Chapter 436: This is Why Fantasy...(5)
Chapter 436: This is Why Fantasy...(5)
When I asked what on earth they had been doing to stay up all night, they told me they’d been playing the game of Baduk I taught them yesterday. The moment I heard that, I understood perfectly.
Baduk is a merciless board game for beginners, but when two people of similar skill levels clash, it turns into a fierce battle of wits.
Since everyone around me was exceptionally bright, it was obvious they would lose track of time for hours on end.
"Just one more! I’ve drawn up a grand design! So just wait a little longer!"
"No. At least eat breakfast first."
"Can't we just eat while we play?"
"..."
Just like right now. Unlike the others, Cecile and Arwen looked perfectly fine despite pulling an all-nighter, thanks to their racial stamina.
However, staying up all night to play Baduk looked like a serious case of addiction, so I shut them down immediately. I didn't mind them staying up, but I wanted them to at least eat.
"If you keep this up, I’m going to take it away by force. You still want my attention, don't you?"
"...Sorry."
"I... I shall exercise self-restraint."
When they still showed no sign of stopping, I took a firm stand. Even as obsessed as they were with the game, they backed down obediently once I threatened to withhold my attention.
Of course, they didn't forget to keep their eyes glued to the board. They were only taking a temporary break; the stones were still exactly where they had left them.
I shook my head at the sight. To think that even the Demons, famous for their legendary patience, would react like this.
I realized anew just how dangerous Baduk could be. I wondered if I shouldn't have taught them, but considering the lack of entertainment culture here, their reaction was understandable.
"Isaac. Can we use that officially? I think it would have a very positive impact on our culture."
Lina, who had also stayed up all night watching Cecile and Arwen’s match, made the suggestion in a weary voice.
Since it had only been one night, she didn't have dark circles yet, but her hollow blue eyes were a clear testament to her fatigue.
Baduk is a game that’s fun not just for the players but for the spectators as well, so this was a natural result.
"Do as you wish. Just keep in mind that the standard board is 19 by 19 lines, not 13 by 13. Oh, and don't release it immediately; let me organize things a bit first. Several terms used in Xenon's Anthology were actually derived from Baduk."
"I see. Then, are there any other board games? I feel like you’d know a lot of them."
"Well... there are things called sports rather than board games, but those have such extreme physical differences between races that they’d probably only be effective for humans."
Lina nodded and listened intently, as if that alone was enough. It wasn't a bother to repeat things I had already explained once before.
She then slowly recorded my explanation in a notebook she had brought from somewhere.
If nothing else, this was an invaluable opportunity for the Minerva Empire to supplement its lacking cultural power.
"Thank you. For now, I think it’s best to focus on Baduk rather than those 'sports.' A board game like this only needs the equipment... and you can play it... anywhere..."
Perhaps she had used too much brainpower while watching the match. Lina, who had been smiling brightly at the thought of the Empire's development, slowly began to close her eyes.
She must have been exhausted from her recent explosion of work, so staying up all night was the final straw.
"Zzz..."
She finally drifted off. I looked at Lina, who was breathing softly as she slept leaning against the chair, and let out a small chuckle.
Even in sleep, she looked like a princess in a forest, matching her elegant appearance. Still, sleeping like that would give her a crick in her neck, so it was better to move her.
I carefully lifted Lina and placed her on the bed. For the record, she wasn't alone on this wide bed; Mari and Adelia were already sleeping side by side.
They had all stayed up watching the match and ended up collapsed on the same bed.
This situation was absurd enough, but what was even more ridiculous were the two women still playing Baduk.
"Why don't you hurry up and move? You're just wasting time groaning like that."
"S-Shut up! If you just wait a moment..."
They were back at it right after breakfast. I wanted to tell them to take it easy, but I gave up immediately.
They already had a competitive streak with each other, and it was my fault for introducing them to this 'devil's game.'
I glanced back and forth between Cecile, who was shrugging as if she had the upper hand, and Arwen, who was lost in thought, before heading outside.
Even a 13-line board has countless possibilities; I wondered how long a 19-line board would take. I worried that I might have taught them something too addictive.
'Still, it's better than having no entertainment at all.'
In a world where leisure culture was underdeveloped, even this was something to be grateful for. To be honest, I didn't mind them being preoccupied today.
I had someone else to meet today, after all. In other words, I could devote my full attention to that person.
With that thought, I made my way to the lounge. The person I was meeting had already arrived at the mansion, and I had received word earlier.
Creeak—
"Ah! You've come!"
"Hello, Mr. Musk."
As I entered the room, Musk, with his impressive girth and mustache, greeted me with a bright smile.
I also gave him a soft smile, as it had been a while since we last met.
As you can see, the person I was scheduled to meet wasn't Leona, but Musk. Leona hadn't arrived at the mansion yet.
Our meeting was scheduled for after lunch, so there was plenty of time. More importantly, I planned to be with her from evening through the night.
"How have you been?"
"Hahaha. I'm always doing well thanks to you, Sir Isaac."
"For someone doing well, you look like you've lost some weight."
It wasn't just flattery; Musk actually looked a bit thinner than when I last saw him.
The chubby cheeks he had boasted about during summer vacation had noticeably slimmed down, and his clothes looked a bit loose.
Musk seemed aware of this himself, as he let out a bashful laugh.
"Hahaha. Living a busy life makes the weight fall off on its own. Besides, lately, I've been worried that something might have happened to you, Sir Isaac."
"To me? For what reason?"
"After reading Volume 29, I thought you might have been kidnapped by demon worshippers. I figured only a demon could write such a wicked plot development."
"..."
Come to think of it, my mother had said something similar to me before—that the plot was so horrific, she wondered if a demon worshipper had written it.
Of course, I was at the Imperial Palace at the time and couldn't reply to the publisher. He must have been worried because of that.
I gave a wry smile to the laughing Musk. The timing had been far too coincidental.
"Well... there was a lot of talk about that. Especially since the ending led to Jin's death."
"Thanks to that, our company windows were almost all smashed. Hahahaha."
"......I'm sorry."
"No, no. There's no need to apologize. I anticipated this and bought spares in advance. Besides, a work should be written exactly as the author intends. You are simply being generous, Sir Isaac."
When I offered a sincere apology, Musk waved his hands and hurriedly stopped me. But the fact remained that there were innocent victims because of me.
'Actually, Musk is the one in the most danger.'
As my fame grows, Musk's risk increases accordingly. In the past, he was even attacked by demon worshippers, and last time, the printing press was blown up.
Unlike others, Musk is ultimately just a wealthy commoner. He is vulnerable to attacks from many sides.
If Xenon's Anthology had remained just a mediocre work, we would have stayed in a simple business relationship. But that's no longer possible.
Furthermore, I plan to publish works that might have an even greater impact than Xenon's Anthology in the future.
The influence exerted on Musk will only grow larger, never smaller.
"Have the demon worshippers caused any harm lately, rather than the readers?"
"It's been quiet recently. A branch of our printing press in the Duchy of Bellua was destroyed, but things have settled down since we started the event. It's hard to tell what they're plotting, but at least it's quiet."
"The event... how is it progressing currently?"
"It was a bit dampened until recently, but..."
Musk trailed off, glancing at me. It seemed Jin's death had dealt a significant blow to the event.
It made sense, as the entire world's attention was focused on Jin's death. There was even a funeral held yesterday.
"Since you said you would change the ending, Sir Isaac, I expect things to proceed smoothly again."
"That's a relief. Do you happen to know who's standing out in the event?"
"Yes. Adventurers named Roy and Anne. And..."
Musk began to explain the situation regarding the event. Even if there were side stories left, the main story was finished, so I needed to pay attention to the event.
I figured it would probably end after the side story inspired by Clark was released.
Still, the subjugation of demon worshippers would continue steadily. The atrocities they committed had been exposed to a level that could no longer be covered up.
I had heard a rumor that the Church or the state would provide rewards even outside of the event. So, there would be no major problem even if the event ended.
"So, you're saying there will be two side stories in total? One is an after-story for Jin and Lily, and the other is about a hidden hero?"
"Yes. The first side story aside, the second one will have a huge impact in a different sense."
"Why is that?"
"Because the protagonist dies at the end while lighting a cigarette."
"Ho... could you tell me more about that in detail?"
Sensing the smell of money in my explanation, Musk clasped his hands together and asked with a serious expression.
I chuckled at how he remained unchanged regarding money even after all this time, then began to explain step by step.
I didn't tell him the whole plot, only the ending. Still, it would be more than enough to get Musk's gears turning.
"That is quite a magnificent end. How should I put it... it feels like it awakens the romance of adventurers or mercenaries who never know when they might die. By the way, which company's product is that cigarette?"
"Pardon?"
I was caught off guard by the completely unexpected question. A sudden question about which company's cigarette... it seemed a bit random, but...
"There are countless merchant groups in this world, Sir Isaac. If a product from a specific group is depicted in Xenon's Anthology, it's only a matter of time before that group's sales skyrocket."
"I'm aware of that."
"This is the most important part. Receiving a certain amount of money from a specific company and depicting it in the work to gain even greater recognition. In that process, I plan to gather the companies and hold an auction. You'll be the one to sign the contract, of course."
"..."
That's 'sponsorship.' I barely managed to keep my jaw from dropping at Musk's explanation.
To think he could jump to that conclusion just from hearing the ending. When it came to money, his mind worked at an unbelievable speed.
He didn't even interfere with the plot of the side story. From my perspective, nothing would change.
However, it wasn't that I had no concerns at all.
"That's not a bad idea, but... is it really necessary? We could just use any generic cigarette."
"Ahem. Sir Isaac. You wouldn't know because you're a non-smoker, but smokers tend to stick stubbornly to the brand they usually smoke. Unless it's those insanely expensive World Tree leaf cigars."
"..."
No wonder Grandfather Clark liked World Tree leaf cigars so much. It was a common trait among all smokers.
"Furthermore, each brand has a different shape, scent, and taste. We describe the aroma and flavor of the cigarette right before death, and then the character slowly closes their eyes. Only then do the readers find out which merchant group's product this cigarette belongs to."
"Oh... I didn't think that far. I should add that in. Anything else?"
"Actually, this part is the most important. If that side story comes out, cigarette sales will undoubtedly skyrocket, and merchant groups will desperately claim that the cigarette in the story is theirs."
"Can't we just say it's a fictional product?"
At that question, Musk gave a slight, dismissive smile and spoke in a sharp voice.
"People won't easily believe that, so we should block such disputes before they even arise. Of course, it will be noisy either way, but I'll handle the proceedings myself, so you won't need to worry about the press, Sir Isaac."
"Won't the other merchant groups hate me?"
I didn't want to make unnecessary enemies. I'm not the type to create enemies to achieve a goal.
However, that was strictly regarding 'personal' feelings; Musk knew much more about the merchant groups.
"If they hate you, then that's as far as that merchant group goes. Besides, does hating you increase their profit by even a single gold? Absolutely not. Furthermore, if a rival group's profits increase rapidly, other groups might feel a sense of crisis and join forces. They have their business, and you have yours; everyone just goes their own way."
"...Mr. Musk."
"Yes. Please, speak."
"Why are you working as a publisher?"
I was genuinely curious. Why was a man with such business acumen only selling books?
Even the idea of sponsorship was a strategy that would only appear on Earth, where culture was centuries more advanced.
Legally, there was no issue either, as there were no laws regarding such things in this world yet.
While I was marvelling at Musk's foresight, he fiddled with his well-groomed mustache and spoke as if embarrassed.
"I never dreamed it would go this well. As my business grew, my dreams naturally grew with it. Hahahaha."
"I'm really glad you're on my side, Mr. Musk."
"I'm humbled to hear you say that. I'm the one who should be saying those words."
It was only because of the current class system, but if this era were steeped in capitalism, how much fame would Musk have?
In fact, it was already halfway to capitalism, as Musk had me as a giant shield. On top of that, he had immense wealth.
He seemed to find meaning only in making money; if you looked closely, he didn't have much personal ambition. It felt like he was satisfied just with the act of earning.
"Ahem. Sir Isaac?"
"Yes. Go ahead."
"Actually, I brought a gift for you today."
The bashful Musk showed me a small box that had been sitting beside him.
It was a palm-sized box, neatly wrapped, though I didn't know what was inside.
What could this be? I took it but looked at him blankly, not knowing its contents.
He cleared his throat, glanced at me, and finally explained the gift.
"It's a medicine crafted with great care by a quite famous alchemist. Its effects... well, I can only say it's very good for men."
"...Good for men?"
"Yes. That's right. You're young, Sir Isaac, so you'll probably experience an even greater effect than I did. My relationship with my wife has improved significantly thanks to this. Hahaha."
I think I know what it is. No wonder he has so many children; was it because of this?
I figured I might find a very good use for it today. After all, no race has more powerful stamina than a Beastkin in estrus.
I let out a chuckle, then a sudden curiosity struck me, and I asked him a question.
"Why don't you commercialize this too?"
And the answer that came back was:
"Unfortunately, mass production is almost impossible... it's not cost-effective."
It was a truly characteristic answer for him.