Surviving as a Plagiarist in Another World - Chapter 22: Count of Monte Cristo

< Chapter 22: Count of Monte Cristo – 2 >

When he first set foot in this world of literature.

In other words, when literature consisted of nothing but unremarkable knightly tales or cheap, vulgar romances.

He despaired.

He had no confidence in surviving in a world without something to enjoy. He had no courage to endure a life devoid of literature.

“Sion.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“It’s nice that there are more interesting novels these days. Don’t you think so?”

“I agree. It’s all thanks to your works, my lord.”

So, he plagiarized.

He transplanted various classics from his previous life—starting with modern literature beginning with Don Quixote—into this world.

Classics that would have originally been built up over a long history and paradigm shifts were arbitrarily inserted into the literary history of this world.

Honestly, he felt uneasy about it too.

Literature ultimately progresses along with changes in the overall societal paradigm. In that sense, the literature he plagiarized was merely a castle built on sand. It was not a culture born from the paradigms of this world, but from outside it.

“Is it really because of my works?”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, have you read this? It’s a serial novel I’ve been enjoying lately… The protagonist works in a magical tool factory. It’s cheerful yet resonates with the sorrows of life… It must be based on real experiences.”

“Hmm? Is that your kind of novel?”

“It’s fresh.”

“I don’t quite understand, but there must be something only visible to your discerning eye.”

“Puh. Is that so?”

“Yes. I don’t possess the talent that you do, my lord.”

But classics are classics precisely because they transcend time.

Furthermore, they serve as the catalyst that ushers in a new era.

That, he believed, was the true power of literature.

Stories about people that remain fresh even as time passes, that continue to be interesting as civilization progresses, and that hold respect-worthy values even as society changes.

“It’s not really a matter of talent, but yes, I suppose so.”

“You seem to underestimate your own talent, my lord.”

“My works are the best, but I’m not that great of a person.”

When he thought about it, that was the reason he had been captivated by classics in his previous life.

While it was difficult for a modern person of the 21st century to be impressed by decades-old technology, they could still be moved by reading literature from centuries past.

Unable to forget that emotion, he had chosen to become a translator.

“If the person who created such great works is not remarkable, then there isn’t a remarkable person in this world.”

Anyone who could create was remarkable.

The greatness of a writer was no different from the greatness of creation.

However, he lacked talent in creation.

His role was merely to serve as a catalyst for their inspiration.

“Alright. Enough idle talk. Could you review these manuscripts?”

“Are these the short stories for use in the academy?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a pity that such works won’t see the light of day, even though they are just short stories.”

“Well, maybe one day, I’ll compile them into an anthology.”

Through magazine serialization, he assessed the students’ styles and selected dozens of short stories that would help strengthen those styles.

Some writers excelled in fables and satire, others in wordplay and poetic sensibility, and some had a knack for structural and dense writing. He selected and organized short stories that would help enhance each individual’s unique style.

Developing present-day literature through the literature of his past life.

And by savoring and enjoying this advanced present-day literature, he experienced the joys of life.

“You will be remembered in history as the god of literature, my lord.”

“The name Homer would suit me well.”

This was the best life he could imagine!

* * *

Count of Monte Cristo.

That classic, praised as the pinnacle of pure entertainment, surpassed mere success as lowbrow culture, becoming popular even among the upper echelons of the empire’s nobility and wealthy class.

“Have you read the novel Count of Monte Cristo? It’s serialized in a cheap magazine called Half and Half… Ahem, but despite being in such a magazine, it’s quite enjoyable.”

“Oh! I’ve read it too. My maid recommended it to me.”

The novel serialized in Half and Half, a cheap magazine named for its half-price compared to other magazines, began trending in social circles.

Although many dismissed it as something read by the commoners, the overwhelming power of ‘pure entertainment’ knew no class boundaries.

As a result, collectors found themselves in a predicament.

“Argh! The paper is tearing apart!”

“Why does this trashy magazine use such awful paper?!”

Collectors, who would buy multiple copies of works they liked and store them in their exhibitions, were particularly distressed.

For those with a collecting obsession, the pulp of a cheap magazine meant to be read once and discarded was intolerable.

“We need a hardcover edition!”

“Half and Half must release a hardcover edition! If they don’t, I’ll burn down the publishing house!”

Consequently, public demand for the publication of Count of Monte Cristo in book form grew.

And there was only one publisher to handle the hardcover edition.

“I, Dorling Kindersley, will work with utmost dedication to publish Homer’s new hardcover!”

“Count of Monte Cristo is by Herodotus. Make sure you don’t mix them up.”

“Yes! Of course!”

Thus, the decision was made to publish the hardcover edition of Count of Monte Cristo.

* * *

Publishing in hardcover.

It’s the process of compiling a serialized novel from newspapers or magazines into a single book.

This type of publication had several advantages.

First, many readers did not favor ‘magazine serialization.’

For readers who preferred to leisurely read a complete story in one go, the format of reading one part at a time in a magazine had several drawbacks.

It also stimulated collectors’ desire to own it.

Compared to cheap magazines whose pages tore easily, a hardcover book printed on quality paper and bound in a sturdy cover naturally sparked a greater desire to own it.

From the publisher’s perspective, publishing a popular work in hardcover was a way to reduce risk while increasing returns.

“President Dorling.”

“Yes, writer!”

And from his perspective, hoping for the advancement of literature.

This was an opportunity.

An opportunity to blur the lines between high culture and low culture. Thus, allowing a more ‘popular’ culture to bloom across all classes.

“Let’s include a recommendation under the name of Homer.”

“Pardon?”

“A recommendation is essential for a hardcover, isn’t it? And among the writers worthy of writing one, the most renowned name is ‘Homer.’ So let’s include a recommendation under my name.”

“Oh, is that okay?”

“Why not?”

So he decided to give Count of Monte Cristo an extra push to ensure its success.

The method was a self-written recommendation.

Honestly, if it became known that the author ‘Homer’ and ‘Herodotus’ were the same person, he might be called insane, but…

As long as it didn’t get found out, it was fine.

In fact, even if it did get found out, it wouldn’t be so bad. After all, writers often had a bit of a mad image to them.

People would just think he was that confident in his own work.

“You really are a remarkable person, writer.”

“I hear that often.”

“Alright, we’ll proceed with the recommendation as you said. What about the illustrations and binding for the hardcover? Should we go with a classic leather binding?”

“What do you think of a Bible-like feel?”

“The Bible…?”

“Yes. We’ll need to think more about the specific design… but since Count of Monte Cristo symbolizes resurrection, it fits. Ah! It might be a good idea to make a limited edition golden hardcover.”

In the story, the clue to Father Faria’s treasure was originally hidden in a ‘gold-plated Bible.’

Given that the Bible itself symbolized ‘resurrection,’ the symbolic meaning wasn’t bad at all.

“Hmm, we need to think this through carefully….”

“Hehe, I’m always grateful, President.”

“I should be the one thanking you! You’re a gem in the world of literature!”

Thus, the details for the hardcover publication were finalized….

Now, it was time to meet the academy’s students again.

* * *

The academy’s students were withering away.

Regret, despair, and obsession.

They regretted not being able to write better, fell into despair, and to overcome that despair, they became obsessed with writing again and again.

“Kuh, kuhuh… it’s enough that I got to read Homer’s short story….”

“Homer is a god…! I’m worthless….”

“Today’s short story was fun too… hehe….”

Although their condition was gradually deteriorating, their literary skills were improving remarkably with each passing day.

Of course, literary skill and the talent for crafting a ‘story’ were entirely different matters.

“You’ve all worked hard. Although the reader poll results weren’t great, I believe each of you showed wonderful and unique stories.”

Simply mastering the technique of writing didn’t mean one could produce a masterpiece.

“Therefore, regardless of the reader poll results, I want to try ‘collaborative writing’ with you all. Each of you will take turns.”

“Huh?”

“What did you just say….”

“Huh…?”

But if these students had writing skills.

He had stories.

He knew the stories that had become classics.

“I have selected the students and the order for the collaborative writing. So from now on─”

“Wowaaaaah!!!”

“Hi, hiek! Co-collaborative writing with Homer…!”

“Heh, heheh…!”

…It would take some time for them to calm down.

Listening to the students’ screams, he thought about the few classics that would be completed with their help.

For example.

A fairy tale filled with countless puns, language puzzles, and mathematical paradoxes.