Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Don Quixote (3)
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Don Quixote.
To be precise, since "Don" is a title of respect, it should be spaced out from "Quixote" that follows.
However, Koreans often write surnames and given names together, so it's just attached here too.
In any case, the Don Quixote manuscript had been safely delivered.
Probably, if all went well, they'd start on the first print run within a week?
The only problem right now was the damn vampire lounging right next to me.
"So, what exactly is this 'seongdeok' thing?"
"Uh, well, there's just such a thing."
"Argh, why are you wrapping it up so tightly like that?!"
Ugh!
My side!
I clutched my side where Katiranya's finger had jabbed me sharply.
Then, a fake cough came from beside me, as if she were flustered.
"Ahem. Why are humans these days so fragile?"
"I-I'm a mage, you know? And you said you only just woke up recently."
I shot her a glare, but she just shrugged innocently, pretending she knew nothing.
Sigh, I have to put up with it.
I rubbed my sore side and lifted my head.
After staring at her for a moment, debating whether to speak, I finally did.
"More importantly, you're not upset?"
"About what?"
Katiranya looked utterly clueless.
But it bothered me, so I glanced at her cautiously.
"What the publisher said. You know, that bit."
"Ah, I see."
She nodded lightly.
At least she didn't seem offended by it.
"How did you come to think that?"
She turned the question back on me, her blood-red eyes gazing up at me steadily.
Looking into those eyes, I suddenly felt like I'd overreacted.
Feeling awkward for no reason, I scratched the back of my head.
"Well, we're not exactly... that kind of relationship."
"True. But his flattery has nothing to do with that. He praised my appearance, which is a compliment, not an insult."
Ah, so that's what she meant?
Come to think of it, she hadn't denied the publisher's words—in fact, she'd seemed pleased.
As someone who'd lived for ages, she must like not looking her age.
When a man and woman are together and get compliments like that, it means they look young.
It's like when people see you with your parents and ask if you're siblings.
They wouldn't say that if you looked too young.
Or too old, for that matter.
Yeah, I definitely overreacted.
I nodded in realization when a small voice came from beside me.
"Above all, it was fine because it was you."
...What?
Did this vampire even know what she was saying?
I had no idea how to respond, so I shut my mouth and thought for a moment.
No matter how I looked at it, the word "flirting" kept circling in my head.
As silence stretched and my thoughts veered into strange territory,
Katiranya's eyes suddenly widened, as if she'd just realized.
She gasped sharply and shouted in a panicked voice.
"D-don't get the wrong idea! I just liked your writing skills. As someone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes, that's a compliment, not an insult. Anyone else would think the same."
She blurted it all out in a rush, so it seemed like she'd spoken without thinking.
Under the parasol, her exposed face showed a flushed, embarrassed frown.
I couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"Pfft. Got it, I believe you."
"Argh, you don't believe me!"
"Ugh!"
My side again!
I tried to block it in time, but I couldn't stop her poking finger.
I failed to defend again and yielded my side once more.
Damn this vampire!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The settlement sheets arrived.
Three in total: two for the Sherlock Holmes series and one for the fountain pen.
Sales for Sherlock Holmes were skyrocketing.
The amount coming to me alone exceeded tens of millions.
However, due to printing limitations, it probably wouldn't go beyond a certain point.
Should I sign a contract with a publisher in the capital soon?
Or talk it over with Jenectra Publishing House?
Either way, it was a happy dilemma.
But the fountain pen settlement sheet hadn't come alone in a letter.
A familiar face was standing right in front of me.
"So, you came to deliver it personally?"
"Yes. It's not been that long... anyway, ever since you developed the fountain pen, it's caused another huge stir."
The professor sighed wearily.
He gulped down the tea Biena had served and spoke.
"Have you still not changed your mind?"
"About what?"
"You know, about stepping out into the spotlight."
Ah, that again.
I pretended to think while sipping my tea.
It was the noble secret technique I'd shown before: sipping tea when conversation got tricky.
Until now, I'd left most things to the professor.
So I didn't even know how my inventions were being promoted or sold.
But one thing I knew for sure: it was a huge hassle.
Just looking at the professor, I knew he was incredibly busy.
On top of that, I heard they hadn't turned a profit yet.
What was it again?
They said it might take 10 or 20 years of operating at a loss?
I remembered the professor lamenting about it once.
Wondering why every invention I came up with had to start from zero.
Couldn't I make something that built on existing foundations for once?
But there was no helping it.
Even just the engines using magic stones or mana crystals couldn't be made with existing methods.
In the modern world, engines required durable precision parts.
Casting molds only gave the basic shape.
Fine machining came after.
And here, it was even more demanding, if anything.
Magic was a convenient power, but it didn't change how difficult the processes were.
So back then, I'd smiled and changed the subject.
Good times.
No, wait.
This wasn't the point right now.
I'd derailed into side thoughts without realizing.
Before the professor could press, I set down my tea and spoke seriously.
"No plans to."
"Sigh, really?"
The professor asked again with a frustrated look, but I shook my head firmly.
"Sorry. Still no intention of going public."
To put it nicely, I had no desire for excessive attention.
If I liked the spotlight, I'd have become a clown or something.
Someone once said it: make a ton of money, but let no one know who I am.
That was exactly my situation.
And though I'd given up on it, I still had lingering attachment to my original goal from the early days.
"A-alright. I did say I'd handle it from the start."
In the end, the professor raised the white flag.
He saw from my face that I had no intention of changing my mind.
Still frustrated, he drained the freshly refilled teacup in one go.
"By the way, Edn."
"Yes?"
"Did you get separate sponsorship without telling me? The duke sponsored the fountain pen project, and something he said at the time stuck with me."
What? What's that about?
Having never heard this before, I looked at him puzzled, and the professor added.
"He said it was additional sponsorship. He called you before but figured it was awkward to summon you again, so he went through me."
"Ah, haha. Well? Hahaha."
No, Duke!
Why drop bait like that!
I gave an awkward smile and averted my eyes, but the professor's gaze pierced right into me.
I hurriedly lifted my teacup again, activating the technique once more.
Outwardly calm, but inside, my thoughts were a mess.
What to do?
Should I tell him?
He's the professor; maybe I should.
Various thoughts tangled until they settled on one.
Yeah, trust the professor.
His lips are sealed tight.
I'm uncomfortable with attention, so he even volunteered as the face of it all!
Though back in grad school days, he prioritized my research more.
Either way, the professor was trustworthy.
I set down my teacup and looked him straight in the eye.
"Professor."
"...You don't have to say if it's burdensome."
Classic professor.
He didn't want me to say it, but sensed I was about to.
Seeing that made me feel even more ashamed for agonizing and hiding it.
I shook my head, saying it was fine, and explained everything up to now.
That I'd published Sherlock Holmes and recently handed over the Don Quixote manuscript.
Of course, I couldn't tell him every single detail.
I mentioned meeting the duke, but Katiranya? No way.
Even with someone trustworthy like the professor, matters tied to the Holy Kingdom required caution.
Anyway, after explaining I was the author, he looked at me in surprise.
"...You're not just good at magic and engineering. You write well too? Wow."
"Haha, I was going to tell you—"
"No need to apologize or feel sorry. You don't owe me one for this. More surprising that you're a popular author. I've been reading it lately too."
"Really? You too, Professor?"
He nodded and said it was truly entertaining.
"From the plot progression to the criminal's backstory. Nothing uninteresting about it."
"Haha, kinda embarrassing."
"What’s there to be embarrassed about? Just enjoy it."
We shared a laugh and chatted pleasantly for a bit.
When Biena stepped out briefly, I quickly asked what was on my mind.
"By the way, Professor. What do you think of copyright law?"
"Copyright?"
I explained what I had in mind.
From the background that led to it, to the law's simple purpose and contents.
After hearing me out, the professor pondered briefly.
"Not bad. It could protect creators while fueling more creation."
"Right? But I think it's premature. No plans to propose it right away."
"I see. True, in the current situation, it could go awry if mishandled."
The professor thought similarly.
Glad to find someone on the same wavelength.
"But hearing you out, it might be good someday."
"Later. Earliest next year."
"Next year, huh. Looking forward to it anyway."
We talked a bit more, then the professor handed me the duke's additional sponsorship funds.
He gathered his things, straightened his clothes, and stood.
"Well, I'll be off then."
"Already?"
"Just came to see your face. Did some market research while at it. Anyway, take it easy."
With that, the professor left without lingering.
After seeing him off, I turned back to the mansion.
"Gotta really rest for a while."
Planning about two weeks off.
Then continue Don Quixote after.
Whistling lightly, I started planning my full rest.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Hepiriya was the saintess of the Holy Kingdom.
In other words, her life had always been far removed from the ordinary.
Even so, becoming a saintess after being a nun meant she'd met all sorts of people.
Thanks to that, she knew how ordinary folk lived.
And how the extraordinary lived.
But what she was doing now was a first.
"Just... how do you tail someone?"
She'd met plenty of informants and agents, but never seen them at work.
It was only natural.
If she could observe without being spotted, there'd be no need to hire them in the first place.
Anyway, the saintess tailed Edn and Katiranya as stealthily as she could.
Hiding behind buildings, trees, sometimes benches.
She wore a perception-lowering artifact, but she still looked suspicious.
So when Katiranya stared right at her midway, Hepiriya couldn't help but jolt.
"Eek...?!"
She ducked behind a building, but the gaze lingered.
In the end, today's tailing ended there.
She let out a small sigh of regret.
"It's hard. This is why we need experts."
She wanted to bring an informant here right away, but couldn't.
They had their own tasks.
"Guess I have to do my best—kyaa?!"
Distracted for a moment, her foot caught on a protruding bit of pavement.
She wouldn't have tripped normally, but lately, too many worries had dulled her awareness.
Landing hard on her butt, she rubbed it with a teary face.
"Waaah. It hurts."
Hepiriya prayed silently.
For the Goddess to grant her espionage skills.
Of course, it was a wish that wouldn't come true.