Chapter 66: Storm (1)

What makes the Xenon's Biography a true masterpiece of this era, revered by people regardless of nationality, is due to various reasons.

However, it's mostly because Xenon's Biography is a novel that can be easily accessed by anyone, regardless of their social status or gender.

It is not filled with difficult and obscure words nor does it speak in circles. Rather, it succinctly and clearly tells a story that stimulates the imagination. Through this imagination, it unfolds a whole new world in the reader's mind.

With this one feature alone, Xenon's Biography meets the requirements for global popularity. In addition, with its exciting story, it is no surprise that its popularity continues to soar.

Furthermore, even people who were illiterate would learn how to read, so that they can read Xenon's Biography, highlighting its significance.

In fact, many readers who come across unfamiliar words or phrases in Xenon's Biography often look them up in the dictionary or figure out the meaning on their own.

However, when popularity rises to the point of reaching the sky, there are naturally side effects.

Other than Xenon's Biography, hardly any other books are selling, and there have been numerous cases of people who have read the book and become obsessed with becoming the protagonist, resulting in unfortunate consequences.

In a way, this may seem like a natural phenomenon, but unfortunately, no one in this world has ever experienced such a thing, where a "culture" that became popular, regardless of gender, age, class, or race, did not exist.

So far, there have been no side effects to enjoying that culture, but after the release of the tenth volume of Xenon's Biography, hidden problems have surfaced.

"Open the door quickly! You're a publishing company! You must know who Xenon is!"

"Please at least tell us the situation! You said last time that there were concerns about his health!"

"Why are you suddenly taking a break?! What does it mean that you're suffering mentally? Come out and explain yourself right now!"

The entrance of the publishing company famous for signing the rights to Xenon's Biography was crowded with numerous people shouting and making noise.

From ordinary citizens to adventurers with thick bones, as well as people from various professions, they all gather together to raise their voices.

It is extremely rare for such a diverse group of people with no common ground to come together and protest. Moreover, there are hardly any instigators inciting them to do so.

Oh, of course, there is one thing they all have in common: they are all fans of Xenon's Biography, who have come together after reading the tenth volume.

"We don't know either! We only receive the manuscript and print the book!"

"Yes! Even if you scream like this, nothing will come out!"

The employees who were struggling to hold back the protesters were really on edge. They felt somewhat unfair, as they themselves didn't know the reason why the author declared a long hiatus.

Just two days after the release of Xenon's Biography volume 10, the crowd rushed in like a tsunami, making it urgent to stop them. Fortunately, the protesters didn't become violent, so they could stop them for the time being.

However, if they were provoked any further, the publishing company could really be occupied. They had to find a way to calm things down before it was too late, but there wasn't even a hint of a solution.

'Do something about this!'

The employee holding back the protesters screamed in a silent shout while looking at their company with resentful eyes.

So, how was the situation within the publishing company progressing?

"How could it not work? You're obviously the publisher, so you must have a connection to Xenon."

"Please send this letter at least. If he's suffering mentally, I can take responsibility."

He was struggling with the nobles who had gathered from all over the country. The CEO looked at the powerless nobles who were begging him with a disappointed expression.

He expected it, but it was dizzying to face it directly. This scenery was something he had never experienced before.

He was just a wealthy man who made an enormous amount of money since signing a contract with Xenon's Biography. He didn't have any power like the nobles in front of him or the ability to easily dismiss them.

However, not just one person, but a crowd rushed in and occupied the CEO's office, going crazy and making a commotion.

'I don't know either. You bastards.'

The CEO inwardly chuckled in disappointment as he watched the nobles protesting in front of him.

The nobles were not much different from the protesters who had occupied the entrance of the publishing company, except in the way they expressed themselves. However, they all shared the same concern for the author of Xenon's Biography.

Unlike the selfish nobles who were searching for the author for their own gain, these were true fans who loved Xenon's Biography itself.

As if to prove this, most of the nobles in the CEO's office were barons or lower. The viscounts and above were too busy with official duties to come to a publishing company like this, and even if they had the time, they would not come to such a place for a meeting, but hold a meeting among themselves.

"Um... Excuse me, everyone? I'm sorry, but even if you ask me again, I really don't know. I don't know why the author went on hiatus..."

"That's why we're asking you! Please tell us why the author is having a hard time, and why he's going on hiatus for almost two years!"

The CEO tried to calm down the situation, sweating profusely, but it fell apart as one of the noblewomen retorted in a loud voice.

The CEO flinched at the noblewoman's sharp voice and responded meekly.

"Um... If you keep going like this, it will make the author uncomfortable too."

"Do you think that will work for us right now? What we want is a detailed explanation of the author's situation, not your baseless speculation. We won't step back even an inch until you give us a reason that will convince us."

"Please send a letter at least. It doesn't matter if I don't know who the author is. I'm doing this because I'm really worried with a pure heart. You said he's been having health problems recently."

The medication isn't working. The boss's head throbbed with pain, next to the distressing request of the nobleman.

'Do you think it takes a day or two for letters to come and go?'

It's been a long time since he sent the letter. Although he couldn't send it together with the last fan letter because of the meeting, it would have arrived at the mansion by now.

So if he could endure patiently for about three days, he thought the reply would come back. Of course, the standard of three days is based on his assumption under the premise of Hawk being Xenon.

The boss has no idea how long it will take for the reply to come back in reality.

"I can't do this. Now that it's come to this, I'll do it myself...!"

"If you do that, how are you any different from the people who harassed Xenon? Haven't you heard the voices of the protesters outside now?"

"We didn't do it! I can't understand why we have to suffer!"

"You're going to give them mana stones at a time when they're about to catch fire? They'll burn up nicely. If you want to see a situation like the Jayros Revolution happening all over the world, go ahead and do it."

Good fight, good fight.

The boss eventually looked dismayed as the nobles began to quarrel among themselves.

This phenomenon will appear as a more disturbing sign to those higher up than these people. It's even more radical than the signs that existed during the Jayros Revolution.

If someone here incites or spreads false rumors?

It's a matter of time before the second revolution occurs. So something has to be done to de-escalate, but there's nothing he can do.

It's not just watching the fire across the river. How can we watch when the company we've grown with sweat and tears is burning?

'Oh, Luminous...'

The boss silently prayed to God.

*****

Protests did not just take place in front of the publisher who signed a contract with Xenon's Biography. As Xenon's Biography had a worldwide influence, protests occurred in various places.

Not only did protest groups hold banners and shout loudly in the square, but unprecedented demonstrations also took place in front of major national facilities.

All of them demanded a proper explanation of the situation from the author of Xenon's Biography and protested, just as they had seen in the newspapers, questioning whether some nobles had caused such a disaster by being troublesome.

Although there was no direct armed conflict like the Jayros Revolution, it was a situation where an explosion could occur at any moment, a truly explosive situation.

In such a situation, the leaders of each country racked their brains about how to respond, but they eventually came up with one solution.

[There is no author of Xenon's Biography in our country, in other words, Xenon does not live in our country to begin with. Moreover, the publishing company is in the Minerva Empire.]

[I'm really sorry for the protesters who raise their voices, but nothing will come out when we try to argue. We are also shocked and sorry about the news of Xenon's long-term hiatus.]

[If Xenon was suffering mentally, there must have been pressure from the state level. There are only two countries that would die without culture: the Minerva Empire and the Ters Kingdom.]

In fact, both countries are famous for rushing in when it comes to culture, and they almost went to war over it.

In addition, the Minerva Empire is infamous for plundering the culture of the Ters Kingdom. This is why the Ters Kingdom has established strict regulations, which is a fact known worldwide.

The publisher is in the Minerva Empire, and the Minerva Empire is so greedy that it steals other people's cultures. The two hypotheses above fit perfectly, and the arrows of criticism began to pour out towards the Minerva Empire.

It was just a simple instigation, but as soon as a drop of oil fell, the situation became too bad as it turned into a fierce flame. Moreover, the Ters Kingdom has a precedent of unprecedented events such as the Jayros Revolution.

People think it's crazy to pressure the author of Xenon's Biography when they have experienced such events.

"What if an event like the Jayros Revolution happens in our empire? Will it be okay?"

"If you go outside now, it's chaos. Citizens are starting to protest in front of the palace."

"What should we do..."

The sense of unease had also started to spread to the Halo Academy in the capital. Before the lecture even began, I looked around the classroom and sensed a subtle atmosphere.

Only three days had passed since the release of the tenth volume of Xenon's Biography, yet the aftermath was truly dreadful. News reports stated that protests had erupted throughout the country, and the security forces, unable to contain the situation, had even mobilized the military.

To be honest, I was quite taken aback. I had only posted a notice of leave to focus on my studies, and yet the situation had spiraled out of control.

While it was true that I was psychologically struggling, it was distorted into being pressured by someone else. The problem was that even this wasn't entirely untrue.

I had sent a letter to the publisher, but I wondered if it would really make a difference.

As I was pondering this strange turn of events, Marie, who was sitting next to me, spoke up, fidgeting in her seat.

"So, how do you feel?"

"What about?"

"You know, feeling firsthand the global impact beyond the empire."

I scratched my head, at a loss for words to respond to Marie's question. As they say, experiencing something once is more effective than hearing about it a hundred times, and seeing the turmoil within the classroom made me realize it was real.

Even the students at the academy could sense the unease, so the situation outside must have been chaotic. I exhaled deeply through my nose and glanced at Marie.

She was smiling her characteristic serene smile as if she had no worries at all. Unlike others, Marie came from the powerful Requilis family, second only to the emperor in terms of influence.

So undoubtedly, Marie's family must have been affected as well. There was no way not to worry.

"Do you not worry at all?"

"A little? But it'll be calm soon. I can assure you of that."

Doubt crept into my mind at her confident answer. As I blinked and tilted my head, Marie snickered.

Then she looked behind us and gestured towards me. As if asking me to lend her an ear, she slowly brought her face closer to mine.

"Whoo~"

"Hey!"

Startled by the sound of wind rushing into my ear, I flinched. Like a live fish, I leaped up and Marie burst out laughing mischievously.

"Hehe. Was that fun?"

"Ah, really... Don't play pranks like that."

"Sorry. Sorry. And can you look to your side for a moment?"

"What now..."

I thought she was playing another prank, but as I turned my head to the side as she asked, I couldn't help but blink at the sight of a person who had just entered my view.

A beautiful woman with golden hair cascading like waves, jewel-like blue eyes, and a pure demeanor stood next to me.

It was Rina, the princess of the Minerva Empire.

For a moment, I was puzzled as to why Rina was standing next to me, but she looked at me with a dark expression. It was not her usual calm face but a face immersed in deep thought.

"Isaac."

"Hmm... Yes?"

The girl who called my name glanced at Marie once. Marie shrugged her shoulders in response.

Having received permission from Marie, Rina looked at me with a determined expression and spoke in a low voice.

"Can you spare a moment?"

I was taken aback by her request. Marie, who was standing next to me, spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"That's not how you ask for a favor, is it?"

"..."

"You should ask politely. Po. Lite. Ly."

Marie's manner of speaking, with each word enunciated precisely, seemed to irritate Rina. Rina shot Marie a slightly venomous look.

Marie snorted and relaxed a bit.

But Rina seemed to realize that there was no benefit to having this kind of confrontation, and she clenched her fists. Then she looked at me again and made her request.

"I need to ask you for a favor."

Her voice sounded like it had lost some of its strength.

Translators note:

Diablo 4 is actually really good. Didn't expect that honestly...

Bonus chapter for another 20 ratings.