episode_0035

“What is this novel… What is it?”

“It is a romance novel. It’s a romance where you go through many conflicts and misunderstandings, but eventually overcome them and become happy. I heard the story in advance from the author of ‘Herodotus’ and wrote it down.”

Lionel, shivering, carefully accepted the manuscript.

Then, he sat down in his chair and quietly began to read the manuscript.

“‥‥‥.”

The speed at which Lionel read the manuscript was not very fast.

Compared to the people I’ve encountered so far – editors, Sion, and readers like Rolls Camel – it was ridiculously slow. I even re-read the same scene over and over again.

If I read it that way, I would have to wait half a day to read it all, but that was enough to wait.

I also sat next to him and waited while reading other books. There were many books to read, but what was always lacking was time.

A few hours passed like that.

Lionel Balzac opened his mouth.

“… I read it all.”

“How was it?”

“It’s fun… . greatly… . It was the ideal novel I had only dreamed of.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes… .”

Pride and Prejudice was the bible of all ‘romantic comedies’.

The structure of the romance of rising status created in this work has not changed one bit even in modern times. A female protagonist who is bold and smart, yet full of prejudices, is the typical example of all romantic comedy heroines even in modern times, and most cliches used in romances are merely imitations of the structure of Pride and Prejudice.

To that extent, the novel that was complete and structurally strong was Pride and Prejudice.

“Why did you show me this novel?”

“I told you, right? Read and learn. Because I only know how to teach in this way.”

“‥‥‥.”

“Can’t you?”

“No.”

Lionel was staring blankly at the manuscript.

He muttered as if he were possessed by something.

“As I was reading it, I thought I wanted to write a novel like this too. So, I will write it.”

“Good.”

This is what I felt while reading the strange work called [Phantom Thief Haksen VS Sherlock Holmes].

He had a talent for learning the structure of novels.

Lionel Balzac, who imitated the structure of a mystery novel not long after the release of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and went beyond simply taking the setting as is and even arranged it as a ‘haunted thief’, would have been able to dismantle the structure of the romance in ‘Pride and Prejudice’. It was.

In the process, I was able to find my own direction.

“… Would you mind if I read this manuscript again? Also, I would like to take a note.”

“As much as you want.”

“Oh, I’m not saying I’m going to plagiarize this novel. There’s just something I want to learn from this novel… .”

“I know what I’m talking about, so you don’t have to worry.”

I smiled and gave him a pen and paper as a gift.

He said that if you don’t have enough time, you can take as much as you want home. It never occurred to me that he would steal the manuscript of ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

That’s right, even in the strange work called [Phantom Thief Haksen VS Sherlock Holmes].

This is because he completely changed the character of the character ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and made him into a completely different person. As if they were completely different characters with the same name, so please forgive them. And there was no plagiarism in the specific content.

No matter how much ‘copyright law’ exists, there are many cases where minor incidents are used as is, with a slight twist.

“I want to read your story, so I’ll wait.”

.

.

.

“Hmm… . It’s fun.”

“Thank you… !”

The ‘romance’ novels written by Lionel Balzac were fun.

His novels clearly showed an understanding of composition and structure. Although it lacked the sensual part, the stimulating fun commonly called ‘pure fun’, his novel subtly controlled the atmosphere by actively utilizing the structure of a romance story.

I’m not a critic, so I can’t say anything.

At least, I definitely enjoyed reading it.

“I wrote an interesting novel, so now it’s time to publish it.”

“Yes!”

“Let’s do it together with ‘Pride and Prejudice’ I wrote.”

“Yes… ?”

“Oh, I’m not just suggesting that it be released at the same time. If I do that, the novel written by Lionel will be buried in the novel I published.”

“‥‥‥.”

Homer is the most famous writer in the empire.

No matter how interesting the writings written by this writer named Lionel were, his presence was bound to be buried if they were published together.

So, rather, I had to share my presence with this writer named Lionel.

“A series of romance novels. A story of love written by Homer and Academy students. How about it?”

“Yes?”

“You pick a topic and promote both novels together based on that topic.”

In other words, it was a planned publication.

A special publication aimed at quickly transplanting the structure of ‘romance novels’ into this world.

“Uh, that’s… .”

“Ah. If it’s about the number of works, you don’t have to worry. I plan to publish a few more of my works, and I have already received the works of other students.”

Ian Plummer.

The playwright, who also wrote Hamlet, also had a knack for romance novels. As a playwright, he was particularly good at directing lines and scenes.

I had already taught him ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and had received the work.

Once these novels are published, people will now be able to clearly know what a ‘romance novel’ is. And writers will produce more works by following that structure.

“… Why are you doing this to me?”

“Why?”

Even if I explain it by saying, “I want to read an interesting novel,” it would be difficult to understand.

The explanation that his talent for stealing and editing the structure itself would be more useful to ‘writers’ in studying their works than to readers would not be very convincing.

“This is a writer recommended by Herodotus.”

“‥‥‥.”

“I believe in Sherlock Holmes’ insight. Author Lionel will definitely succeed as a writer.”

Lionel Balzac’s expression became grotesquely distorted.

Tears flowed from his eyes.

I couldn’t figure out why and was embarrassed, but Lionel, who was covering his face with both hands, was sobbing and could barely speak.

“… . I, I, am not that kind of proper person… . Just because I needed money, I stole Herodotus’ character and did something that a writer shouldn’t do… . The reason why the author Herodotus sent me to him was, obviously, just─.”

“Mr. Lionel.”

“‥‥‥.”

“No matter how fatal a mistake is, it is different from a sin, so one mistake cannot ruin your life. Herodotus has already forgiven you for your mistake.”

This line is a plagiarism from the mystery novel series ‘Father Brown’, but… .

Lionel Balzac seemed impressed by these words. He could no longer speak, sat down on the floor and cried quietly.

I also quietly patted his shoulder.

Then something suddenly occurred to me, so I took out a card from my pocket and returned it to him. It was a letter of recommendation from ‘Herodotus’ that he brought with him.

“I don’t need this anymore, so keep it. When a phantom thief comes, wouldn’t you be embarrassed if there wasn’t a notice?”

Lupin’s notice was written on the card.

[I will visit again when the original product is available.]

[-Arsene Lupin, Phantom Thief-]

“Let’s prepare and wait for the ‘genuine product’ that Lupine cannot help but steal.”

“… Yes.”

.

.

.

‘Homeric Academy of Literature Romance Novel Series’─, and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ were published.

Most readers only read Homer’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’, but there were quite a few who bought and read all the novels published together.

In particular, if you were a fan of Homer, you would purchase the novels of his students without hesitation.

“This work by author Homer… It was a truly beautiful novel! He must be someone who examines people’s emotions very delicately and approaches others with sincerity. There is no writing about the beauty of true love that is as poignant as the work of Homer… .”

“What kind of life did the writer Homer live, to be able to write such lovely writings?”

” Just like in ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’, he must have loved you deeply… . The day I read The Sorrows of Young Werther, I stayed up all night feeling sad, but after reading this work called Pride and Prejudice, I think I will be able to sleep very comfortably today… .”

“Oh my? I feel like I can’t sleep because my heart is pounding. Hehehe.”

Anyone who likes romance novels, and anyone who has ever been in love, has fallen in love with ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

This is because Pride and Prejudice was a very truthful novel.

Conflict, misunderstanding, arrogance, prejudice… A story that is not simply romantic, but truthfully depicts even the weakest parts of people, has power in itself.

‘Truth’ is the strongest persuasive force that a story can have. Pride and Prejudice had that.

“Oh, have you ever read the novels written by his students?”

“Of course! I read it all in one day when it was published.”

“As expected, Princess Isolette is amazing. I wrote Hamlet with… I’ve only read author Ian Plummer’s novels.”

“Hehe, is that so? Then I guess you haven’t read the novel by author ‘Lionel Balzac’ yet.”

“Was there a writer like that?”

“I enjoyed reading author Ian Plummer’s novel, but… Lionel Balzac’s novels are specific yet have a subtle joy. Feeling a little fresher?”

In addition, the students’ novels published together also received good reviews.

In particular, Lionel Balzac’s novels received the second highest praise after Ian Plummer. As a result.

“Thank you! Writer! This is all thanks to the author… !”

“What? Lionel wrote well, so people recognized it.”

Lionel made an excellent debut as a romance novel writer.

“And, the author!”

“Yes.”

“I would like to express my gratitude to the author Herodotus in person… Could you please arrange a meeting? I know it’s shameless to ask this, but… I really want to ask you a favor.”

“I can accommodate such a request at any time.”

That’s me.

“Thank you… !”