something I need help with this time. Can you help me?”
“What kind of help?”
“As you know, Lilith is a character based on you, Noona. I want to reference not only your appearance but also your combat style and such.”
“Combat style? Wait, hold on. So what you said last time was real? That Lilith was created based on me?”
It seems like they’re talking about when the Seven Deadly Sins first appeared. At the time, she just asked out of curiosity, so I didn’t think much of it.
I nodded my head with anticipation, looking at Cecily’s inflated face. I have no intention of denying that Lilith was created as a character based on Cecily.
“Yes.”
“Wow…!”
Cecily’s expression brightened like the sun when I nodded my head in agreement. Her eyes, which were tinged with red, sparkled endlessly with a look of being moved.
Although her reaction was much stronger than expected, I couldn’t help but wonder. But then I noticed Rina looking at us enviously from the side. Meanwhile, Cecily hastily opened her mouth with a slightly excited voice.
“Well, then it’s my honor! The original character of Xenon’s Biography is me… It’s an unparalleled wish for our demons.”
“Is it okay to be the villain?”
“If it’s an antagonist created by you, wouldn’t it be even more charming? I’ll definitely help. What kind of help do you need?”
Did she feel so delighted by the fact that she appeared in a book? Cecily showed rare enthusiasm and her eyes sparkled brightly. I couldn’t help but be slightly flustered, but I voiced what I had been thinking from the beginning.
“As I mentioned earlier, I want to learn from your fighting style, Noona. Lilith is a demonic succubus, after all. So, using magic to like you would be fitting.”
“Fighting style… By any chance, does Lilith also use swordsmanship?”
“Yes. But it’s not particularly flashy, it’s just a means to use magic and techniques.”
“That’s how I learned swordsmanship too. Humans refine their skills to compensate for their lack of power, but we demons refine our skills to use our power efficiently. Hmm…”
After a moment of contemplation, Cecily tapped her cheek with her finger and then spoke up.
“Since I can’t use magic at the academy, you’ll have to come to Helium during the vacation. I’ll show you how I fight then.”
“Thank you. But will we have a sparring session?”
“Yes. We can call for Lord Balak, that should do.”
Indeed, Gartz is formidable. However, Gartz is also aware of my true identity, so I doubt there will be an appropriate number of participants.
(Tl note: In case you forgot, Gartz Balak is a full name of Cecily’s escort knight)
“I envy you. You don’t even put your girlfriend in the story. Is this fair?”
Was it the fact that Cecily appeared in Xenon’s Biography that bothered Marie? She grumbled, making a pouty face and puffing up one cheek like a pufferfish. It was really adorable. In order to comfort our girlfriend, I slowly leaned my face closer.
Then, I whispered softly in her ear.
“You don’t need to be jealous. You know that, right? I’m going to write about our story. Whether it’s day or… night.”
“… … “
“You can look forward to it.”
Instantly, Mary’s face turned red. I smiled and slowly moved my face back.
In the past, I would have stayed quiet and not said a word…
Stumble- stumble-
Like a predator searching for its prey, she gently groped my thigh, gradually moving towards the center.
Fortunately, there were people ahead, so she didn’t do anything mischievous. But it was inevitable that I was getting excited.
Finally, when Marie’s soft hand settled on it, I carefully grabbed her wrist. It was a sign to hold back for now.
“… Isaac.”
“Yeah.”
“After we finish eating… you know?”
I will do my best to manage my expression and spoke to the people in front of me, knowing what Marie wanted.
“Can I quickly go to the lodging for a moment? There’s something urgent.”
“Huh? Suddenly? What’s the matter?”
Certainly, it was quite sudden, and Rina widened her eyes in confusion. On the other hand, Cecily, who already knew about my relationship with Marie, had a faintly perceptive expression.
Looking at Rina, who was perplexed, I smiled and quietly replied.
“I need some medicine for a moment. I’ll be back soon.”
“Medicine?”
Rina seemed to not catch on and tilted her head, then asked in a voice that showed even more confusion than before.
“Are you feeling sick? If you’re in pain…”
“It’s not that I’m in pain, it’s just a preventive medicine, you can think of it that way.”
“A preventive medicine?”
“Yes.”
It seemed like Rina was unaware of these kinds of things.