BXBX NOVEL Chapter 286: Impersonation (1)
Chapter 286: Impersonation (1)
In fact, all of the above statements are true. Even Cecily, who is set to become the next Demon King, dedicated three days to subdue her inner evil.
As a result, the training ground, which was designed to be sturdy, was almost half-destroyed, and in fully accepting it, her desires were also satisfied.
Conquering the inner evil is thus very exhausting and dangerous, but it is worth reconsidering.
First, let’s take a closer look at the inner evil. Inner evil is something that demons harbor deep within their hearts from the moment they are born, akin to the remnants of devils.
When demons experience intense emotional changes, the inner evil amplifies and they turn into devils. This principle is widely known today.
This is an undeniable fact, but it is important to note that actual cases of demons turning into devils are extremely rare.
Is it possible for someone to transform into a devil just from being annoyed or having a verbal argument? If that were the case, Helium would have already collapsed or turned into a den of devils.
Moreover, over generations, thanks to the divine power of Mora, the phenomenon of inner evil constantly tormenting demons has almost disappeared.Therefore, unless they experience a truly horrific tragedy, such as losing a family member or a loved one right before their eyes, they do not turn into devils.
This means that the premise of forcibly drawing out and subduing the inner evil is hardly tenable.
While it is possible to directly feel the inner evil stirring during a demonic cycle, amplifying it is extremely challenging.
As Mora mentioned, inner evil can only be directly confronted if one can look into their own mind, their own heart.
Naturally, achieving this state requires meditation, the virtue of ‘temperance’ that has been upheld until now, and a long period of time.
Adolescent demons, those entering the little devil phase, made a fuss about conquering their inner evil without knowing anything, but it was meaningless.
Inner evil has been diluted by Mora’s divine power for centuries, so you can’t even confront it with such a mere mindset, only intense emotional changes hold the key.
Of course, even so, it doesn’t change the fact that parents’ difficulty in raising their children remains high. Also, I realized that Cecily’s feelings for me were much stronger than I had anticipated.
Anyway, Cecily’s speech was a form of strengthening unity, giving demons the hope that “they can do it.”
The demons, who were already very united, became even stronger and gained confidence that they, too, could succeed.
It might turn into extreme behavior or superiority complex like some party in a past life, but currently, the demons are closer to confidence than arrogance, so it’s not an immediate concern.
‘But why did Arwen say that?’
The day after Cecily’s speech. After returning to the academy with Helium’s help, I repeatedly mulled over Arwen’s words that were in the newspaper.
She said that if Cecily is the motif for Lilith, then herself is the motif for Elysia.
As everyone knows, Elysia is the queen of elves in Xenon’s Biography and the lover of Kair.
She is constantly restrained by the council and eventually suffers a mental breakdown without even properly confessing to her beloved human man, Kair.
If we look closely, it’s not wrong to say she was the motif. The council was based on the elder council, and I depicted Elysia based on what I heard from people around me.
Moreover, in Xenon’s Biography, a racial war broke out and even dark elves were exiled.
Since the novel is based on reality, it’s not entirely nonsense to say it was based on a motif.
However, the story itself, as well as the characters or organizations, came from my imagination.
It’s ambiguous whether to say it was based on a motif or not.
‘Should I take it as a form of restraint?’
Currently, Helium’s stock is skyrocketing day by day. The perception of Helium had already been improving, and Cecily’s speech added wings to it.
From the elves’ perspective, it makes sense to make such remarks to check the demons, who are now their equals.
Moreover, it’s awkward to write a letter claiming she lied because it’s an undeniable fact that she served as motifs, and Arwen has rational feelings for me.
Furthermore, there are plenty of elements for Arwen to misunderstand. First, she mistakenly believes I came from another, similar world, but without heroes like in Xenon’s Biography.
In such a world, a character and story based on herself appear? In this era I live in, rather than on Earth, she would firmly believe it.
Even during the manuscript theft incident and the mixed-race crisis, I showed her goodwill. There are many reasons for her to be mistaken.
‘If that’s the case, shouldn’t she also know who Kair is?’
Cecily and Arwen. Though both women differ from birth to upbringing, they share a common trait.
They not only project themselves onto the characters in the book but also consider it a predetermined future event.
If that’s the case, it would be natural to find their respective lovers, but while Arwen might not know, Cecily believes it to be me.
Perhaps Arwen, considering her behavior so far, might also think of me as Kair.
However, unlike Lilith, whose past is vaguely revealed, Elysia shared a past with Kair.
Especially since Kair, despite losing due to the ‘weakened strong’ cliché, possessed top-level martial skills even by the standards of Xenon’s Biography’s world.
But what about me? Even though I have divine power, I’m just a human with a disgustingly strong physical body.
Although my physical talents inherited from my father are finally showing, I have never properly learned martial arts, so I can’t utilize them.
‘Still, it would be useful for propaganda.’
This world’s social culture is close to the medieval era, but seeing newspapers published daily, it possesses a culture beyond the Renaissance.
As I mentioned several times, if successful propaganda is achieved thanks to this unbalanced civilization by my standards, the nation’s unity will be further strengthened.
Especially if it is deeply associated with Xenon’s Biography, which is revered as a holy scripture, the effect will be doubly powerful.
‘Though I don’t mind being used politically now…’
I thought so as I opened the newspaper. As soon as I opened it, heated debates on various topics were ongoing.
A few months ago, I was reluctant to let Xenon’s Biography be used politically, but now it didn’t bother me at all.
Even I was currently writing letters for the Xenon Exhibition and our territory’s sake, so it would be hypocritical to hesitate.
[The number of Mora Church devotees is increasing day by day.]
[Due to the potential of Helium and the existence of the fallen cardinal in Xavier…]
[Luminous gives warriors vitality, and Mora offers them rest.]
[For those who have experienced terrible trauma, believing in Mora…]
Especially, Helium has gained far more than expected through this recent speech. The most significant factor is ‘religion,’ beyond just the racial aspects.
Helium has made Mora its state religion, and like Xavier, most of its citizens are devoted to Mora.
From Xavier’s perspective, they should keep Helium, which corresponds to them, in check, but the situation isn’t favorable.
A few months ago, it was revealed that a corrupted cardinal actually existed, leading to a significant increase in clergy questioning Xavier.
Until now, Mora, as a god of darkness opposing the light and worshiped by demons, was shunned by humans, but that is no longer the case.
As seen in the newspaper, the number of humans beginning to believe in Mora is gradually increasing.
There is no law in this world that mandates belief in a specific religion, so it’s possible to believe in both Luminous and Mora simultaneously.
Especially, there are rumors spreading that Mora’s divine power is beneficial for soldiers or warriors suffering from PTSD, like my father.
‘Is it like receiving Luminous’s blessing when going into battle and Mora’s blessing when suffering mentally?’
Anyway, with a significant number of humans starting to show faith in Mora, the influence will grow.
Perhaps, in the distant future, ideological conflicts called ‘religious wars’ might arise, but Alvenheim won’t stand idly by.
Alvenheim experienced the pain of the Dark Elves, who had the same roots, breaking away due to their own mistakes.
Really, Cecily’s speech has triggered a rapid change in the world. What was I doing in the meantime? What else but writing.
Just because the world changes doesn’t mean my work changes. While writing the 22nd volume of Xenon’s Biography, I’m also writing letters to clear up misunderstandings.
Fortunately, the current world is more focused on the complex political situation than on Xenon.
Sometimes there are articles claiming that all these events are influenced by Xenon’s Biography, but I’ve seen them so often that they no longer affect me.
‘The only thing I’m worried about is Hiriya…’
While looking at the newspaper, I thought of Adelia, who returned to the academy as a guard knight instead of a personal maid.
Originally, she could have returned with the authority of a personal maid, but a personal maid must always assist the person they serve.
This is not a right but a ‘duty’ designated by the Empire, so I cannot refuse. Moreover, Marie would be very uncomfortable with me sharing a room with Adelia.
So now she has returned as a guard knight and is living a life no different from before.
‘So far, there hasn’t been any significant movement.’
I vividly remember Hiriya’s gaze piercing through me during the speech. It was clearly a knowing look.
It’s frustrating because I’m confused about what she realized. Given her personality, I thought she would ask directly, but there have been no signs of that.
For now, I’m managing to avoid her, but if she becomes certain, she will approach me.
She might even target Adelia instead of me, to try to fuck over us both.
‘Let’s just write volume 22 for now.’
I tossed the newspaper aside and walked over to my desk. On the desk was the typewriter that Gartz had helped move beforehand.
Thanks to Adelia’s assistance during the break, I could focus and take breaks every hour.
If I stretched and loosened my body during each break, my work speed increased even more.
Even now, having returned to the academy and not long into writing the 22nd volume, I’ve already reached a quarter of the pages.
‘The Battle of Envy seems to be going on for quite a while.’
Originally, the character of Envy was a petty villain, but after Adelia’s permission, it evolved into a more three-dimensional antagonist.
An anti-thesis to the protagonist, Xenon, with a past that anyone could sympathize with.
Above all, the character embodies the sin of “Envy” perfectly, with a bitter roar directed at the world and Xenon. All these elements come together to create an excellent character.
‘At this rate, Envy could be the true protagonist of this arc.’
It seemed like a pretty good twist. The cliché of the final boss becoming the true protagonist has been shown before through Sakran.
Readers might vaguely realize that Envy is the true protagonist when they see his end.
It would be perfect to include a representative quote for Envy. In my past life, there’s a character who fits Envy’s persona well.
He lost everything, including his family, to the gods, and in his burning quest for revenge, he ends up slaughtering the gods—an enraged god-slayer.
[Behold! Wilhelm! And Kesta! Your family has returned! I will turn this kingdom to ashes!]
This was Envy’s first roar, delivered in a heated voice, after usually showing no emotional changes.
Envy’s hatred towards his kin is far stronger than Satan’s. He would go so far as to destroy the world to kill his family.
At first glance, this might seem more fitting for “wrath” than “Envy.” Readers will likely think the same.
Handling this well will once again prove my capability. It also means that the character of Envy is three-dimensional.
‘If Hiriya approaches me after the release of volume 22…’
She would have completely decided that I am Xenon. She is currently in the stage of suspicion, but once volume 22 is released, she will be certain.
I have no idea what will happen after that, but as Mora told me. I will face a critical choice.
No matter what choice I make, it will be a difficult path. I need to prepare for it from now on.
‘It’s about time…’
It’s time to reveal it. I chuckled as I typed.
‘For now, let’s just watch the chaotic situation unfold.’
There’s a saying: watching a fire across the river is the most enjoyable sight.
Furthermore, I, Xenon, am currently in the eye of the storm. The surroundings are in chaos, but I alone remain calm.
‘What kind of news will come out next?’
Such thoughts crossed my mind for a few days.
[Breaking News! A human man claiming to be the real-life inspiration for Kair has appeared in Alvenheim…!]
The world is vast.
[Adventurers and mercenaries renowned by name are calling themselves Kair…]
[They are currently courting Alvenheim’s queen, Arwen.]
[Not just one, but several have appeared, becoming a new headache for Alvenheim…]
[Could one of them truly be Kair?]
Once again, I realized just how many crazy people there are out there.
Translators note: