NOVEL NEXT chapter 27
27 – 27. What I Want to Show (2)
27,
If one’s novel has an impact on this world, naturally, there also exists an obligation that comes with it.
Alan had no intention of avoiding it.
The one who changes the world is always burdened with that responsibility.
The void of revenge is like a realization that comes late after burning everything with intense hatred.
The fact that there is nothing left to spare.
It is usual for the avenger to belatedly realize that only begets fresh grudges and more revenge after their revenge has been exacted.
‘But revenge must continue to function as Shuren’s motivation.’
Alan quickly jotted down his thoughts on a notebook placed next to his manuscript.
Shuren is a vengeful person.
Although he talks about the emptiness of revenge, words of forgiving those akin to his own family can’t apply.
Hence, Shuren must complete his revenge as the avenger.
It will be the punishment Shuren imposes on his enemy. Rational words don’t reach those blinded by revenge.
‘In the first place, it is impossible unless one is like Buddha or Jesus to forgive after watching their family die before their eyes.’
Hence, a person who stands in the way is necessary.
Someone who will become an obstacle as well as a mentor.
That is the old knight of the empire, Sir Schubert, who will appear in volume 3.
The retired old imperial knight, who has realized the void of revenge, the teacher who will teach Shuren about the void of revenge.
‘Speaking as a senior who has walked the path of the avenger.’
However, that story does not get through to the current Shuren, who is blinded by his lust for revenge.
It couldn’t be helped.
Upon encountering the black magician, Count Melnoar, in alliance with the idols, his vengeance is fired up. His lust for revenge is getting stronger as volume 2 progresses, falling into the trap of the idols.
A process of being increasingly devoured by the madness of revenge until no words can get through.
Alan’s quill pen marked the full stop on the manuscript, ending the sentence.
“…Battle.”
At the end of the fierce battle that overturns all the surrounding terrain, Shuren retreats.
Ignoring the old knight, Schubert’s story and fleeing, promising the ensuing days.
“Honestly, it’s a bit frustrating, but it can’t be helped. It was such a big battle that they both got heavily injured.”
At the same time as the strength of Schubert, the Grandmaster of comeback, was highlighted, it was the confrontation with Schuren, a vengeful ghost born with overwhelming talent.
Schuren retreated at the end of a confrontation that was enough to change the terrain.
Even enough to cause serious injury to Schubert.
“Schubert also cannot pursue and promises a later date, and Schuren hides and focuses on recovery, only to be ambushed again, and this is where the new character comes in.”
Stopping his quill, Allen got up.
He needed materials.
It was time to go to the Central Library, which he hadn’t been to in a long time.
“Maiya! I’ll need to go to the library!”
“I’ll get ready.”
***
“Ah, Mr. Allen! It’s been a while since you’ve been to the library!”
“Hello, Diabella.”
“Do you have a book you are looking for?”
“Do you have a history book that records the history of World War I?”
“World War I?”
Diabella slightly lifted her glasses and looked at Allen as if asking why he was looking for that.
World War I was a war in which all races of the continent were entangled and fought. It was also the oldest record in the history of the continent.
The first World War started from the war between the old elf claiming to have high elf legitimacy, the North Sea Elf Kingdom, and ancient trolls.
‘The elves dragged in the humans, and the trolls brought in the orcs, who made the scale of the war grow incredibly large.’
Allen learned about this in the history class of the continent, but he learned it vaguely.
So, if you want to know properly, it’s faster to look for the records.
“I can find it, but do you need it?”
“For research purposes. I have to submit a report for the history of the continent class anyway.”
“Oh, there was a history assignment, right. I’ll find it in no time.”
“Please do.”
Diabella went to the shelves, and in no time, she came back with a book.
It was quite thick.
Allen, who received the book, stuck out his tongue.
“It’s a bit thicker than I thought.”
“The assignment for the continental history lecture was to summarize the history of a period of your choice and submit it as a report, right? I’m curious why you chose the period of World War I, Allen.”
“Hmm, that’s a secret for now.”
“…Uh.”
Diabella makes a sullen face.
Allen chuckled.
“I was joking. I just wanted to see what World War I looked like from a human’s perspective. I’d like to know about World War I from other races’ perspectives, but there isn’t any here.”
While the library at the Berusa Academy boasts a size comparable to the Royal Archives, it is strictly limited to the records of the human race.
Whether elves, beast people, or orcs, each records history in their own characters.
Allen felt a slight discomfort even here.
‘Why on earth does this damn place have so few communal things?’
There is no continental common language, no common characters, and the records are fragmented between the east-west empire and the western kingdom alliance.
Unless someone unifies the entire continent with overwhelming power and establishes a unified empire, perfect continental integration might not be possible. Allen thought.
“It’s a pity, but it’s fortunate that there are records recorded from a human’s perspective.”
“I guess there would be a history book of elves in the Belsta Forest?”
“I believe so. Maybe you can come to visit sometime?”
“I would love to come during the vacation. Thanks for the book. Is it a three-day loan again this time?”
“Are you planning to read that thick book in just three days? That might be tough. Shall I extend it to a seven-day loan?”
“That would be appreciated.”
“Okay. I’ll extend it to a seven-day loan.”
After confirming the seven-day loan, Allen received the book.
“Oh, Allen. I mentioned it last time.”
“Hmm?”
“I brought two books! Please sign them!”
“Again…?”
“I aim to collect all your signed first editions!”
“That’s a bit scary.”
Allen slightly scratched his cheek.
Feeling it awkward to refuse Diabella’s request, Allen flipped through the book and scribbled his name in cursive.
After returning the book, Allen closed the fountain pen cap and put it into the pocket of his academy uniform.
“Anyway, thanks, Diabella.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Take care.”
“I’ll be waiting for the next volume!”
At Diabella’s innocent remark, Allen chuckled softly.
The happiest moment for an author is when they hear that a reader is waiting for their work. Hearing words of encouragement from readers, in any way, invigorates the author.
Of course, receiving malicious comments hurts a lot.
Allen waved goodbye and walked away.
Diabella watched him leave with a happy face, resting her chin on her hand.
“… I can’t forgive those who try to ruin my small piece of happiness.”
As soon as Allen was out of sight, Diabella’s cold gaze returned, her eyes gleaming sharply behind her glasses.
****
“World War I… indeed, there’s a lot to use there.”
Allen spread open a book and began slowly writing a summary on a piece of paper he had laid out for note-taking.
World War I, it was said to have started with a war between the high elves and ancient trolls.
The troll tribes, descendants of the ancient trolls, apparently lived as hunters in the forests of the eastern wilderness, but there wasn’t much detailed information.
‘No matter how I look at it, this world has its oddities. Even trolls and orcs are recognized as intelligent species.’
The high elves, despite having looked down upon humans, formed an alliance with them and taught them magic. The human kingdom bolstered their strength for the war against the ancient trolls.
However, the high elven empire was not only fighting against the trolls, but they were also embroiled in a brutal civil war. The disjointed elven empire’s strength couldn’t withstand the onslaught of the trolls and, following the fall of their capital, their forces were largely wiped out, leading them down the path of ruin.
“I know there were dwarves too, but they never asked them for help even in their deaths. Idiots.”
Allen clicked his tongue as he read the book.
“Considering they didn’t reach out for help to any other races besides humans, despite the civil war, the high elves must’ve been incredibly arrogant.”
The downfall of the elven empire, and the division of the surviving elves.
The ancient trolls won the war, but the damage they sustained wasn’t minimal either, leading to their inevitable decline and fragmentation into numerous tribes.
Two nations, once hailed as empires, had vanished from the vast Rozelia continent.
Looking at the map, the human powers that had risen around the southern kingdoms, mainly the Palos kingdom, naturally took over their territories, marking the shift in power.
From the era of the Ain species, including the elves, history moved on to the human era.
“Developed and grafted various branches of magic passed on by the elves. Six magic towers emerged during this process.”
The six magic towers, comprised of six elements: light, darkness, flame, water, earth, and wind.
This signifies that the lineage of magic, currently used by humans centered in the Tyrant Empire, was created through relentless research since World War I.
With the continuation of further research, it was ascertained that humans have an innate aptitude for magic. It was also discovered that some rare individuals possess multiple, complex elemental magic, leading to a rapid development in human magic.
Alan scribbled enough to summarize the content, sticking out his tongue thoughtfully.
“Magic appeared first, then the advent of aura.”
Those masters of physical enhancement who couldn’t utilize their magical power for magic, resorting solely to physical reinforcement.
They were separated from the broad category of magicians, and later, for the nations and the territorial residents, the weak ones, they became the wielders of aura, ‘the knights.’
The dropouts who couldn’t manifest their magical power into the phenomenon of magic.
Of course, they were ignored and scorned in the magician’s society, but these so-called dropouts developed their own ways to use magical power.
The birth of the first knights who pioneered the way to use the energy called aura.
Alan discovered an unbelievable passage, momentarily paused his quill.
“I never knew that Kun Ryung was involved here.”
Surprisingly, it wasn’t the people of the Tyrant Empire who contributed to the birth of aura, but the people of Kun Ryung.
It was the people of Kun Ryung who made the most contribution to the founding of the Tyrant Empire.
However, the ancestors of the Tyrant Empire who were wary of the overly strong power possessed by the people of Kun Ryung, started the ill-fated relationship with the Kun Ryung Empire, after they ostracized and pushed them out.
Those who sincerely followed them before they were called Kun Ryung, massively defected and established the Kun Ryung Empire in the east of the empire in opposition to the Tyrant Empire which led to perpetual war.
Alan scratched his cheek, then again, began summarizing the contents in the report, clicking his tongue.
“It’s the fault of our empire’s ancestors, as far as I can see.”
Alan clicked his tongue.
But seeing as this fact was not forgotten, it seemed they were aware of their mistake in their own way.
“It’s a bit surprising all around. It was a good idea to delve into the history books, indeed.”
The documents indeed are abundant.
Alan laid down his quill for a moment, and then he heard Meia’s voice.
“I am back, my Lord.”
“Wow, Meia, when did you get here?”
“Have you had your meal yet?”
“No, not yet.”
Meia was holding a lunchbox basket in her hand as if it was a matter of course.
“I brought you a meal. Would you like to eat now?”
“Well, I would hate to break the flow.”
His stomach growled audibly.
He had been so engrossed that he had forgotten he was hungry.
Alan gave an awkward smile.
“Shall we eat?”