episode_0021

Seueuugh

A metal pen passes lightly over the manuscript paper divided into sections along the storyboard.

Unlike previous paintings, the lines that were thin and then thick instead of having a constant thickness were much better at expressing liveliness in the painting.

“That’s great. It’s really amazing that they made a pen that feels like this.”

The metal craftsman’s expression brightens at my praise. The metal craftsman looked nervous before I used it, but only smiled when I told him I was satisfied.

“As you said, instead of using only lead, the strength problem was solved by mixing it with steel in a certain ratio.”

If only lead is used, it will be too soft and break down quickly, so a solution is to mix steel.

It’s easy to think of, but getting the ratio right was never easy.

A metal pen, also known as G-pen, created after numerous trials and errors.

‘Actually, you can draw all comics with just one G pen.’

Many of the best cartoonists only use the G pen, and now that they have acquired the basics and core of the cartoon pen, the game is almost over.

With this, I can express any line, so the only thing left is my skills, but honestly, I was overflowing with confidence in my skills.

‘It’s no different from giving Yeo Bu a red cuttlefish.’

Now both the cartoon paper and tools are complete. All that remains is to transfer the pre-made storyboard to manuscript paper.

I focused on the manuscript again and started drawing.

***

Recently, a common enemy has emerged among merchants.

“Damn Yuren, they don’t even know business ethics!”

The main character was none other than ‘Yuren’. A vicious business tactic that shows up with a newspaper called a children’s book and uses it as bait to rip off aristocrats, who are its main customers.

‘Count, why did you suddenly cancel the contract… .’

‘I’m sorry, but can’t you get me a storybook?’

Since only nobles with whom they had a business relationship were given the right to purchase children’s books, many nobles changed their business to Yuren Merchants.

Because of this, merchants who suffered losses gritted their teeth and tried to make copies of children’s books and sell them.

‘Are you asking me to copy the items of the artist who received the royal family’s plaque of appreciation? ‘Are you crazy?!’

Even that was blocked by bringing out a plaque of appreciation to see how they had roasted the royal family, which was so disgusting and scandalous.

“Still, there is not much time left until the prepared plan is completed.”

Like the Yuren Merchant Marine, the ‘Bera’ Merchant Marine is one of the seven major merchants in the empire. Jax, the head of the capital branch there, spoke to Vera, the upper lord.

Vera’s mouth went up at Jax’s words.

“Yes, it took longer than expected, but we were finally able to create a children’s book.”

If copying a children’s book as is is the problem, this is a change of idea to create a children’s book with new content from scratch.

To achieve this, Vera Sangsang planned to produce a children’s book by recruiting painters and storytellers who were good at drawing.

Of course, there was a lot of trial and error at first. No matter how hard I tried, the quality of the drawings could not match Rupert’s, and the story was also lacking.

However, as a result of continuing to try and revise it several times, I succeeded in creating a children’s book that was still worth reading, although it was far behind in terms of quality.

It was about to be released soon.

Of course, we couldn’t hope for a groundbreaking effect right away, so we had to start by gaining a share of the market little by little.

If you do that, the quality will gradually improve, and you can create better children’s books in the future.

“Wait Esteban, I will definitely return this shame to you.”

Vera had a lot of inferiority complex towards Esteban, the upper lord of Uren.

Compared to Esteban, who is evaluated as a monster who raised Yuren, which was originally a small and medium-sized top, to the top 7.

Although I inherited Vera Sangsang, which was at the top of the seven major merchants, I felt inferior because it was now relegated to only one of the seven major merchants.

In such a situation, Vera could not stand by and watch as even her own customers were taken away by the Uren merchants using children’s books as bait.

‘This is the first step to regaining our position at the top of the empire.’

When I looked at the released children’s book and thought of Esteban running amok, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Sa… Lord of the top!!!”

“What a fuss! How can a guy called a merchant be so restless? ”

Vera clicked her tongue as she saw the employee who ran into her office without knocking. How can this be so frivolous and so urgent?

“That… The Yuren merchant and the imperial family have collaborated to publish a new work!”

“New work?”

“It’s called a comic book.”

comic book? What kind of book is that? Vera felt uneasy. Why, they suddenly released a new product before their secret weapon, a children’s book, was released?

It was also very annoying that it was released in collaboration with the imperial family.

“Get that comic book right now!”

“Yes, I understand!”

I felt like this anxiety would be relieved only if I confirmed my identity.

Vera could barely calm her nervousness as she waited for the employee to pick up the newly released comic book.

‘Please, I hope it’s nothing special… .’

***

“It’s fascinating. Isn’t it?”

“… That’s right, Her Royal Highness.”

Princess Iolin Bell continued to exclaim in exclamation as she looked at the comic book in her hand.

First of all, this comic book was smaller than a children’s book, so it was easy to read and carry because it could be held in one hand.

Also, unlike children’s books, which have long stories and are difficult to read for those who do not know how to read, this book consists of only simple lines, making it easy to read.

This was so easy that even ordinary people could read it with just a little bit of learning, so it was a perfect introduction to learning letters.

“But the content also has a majestic atmosphere, like an epic about a hero overcoming a crisis.”

The content tends to be light when only simple letters are used, but this was not the case with this comic book.

The reason was none other than the picture.

It was an amazing book in which every page of the book was illustrated, except for brief explanations and dialogue.

‘What kind of book is this?’

When I first received the finished copy, I was embarrassed. But I soon fell in love with comic books.

A painting that looks as if the characters are alive. Moreover, the divisions were made naturally, so the content flowed as the eye focused.

It was so lively that I felt like the main characters of were coming to life right before my eyes.

In addition, the fight scenes using flashy magic that appear in comic books were vivid, as if imagination had been translated into reality.

‘This… It’s fun.’

Even Chamberlain Ayton, who had always complained about the excessive amount of support given to the princess by the owners of the Rupert and Yuren merchants, saw this comic book and was immediately fascinated by it and couldn’t stop reading it.

The princess was equally satisfied. The children’s books before were definitely beautiful stories, but they lacked some sense of pleasure.

This was something that suited my taste.

“It’s so refreshing. It’s really fun that Hannah punched the guy in the face, and that Erza, who was thought to be dead, came back to life and scolded the guy!”

When a man named Hans, who I thought was a good character, betrayed me, I felt my blood boil, but later, when I saw sisters Elsa and Hannah’s exhilarating revenge, a pleasant feeling lingered throughout my body.

Strangely, the princess felt that her mood was particularly wild when she looked at the books Rupert had made, but still, good things were good things.

“Aton, please increase production of this book more than planned.”

“The amount already planned is quite large.”

“I felt potential in this book. I would like to give the people of the empire a wider opportunity to read this book and learn not only about letters but also about right and wrong.”

Ayton saw the princess’s serious expression and decided to follow her wishes.

Lately, there have been times when she has shown an untrustworthy side, but the princess with that expression has always been the true image of a monarch who makes surprising decisions that exceed her own expectations.

In that case, I just follow the princess’s will so that it can be spread correctly.

‘But no matter what, those guys aren’t trustworthy at all.’

It was very annoying when he remembered the expression on the face of the merchant who received royal support from him.

There’s definitely nothing wrong with the specification, but it gives me an unpleasant feeling, like I’ve been caught for some reason.

Still, I had to meet him again because I had to order an increase in production.

***

“Elsa… .”

Third Prince Edric was staring blankly at a book in his living quarters.

A newspaper article called a comic book that was created under the direction of the princess, the older sister. I read it once to confirm it, but the aftereffects were greater than I expected.

Actually, when I read a children’s book before, it was just amazing, so wouldn’t it be the same this time? I watched it lightly with that thought in mind.

Strangely enough, the female protagonist, Elsa, keeps coming to mind.

A woman with blonde ponytails and a lonely past who was cursed by an ice witch.

However, the process of becoming a hero who finally saved the kingdom from danger without being tied down by such a curse or the past had a big impact on the third prince himself.

Until now, reason has been an entity that causes unnecessary emotions in making cool-headed judgments.

But it suddenly occurred to me that if it was Erza, it wouldn’t be okay for us to be together.

I open the book again and see the scene where Erza appears.

thud

I felt my heart beating.

This woman seemed to come alive in a comic book.

Aren’t the facial expressions and movements all like that?

el… el… el… A name that keeps ringing in my head.

I felt sorry for this strong yet delicate woman. Her younger sister, Hannah, said she found true love, but why doesn’t this woman have a destined partner?

It’s unreasonable.

Edric thought that this woman, who had successfully overcome hardship and adversity, was someone who deserved to be happy.

Then he suddenly remembered himself next to him.

It was winter.