Chapter 83

■ Chapter 82. Rest (1) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

The way back home went smoothly without any noise.

The carriage that Dmitri had called by paying a high price was equipped with facilities comparable to the accommodation, adding to the comfort, and the food he handed me to eat on the way was delicious. The kababs, prepared by the cook of the Rekilles mansion, were a kind of kabab, and the meat was so exquisite that I couldn't get tired of eating it. Thanks to the three or so that were packed for me to eat steadily on the way, I wasn't hungry.

Kababs are generally not suitable for eating in a swaying carriage, but the shock absorption magic laid inside the carriage made it easy to eat without much trouble. It even provided enough comfort to stretch out and sleep.

I neatly finished one of the kababs that Dmitri had given me to fill my hungry stomach, and then read a book to ward off the drowsiness that was coming on. By the way, the book was a history book about the racial war that I had been reading intently before meeting Dmitri.

Since Dmitri hadn't finished reading it, he willingly gave it to me. I showed some reluctance at receiving the e-reader as a gift, but Dmitri said he was fine and that he would buy one later, showing his generosity.

I'm not sure if he gave it to me because I'm Mari's boyfriend or if he had some other intention. Perhaps he liked me after talking to me.

In any case, it's clear that Dmitri has a good impression of me, and he's not as much of a doting father as I thought. Dmitri is an ordinary father you can see anywhere.

'Maybe he knows I'm the author of the Zayon Chronicles.'

I speculated in my mind while chewing on a kabab. It's just a guess, but given the excessive kindness he showed me, it's certainly suspicious.

Of course, he didn't put pressure on me like Lina or Leort, and he didn't ask directly, so I can't be sure. Again, it's just a guess.

'Let's just think about getting home now.'

I finished the kabab and threw the remaining trash in the trash can. Feeling a moderate sense of fullness, I looked out the window to check the time.

The scenery beyond the glass was gradually turning a deep crimson. It had been about 6 hours since I left around lunchtime.

The distance from home to the capital usually takes about 10 hours by carriage, but this carriage, which cost a lot, would take less time. I think I'll arrive soon if I read a little more.

As soon as I arrive, I'll greet my parents and finish dinner, and the day will pass quickly. In the carriage heading home, I thought deeply about what I would do during the vacation.

'I'll probably write the Zayon Chronicles bit by bit...'

I had already announced that I would take a break, but my hands were already itching. There's nothing to do during the vacation without a smartphone or computer, except for reading.

I'll do some exercise with my father from time to time, but even that isn't enough. A month may seem short, but it's actually quite long when you look at it.

I was thinking about how to spend my vacation so that it would be said to have been well-spent, when a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

'Should I write a side story?'

I had announced that I would take a break from the Zayon Chronicles, but I didn't say I wouldn't write other books.

Moreover, there are many past events that people are curious about. That is, the story of the master and the elf queen.

How the two could fall in love across racial lines, and why the master only looked at the elf queen until he grew old.

In the main story of the Zayon Chronicles, the past is occasionally described, but it's not enough. So many readers are making guesses, but they won't know for sure unless they look inside my head.

'Besides, the master is close to a comedic character, making it hard for people to accept.'

When the master gives Zayon lessons, he looks like a complete eccentric. Moreover, his light-hearted tone, which doesn't match his age, made many readers shocked when his relationship with the elf queen was revealed.

However, some people found this more charming, saying that such types are usually more devoted to their loved ones, and the master's popularity skyrocketed. Many people were looking forward to the future development.

Of course, their anger turned to fury when I abruptly announced the break.

'It's fine. Since it's a side story, it doesn't have to be long.'

I roughly estimated the length and started writing the plot in a notebook. The side story will focus on the relationship between the master and the elf queen, with almost no direct combat, and it will be more of a romance.

Although it might be a bit impulsive, since the Zayon Chronicles are just a hobby, there shouldn't be any major problems. Still, I need to write it well so that all readers can understand.

If I can reveal their relationship more intensely through the side story, the master's death might have even more impact. Moreover, since I've already decided on the will, I can include a similar story in their first meeting.

'Let's see... The master was once a famous mercenary, and the elf queen had just ascended the throne...'

In the carriage heading home, I worked hard on the plot.

"Isaac, look at this. All these letters are for you."

"...All of them?"

"Yes, our son is quite popular, isn't he?"

As soon as I got home, I couldn't hide my surprise at the pile of fan letters in a box.

The letters my parents sent to the academy were just the tip of the iceberg. It's not an exaggeration to say that it would take several days to read them all.

"And can you look at this one first? It's something your mother picked out and wants you to see first."

While I was staring blankly at the mountain of fan letters, my mother handed me a few letters.

I snapped out of it and checked the letters my mother had given me. Some had elaborate designs, while one was plain.

What kind of letters did my mother pick? I opened one to find out.

'Lilus Orchestra?'

It's the first time I've heard of this orchestra. I looked at the name of the group that sent the letter and then glanced at my mother.

My mother was smiling brightly, and from her expression, it didn't seem to be anything bad.

I turned my eyes back to the letter and opened the envelope. Despite the elaborate exterior, the content was a very ordinary letter.

I expected it to be a strange request because of the small wish mentioned, but as I read the letter, my expression became more and more surprised.

They want to express a famous scene from the novel in music. It's a surprising proposal for me.

Considering the background of this era, it can be seen as a kind of 'fan art' in an artistic sense.

I stared blankly at the letter from the Lilus Orchestra and then quickly checked the other letters. Since my mother picked them, they were likely from similar places.

Sure enough, from orchestras and theater groups to painters, sculptors, and finally craftsmen, all the major fields of art made similar requests. They asked to depict scenes from the Zayon Chronicles, with no concern for profit.

I looked at the similar proposals and raised my head to meet my mother's gaze. She was still smiling and waiting for my reaction.

"...Mother?"

"Go on."

"I don't know much, but all the people who sent these letters..."

Even though I trailed off, my mother nodded and proudly answered.

"You're right. They are artists who can boast of being the best in their fields."

"..."

"I'm really proud of you. I'll have to ask the publisher to send the letters to our home from now on. Maybe other places will make requests too."

Thus, my vacation began with letters from the greats of the cultural world.

* * *

"Phew..."

It had been half a month since the Zayon Chronicles announced a break, and the publisher's president sighed deeply every day, his worries growing.

The events of the past month were tumultuous, to say the least.

The Zayon Chronicles suddenly announced a break, causing large-scale protests, the draft was stolen just a day after it was published, and then he faced a tax investigation and received a huge fine.

Fortunately, he managed to talk his way out of the tax issue, or the publishing company would have been seized. However, the fine itself was a painful blow.

'How long can I hold on?'

The Zayon Chronicles are still selling like hotcakes, and the printing presses are running actively.

However, with a break of at least a year, sales will drop sharply as time goes on. Although he has no debt, the publisher is in despair, having tasted the sweetness of money.

He has to hold on until the next volume of the Zayon Chronicles is published, but it's questionable how long he can last. The printing presses alone are expensive to maintain, and it's hard to keep up with the revenue from the Zayon Chronicles alone.

'Damn it. What lunatic stole the entire safe? I'm going crazy...'

The thief who stole the draft has not been identified. The investigation team sent by the empire found no clues and returned empty-handed.

Being robbed of the draft was bad enough, but not even a clue was found, making each day a living hell for the publisher. It's a level of despair where even being hit by a stone while walking is no surprise.

Fortunately, he received some leniency, but the mental anguish is unavoidable. The publisher rubbed his face and groaned.

"Ugh... Should I cut the employees' salaries... No, that would mean I'd have to hire more... I have to save and save."

They say that a person's true abilities come out in a crisis. In the midst of the greatest crisis of his life, the publisher tried to figure out how to overcome it wisely.

He wanted to go to the author and beg for a new volume, but that's impossible. He doesn't even know who the author is.

'If this continues, sales will drop sharply within a month. I have to do something...'

While the publisher was wracking his brain, the door creaked open.

"President! I have a report!"

Matthew, the publisher's trusted employee, burst in without knocking. He had been affected by the draft theft but was now moving freely.

The publisher, who had been deep in thought, jumped up in surprise at Matthew's sudden visit. But he quickly regained his composure and glared at Matthew, who hadn't even knocked.

"...Are you going crazy too? Even if you're busy, you should at least knock..."

"But look at this! It's a manuscript from Zayon!"

"What?!"

Matthew showed him the mail, and the publisher jumped up from his seat. If what Matthew said was true, the contents of the mail were nothing short of a lifeline.

The publisher quickly approached Matthew and snatched the mail from his hand without a word.

It looked like an ordinary mail, so the publisher asked Matthew in a trembling voice.

"Is it really? Is it really from Zayon?"

"Yes! He sent it to me through a hired messenger as usual. It's definitely from him!"

"But he clearly said he was taking a break..."

"I don't know the reason, but you should take a look. I haven't opened it yet because it was so urgent."

As Matthew said, the mail was in perfect condition. The publisher realized it was true and hastily opened the mail.

Inside was a manuscript, which the publisher took out with trembling hands. A letter fell out from between the pages.

The publisher handed the manuscript to Matthew and checked the letter first. It would explain why he changed his mind.

With a pounding heart, the publisher unfolded the neatly folded letter. The familiar handwriting caught his eye.

"Side... side story!"

The publisher's face lit up with a broad smile at the content of the letter, which said it was a side story. It was like a downpour after a long drought.

Unable to contain his joy, the publisher quickly read the next part.

So far, it was a lifeline for the publisher. But the content didn't end there.

Boom!

After reading the entire letter, the publisher involuntarily knelt down. As he knelt, Matthew, who was reading the manuscript, was startled and urgently called out to him.

"President! Are you okay? What's in the letter..."

"Oh! Luminary! Thank you so much! You haven't abandoned me yet!!"

Ignoring Matthew's concern, the publisher kissed the letter and busily sought out the deity.