episode_0033

[Phantom thief Haksen VS Sherlock Holmes]

This work, serialized in a magazine called ‘Minnie and Life’, was a mystery novel with a clear malicious intent to exploit the reputation of Sherlock Holmes.

The content was nothing special. Most of the time, a phantom thief named ‘Reince Haksen’ harassed a detective named Sherlock Holmes.

What’s unique about it is that the structure of the ‘mystery novel’ used in Sherlock Holmes is applied quite convincingly? Surprisingly, the level of completion as a mystery novel was not bad.

“Shouldn’t we complain to the magazine about this? You must request mediation immediately─.”

“No, well, honestly, for me, if a good work comes out, that’s enough… .”

My evaluation of this work was simple.

“This isn’t fun.”

“Yes?”

“It looks like he is not a person like Maurice Leblanc.”

It wasn’t fun.

Maurice Leblanc, whose ‘Arsene Lupine’ series is infamous among Sherlockians, was still an outstanding writer.

In the French-speaking world, Lupin’s popularity surpassed that of Holmes.

But this work called ‘Phantom Thief Haksen’… Honestly, it wasn’t that bad. Although I was influenced by Sherlock Holmes, there were still many aspects that I was not familiar with.

“How should I handle this? .”

Character names—proper nouns—are not included in the scope of copyright specified by imperial law. It’s not an exception, it’s just not written in detail in the first place.

There wasn’t even enough precedent yet.

So, if the empire wanted to punish it, it was a problem that could be punished. In that case, this will become a precedent.

However, seeing as he is trying to walk this tightrope, it seems like this guy is not an ordinary human being either.

“The author’s name is… Lionel Balzac?”

Hmm. I kind of like the name.

It was a good name to annoy translators. As expected, the spelling will be different.

Seeing as he writes something like this, imitating the structure of a mystery novel that has just taken shape, it seems like he has quite a bit of writing talent.

“Do you know who it is?”

“I have never heard of the family name Balzac. Aren’t you a commoner or using a pen name?”

“I guess so. Umm.”

Several keywords lingered in my head.

Sherlock homes. Maurice Leblanc. Phantom thief Haksen. Balzac. Plagiarism and character copyright… .

And decided.

“Okay. I decided.”

“Can I prepare a complaint?”

“No. I need to serialize one more novel in Half and Half.”

“… Yes?”

As a Sherlockian, I was reluctant to publish ‘this novel’ in many ways.

It worked out better because a person who called himself a punching bag appeared.

“I was wondering how to change the names of the characters in this work… You can just bring it from here.”

It is a mystery novel that rides on the fame of Sherlock Holmes and a great adventure novel that created the archetype of a thief called ‘Arsene Lupin.’

It is a novel that is difficult to find positive for students of English literature, but it is a novel that readers who like novels cannot help but fall in love with.

“Let’s show them what a real phantom thief is.”

Arsene Lupin, the phantom thief.

There will no longer be Arsene Lupin who stole Sherlock Holmes. Instead─.

“Arsene Lupine VS Reins Haxen. Umm. The tone isn’t bad either.”

The only one left will be Arsene Lupin, who stole Reince Haxen, who stole Sherlock Holmes. If Strange Rocks is serialized, it will be quite a sight to see.

Does this writer, Lionel, know how glorious this is?

Surprisingly, your character’s name is included between the two most famous characters in the history of mystery novels! Future mystery novel enthusiasts will envy him, calling it a reward.

“Hmm, wouldn’t it be better to just punish him? I’m curious as to why you do this.”

“Well, mystery novels are also genre novels… .”

It was a bit of an impulsive decision, though.

“I like the name.”

“Are you talking about Lionel?”

“No. Balzac. It’s a name that makes you think you’ll write many interesting works.”

“Is that so… ?”

.

.

.

[Shock! Herodotus announces simultaneous serialization of two works!]

[Check out the Phantom Thief Arsene Lupine series now at ‘Half and Half’!]

.

.

.

Arsene Lupine is both a mystery novel and an adventure novel.

Among them, an adventure novel with somewhat fantastical and mystical elements. In some ways, it was a novel that was truly French.

“This is fun… . Personally, I think it might be better than Sherlock Holmes… ?”

“Thank you again this time.”

This novel was also completed with advice from Millie Klein.

In particular, Millie Cléant was a deep fan of the ‘Conan Saga’ and was very fond of the adventure novel Arsène Lupine.

In fact, it was evaluated as more interesting than Sherlock Holmes.

The completed novel was serialized in Half and Half along with ‘Sherlock Holmes’.

“This is a new work by Herodotus, so why not upload two Sherlock Holmes episodes while writing this?”

“That’s right! Of course, it’s Herodotus’ novel, so it’ll be fun, but right now I’m going crazy because I’m curious about what happens next with Holmes!”

People expressed concern that the serialization of Sherlock Holmes might be slowing down.

“This is also really fun… ?”

“Everyone, bring the next episode! So what happens!”

Once the Arsene Lupine series was officially serialized, the opinion that Sherlock Holmes or two episodes should be serialized in the time it took to serialize something like this disappeared.

This is because the Arsene Lupine series was as interesting a novel as Sherlock Holmes.

In particular, the unique character of the phantom thief and the dark yet fantastic atmosphere unique to the Lupine series deeply captured people’s hearts.

“It’s nice to have more things to read! This is the happiness people live in! So when is the next episode coming out? what? In a week?”

“Kaaa! This is hell!”

People who were anxiously waiting for the next episode of Sherlock Holmes.

Now we had to wait anxiously until Arsene Lupine’s next episode. It could truly be said to be hell in the name of a serial novel.

“Isn’t Herodotus the devil sent by God to test us? ?”

“You cut off the conversation in such an urgent situation! How can a person do this?”

Some people even claimed that Herodotus was an ‘apostle of the devil’ who opposed Homer, based on the ‘Homeric saint theory’ that was once circulating on the streets.

Of course, because it was such a blasphemous story, no one seriously believed it.

It just means that people’s thirst for the ‘next part’ has increased. The frequency of being subdued by detectives from the ‘White Trek Detective Agency’ while attempting to raid publishing houses has also increased.

And there were problems that were bound to arise when famous works were serialized at the same time.

“Arsene Lupin is a true gentleman! He protects the Lady no matter what, and is always just!”

“Ha! Still, isn’t he a thief after all? Sherlock Holmes is a true hero! He follows justice and brings criminals to justice!”

It was ‘VS play’.

‘Sherlock Holmes VS Arsene Lupin’ is one of the controversies that has continued from past lives to modern times.

However, in this world, two works were being serialized at the same time.

Naturally, ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Arsene Lupine’ could not help but become objects of comparison.

“Arsene Lupin is a righteous thief!”

“Where is the righteous thief? Whether you are a petty thief or a big thief, you are a thief in the end!”

“Better than a drug addict who depends on drugs!”

“Better than a petty thief who resorts to crime!”

“It’s a duel!”

“It’s a duel!”

Arsène Lupin, a gentleman and thief who puts his country and justice first.

Sherlock Holmes is eccentric, but follows justice and has a pleasant personality.

The debate over which of the two characters was better continued. It was no exaggeration to say that this debate continued all day long in literally every bar, park, street, and store in the empire.

“Well, what about Phantom Thief Haksen?”

“Haksen? Ah, you mean that idiot who got into an accident while being bullied by Arsene Lupin?”

The phantom thief Haksen… .

In Arsene Lupine, he was evaluated as having a significant supporting role. Few people remember the work [Phantom Thief Haksen VS Sherlock Holmes].

and.

“Writer! I love you!”

“A man’s love is a little… .”

“Haha!”

Ryan, the president of ‘Half and Half’, took advantage of the popularity of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Arsene Lupine’ to create and sell several character products.

We benchmarked the strategy used in The Little Prince.

In some ways, it would have been more effective than the Little Prince. The essence of character products is ultimately to appeal to the charm of the character.

“Most of the profits were sent to the author’s account, so please check! You might be very surprised! Haha!”

“Ah, yes.”

My wealth has increased again.

Should we use this to implement a publishing support policy for aspiring writers? I think it would be a good idea to establish something like an art foundation.

But first…

“Hello. This is Manny Clever, the president of Mini & Life.”

“Yes. This is the writer Herodotus.”

I plan to meet a writer named Lionel Balzac.

You seem to have a knack for learning the structure.

We will make you a student at our academy and fill your head with novels.

.

.

.

“Hello.”

“Who are you… ?”

“The author is Herodotus. This is Lionel Balzac─.”

“Sorry! No shame! Please be lenient!”

Uh, it’s somehow different from the image I had in mind.

“I did it because I needed money! The editor said he would raise the manuscript fee if I wrote like this… I’m so sorry!”

“Hmm?”