“Is this really possible?”
People were gathered around a book, engaged in a heated discussion.
Their topic of debate revolved around the newly released Volume 2 of ‘Iron-Blooded Alchemist’.
“The alchemy of flames, a vision left by my Master, is the strongest and most sinister alchemy that controls hydrogen and oxygen particles in the air!”
As they watched a scene where enemies were incinerated merely by flicking a finger, the crowd marveled in awe.
“See? Didn’t I tell you! The little iron-blooded brat wouldn’t stand a chance against flames?”
“I can’t deny it!!! Is the flame alchemist a god?”
With varying reading speeds, some urged others to turn the pages faster while others pleaded to slow down, claiming they hadn’t seen the contents yet.
Obtaining limited editions or fancy hardcovers was nearly impossible, but at least there were enough prints of the paperback version that most towns had at least one person who managed to secure a copy.
Those fortunate enough to have snagged a book held a privilege akin to a general celebrated for victory in war.
“You called me a baldy the last time!”
“That was ages ago, at a drinking party, wasn’t it?”
“I haven’t forgotten, so you shouldn’t either!”
People enamored with the comic were vying for attention from those who’d managed to get the next volume, attempting to seem appealing in hopes of watching together.
Sure, the basic paperback editions would continuously be produced, making it possible to read over time, but enduring the wait was tremendously difficult.
Especially when those who finished first began to exclaim:
“Ah… that chimera alchemist from Volume 2 seems awfully suspicious, doesn’t he?”
“Of course! Anyone who can create such grotesque things can’t possibly be normal!”
Whether intentionally or not, those who had seen the contents were mercilessly spilling spoilers to those who hadn’t read yet, causing a palpable sense of dread.
However, having read Volume 2 didn’t necessarily improve their situation.
“Is it even sensible to stop here?!”
“I’m in danger…! That father is definitely plotting something!”
“More importantly, what the heck are those artificial humans that’ve shown up this time? With names like the Seven Deadly Sins, they must have something going on!”
Just when expectations had peaked, the final scene of Volume 2 left the people feeling deflated.
Having waited a month for Volume 2, the thought of waiting another month for the next one filled them with helplessness.
“Oh, what’s this?”
Those who read until the end of Volume 2 discovered a small piece of paper at the back of the book.
“’Iron-Blooded Alchemist’s New Goods Empire Alchemist Certification Pocket Watch Raffle Ticket’”
It stated that only 12 individuals could obtain this special item through a lottery.
“Wait, does this mean they’re raffling off the pocket watch that appears in the comic?”
“Hold on, if you have multiple raffle tickets, doesn’t that increase your chances of winning?”
A singular thought crossed everyone’s minds.
If it’s a raffle rather than an auction, could you potentially win with just one ticket if luck was on your side?
After all, they had always thought that the Empire-certified alchemist’s pocket watch from the comic was incredibly cool and wished to have one.
And now, they could get it for free?
“This is certainly not meaningless consumption! It’s a rational choice.”
Moreover, if they won, it was undoubtedly something they could sell for an incredible price.
Even limited edition manga can fetch absurd prices if you manage to get your hands on one, and there are nobles who buy them at dozens of times their original cost. So it’s clear that this pocket watch, which is only being raffled off in 12 copies, is no less than that.
For commoners, the luck of stumbling upon a gold ingot while walking down the street would pale in comparison to this opportunity.
“When is the next shipment arriving?”
Those who had already purchased were gripped by the thought that they absolutely had to buy this second volume, regardless of whether they had secured a copy yet.
However, they could hardly fathom that similar scenes were unfolding across the entire Empire.
*
“How can there be such shameless individuals?”
If Volume 2 of ‘Iron-Blooded Alchemist’ had sparked a buying frenzy for comic books, then the fairy tale ‘A Dog of Flanders’, released at the same time, stirred the pot for entirely different reasons.
As readers followed the difficult lives of a red-haired boy and his grandfather, striving for a brighter future, they were deeply moved.
But then, the relentless misfortunes that befell the boy afterward left them sorrowful.
Although they had expected the boy, like the protagonists in previous fairy tales—except for the Little Mermaid—to have a happy ending, their hopes were dashed.
“How could!!! Such an ending….”
As the final moments approached without any twist in the plot, readers felt a sense of dread, and upon reaching the last scene, tears flowed freely.
It wasn’t just the children who cried.
The kids wailed loudly for Nero and Patrasche to be saved, rolling on the ground in despair, while even adults struggled to hold back their tears.
Had the fairy tale book not been waterproofed, numerous soggy copies would have already existed.
“Kid, I’ll buy all the fruit you have.”
“Huh? All of this?”
“Yep, keep living with all your might from now on. You must never give up!”
This sudden surge in customers caused the sales of street vendors selling fruit to skyrocket.
Most of these young vendors were orphans who had lost their parents to the war or came from difficult backgrounds, scrambling to make a living.
Normally, nobles wouldn’t even glance at them, often expressing irritation at the mess they made on the streets.
But when those same nobles suddenly changed their tune, buying their goods and even patting their heads in encouragement, they were taken aback.
Then, they realized that it was all happening because of the fairy tale ‘A Dog of Flanders’.
From then on, it became trendy among orphans and disadvantaged children across the Empire to carry puppies with them.
Rumors spread that when a child sold goods while accompanied by a puppy, people would buy as if possessed by spirits.
*
“This is astonishing, no matter how many times I see it.”
The Empire of Borus believed in the goddess ‘Gaia,’ who created the Sylvania continent.
Thus, there were no other religions, and only the Goddess Church was recognized as the state religion.
The status of the Goddess Church was such that even the Imperial Family found it hard to meddle with its affairs.
Its headquarters was located in none other than the Empire’s eastern region known as the ‘Celestial Garden.’
Legends say that this is where the goddess laid down to rest after creating the continent, marking it as the holy land of the Goddess Church.
Indeed, whether the goddess truly rested there or not, the Celestial Garden bloomed with flowers all year round and inexplicably glimmered brightly even at night.
Even the descendants of the monsters, who roam the entire continent, do not dare to approach this place. It can only be seen as a miracle of the goddess.
Given the significance of this holy site, a small commotion recently stirred among the key clergy, including the Pope, at the headquarters of the Goddess Church located in Celestial.
“Has everyone seen this fairy tale book?”
It all started with a statement from the Saintess. One day, she brought a book and gathered the clergy, opening a page and declaring,
“The content is truly remarkable. It realistically depicts the discrimination and oppression that exists among those who, despite being the goddess’s children, continue to trample the poor.”
The fairy tale ‘A Dog of Flanders’ had already spread widely, and many of the clergy who had read it resonated with the Saintess’s words.
“The author even included such scenes at the end.”
In the final scene of the fairy tale, there was a depiction of the protagonist and his dog, collapsed before a sacred portrait resembling the goddess.
In stark contrast to the shabby and small characters, the sacred image was grand and majestic, exuding a sense of holiness.
It was a beautiful picture that overwhelmed the viewers with a sense of pressure.
“When I saw the sacred image embodying the goddess, I realized! This is indeed the mission bestowed upon us by the goddess.”
“What do you mean?”
The clergy were puzzled by the Saintess’s words. They understood her up until that point.
It was a commendable notion that we must help those who are discriminated against and suffering.
But what kind of mission could she have realized from that painting?
“We, who serve the goddess, have treated the sacred images and wall paintings in her likeness as trivial things and have neglected them.”
In truth, it wasn’t that they had neglected them, but rather that the artistic skills of the painters in the Sylvania continent had been sorely lacking.
Whenever they asked an artist to depict the goddess, they were often handed bizarre illustrations in return, with those mediocre artists still daring to ask for payment.
Given the choice of hanging up such dreadful art or ensuring even a bit of gold goes to the poor, the latter had been the consensus until then.
“Imagine how beautiful it would be if such paintings were hung in every church throughout the Empire, conveying the goddess’s intentions!”
“Indeed, if we had such paintings, it would not only be acceptable to display them, but it would also better convey the goddess’s majesty to the people.”
The Saintess’s suggestion was not entirely absurd.
The last scene that Rupert put his heart and soul into drawing was almost unbelievable as merely a fairy tale illustration.
In fact, it far surpassed the works of the Empire’s finest court artist, known as ‘Saint.’
“I heard that a new church is being constructed in Goldfull Valley, the territory of Lord Rupert Somerset, the author of this fairy tale book.”
“Yes, that is correct, Your Grace. Investigator Manuel has already been dispatched and is currently making significant progress.”
“How about we paint a larger and more magnificent portrait of the goddess mentioned in this fairy tale at that location so that many may see it?”
“That sounds like a great idea! We can implement it there first and then see the response before spreading it further.”
Encouraged by the clergy’s words, the Saintess agreed, adding,
“Since the first impression is important, it would be best if I personally visit.”
And so, unbeknownst to Rupert, it was decided that the visit from the Saintess of the Goddess Church, who possessed more power than even the Emperor himself, would be confirmed.
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