Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Volume 5: A World Where Heads Are Flower Fields (5)
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'Half-orc...? And an elf's at that?'
Suddenly, a busty elf beauty had come running up and handed me something like a love letter. That alone was weird enough.
But for her to be a half-orc, just like 'Half'—the daughter from The Elf Dreaming of an Affair with an Orc Feels Frustrated Again Today?
In this utterly unnatural situation, I recalled the recent talk about prejudice against half-orcs and orcs starting to fade.
Could that be why? A thank-you fan letter of sorts?
Yeah, that would explain everything neatly.
"Wh-what is this?"
"Th-that's... No! Only you can know, Sir Siu! So you absolutely can't open the letter ahead of time!"
"Ah, got it. I just need to deliver it to my master as is, right?"
"Yes!"
With that, she bounded off with an incredibly bright smile, heading out of the gallery.
Running like that makes her chest bounce so much it'd draw every eye, but she didn't seem to care one bit.
Still, what the heck is going on here...?
"Sorry about that. You must have realized we're already somewhat acquainted... She got a bit rowdy, and things just happened."
"What's done is done. Just be more careful next time."
"Understood."
The sudden chaos had made me forget why I'd come here in the first place. I let out a sigh.
Only after the staff handed me the payment for this piece did it snap back—my plan to ask if my ideas for the next work's sales and exhibition were feasible.
"Payment confirmed. Oh, and Master asked me to run a few questions by you about sequel sales."
"You draw new works so quickly. A lot of people will be thrilled."
"Ah, but 'sequel' doesn't just mean a new work."
"Pardon?"
"He's drawing the next comic following Descent of the Avatar. Something with a long volume, like The Elf Dreaming of an Affair with an Orc Feels Frustrated Again Today."
"For real!?"
I nodded and explained that this sales approach wasn't standard, so I had some questions.
I wanted to test a 'pre-order' or 'reservation order' system this time.
But that couldn't happen on my say-so alone—it needed agreement from the galleries handling sales.
That's why I was here now, before the manuscript was even finished, to check if it was okay.
"So, people who want to buy the new work ahead of time pay up front to reserve a copy? Like booking a table at a popular restaurant?"
"Exactly. Then, when the finished work goes public, everyone who reserved gets their copy."
Of course, we'd sell additional stock separately, but pre-order folks were guaranteed a first-day copy no matter what.
Even with exhibitions, comics meant long waits in line for your turn. And stock always ran out anyway, right?
It was a great sales method—ensuring my loyal fans who showed up day one could actually read it.
"That makes it easier to predict first-print quantities too, doesn't it?"
"Fewer angry customers over shortages, for sure. But won't delaying the public reveal push back the release?"
"He said this sales method is part of the work itself. Until issues like that are resolved, it's not truly complete..."
"Wise words. Ah, but to take reservations, we'd need an exhibition tied to them, right...?"
Not a flat no—just that reservations required related display items.
Good thing my prep covered that perfectly.
I pulled out a prepped illustration and showed it to her.
"Want to take a look?"
"This is...?"
"A new piece by Master. It's Nigredo—the avatar form from Descent of the Avatar where she first met Albedo—painted in oils with a dreamy vibe."
Her psychological traits were captured through her hair burning black.
As a key character in Descent of the Avatar and a major player in the upcoming Avatar Fervor, she made the perfect reservation promo.
"Is this for the new work's cover? Sorry, rules changed recently—no re-exhibiting something already shown if it's used as a comic cover."
"No, this is a standalone piece. Avatar Fervor's cover will be separate."
"Really!?"
"Instead, we'll make small copies as a gift bookmark only for pre-order customers. What do you think?"
Pre-order exclusive promo card!
This world had limited-run copy sales strategies, so she knew what that meant.
Printing costs would rise, sure, but shrinking to card size minimized expenses—worth a shot.
"That's huge! A beautiful piece like this, only available through pre-order... It'll cause a frenzy."
"He hopes every gallery nationwide can take reservations if possible."
"Of course. With limited copies, mishandling that would stir up trouble."
Oh, right—the most important part.
I planned a little condition for pre-orders.
"Ah, and Master insists on checking for an opened copy of Descent of the Avatar before allowing reservations. Stamp it to confirm and prevent reuse."
"But what if someone doesn't have Descent of the Avatar? They couldn't reserve?"
"If out of stock, have them pay for both to reserve. They pick up together on release day."
"Got it. But why...?"
"No idea. I'm just passing on what he said."
It was to stop galleries from hoarding reservations for promo card resales.
For each card, they'd need to buy a Descent of the Avatar too—financial pressure to deter it.
Not foolproof, but necessary precaution.
"Understood. Shouldn't be an issue."
"Ah, unrelated to Master's new work, but can your current system exhibit works without covers?"
"Sure. Though a plain single-color cover might not stand out much?"
'True enough.'
If multiple such comics existed, they'd pale against color ones.
But most comics now used color covers anyway.
So a solo monochrome one might actually pop.
"If we make an all-monochrome book and skimp a bit on paper to keep costs ultra-low, what unit price could we hit?"
"Hmm, probably..."
Dirt cheap.
Comparable to standard budget books.
And SD style meant cheap paper wouldn't show much, so quality dip minimal.
Looks promising.
"Ah, this is just my personal curiosity. Applies regardless of Master, right?"
"Yes, as long as it gets enough recommendations for production."
This was for Rozaria anyway—I was checking if she could use it.
Anyway, I'd gotten all the answers needed today.
Smoother than expected—no hitches.
"Ugh, so what the hell is this letter?"
Back at the villa, I immediately checked the letter from the presumed half-orc elf girl.
Meant for Painter Siu, probably fan mail for this work.
Even if an unintended outcome, getting something like this felt oddly nice.
"...Huh?"
I'd expected thanks for clearing misconceptions or deep gratitude.
But no—shaky handwriting, a few flustered lines. Nothing else.
Doesn't feel like fan mail at all...?
"I will become your sword. I will protect you. I dedicate my life to you...?"
Stunned, I scoured the letter for hidden messages.
Nothing—just that.
This felt more like a love letter than fan mail...?
Even with my modern sensibilities over this world's, no way this was normal fan stuff.
Beyond thanks or respect—pledging her life?
Only then did the pretty stationery scream love letter.
"Confessing after one comic? To someone whose face she doesn't even know?"
No address for reply, not even a name—like she didn't expect one.
What was the point?
I love you, so I'll be your self-sacrificing sword—your thoughts on it don't matter?
"Th-this is kinda creepy."
If she weren't a beauty half-elf, I'd have hidden it in terror right away.
My past stalker trauma didn't help.
Hell, even a cutie stalker was a pass...
"Ugh, forget it. Staring makes it creepier."
Shivering, I sealed the letter in a drawer corner.
Out of sight, you demonic thing! ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇