Chapter 83: Relax (2)

Although Xenon's Biography declared a hiatus, causing disappointment to many, a new book called "Kair's Side Story" was released as if to mock the situation.

As the name suggests, "Kair's Side Story" depicts the life of a character named Kair, and many readers purchased the book with high expectations and curiosity.

If it were someone else's book, readers might have lost interest quickly, but it was the work of Xenon's Biography author. Therefore, even as a side story, there was great anticipation for it.

Although it was not the main story, if it could alleviate the emptiness during the long hiatus period, it was enough as a side story.

[The identity of Kair is revealed in the last scene. Do not spoil the ending under any circumstances.]

[Although it is a side story, the book has a deep connection with the main story of Xenon's Biography. If you are a fan, you must read it.]

[It is not a simple side story as it seems.]

Furthermore, the reactions of readers who read the side story were intense. As the review above states, it was not just a simple side story, but it transformed into a book that readers must purchase to understand the main story.

Because Kair was actually Xenon's master, and the prequel contained a story about the master's past. It delved into the background of the master's birth and growth, the hardships and adversities he overcame, and the relationships he encountered along the way.

It also revealed how he met the woman who would later become the Elven Queen, and why, ultimately, he fell in love with her. The novel managed to weave a sweet love story between humans and elves, which many thought was impossible, and Kair's silent monologue was enough to touch readers' hearts.

-How nice it would be if I could see her sunshine-like smile just one more time.

As mentioned before, regardless of race, if one can handle mana at an advanced level or higher, the aging process is slower. This is why elves and demons live long lives, while humans and beastmen have shorter ones.

Knowing this, Kair trained himself like a blacksmith hammering a piece of iron in a flame, in order to extend his short lifespan and see the smile of his beloved woman, Elisha, who would one day become the queen of the elves.

During this process, he met the person who would later be in charge of 'envy' and taught him, and finally, he met Xenon to finish the side story neatly.

[A story that is more sympathetic because it is realistic. Could his efforts have been meaningless?]

[Elisha knows Kair's sincerity better than anyone else. But that's why it was hard to accept.]

So far, quite a few readers have criticized the love story between an elf and a human being as too absurd, but when Kair's sincerity was revealed in the side story, the evaluation turned around 180 degrees.

From a realistically impossible story to a story that could happen in reality.

Despite the difference in lifespan, he sharpens himself to see the smile of the person he loves. It was an almost impossible story, and thus, it could only be felt more painfully.

When the relationship between Kair and Elisha was revealed in the main story, it seemed somewhat abrupt, but it was clearly resolved in the side story.

[I wonder what will happen to their story. Will it end in happiness or tragedy?]

[The signs of an unhappy ending had already been shown, but the readers still wanted a happy ending.]

[If Kair dies, Elisha will suffer too.]

However, when the side story was released, the readers became even more anxious. They feared that the poignant story of Kair and Elisha would end tragically.

Before Kyer left in the main story, he had already given Elisha words that were enough to make the readers feel uneasy. Moreover, the appearance of "Envy" and the confrontation at the end of the main story added to the readers' anxiety.

The next main story should resolve this anxiety, but unfortunately, it will not be released for at least a year. The readers knew that even if they protested, there was nothing they could do but wait.

Until the publisher delivered a surprising message.

[The Publishing company conveys on behalf of the author, Xenon, that it is okay to express scenes in the author's work in various ways. Whether it is expressed through music, painting, or sculpture, it does not matter. It is also okay to generate revenue. So, artists can express themselves freely.]

Expressing the epic masterpiece, Xenon's Biography, in another art form. This news was enough to excite the readers who had been immersed in the art world.

In particular, the reaction of the Ters Kingdom was very intense, which is natural because art takes up a large part of Ters Kingdom's culture as a cultural powerhouse.

Although the Minerva Empire used various means to strip away much of the culture, there are still many famous artists gathered in the Ters Kingdom.

Additionally, after the Jayros Revolution, art became a culture that everyone could enjoy, not just for the nobility. For these reasons, the Ters Kingdom could not afford to miss this golden opportunity.

[For artists who want to express Xenon's Biography, we will provide full support at the national level without distinguishing between rookies and veterans. We want a culture that everyone can enjoy.]

While the nobility of the Ters Kingdom may not be as wealthy as the nobility of the Minerva Empire, they were quite open-minded when it came to culture.

On the other hand, the Minerva Empire perceived art as the exclusive property of the nobility, so the majority of artists had no choice but to turn their attention to the Ters Kingdom.

Even though the Empire provided a large amount of funding, it was meaningless to the artists because the world was a medieval era where there were many people who died for "honor".

Especially for artists, honor is so important that it can be exchanged for their lives. Most people who work in the art world do so with the goal of honor rather than money, which is why there is a perception that artists are hungry professionals.

So rather than becoming the exclusive property of the nobility, they want to become an artist that everyone can recognize just by their name.

This "event" has become a really important turning point for artists because their evaluation will be sharply divided depending on how well they express the scenes in Xenon's Biography.

[Leader of the Lirus Orchestra, Lirus. He said he would compose Sakran's life with his insufficient skills... He will strive not to tarnish the fame of the work.]

[Painter Imar also regards Sakran's demise as... the most meaningful experience in his life.]

Among them, the most popular famous scene was undoubtedly Sakran's demise. It played a decisive role in changing the tragic perception of demons and was so famous that anyone who knew about Xenon's Biography would not be unfamiliar with it.

As it was the most famous scene, many people had high expectations, and Helium's attention was inevitably drawn in that direction. Princess Cecily of Helium also mentioned that she was looking forward to it and would visit the exhibition when the time comes.

Of course, there are various famous scenes that people remember besides Sakran's demise. Readers waited patiently until the results were announced, and artists expressed themselves in their unique ways.

However, there was one thing that was not entirely problem-free during this process, and that was 'profit generation.'

Isaac said that he was free to generate revenue through secondary creation. It's true that being an artist is a passion driven job, but that's only when you're a newcomer. The story changes when you have a certain level of fame.

It's true that artists prioritize 'honor' over 'money.' However, ironically, it's money, in other words, personal value, that shows one's value more clearly.

Because of this, people thought they had to pay a high price to see the works of the masters, but an unexpected situation unfolded here.

[We will receive profits in the form of donations. It will be a work that everyone can easily enjoy.]

[Xenon's Biography is a work that anyone, regardless of gender, age, or social class, can enjoy. I am no exception.]

[Exhibiting artwork for a high price damages the reputation of the work. It's unacceptable.]

Even well-known artists, not just newcomers, have declared that they will not generate profits but receive donations instead. The reason is simple. Xenon's Biography is not just a simple novel but a 'culture' that anyone can enjoy, regardless of social status or gender, so they believed.

The decisive reason why Xenon's Biography gained worldwide fame was precisely because of the above reason. They judged that generating huge profits would harm the reputation of the work.

If it were Earth, everyone would have made profits from the moment the author allowed it. However, here, honor is more important than life, so things have gone differently.

[The donation will also be used to develop the culture industry, as there are many talented people who wither away without being able to bloom their talents.]

[Through this incident, we will make efforts to foster children's dreams. ]

[Collaboration between the Lirus Orchestra and the painter Imar. In addition, many artists say that they will collaborate...]

The butterfly effect of secondary creation permission has become uncontrollable.

Even though the masters all have strong pride, they are ultimately nothing more than fans of Xenon's Biography. They decided to collaborate, saying that fighting among themselves would only displease Isaac.

Isaac was only willing to allow secondary creation with the concept of receiving 'fan art', but the ripple effect far exceeded expectations.

A culture that can be enjoyed by anyone, rather than a culture enjoyed only by a certain class, has begun to emerge and has become a driving force that accelerates development.

Of course, if there are people who enjoy it, there are people who don't.

"No. I'm a writer, but I can't even enjoy it."

That person was Isaac, the original author of Xenon's Biography and who caused another stir.

*****

I couldn't help but feel astonished as I read the news delivered through the newspaper. All I had allowed was the concept of secondary creation in the form of fan art, but the scale had grown to that of an exhibition.

Furthermore, the Minerva Empire and the Ters Kingdom are currently in a heated dispute over where to hold the exhibition.

The Minerva Empire insisted that it be held near their publishing company since it was located in their country, while the Ters Kingdom bravely stood their ground, saying it would be held in their own capital city.

'It's a shame that I can't even see visual artwork.'

When I wrote a letter to the publishing company, I requested that they send me any visual artwork separately. However, the publishing company replied that it would be difficult.

While drafts can be sent by mail without concern of tracking, the situation is different for artwork.

Most of the items that cannot be sent by mail are too large, and as a result, the likelihood of being traced has increased significantly.

My father also said that it is regrettable, but it is better to give up because the publisher's point makes sense.

"I also want to see it..."

It's such a ridiculous situation that the artist cannot see fan art. I held my chin and looked at the newspaper where they were having a lively conversation among themselves.

I would have liked to run to the place where it was held and see it for myself, but unfortunately, I don't have time.

They are currently fighting over where to hold it, but the vacation is less than two weeks away, so I have to aim for the next opportunity, but even that is difficult until I become a third grader.

"Sigh... I have to wait for later."

It's such a ridiculous situation that the artist cannot see fan art.

I put down the newspaper with regret. Now there is something more important than the exhibition, and that is the fan letters that are piled up on my desk.

The most eye-catching among them was a pink letter.

[Cherry Blossom Roseberry]

When I picked up the letter, I saw a familiar name. It was the name of a reader who had sent me fan letters continuously for over a year.

Despite not having received a single reply, I couldn't help but smile at the consistent appearance. Could this person be a true fan?

'Come to think of it, she'll be entering the Academy soon.'

She said she would enter the Academy in two years in the letter sent a year ago, so she will probably enter next year. If I'm lucky, I might be able to meet her.

I maintained a warm smile and started reading Cherry's fan letter.

[Hello, author! This is Cherry from the Roseberry family. The weather has been getting hotter recently. How about you, author?...]

I always feel it, but her handwriting is beautiful and the writing itself is not ordinary.

If my writing is plain, Cherry's writing is like a lightly fried and plump taste with a hint of spiciness. Above all, she didn't use difficult words like other nobles, so the writing was easy on the eyes.

'This person should write a novel.'

I finished reading Cherry's fan letter with a light heart.

Thus, my vacation seemed short and uneventful.

[Ters Kingdom. Giving up on the exhibition. What could be the reason?]

[The Minerva Empire does not miss the opportunity. They want to hold it in the highly developing Michelle Territory in the near future...]

Until our empire's dignitaries did some trolling in less than two days.

"What is this again?"

Could it be the project of Rina and Leort siblings? Of course, from my perspective, it's trolling, but the current citizens of the empire were praising it.

"Isaac! Have you heard the news? The Academy has extended the vacation period!"

"... ..."

"I've always wanted to listen to Lirus' music... This mom is really happy."

It seems that my vacation will just pass by eventfully after all.

Translators note:

Isaac really is building up that masters death. I can't wait for the fallout already, it's going to be glorious.