How To Live As A Writer In A Fantasy World Chapter 62

Published at 23rd of March 2023 05:45:29 AM

March 23rd, 2023

After all the lectures ended, I immediately returned to my dorm, ignoring everything else. I didn't have any plans with Marie today, so I was able to head straight to my lodging.

After a while, I returned to my dorm and took out the letter that I had hidden between my notes. As everyone knows, it's the letter that Cecily handed to me during class today.

Cecily whispered to me that it contained her sincere feelings towards the benefactor. She tried to pass it off as nothing, but it's clear that the letter is meant for me.

'Is this something like a love letter? Or is it something else?'

I scrutinized the letter envelope carefully.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary envelope. However, the contents inside were quite thick. It's safe to say that the letter contains at least three pages.

Since she said that it contains her sincere feelings towards the benefactor, I can consider it as something similar to a love letter. I've never received a love letter myself because of my hidden identity, so my feelings were even more complex.

What did Cecily write in this letter? I checked the envelope back and forth and then sat up straight. It's more appropriate to read it slowly while sitting at the desk instead of lying in bed. Cecily must have written it with all her heart, so I should also read it with sincerity.

And after I finish reading it, I plan to write back right away. After all, I have plenty of free time now that I have finished writing all of the tenth volume of the manuscript.

Sigh-

I carefully tore open the top of the letter envelope, which was on the desk with all the preparations done. As I looked inside, the letter was neatly folded, just as I expected.

With a mixture of anticipation and worry, I slowly unfolded the contents. The paper consisted of a total of three pages, and as soon as I opened the pages, I could see the graceful handwriting.

[Hello. This is Princess Cecily Drat Eisilia Bin of Helium. You probably already know, but I'm honored to be able to convey my heart to the benefactor of demons, Isaac the Author.]

From the first line, I could feel an unusual energy. The title “author” aside, the words “benefactor of demons” caught my attention.

“Benefactor” is not a common phrase, either in my past life or in this world, but because I have read many books, I know what it means. 

-To deeply admire and respect, or to devote one's heart in admiration.

So Cecily's message implies that she has a rational fondness for me, in other words, she has developed feelings of affection for me. It feels a bit out of the blue and surprising.

After Cecily first spoke to me, she treated me warmly and even played some mischievous pranks, but it was more like behavior towards a close sibling. I could understand it since I had also gone along to her and helped alleviate some of her worries.

I carefully read the first sentence once or twice to confirm whether the words were what I knew them to be. Although we use a common language in this world, there are words that have different meanings among different races scattered throughout.

However, I couldn't find anything by focusing on the first sentence. It would be better to set aside any doubts and read the following contents slowly.

[First of all, before expressing my feelings, I would like to apologize for the incident I caused a few days ago. I made a mistake because I got too excited during the meeting with the person I have always admired, Benefactor. Regardless of what kind of emotions the Benefactor felt at that time, the fact remains that I was rude. I will apologize again.]

As I read, I realized something. Cecily was coming across as quite humble, as seen in the letter.

Who is she? Isn't she the princess of Helium and the next demon king scheduled to be appointed?

Although my influence in the world is powerful, Cecily doesn't need to bow her head. Moreover, Helium is currently establishing diplomatic relations with other countries, so her position is boundless.

I could ask if it's okay to treat me as a friend, but it would make me too uncomfortable.

The Cecily I know is mischievous and has pain buried inside. I couldn't help but wish to play pranks or gossip with her like usual, like with a friend.

'However…'

What could this murky emotion crawling up in my chest be? I felt the same way when Cecily spoke to me formally the last time. It was a feeling close to euphoria, but one that should not be consumed. 

I had never realized it before, but once you taste it, it's like a dark mood you can't escape from. I shook off those emotions, running my hands through my hair. 

It wasn't in my nature to be disrespectful to Cecily, even if she put herself down like this. 

Most importantly, Marie would be deeply disappointed. I didn't want to see her disappointed in me, at any cost.

“Phew.”

I exhaled, collected myself, and turned my gaze to the letter. Cecily's beautiful handwriting and graceful script made my eyes happy.

[As you may know, before Xenon's Biography, our demon race was treated as evil. We were forcibly isolated from society and had to unite amongst ourselves. Some brave demons went out and appealed that we were not devils, but it was all in vain. There were even demons who became tragic and turned into devils after not being able to withstand the criticism or committing suicide. And…]

[Even I, the princess couldn't fulfill the wishes of her own people, but you have done it for us. Thank you very much. Even if it was unintentional, you have given a ray of light to the demons who had nothing but darkness. That light was an unparalleled hope for us demons, and it showed us the way forward. The sky of Helium, which was always covered in clouds, started to show the sun. The faces of Helium's people were blossoming with smiles, and they realized a new emotion called 'pride.' I can guarantee that this one ray of light will illuminate the future of our demon race.]

The letter described in detail how the demons were treated and how they changed after Xenon's Biography came out.

The more I read the contents of the letter, the warmer my heart became. 

When she whispered “sincerely” in my ear, I felt a bit anxious, but now all those feelings have disappeared. 

Cecily wrote the letter with true sincerity, and that sincerity is being conveyed to me without any filter. Even if it wasn't intentional, anyone would be proud if the result was positive.

'It's completely different from when I saw it in the newspaper.'

It's even more meaningful coming from Cecily, a demon. 

When I heard rumors or saw them in the newspaper, I just shrugged them off. Even when I talked to Cecily directly, I didn't feel this way because she was focusing on the fact that I was the author of Xenon's Biography, not expressing her own true feelings. Words like this, full of sincerity, are rare.

However, after reading this letter, I realized how difficult her life has been and how grateful she is to me. I never imagined that an action of mine could become someone's hope. It's a feeling of emotion that I never felt in my previous life.

'It must have been really hard.'

Although 100 years might not seem like much to other species, it is absurdly long for humans. During those 100 years, Cecily has been working tirelessly to fulfill her people's aspirations. 

Of course, I had no idea about this. I had a vague idea from our conversations, but compared to the contents of the letter, it was nothing.

Her wish was fulfilled by my hand, not hers, but the joy that came with it would be indescribable. In a past life, one could say that it was like the liberation of black people who had suffered terrible discrimination just because their skin was black.

I turned the page with a warm feeling in my chest. The content was so long that I expected it would take me a long time to read, maybe even as much as three pages.

[But the wounds our demon race has suffered are countless and the discriminatory gaze towards us has not been completely erased. Even as you read this letter, someone out there may still be discriminating against demons, and wounded demons may be turning into devils themselves and causing harm. Unfortunately, even though the way people view demons has changed somewhat thanks to Xenon's Biography, the world has not completely changed.]

[But that doesn't matter. As the princess of Helium, I will represent all demons and let the world know that we demons can live our lives just like any other race, and that we are not demons at all. That way, you won't be disappointed. Through the grace you have given us, we will strive to find a brighter future for our demon race.]

The second page describes Cecily's aspirations, which made me think of her speech during the entrance ceremony. How many people can confidently express their aspirations in front of so many people? It's something I could never do.

Cecily's courageous actions were enough to make her not only a hero to the demons but also to many others. I even forgot the parts where she played pranks on me.

'This is probably what they mean when they say someone is extraordinary, right?'

I turned the page and began reading the last chapter. Perhaps because it was the last page, it was only about two-thirds full.

[The grace given to me by the benefactor is beyond expression. Once again, it was you who fulfilled the desire of the demon that could not be achieved for centuries. I would like to offer my body and soul to repay the grace, but if you do not wish for it, I will not do so. It must be even more so since someone else is by your side now.]

[However, I wanted to express my sincerity in this letter, even if it is small. If you understand that this letter contains my true feelings, I will be more than happy and grateful.]

[I'm not sure how to end this, but I hope that you, Benefactor, will be healthy and filled with happiness. Your happiness is also my happiness.]

[I will stop here as a demon who loves Xenon's Biography, not as a Heliums princess.]

The last page contained Cecily's heart fully written for me.

If I want, she is willing to offer her body and soul without hesitation. However, I have Marie by my side now, so she will not do so if I don't want it.

As a woman was willing to give me her everything, I was confused but rather embarrassed. I had thought before that she had said such things just to tempt me.

But in the letter, her sincerity was clearly evident. Cecily seems to be ready to offer herself if I want it.

“Ugh…”

Marie would be furious if she saw this, wouldn't she? It seems like I need to keep the fact that Cecily sent a fan letter hidden.

Of course, I'm not very good at hiding things, so I'm not sure if I can keep it a secret. It might be better to live with the mindset that it will eventually be found out.

Anyway, since Cecily wrote a heartfelt letter to me, it's only polite that I respond in kind. After rereading her fan letter, which brought a smile to my face, I opened my desk drawer.

Until now, I had thought that I had no one to write letters to besides my parents, but that thought changed today.

'Well, for starters, greetings…yes, I think this should suffice.'

Unlike before, I began writing a reply to Cecily with a cheerful heart.

'Come to think of it, a fan letter…'

I suddenly thought, wouldn't other people like Cecily also write fan letters? 

It seemed a bit strange that there weren't any fan letters even though Xenon's Biography had become a worldwide hit. Perhaps my father had deliberately kept them from me to avoid giving away any clues.

So, it wouldn't hurt to ask someone in the publishing company. I plan to check if there are any fan letters first before making a request. Even if my father has a hard time covering the tracks, it doesn't matter. There was someone else I could ask besides my father.

'I'm a little hesitant, but the results will surely be worthwhile. Surely, I won't demand too much with just this.'

After reading the fan letter, I realized that the feeling was very similar to reading comments from a past life. I can confidently say that there's nothing quite like comments that make an author feel joy and sorrow.

As I wished for there to be fan letters, I smoothly moved my magic pen. 

'I wonder if Marie wrote one too?' 

Somehow, I'm filled with anticipation.

*****

Meanwhile, at a girls-only dormitory at the same time.

“Achoo! Ugh…”

Marie, who was leisurely eating bread on her bed, was startled by a sudden sneeze that came out of nowhere. Thanks to it, the bed became dirty with bread crumbs.

“Ugh… Why did I suddenly sneeze? How annoying.”

Grumbling, her unique sharp tongue was triggered as a bonus.

Translators note:

I think this chapter made it understandable where Cecily is coming from. The demons really had it rough and he effectively saved them.

Also, judging by the chapter names it seems shit is about to go down soon…

Chapter end