After sending the manuscript for <em>Chronicles of Zenon</em><em>Vol. 28</em> to the mansion, my heart was filled with tension.
The dice haven’t been cast yet. <em>Chronicles of Zenon</em><em>Vol. 28</em> is merely the process of forging the dice.
It will only be properly cast when Jin fully evolves into the final boss at the climax of Volumes 29 or 30.
Volume 29 will focus on post-war arrangements and the process of restoring Alvenheim.
Although Zenon and hispanions are important, the aftermath of a battle that determines the world’s fate is essential to include.
Additionally, I need to detail Lily’s condition, which means the story will be longer than expected.
“Will Mother be able to hold on until then?”
As everyone knows, my mother’s favorite couple is Jin and Lily.
This couple has thergest fanbase due to their unique, heart-wrenching love story.Although the Zenon and Mary couple is just as solid, Jin and Lily’s story is far stronger.
To be precise, it’s more poignant.
Compared to other love lines, the Jin-Lily pairing is designed to evoke deeper emotional empathy, making it inherently powerful.
And my mother has been an ardent fan of the Jin-Lily couple since before <em>Chronicles of Zenon</em> became a sensation.
“I just hope she doesn’t chase me down likest time.”
She will undoubtedly know about the scene where Jin is pierced through the chest during the battle with Gluttony, leading to his awakening.
As soon as my mother saw that scene, she came straight to Helium to find me—summoning Gartz, no less.
Although I was worried she might do the same this time, I reassured myself that she had already been strongly inocted against such shocks and might hold back.
Of course, if she were to see Jin emerge as the final boss and then perish under Zenon’s decisive blow…
“…I’ll deal with that when the timees.”
Again, this is merely the process of forging the dice.
While I might be able to cate her for now with reassurances to wait,ter on, there will be no leeway.
It’s no exaggeration to say I might have to flee elsewhere. I’m already brainstorming where to escape.
But what can I do? The ending has been nned that way from the beginning.
Even if I show a happy future in an epilogue, it won’t be considered canon.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Just thoughts about the future.”
“You must have a lot on your mind.”
Rina, who sat across from me, spoke quietly as she held her teacup. Every movement of hers exuded elegance.
I nodded silently in response.
While her thoughts might differ from mine, there was no need to borate.
In any case, Rina’s visit to my dormitory today wasn’t for any particr reason.
It was simply prearranged.
Living in the dorms means being disconnected from outside news unless I have ess to newspapers.
In fact, when innocent victims first appeared, it was Rina who informed me before anyone else.
Afterward, Kate went to the Church to verify it.
Currently, there’s hardly anyone around me who serves as a reliable source of information like Rina does.
“Cecily and Arwen are also options, but… they’re not always avable.”
Cecily is busy purging noble families allied with demon worshippers, and Arwen is on a brief holiday but is usually upied.
That’s not to say Rina isn’t busy. The Minerva Empire is so overwhelmed with crises that they could use all the help they can get.
Especially Leorte, the crown prince and next in line for the throne, seems to be under immense pressure.
It’s been nearly a month since hest appeared at the Academy.
The empire’s upper echelon is nearing paralysis as more details of the demon worshippers’ atrocitiese to light.
“So, what about the matter of the innocent victims? While this time it’s a staged act by the demon worshippers, actual innocent casualties could still arise.”
“The Church has assured me they’ll handle it. If it happens more than three times, the event will be immediately halted.”
“Well, if the Church says so, they’ll probably handle it. Though I’m not fond of it.”
Rina grumbled in a slightly dissatisfied tone. The event is managed not by the state but by the Church.
The state only ys a supporting role, which is why the Minerva Empire is facing such a tough time.
Meanwhile, for the Savior Church, this is an unprecedented opportunity.
Their prestige has hit rock bottom, and this is their chance to recover.
Of course, even if the event concludes sessfully, it will be very difficult for the Savior Church to regain its former stature.
“And what about the Mora Church?”
“The Mora Church is tracking a major lead. You know the incident where an entire vige was brainwashed? That was uncovered by the Mora Church.”
“I didn’t know that. So, what’s the empire’s current state?”
Flinch—
At my question about the empire’s situation, Rina visibly flinched.
For someone who usually remainsposed, such a reaction indicates things are worse than I imagined.
Rina carefully ced her teacup down, her face clouded with distress rather than her usual smile.
“…It’s bad. Really bad. Have you heard of the term ‘sanctuary for demon worshippers’?”
“I read about it in the papers.”
“At first, I thought it was just because of the empire’s vast territory. But that’s not the case. Haah…”
Rina brushed her hair back. If even she sighs like this in front of others, the situation must be dire.
She used to seem like nothing more than a haughty princess pressuring me, but that image has changed.
Now, she feels more like an overworked civil servant buried in an avnche of tasks.
I’m not sure when my perception of her shifted, but it might have been when her secret preferences were revealed.
Though Rina is a revered princess, she’s ultimately just like any other person.
“Far better than Teres, at least.”
She truly is better. If this were the Kingdom of Teres, they would have used every underhanded method before I gained my reputation.
I waited quietly for her to speak. There’s a reason we’re able to have this conversation.
Ariel is asleep on the bed, basking in the sunlight streaming through the window.
“…To start with something rtively minor, there’s the Stavirk region issue. You know what the problem is there, right?”
“Of course. What did they say?”
“Obviously, they im they have no intention of bing a sanctuary for demons.”
As if there weren’t enough crises, even the Stavirk region has started stirring.
However, the Minerva Empire has no bandwidth to deal with them.
Independence issues, particrly between nations, are alwaysplex.
Moreover, the Stavirk region has sufficient justification for their demands.
During the racial wars, the human alliance recognized their craftsmanship and aided them, leading to the creation of present-day Stavirk.
The locals, who were living as indigenous tribes at the time, greatly benefited from this.
The problem lies in what came after.
For variousplicated reasons, they continue to cry for independence.
“Well, since this is ultimately a national matter, I’ll leave it at that. Next is the Kerrison Count family.”
“The Kerrison Count family? Jackson’s family, right?”
“Yes. That brat who made absurd proposals to Cecily and me on the first day of the semester.”
Rina’s disdain for Jackson was clear in her words. He truly was an eyesore back then.
But for there to be trouble with the Kerrison family… this isn’t something that can be brushed aside like Stavirk.
The Kerrison family is essentially the Minerva Empire’srgest financial resource.
Their territory is far superior to others in terms of wealth.
Situated by the sea, it functions as a port city and serves as a vital trade route.
If trouble arises there, it could be a critical blow to the empire’s economy, which relies heavily on such resources.
“What’s wrong with the Kerrison family? Are they colluding with demon worshippers?”
“It’s still under investigation. However, the Kerrisons have sharp instincts in matters ofmerce. You know how demon worshippers generate funds, don’t you?”
“I do… Ah.”
“Exactly what you’re thinking.”
It seems I understand what Rina is saying.
Whether or not the Kerrison Count’s family colluded with demon worshippers doesn’t matter.
They can simply be executed without trial.
From the imperial perspective, it’s an excellent way to eliminate a thorn in their side.
However, the main point is that funds from the Minerva Empire have been leaking extensively to the demon worshippers.
As I’ve repeatedly mentioned, the Minerva Empire is a country with an insane amount of wealth, where economic power underpins everything.
The Kerrison Count’s family is a significant financial artery of the empire.
Even a small hole would be catastrophic, but with the extent of parasitism involved, the situation is even worse.
“Most of the funds for the demon worshippers probably originated from our empire.
In this world, there’s no shortage of people who will do anything for money, so it wouldn’t have been difficult for them to expand their influence.”
“Then why haven’t they taken more active steps?
Demon worshippers have existed since before the empire’s founding.
By now, they could have established their own nation.”
“That’s the issue.
We don’t know where they’re spending their money.
We’re tracking it, but… it’s not easy.”
This situation is moreplex and severe than I had thought.
As Musk said, money can’t solve everything, but it can resolve a lot.
Their targeting of slums is likely part of this n.
With a little money thrown around and some preaching, people would believe anything.
I don’t know what the true purpose of the demon worshippers is, but based on the news that keeps emerging, this is something that must be addressed.
“So, what happens to the Kerrison Count’s family?”
“If evidence of collusion is found, their entire family will be eradicated immediately.
If no proof is found, it’s still problematic, so they’d face demotion at best.
This is far more severe than simple treason.”
“The Kerrison Count’s family might find it a bit unfair.”
“It’s their fault for not properly managing their finances.
Even if it’s not them, simr measures are being implemented across the board.
Someone from our imperial family could also be colluding with the demon worshippers.”
They’ve really sharpened their knives.
I nodded as I observed Rina, who looked visibly fatigued.
If the Minerva Empire lets this situation slide, it will copse from within.
A nation that falls due to external factors can be rebuilt, but if it crumbles from the inside, there’s no hope.
In fact, the Kingdom of Teres almost suffered such a fate, barely recovering, with even its royal family now fearing its people.
“First, reassure the general public.
What if the demon worshippers incite a rebellion?
A copsed empire only benefits the demon worshippers.”
“That’s true, but spreading news about your marriage will quickly calm things down.
Issues rted to the nobility can be resolved on our end.
Whates after is the real challenge.”
“Is there something more serious than this?”
“If there weren’t, I wouldn’t havee to you.
I absolutely need your opinion on this matter.”
What on earth could it be?
I listened more attentively, my curiosity piqued.
For her to need my input, it must be something rted to the <em>Chronicles of Zenon</em> or one of its events.
Rina took a deep breath, then spoke in her characteristic elegant tone.
“You’re aware of the underground temple we discovered recently, right?”
“I am.”
“It wasn’t just a simple temple.
It was an altar.”
“An altar?”
“Yes, an altar where sacrifices are made to gain special powers.
The statue there is likely a ‘vessel.’”
“…”
This cursed world strikes again.
I was no longer surprised, merely nodding my head.
It’s not like this is directly rted to me…
“And ording to the mage we dispatched, there’s evidence that the ritual was sessful.”
“What?”
What in the world does she mean?
I widened my eyes in shock.
If the ritual seeded, it means they summoned a demon from another dimension, akin to the <em>Diabolos</em> in the <em>Chronicles of Zenon.</em>
I don’t know how strong these demons are, but based on the demonized demons I’ve seen, they’re walking disasters, no exaggeration.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
If a demon was indeed summoned, the situation is beyond dire.
“Based on the surrounding artifacts and human remains, the ritual seems to have been carried out about 20 years ago.
However, it wasn’t entirely sessful.
There’s evidence that someone interrupted the ritual midway.”
“So, the ritual was only partially sessful?”
“That’s correct.
However, demons are beings from other dimensions.
Since they connected dimensions, it’s likely that something from another dimension crossed over.”
“…”
Wait a minute.
Something about this feels off.
The ritual was conducted 20 years ago but was only partially sessful due to interference.
“We’re still investigating, but honestly, it’ll be difficult to figure out everything.
My brother even mentioned a rumor about a frog from another dimension, which makes it hard to go public.
That’s why I’m asking you—what do you think it is?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“I think you might know.
Just give me your opinion.
We’ll investigate based on that.”
She thinks I’m a regressor too.
But I had to keep quiet.
Based on the circumstances, it really does seem like me.
Even Luminous mentioned that a failed dimensional connection by demon worshippers is how I ended up in this world.
The details are so absurd that I can’t decide whether tough or cry.
Though it might not be me…
‘But it really seems like me.’
The timing is too coincidental, pulling me toward that conclusion.
Still, to avoid confusion, I had no choice but to lie…
“What do you mean, me?”
“Huh?”
“What?”
A cute and cheeky voice suddenly chimed in.
Both Rina, who had been sipping her tea, and I, lost in thought, turned our heads.
Standing there with wide, curious eyes was Ariel, who must’ve woken up at some point.
Her petite figure and our focus on the conversation had made it easy to miss her.
“What do you mean, me, Daddy?”
“….”
She hit the nail on the head.
Daddy loves his daughter dearly.
At that moment, my heart sank for just a moment before I chuckled helplessly.
There’s no escaping this now.
If even I feel this way, how will Rina react?
I cautiously turned to look at her.
Drip—
Like a scene from a drama, Rina was ck-jawed, tea dripping from her mouth.
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