Chapter 35
“What on earth is this novel?”
“It’s a romance novel. It goes through various conflicts and misunderstandings, but in the end, they overcome it all and find happiness. I got a heads-up from the author ‘Herodotus’ and decided to give it a shot.”
Lionel, shivering ever so slightly, tentatively accepted the manuscript.
He then sat down and quietly began reading the manuscript.
“……”
Lionel’s reading speed was not particularly swift.
Compared to the people I’d interacted with so far—editors and readers like Sion and Rolls Camel—he was painfully slow. He kept rereading the same scenes over and over.
At this rate, it would take him half a day just to finish, but I was more than willing to wait.
I sat next to him, flipping through other books as I waited. There was no shortage of reading material, but time… well, time was always lacking.
After a few hours passed,
Lionel Balzac finally spoke up.
“…I’ve finished reading it.”
“So, what did you think?”
“It was interesting… very much so… It was the ideal novel I had only ever dreamed of.”
“Really?”
“Yes….”
Pride and Prejudice was the bible of all ‘romantic comedies.’
The upward mobility romance structure created in this piece hadn’t changed at all in modern times. The bold and intelligent, yet prejudiced heroine remained the archetype for all modern rom-com heroines, and most clichés in romance were just cheap copies of Pride and Prejudice’s structure.
It was such a well-crafted and structurally solid story that it was, without a doubt, Pride and Prejudice.
“What was the reason you showed me this novel?”
“I told you—read and learn. It’s the only way I know how to teach.”
“…”
“Can’t do it?”
“No.”
While staring blankly at the manuscript, Lionel murmured as if he was under some kind of spell.
“While reading it, I thought I wanted to write such a novel. So, I will write.”
“Good.”
While reading the absurd work *Thief Haxen VS Sherlock Holmes*, I felt that Lionel had a knack for picking up the structure of novels.
If Lionel Balzac could imitate the structure of detective novels and even rearrange the ‘thief genre’ not long after ‘Sherlock Holmes’ hit the scene, then surely he could deconstruct the romance structure in Pride and Prejudice.
In that process, I could provide him with some guidance.
“…Would it be okay if I read this manuscript again? And I’d like to jot down some notes too.”
“By all means.”
“Oh, I’m not saying I’m planning to plagiarize this novel. It’s just that I want to learn from it…”
“Don’t worry, I get what you mean.”
I chuckled softly and handed him a pen and paper as a little gift. I mentioned that if he needed more time, he could take them home. I really didn’t think he would swipe the manuscript of Pride and Prejudice.
Well, not even in that bizarre work *Thief Haxen vs. Sherlock Holmes*.
In it, he fully deconstructed ‘Sherlock Holmes’, turning him into a completely different character.
It felt like he was pleading for forgiveness, saying he’d created someone entirely different, just with the same name. And in terms of actual content, there was no plagiarism either.
Even though ‘copyright law’ existed, it wasn’t unheard of for minor incidents to be slightly twisted and used verbatim.
“I want to read your story, so I’ll wait.”
* * *
“Hmm… it’s interesting.”
“Thank you…!”
Lionel Balzac’s ‘romance’ novel was definitely interesting.
It was clear he had a grasp of structure and composition in his writing. Sure, it lacked that sensory zing, often referred to as ‘pure fun’, but he managed to create a subtle atmosphere by actively utilizing the romance genre’s structure.
Now, I wouldn’t call myself a critic or anything, but just saying, I enjoyed it.
“You’ve written an interesting novel, so now it’s time for a publication.”
“Yup!”
“Let’s publish it alongside my *Pride and Prejudice*.”
“Pardon…?”
“Oh, I don’t mean just releasing them at the same time. If I do that, your novel will get overshadowed by mine.”
“……”
Homer was the most renowned author in the Empire.
No matter how interesting Lionel’s writing was, if we published together, his work would inevitably be overlooked.
So naturally, I had to share the spotlight with this writer, Lionel.
“A series of romance novels. Tales of love penned by Homer and academy students. What do you think?”
“Uh, what?”
“We’ll pick a theme, and market both novels with that theme in mind.”
In other words, it was a planned publication.
A focused effort to fast-track the ‘romance novel’ structure into this world.
“Uh, that…”
“Oh, don’t worry about the number of works. I’ve got more of my own ready to go, and I’ve already received works from other students.”
Ian Plummer.
The playwright who’d once co-written *Hamlet* had a knack for romance novels as well. Being a playwright, he had a talent for dialogue and scene direction.
I’d already taught him about Pride and Prejudice and had his piece in hand.
Once these novels were published, people would clearly understand what a ‘romance novel’ is. And writers would follow suit, producing even more works.
“…Why are you going to such lengths for me?”
“Why do you ask?”
Even if I explained that it was to read interesting novels, he probably wouldn’t understand. Trying to convey that his talent for swiping and editing structures would help other ‘writers’ more than readers would make little sense either.
“It’s because you were recommended by Herodotus.”
“…”
“I trust Sherlock Holmes’ judgment. Lionel, you will definitely make it as a writer.”
Lionel Balzac’s expression twisted into something grotesque. Tears streamed down his face.
I stood there, confused as he covered his face with his hands and sobbed, finally managing to spit out some words.
“Sob… I’m not a decent person… Out of desperation for money, I stole from Herodotus and did something a writer should never do… Herodotus probably sent me to you just out of pity—”
“Lionel.”
“…”
“No matter how grave the mistake, it’s not the same as a sin. One mistake isn’t enough to ruin your life. Herodotus has already forgiven your blunder.”
This line was actually lifted from the detective series *Father Brown*…
Yet it seemed to resonate with Lionel. He couldn’t speak any further and sank to the floor, quietly crying.
I also gently patted his shoulder.
Then, suddenly recalling something, I pulled out a card from my pocket and handed it to him. It was the recommendation letter from ‘Herodotus’ he had brought.
“Here, keep this. I don’t need it anymore. Wouldn’t want to feel awkward if a thief showed up without a calling card.”
The card had Lupin’s notice written on it.
[“I’ll visit again once the genuine article is ready.”]
[-Gentleman Thief Arsène Lupin-]
“Let’s prepare the ‘genuine article’ that Lupin just won’t be able to resist stealing and wait.”
“…Sure.”
* * *
The ‘Homer Literature Academy Romance Novel Series’—and *Pride and Prejudice* were published.
Most readers only picked up Homer’s *Pride and Prejudice*, but plenty of people bought and read all the novels that came out alongside it. Especially the die-hard Homer fans didn’t hesitate to grab up their students’ works too.
“Homer’s latest piece… it was a truly beautiful novel! He must be someone who carefully observes human emotions and genuinely connects with others. There’s no writing that captures the beauty of true love as poignantly as Homer’s works…”
“What kind of life must Homer have lived to write such lovely pieces?”
“In *The Sorrows of Young Werther* he definitely must’ve experienced profound love…. The night I read *The Sorrows of Young Werther*, I stayed up all night in sorrow, but having read *Pride and Prejudice* today, I feel I’ll sleep like a baby tonight…”
“Oh? I think my heart will race too much for me to sleep. Ha ha.”
Anyone who adored romance novels, and anyone who’d ever been in love, was completely won over by *Pride and Prejudice*.
This was because *Pride and Prejudice* was a remarkably sincere novel. Conflict, misunderstandings, pride, prejudice… It wasn’t just a romantic story but one that truthfully depicted even the fragile aspects of humanity, which gave it its strength.
‘Truth’ is the strongest persuasion a narrative can possess. And that truth existed in *Pride and Prejudice*.
“Oh, have you read the novels by his students?”
“Of course! I consumed all of them the very day they came out.”
“As expected of Lady Isolette. I only checked out the work by Ian Plummer, who co-wrote *Hamlet*.”
“Ha ha, really? Then you haven’t yet read Lionel Balzac’s novel.”
“Is there such an author?”
“I enjoyed Ian Plummer’s work, but Lionel Balzac’s novel had a specific, subtle pleasure to it. It felt a bit fresher?”
The novels published alongside *Pride and Prejudice* received rave reviews. Notably, Lionel Balzac’s novel received the second-highest praise after Ian Plummer’s. Because of that:
“Thank you! It’s all thanks to you!”
“What for? People recognized your talent because you wrote well, Lionel.”
Lionel made a fabulous debut as a romance novelist in the best possible way.
“And, writer!”
“Yes?”
“I want to thank Herodotus personally. Could you arrange a meeting? I know it’s shameless to ask, but I truly want to request this.”
“Of course! I can always facilitate such a request.”
Because that’s just me.
“Thank you…!”
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