Sherlock Holmes - 5: Even If the Editor Said So
"Even if the editor told you to do it, that was something a writer should never do! It's all my fault! I sincerely apologize!"
The writer named Lionel Balzac bowed deeply, his whole body trembling. It didn't seem like he had some hidden backing that made him pull off such a stunt. More like he was so desperate he didn't have time to think twice.
"Lift your head for now. It's hard to talk when you're bowed like that."
"Yes!"
He was nothing like the image I'd imagined. The shabby man in front of me, shivering and avoiding my gaze, had none of the aristocratic air of Maurice Leblanc, nor the roguish flair suggested by the name Balzac.
"Good. You said you needed the manuscript fee, right?"
"Yes..."
"I won't ask what circumstances forced you to steal someone else's character just to earn that fee."
Reasons for needing money were a dime a dozen—no need to pry. Writers being poor wasn't a new phenomenon. That's why nobles sponsored them, and publishers bought manuscripts cheap to print magazines. The real issue was elsewhere.
"Do you have a novel you want to write?"
"Pardon?"
Whether this man had the desire to write his own novel. If he did, I had no intention of condemning this destitute writer. I myself was a shameless plagiarist, stealing literature from my past life because my own imagination was bankrupt. Punishing him wouldn't set a good precedent for the literary world anyway.
And besides.
"If you're a writer, shouldn't you have a novel you want to write? Not one that plagiarizes someone else's character and mocks or trashes it."
"......"
I'm not a writer myself. But I know what kind of creatures they are. I'd met plenty in my past life, and in this one, I'd even gathered aspiring writers to publish books together. When academy students wanted to publish on their own, I'd supported them too.
In that sense, writers were predictably simple folk.
"...I want to write a romance novel. Not too lewd like pulp fiction, not tragic like The Sorrows of Young Werther, but a story where two people clash and conflict, yet ultimately understand each other and find happiness."
"A romance novel, huh..."
They always wanted to write their own story.
"Fine."
"Pardon?"
"I'll write you a letter of recommendation for the Homerus Academy."
"...Pardon?"
"Go learn."
So as a reader, I was more interested in reading this writer's genuine work than some ridiculous knockoff like Phantom Thief Hacken VS Sherlock Holmes. The story of the impregnable fortress had been ruined by the forced insertion of "Sherlock Holmes" anyway. This writer could do better.
I pulled a "card" from my pocket, wrote a recommendation on it with a pen, and handed it to him. It was merchandise based on the Arsene Lupin character.
"Once you have the genuine article, I shall visit again."
—Gentleman Thief Arsene Lupin—
"Admit the bearer of this card to the Homerus Academy."
—Herodotus—
Lionel stared blankly at the card for a long while. Then he looked up at me.
"Thank you!"
He bowed deeply once more in thanks. This time, without trembling.
"Are you the editor who handled Mr. Lionel?"
"Ah, th-that... There seems to have been a misunderstanding— This was entirely Mr. Lionel's independent action, and I bear no responsibility—"
"Mr. Lionel is better suited to romance novels than mysteries."
"Pardon?"
The editor who'd handled Lionel was fired after it came to light he'd made similar suggestions to other writers. Mini & Life probably had no desire to pick a fight with Half & Half, the hottest publisher around. Once word spread, other editors started checking manuscripts more rigorously for copyright violations. A writer getting sued wasn't their problem per se, but now they realized it could cut their own livelihoods.
In the end, it actually raised awareness of copyright. Editors would now catch potential plagiarism before it became an issue.
And.
"I'm planning to establish a foundation to support writers."
"A foundation?"
"Yes. I might need a little help from you, President Kindersley."
"Hehe, leave it to me if that's the case!"
I poured a massive chunk of my accumulated wealth into creating a foundation. It would support writers' publications and provide basic living assistance. Aid would cover education, healthcare, childcare, and more.
"What will you name the foundation?"
"The name..."
A welfare foundation's name. Homerus & Herodotus Arts Welfare Foundation wasn't bad, but...
Since I held the rights to the two characters with the most fan works in genre fiction history, why not use their names?
Founder: Homerus, Herodotus
And so, the empire's first arts welfare foundation was established.
The two most renowned writers in the empire, Homerus and Herodotus, had jointly founded a "welfare foundation." Once word spread, requests to donate poured in. Nobles for honor, merchants for vanity, readers out of fandom. Everyone wanted their name listed for their own reasons. It might even etch their name in history.
"Please, accept my money! I want to support the artists too!"
"I don't even need my name listed! I'll give my entire fortune—just let me stand alongside those two great writers!"
The problem? Too many people wanted to donate. The Holmes & Lupin Arts Welfare Foundation ran entirely on royalties from those characters—a astronomical sum already. Adding donations from tycoons made it far exceed what was needed just for artists.
"Let's split the foundation in two."
"Pardon?"
"Children are the writers of the future, aren't they? Let's use this to ensure kids aren't thrown into labor and get proper education."
Founder: Homerus, Herodotus
What started as an arts support foundation split, after some procedures, into the "Arts Welfare Foundation" and "Children's Welfare Foundation." Children's welfare especially required astronomical budgets. President Kindersley secured church cooperation, leveraging their social welfare infrastructure to support kids.
"Is Homerus truly a saint sent by the Lord...?"
"But what about Herodotus?"
"Maybe Homerus is the savior of a new era, and Herodotus his apostle?"
"What."
In the process, irreverent rumors spread that Homerus was the "savior of a new age." Universal child welfare was the church's eternal aspiration. Since the Savior walked the earth, they'd run orphanages and built schools, leading child rights efforts. Yet even they couldn't match Homerus's miracle.
"We'll donate to the foundation too! Please accept our money!"
"We want to join Homerus in purpose. We'll give our fortune—just give us the chance!"
A miracle. Yes, it was a miracle. Countless people stepping forward of their own will to support children, seeing it as an honor. A miracle no one had achieved since the Savior—recreated by Homerus on this earth.
"...This confirms it."
"Yes. Indeed."
"The Papal Court formally approves the beatification of 'Homerus.' Henceforth, the writer 'Homerus' shall be titled Venerable (beatification candidate), receiving respect equal to local bishops until the official beatification ceremony. Cardinal Garnier, discuss with Venerable Homerus to set the ceremony date."
"Understood."
The Papal Court formally approves beatification.
Title: Venerable Homerus
And while the ecumenical council for Homerus's beatification convened at the Papal Court...
The very Homerus who'd sparked it all was.
"Welcome to the academy, Mr. Lionel Balzac."
"Th-thank you for the welcome, Mr. Homerus."
"I heard from Mr. Herodotus. They say you're a very talented writer?"
"Pardon...?"
...gleefully planning to nurture a new writer at the academy.
"I heard you want to write a romance novel."
"Ah, yes!"
"Tell me in detail what kind of romance novel you want to write."
"Ah, w-well... Two people from different social classes who go through conflicts and misunderstandings but ultimately overcome them and find happiness."
"Ho. That sounds fun."
"Thank you..."
"So I prepared something in advance."
"Pardon?"
I pulled a manuscript from my bag. The textbook of romance novels, its plot enduring even into modern times. The direct ancestor of countless romantic movies and dramas flooding the world today.
Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen's masterpiece and romance's eternal classic. Pride and Prejudice.
I planned to hammer this "romance novel" structure into the writer named Lionel.