Chapter 10: The Next Project
* * *
Lord Halven sat in his private study, the glow of the fireplace dancing across the marble floor.
A glass of aged wine in one hand. A thick, leather-bound volu in the other.
Titanheart Chronicles.
He smirked as he turned the pages again, even though he'd read them dozens of tis.
"...What a genius story," he muttered.
He rembered clearly—
That day when Sam Avencroft stood before him, dusty and determined, with nothing but a few papers in his hand and a mad idea in his eyes.
Back then, he had invested 30 gold coins—not a small sum, even for a noble of his rank.
But now?
That investnt had returned thousands.
Not just in coin...
But in power.
In influence.
In legacy.
The books had beco a cultural weapon.
Everyone wanted a copy.
Nobles. Scholars. Military commanders. Even royalty.
And Sam?
Sam was writing faster than anyone thought possible.
Chapter after Chapter, day after day.
Not just written—drawn.
With art so vivid it haunted people in their dreams.
Halven hadn't expected it.
He thought it would be decent, perhaps unique...
But this?
This was legendary.
People had doubted him.
Not to his face—never. But he could tell.
That subtle doubt in their eyes when he first spoke of the "peasant's book."
Those sa people were now elbowing each other at private auctions, throwing gold just to get one copy.
He swirled his wine and let out a quiet laugh.
"Sam Avencroft... I wonder how far you'll go."
He wasn't just writing a story.
He had reinvented storytelling.
He built a printing empire.
He crafted a new form of literature.
And Halven... had a front-row seat to all of it.
He looked at the flickering fire.
This wasn't the peak.
No... this was just the beginning.
The beginning of a genius.
* * *
The afternoon sun bathed the royal study in golden light.
Princess Serenia sat by the window, tea untouched, her gaze distant.
A knock ca.
"Yes?"
A royal attendant stepped in and bowed deeply.
"Your Royal Highness... news regarding Titanheart Chronicles."
Her eyes sharpened imdiately.
"...Chapter 3?"
"Yes, Your Highness. It was released today."
A rare glimr of anticipation flickered in her chest.
She set her teacup down with care. "Then bring a copy."
The attendant hesitated.
"...That is... I regret to inform you, Your Highness... the Chapter was released in extrely limited quantity. Only one hundred copies were made available."
Her expression remained still.
"...And?" she asked, her tone as level as ever.
"They are... already gone, Your Highness. Not a single one remains on the market."
Silence.
The attendant bowed deeper, guilt dripping from his voice. "I apologize. The demand far exceeded expectations. However, we will continue searching. If any copies surface, we will—"
"It's fine," Serenia said quietly.
The servant paused.
"...Of course, Your Highness."
She gave a slight nod. "Do your best to acquire one. Discreetly."
"As you command."
When he left, the silence returned.
She sat there, unmoving, still perfectly composed.
But sothing inside her wasn't calm.
A strange, tight feeling in her chest.
Like sothing had slipped away just before she could grasp it.
Was it disappointnt? Frustration? Envy?
She didn't know.
All she knew was that she needed to read it.
And for the first ti in years...
Princess Serenia truly wished she were anyone else.
Just so she could be out there—chasing that story like everyone else.
* *
"GTP..."
[Yes?]
"...GTP."
[Yes? I'm listening??]
"...I'm bored."
[...]
It had been five days since I launched Avencroft Publishing.
The machines were running.
The staff was trained.
Distribution was smooth.
And I'd written up to Chapter 20 of Titanheart Chronicles.
Now?
I had nothing to do.
Just . My chair. And a suspiciously shiny desk I probably overpaid for.
"Got any ideas?" I asked, resting my chin in my palm.
[What is your goal?]
"Hmmm..." I kicked my feet up. "To take over the world?"
[...]
"...Maybe?"
[Clarify: Social, political, military, or economic domination?]
"I dunno. Power? Fa? Gold? That sort of thing."
[Understood. Your na holds significant value now due to your writing. It's ti to expand your influence beyond literature.]
"I'm listening..."
[What about developing a missile-launching gun-shooting armored veh—]
"Shut up."
[... Canceling suggestion.]
"...What about making more money?" I asked, stretching.
[Your current wealth already exceeds that of a low-ranking noble. But if you wish to increase inco streams... consider this:]
[People in this world are not familiar with serialized storytelling. Most books are one-and-done stories. A single impactful tale could change the market.]
"A single book, huh..."
I stared up at the ceiling.
Sothing clicked.
A certain ani movie ca to mind.
Arguably the greatest one ever made.
The one that shattered my soul and made cry like a baby on a bus at 3AM.
"...What if I made that?"
[Are you referring to Your mories?]
"...Yeah."
[A tragic romance set around a celestial event. A cot that splits the sky... and two souls—connected across ti and space—who begin switching bodies in their dreams.]
I felt sothing stir in my chest again.
[It is a compelling narrative. A love story told through ti and mory. But it takes place in a modern world. You would need to adapt the setting to fit this one.]
"...You can do that, right?"
[Of course. I can translate trains into magical rail-beasts if you'd like.]
"Good. Then let's get started, shall we?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)