episode_0076

The world’s attention was focused on the first contest held by Homer, who became known to the world as a literary transcendentalist – the so-called ‘Literature for Everyone’ contest.

The angel’s voice was heard not only near Fredan Mansion and the capital of the empire.

The Empire, several duchies and margraves belonging to the Empire, the Republic of Sidel and the Kingdom of Haren—anyone who stayed in this world could hear the ‘voice of an angel’.

I drank the ‘invisibility potion’ that the alchemist had given me to use when I felt uncomfortable looking, and headed to the library.

There, many people were already buzzing, taking books one by one from the bookshelf that had ‘Contest Participation’ written on them and reading them.

“I heard that Homer also participated in this contest? What kind of work is it?”

“Could it be this novel called ‘Light of the Polar Night’? I think it’s similar to a Christmas carol in that it tells a story in a very fairytale-like yet cheerful way!”

“It may have been submitted as a novel seeking commercial enjoyment, like Herodotus’s writings.”

“Kkeuk, first of all, it’s clear that it’s not this book. I don’t know who wrote it, but it was just a diary? It’s fun because the daily life is written in such a funny way.”

The policy of allowing libraries to directly read and vote on ‘contest entries’ was very effective.

Thanks to this, many people gathered at the library to read books and share opinions.

Some people read a book together and discussed it, while others sat alone in a corner and read quietly. It was a scene where ‘books’ became the center of exchange, something that cannot be seen in libraries in Korea, which have become study rooms.

Among them, there must have been quite a few authors who published their books directly through contests.

While I was sitting in a corner of the library and secretly reading a book, I heard a familiar title from somewhere. A group of readers were discussing a book called ‘Moby Dick’.

“This ‘Moby Dick’ is definitely a book written by Homer! This… Like a huge and massive whale, it is a masterpiece that swallows up the great waves of literature! It is an epic of primordial mythology, and a pure archetype that can symbolize the discourse on all modern conflicts!”

“If the human spirit could be expressed visually, it would definitely be a deep, dark sea… .”

People raised their voices against one another about what Ishmael, Ahab, and Moby Dick symbolized.

There was some criticism about the shortcomings, but most of them were rave reviews. Many people expected that ‘Moby Dick’ was a novel by Homer.

They also shared opinions about what Ishmael, Ahab, and Moby Dick symbolize.

“Moby Dick’s epic tradition and encyclopedic description may seem long-winded at first glance, but the philosophy and reason contained within it contains a pure and strong spirit… It can literally be said to be a literary monument that continues from tradition to modern times. Even if this work is not Homer’s work… I’m thinking of giving this novel my vote.”

“That’s my opinion too. This… Dare I say it, it’s a novel that deserves to be on the same level as Don Quixote.”

“Huh, aren’t you guys exaggerating a bit? It hasn’t even been confirmed yet that this novel is Homer’s novel─.”

“In that case, the person who wrote this novel would become the second Homer. Didn’t I tell you? It is a novel that is not lacking in being in the ‘same’ position as Don Quixote.”

However, the most notable thing was the unbiased evaluation due to the ‘anonymity’ of this contest.

Homer’s glory as a literary transcendent had no influence in this contest. Moby Dick – Many readers expected a novel other than Moby Dick to be Homer’s work.

There were so many works in the contest.

There were as many people’s tastes as there were people.

“Puh heh, no, this novel called ‘Hidalgo the Clumsy Gardener’ is so funny, isn’t it? Although it is a pleasant imitation of Don Quixote, it is not like plagiarism. I have to vote for this book.”

“I liked this fairy tale called ‘A Hundred Cats’ the best. I also had a cat when I was young… One day, when I suddenly stopped moving, I cried a lot. So, while reading this fairy tale, I remembered that time… It was sad, and, um, I think it moved my heart. So I’m going to vote for this book.”

There were many people who purely enjoyed the works without worrying about ‘what is Homer’s work?’… .

surely.

This contest to revitalize library culture could be said to have been very successful.

So, I read a book at the library, smiled happily, and tried to go home.

“What are you doing hiding there so transparently?”

I made eye contact with someone.

He was a very familiar person to me.

“Ah, Princess Is. Why did you visit the library?”

“I came to the library to read books, well.”

“Oops, I asked a stupid question.”

Princess Is, who was once a prince of the empire and now belongs to the imperial grandson of the empire.

We were now quite close friends, even joking around. In fact, it can be said that Princess Is came to the publishing house on her own accord and spent time reading books, so we naturally became close friends.

Anyway, Princess Is was seeing right through my now transparent appearance.

“But can you see me?”

“It’s not something you can see clearly. It’s a little different from what you see with your eyes… There is a spell placed on the people of the imperial family to prevent assassins.”

“Ah.”

“Hehe, but what were you doing when you became so transparent?”

“Well, I am just like the princess. I came to the library to read books.”

“Becoming transparent?”

“Now that my face has become quite famous, there are rare people who recognize me. Especially in libraries, aren’t there many people who are interested in ‘the transcendent of literature’?”

“Huh? Well, it can happen!”

Princess Is didn’t seem to care much about how I became invisible.

It may be even more so since I know that he has many connections with wizards, alchemists, and others.

The princess smiled like a mischievous child and said playfully.

“But, if the author is so transparent, doesn’t that make me look like a crazy bitch talking to herself?”

“Hmm. I see.”

“In times like this, you should say no instead of saying yes!”

“The princess never looks like a crazy bitch.”

“It’s not like I’m swearing at you… ?”

“Oh, that wasn’t my intention.”

“I’ll trust you! So, which is the work you submitted?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Chii, can’t you tell me too? Don’t the author and I have a relationship where we can tell you this much?”

“Are you talking between the sponsor and the writer?”

“We’re friends!”

“… … .”

“Oh, did you expect anything more than friends? Hehehe.”

“No.”

“I actually thought of you as more than a friend.”

“… Yes?”

Princess Is grabbed my wrist, which had become so transparent that not even the sunset could color it.

He continued speaking with his face slightly reddened by the setting sun.

“The writer Homer is my benefactor. Didn’t you know?”

“Ah.”

“No, um, now that I think about it, the title ‘Writer Homer’ seems a bit odd. Anyway, being a literary transcendent and all, even my pen name was exposed… I’m a greedy person, so I don’t like calling people by the pen name that everyone else uses.”

“… … .”

“Ed Is it okay if I call you author? Or a little more friendly, Eddie? What nickname do you like best?”

“… I don’t know.”

also.

I can’t lie in front of those snake-like eyes.

“Personally, I think I preferred the title translator or senior.”

“Now that I think about it, you worked as a translator in Haren, right?”

“Yes. He worked under the name Sophocles.”

“Hmm, well, not bad! But the translator understands… What is your senior?”

“My ex-girlfriend called me that.”

“What?”

“Is it that strange?”

“No, yes? Author Ed… Have you ever been in a relationship? ?”

“We didn’t date for that long.”

“This is a little unexpected… It’s not that I have no interest in anything other than books… ?”

“That’s right.”

“That ex-girlfriend… How did this person seduce you? Did I tell you to come along and buy me a good book? I had an out-of-print book at home, so I asked you to come take a look?”

It’s an example that strangely targets my tastes exactly.

We didn’t really start dating that way.

I answered, scratching my cheek as if I was a little embarrassed.

“He was worried that I wasn’t eating or taking care of myself because I was only reading books, so he said he would take care of me.”

“Ah, I know what that feels like… .”

“Is that so?”

Princess Is and I burst into laughter at the same time.

So I leave the library.

Princess Is entered the library.

The area near the library was noisy with the voices of readers sitting on benches and discussing.

Because I am happy with that noise.

Somehow, it seemed like the smile wouldn’t go away from my face for the rest of the day.

.

.

.

next day.

“The Homer Foundation, which is degrading the quality of literature with low-quality books, wake up!”

“Stop unconditional support for artists! Stop guaranteeing publication and royalties for unqualified books!”

I’ve seen a lot of creative dissatisfaction.