The release of Chronicles of Zenon Volume 29, filled with despair, is a well-known event, and everyone knows that I fled to the imperial palace because of it.

    However, the plan has slightly changed. Initially, I was supposed to meet the emperor right away, but something came up, so the meeting was postponed.

    Since I had come unannounced and had no complaints about the situation, staying here for a few days wasn’t a big deal.

    Of course, Rina informed me that it would take no more than two days at most.

    So, what should I do in the meantime? It’s simple.

    I will work on writing the much-anticipated Volume 30 of Chronicles of Zenon while observing the reactions to the previous volume.

    I hadn’t been reading the newspapers due to my hasty escape, perhaps because I planted a ticking time bomb and ran away.

    Besides, I didn’t have the mental space to care, as I had to face the emperor.

    However, now that I unexpectedly have more time, I decided to take it easy and asked Rina to fetch me the newspapers.

    She gave me a slightly peculiar look while bringing them, but I brushed it off.

    Oh, and I also asked her to bring a copy of Chronicles of Zenon Volume 29 for Mari and Adelia to read.

    I hadn’t had the chance to read it myself since I came to the palace right before its release.

    “Isaac.”

    “Yes?”

    “What on earth is in your head that lets you create such horrific stories?”

    Not long after, Mari looked at me with a gaze full of disbelief—no, perhaps admiration of a peculiar kind.

    I blinked at her reaction and glanced behind me.

    Adelia, standing behind her, was also casting me a similar look, though she was more reserved about it.

    It seems they had finished reading the ending of Chronicles of Zenon Volume 29 while I was reading the newspapers.

    Closing the newspaper quietly, I faced them directly.

    “Did it leave an impression?”

    “An impression? That’s an understatement. It’s too cruel. Don’t you think so, Adelia?”

    “Cruel... Yes, to the point that it would leave a deep scar on the readers’ hearts.”

    I scratched my chin awkwardly at their unusual reactions.

    Unlike others, these two genuinely enjoy Chronicles of Zenon as a piece of fiction.

    They don’t treat it as some prophetic text or a record of future events.

    Because they focus solely on the work itself, it’s no surprise they were shocked by such developments.

    “Still, it aligns with Jin’s character, doesn’t it? There may be parts that are hard to accept, but I’ll explain everything in Volume 30.”

    “Are you saying it could get even more brutal?”

    Mari asked in an urgent voice, her expression implying disbelief that the story could become even darker.

    I pondered her question while thinking about the plot of Volume 30.

    She wasn’t wrong.

    The plot of Volume 30 will delve into why Jin devoured demon worshippers like a beast and the reasons behind his descent into madness.

    Additionally, Jin’s soul will merge with Diabolos’ soul, and as a result, Lily’s health will improve significantly.

    She will regain consciousness but instinctively realize the danger posed by Jin’s soul as soon as she opens her eyes.

    ‘I’ll just say it was a message from the gods.’

    Meanwhile, the battle between Jin, who consumed Diabolos’ soul, and Zenon will continue.

    However, Zenon will focus solely on defense and be unable to point his sword directly at Jin, resulting in a drawn-out confrontation.

    Zenon’s desperate shouts to snap Jin out of it and Jin’s repeated vow to protect the brightest light will form the crux of their fierce battle.

    That alone could take up an entire volume.

    I also need to depict Jin’s journey and the extended fight scenes in great detail.

    “What are you thinking about? Are you plotting the story for Volume 30?”

    I must have been lost in thought for too long because Mari suddenly leaned in, urging me for an answer.

    Her beautiful appearance momentarily mesmerized me, but I soon chuckled and lightly turned my head.

    Smooch.

    I gave her a light kiss, which caused her large eyes to blink in surprise.

    Her cheeks turned red in an instant.

    Smiling softly at her adorable reaction, I responded gently.

    With these thoughts in mind, I asked Mari and Adelia. I phrased it as a question, but I wasn’t going to change the story.

    It was purely for gathering opinions. Jin’s death was already set in stone.

    If his soul were pure, like Kair’s, I could have reincarnated him. But Jin didn’t have even a sliver of that possibility.

    Besides, as a precaution, I’ve prepared a spin-off. If the situation becomes unimaginably severe, I’ll rush to write it.

    “It would feel good for us readers if it ended well. But critics would argue that Jin’s death completes the character...”

    “Isn’t there a way to create some hope? Leaving room for it wouldn’t hurt.”

    Unlike Mari, who was half resigned, Adelia eagerly took the bait.

    Having projected her own life onto Jin’s character, she seemed desperate.

    Watching her, I revisited the plot.

    Leaving room for hope, huh... I would leave some, but it would be far from what Adelia imagined.

    Shrugging, I jested lightly.

    Even just saying I’d leave some hope could be a major spoiler, so it was better to feign ignorance.

    “You’ll see in the next volume. Actually, I’m about to send Volume 30 to the publisher soon.”

    “Really? Already?”

    “Yeah. If I keep dragging it out, people will only grow anxious. It’s better to resolve things quickly.”

    Did my answer sound promising? Adelia’s previously gloomy expression instantly brightened.

    She seemed to be indulging in happy delusions, but unfortunately, it wouldn’t be a complete happy ending.

    At some point, Jin would regain his senses and recognize Zenon.

    However, merging with Diabolos’s soul would leave him in a state where death would be inevitable.

    Unlike the nearly godlike Diabolos, Jin was merely a demon with particularly potent blood.

    Unless he was entirely destroyed, Diabolos could resurrect and wreak havoc again.

    To ensure perfect annihilation, Jin’s death was essential.

    ‘How should I describe the moment he becomes godlike? Should I go with thunder and lightning?’

    Thunder and lightning have long been depicted as manifestations of divine power.

    Even here, lightning strikes symbolize divine punishment.

    Thus, when Jin regains consciousness, the surroundings would fill with dark clouds, and lightning would strike incessantly.

    However, controlling it would be impossible. It’s a fitting depiction of a god’s power, albeit incomplete.

    ‘In the end, a sword pierces his heart, and as he stumbles forward...’

    He meets Lily, who had followed his trail.

    And the moment their hands touch, he turns to dust and scatters into the air.

    ‘Hmm. Perfect.’

    Feeling proud of this development, I smiled contentedly and nodded. Seeing this, Adelia...

    “Are you hungry? There’s a kitchen in the guest room, and I can cook something.”

    “Then I’ll have cookies.”

    With her delusions of a happy ending in full swing, she hurried off to prepare a delicious snack.

    I watched her petite figure walking briskly away before shifting my gaze elsewhere.

    Turning my head, I locked eyes with Mari, who was still giving me an odd look.

    “Isaac.”

    “What?”

    “You’re lying, aren’t you?”

    “I haven’t lied about anything.”

    I’d prepared for this and only chosen words difficult to decipher.

    In other words, even Mari, with her mind-reading ability, couldn’t fully grasp my intentions.

    Still, perhaps sensing something, she sighed and shook her head.

    “Seriously... you’re no different from a devil.”

    “Better than everyone dying, right?”

    “That’s trash. And trash is better than a devil.”

    Fair enough.