How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

46 – 46. Newspaper Serialization (2)

46.

Duke Radios inspected the book on which “The Motions of the Swordsmanship from The Chronicles of Shule” was written.

Around him, the knights from the Order of the White Lion busily gathered the corpses of the fallen black sorcerers.

They feverishly searched the corpses, reclaiming whatever items they could find.

Nevertheless, Duke Radios was completely engrossed in the book, looking deeply immersed.

‘What on earth is this book…?’

Duke Radios couldn’t disguise his confusion as he read.

He was well aware of the novel called ‘The Chronicles of Shule’. It was a story often mentioned by the knights when they had some free time, and he himself had read it once out of curiosity.

To speak frankly, Duke Radios was among those who enjoyed reading ‘The Chronicles of Shule’.

“My lord, why do you look so puzzled?”

“These illustrations. I wonder who drew them. Plus, looking at the condition of this book, it seems to be a copy drawn on new paper.”

“So, it’s a reproduction?”

“Yes. It seems the original has already been absconded.”

At Duke Radios’ words, the knight knitted his eyebrows lightly.

“What could the black sorcerers intend to do, stealing this swordsmanship book?”

“It’s unknown. But if these sword techniques fell into the hands of the Graphite Sect… then dealing with their black knights would become troublesome.”

“Is the book that valuable? The Chronicles of Shule is interesting, of course…”

Hearing the knight’s response, Duke Radios nodded.

“We should assume that this is the sword technique of Shule, the protagonist of ‘The Chronicles of Shule’. These movements drawn in this book. Even though we have reclaimed the copy, if the enemy has the original, there’s a good chance they would teach this technique to the black knights they’re training.”

“If it’s Shule’s technique…”

“Yes. It’s an aggressive counteraction technique that thoroughly deceives the enemy. At least the movements drawn in this book suggest so. Who could have recreated these?”

The movements were a lively depiction as if someone who had directly witnessed Shule’s swordplay from the novel had recreated them.

Duke Radios furrowed his brow.

“Apparently, this mission may take longer. White Lion Knights, assemble! We will pursue the dark magicians!”

***

“I’m sorry, Mr. Allen. Our newspaper is not so lacking in recognition to attempt such experimental endeavors.”

“You insult our newspaper, sir. You suggest featuring illustrations in the newspaper. Our duty is to provide accurate information to the citizens of the empire…”

“I’m sorry, but we hope you will look elsewhere. Even if you speak on behalf of the Duke of Mueller’s family, you can’t break our newspaper’s pen.”

There were no lectures scheduled for today.

Allen, accompanied by Meia, had made his way to Hwangdo newspaper, only to be rejected for the third time.

“Picky, aren’t they?”

“Perhaps, they are partly due to your deliberate evasion on topics related to Shuren history.”

It was their third rejection.

As he left the newspapers office, Allen shrugged his shoulders.

“Even revealing my name brought nothing but disdain. Perhaps they could not even conceive the idea. Meia, this was an unfamiliar concept for you too, wasn’t it?”

“It was strange, indeed. I wonder how you came up with such a concept…”

Allen didn’t bother to respond to Meia’s observation.

Meia in return did not bother to dig any deeper on the matter.

“After all, I didn’t expect to be rejected by all these major newspapers. The resentment still runs deep, apparently.”

“Many in the Empire’s press maintain close ties with those affiliated with the Empire’s literary cartel.”

“Wherever we go, that darn cartel blocks our path. I agree with unity, but there has to be a limit.”

Allen murmured in dissatisfaction.

Of course, there was a variety of stories being contributed by new authors to the newspaper, but even these authors ultimately could not escape from the Empire’s literary cartel.

Allen was the odd one out.

A novelist who rose to stardom out of nowhere, riding on the back of the Duke of Mueller’s name. A novelist who shattered the rigid structure of imperial literature in one fell swoop.

It was no surprise that those affiliated with the imperial literature circle showed strong hostility toward Allen.

As soon as they left the newspaper office, the bustling Hwangdo street welcomed Allen and Meia.

“I heard that a new Eastern Sword Study Club has been formed to study Kunryong martial arts. Is that true?”

“Yes, it seems so. It was even included in the list of clubs registered at the student council.”

“There isn’t much to study in Eastern swordsmanship apart from Kunryong swordsmanship.”

Allen’s doubt was justified.

The term Eastern swordsmanship usually encompasses Kunryong swordsmanship in general.

“I hear you’re researching the swordsmanship found in Shuren Chronicles…”

“Don’t do such strange things, please. Four volumes have been released, four volumes!”

Allen raised his voice as if just the thought was giving him stress.

Meia’s expression remained unchanged.

“I’m not the one who established the club, sir.”

“Ah, right. Sorry, Meia.”

“It’s okay. It’s not the first time you’ve acted like this, sir.”

Allen heaved a sigh and walked on.

“All the newspaper companies we have looked into so far have rejected us… should we try elsewhere? I’ve heard there are quite a few newspapers in Hwangdo.”

“Besides the three major ones, there are also several smaller scale newspapers. Hwangdo itself has a big area.”

As per Meia’s words, Hwangdo is vast.

Literally, as the capital of the empire, naturally there reside a large number of people, and Hwangdo’s size is exceptionally large.

Even the three major newspapers can’t monopolize the public opinion of such a huge city.

“Let’s look around then. There are no lectures today anyway.”

“Let’s look around leisurely.”

“Okay.”

***

After being rejected by a few newspapers, Allen was finally able to find one that would accept him.

Upon seeing Allen, the editor of the newspaper immediately greeted him as a fan and vigorously shook his arm.

He thought he might die with this large person shaking his arm up and down so powerfully.

Allen sat opposite the editor, wondering if his arm would have been broken if Meia had not stopped him.

The amiable editor took a sip of tea, and listened carefully to Allen.

“…comic strips in the newspaper? You want to feature some drawings?”

“It will be featured once a week. Here’s a sample. Meia.”

Differently from all the other newspapers that had rejected his proposal, the newspaper editor showed a willingness to listen to Allen’s proposal seriously. Allen presented the drawing Meia handed over to him in response.

Upon seeing the drawing that Allen had brought, the editor exclaimed briefly.

“Terrifying quality. I’ve rarely seen such skill in drawing. And this drawing… could it be from Shuren Chronicles? “

“You have a keen eye.”

Upon hearing Allen’s words, the editor’s hand, holding the piece of paper with the drawing, began shaking.

“Is it truly the Schuren Chronicle? Oh, my God. What I’m seeing is really Schuren Chronicle’s….”

Alan couldn’t finish his sentence as his mouth started to foam up.

The editor, who had been teetering on the edge of fainting, regained his composure after about half an hour.

Observing the editor who was panting hard while looking at the illustration as if he was a devout follower, Alan’s crisis detection radar started sending warning signals.

The editor took a deep breath, sighing in relief, and then began to speak.

“We’ll do it! Absolutely! As a die-hard fan of Schuren Chronicle, I can’t miss such an opportunity! It’s an extraordinary honor to meet the author in person!”

“This artwork isn’t mine….”

“If you are capable of creating artwork of this caliber, I can’t help but think it’s a mistake of God.”

The editor, Heringel, laughed with a kind-hearted smile.

“I feel like it’s a big task for a small-medium newspaper like ours.”

“That’s okay. Adonel Publishing was similar.”

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“Oh, Adonel Publishing. That’s a familiar name. Aren’t they in charge of the publication and distribution of the Schuren Chronicles? I heard they’re sitting on a gold mine lately.”

Heringel was slightly misinformed, but Alan chose not to correct him.

It’s a given that Adonel publishing handles the publishing. However, the sales and distribution are naturally handled by the Mueller Duke’s office. It would be strange if anyone other than Alan who wrote the novel himself would entrust it to a distributor other than his family’s office.

As a result, as Alan’s novels sell well, the wealth of the Mueller Duke’s household grows.

Heringel spoke again.

“Let’s draft the contract. I hope for good working relations with you, author. We can discuss the fees after you have gone through the contract.”

Alan responded.

“Before that, the illustrator will need to be present as well. Is it possible for you to make some time on the weekend, in two days?”

“We are of course free….”

Heringel seemed slightly anxious, worried Alan could take the Schuren Chronicle’s comic to another newspaper. Reading his expression, Alan reassured him.

“You don’t need to worry. I won’t be taking it to any other newspaper.”

He had visited about ten newspapers so far, quite a few of which had declined even knowing he was the author of Schuren Chronicle.

There were some who showed a positive attitude, but none were as proactive as Heringel.

Alan had already made up his mind to sign a contract with Heringel’s newspaper.

Heringel said.

“Then, let’s meet this weekend. I’ll make a reservation at Cafe Quinoa for 1 PM.”

“Let’s do that. See you then.”

“It was an honor to meet you, author. But, really… 5 volumes?”

At Herringel’s reaction, Allen scratched his cheek.

“There won’t be any for a while.”

“eeek!”

Herringel screamed.