Surviving as a Plagiarist in Another World - Chapter 20: The Sorrows of Young Werther

< Chapter 20: The Sorrows of Young Werther (3) >

Aspiring writers faced with the ‘short stories’ I had prepared saw their reactions change over time.

“Huhuh! This, this is an unpublished short story by Homer!”

“I’m so glad to be alive… Huhuh…”

“Homer is a god!”

At first, everyone was delighted.

The aspiring writers, all lovers of fiction, began to read with bright smiles at the thought of being able to read unpublished manuscripts.

However, over time, more and more students began to feel puzzled.

“Huhah… This, this excruciating thing is a novel… What exactly is writing….”

“Hoo, this work was incredible too… But, huh? There’s still this much left…?”

The short stories I had prepared were specially selected for literary weightlifting.

There were many pieces not suitable for this era, and quite a few were even avant-garde. It was difficult for all to be enjoyed amusingly.

“My eyes are dry… Huhuh… My eyes… Please call the priest…”

“I could read all day long!”

Eventually, by the time the lecture was nearing its end, more than half of the students had exhausted themselves.

However, it wasn’t that there were no standout students.

A few avid readers, as if they would lick the characters off the paper, read through all the manuscripts and still felt unsatisfied, starting again from the beginning.

I checked the time and nodded, refreshing the atmosphere.

“Everyone has worked hard. You may take the manuscripts. It’s okay even if they are leaked outside… Hmm, as long as it’s not for purposes like publishing under your own name.”

Most of them were writings that didn’t fit this era, but such writings could still contribute to the development of literature in their own way. They weren’t really influential enough to be considered major classics anyway.

But it was the growth of these ‘aspiring writers’ that was the priority.

“Huh, Huhuh… Homer’s unpublished manuscripts…”

“I want to read a little more…”

“I need a pen! I want to organize this inspiration into writing!”

Even now, a few students sparkled with the desire to write. New seeds of works were sprouting in this other world.

Though the works born this way might not suit the tastes of the current mainstream audience…

If I find them interesting, that’s enough.

I smiled contentedly. I had a pleasant feeling that these individuals would write enjoyable novels.

* * *

“The Sorrows of Young Werther” was indeed akin to a melodramatic series.

A young man engaged in an affair with a married woman, the friendship with her husband, the ensuing anguish and conflict, romance. The position of the female protagonist, caught between two men, was structurally similar to that of the romance dramas of her previous life.

In essence, it could be said that the novel was simple and sensational in its plot.

Yet, the reason this work is called a ‘classic’ and has remained popular is:

“Could this merely be a product of the author’s imagination? It is clear that Homer, the author, must have experienced such passionate and sorrowful love as Werther did….”

“He must have used literature to heal his own wounds, to comfort himself….”

It was likely due to his delicate acknowledgment of humanity’s vulnerabilities that anyone could empathize with.

Although the content of the novel was not different from a typical romance novel, Goethe was a writer capable of harshly revealing the human soul while tenderly consoling it.

He dug indiscriminately into the deepest emotions that had to be buried.

It’s only natural to comfort oneself by acknowledging everyone has such weaknesses; hence, it’s not strange that passionate youths were captivated by this work.

This resulted in some complications.

“…I love you. I know it’s wrong to harbor such feelings for you when you are engaged to someone else. But if suppressing my own feelings is also a sin against the Lord, then I wanted to express my feelings to you at least once.”

“Isn’t your confession too late? I’ve been loving you all along….”

“…But─.”

“Shh. No need to make excuses after confessing first, right? Even if it means removing my family’s name from mine, I won’t lie about love anymore.”

Engagements were being broken among prestigious families.

What would have normally incurred the criticism of the church and the family─

“Love is the noblest emotion bestowed upon us by the Lord. No promise can precede love.”

“Ahem, if that’s what you think, I’ll speak to Lord Laheiten of the Fríden house to allow breaking the engagement. We may lose many privileges, but the glory of the family is not more precious than our daughter. After all, what’s truly important is invisible….”

No one blamed such broken engagements.

Everyone had been moved, whether significantly or slightly, by Homer’s works.

“The most important things are invisible,” a lesson also given by The Little Prince, remained in people’s hearts.

And.

“…We pray that the Holy Spirit grants wisdom to us who are lacking, and we will begin the council.”

The Vatican began a new interpretation of doctrine.

* * *

The council had convened.

All the cardinals of the church had gathered at the Vatican.

“The reason this council has convened is to discuss the ‘suicides,’ which we have turned a blind eye to until now.”

Cardinal Garnier led the council. Even though some cardinals felt displeasure at the youngest among them taking the lead, as Cardinal Garnier spoke, they had no choice but to listen silently.

They were not swayed by his words.

“The law suppresses the strong, and the Gospel comforts the weak.”

The Holy Spirit descended upon the council.

As Cardinal Garnier spoke, a divine radiance twinkled in his eyes, enhancing his aura. A brilliant white light settled over the council, affirming his faith.

“Our authority must only serve faith and belief, and must not be wielded to oppress the weak.”

“Those in such despair that they contemplate s*****e also require the comfort of the Lord, like lost lambs. It is our duty to comfort and guide them, not to reprimand or blame, but with love and wise comforting. We must understand them. This is truly an offering to God, and a devout act in His presence.”

“Let us not forget. Our Lord is love, the Word. He is comfort, and peace.”

“Let us strive to emulate Him. It is not difficult. The Savior and the Lord are one. He always works to save us. We must do the same.”

In a council touched by the Holy Spirit, there were no cardinals swayed by irreverent temptations.

“The Lord is watching us.”

“…Lord, thank you.”

Indeed, the Lord was watching over them.

That was enough.

“This concludes the council. Let us now spread the Gospel.”

Thus, the Vatican formed a knightly order of priests to study the psychology of ‘suicides’ and devise prevention strategies.

This order consisted of the most tolerant and progressive priests in the Vatican—outsiders challenging the church’s authority.

Cardinal Garnier personally addressed them.

“You must now be more merciful and compassionate than any other priest. Forget the words of the Holy Father, the old laws, and the doctrines of the council. Let only the Word of the Lord be your guide, and comfort those out of our sight.”

These priests would meet with those struggling with suicidal thoughts, the families of those who had committed s*****e, listen to their stories, comfort them, and record everything to seek wisdom.

Thus, to prevent potential suicides in the future.

The funerals were held for those who had succumbed to a tragic fever and, despite the cause of their deaths, had not received proper rites.

“It is imperative that love prevails over all truths, and everything must be done with love foremost. However, our Papacy is too outdated to act thus. Therefore, I will appoint you as knights of God, tasked with preaching the Gospel in the humblest of places.”

“What will the name of this order be?”

“The New Doctrine. You shall become the new church.”

This marked the birth of the Evangelical Order of Knights, prioritizing the Word over the authority of the Papacy.

* * *

In a building rented from the Knight Academy, the Literary Academy thrived.

Seeing the aspiring writers’ eager eyes, I smiled contentedly.

These friends would provide the material… the works that I would read.

“Being a writer requires surrendering your work to the public. From the moment it is published, your writing no longer belongs to you but to the audience. Starting today, consider serializing your writings through a ‘magazine’.”

Having ingrained the essence of short literature in the students, it was now time to see the fruits of their labor.

Discussions with the president of Half and Half had already been concluded.

“I plan to serialize your works weekly in a magazine, and rank them through ‘reader votes’ each week.”

Reader voting.

I intended to bring this modern practice from 21st-century comic magazines to this realm.

It was a direct way to gauge the popularity of the works and receive feedback.

“And the student who tops the reader vote will have the opportunity to co-write with me.”

“…Co-writing, you say—”

“Yes. You will write a new piece with me.”

The bait was set to encourage enthusiastic participation in the magazine serialization.

“I will teach you about the character limits and formats necessary for magazine serialization.”

The students’ eyes sparkled with motivation, overflowing with eagerness.

Yet, it was unlikely any of them would secure the first place.

I would serialize a ‘new work’ under the name ‘Herodotus,’ who had previously serialized the ‘Conan Saga.’

If a work managed to outperform mine and claim the top spot…

Well, if such a genius emerged, I would gladly hitch a ride on their success. Even a plagiarist like me could contribute to a remarkable work with such a talent.

* * *

[Half and Half]

[New work by Herodotus, the author of ‘Conan Saga’, begins serialization!]

[Discover the tale of ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ now at Half and Half!]