Chapter 20

It had been about a fortnight since the 8th volume of Zeno's biography was published. Before starting a refreshing day today, I brought a newspaper that was placed in front of the dormitory door.

There were two types of newspapers, one from Heutor Newspaper and the other from Tutli. The difference is that Hoitor's newspaper mainly deals with humans, and Tutli's newspaper provides a wide range of news regardless of race.

Since I subscribe to newspapers from two newspapers instead of one, it is not a big deal if the subscription fee is a little high. The living expenses that my parents gave me were too much.

"Well…"

After a quick breakfast, I opened the newspaper and started looking for the news I was looking for. As you all know, the news I want is for the eighth volume of Zeno's biography published this time.

First of all, I read the Heutor newspaper, which focused on the human side, and as soon as I opened the newspaper, the news I wanted was written from the first page. I tilted my head slightly forward and checked the news.

[Zenon's biography that touched the hearts of many subscribers. finally show up By the way…]

just as expected. Various reactions were listed. While there are critics who criticize it directly because they want it to be at this time, there are many critics who accurately view the bitter reality. Criticism of the nobility is a natural reaction because it is a very sensitive and spicy topic to them.

Still, there didn't seem to be any major problems. To be honest, can I put this in the first place? I wanted to, but listening to Leort's story, I was able to solidify my decision. If someone is determined to find me and seeks me out, it is enough to hide immediately or entrust myself to the imperial family.

'Well, it's not just the dark side.'

Count Crosst, who trapped Zeno, is a figure who reveals the dark side of aristocrats, whereas Count Kay reveals the bright side of aristocrats on the contrary.

That's why there were quite a lot of evaluations towards Count Kay. Most of them are praising the appearance of Count Kay as a virtue that nobles should aim for.

'It would have been a little dangerous without the J-Roth Revolution.'

Similar events exist in this world to the French Revolution on Earth. Perhaps because of this, it was rare to see nobles 'openly' intimidating or discriminating against commoners. The aristocratic practice of disrespecting commoners still exists, but I have never seen such a situation.

Much less, like the saying that one loach muddies the water, there are many nobles who are firmly entrenched in the concept. Even if you don't go far right away, Marie's family, the Duke of Requilis, is realizing noblesse oblige.

The duke, the second highest after the emperor, lives under such a motto, and the nobles below him have no choice but to pay attention.

I turned the pages after looking at the reactions of each country one by one. The Heutor newspaper was a company with roots in the Minerva Empire, so the evaluation of other countries is at the back.

"Well…"

As expected, the Kingdom of Teres is showing the most violent reaction. The Teres Kingdom is the country where the Zeiros Revolution broke out, so I would be more sensitive to this kind of story.

But the funny thing is that almost all of them are excited about Count Crosst. The commoners, as well as the nobles and even royalty, were no different. All of them are of one mind and one heart and are rejoicing that the end of Count Crosst is the end.

'Didn't you say that there was not much difference between the commoners and the nobles in the Teres Kingdom?'

The Kingdom of Terce is implementing a method of governance that is close to a constitutional monarchy. It does not mean to rule but not to rule, but it is closer to the meaning of do not rule as you please. If a nobleman discriminates due to a measles outbreak, he will be punished severely.

I kept flipping through the newspaper and checked the time. Now it's time to go to class. I've only read the Hoitor newspaper and haven't turned the pages of the Tutuli newspaper yet.

"I should just read it after class is over."

I put the newspaper on the bed and got ready to head to the classroom. Don't forget to check if it's a lecture note before going out. One fatal mistake is enough.

Then, as I went out the door, the fresh morning air greeted me. I proceeded to the classroom with light steps.

'By the way, how do I purchase Xenon's biography at the academy?'

As soon as the news that Zeno's biography was published, a huge number of people gathered in front of the bookstore.

After seeing it, I was more shocked than surprised, and didn't say anything. Perhaps it would have been wiped out by now.

My parents have the first edition, so it shouldn't be a problem for me to read, and my older sister and older brother are the problem. Right now, even the author himself cannot purchase the book except for the first edition, and it is questionable how to get those two.

'It's amazing how I've purchased so far.'

As I walked down the street with that thought in mind, I was able to arrive at the lecture hall. As soon as I entered the classroom, various stories entered my ears one after another.

"Did you see the 8th volume that came out this time?"

"Of course, I saw it. It was a bit bitter, but it was as expected."

"The commoners made such an achievement, but there is no noble who would not be able to check it. What would have happened if such a thing had actually happened?"

"Hey. Did you buy the one that came out this time? If you bought it, lend me some."

"No. I mean, I haven't read it all yet."

It is now a topic of conversation that can be heard with one ear and flowed through the other. I've been listening to it a lot, so I'm going to pass it on lightly. Rather, it is a priority to make sure that your acquaintances are seated.

I put my buttocks on the roughly empty seat and looked around the classroom.

"Cecile, did you read the 8th volume of Zeno's biography that came out this time?"

"No. I haven't even bought it yet."

"Ah. That's right. I can lend you, can I?"

"It's fine. I'm curious about the content, but I can bear it."

The only face that caught my eye right away was Cecily, but there were a lot of female students gathered next to her.

Cecily has an awkward expression on her face as she answers the barrage of questions from the female students. Apparently, the current situation is burdensome.

Even though I had doubts that Lina was not by her side, I was able to confirm that they were sitting apart for a while and belatedly. He looked at where Lina was sitting, and there were a lot of female students gathered next to her.

"What do you think, Lina? Even though it's a novel, don't you think it's too early?"

"Um… well? If we don't do anything wrong, we can be proud. If it were me, I would still have a hero like Xenon. In fact, that's often the case."

"Then why do you think Xenon doesn't receive the title of noble? Count Kay also suggested that he could become a noble if he joined his knighthood."

"It must have been that Xenon decided that a free adventurer was better than a nobleman."

Unlike Cecily, who is stumped, Lina is tiring, and she is dealing with the girls with an elegant tone.

It almost looked like an adult telling a funny story to children, so a little laughter came out.

'Why did you sit apart?'

Cecily and Lina always hang out together. At least I couldn't see the two of them apart.

But now it is torn apart, and it is in a state of being far apart. As I had only seen the two of them hanging out together, I had no choice but to raise my doubts.

'Did you even fight?'

I turned to look at the two of them, who were losing strength in dealing with the group of girls, and then turned my gaze forward. It's not something I'm concerned about right now.

'But where did Marie go…'

As I was thinking about it, someone sat next to me and greeted me brightly.

"Hi!"

Even the tiger will come when I say it.

Marie waved at me with a bright smile. I also waved her hand to say hello.

"…Yeah. Bye."

"What? What's the reaction?"

"Never mind."

I was a little curious as to why she, who usually comes to the classroom early, came at this hour, but I didn't bother to ask.

It may be because Cecily and Lina are sitting apart from each other and the girls are swarming around them, so they may be sitting next to me.

In the meantime, Marie greeted me with her characteristic lively voice.

"What did you do over the weekend?"

"I read a book."

"What book? Eight volumes of Xenon's biography?"

"No. A history book."

"Eh. A history books?"

After hearing my answer, Marie put on an expression that she could not hear. As she said before, she hates Marie so much that she hates history.

I silently nodded my head, and Marie opened her mouth in a tone that she couldn't understand.

"Why do you have to find and read that uninteresting thing? In the yard where there is also a biography of Xenon."

"I was having fun."

Moreover, in Professor Elena's lab, there are piles of history books and papers that have never been seen before. These days, I live with the pleasure of reading them.

Teaching Cindy to write was going to get cancer. Cindy's understanding is so devastating that he can barely understand it until he has to chew on it to digest it. Still, it's not that he lacks passion, he just couldn't swear.

"Yeah. Everyone has different tastes. By the way…"

Marie looked back slightly and mumbled. Her gaze turned to Cecily and Lina.

After that, she shook her head and opened her mouth with the nuance that she couldn't dry it.

"They're still there."

"What happened?"

"Oh. You don't know. They had a fight at the cafe yesterday."

You fought too. It was roughly what I expected, but it was equally astonishing.

I took turns looking at Lina and Cecily, who were still surrounded by girls, and then asked Marie.

"Why? What did you fight for?"

"I don't know. I happened to see it too."

"Hmm…"

Did you two have a topic to fight over? No matter how much I thought about it, nothing came to mind.

"Anyway, have you read the Zeno Biography Priesthood published this time?"

As I was thinking deeply, Marie asked me with a slightly joking accent. I got out of her thoughts and faced her.

Her eyes were slightly folded, giving the impression of a smirk, but somehow it felt unlucky. It's like feeling a sense of superiority. To this, I answered with a raised eyebrow.

"No. You?"

"Whew."

She sheds a strange laugh without answering. As soon as I saw the reaction, I could have predicted that Marie had purchased eight volumes.

And, of course, it is. As soon as Marie's mouth opened, the answer I expected came out.

"Of course, I got it. Even things I couldn't buy until now. Dad gave me some strength."

"Isn't that, right? You didn't commit any illegality?"

"I can't believe it. I was just mobilizing my personal network. It's absolutely not illegal, right?"

Do I need to mobilize my personal network just to buy a few books? It was also the duke family with the second most power after the emperor.

While I was puzzled to myself, Marie said with a sullen look.

"Are you envy? If you envy, say envy. If you really want to, I can lend you."

"Okay. Even if it takes time, you can buy it later."

Above all, I am a writer. It was time for me to wave my hand and answer bluntly.

Marie listens to my answer and look at this? She made a smirk and she sighed.

"Huh… If it comes out like that, I'll have to come up with a story I can't refuse."

"A story you can't refuse?"

What the hell are you talking about? Marie looked around while asking such a question. She looked like she was careful not to hear anyone else.

Then she waved her hand as if to come closer to me. I put the question in her chest and brought her face closer. Then Marie was momentarily perplexed, and she cried quietly.

"Hey, hey! Use your ears instead of your face. Ears!"

"ah."

Then he turned his face and showed his ears. Her Marie sighed and put her hands together to prevent her sound from escaping and placed her hands to my ear.

"Don't be surprised to hear this. Actually, my dad told me something really startling."

"Really? Did the Duke even send you a letter?"

"Yeah. What was written in that letter…"

Marie paused for a moment, then looked around again. Then it whispered in my ear.

"My dad said he found the author of Xenon's biography."

"… …"

With that one word, I felt my heart pounding down.

"You even invited me to my house? The author said he readily accepted."

"…What?"

Her explanation that immediately followed had no choice but to frown.

I wonder what kind of bullshit this is.