“Chronicles of Zenon” Volume 27 unfolds as a full-scale war between the Human Alliance and the Demons, where every race showcases their unique strengths and personalities on the battlefield without reservation.
The elves and demonkin make a dramatic entrance via teleportation, while dark elves and demon hunters launch surprise attacks.
Beastfolk charge fearlessly at a single command, and humans fulfill their role as stalwart tanks, displaying unmatched resilience and unity.
Notably, humans are the only race that can hold their ground numerically against the demon horde.
Should they fall, the other races would inevitably be overwhelmed.
The dwarves, however, bring their masterstroke to the fray: the Golem.
This tactical weapon, with its steel body fashioned after humans and powered by an energy core at its center, moves according to its user’s commands.
Thanks to its sturdy build, it serves a variety of purposes.
My detailed illustrations of its appearance made it easier for readers to visualize, and I described how it functions and is utilized with my full creative capacity.
For instance, the golem has a high resistance to magic due to its anti-magic properties and is primarily deployed against large monsters like ogres.
The most striking feature is its autonomous will, enabling it to act independently without requiring a pilot or controller.
This autonomy baffles the demons, who are unaccustomed to facing such a foe.
As lifeless constructs, golems can be mass-produced in factories given sufficient resources, blueprints, and funds.
In the Chronicles, the dwarves prefer to take a supporting role rather than fight directly on the frontlines.
While there are exceptions—like a dwarf charging in with a hammer in one hand and an axe in the other—such cases are rare.
The golem, however, became an instant hit among readers.
[A tactical masterpiece born from the dreams and passion of the dwarves.]
[If a steam engine could be created through the sheer determination of one dwarf, the golem is even more plausible.]
[A self-moving steel doll with autonomous will—could this be achieved through magic?]
The arrival of the golem sparked excitement, particularly among male readers, who enthusiastically speculated about its potential applications.
[What if Machina is secretly developing these?]
[It’s a Zenon invention, so it might actually be possible.]
Machina, known for developing magical engines and even incomplete automobiles, was naturally suspected.
Their official statement?
[Machina: No such project exists, but the concept is intriguing.]
The dwarves’ innate love for invention makes the development of golems a plausible future endeavor.
If successful, such an invention could greatly advance civilization, especially during peacetime.
Labor is invaluable in any society, and golems could serve various roles—from farming to defense.
For instance, they could fend off ogres, which ordinary soldiers cannot handle, ensuring both a successful harvest and protection from monstrous raids.
However, granting autonomous will to inanimate objects stirred ethical concerns:
[The theory of imbuing inorganic matter with autonomous will is fascinating, but it could be misused.]
[It’s akin to necromancy and requires caution.]
Necromancy raises the dead, a clear violation of morality, while golems are created from scratch.
Still, the parallels prompted heated debates, delaying their development.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue the golem invention came after thorough deliberation.
Beyond the golems, Chronicles of Zenon delivers numerous highlights, particularly the climactic battle between Zenon and the prideful Lucifer.
Empowered with black wings granted by Diabolos’ “blessing,”
Lucifer boasts that he will ascend to the heavens and mocks his ancestor, who tore off his wings and descended to earth, as a fool.
Yet, his pride leads to his downfall, a fitting irony that resonated with readers:
[A perfect end for a sinner consumed by pride.]
Even the elves of Alvenheim publicly disassociated themselves from Lucifer, reflecting his universal disdain.
His defeat brought the Human Alliance close to victory, but one final challenge looms: the rebirth of Diabolos, the fake final boss and catalyst of tragedy.
As Diabolos emerges from his cocoon, all eyes turn toward the site of the World Tree, setting the stage for the final volume.
Everyone who had been fixated solely on the war felt it.
A monstrous evil had been born, one that should never have come into existence.
The 27th volume concludes with a giant hand crushing greed like an insect.
“The Chronicles of Zenon” is reaching its climax. What lies ahead?”
“Will there be a sequel, or will the author take a break?”
Readers, sensing the story was approaching its end, began to speculate about the author’s next steps.
Some predicted a new series, while others believed a well-deserved rest was in order after such a long serialization—nearly 30 volumes.
Most leaned toward the latter, arguing that after such a lengthy project, a significant break would be necessary.
Additionally, given the threats posed by demon worshippers, many thought it wise for the author to lie low for the time being.
Amidst these discussions, here I am…
“Hello, Mr. Musk. It feels like it’s been a while since we last met.”
“Haha, thank you for granting me this meeting.”
I was meeting Musk, not at the dormitory, but at my family’s estate. He greeted me with his usual warm smile.
Having enjoyed a peaceful time with Arwen in Alvenheim, I had come to the estate briefly before returning to the dormitory to visit my mother.
Coincidentally, Musk had chosen this moment to visit.
If I had been at the dormitory, where Ariel was, I might have had to decline the meeting, so the timing was fortuitous.
Moreover, my brief visit to the estate had already been communicated to the dormitory, which meant my knights, Adelia and Kate, were by my side.
They hadn’t accompanied me to Alvenheim due to the need for privacy with Arwen, but that was no longer the case.
My honeymoon-like days were over, and it was time to resume my regular responsibilities.
“Here you go, Young Master.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Adelia served tea and cookies she had prepared in advance, and I expressed my gratitude.
I picked up a cookie studded with chocolate chunks and took a bite.
The rich, buttery flavor of the cookie mingled with the sweetness of the chocolate, filling my mouth.
“So, what brings you here today?” I asked Musk while chewing.
Though it’s polite to finish eating before speaking, Musk didn’t mind such things.
With his usual pleasant smile, he clasped his hands and spoke.
“It concerns The Chronicles of Zenon. Specifically, it’s a distribution issue.”
“Distribution?”
“Yes.”
It seemed more a business matter than an issue with the story itself.
As everyone knew, I had long delegated all publishing matters. I didn’t care much even if Musk skimmed a few gold bars off the top, as I was making far more profit anyway.
Most importantly, the trust between us was worth more than any sum of money.
Still, for him to come directly to me about publishing matters suggested something unusual. After swallowing the rest of the cookie, I leaned forward slightly.
“Has there been a problem?”
“In short, it’s due to the demon worshippers. A suicide bombing by their followers destroyed the printing press in the Duchy of Vellua.”
“… …”
At the mention of demon worshippers, Kate, who had been about to pick up another cookie, froze mid-motion.
She put the cookie back on the plate and, in a chilling tone, said,
“Those vermin did this?”
“Yes. Not only the printing press but also five casualties, two of whom lost their lives. I’ve already sent letters of condolence along with compensation to their families.”
“Luminous, grant peace to the innocent,” Kate murmured, crossing herself in prayer.
I, too, couldn’t hide my sorrow. After all, people had suffered because of me.
“The Duchy of Vellua is known as the world’s gateway,” I said. “That means…”
“If they can’t target the head, they’ll sever the limbs. Rebuilding the printing press isn’t the issue; it’s that the demon worshippers won’t stand idly by. Moreover, other branches could be at risk.”
It was like cutting off supply lines in a war.
I couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. Fortunately, with Kate by my side, such threats were unlikely to succeed.
However, Musk was right: the demon worshippers had likely shifted their strategy, attacking what they could since direct assaults had failed.
“That’s why I came to you, Sir Isaac. Money can buy many things, and rebuilding the printing press is no big task. But neither money nor time can replace lost lives.”
“… …”
Though Musk’s words were admirable, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy, knowing his ambitions.
Still, at least he wasn’t as obsessed with money as some.
“The more this happens, the more desperate the demon worshippers will become. People will grow afraid to work at the printing press.”
“I understand your point, Mr. Musk. So, what’s your proposal?”
“It’s about the question-and-answer letters you’ve been doing—what if we incentivize efforts to combat the demon worshippers?”
“Incentivize? How?”
“For example…”
After a pause, Musk gave me a meaningful smile and said,
“An exclusive, private meeting with Sir Isaac in an empty room?”
“…?”
While I blinked in confusion at the bizarre suggestion, Kate let out an impressed, “Oh…”
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