episode_0004

The ending of the novel Don Quixote is a sad ending.

Don Quixote, obsessed with ideals and madness and firmly believing himself to be a ‘knight’ – Old Man Quijano wakes up from his madness, acquires the mental illness called ‘reality’, and dies helplessly. The people who tried to ‘cure’ Don Quixote were now in a position where they had to beg Don Quixote to believe in his dream again.

As is always the case in the words of a person who is tired of reality and has given up on his dream.

There are several interpretations of this ending. Some say it symbolizes the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern era, while others say that Cervantes, who was suffering from pirated copies, ended the story in two parts to prevent any more trashy ‘fake sequels’.

In fact, the important thing was not the interpretation.

An important thing is.

“If the world is going crazy, who can be sane? It’s crazy to be so upright!”

“Let’s commemorate Don Quixote! Let’s dream the impossible dream!”

“Let’s catch the stars in the sky! Let’s fight an enemy that cannot be defeated and throw ourselves into unbearable pain!”

That ending.

It is said that the existing overindulgence, which was like the embers of dry fallen leaves, has become fueled.

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There is no other ending that emphasizes over-immersion as much as the death of the main character.

Outside the window it was noisy with the shouts of marchers.

People marching through the streets dressed as medieval knights. Those people were all readers who were overly immersed in ‘Don Quixote.’ They were causing a commotion in the streets, holding a tombstone with Don Quixote’s tombstone written on it, saying they would commemorate Don Quixote.

Even the guards who were supposed to maintain public order were either ignoring the commotion or joining in.

“At least I’m glad they didn’t try to threaten the author like Sherlock did.”

“Master. Who is Sherlock?”

“A druggy detective with a dirty personality.”

“If you know, I think he is a very skilled detective.”

“Your skills are certain.”

In the future, I would like to try ‘plagiarizing’ a mystery novel from the original world.

Since the mystery called magic exists in this world, more effort should be put into researching the data… Now that I think about it, mystery novels seem to be a bit difficult.

“Zion.”

“Yes, master.”

“How is the drafting of copyright law going?”

“Currently, the head of the family has personally written a letter to the council. It is said that there are many fans of Don Quixote among the members of the National Assembly, so there does not seem to be any difficulty in enacting legislation.”

Although my head was pounding due to overly engrossed readers, the drafting of the ‘copyright law’ that I had aimed for when publishing Part 2 of Don Quixote was progressing smoothly.

This solves the most troubling problem.

Of course, pirated copies will still be circulating in some Dominions and Kingdoms that are not subject to the laws of the Imperial Council… That’s something I can’t do anything about.

“If copyright law is properly established, we will be able to see more interesting works then.”

“… Me, young master.”

“Huh?”

“But, if the copyright law goes into effect, won’t we no longer be able to see interesting works that imitate Don Quixote? that… I have a feeling that it may not be in line with your goal.”

For a moment, I thought Shion’s question was absurd, but then I had no choice but to nod in understanding.

This must be the average perception of people in this era.

In the first place, I read hundreds of articles of chivalric literature that could not even be called plagiarism and wrote Don Quixote, which can be said to be a masterpiece of chivalric literature. There are sure to be readers who think, ‘Isn’t it still fun even if it’s plagiarism?’

“Well, even mass-produced novels have their own pleasures. If you are familiar with clichés, you can read them comfortably with less concentration, and the word ‘genre-like’ itself is ultimately about a kind of ‘sameness’”

“Then, doesn’t preventing plagiarism mean that there will be fewer novels to read?”

“Zion. Do you know the saying, ‘There is nothing new under the sun’?”

“Clearly in the Bible… Ecclesiastes, is that right?”

“It looks like you haven’t been wasting your religious life. As the saying goes, in the end, all ‘works’ have no choice but to be imitations of other works.”

I lifted a book that was lying on the nightstand.

This is the first edition of Part 1 of Don Quixote that I received directly from the publisher. Because it was a small publishing house at the time, not many first editions were produced. The value of the first edition is already skyrocketing, so if you sell it you will get ten gold coins.

“For example, this Don Quixote imitates the structure of ‘chivalric literature,’ but does that mean that ‘Don Quixote’ plagiarized other knightly novels?”

“That’s… I don’t think so.”

“Right?”

There is no such thing as a healthy creative environment.

The creation of a social atmosphere in which creators’ rights to their creations are legally protected and recognized. That alone gives the seed of inspiration infinite vitality.

“Someone will twist their body to avoid plagiarism, and someone will be inspired to create something new that has never been seen before. The result that emerges in that way may not really be completely new. Rather, immature and absurd results may come out.”

“… .”

“However, I believe that in the end, all those ‘attempts’ will become new inspiration that writers can refer to and blossom in the history of literature.”

As Don Quixote said─.

“─To achieve the impossible, you must first attempt the impossible. If everyone tries the same thing, they will end up with the same results.”

“… Master, you are like Don Quixote.”

“That’s a compliment, right?”

“Of course.”

It’s like Don Quixote.

Actually, I can’t be an idealist like Don Quixote. The future that one dreams of is, after all, a future that is ‘achievable’ and has already been trodden by mankind in a ‘past life’.

I was only able to be this confident because I knew the outcome.

In that respect, I─.

“─I prefer Sancho over Don Quixote.”

“Sancho… is it? Well, you have always liked Sancho very much.”

It is always up to reality to follow the ideal.

The future I envision will be no different. I don’t have the creativity to create something completely new, but I do have a level of enthusiasm to follow the ideals of my ‘past life’.

“Sancho is worldly, right? It’s also humane. Don’t you think you suit me well?”

“Honestly, if I were to choose the person who is the furthest from worldliness, I would choose you. I’ve always seen you living buried in books.”

“Oh my, Shion, you haven’t seen my true face yet?”

“Is there such a thing?”

This is me, living in the 21st century, full of secularism and cynicism, at the cutting edge of capitalism.

I can’t stand still after being evaluated like this.

“Take my coat. Going out.”

“Where are you going?”

“I earned a lot from royalties, so I should go spend the money.”

I went out with Shion, proudly declaring Flex.

“Master, can I leave the book here?”

“… .”

I bought only a few books and a few bookmarks and returned home.

I really don’t have any hobbies… .

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After receiving an urgent call from Dorling Kindersley, I visited the publisher.

And then, I heard a strange sound.

“… Me, boss. I think I heard wrong… Who did the invitation come from?”

“I am Idris, the 3rd prince!”

“He sent me an invitation?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“That’s right, you’re a fan of Homer!”

As can be seen from the title of Third Prince, Idris is a member of the royal family.

Even though he is at the bottom of the line of succession to the throne, he is a dignified being who has the right to take control of everything in the empire.

But that guy is looking for me? Pilbu, an unknown author who only sold one book well?

“This is a great opportunity! If you make a good impression this time, you may be able to receive a royal guarantee when publishing another book!”

“Um, wait a minute. Think about it… .”

“Ah, yes! I was so excited, wasn’t I? lol… .”

good. Let’s summarize.

The Third Prince of the Empire invited me. Because he is a fan of ‘Don Quixote’, which I wrote.

I was a little taken aback because it was such a sudden story, but when I thought about it carefully, it wasn’t that strange. If you are that high-ranking person, it wouldn’t be that big of a burden to invite at least one writer.

The important thing is whether I should accept this invitation… .

“… If I decline the invitation, will Kindersley Publishing be at a disadvantage?”

“Yes? Do you plan to refuse?”

“Hmm, to be honest, it’s a bit burdensome. I am also reluctant to show my face in official settings. If possible, I want to separate my pen name from my daily life.”

“Aha, then I will refuse.”

“… Yes?”

Is it okay to decide it so simply?

“Because the author’s wishes are our top priority. If it’s something that causes even the slightest inconvenience to the writer, it must be resolutely removed.”

“Well, isn’t there a possibility that the imperial family will give you a disadvantage?”

“Hmm, honestly, I’m not sure. Half and half? If Prince Idris is a generous person, there will be no problem, but if he is a narrow-minded person, there will be a problem.”

You say so calmly that it depends on the other person’s opinion.

They say it as if it really isn’t a big deal, but it just makes me even more confused.

“Writer, please don’t worry and just focus on your writing activities. We’ll take care of it.”

“I’m not sure if it’s okay though.”

“Hehe, at best, wouldn’t it be the end of the three-legged annihilation?”

I don’t think it’s at a level that can be described as ‘at best’.

“Please just trust me, author. I will never cause any inconvenience to the author.”

“… Yes.”

I was oppressed by the fanatical heat of Dorling Kindersley.

In the end, I had no choice but to nod.

He says it that way, so I guess it’s okay to trust him and leave it to him.

… It’ll be okay, right?

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“You are the writer of Homer.”

“I’m sorry, writer… .”

I declined the prince’s invitation, and the prince himself came to the publishing house.

Uh, is this a dream?