It has already been over a year since Rupert got transported to another world.
And in that short span of time, the culture of the empire had changed a lot.
If we talked about the most popular entertainment in the past, it was mainly the sporadic tournaments of knights or performances by troupes that toured all over the empire.
While those were primarily enjoyed by the nobles, the common folks mainly consumed the culture of listening to the heroic tales sung by wandering minstrels in taverns.
However, ever since Rupert started making books, things began to change little by little.
“I’ve confirmed the rental of 3 books. The return deadline is the day after tomorrow. Please be careful as there will be additional fees for late returns.”
“I can’t believe it! I reserved the new release 2 weeks ago, and I’m only now able to borrow it.”
Recently, Rupert and many other places, including the Yuren Merchant Association, were competing to publish comic books and fairy tale books.
Because of this, it became difficult for commoners, who were not financially blessed, to buy and read them all.
And so, to cater to the desires of those who weren’t wealthy, bookstores emerged.
While there were already bookstores selling various books, the appearance of bookstores specializing in only comic books and fairy tale books was like rain in a drought.
Wanting to read them but hesitating due to the expensive prices, commoners found it much more efficient as they could borrow dozens of books for the price of one.
Not only that,
“This Cinderella is extremely valuable. Are you really selling it?”
“I know, but what can I do? No matter how precious it is, it’s less important than the family’s difficulties.”
It also served as a place for people to sell and trade books they had already bought.
Of course, those who could afford it continued to buy books, but there were many who wanted to sell their finished books to see new ones due to urgent matters.
For them, the bookstores bought used books, selling them at lower prices than new ones, making them increasingly popular, especially among the commoners.
However, comic books were still lacking in variety and quantity compared to the existing bookstores.
So, they also engaged in buying and selling goods like figures.
In particular, the Somerset Goods Store always sold figures for a limited time, causing those who missed out to flock to bookstores, trying to find their desired items.
“Hey, where on earth did you get this?”
“I found it on my way out from the goods store in Somerset Territory.”
The owner of the largest and most famous bookstore in the capital fidgeted with the magnifying glasses used for appraising goods and examined the item again.
“This Pinocchio figure has never been sold at the goods store.”
“I thought so! My child was playing with it, and the craftsmanship looked very intricate, so I figured…”
The man, who had come as a guest to have his item appraised, remarked with disappointment.
Right before he was about to return from his visit to the Somerset Territory, the Pinocchio doll that a local child was holding caught his eye as it looked quite convincing.
He thought he was well-informed about goods, but since he had never seen the item the child had, he bought that Pinocchio doll for a hefty price.
‘This? My boss gave it to me as a gift!’
The child didn’t know where the item came from, only saying it was a gift from the boss, prompting him to visit the capital’s bookstore, which was said to provide the most expert appraisals of goods.
But to hear that this kind of merchandise had never been sold at the Somerset Goods Store left him disappointed.
‘Was this also fake?’
The official merchandise sold at the Somerset Goods Store was known for its high quality and exquisite craftsmanship, which made them popular but also pricey.
So, counterfeit goods were sometimes sold secretly in the market.
‘In the empire, if you get caught making them, your head might roll!’
Since being targeted by the imperial family meant big trouble, counterfeit goods were secretly produced in countries where the empire’s influence didn’t reach and smuggled in by traveling merchants in small quantities.
From the start, Rupert and the Yuren Merchant Association didn’t pay much attention to such fake products.
‘After all, our goods were designed to sell expensively to nobles rather than commoners, so we don’t care.’
‘That’s right. In fact, the worse quality of those fakes will only make people want our goods more.’
They had maintained a policy of selling books cheaply and then selling expensive ones to the nobles, and the low-quality goods released recently were mainly purchased by commoners, so they didn’t see it as a big issue.
They knew better than anyone that their main customer base, the nobles, would not buy fake goods because they were cheaper than their high-quality products.
In fact, the fake goods enhanced the perceived value of their original quality to such an extent that their sales actually increased.
“However, this is definitely not an officially released good, but the craftsmanship is so unique it feels real.”
“What on earth do you mean by that?”
“No place currently exists that could create such a fake.”
The bookstore owner answered the man’s question while continuing to examine the Pinocchio figure he brought meticulously.
The smooth joints characteristic of official goods, as well as the intricate carvings and the technique of fitting the doll’s body parts together, were unique to the genuine articles that couldn’t be found in fakes.
Many had tried countless times to replicate that meticulous technique seen in this figure, yet all had failed.
“Could it be this?!”
“Please explain it so I can understand.”
The bookstore owner’s hands trembled, and a quiver could be heard in his voice.
“At the Somerset Workshop, besides officially released products, there exists something they call ‘fantasy items.’”
“Fantasy items?”
“Limited edition items made for specific individuals very early on, only available to a select few.”
“Then could it be that?”
The bookstore owner merely nodded in response to the man’s words.
He was certain that this was indeed one of those fantasy items.
*
“It seems there are more people at the auction today than usual.”
“Can you blame them? That item is being released, after all.”
Soderz Auction House, famous for gathering all sorts of rare goods from the empire.
Maintained solely by membership, anyone could join, regardless of status, based only on their wealth.
The items auctioned here included dwarf-made weapons, elven potions imbued with vision, or ancient relics, making them hard to find anywhere else.
Especially at this auction, there was something particularly special being offered, drawing everyone’s eyes.
“It was because of the last Agora that this item was put up for auction.”
“Until now, no matter how much extra one offered, those holding it wouldn’t listen.”
“What can you do? No seller would part with an item they know will only increase in value as time passes.”
The item being offered this time was put up by a baron family.
One of the nobles who participated in the previous Agora to support the imperial parents’ association had no choice but to auction it off to raise funds.
“The dwarf-made double-headed axe has been sold. Now, let’s introduce the next item!”
As the auctioneer gestured, the lights in the auction hall turned off, and soon the sounds of busy movement started to emerge.
The item that had just been sold was being removed while they prepared for the next auction item.
“I’m guessing many of you have gathered here to win this item.”
– This is the first edition limited edition of the fairy tale book Cinderella made by Rupert Somerset!
As the auctioneer finished his explanation, a beam of light illuminated the podium of the auction.
Where the light shone, a single book was carefully placed, and on its cover, the title [Cinderella] was written.
“I’m seeing that for the first time in person!”
“I saw it during the last banquet when another noble brought it to show off, but that was a later fairy tale book.”
“A first edition limited edition fairy tale book, wow.”
The nobles exclaimed in awe at the magically enlarged vision of the book.
Recently, the most talked-about work in the empire, Rupert Somerset’s first creation [Cinderella].
Although that work could now be bought freely, that made it not particularly valuable.
What they sought after were those 110 copies referred to as the first edition.
Legend has it that Rupert specially illustrated different pictures for each customer, the legendary custom versions of 10 books, plus 100 copies made for sale.
Those had already become known among collectors as fantasy items.
‘The first edition and the later hardcover edition are said to differ from the very material used.’
Among collectors, the first edition books made by Rupert’s earliest works were extremely popular.
Among them, the custom version and the first edition of [Cinderella], the first produced, were literally priceless.
In fact, there were those lined up who would buy them at any price, but none of the owners were willing to sell.
‘This book is a treasure for our daughter! No one should think of laying a finger on it.’
All the owners of the books were nobles, and most of their reasons for purchasing the book were for their children, so no matter how high the price rose, none were willing to sell.
However, when news spread that one of those who participated against Rupert in the recent Agora was auctioning off that fantasy first edition to raise compensation,
Collectors from all over the empire flocked to the Soderz auction house.
“Now, let the auction for Cinderella’s first edition begin!!!”
As the auctioneer called out to signal the start, the patrons in the audience quickly lifted their paddles.
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