Chapter 12
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 12: Chemical Reaction
There is something called universal human values in the world.
It refers to something that transcends specific nations, religions, cultures, races, and ideologies.
For example, when a child by the river is about to drown, whether one is an Imperial, a Kingdom citizen, a human, or a non-human, they step forward to save the child. Things like that.
That can be understood as a universal value.
And ‘Fun’ also belongs there.
Although it varies depending on the cultural sphere, conversely, there is fun in the world that works anywhere.
The fun that 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 harbored was close to such universal fun.
Naturally, in that fun, the difference in gender was trivial.
Regardless of gender!
As long as one could read, no, even if one couldn't read, it didn't matter.
Because someone who could read could recite it for them.
The reading craze 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 caused in the Empire could be explained just like this.
『W-What on earth is this feeling?』
『Ah, you don’t know? That is called dopamine.』
『Dopamine?! Amazing!』
A story delivering thrilling catharsis that didn't exist before.
The people of the Empire became intoxicated by that taste.
When 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 was first displayed on bookstore shelves, it wasn't to this extent.
But as the noble young ladies who had already tasted it at the reading session moved, the situation changed.
“Finally, 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 is out as a book!”
“Ah, hearing it recited and reading it directly feel so different.”
“Ohoho! Look at this! It’s the limited edition with the author’s autograph~.”
“The story ends like this?! W-Why is there no next volume? When is it coming out?!”
“That rumor was true…. No, the rumor wasn't enough. To think such a novel exists in the world!”
“Haa haa, to think I lived without knowing such a story. I feel like I lived half my life at a loss.”
“「The Promise of the Spring Breeze」? I told you I asked for 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」?! You say it’s sold out? Then make it and bring it!” “Hohoho! To fail to acquire even 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」, I doubt your family’s capability.” “What is the problem? If there is no 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」, can’t you just read 「The Promise of the Spring Breeze」 instead? Of course, I possess the Lim! It! Ed! Edition! of 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 though.”
The ladies of the social circles, who could be said to lead the Empire's trends, rushed in like hell to buy the novel.
Those who intuitively sensed this would make money took interest, and that interest led straight to box office success.
“I’m telling you, this is the novel that’s so popular among noble young ladies these days? I really acquired it with difficulty to gift it to you, Hannah.”
“No, what on earth is that novel about some bridge or whatever that you say you won’t eat unless I buy it…. Sigh, they say raising a daughter is useless.”
“Is something wrong, Honey? Why are you suddenly crying while reading a book? What? The novel is too heartbreaking? Just what novel is it?”
From nobles to commoners.
From women to men.
「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 spread throughout the Empire like wildfire.
And──
“Where is the second volume, the conclusion?! When on earth is it coming out!”
It became a commotion.
By intentionally using the Art of Cutting (Cliffhanger), she truly drove the readers crazy.
For those tasting dopamine and cliffhangers for the first time, the shock was too intense.
『I hope you guys go crazy. I hope you can’t sleep because of 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」. I hope 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 shakes your daily life.』
As if saying exactly this, she released it with a gap between the two parts, even though she could have published both volumes at once.
There were three reasons for this.
One was that doing so seemed likely to record more interest and sales, just like the current situation.
Another reason was for a sense of superiority.
To use being able to see the conclusion of 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 first as a sort of privilege and benefit.
And lastly, the biggest reason.
“We can’t be the only ones to suffer, right?”
Such a cliffhanger shouldn't exist in the world!
But since we found out it exists, we can’t be the only ones to suffer!
With that mindset, not only Princess Lydia but also those who shuddered at the cliffhanger at the reading session that day reached a tacit agreement and intentionally released the second volume later.
Naturally, the Imperial subjects screamed and clamored to be supplied with dopamine quickly, but as scheduled, the second volume of 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 was published with a one-month gap.
Needless to say how much the bookstores and publishers across the Empire suffered and were pained, yet simultaneously screamed happily during that one month.
It was maddening because of people regardless of status making a fuss asking for the nonexistent second volume, but at the same time, it was enjoyable to see the printing presses running without rest for the first time in a while.
Truly an unprecedented boom!
Should one say it showed well what it means for one mega-hit work to feed the entire industry?
Contrary to the books made elaborately to the level of luxury goods targeting nobles and the wealthy, books made cheaply like supply goods for commoners.
They were selling them quite fruitfully with a two-track strategy.
Since the era was different, it wasn't an accurate comparison, but even compared to the great literary figures in the history the Empire boasted of, 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 by Author Homer was overwhelming in terms of box office success alone. No, not just 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」.
“Madam, haven't you perhaps thought about wanting to find your childhood innocence?”
“Madam, did you come to buy 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」? Then how about this?” “Lady, are you not interested in the story Author Homer of 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」 wrote for children?” Thanks to the popularity of 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」, they were also excitedly printing and selling the fairy tale book, which was already designated as required reading for children.
Perhaps at this time, Noel’s fate was determined?
A fate where she couldn't quit writing even if she wanted to, where she had to write for life.
It was booming and at the peak of popularity to the extent one couldn't help but think that.
And──.
“It’s a sign of ruin. A disgrace to Imperial literature.”
Naturally, as there is a reaction for every action in the world, the Imperial literary world showed two reactions to this trend.
Those who were happy that the possibility of new literature had opened up anyway.
Conversely, those who said it was a terrible thing that would make other countries doubt the level of Imperial literature if they knew.
And among these, the voices of the latter group were loud, which has always been the same regardless of time.
Because it is logical that those who are satisfied don't say much because they are satisfied, while those who are dissatisfied make noise because they are dissatisfied.
“This won’t do!”
“If such texts continue to be read by people, the minds of the Imperial subjects will be defiled!”
“Books are food for the mind! But if they read such low-level texts, their minds will become sick!”
“If they have time to read this junk, they should read Sir Jeffere’s poems instead, anyway, ignorant things!”
Literature is the spirit of that country.
Yet people are reading such terrible vulgar words saying it’s good.
Influenced negatively, the spirit of the people will fall to the ground and the level of Imperial literature will crash.
So we must do something before it’s too late!
There were those who argued like this.
It felt like an argument full of elitism ignoring the level of the public quite a bit….
“That is right!”
“Let’s do something before it’s too late!”
Unfortunately, it was an era where such instructive arguments that intellectuals like themselves must lead, guide, and enlighten people worked.
“Hmm…. But isn't the fairy tale book written by the same author quite good?”
“So although it is disgraceful that he disturbed people's minds by writing such vulgarity, there is room for repentance.”
“Let us lead him well so he changes his mind and correct him to write good texts from now on.”
In this way, the so-called elders of the literary world tried to slice and cut Author Homer to their taste to eat him up.
Naturally, such schemes of theirs,
“A-Author Homer is a noble? No, why would a noble who goes crazy for honor leave their real name and publish under a pen name?! Confusing people!”
“The 7th Princess is sponsoring Author Homer? You bastard! You should have said that earlier!”
Flipped faster than a palm in front of such truth.
Royal.
Noble.
The moment those titles intervened, suddenly philosophy that wasn't visible to the eyes of the literary elders began to appear.
“Looking at it again, it’s a masterpiece.”
“A master writer who will lead the promotion of Imperial literature.”
But conversely, there were those who didn't bend their will until the end.
“A noble wrote it? A Royal sponsors it? So what! The essence that it is a problematic text doesn't change!”
“Just because a Royal sponsored it, lacking writing doesn't suddenly gain depth!”
“Historically, literature is! Something that reflects the spirit of that era and has immutable value, so one must feel something even when reading it again in future generations. However, how is 「The Bridges of Imperium Town」? Peripheral stimulation is everything! What inspiration and enlightenment can one possibly gain by reading this text!”
In some ways, the attitude of trying to write correctly even if a sword was at their throat was sublime, but… it was also too obstinate and self-righteous a voice.
Because they engaged in harsh criticism and bad reviews saying this isn't literature, which could be called the greatest insult to an author.
It was to the extent other authors or critics worried, saying “I understand your heart but maybe lower the level of criticism a bit….”
However, in the face of such harsh criticism, Author Homer—Noel—was──.
“As long as an entertainment novel is fun, that’s it, what are they saying?”
Only snorting.
Because Noel had a mindset like “I am a commercial author where popularity and fun are top priorities, why are you looking for art in my writing?”
Therefore, rather than Noel, regarding the pouring criticism of the literary world,
“Rosalyyyn…! Immediately, arrest all these arrogant bastards immediately!”
“Princess… I understand your heart but please calm down first.”
Rather, the surroundings were getting angrier.