episode_0022

“Extra, extra!”

“Saint Beatrice Yeha recommends the playwright Phantom as a hero candidate!”

Breaking news that shook the entire Holy Empire.

The news that the great writer Phantom had become a candidate for the warrior spread quickly.

“What? A candidate for the warrior?”

“I heard the candidate’s name is the Warrior of the Pen? He’s a man who creates miracles by swinging a fountain pen.”

“Poohaha! You’re a candidate for the Hero, but your nickname is the Hero of the Pen? What a great naming sense!”

In fact, the term ‘hero’ in this world was not specifically used to refer to someone who took up arms and fought against the Demon King.

It used to be like that, but now that the Great Demon King was sealed long ago, it’s more of an honorary position.

Thus, over the centuries, the concept of a warrior has changed to fit the changing times.

Now the warrior is one who has the favor of God and performs great miracles.

In other words, it refers to a superhuman who leads the world in a positive way.

Swords, magic, knowledge, and other miscellaneous things.

Aimed at a very small number of individuals who are gradually building up earth-shaking achievements in a specific field.

The current Saint Beatrice is rumored to have insight into people’s souls.

The fact that the man she had personally chosen was Phantom was enough to create a huge ripple effect.

When that happened, the first ones to be affected were the unscrupulous theater companies that were clumsily copying Chaplin’s Comedies.

“Wow! You script thieves! Get rid of them!”

“You’re copying the comedy written by the warrior of the pen! Aren’t you ashamed!”

“Get out of here! Ten plagues will befall your extremes too!”

Rotten fruits and vegetables flying in, accompanied by countless jeers.

Although it is only a simple registration as a candidate, the reaction is already fierce as if he has become a warrior.

Because of that, most of them were busy hastily closing up shop and issuing apologies.

Because it was impossible to fool the eyes of those who watched whenever they had the chance.

Of course, some felt uncomfortable with the idea of plagiarism being brought up over a mere gag.

The industry still had a prevailing view that there was nothing wrong with following frivolous and ridiculous melodramas.

Rather, there were even complaints that Phantom was abusing his position as a warrior candidate to muddy the waters of the art world and excessively interfered with individual freedom.

But such complaints are useless in the face of the watchful eyes of the cathedral.

“The Lord said, “You shall not steal.””

A priest reverently reading passages from the Bible during Sunday Mass.

He, still of an unsullied age, pointed to the cross and said:

“The work drawn by the candidate for the warrior of the pen is also a precious gift from God. Copying it without permission is like stealing from the candidate for the warrior. A true believer should not tolerate this.”

After completing their northern itinerary, the Killigruger Theater Company returned to the capital and performed officially.

Although it was a deteriorating version sponsored by a choir from a nearby church, its aftermath was still significant.

Since it was advertised as an authentic religious play written by a great writer, the priests of the capital city pooled their money to go see it in groups.

As a result, especially the young and enthusiastic apprentice priests became ardent supporters of the Phantom.

The fundamental and basic doctrine that the Cheonshin Church always emphasizes is that ‘God loves you and is always watching over you.’

I was completely captivated by the ability to unfold this into a grand epic in a dense and symbolic way.

There is even news that the creator of the epic was recommended by the saint as a candidate for the warrior.

And as rumors spread that the main character Moses might be a self-portrait of the warrior candidate, excitement spread uncontrollably.

“Hallelujah! God saves those who believe! So don’t be afraid!”

“I will be your mouth, so don’t hesitate and go forward! What line expresses God’s love better than this!”

“Moses is clearly the self-portrait of a warrior candidate, and also the embodiment of the virtues of the most ideal priest! This is the model of priest that the warrior candidate wants us to be!”

They believed that the Book of Exodus was not just a story about a “shepherd crossing the sea,” but a symbolic work that interpreted the virtues of the Catholic Church.

Unwavering faith, a sense of responsibility that a priest should have, and unwavering will and courage.

It was judged to be a masterpiece that clearly presented an answer to the question, ‘How should one live as a believer of Cheon Shin-gyo?’

… … And some radical priests among them even began to put this idea into practice.

They left the church and sought shelter among the poor who suffered like the Hebrews.

He took care of lepers who were treated like slaves and did physical labor himself to help them.

Some even risked their lives by going on arduous missionary journeys to remote areas outside civilization.

The priests, full of zeal, had no need for material rewards or physical comfort.

All that is needed is the gospel of love that the Bible teaches, and a life that directly practices it.

“Let’s all take up the staff! We too will perform the love and miracles of the heavenly gods with this staff!”

“Hosanna! Let us lead the hungry and oppressed people to the land flowing with milk and honey!”

New priests who live with a focus on poverty, practicality, and the gospel as their absolute values.

They formed a platform for exchange with each other and created religious gatherings with their own donations.

The name of this gathering is ‘The Ark of the Heavenly God’.

And the thing that all members carry is a staff made of Mayflower wood.

It was the moment when the so-called Pilgrims, arranged into another world version, were born.

“Hey. Warrior of the Pen.”

“Please be quiet before I stab you with a pen.”

“Heh heh.”

Maurice, who is comfortably giggling and linking arms.

When I see that guy’s annoying appearance, I can only sigh deeply.

Anyway, I have to submit my assignment, so for now, I’ll just empty my mind and work hard with my quill pen.

“But at least you’re a simple candidate, right? You’re the type of guy who hates things that are just too complicated.”

“These days, even being a warrior is an honorary position, so what? The saint supports my creative activities, that’s all it means.”

I was given a really stupid nomination, whether I was a warrior of the pen or something, but nothing really changed.

‘To put it simply, it’s like a kind of Nobel Prize in Literature.’

Does being nominated for a Nobel Prize dramatically change your lifestyle?

I will just continue to write as an honorable writer who receives a little more attention.

Therefore, it must have been the saint’s consideration not to push hard and only put him up as a candidate.

Don’t get caught up in all sorts of problems and just do what you’ve been doing as a great writer.

This is a consideration to avoid bothersome responsibilities as much as possible and only enjoy the fame that comes with being a candidate.

… … When I think about it that way, I am definitely grateful.

By the way.

“Oh my, my back.”

He was a nobleman who had even been nominated for the title of warrior, but recently he had been groaning and tapping his spine as he could hardly get up from his desk.

From Admiral Yi Sun-sin to Caesar, Charlie Chaplin, and even Moses.

In a normal world, a semester would have already passed, but here, things were a little different.

A year in this world is noticeably longer than a year in the real Earth where I live.

Because it has such a strange peculiarity that if real science students saw it, they would spit blood, refute it, and find fault with it.

‘That’s why I was very confused when I first reincarnated.’

Should I say that it was difficult because I could definitely feel a kind of time difference(?)?

It seems like he should be able to walk by now, but he still can’t get out of the cradle.

He should be growing up to be a proper boy, but he still only babbles and eats baby food.

Even growth and aging are overwhelmingly slower than on Earth, so at some point, I thought I would go half-mad because my body and mind were out of balance.

So, even though I had accomplished a huge amount of work by Earth’s standards, surprisingly not that much time had passed.

Well, still, the length of a day is pretty similar to a day on Earth.

At the same time, the problem was that the semester was long enough, so the amount of progress that had to be made was enormous.

“So? Have you made any plans for your next work, Warrior of the Pen? Huh?”

Maurice asks, sitting on his bed.

It had been a while since I had finished my intuition, and I was already wondering how long it had been since I had finished it.

If it were normal, I would have scolded him harshly, but right now I don’t have the energy.

“I don’t know. Homework, studying, and so on. There’s a mountain of things to get done.”

“Can I help you? I’ve finished preparing the submission. If you need, you can refer to the materials I’ve collected.”

“Okay. You know Professor Prunel is very strict. If someone helps you even a little bit, you get cut right away.”

Imperial political history lectures are notorious for being boring and dull even on campus.

I just lamented, feeling like grades were the enemy and graduation requirements were a pain in the ass.

“Haa, but I still have to write something.”

It has been said since ancient times that you must row when the water comes in.

The attention Phantom receives is burdensome, but the money accumulating in Balthazar’s account is very endearing.

So, before my popularity wanes or new artists emerge who surpass me, I want to be as active as possible in my work.

‘But the fact is that there is not enough time to perform even one play.’

Of course, a play is not a collection of text that can be completed simply by typing words.

Acting, props, makeup, stage sets, etc.

It seems like the performance preparations are complete only after a comprehensive discussion with all of those in charge.

Is there something? A trick that will allow me to quickly produce a piece of work while skipping the complicated and time-consuming process?

“… … Ah!”

An idea that flashed through my mind at that moment.

So I put down my quill for a moment and looked back at Morris.

“Hey, Maurice. You’re a young Marquis, so you have connections in the publishing industry, right?”

“Publishing industry? I guess so? But why?”

“After finishing the assignment, I’m going to try writing a drama about Leslie.”

“Leje Drama? What is that?”

“Yes, something like that.”

Lesedrama. In Chinese characters, it is expressed as a closed-room play or a study play.

A drama is a genre that is intended to be read like a book, rather than a performance.

This is a method often chosen by writers who have difficulty freely expressing their imagination due to limited stage conditions or the special nature of the performance.

The representative and master of this field is undoubtedly the French playwright, Alfred de Musset.

After the huge failure of his debut work, Venice by Night, he completely changed his direction to Leslie dramas.

Musset’s characteristics include his pursuit of precise psychologicalism, expressive complexity, and stylistic romanticism.

In order to fully display his free-spirited and fresh creativity, there had to be no performance restrictions.

And if you were to write a drama based on a biography of a great man, there was only one character to choose from.

“Know thyself (γνῶθι σεαυτόν)!”

“What do you know?”

“There is something like that.”

It’s not a famous saying that I came up with, but it’s still a phrase that I’ve treasured my whole life.

I stretched with all my might as I recalled the philosopher Chunam, who is recognized as the root of midwifery, dialectics, and Western rationalism.

“By the way, you’re my friend, but I told you, you’re a really mysterious guy, right?”

A medal made of orichalcum placed on the desk.

Morris was amazed as he looked at the precious metal, which was at least twice as expensive as the same weight of precious metal.

“You also receive a ring with the royal seal, and you are recommended as a warrior to the saintess. At this rate, you will be promoted to the position of prince consort? You are of the right age, and Her Highness the Princess is also preparing for marriage.”

“Okay. What the hell is the prince doing?”

I know this because I met her at a cosplay contest, but the princess was quite a scary woman.

Should I say that it’s a nine-tailed fox that will eat your liver in an instant if you let your guard down even for a little bit?

There’s no way such a mean person would consider a playwright as a husband.

Rather, it would be fortunate if he didn’t harbor a secret grudge because he ignored the fan letters.

“We’ve been exchanging letters often these days, so don’t make me dizzy.”

“Aha, those sweet love letters between Phantom and Her Highness the Princess?”

“Sounds like a love letter.”

After the fan meeting, the princess started to have a serious conversation with me.

We didn’t ask anything particularly grandiose, just exchanged greetings, but honestly, I felt a little burdened.

Do you feel like you’ve been branded a traitor because you ignored fan letters?

I’m a little nervous because I feel like there’s a subtle nuance in each letter.

Last time, I teased someone by saying, ‘You didn’t receive an imperial title, but you were confidently recommended as a candidate for warrior? How disappointing.’

‘No, I didn’t ask you to recommend that.’

Moreover, a saint herself made a recommendation, so how could you refuse it?

“, Balthazar, your thoughts are just negative. No matter how much I think about it, I think you’re just trying to harass me.”

“… … You started dating Julian, and now you’re full of honey? Where are you looking to flirt with?”

“Oh, no. Anyway, you’re a dull kid. What’s the point of just writing a good script? Tsk tsk tsk.”