Chapter 95
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The Little Prince (1)
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I can't put it off any longer.
If I delay any more, not only my life but Rerangbur itself will be in danger.
I've hit my limit after building the tractor and spreading the farming techniques to match it.
I wanted to make fertilizer myself if I could, but...
Regrettably, this one's got to go to the professor.
Of course, he'd credit it to me anyway at this point.
Anyway, I wrote up everything about fertilizer in the letter and handed it off to a reliable messenger.
This should get to the professor safely.
But I need to save my own neck right now.
"Hehe, you've really kept me waiting, haven't you?"
"Haha, Katiranya. I absolutely haven't forgotten."
In fact, I had.
No, that's not it.
Right now, I'm face-to-face with Katiranya.
Or more precisely, my life is on the line because of a new novel.
A while back, I'd asked her to wait just a bit longer for the factory.
She nodded and patiently held off.
The problem was that I forgot all about it and got caught up making the tractor instead.
Which meant the new novel got pushed back while I worked on the tractor.
Even so, Katiranya said she could tolerate it up to that point.
She saw the factory as an extension of it, and waiting was something she was used to anyway.
But when I finished the tractor and started on fertilizer, her patience finally ran out.
Hmm, yeah, that's on me.
"So choose. Will you die here, or will you write?"
"...Do I really have to go that far?"
"Talking back?"
"No, sir. I'll write."
And so I had to rack my brains for a new story.
It's not like I had zero intention of writing, though.
Katiranya had helped out a lot, and besides, culture has to keep pace when technology advances.
"Well, I made it sound grand, but really, I just wanted a break from using my head."
Doing nothing gets boring.
But cramming my brain full with new inventions? No thanks.
Conveniently, Katiranya slammed on the brakes for me, so I might as well make good use of it.
"But what to write?"
I pondered for a moment, my thoughts drifting to everything I'd made and its ripple effects.
Then a great idea popped into my head.
"The Little Prince. That could work."
It's not too long, so it'll be easy to write, and it fits the current mood perfectly.
As a novel to comfort adults in this rapidly changing world, that is.
Even if I'm the one causing the changes.
"Well, the nobles aside, most folks wouldn't get it anyway."
These kinds of stories hit harder with the workers from the start.
Not that I'm ignoring the nobles, but honestly, they spend more time sitting in chairs.
The commoners are the ones hustling around.
Alright, it's decided.
I pulled out some manuscript paper from the bookshelf for the first time in ages.
I hadn't touched it in so long that dust had piled up.
Biena and the other servants clean, but there's only so much they can do.
I gave the paper a quick shake to dust it off.
Finally clean, I set it on the desk.
I sat back down, picked up my fountain pen, and slowly began to write.
Foren, the president of Jenektra Publishing, had recently developed a new worry.
It was all because of Edn.
Edn had become their star author under the pen name Prometheus.
Now, Jenektra meant Prometheus, and Prometheus meant Jenektra.
So he'd thought the road ahead was paved smooth as silk.
Until he realized that quite some time had passed with no new work.
"Haa, what to do."
"Worrying like that won't make a new book appear out of thin air."
"I know, but..."
Deep down, he wanted to grab Edn, lock him in the basement, and force it out of him.
But if he tried that, Jenektra would be torn to shreds for sure.
So he was stuck waiting, unable to do either.
"I know the author's eccentric. But I can't help getting my hopes up!"
His secretary, watching from the side, shook her head with a wry smile.
As if that would magically produce a new book.
Still, since he was the boss, she was about to pat his shoulder and gesture him back to work.
Just as her hand touched his shoulder, the office door swung open.
The sudden noise made both their heads snap around.
Who could it be?
That question vanished the instant Edn walked in.
The president, whose tears had been flowing moments ago, now beamed as if it had all been a lie.
He hurried over to Edn with a bright smile and sparkling eyes.
"Ah, Author! Long time no see. How have you been?"
"Yes, doing well. Jenektra looks the same as ever, though. No plans to move offices? I could help."
"Oh, no, no! We're fine. So, what brings you here?"
He played it cool, but his face was already brimming with anticipation.
Maybe a new work? his mind raced with hopeful scenarios.
Edn couldn't help swallowing a laugh at the sight.
He was so transparently eager.
When Edn pulled out the manuscript, the president's face lit up.
Handing it over, the president received it reverently, as if it were a priceless treasure from antiquity.
He sat down slowly and began reading with eager anticipation.
Meanwhile, Edn enjoyed the refreshments the secretary offered and waited.
Soon enough, having finished the manuscript, tears streamed from the president's eyes.
Having read The Little Prince to the end, he felt a deep resonance in his heart.
It reminded him of the innocence he'd nearly forgotten.
And there, wandering in the dark adult world, he found himself.
"Sob! Author!"
Seeing the grown man cry, Edn understood but couldn't help feeling a bit queasy.
Pretending not to notice, he asked how it was.
"It's amazing again! This is going to be a massive hit!"
"Haha, thank you. Then, I'm counting on you."
"Leave it to me!"
And with that, Edn handed the manuscript to Foren and left.
Foren saw him off, then immediately sprang into action to produce the new book.
The slouched man from moments ago was gone.
Now he pondered how to turn the manuscript in his hands into the finest book possible.
"We'll include illustrations again. And hm, the paper has to be the highest quality!"
"But sales volume—"
"It's fine! Use premium paper for the first print run, then switch to standard for later ones."
In other words, the first edition would carry a limited-edition premium.
By the time the secretary caught on, Foren was already out of sight.
He'd headed straight to the printer to discuss how to print the manuscript.
"I'm going to make this fly off the shelves!"
For the first time in a while, he was burning with passion.
Thanks to Foren's efforts, Edn's novel was published quickly.
The Little Prince filled bookstore shelves in no time.
It had been a while since the last new release, but Foren had poured money into aggressive promotion too.
"Prometheus?"
A man reading a newspaper on the street paused in front of a bookstore.
The promotional sign by the entrance was packed with hype about The Little Prince.
He hesitated for a moment.
"Buy it or not?"
He wasn't a particular fan of Prometheus.
But he knew what books had come out so far.
They'd sold like hotcakes and were always on people's lips.
In short, the first print could sell out while he dithered.
Luckily, the bookstore he entered still had about ten copies left.
Its out-of-the-way location helped.
"Oh, a new one?"
As he mulled it over, someone else snatched a copy.
The man happily headed to the counter with The Little Prince.
Meanwhile, our guy was still standing there, undecided.
He had the money, but no intention of buying something he wouldn't read.
Would he actually read it if he bought it?
Would he regret it?
As he agonized, the remaining copies dwindled.
He felt the pressure but stayed cautious.
When just one was left, he made up his mind.
"Alright, I'll take it."
As his hand reached out, another shot in from the side.
He glanced over to see a man eyeing the book just like him.
Both hands froze midair, sizing each other up.
They twitched, gauging reactions.
Forcing a smile, he spoke to the man.
"Looks like you're after this book too?"
"Heh, a Prometheus book? Of course I am."
They glared, timing each other.
The man lunged first.
That's when he moved at an unbelievable speed, one he'd never tapped before.
Space seemed to warp, and suddenly the book was in his hand.
The man panicked at the vanished prize.
"Wha? Where'd it go?"
Glancing around, he spotted it in the other's grip.
Realizing he'd lost by a step, he despaired.
"Argh! No way!"
"Heh. Well then."
He passed the man with a villainous chuckle.
But the man was a diehard Prometheus fan, seasoned in all sorts of battles.
He grabbed the passing ankle and flashed a mad grin.
"Not checked out yet."
"Y-you maniac?!"
"Raaargh! I won't let you take it!"
The man charged, and he bolted to protect his prize.
But the man's legs were faster, and capture loomed.
What now...!
Just before he was caught, a brilliant idea struck amid his frantic thoughts.
He hid the book behind his back, then flashed it forward.
And hurled it.
"If you want it, take it! But be ready to handle it!"
"What?!"
As the book flew, not just the man but others' eyes locked on.
They were folks who'd come for The Little Prince but given up.
They weren't missing this chance.
"No!"
"First come, first served!"
The bookstore turned into a battlefield.
The thrower slipped out casually.
Then paid at the counter for his The Little Prince and left.
"Idiots. Didn't even notice the switch."
He'd swapped it while hiding it behind his back.
They charged like chum, which suited him perfectly.
Grinning in victory, he headed home with The Little Prince.
Meanwhile, inside the store, they realized the switch.
"Damn it!"
Of course, it was far too late.