Chapter 321: Opening (1)

Chapter 321: Opening (1)

Before we begin, let’s briefly explore the sexual culture of this world. Unlike Earth, this world contains mana and magic, and even different races and gods exist here. As a result, despite resembling the medieval era, various differences become apparent in many areas.

For example, having power and fame can earn you treatment akin to nobility, or inventions like refrigerators and magic engines exist despite not fitting the era. These peculiar differences highlight how the culture here differs significantly from Earth’s.

One of the most notable differences is in sexual culture, as mentioned earlier. In this world, everyone is considered an adult at the age of 17, equivalent to a high school freshman in South Korea.

Unless in special cases, individuals inherit their parents’ trade and eventually marry a compatible partner. Nobles, who are required to attend the academy, tend to marry later, although they often get engaged early on.

So, how do people in this world become aware of ‘sex’? Women might begin to understand it through the significant event of their first menstruation, but what about men?

It’s driven by ‘instinct,’ ingrained at the genetic level. Simple interactions with someone they’re attracted to can make their heart race or cause physical reactions.

If they seek advice from their parents about these new feelings, their parents, being experienced, will kindly explain everything step by step. Alternatively, they might learn through certain incidents, such as accidentally seeing a naked person of the opposite sex, witnessing a sexual act, or viewing erotic artwork. These various experiences are not socially problematic; they’re considered natural human instincts.

But what if Xenon’s Biography, regarded as a holy book, depicted the beautiful first night between a man and a woman? It’s worth noting that Xenon’s Biography is rated for all ages. It’s a book that not only saved the world but also significantly improved people’s literacy skills.

A fascinating and somewhat provocative story that, once you get into it, you can’t put down. A book that everyone must read thoroughly, even without someone else’s recommendation. How would people react if a scene of love between a man and a woman appeared in such a book?

[Explicitly depicted first night of a man and a woman. Xenon and Mary’s first night was elegant, while Jin and Lily’s was sublime.]

[Main and supporting characters finally coming together. Readers’ reactions are enthusiastic.]

[The end of the story is starting to come into view.]

Critics, focusing only on the story itself, showed calm reactions. No matter how provocative the content, the flow of the story was what mattered to them.

However, what truly matters is the public’s reaction. Ideally, the media should have been bribed, but I forgot and released it as it was. Specifically, it was released as volume 24.5, but the media blatantly reported it as an adult version.

[Explosive reactions with some expressing concerns. Although an age restriction was imposed later, the books already sold remained out there...]

[To parents: Please ensure that the newly released side story does not come into your children’s hands.]

[While the scene was necessary, there will be men and women who try to emulate it.]

As a result, many expressed concerns. Even though it was Xenon’s Biography, the ‘first night’ was a sensitive topic for them. Let’s recall that occasionally, there are virgins who sacrifice their purity to pay off taxes or debts. It’s a subject treated with great caution religiously, and ‘lust’ is one of the sins.

Although their knowledge and culture regarding this topic are less advanced than Earth’s, they instinctively understand the need to handle it carefully.

[Parents’ struggles: After secretly reading the adult version, children began asking various questions.]

[The problem is not the children who have awakened to sex but those who haven’t. Their untainted innocence makes them more vulnerable.]

[Fortunately, sexual crimes haven’t surged... If anything, they seem to have decreased due to new ways to relieve desires.]

As time went on, more and more news started to emerge. Fortunately, sexual crimes didn’t increase, possibly due to the new means of relieving desires through the adult version. Instead, the opposite effect appeared.

Even the clergy do not consider masturbation a sin, let alone a crime. The gods themselves consoled people, viewing it as a natural instinct. Considering it a sin would be akin to rejecting the gods.

Of course, many children secretly read the adult version and awakened to sexuality, causing trouble for their parents. This was somewhat expected, so I can overlook it. It’s my fault for not bribing the media in the first place, so I should apologize.

Anyway, although there was a slight stir, it didn’t seem to cause major social upheaval...

[Couples on their first night should definitely read and follow this.]

...But what’s this? I blinked as I stared at the newspaper headline.

[Both partners are eager on their first night. However, men should be patient, and women need time to relax.]

[Although sensitive areas differ from person to person, there are common areas as depicted in Xenon’s Biography.]

[The process is important, but the ending is more so. If you truly love each other, embrace and feel each other’s warmth.]

“Now that you mention it...”

“I experienced the same.”

With Marie’s credible statement, Cecily and Adelia each gave affirmative responses. They both looked at me simultaneously.

I was left speechless, unable to say anything. The basics were widely spread on the internet...

‘...Ah.’

That was the problem. Following all that information from my previous life had come back to haunt me, both in Xenon’s Biography and now.

“Isaac.”

“...”

“Why were you so good at it? I’m your first woman, right? You didn’t secretly meet other women, did you...?”

“No, really. You are my first woman. I swear to the gods.”

“Hmm... It’s more suspicious because you’re not lying. Where did you learn all that?”

“...”

I didn’t learn it, I saw it. But I couldn’t bring myself to say that out loud.

*****

When the first nights of the main and supporting characters in Xenon’s Biography caused a great stir, a woman was kneeling in prayer. Before her stood a statue of Luminous, firmly in place. It emanated a golden aura, suggesting it was imbued with divine power.

The woman, praying with her hands neatly clasped and in a reverent posture, was none other than Cardinal Kate.

As always, her devoutness was evident as she prayed, but this time something was different. Her usually serene expression was replaced by one of anguish. Her slightly furrowed brows and sorrowful eyes made this clear.

[You are troubled, my beloved child.]

Luminous, with his characteristic gentle and warm voice, addressed her. He already sensed the nature of her troubles but knew the importance of letting her voice them herself. True value of confession lies in expressing it willingly.

Upon hearing Luminous’s question, Kate bowed her head slightly and spoke.

‘Lord Luminous, I have committed a sin.’

To her surprise, Kate confessed to having committed a sin. Her voice, filled with guilt, became noticeably quieter. As a cardinal, and the most influential figure in Xavier, her confession was shocking.

Luminous paused briefly after hearing her confession, then spoke quietly.

[What sin have you committed?]

‘I read the holy scripture published by Lord Isaac. And then...’

Kate hesitated for a moment before finally confessing her sin.

‘I harbored desires towards Lord Isaac that I should not have.’

[... ... ]

It was the most natural sin for a cleric who had awakened to such feelings too late.

Translators note: