5
Chapter 5
"Charles Jean Rochefort. The eldest son of House Rochefort, a fallen noble family from the northern border. House Rochefort lost its lands during a war with another nation and fell into ruin, but they spent their remaining wealth to send their eldest son to Arcadia Academy, hoping he would restore the family's name. However, since he hasn't shown any particular talent in magic or the sword, he is currently being bullied by other students."
"You've certainly done your homework in just one day. It's true. I am a quite unremarkable man."
"How could such a man write a book like this? This isn't just a work of imagination. It's a record of results backed by extensive verification. Tell me. Where exactly did this book come from?"
As expected, she doesn't even suspect that I wrote it.
That's a relief. Because I plan to lie from this moment on.
"The author wishes to keep their identity secret. I am merely a messenger acting on their behalf for negotiations."
"A messenger, is it?"
After a brief moment of thought, she nodded.
"Indeed, that is a reasonable explanation."
I was glad she seemed convinced. If I had claimed to be the author, she would have surely interrogated me to see if I was lying or impersonating someone. It's much easier to simply state I'm not the author and shut down any further curiosity.
"Then, I'd like to get to the main point. Where is the second volume of the book?"
"The second volume?"
"Yes. Important sections are missing throughout this book. Given that the title clearly says 'Volume One,' it's obvious that the most crucial content was pushed into a second volume, and only a sample was provided."
I chuckled softly. She was right. Volume One was just a teaser; the real substance was in Volume Two.
"I want that second volume. And if possible, I wish to meet the author."
"What do you intend to do once you meet them?"
"It's obvious. Anyone with such a deep understanding of strategy and tactics, as well as knowledge of gunpowder weapons, must be an incredible talent. I would pay any price to have such a person under my command."
As I thought, Princess Leonia had a chronic condition. It was a 'talent obsession'—she simply couldn't help herself when she found someone useful. It seemed she'd had this since she was a child.
Life would certainly be easier under Princess Leonia. I might even be granted a noble title the moment I joined her.
But I still don't know how the international situation will unfold. I plan to walk a fine line between various nobles and royals and then align myself with whoever wins. Does that seem cowardly? I cleared all 1,000 characters by playing cowardly. Moreover, that's even more necessary in a reality where there are no second tries.
"Meeting the author is impossible."
"Why on earth is it im—"
"Instead."
Yuria Russell looked shocked. It was only natural to be surprised that the son of a fallen noble would dare cut off a member of the Imperial family. The Princess, however, didn't seem to mind.
"I have the second volume of the book."
"...!"
"And what I want in return is money. I will sell it if the price is right."
"I see. So it's money you desire."
The Princess nodded.
"Money is fine. While there are things in this world that cannot be bought, the number of things that can is overwhelmingly larger."
"You are absolutely correct."
"Then let me ask. How much do you want?"
After a short pause, I replied.
"Two thousand ducats."
Two thousand ducats. That figure might not provide much perspective on its own. For context, that is roughly the price of a noble's estate in the capital of the Arcadian Empire. In short, an astronomical sum.
"Your Highness! Wasting that much on a single book is..."
"I'll buy it."
Yuria Russell, the Princess's guard, tried to stop her, but the Princess cut her off with a single phrase.
"However, I have a condition."
"A condition...?"
"I am not just buying a book; I am buying the copyrights as well."
I see, so that's her game. Even if I sold the book to her, if I sold it to her rivals as well, she wouldn't gain any relative advantage. She wants to buy the copyrights themselves so that I cannot sell it to anyone else.
"In that case, the price will increase slightly."
"By how much?"
"Three thousand ducats."
Yuria Russell gasped. Three thousand ducats was enough to build a small fortress, far exceeding the cost of a mansion.
"Your Highness, you surely don't intend to..."
"Don't worry, Yuria. I'm not doing this out of simple intellectual curiosity. By spending this money, I am buying something far more valuable than gold."
She's talking about time.
"And that is time. It takes time to invent and refine tactics. But if one has a guide on which direction to take, that time can be drastically reduced. I have no doubt that this book will serve that purpose."
As expected, I knew the brilliant Leonia would realize it—that buying this book would significantly extend the time available to her.
"You won't regret spending three thousand ducats."
As I said this, I extended my hand, and the Princess shook it.
"Oh, before that, let's draw up a contract."
"A contract?"
"A sales contract for the publication and copyrights. It's a formality, so there's no need to be nervous."
She began writing the contract on the spot. The contents were simple: the Princess would hold all rights to the book.
'Actually, the contract doesn't mean much...'
Even with a contract, the contents could leak. I could simply leak it to another monarch and then deny it. However, the possessive Leonia likely wanted a physical record that the book belonged to her, even if she knew the risk.
I signed my name, Charles Jean Rochefort, beneath the Princess's signature, and we each took a copy of the contract.
The following day, Yuria Russell arrived with several servants, carrying a wooden box containing three thousand gold coins.
-----
Meanwhile, the Princess was glancing back and forth between the contract and the book.
"Hmm..."
As if something was bothering her, the Princess continued to study them before calling out to her guard waiting behind her.
"Yuria."
"Yes?"
"What do you think of the handwriting in this book?"
Yuria looked at the book. Setting aside the content, the handwriting was so terrible it could be described as a complete disaster.
"It seems the author needs to learn how to write all over again."
"Indeed. Then what about the signature on this contract?"
The Princess pointed to where the name Charles Jean Rochefort was written. And the handwriting of that signature was also...
"Terrible... isn't it?"
It was identical to the handwriting in the book.
"Do you think so?"
"Yes. Both styles look the same."
"I'm not the only one who thinks so, then."
"Yes."
"I see..."
The Princess pondered. She had intentionally drawn up a useless contract just to check Charles Jean Rochefort's handwriting. And she had confirmed that Charles's handwriting matched that of the book's author.
"Charles claimed he was merely an agent for the person who wrote this book."
"Yes. I heard that as well."
"But what if he actually wrote it himself? An utterly ordinary man with absolutely no military experience?"
Leonia's thoughts began to tangle. Was Charles Jean Rochefort truly the author? Was that unremarkable man actually hiding a tremendous talent?
Feeling her mind race, she pressed her thumb against her temple.
"Yuria."
"Yes."
"Have the Thieves' Guild begin surveillance on Charles Jean Rochefort. Report everyone he meets, and every single tiny action he takes must be documented in a report to me."
"Is it really necessary to go that far?"
After suffering through a headache for a while, the Princess sighed and spoke.
"If he is the author of this book, I have encountered a stroke of incredible luck. I would have discovered a talent capable of ushering in a new era before any other monarch. I want to know if he is the author. No, I must know."
At those words, Yuria Russell quietly bowed her head. It was a sign of obedience, but also a way to hide her expression.
Yuria Russell was more than just the Princess's guard; she was her right hand. She was the second daughter of a Baron's family and a capable knight who always maintained top grades at the Academy. Yet, was that still not enough for the Princess? Though Yuria felt a twinge of disappointment, she never let it show. She was a loyal knight whose devotion to the Princess far exceeded that of others.
And then, the next day dawned.
-----
The next morning, I went straight to see Glacia Ehrenberg.
Born in the back alleys, Glacia Ehrenberg was someone who had been knighted solely for her talent with the sword and entered Arcadia Academy, only to drop out to earn money.
And right now was the perfect time for her to need money.
-Knock knock
When I knocked on her door, Glacia emerged with a sleepy expression.
"What is it?"
She looked as if she'd kill me if this turned out to be trivial. I was a bit intimidated by the murderous glare, but I immediately shook the pouch of gold coins.
-Clink clink
As the pouch rattled, her expression shifted to one of surprise.
"How...?"
"There are as many ways to make money as there are stars in the sky."
Though the real problem is that making money is just as hard as plucking those stars.
I tossed the pouch to her, and she caught it with one hand.
"Twenty-five ducats. I've included enough for tuition and some living expenses. I'll provide this amount every month. It should be enough to keep you from dropping out of the Academy."
Glacia looked genuinely shocked.
"How did you know...?"
I knew because of my game knowledge.
"I simply deduced it based on the information I've gathered. I imagined what someone like you would do. So, will you accept the position of my guard?"
A brief silence followed.
Then, she spoke.
"What will my duties be?"
"Please get rid of the pests so I can attend school in peace. With your strength, that should be a simple task."
"Is that all?"
"I'll also need your protection during outside activities, for which I will pay you extra."
Glacia fell into thought for a moment before placing the pouch of gold coins on her desk.
"If the payment is late by even a single month, I quit."
"Of course."
And just like that, I had a guard.
-----
The next day, I ran into the nobles who had been bullying me.
Andre, Enrique, and Hugh. As soon as they spotted me, they rushed over as if they had been looking forward to this.
Andre, their leader, raised his fist with practiced ease, but...
-Whack!
A thunderous sound echoed through the air. It was the sound of someone slamming a wooden sword right into Andre's skull.