Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Reading Marathon (2)
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The moment I suggested holding the event in two months, silence fell over the room.
It was as if they'd heard something they shouldn't have.
Katiranya was the only one tilting her head just like me.
"What's wrong? Two months should be plenty."
"Well... sigh. Let me explain. Edn, no matter how grand a scale you're imagining, two months is impossible. Just impossible."
Professor Herman shook his head, swallowing a heavy sigh as he began to explain.
Even just the preparations would take at least a month.
Then recruiting participants and sorting them would take another two weeks at minimum—it was way too rushed.
"You'd need at least three months to breathe easy."
"Exactly. To minimize mistakes, you'd want six months of prep."
Was it really that extensive?
I was puzzled, but I had no grounds to argue.
Unlike me, Professor Herman and Esili had real experience in this sort of thing.
While I was holed up in grad school and later just writing novels,
they'd been out there hustling in the real world.
...Saying it like that makes me sound like a total shut-in.
Ahem, anyway, it was too tight?
"Isn't there any way around it?"
Was there truly no solution?
I'd set the deadline at two months because of the prince's memorial service.
I hadn't asked for details, but from the rough estimates, it seemed they'd pulled it off in about a month at most.
Of course, the event I was planning was worlds apart from that.
The Don Quixote memorial was just securing a venue and giving speeches on stage.
I, on the other hand, was going for a marathon, quizzes, even a triathlon-style setup.
Still, two months felt doable to me. Was it really not?
Winter was coming soon, and I wanted to get it done quickly.
I glanced at the two of them, and they groaned before starting to whisper to each other.
But why whisper like that?
"Professor Herman, wouldn't one month still be too rushed for prep?"
"It is. Picking venues, setting up courses... it might take even longer."
"Hmm, then—"
The two dove into a serious discussion.
They went back and forth, debating how to handle the event.
The mood was so intense I didn't want to butt in.
So I ended up munching on cookies with Katiranya and Biena.
Mmm, these are good.
Did Biena bake them?
As I enjoyed the cookies, Katiranya suddenly looked at me oddly, as if sensing something off.
"By the way, Edn. Why are you over here? Shouldn't you be discussing this with those two?"
"Ah, yeah, I should. But this conversation isn't one I can jump into."
It absolutely wasn't because I was lazy.
They were currently debating the maximum scale achievable in two months.
No way could I, an amateur, insert myself.
"Right."
"Edn. Stop playing around over there and come here."
"Yes, ma'am."
Damn, I wanted just a bit more time.
But since I'd volunteered for this, I had to join the discussion.
And so, what started as a casual "let's give it a shot" turned into a full planning session for the event.
**
The preparations for the reading contest—no, now officially dubbed the Reading Marathon—were finally wrapping up.
The past two months had been brutal.
It really drove home how much I'd underestimated this world.
I never imagined material deliveries could be this slow.
"Even with engines improving logistics somewhat, this is ridiculous."
When I have time later, I should make an upgraded version—like a truck.
That would enable mass transport.
Anyway, today was finally the day—the Reading Marathon kickoff!
The course went like this:
Participants start at the line and run about 1km.
Then they hit the first quiz station.
The first quiz covers content from volume 1 of Sherlock Holmes.
As the opener, it was simple, but the kind of detail you wouldn't know without reading it.
Multiple choice with three options—so a ton would drop out if they guessed wrong.
"Well, that won't happen to me."
No way I'd fail.
Take the correct path, and you reach the second quiz, which borrowed some magic.
Illusion spells divided fake paths from the real one.
Two choices here, so a bit trickier.
Pass that, and there are three more quizzes.
Clear those, then it's time to mount up and ride.
"Gotta head to another territory and back."
So a horse swap midway.
About 30km round trip, roughly.
You have to enter another territory and complete one or two missions there.
Finish the missions, then return to Rlangbur.
The horseback riding was included purely for noble etiquette.
Like fancy clothes are a must for nobles.
There was a special rule for commoners, too.
Nobles had to carry at least one commoner when they set off.
Finish the riding race, and with weary bodies, they write a book report.
Free topic, any book they want.
Didn't have to be mine.
Other authors' works were fine.
Though no bonus points in that case.
After the report, it's the reading debate.
As mentioned before, pre-assigned teams persuade the audience and judges.
Which of the two books the teams champion is better.
Again, didn't have to be mine—no bonus points, though.
Tally scores from each segment for the final ranking.
The book reports would be judged quickly by our carefully selected panel.
This was basically the plan from before, just fleshed out with details.
Looking back on the setup, I couldn't help but marvel.
"Whoa, yeah... I didn't realize it before, but this was insane."
No wonder they say not to speak carelessly.
But preparations were done without a hitch.
Now, to watch the event, I turned toward the starting line.
"They're already lined up at the start."
Hundreds of people waiting eagerly for the signal.
Opening ceremony was done, so the judge would signal with an explosion spell.
"Who do you think will win?"
I hadn't banned betting, so that'd be fun too.
I sat back leisurely to watch.
**
The event called the Reading Marathon.
Countless people wanted in.
Commoners and nobles alike signed up in droves.
Reasons varied wildly.
Some loved author Prometheus.
Some just loved books.
Some thought the format was unique.
Some were bored.
Some sought excitement in monotonous lives.
Whatever the reason, joining meant a shot at massive prizes.
About 10 billion won in Korean currency for the top prize.
Enough for a commoner to live off forever.
A down-on-its-luck noble could revive their house.
Even a thriving noble would pocket nice pocket change or a windfall.
Anything beyond that was just for fun.
"Phew, alright. I'm winning this!"
"Whoa, nerves... but better than getting my knighthood."
The nobles at the start line brimmed with confidence.
Some were pudgy, others actual knights.
A few even dressed like Don Quixote.
"Watch over me!"
...Some hadn't escaped Don Quixote's grip yet.
Commoners, meanwhile, wore more varied expressions than the nobles.
Some looked thrilled like the nobles,
but...
"Please, let me win! I need the money."
"Author! I wanna meet you so bad! Fan letters aren't enough!"
Short on living expenses, or hoping to meet the author, etc.
While many nobles joined for kicks, commoners were dead serious.
This created a subtle tension between the groups.
Despite sharing motives and goals, divides showed early.
"Tch. Even commoners showed up."
"Damn nobles."
But the staredown vanished soon enough.
The judge stepped forward, eyeing the participants.
She raised the megaphone to her mouth.
Edn's invention, engraved with a simple sound-amplification spell.
"Testing, testing! Can you hear me?!"
Thankfully, her voice reached all hundreds.
Those glaring at each other now faced the judge.
The judge—Esili in that role—addressed the crowd.
"You'll now follow the course and rules outlined beforehand. Ready?!"
Cheers erupted from spots here and there at Esili's words.
She nodded, satisfied.
Raised one hand high and cast an explosion spell skyward.
"Let the race begin!"
A brighter voice than usual.
Only Edn knew how much effort she was putting in.
At Esili's signal, everyone bolted from the line.
No one seemed ready to quit.
"Victory's mine!"
"Kahaha! I'll crush them all!"
All in light attire, but their strides were no joke.
Everyone charged toward the first goal.
Groups split early, though.
Those out of shape lagged—mostly chubby nobles.
Next, those who exercised a bit but not as a lifestyle—mostly commoners.
Leading the pack: naturally, the knighted ones.
They ran effortlessly, smiling, never pausing, covering the 1km in no time.
"Ooh! There's the first question!"
The frontrunners reached it first.
Reactions split sharply.
"What the hell is this?!"
"Haha! Easy!"
Same question, polar responses.
The two could only stare at each other in confusion.
As if they couldn't comprehend one another at all.
"What are you even talking about?"
Their puzzled voices overlapped.