BXBX NOVEL Chapter 172: Book 14 (1)
This ability was not just a mere imagination but a magical curiosity that caught the attention of numerous scholars and wizards. Furthermore, the current situation seemed to confirm that Xenon (Isaac) was, at least partly, considered a prophet.
Up to this point, it might have been merely a matter of varying opinions, but everything changed after the events of Volume 14, which unfolded in Alvenheim.
[Fusion, as depicted in Volume 14, is an actual magic that can be performed. However, it is highly unethical and strictly prohibited due to its severe repercussions.]
[It was magic once used by Elves during the Devil War 3000 years ago. However, after receiving the World Tree as a gift from gods, it was considered too dangerous and all records were destroyed.]
[Fusion, or rather, the unification, can only be achieved by Elves chosen by the gods, and among them, only noble-minded warriors…]
The remarkable scene of Fusion depicted in Volume 14 of Xenon’s Biography was revealed as an actual usable magic, albeit a forbidden one.
The official term was “Unification,” and as described in the book, it doesn’t disappear until all its energy is depleted, absorbing everything around it to replenish that energy.
As it is only a pure energy, it doesn’t distinguish between regular mana and dark mana and absorbs both. Unification can create a calamity like in the book.
When the news spread, especially among the elves, in Alvenheim, people were astounded.
[Anyone attempting to harness Unification will face severe punishment, and the same goes for those who attempt to exploit its theory.]
[Even though the Queen has issued orders, the scholars and magicians still show interest in the theory described in the book.]
[The theory that a massive energy absorbs surrounding energy to prevent its own destruction was once proposed by a scholar from Yggdrasil. However, it was quickly discredited by strong opposition from the council.]
Unification triggered various reactions. Although Arwen threatened severe punishment, she felt it might not be enough to quell the curiosity of scholars and magicians.
Some worried about the possibility of a truly dangerous situation arising, while others insisted that the theory was impossible. Their reasoning was that the phenomenon of an energy entity absorbing surrounding energy to prevent its own destruction requires a form of “self-awareness.” Since the birth of the energy entity through Unification ultimately results in a living being with self-awareness, just like any other living creature, it would struggle to survive when faced with danger.
Therefore, to verify this phenomenon, it would be necessary to create an energy entity with self-awareness. No matter how infinite the power of magic may be, “creation” was still exclusive to deities. Even the magicians realized this and abandoned their attempts cleanly.
As it was, I thought I could overlook the matter of unification, but the real problem arose after the situation settled down.
[Xenon knew the forbidden knowledge of unification. If so, could he know other things as well?]
[Looking back, all the knowledge he knows is dangerously saturated. If he truly knows the future, his knowledge could become a weapon.]
[There is no doubt that Xenon is the one who saved this world from crisis. However, the fact remains that his knowledge can be dangerous.]
With the misunderstanding that Isaac even knows forbidden magic, negative evaluations also rose to the surface.
In fact, the assessment that Xenon is dangerous existed even before, but due to being absorbed in the book, it did not attract much attention. Moreover, even this was culturally dangerous, not meaning that the author himself was dangerous.
However, starting from Volume 14, they began to be more cautious.
If he knows forbidden magic that doesn’t even exist in records, then could there be other dangerous knowledge? So they thought.
Xenon was a hero who revealed the signs of contamination of the World Tree and devil summoning, but precisely because of that, his knowledge is very dangerous. Such evaluation slowly started to emerge.
When someone achieves great accomplishments, there are those who admire them, but at the same time, there are those who envy them. People, especially the human heart, are treacherous.
Throughout history, eminent figures who left their names in history received respect from the masses, but along with that, they also faced significant constraints.
Starting from Volume 14, a faction that has been interpreting Isaac’s actions negatively and seeing him as a threat has gradually started to emerge. Naturally, they had the pretext of forbidden magic, making it easy to criticize him.
Of course, there was no prominent figure openly slandering him in public, especially those who acknowledged him as a Luminous’s saint. The criticism mentioned in the newspaper was also clumsily written anonymously, without revealing the author’s name.
[Those who harm the saint acknowledged by Luminous will be severely dealt with.]
[Do you not fear God’s wrath?]
[While it is true that his knowledge is dangerous, there are no immediate issues. He is, in fact, a benefactor of the world, preventing the invasion of devils.]
Above all, due people’s trust in Luminous, there was no way that fanatic followers, like those from Xavier, would stay silent. Even though they no longer showed fanatical aspects compared to the time when they indiscriminately slaughtered demons, their loyalty remained unchanged.
This sentiment was not limited to Xavier but was also prevalent in the Minerva Empire, Ters Kingdom, and even in Helium. Helium, of course, requires no further explanation, and the Minerva Empire and Ters Kingdom were in a state of mutual restraint.
Anyway, it wasn’t just individuals, nations themselves stepped forward to protect Isaac, leaving those who had poured out criticism in a position where they could only regret their actions. Nevertheless, some continued to raise their voices, emphasizing that Xenon’s knowledge was dangerous.
In fact, their arguments seemed reasonable at first glance, which further intensified the pursuit of Isaac’s identity. Thanks to this, there was one person who suffered the most.
“Ah, really! I already said I don’t know! I’m just responsible for receiving the manuscript and sending it to the printing press!”
“You said you would tell us who gave you the manuscript. Speak up already. What do you want? Money? Or honor?”
It was the CEO of a publishing company. As always, he grumbled, seemingly frustrated, as he addressed the nobles who had come to track down Xenon.
He could tolerate the previous visit from the nobles of Alvenheim. After all, if he didn’t betray Xenon and had Matthew forge the signature, it would have been over.
In reality, the operation hit the mark perfectly, and the nobles of Alvenheim didn’t come back anymore. After that, he enjoyed life, watching the scene while his money was duplicated with great pleasure.
However, due to the forbidden magic described in Volume 14, those nobles came back once again. It was because Xenon, who even knew the magic lost from the records, was deemed extremely dangerous.
Even though they offered him money and power, the CEO valued his loyalty to Isaac. But this time, the “justification” was too strong. If he thought about why the forbidden magic was called forbidden, the answer was apparent.
Because of this, the publishing company’s CEO once again encountered the stubborn nobles of Alvenheim.
“If Xenon’s knowledge causes great chaos in the world, you, who allowed it to happen, will be responsible too. Do you think it’ll be okay? You might lose all the money you’ve saved up until now.”
A tall elf man, dressed in luxurious silk-like attire, asked the CEO in a threatening tone, though somewhat hesitantly. Being an elf, he naturally looked down on the CEO due to his taller stature.
However, the CEO didn’t back down an inch. He had faced several nobles until now, and an elf noble wouldn’t make any difference.
“It’s money. I’ll stop if I earn enough. But I can’t betray a person just for that.”
“Hmph. Loyalty, huh? You must be saying that because you can earn more money.”
The elf noble spoke as if he was not bothered. It was true in a sense, and the CEO had to seal his lips tightly. He had no intention of revealing Isaac’s whereabouts, not even a trace. The moment he did, his connection with Isaac would be completely severed.
For now, his priority was to drive away the nobles somehow. The CEO clenched his hands and quietly sighed at the annoying elves.
“…Is it really going to be solved like this? I’m already busy to death, and now I have a headache. Come back later.”
“Remember, human. The knowledge Xenon possesses is very dangerous. Not only to us but to many others who share similar thoughts.”
The elf nobles left, seemingly threatening without being threatening, and the CEO let out a sigh as their footsteps gradually faded away. He sank into his chair, feeling powerless. Whether it was dangerous knowledge or whatever they were roasting him for, he couldn’t understand. But that probably meant finding Isaac would be equally difficult.
The CEO himself was the only clue and connection, so the chances were high that they came with the intention of clutching at straws.
Last time, they came simply to ‘verify’ a signature, but now they were deliberately ‘tracking’ Isaac down. Besides the nobles of Alvenheim, there were others who were also searching for Isaac. However, being elves, they carried an entirely different weight.
‘He seems to have some skills… If they are elves who use magic skillfully, it will be dangerous.’
Although they don’t have the authority to directly investigate taxes like the Minerva Empire, the elves are much better at tracking step by step. No matter how skillfully Hawk hides the manuscript path when he sends it, getting caught was just a matter of time.
The reason he hasn’t been caught until now is that he always hired different messengers, and above all, the elves didn’t show much interest. At least until the release of Volume 13.
While Hawk’s method of communication might be effective with humans, it’s uncertain whether it will work with elves. Elves were one of the races that could use the power of magic as naturally as breathing.
‘No, this won’t do. If things continue like this, I should send a warning.’
That way, even if problems arise, he won’t be held responsible. Just before the CEO wrote the letter to Isaac, he looked around.
Come to think of it, those damn elves might have pulled off some tricks while staying here. No matter how urgent it is, one should be cautious, right?
With that in mind, the CEO decided it would be better to write the letter at home instead of the publishing house, leaning back on the chair. The recently replaced leather chair made him feel comfortable.
‘I’m working so hard, but what is that man, Xenon, doing?’
What is he doing, indeed?
“Isaac.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re not really a prophet or a seer, are you? This isn’t just a coincidence, is it?”
“You say it’s a coincidence.”
“Hmm, I see. Anyway, let’s get out of here quickly.”
“Suddenly?”
He had a happy life with his beloved partner to enjoy.
“Do you not want to mess me up?”
“Not at all.”
That day became a long night.
Translators note: