episode_0063

It was quite enjoyable to talk about old times.

Of course, it wasn’t like reading a book. As we chatted a lot in the library, the topic soon shifted to ‘books’.

Originally, when book lovers gathered together, they would chat about the author or his work.

Of course, there were some topics that were difficult for me to respond to.

“The writer Homer is clearly an angel given by God!”

“That’s a bit… Isn’t that an exaggeration?”

“Exaggeration?! Rather, it is not enough! Before Homer came to this land, literature was at best knightly literature written with the support of nobles, right? It’s a bit funny when the family names of nobles I know appear… . Virtually all the same stories, just with different names, came out of the presses every day. Literature was dying day by day… .”

“Um.”

There was some part of this that I could sympathize with.

That’s why I also plagiarized literature from my previous life. To sow the seeds of new literature in this world.

“But, Homer’s Don Quixote changed everything. It put an end to knightly literature and opened a new era in literature. But how can you not praise it?”

“… … .”

“Don Quixote is the literary bible that announces the second era. Just as the Savior was born on this earth and preached the gospel through the Word, as long as literature exists, Don Quixote will be loved for eternity. It is also a symbol that our world, which was just following the ‘age of philosophers and heroes’, has taken a step forward. Because all classics must eventually die… So, paradoxically, Don Quixote will be loved forever.”

From the eyes sparkling with fanaticism. In the voice of praise that gradually becomes louder.

I felt the talent that a girl named ‘Isolette Reinhardt’ possessed.

That is the critic’s talent. He has a keen eye to find interpretations in works rather than simply seeing them as works of art.

She was looking at the significance of Don Quixote in her previous life with ridiculously clear eyes – the immortality of Don Quixote, who is called ‘the most beloved classic by writers’ even in the era of modern literature that constantly pursues new things.

The last work of the Renaissance and the first modern novel. The Bible of Literature.

Quixote.

Don Quixote was a novel that announced the end of ‘unchanging literature’, so paradoxically, it had no choice but to be immortal for eternity. There is nothing more permanent than death.

“He is literally no different from the second savior given to this earth by God! Homer is the savior of literature… !”

“… … .”

So, listening to the most talented critic I know.

I once again understood the influence I had on this world.

That influence didn’t come about because the church beatified me. It did not arise because the world’s learning was developed through the Principia, and it was determined by items such as the royal seal symbolizing the dragon of Haren, the golden staff symbolizing the shepherd of the beastmen, the wise man’s ring, or the platinum card of the upper union. It wasn’t.

At best, such things are just ‘miscellaneous’.

The dozens of books piled on top of all that junk were my real influence. Because the soul of literature lies in the literature itself.

Not the knowledge of the 21st century, nor wealth and fame, nor any precious symbols or expensive objects.

It can’t last forever.

Because eternity exists only in the human heart.

[“The daughters of air also do not have souls, but they can create souls for themselves by doing good deeds.”]

[“Little Mermaid, you worked hard to win souls like us. I experienced cold and painful pain. That pain lifted you up to the world of air. If you live a good life for three hundred years from now, you will obtain an immortal soul.”]

Therefore, literature is the most useless discipline, but—.

It was the most eternal science.

That was the true ‘power’ of literature!

.

.

.

Isolet raised her voice in praise of Homer for a long time.

Then, perhaps because his throat was dry from talking too much, he coughed once and shyly brought up a new topic.

“That’s right! Ed, since you like books, why not join?”

“Sign up?”

“Homerism!”

“… What kind of school?”

“This is a gathering that follows Homer, the saint of literature!”

“That’s not blasphemy either… ? It seems like heresy… .”

I thought I could feel some kind of fanatic fever, but was there even religion?

When I asked a question as if it were absurd, Isolet instead smiled triumphantly and answered.

“It is truly blasphemy to deny the sanctity of Homer! This is still confidential—the Vatican is preparing for the beatification of Homer. Hehehe.”

“Um.”

Was it confidential? I didn’t really know because I never really told anyone about it.

Cardinal Garnier also never specifically said not to tell others. Perhaps there was simply a lack of preparation to make an official announcement.

It is said that the beatification process can take years or even decades.

It wasn’t that important. What was really important was─.

“So, those ‘Homeric’ people are all people who like literature?”

“Right? Sometimes we write our own novels and critique each other─.”

“Good. Let’s go right now.”

“Now? Well, I guess it’s okay, but don’t you need to eat? I know you’ve been starving for a few days.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“… I know you like books, but let’s be human and not forget to eat.”

Isolette glared at me with mischievous eyes.

hmm.

I guess I should eat some light bread and leave.

.

.

.

The ‘Homeric Church’ meeting that arrived along Isolet did not have the atmosphere of a group of heretics meeting in secret with a single candle lit.

The place was a library, and it seemed more like a healthy book discussion.

The only difference from the previous life’s reading discussion is that the participants are all nobles dressed in fancy clothes? The clothes were closer to ballroom attire than everyday wear.

“Oh my, Princess Isolette! You’re here! Don’t you have plans with your friend today?”

“Hehe, I preached to that friend and brought him here! Mr. Ed, would you please take a moment to say hello to the members of the Homeric Church?”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

This is the isolette way of speaking in social circles. It feels a bit strange that the tone of speech suddenly changes.

I nodded and introduced myself.

“This is Ed Frieden, the second son of Count Frieden. I came here because I always like books.”

Hmm, something feels awkward.

When I think about it, in my past life, I didn’t go to book clubs often. I think I stopped going out for various reasons, such as reading classics that I had already read, such as ‘Damian’ or ‘Zorba the Greek’, or the presence of people who had never read the books but came just to talk.

Oh, and the existence of people who especially praise Japanese literature was one of the reasons.

People who live in Korea do not actually read Korean literature, but only Japanese literature, and confidently shout out, ‘All Korean literature is trash!’ To be honest, it’s a bit… .

Before the reader, as a human… Isn’t this a bit… Because I had a feeling… .

Anyway, for those reasons, I wasn’t very used to reading groups. If you look at my expression now, you probably feel very awkward.

I think it would be more convenient to hand over work to students at the academy. It’s not much different from what I did when I was teaching newbies at a publishing company.

“Nice to meet you all. I heard that you can also share your own novels here─.”

“Author Herodotus… ?”

“Hmm?”

However, I heard a familiar name from somewhere.

When I turned my head and looked in the direction from which I heard the voice, I saw a man staring at me with his eyes wide and his mouth open. The face seems familiar… .

Where have you seen this before?

“Have I seen you somewhere before?”

“Hey, there! I also attended Eric’s wedding─.”

“Ah. At my brother’s wedding… .”

“And I saw you once at the Holmes !”

“Aha.”

As the man and I spoke, the Homeric church members around us looked at us blankly.

It’s like they don’t really understand what’s being said.

I smiled shyly and introduced myself again. I didn’t mean to reveal it, but, well, there’s no need to hide it.

“I am publishing mystery novels and various commercial novels serially in ‘Half and Half’ under the pen name Herodotus.”

To my introduction.

There was a heavy silence around for a moment.

“Wow wow—!!!”

“Hwaaagh—!!!”

Screams erupted from all over, sequentially, in the order in which they understood what I said.

“Crazy, no, that author Herodotus came here?!”

“Rain! Quickly, bring all the magazines I have stored away from my house—!”

In an instant, the library turns into chaos.

Next to me, Isolette, who belatedly understood the situation, asked a question in a trembling voice.

“Ed You said you were the author of Herodotus… ?”

“Ugh.”

… Should I have just said that they are similar people?