Peter Perry and Radiant Ray.
The seventh volume of the Peter Perry series, where he finally confronts the Demon King, the last and strongest dark fairy lord attacking the fairy forest.
It is revealed that the Demon King is none other than Oberon, the founder of the Academia, the first human to reach the fairy land. He is a revenant, a being formed from the delusions of the deceased King Arthur.
The story involves him activating a magic circle targeting the entire fairy forest, turning other fairies into the Wild Hunt to fulfill his ambition of conquering the island of Britain.
So, the manuscript, created with meticulous attention to detail, portrays this battle using Excalibur, revived by the power of the four fairy kings...
The problem is that the exact contents are written in this fan letter.
To be precise, I was spoiled by the fan letter's contents.
─Hello, Mr. Author. I'm John from Bloemfontein. (Omitted) … So, what do you think about this ending?
"Ugh."
Sigh... This is the bane of long-term serialization.
I sighed deeply and shook my head.
In fact, this happens often. It was common even in 21st-century Korea.
As serialization gets longer and content accumulates, you have to fold the bag you've spread out. Since the contents you can wrap in that spread-out bag are limited, more readers will predict the future developments.
Given the nature of web novels, which pursue a 'stable and familiar taste,' it's impossible not to have readers who predict the future developments.
Honestly, there's nothing new under the sun, so isn't it possible for someone to come up with the same idea as me? It's entirely possible.
"Don't worry too much, Mr. Author. There was no problem with the manuscript in the first place, so it's not theft or anything... And from what I've seen, there wasn't any major issue. The story was enjoyable. It's probably just a coincidence."
"Yes, I'm not too concerned about that part. I'm rather happy, in a way."
Predicting the content isn't a big deal. In fact, it's proof that they're following my lead well, so in a way, it's gratifying.
In a time without web novels, it means they're reading my novels, thinking about how I write and how the story will progress, and following along.
To exaggerate, it feels like my existence is being etched into this world.
... But the problem is.
"The problem is me."
"Huh? What do you mean? You're doing a great job, Mr. Author!"
Bentley looked at me with wide eyes, genuinely confused.
But I sighed deeply again and slowly explained.
"Precisely... it's the mannerism I've been feeling lately."
In short, I've been pricked.
The curse of a long-term serialization, the dragon with a snake's tail.
Especially since Peter Perry had a simple progression and development from the beginning. I hadn't planned for a long series.
As a result, I had to stretch the number of boss-level enemies to seven, create new episodes, and naturally, the content became simpler.
Moreover, I'm currently working on three projects, right?
Although the genres differ, the materials for episodes don't completely overlap. But my focus on Peter Perry has inevitably declined. It's a bitter but inevitable outcome.
Honestly, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have been too concerned.
Writing hundreds of episodes daily, not every chapter can be exciting. That's only natural. That's why there's a joke about how ruining the final chapter is a hallmark of a masterpiece.
But now, it's the early part of the final chapter, volume 7. It's the most crucial turning point.
To make a big impact in volume 8, the final volume, I need to build up as much tension as possible here.
Moreover, there's the media mix, including a play to be performed.
"In a way, I think this was a timely stimulus."
This fan letter gave me a significant shock. It reminded me of my initial intentions.
I slowly rolled up my sleeves and looked at the calendar.
Let's see, the publication date is...
"Oh, so... Mr. Author. What are you thinking right now? Um... You're not planning to rewrite from scratch because of that letter, are you?"
"Of course not. I'm not changing the plot."
Naturally. It's not the early or middle part of the story but the final stage.
Changing the plot carelessly now wouldn't improve the story. It would only make it clumsy.
"So, I'm just thinking of a slight variation. Well, I had a few prepared plot points anyway. Didn't know when I'd use them..."
Guess today's the day.
I said this as I stood up and glanced around the publishing house.
"Huh?"
"Mr. Bentley. Do you have an empty office?"
"Oh, yes. We have plenty of offices."
"Great. Please show me one."
I commandeered an entire empty office, with Bentley leading the way.
Then, as I ordered blank manuscripts and a typewriter, Bentley, flustered, spoke.
"Mr. Author, are you serious... now?"
"Yes."
Just bring me some coffee. I said, taking off my coat.
Hah, self-imposed isolation... It's been a while since I pulled all-nighters as a university student, watching Snoopy before a launch day.
"Well then..."
I began typing quickly.
There's much to write, but time is scarce. The environment is also poor.
However, a writer close to the deadline can't afford to worry about such things.
Whether a heat dome forms, the rainy season comes, or a typhoon hits, as long as the body is intact, a writer must continue to serialize.
Fortunately, I already knew what to write.
I had just dismissed it because it seemed inappropriate to write this in the 19th century.
But realizing I was in a mannerism, I now see my judgment was arrogant.
So.
"Let's give it a try."
I simply write what comes to mind.
***
Peter's pupils shook.
"... Why."
"Why, you ask, why."
Lys twisted her head. No, Peter could no longer call 'that'—
The moth-like fairy with darkened hair and a cold demeanour.
Lys.
His old friend who had led him to Excalibur.
A timid yet courageous presence in the fairy school when it mattered.
The shy girl who always peeked over her book with a blushing face...
Was actually the dark traitor who attacked Iruril and Winky... and even broke Excalibur?
Lys—or rather, Demon King Oberon—twisted her lips into a crooked smile.
"Because... it's fun."
"What... did you say?!"
"Deceiving you, backstabbing the naive fairies, and mocking them... It was really, unbelievably, immensely fun."
It was a smile Peter had never seen before...
"Yes, that's it! That expression is the best!!"
"Lys...!"
"Clueless! Absolutely clueless! I enjoyed playing friends with you! Hey, how do you feel? Knowing the friend you thought was your closest ally was actually your worst enemy?"
"Lys!!"
"I'd appreciate it if you could forget that name."
Lys gestured with her hand.
In response, black moths emerged everywhere, flapping their wings.
Each flutter scattered ash-grey powder, enveloping Lys's body.
The aura of decay that rotted everything it touched.
It gradually grew Lys's body, transforming her into a monstrous caterpillar devouring everything.
The creature, now half-insect, took on a demonic silhouette.
─I am Oberon. Oberon Artorius. The Demon King of Maggots, born from gnawing at the delusions of the great King Arthur.
"You!!"
─Thanks for the entertaining show, Peter!!
In a nauseating voice mimicking Lys's former tone, Oberon spoke.
─Now, die!!
"Grrrr!!"
Suddenly, black moths swarmed from all directions.
Amid the impending death, Peter gripped his sword.
But the broken, decayed Excalibur was no longer reliable.
His magic was depleted, friends couldn't come, and the power of light had already faded away.
'But still.'
Still, something...!
At that moment.
─I warned you, your weakness would someday catch up to you.
"Ugh...!?"
Something pulled Peter's body. Purple flames erupted in that spot.
─Screee!!
─Screech!!
The sound of crackling and the stench of burning insects pierced his nose.
Despite the unbearable smell and scorching heat, Peter couldn't look away.
"These flames...!"
And that sword!?
Beyond the burning purple veil stood a man familiar yet forever unforgettable, holding a pitch-black sword.
Once, Peter's first enemy.
"It's been a while, Peter. And Oberon."
"You, you're?!"
─The Hell King... still alive?!
"Thanks to you."
Hell King Alvis.
The fallen dwarf king whom Peter had once defeated now aimed his cursed sword at Oberon, as if protecting Peter.
"Oberon, I ask you."
─... How arrogant.
"Was it you who pushed me into hellfire in the mine long ago?"
Peter's eyes widened. Could Lys have done such a thing? Alvis gritted his teeth and continued.
"And long ago, was it you who incited my father to lead my people to hunt me down?"
─Haha, you're bringing up some fond memories.
"Recently, when I drifted into the human world, someone sent an assassin after me."
─Ah, yes.
"Was that you as well?"
Oberon burst into hearty laughter. Then, with a gesture as if he were a polite butler, he bowed his head and said,
─It was a dessert fitting for the main dish. Hell King Alvis, thanks for the entertainment.
"In that case...!"
Suddenly, Alvis's body swelled.
Purple flames engulfed him, his body burning and regenerating.
No longer resembling a dwarf, his body had grown, sprouting large horns and wings of flame that heated the air.
Alvis pointed at Oberon with a black-scaled arm and spoke to Peter.
"Stop pretending to be weak and get up, Peter Perry."
"Tch... I have no choice!!"
Peter gritted his teeth.
Thanks to the brief rest, his strength had returned.
Though his body was battered, his limbs were intact.
The sword was broken, but... he could still swing it. That was enough.
"This one time!"
"A temporary alliance!"