Chapter 3

■ Chapter 2. This Isn't Right (2) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

I've said it before, but my hobby is reading. There are no smartphones, computers, or televisions here, so I naturally took up reading as a hobby.

Someone might ask, "Wasn't it boring, so you started writing fantasy novels yourself?" But that's only true for novels.

This world is a fantasy, with various races and monsters existing, and adventurers who enjoy exploring the unknown. Moreover, actual 'gods' exist, and myths are widely spread.

I enjoy reading adventure stories written by adventurers, autobiographies, or books related to myths.

Adventure stories and myths written by adventurers give me a feeling similar to fantasy novels. Of course, others might dismiss them as diaries or boring myth stories.

'The descriptions are still terrible.'

Moreover, the descriptions are all terrible. At best, they are straightforward.

For example, if an autobiography mentions discovering a monster or a certain plant, the description only states what was found, with almost no detailed description.

For this reason, I always bring a bestiary when reading an adventurer's autobiography. The bestiary has illustrations and descriptions, making it very suitable for imagination.

"Master Isaac, it's time for lunch."

"Okay. Just leave it there."

"Um..."

A maid who brought lunch on a tray hesitated while I was reading. I looked up from my book, puzzled.

The maid with brown hair and a cute face looked at me, then spoke in a cautious voice.

"Madam instructed me to watch until Master Isaac finishes his meal..."

"..."

"She said that while reading is good, meal times should be observed."

"Sigh... I understand."

Since she was determined to watch until the end, I had no choice but to close my book.

As the maid started placing the food on my desk, I moved the unfinished manuscript to the side. When I moved the manuscript, the maid's gaze naturally followed.

"..."

Then I realized that this maid doesn't know I'm the author of the Zayon Chronicles. Only my family knows that I wrote the Zayon Chronicles.

A secret is no longer a secret once someone else knows, but there's nothing I can do about it. As long as my parents don't slip up, the secret won't leak out.

I put the manuscript in the desk drawer as a precaution against any unforeseen events. I even locked it securely.

Hmm. Perfect. Now all that's left is to enjoy a delicious meal.

"I'm done."

"You should eat the broccoli too."

"No."

At least give me some sauce. I don't like raw broccoli.

The maid sighed deeply, seemingly giving up on my stubborn refusal. It felt like watching a child throw a tantrum over side dishes.

"Well, good job. Oh, today's newspaper?"

"Here it is."

She then placed the empty dishes on the tray and left the room. As soon as she left, I unlocked the drawer and took out the manuscript, placing it on the desk.

I'm almost done reading the book, and I plan to start writing soon.

I'll read the newspaper after I finish my work.

'Fortunately, there are many useful books.'

Someone said that books are food for the soul.

And I completely agree with this.

If it weren't for books, writing the Zayon Chronicles would have been quite difficult. Especially, the books related to myths, which are essentially about religion, were the most helpful.

This world has a very negative view of fanatics due to the crazy actions of an ancient religion. Of course, anyone would be upset if their sincerely believed religion was described negatively.

So, I didn't directly explain it but wrote enough for anyone to think, "This religion is based on the real-world religion."

'Besides, there's no saint, so there's no chance of being criticized.'

On the contrary, there's news that the number of followers of the religion in question has increased dramatically. I'm not sure why, but it might be due to the supporting role.

I added a touching romance between the saint and her knight in the Zayon Chronicles, which is the story of Lili and Jin.

According to my mother, their story is so loving and tragic. It's especially popular among women.

Of course, Jin is still the final boss.

'Sorry, Mom. I can't let them be together.'

I thought, "They won't divorce over this, right?" but I ignored it.

A novel is just a novel. Let's overlook the fact that the treatment of demons has changed drastically due to my novel.

"Stretch~"

How much time has passed? I stretched to loosen my stiff body and looked at the clock. It was already 4:30 PM. Since lunch was at 1:30 PM, I had been writing for three hours.

'My concentration has really improved.'

There are no gadgets like computers or smartphones to distract me, but my concentration itself is at an extraordinary level.

When I was 10, my father tried to train me to be a knight like my older brother and sister. Although he realized I had no talent for it and gave up after a year, my concentration and patience improved significantly.

Creak, creak

Maybe because I sat at the desk for too long, I heard a rhythmic cracking sound when I slightly twisted my waist.

I did some simple stretching and headed to the full-length mirror. My new face, obtained through reincarnation, was reflected in the mirror.

Flame-like red hair and golden eyes that shine like a predator's. These traits I inherited from my father, but not the facial features.

My facial features are delicate and distinct, like my mother's, making me quite cute. The expression "doll-like and pretty" fits me well.

The owner of this face, with its porcelain-white skin, is Isaac Duker Marshall.

Not the 'Kim Yuhan' of my previous life, but me now.

"Thankfully, I was born handsome."

I'm still growing, but I'm just over 170 cm. However, the face is what completes the look. I'm very satisfied with this face.

The only downside is that I look delicate, like a parasitic brother, but I can overlook that. It would be greedy to ask for more with this face.

I checked my face for any issues, then moved to the bed and flopped down.

'Now, I'm going to the academy tomorrow.'

I experienced university life in my previous life, but I still look forward to it. What kind of life will I have at the academy?

According to my older brother and sister, who are already enrolled, no one knows what will happen. Even in my previous life, university life could be buried if you made a mistake. How much worse will it be in a world with social hierarchies?

I'm a viscount, so I'm fine, but the commoners who passed the difficult exams to enter will have a tough time.

'And the princess of Helium...'

I gathered information about the princess of Helium, Cecil, who is entering the Helium Academy.

She can be described in one word: a perfect daughter.

She is not only talented in both civil and military affairs but also incredibly beautiful, known worldwide. I heard she has succubus blood, but it's not confirmed.

The only flaw is that she is a demon, but that no longer matters.

"Hmm..."

It might be fortunate. If all the attention is on her, my academy life might be smoother.

Moreover, critics assume the author of the Zayon Chronicles is an elderly sage. They don't think it's a young, inexperienced writer.

So, I just need to be careful to avoid unnecessary suspicion and enjoy my academy life. I also need to be careful not to reveal my manuscript.

"I should stock up as much as possible first."

Today is the last day I can write leisurely. I jumped out of bed and sat back at my desk.

"Oh, right. By the way..."

The latest volume was released four days ago. I stopped holding the pen and unfolded the newspaper the maid had given me.

'What kind of reaction will there be today?'

Since I used the 'Severing Magic' skill for the first time in a while, it should be quite intense...

- The Crown Prince of Minerva Empire, Leort: The author of the Zayon Chronicles must release the next volume immediately. If not, I will find and imprison them in the palace.

- Not only that, but Princess Lina also urged for the quick release of the next volume.

- Zayon in a crisis. How will he escape? A comrade's sacrifice? Or...

- All readers are eagerly waiting for the next volume and demand the author's identity be revealed...

"..."

I gently closed the newspaper.

I've seen such comments in my previous life, but I can laugh them off. It means the readers find my work entertaining enough to joke about it.

'But they might really do it here. Shit.'

It's really scary.

* * *

"Aaaah!!"

The Minerva Empire's palace, filled with gold, is so magnificent that even the word 'luxurious' seems inadequate.

A man's scream echoed through the palace. Given that it is a palace where the royal family resides, even the slightest thing cannot be easily overlooked, let alone a scream.

Naturally, chaos should ensue, but no one reacted. The place where the man screamed was thoroughly soundproofed, and more importantly...

"This damn author! Why did you stop here?! Why here of all places?!"

The man, who threw the book in frustration, glared at it angrily. A woman sitting opposite him spoke quietly, her voice tinged with subtle anger.

"T... This is clearly intentional. How could you stop at such a critical moment?!"

Golden hair that shone like it was reflecting light, sapphire-blue eyes, and features that seemed meticulously crafted by a master artist, making her beauty flawless.

She is Lina Urmie Christine, the First Princess of the Minerva Empire.

Lina, a fervent fan of the Zayon Chronicles, had never been so angry.

"Brother, don't you know who this author is?"

Lina asked the man in front of her, her voice trembling with urgency.

The man, Lina's brother and the Crown Prince, Leort, exhaled deeply and slumped into a plush chair.

If Lina had a puppy-like face, Leort had a more fierce, tiger-like face, but they shared the same hair and eye color.

"...The publisher says they can't tell us. The author submits the manuscript indirectly, making it hard to trace. But I will find them eventually."

"Can't you find them quickly? I've wanted to see the author's face, especially after this prank."

"I want to too, but I can't waste resources on this. Besides, if we find them and they run away, we'll be the ones left in the lurch. Do you want the Zayon Chronicles to end like this?"

"Tsk..."

Lina clicked her tongue, expressing her disappointment. As a fervent fan, she hopes the story continues.

The Zayon Chronicles, with a male protagonist, is often thought to be read mainly by men, but in reality, the readers are evenly split between men and women.

The story itself is interesting, and the female protagonist, who always stands by Zayon, is very appealing.

"Surely Zayon won't die here? I can't bear to see Mary sad. They must get married and have children."

"What do you think I feel? If Zayon is crippled, I'll find the author and do the same to them."

If Isaac had heard this conversation, he would have hurried to release the next volume. The Crown Prince had the power to do so.

Lina sighed deeply, feeling frustrated, and spoke with a troubled voice.

"Phew... For now, we need to express our feelings in the newspaper. If the author sees it, they might take it seriously."

"I doubt it. Will this person bend their will? I don't think so."

"But the author is likely an experienced sage, so they will pay attention."

They also assume the author of the Zayon Chronicles is an experienced sage.

Given their superior education compared to commoners and typical nobles, the readability and expression in the Zayon Chronicles can only be written by someone with such a background.

No novelist has had such remarkable writing skills that they could be instantly replayed in one's mind.

"Anyway, we can only wait for the next volume. The Zayon Chronicles have been released monthly so far. If it comes out faster, it might be every two weeks."

"Yes. The good thing is that the academy starts tomorrow. Both you and I will be busy, so we won't be as idle as before."

"Hmm... It's going to be a hassle. By the way, you're also entering the academy, right?"

"Yes."

The fact that Princess Lina is entering the academy is a public secret. A public 'secret.'

Isaac, who has only received news through newspapers, didn't know this. He would need to go outside to know.

Moreover, Isaac, the son of a viscount, and whose father rose from a commoner to a noble, has a limited social circle. Even if his mother gathers information at tea parties, there are clear limits.

"Various troubles will arise. Most people will look down on you based on your status."

"Do you think I don't know that? I've already had enough of it."

The Helium Academy is the best educational institution in the Minerva Empire, but it's not just for people who have never interacted before.

Commoners usually have a few acquaintances before entering the academy, and nobles, of course, have many. Nobles, unlike commoners, can enter the academy automatically, so they often build connections in advance.

That's why Isaac, who has never gone outside except for basic physical training, is a special case. Even if his parents suggested he go out, he refused. Even his doting parents eventually gave up.

In other words, Isaac currently has no 'friends.'

"Also, the princess of Helium is entering, right? I heard she's a fervent fan of the Zayon Chronicles."

"Demons have no choice. Their treatment has improved since the book was released."

"Hmm..."

Lina, who was habitually poking her cheeks, smiled and said,

"Maybe she could be a good friend."