Surviving as a Plagiarist in Another World

< Chapter 16: The Little Prince (3) >

The sales of ‘The Little Prince’ character merchandise, when donated to welfare facilities like orphanages, lifted purchasing restrictions and garnered widespread interest and support.

Countless fan letters flooded the publisher.

The Imperial Post Office even launched an event upgrading mail to express delivery if sent with ‘The Little Prince’ stamps, though no one actually used them.

‘The Little Prince’ has now become a symbol of love in the Empire.

And.

“I wish to express gratitude on behalf of the beastfolk. Author Homer, you are a benefactor to all of us.”

“Oh, you flatter me. It was just business.”

Wealthy patrons, who supported ‘The Little Prince’ character business, were notable.

Grey, a beastman with rough grey fur, bowed several times, expressing gratitude with an almost burdensome politeness.

“As you know, Author Homer, we have been persecuted for ages. Half-human, half-beast, unable to hide our animal instincts… that’s the prejudice against us, and, indeed, it is true. I, too, am overtaken by impulse when I smell blood. Our fangs and claws are too sharp to coexist with humans.”

“You seem very intellectual for a patron.”

“If impulse is not under the control of reason, what use is a bright intellect? What defines a person’s identity is not bright intellect, but a warm heart. However, we beastfolk are lacking in that.”

Grey chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Due to his throat and snout being unsuited for laughter, it sounded almost like a growl.

“Most humans consider it dishonorable even to receive our support. They say it’s like taking the devil’s gold. But, Author Homer, you have taught us how to transform our money with a blessed heart. The wisdom to guide desire into good deeds! How can we not consider this a grace?”

“You praise me too highly. But it seems you are very faithful.”

Grey, the beastman, wore a rosary on his neck as a necklace.

Due to his thick neck, it looked almost like a sturdy collar, tight enough to make one worry if it was cutting into his breath.

“Is it strange that we, mere half-beasts, believe in the God of humans?” asked Grey, the beastman, his voice tinged with curiosity rather than accusation.

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, well, slightly unusual,” I replied, trying to smooth over any unintended offense.

“Even among those blessed by God, there are the indifferent; and among those excluded from blessings, there are the devout. It’s not strange at all,” he stated firmly.

“That’s true,” I acknowledged, feeling enlightened by his perspective.

What is life like for those who are ostracized by God in a world where He truly exists?

I dared not guess.

It would be presumptuous and rude to even try.

“Patron Grey, have you ever read ‘The Little Prince’?” I asked, shifting the conversation.

“Of course,” he responded with a nod.

Though the complexities of emotions elude me, I am aware of the existence of literature that can bridge such gaps. Written with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s wisdom and thoughtfulness, ‘The Little Prince’ casts a spell of sincerity on its readers.

“I would love to hear your thoughts on it,” I urged him.

In front of ‘The Little Prince,’ no one can deceive themselves. And there’s no need to.

That was the magic held by the book.

“If you feel indebted, then repaying that debt is sufficient,” he said. “Are you asking for my thoughts on the book? Hmm…”

Like a puppy washing its face, Grey rubbed his furry, jelly-like hands across his face, gathering his thoughts.

Then, slowly, he began, “The fox, he was truly endearing.”

His unexpectedly sentimental review surprised me.

I burst out laughing uncontrollably.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Here I asked for your thoughts and now I’m laughing rudely,” I apologized, trying to regain composure.

“No, it’s fine. Perhaps all of the beastmen could fall in love with that fox,” he mused thoughtfully.

“Is that so?”

“Indeed, a loyal dog always looks for a master to attach its leash to,” he added, his statement oddly profound.

His review was curiously intriguing.

* * *

Surprisingly, the name ‘Homer’ continued to rise in esteem throughout the empire.

“Homer is truly a wise and thoughtful person… I’ve already collected all his postcards, but to honor his intentions, I continue to donate to the orphanage,” someone remarked with admiration.

“If only I could meet him just once, I would have no other wishes!” another chimed in.

Especially among young girls with a penchant for romance and fantasy, Homer gained a near-religious popularity.

At the ‘Secondary Creation Contest’, testimonials from those who had seen Homer firsthand added to the fervor.

“Lady Isolde, did you really have the honor of seeing Author Homer at the award ceremony? I wish I had your writing talent! I’m so envious.”

“Hehe, I was just lucky.”

“How was he? Was he as gentle and considerate as the rumors suggest?”

“I remember him complimenting my writing. He pointed out the strengths of my work in a voice as smooth as silk… I was so nervous that I stumbled over my words. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“What did he look like?”

“He had a slightly exotic look, very noble… and somewhat fragile. He might have been a prince from a distant eastern kingdom, that’s how he appeared.”

“Kyaa!”

“And then, he took my hand…”

“Gasp! Hand, you say?! My goodness─.”

“Hehe, I shall stop here.”

“Oh my! Lady Isolde, please, the rest of the story!”

Most of these accounts were akin to fictional novels filled with wild fantasies.

Baseless rumors and exaggerated testimonials piled up, making Homer more than just a writer among the people.

The idol of literature. The saint of literature. The father of literature.

People admired and revered Homer in their own ways, and this admiration significantly influenced society as a whole.

“Principal Priest!”

“Hehe, Sister. Why such a hurry? Catch your breath first.”

“It’s that! An anonymous benefactor─ gasp. Cough.”

“Calm down, take your time. Did they donate bread again? If we receive too much, we’ll have to speak with the orphanage and set up a soup kitchen for the beggars…”

“They donated a building for the orphanage!”

“…What?”

Beyond merely donating bread to get a stamp at the orphanage.

A competitive atmosphere of promising donations and support to orphanages emerged.

“…It’s a miracle.”

“It is a miracle…”

“Let us pray together to God.”

Building a social safety net through private capital.

Before The Little Prince, orphanages barely survived through religious zeal, often forcing children to beg or work due to lack of funds.

However, everything changed after The Little Prince’s arrival.

Public interest, a shift in social perception, the maturation of civic consciousness. The power of culture brought about continuous and potent change.

“Ah! Head Priest!”

“Yes, Sister…”

“How about we say a prayer for Mr. Homer, together with all the children of the orphanage? Hehe.”

“That seems like a good idea.”

“I’ll call the children!”

As long as ‘The Little Prince’ remains a symbol of love,

And as long as there are children who need fairy tales, and adults who were once children,

Even if the craze of the trend fades,

The warmth of the embers will always sparkle in people’s hearts.

[If there is someone out there among the countless stars who loves a rose that blooms alone,]

[Just looking up at the stars will make them happy.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

[“My rose is out there somewhere among those stars,” they’ll think with a smile.]

[But if a sheep eats that rose, it would be as if all the stars suddenly lost their light.]

[And to say that’s not important?!]

Every time they see ‘The Little Prince’, they remember their childhood,

And they will be able to smile.

* * *

As a loyal dog in a painting looks at a fox, hoping to be tamed,

And a girl who loves roses prays to the stars.

“The empire’s servant greets Your Highness the Prince.”

“Oh, he is no longer a prince, you know?”

“… I greet Your Highness the Princess.”

Homer─ Ed felt as if he were standing before a viper.

“I’m not a princess anymore either.”

“…Yes?”

* * *

“Thanks to the medicine provided by the author, I became a woman’s body, didn’t I?”

“Yes.”

“So His Majesty was a bit troubled by it.”

“…I see.”

Was it just a minor inconvenience?

Seeing her smiling eyes and good-natured humor, it seemed like all such questions flew away.

Yes.

She must have managed somehow.

“So now, to say that the prince was actually a princess would only be confusing… so we used the traditional method!”

“The traditional method… you say?”

“I was adopted by Enoch!”

“Yes?”

Enoch was the name of the shadow that protected the prince.

And the prince was adopted by him?

“Enoch becomes Prince Idris, and I enter as his adopted daughter! It’s the traditional way to preserve the royal bloodline while solving the lineage issues of the royal family, isn’t it?”

“Uh, that’s, yes? I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand….”

“Now the name Idris and the title His Highness belong to Enoch!”

It was bewildering.

The prince was no longer a prince.

“…Then what happens to His Highness now?”

“Ah, come on, not His Highness anymore. Isn’t that blasphemy?”

She chided me playfully.

And with a childlike, pure smile, she introduced herself with a voice brimming with confidence.

“Please call me Lady Es!”