Chapter 39
Chapter 39
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Upon arriving in Jenectra, I was surprised by how quiet the streets were.
Could the protests that used to happen every day really have dwindled?
With a flicker of hope, I headed toward the Jenectra building, and sure enough, the crowd had thinned out considerably.
There were barely a dozen people holding signs and torches.
It was far fewer than I'd expected.
"Whoa, they've really died down."
Before, there had been dozens at least.
Just as I'd mentioned previously, they probably couldn't keep up the demonstrations indefinitely.
Everyone had their own lives to live, and it was exhausting besides.
Plus, there was the Don Quixote memorial just a little while ago...
Did that have an impact?
"Yeah... probably."
In any case, it seemed like the protests would fizzle out completely before long.
Assuming nothing major happened, that is.
Still, they hadn't vanished entirely yet.
With people still around, I headed for the back door again this time.
The front entrance still felt too risky.
If even a rumor got started, it could spell big trouble.
But slipping in through the back, they'd probably mistake me for an employee.
Even if not, they'd figure I was one of the authors under contract with Jenectra.
Luckily, no one spotted me, and I made it inside without issue.
By now, navigating to the president's office felt routine, and Foren greeted me warmly.
He recognized me right away this time.
"Author! Could this be a new work already?"
"Haha, hello."
Asking about a new manuscript the moment I walked in.
Of course, it wasn't strange at all.
Back on Earth, and even in this world, it took a serious chunk of time for a single book to hit the shelves.
Web novels were a different story, sure.
But since I wasn't writing those, no need to dwell.
In this world, my writing speed was lightning-fast.
Showing up each time with a fresh novel naturally earned reactions like this.
I gave a small nod and handed over the manuscript pages.
"It's a new work."
"Ooh, your writing pace is truly incredible! I shouldn't say this, but you're dozens of times faster than anyone else."
Foren accepted the pages gleefully.
His eyes gleamed like he was beholding a treasure chest of gold and jewels.
But this time would be different from the last.
Thinking about this novel brought an awkward smile to my face unbidden.
"You're too kind. Oh, by the way, this one's a bit shorter."
"That's fine. Anything from you is golden."
No, why the blind faith?
I got it on some level, but it was starting to feel a tad burdensome.
Of course, my novels were the ones that had propelled Jenectra to its current heights.
Still, it made me feel like I had something to prove now.
Not letting it show, I steered the conversation and urged him to read it already.
"If you'll excuse me."
Foren settled into his chair and began poring over the manuscript.
I sat nearby, sipping tea and nibbling on cookies.
About thirty minutes later, he finished and looked up at me.
But his expression wasn't one of delight from a captivating tale.
If anything, there was a hint of fear in his eyes.
This was outside my expectations.
Unsettled myself, I asked in a hurry.
"What's wrong, Foren? Is there a problem?"
"Well, Author..."
Foren's face remained complicated and grave.
He turned his chair to face me, his mouth opening and closing several times.
I didn't rush him, just waited patiently.
Finally, he seemed to steel himself and met my gaze directly.
"We can't publish this."
"...Pardon?"
"I said we can't."
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
It was already hitting snags before publication.
**
Who was Foren Hestins, president of Jenectra Publishing House?
Born the son of a baron, he'd lived wealthier than commoners.
But that was the extent of his privilege.
A baron was, bluntly put, a rich commoner in noble clothing.
Such a title was largely honorary.
So he'd strived desperately not to starve.
Fortunately, with some money to his name, opportunities weren't scarce.
He'd seized one to found Jenectra Publishing House.
They even ran a newspaper as a side venture.
Point was, he had sharper instincts than most.
Sandwiched between commoners and true nobles, he had no choice.
When such a man laid eyes on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the shock must have been indescribable.
'Does the author perhaps want to pick a fight with the Holy Kingdom?'
Or maybe he just didn't look kindly on the Church of the Goddess.
Either way, a book delving into good and evil was far too dangerous.
Even if the Empire didn't care much.
One might ask, then what about Sherlock Holmes?
Thankfully, that one had mitigating factors.
Corrupt priests actually committing misdeeds.
It being Prometheus's debut work.
Above all, using believers as mere narrative devices.
In other words, it could be swapped for other groups or figures.
Sure, nitpickers could call Sherlock Holmes risky too.
Why choose that out of all possibilities?
But it could squeak by somehow.
"Of course, your fondness for that work played a part, sir."
"Ahem. Anyway, this is different from Sherlock Holmes."
Sherlock Holmes had scraped through, but Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde wouldn't.
It wasn't just touching on good and evil—it spelled it out explicitly!
So Foren, having sent Edn on his way, was deep in thought.
Could he really release this into the world? Or not?
"Just publish it, sir."
His secretary, watching from the side, looked at Foren.
Foren glanced back and blurted out.
"What did you just say? Did you eat something bad today?"
"...You want to publish it anyway."
At the absurd remark, the secretary eyed Foren with exasperation.
Foren coughed awkwardly and turned away.
"Well, true enough. And Jenectra's gearing up to expand across the capital—no, the whole Empire. Can't refuse a book from our star author!"
With that, Foren began barking orders to the staff.
The secretary, watching, let out a quiet sigh of I knew it.
In the end, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde quickly made its way into the world.
**
The anxiously awaited Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde finally emerged into the light.
People snapped it up eagerly at the news of a new Prometheus work.
"The new one!"
But this piece differed from his previous offerings.
A short story, with far fewer pages to boot.
Existing fans who got their hands on it first felt a pang of disappointment.
"A bit underwhelming."
"Can't be helped. You know how massive the last ones were!"
Not just them—many shared the sentiment, though no one badmouthed Edn.
His writing speed was unreal.
Even the best took over a year in reality.
Some works left readers hanging until the author passed away.
So people couldn't help adoring Edn—er, Prometheus.
They could forgive the slim page count too.
Those who'd acquired copies read slowly, savoring every line.
Devouring and pondering as they went.
Starting from Utterson's perspective threw them off.
Then some ambiguous figure—Jekyll or Hyde?—committed suicide.
Once Jekyll's deeds came to light...
"Gasp! Humanity can be interpreted this way?"
"Good and evil."
Opinions split sharply.
Some marveled at the fresh take on human nature.
Others bristled at the overt good-vs-evil theme, sensing irreverence.
Beyond those views, critiques poured in.
From "He's getting cocky with his popularity" to "Profound insights on humanity."
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thus gained traction amid a swirl of mixed reviews.
**
Another peaceful day—
"Hey! I got here first!"
"You idiot! I ordered first! Who cares about arrival order?"
...or not, in the salon.
Today's gathering was at a wine-focused tavern.
Its owner, a viscount, had gotten lucky with a booming business.
Noble connections, expertise in spirits—the works.
No downside to visiting.
Hence its popularity.
Today's salon convened to discuss Prometheus's latest.
As always.
Until recently, they'd laughed and wept over Don Quixote.
Post-memorial, things had quieted a bit, but not today.
"Hmm, viewing humanity this way."
"No. As you'll see, it's about Dr. Jekyll's personal good and evil."
"Hm, but isn't that just in-story? He leaves a safety net: not all humans are like that, despite his true intent."
This work's texture differed starkly from prior ones.
Its theme felt brazenly upfront.
Sherlock Holmes had been a fresh shock; Don Quixote, novelty amid familiarity.
This one provoked deep reflection.
Every reader found themselves contemplating humanity's dual nature.
"Separating good and evil makes them different people, no? Even sharing memories."
"Nonsense. It's one person. Your demeanor here differs from at home, doesn't it?"
"...Hadn't thought of that."
The two delved into good and evil.
Then, heads bowed cautiously toward each other.
"So, what do you think? About good, evil... and souls."
"Church of the Goddess says we must embrace even the wicked."
The man across nodded.
Then, even more gingerly.
"But the Goddess doesn't favor evil, as we know."
"Right. So Jekyll's actions border on evil. Aiding Hyde, essentially."
The compassionate Church of the Goddess—or rather, the Holy Kingdom.
It always drew complex judgments.
Strongest faith across the continent, yet shrouded in secrets.
Crucially, they cracked down hard on heresy.
Less so in the Empire, thankfully, but the Holy Kingdom proper? Ruthless.
Thus, topics like good, evil, and souls treaded dangerously close to religious minefields.
"This won't cause trouble, right? Honestly, I've felt uneasy for a while."
"Exactly. Sherlock Holmes as a debut—fine. Don Quixote centered on chivalry, but..."
He trailed off, gazing at his copy of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
The elegant title seemed ominously foreboding today.
Swallowing hard, he masked his tension.
"The Holy Kingdom won't let this slide."
"Whew, but for now it's good. Anonymity saves us."
The pair shuddered yet found some relief.
Then recalled the recent capital memorial for Don Quixote.
"Speaking of, didn't they say we can send fan letters?"
"Oh, right. Should be able to send letters or gifts to the author soon."
"Via Jenectra, but still. Perfect—I have something in mind."
Thankfully, harmony returned between them.
Grinning with anticipation, they chatted lighter than before about the novel.
Oblivious to the Church of the Goddess priest watching from nearby.