Surviving as a Plagiarist in Another World - Chapter 35: Pride and Prejudice

< Chapter 35: Pride and Prejudice – 1 >

“What on earth is this novel?”

“It’s a romance novel. Despite going through various conflicts and misunderstandings, it’s a romance where they overcome everything and find happiness in the end. I had a conversation with the author ‘Herodotus’ and decided to give it a try.”

Lionel, trembling slightly, cautiously accepted the manuscript.

Then, he sat down and began reading the manuscript quietly.

“…….”

Lionel’s reading pace was not particularly fast.

Compared to the people I had encountered so far—editors, readers like Sion and Rolls Camel—it was exceedingly slow. He would reread the same scenes multiple times.

If he continued reading at that pace, it would take him half a day to finish, but I was willing to wait.

I sat beside him, reading other books as I waited. There were plenty of books to read, and time was always lacking.

After a few hours had passed,

Lionel Balzac finally spoke.

“…I’ve finished reading it.”

“How was it?”

“It was interesting… very much so… It was the ideal novel I had only dreamt of.”

“Really?”

“Yes….”

Pride and Prejudice was the bible of all ‘romantic comedies.’

The structure of the upward mobility romance created in this work had never changed even in modern times.

The strong, intelligent, yet prejudiced heroine remained the archetype for all modern romantic comedy heroines, and most clichés used in romance genres were merely imitations of Pride and Prejudice’s structure.

Such a well-crafted and structurally solid novel was exactly what Pride and Prejudice was.

“What is the reason you showed me this novel?”

“I told you, to read and learn. I can only teach in this way.”

“…….”

“Can’t do it?”

“No.”

Lionel, who had been staring blankly at the manuscript,

murmured as if he were under a spell.

“While reading, I thought to myself that I wanted to write such a novel. So, I will write.”

“Good.”

While reading the peculiar work [Thief Haxen VS Sherlock Holmes],

I felt that he had a talent for learning the structure of a novel.

If Lionel Balzac, who could imitate the structure of detective novels and even arrange ‘thief genres’ not long after the appearance of ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ then he could certainly deconstruct the romance genre in ‘Pride and Prejudice.’

In the process, I could provide some guidance.

“…Would it be alright to read this manuscript once more? And, I’d like to take some notes as well.”

“As much as you want.”

“Oh, I’m not saying I intend to plagiarize this novel. It’s just that I want to learn from it….”

“Don’t worry, I understand what you’re saying.”

I chuckled softly and gave him a pen and paper as a gift. I told him that he could take them home if he needed more time. I didn’t think he would steal the manuscript of Pride and Prejudice.

Well, not even in that bizarre work [Rines Haxen vs. Sherlock Holmes].

In it, he had completely reworked the character of ‘Sherlock Holmes’, turning him into an entirely different person.

It was as if he was pleading for forgiveness, saying it was a completely different character with just the same name. And in terms of the actual content, there was no plagiarism.

Even though ‘copyright law’ existed, it wasn’t uncommon for minor incidents to be slightly twisted and used as is.

“I want to read your story, so I’ll wait.”

* * *

“Hmm… it’s interesting.”

“Thank you…!”

Lionel Balzac’s ‘romance’ novel was interesting.

It was clear that he had an understanding of structure and composition in his novel. While it lacked the sensory excitement, often called ‘pure fun’, his novel subtly captivated the atmosphere by actively utilizing the structure of romance genres.

I couldn’t say much since I wasn’t a critic.

At the very least, I enjoyed reading it.

“You’ve written an interesting novel, so now it’s time to publish it.”

“Yes!”

“Let’s do it together with my Pride and Prejudice.”

“Pardon…?”

“Oh, I don’t mean just publishing them at the same time. If we do that, your novel will get overshadowed by mine.”

“……”

Homer was the most renowned author in the Empire.

No matter how interesting this Lionel’s writing was, if published together, it would inevitably get overshadowed.

Therefore, I needed to share my presence with this writer, Lionel.

“A series of romance novels. Stories of love written by Homer and academy students. How about that?”

“What?”

“We pick a theme, and use that theme to promote both novels together.”

In other words, it was a planned publication.

A planned publication to quickly integrate the structure of ‘romance novels’ into this world.

“Uh, that…”

“Oh. If it’s about the number of works, don’t worry. I have a few more works ready for publication, and I’ve already received other students’ works.”

Ian Plummer.

The playwright who had once co-written Hamlet had a knack for romance novels as well. Especially, being a playwright, he excelled in dialogue and scene direction.

I had already taught him Pride and Prejudice and received his work.

When these novels get published, people will clearly understand what ‘romance novels’ are. And writers will follow that structure to produce even more works.

“…Why are you doing this for me?”

“Why, you ask?”

Even if I explained that it was because I wanted to read interesting novels, he wouldn’t understand. Explaining that his talent for stealing and editing structures would be more useful for ‘writers’ studying works rather than for readers wouldn’t make much sense either.

“It’s because you were recommended by Herodotus.”

“…..”

“I trust Sherlock Holmes’ judgment. Lionel, you will definitely succeed as a writer.”

Lionel Balzac’s expression twisted grotesquely. Tears flowed from his eyes.

As I stood there, bewildered, Lionel covered his face with both hands and sobbed, barely managing to speak.

“Sob… I’m not a decent person… Because I needed money, I stole Herodotus’ character and did something a writer should never do… The reason Herodotus sent me to you was probably just─”

“Lionel.”

“…..”

“No matter how fatal the mistake, it’s different from a sin, and a single mistake can’t ruin your life. Herodotus has already forgiven your mistake.”

This line was a plagiarism from the detective series Father Brown….

Lionel Balzac seemed somewhat moved by these words. He couldn’t speak any further and sat down on the floor, quietly crying.

I also quietly patted his shoulder.

Then, suddenly remembering something, I took out a card from my pocket and handed it to him. It was the recommendation letter from ‘Herodotus’ that he had brought.

“Here, keep this. I don’t need it anymore. It would be awkward if a thief came without a calling card.”

The card had Lupin’s notice written on it.

[“I’ll return once the genuine article is ready.”]

[-Gentleman Thief Arsène Lupin-]

“Let’s prepare the ‘genuine article’ that Lupin won’t be able to resist stealing and wait.”

“…Yes.”

* * *

The ‘Homer Literature Academy Romance Novel Series’─, and Pride and Prejudice were published.

Most readers only read Homer’s Pride and Prejudice, but quite a few people bought and read all the novels published together. Especially if they were fans of Homer, they didn’t hesitate to purchase even the works of his students.

“Homer’s latest work… It was truly a beautiful novel! He must be someone who delicately observes human emotions and sincerely approaches others. No writing captures the beauty of true love as poignantly as Homer’s works….”

“What kind of life must Homer have lived to write such a lovely piece?”

“Like in The Sorrows of Young Werther, he must have experienced deep love…. The night I read The Sorrows of Young Werther, I stayed up all night in sadness, but after reading Pride and Prejudice today, I feel like I’ll be able to sleep very peacefully….”

“Oh? I think my heart will race too much for me to sleep. Haha.”

Anyone who loved romance novels, and anyone who had experienced love, was captivated by Pride and Prejudice.

This was because Pride and Prejudice was a very sincere novel. Conflict, misunderstanding, pride, prejudice… It wasn’t just a romantic story but one that truthfully depicted even the fragile parts of human nature, which gave it its strength.

‘Truth’ is the strongest persuasion a story can have. Pride and Prejudice possessed that.

“Oh, have you read the novels written by his students?”

“Of course! I read all of them the day they were published.”

“As expected of Lady Isolette. I only read the novel by Ian Plummer, who co-wrote Hamlet.”

“Haha, really? Then you haven’t read Lionel Balzac’s novel yet.”

“Is there such an author?”

“I enjoyed reading Ian Plummer’s novel, but Lionel Balzac’s novel had a subtle pleasure to it. It felt a bit fresher?”

The novels published together with Pride and Prejudice received good reviews. Particularly, Lionel Balzac’s novel received the second-highest praise after Ian Plummer’s. As a result:

“Thank you! It’s all thanks to you!”

“What for? People recognized your writing because you wrote well, Lionel.”

Lionel successfully debuted as a romance novelist in the best possible way.

“And, writer!”

“Yes.”

“I want to personally thank Herodotus. Could you arrange a meeting? I know it’s a shameless request, but I really want to ask this favor.”

“I can always accommodate such a request.”

Because that was me.

“Thank you…!”