After sending the manuscript for Chronicles of ZenonVol. 28 to the mansion, my heart was filled with tension.

    The dice haven’t been cast yet. Chronicles of ZenonVol. 28 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 his companions 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 the largest 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 Chronicles of Zenon became a sensation.

    “I just hope she doesn’t chase me down like last 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 inoculated 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 time comes.”

    Again, this is merely the process of forging the dice.

    While I might be able to placate her for now with reassurances to wait, later 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 planned 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 elaborate.

    In any case, Rina’s visit to my dormitory today wasn’t for any particular reason.

    It was simply prearranged.

    Living in the dorms means being disconnected from outside news unless I have access 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 available.”

    Cecily is busy purging noble families allied with demon worshippers, and Arwen is on a brief holiday but is usually occupied.

    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 he last appeared at the Academy.

    The empire’s upper echelon is nearing paralysis as more details of the demon worshippers’ atrocities come 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 plays 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 successfully, 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 village 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 remains composed, such a reaction indicates things are worse than I imagined.

    Rina carefully placed 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 avalanche 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.

    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 related to the Chronicles of Zenon 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 related to me...

    “And according to the mage we dispatched, there’s evidence that the ritual was successful.”

    “What?”

    What in the world does she mean?

    I widened my eyes in shock.

    If the ritual succeeded, it means they summoned a demon from another dimension, akin to the Diabolos in the Chronicles of Zenon.

    I don’t know how strong these demons are, but based on the demonized demons I’ve seen, they’re walking disasters, no exaggeration.

    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 successful.

    There’s evidence that someone interrupted the ritual midway.”

    “So, the ritual was only partially successful?”

    “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 successful 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 to laugh 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 slack-jawed, tea dripping from her mouth.