NOVEL WEB The first comic book of Another World, ‘Kingdom of Ice,’ spread rapidly throughout the Empire.
“If you press this stone here, the dialogue from the comic book will play. Everyone can learn to read and write through these!”
In every region, the ‘Talking Stones’ containing the recorded dialogue of the comic book were placed as instructed by the Princess, allowing even those who couldn’t read to understand the contents.
Most importantly, the response to the comic book itself was enthusiastic.
“Dad! You said you’d read it to me, so why are you the only one looking at it?”
“Just a moment… let me see it a little longer before I read it to you. Wait!”
Books had always been rather precious items. Even the cheaper ones were hard for commoners to afford, making opportunities to read them rare.
Moreover, most readers of books were nobles or scholars, so the content was generally difficult and filled with unfamiliar terms, making it daunting to read.
However, this comic book was truly fascinating.
It was great that even illiterate commoners could easily grasp the story, and it naturally sparked curiosity about the letters used in the comic book.
“So, this character’s name means ‘Ice Witch.’”
“Whoa, so Elza’s freezing abilities were due to the Ice Witch!”
“That’s right!”
Among the commoners, some could read, and they stepped up to interpret the comic book’s content for the growing crowd.
Though it was initially a burdensome task, they were satisfied as it allowed them to enjoy the comic book for extended periods in exchange.
However, with only one copy of the comic book distributed for public use in each village, those who always wanted to read it were overflowing. Frustrated and unable to wait their turn, some opted to directly purchase it at Yuren Guild’s local branches.
“How much is ‘Kingdom of Ice’?”
“It’s currently on special for 10 silver coins.”
“Damn, I guess I have no choice, but I can manage if I really scrimp and save.”
Ten silver was a considerable amount for commoners, but it wasn’t entirely out of reach. They could save up by cutting back on drinks and entertainment for about a month, so the number of people buying it to show to their children or just for their own enjoyment was steadily rising.
‘This is all possible thanks to the support fund from the Imperial Family.’
An employee at Yuren Guild admired the book.
For just 10 silver, what a bargain! Most storybooks cost dozens of silver coins, and this comic book was neither low in quality compared to others nor exorbitantly priced.
‘How on earth was this paper made?’
It was incredible that the cover was made of such a unique material. It didn’t easily get wet or wrinkle, meaning even the communal comic books being passed around in the village were still in great condition.
The content was amusing enough that he had sneakily snatched a copy to read for himself.
In truth, while he found previous fairy tale books a bit juvenile, this one captivated him from the get-go.
A story about a princess cursed by the Ice Witch who saves her kingdom—how awesome is that?
Especially during the magical battle scenes, he couldn’t help but let out childish sounds of amazement.
‘I’ve heard that another version will be released soon.’
Rumors were already swirling that there would be hardcover or limited editions like the previous fairy tale books.
Presumably, those would only be available at the main store, and the purchasing eligibility would likely be restricted to valued customers of the guild. However, as an employee, wouldn’t he have a chance too?
With that thought in mind, he checked his savings.
It was a close call, but he figured he’d have just about enough to buy a hardcover edition, and a slight smile crept across his face.
*
“Such insolence! Isn’t this clearly a mockery aimed at me?”
Crown Prince Alex was in a foul mood. He had asked to see the results of his younger sister’s initiative, the Illiteracy Eradication Plan, and this was what he got.
The Crown Prince Alex had never been much of a fan of books, so he intended to just confirm the existence of ‘Kingdom of Ice,’ but once he started reading, he found it interesting enough to continue until the very end.
However, a feeling of discomfort arose once he finished.
Was it mere coincidence that the protagonist of a work involving the Princess was also a princess herself?
Moreover, the male antagonist named Hans, who tormented this sisterly protagonist, felt eerily similar to someone he knew. Initially, he thought his paranoia stemmed from insecurity regarding his younger sister, but he soon realized this was undoubtedly a cheeky jab at his relationship with the Princess.
“How lacking can you be? How much longer do I have to put up with you? If you were even half the woman your sister is, the topic of succession wouldn’t even be on the table.”
The crown princess had always been compared to him.
He knew it well. Compared to his own ineptitude, the princess or even the Third Prince was far superior material for ruling the Empire.
But—
“I believe the Empire should adhere to the laws of primogeniture. I have no aspirations for the throne.”
Deep down, he loathed how his sister lived as if such aspirations were beneath her.
If only she would insult him or denounce him for his incompetence; at least it would relieve a bit of his frustration. But the princess only offered kind words about how well she would treat him.
With nowhere to vent his anger, he resorted to drinking every day and venting his irritation to those around him, leading to an ever-deepening cycle of discontent that only fueled more drinking.
He knew he needed to break free from this downward spiral, but it wasn’t that easy.
He sometimes found himself wanting to throw the throne away altogether, as each day felt like a torturous replay of the last.
“The second one seems to have it the easiest; I envy him.”
The Emperor’s concerns revolved only around his firstborn, his only daughter, and the youngest, the Third Prince.
The second prince, who tirelessly flirted with women daily, received little to no attention.
His own dissatisfaction only drove him to cause more trouble, yet he couldn’t help but envy that carefree lifestyle.
“I should at least issue a warning.”
The mastermind behind this incident was surely the princess. Whether it was to chastise him for his laziness or to subtly reveal her true ambition of becoming Emperor, it was likely she had a hand in this.
Surely, such a blatant satire couldn’t have been conjured up solely by the author, right?
Of course, if he slandered the princess based just on his suspicions, it was evident the Crown Prince would be criticized for being an irresponsible noble.
Thus, he settled for warning the subordinate who had acted as the author’s pawn.
After a long time, he picked up a pen and began to write a letter.
Well, given that he was merely a puppet following the princess’s orders, he figured he’d get the message across easily enough.
“Deliver this to the second son of the Somerset family.”
“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
As soon as the attendant disappeared with the letter, the comic book caught his eye once again.
Despite its satirical intent, he had to admit it was quite entertaining. With that thought in mind, he started reading from the beginning again.
*
“The crown and wand from ‘Kingdom of Ice’ absolutely must be included.”
“Of course! And this dress will surely have its demand as well.”
“That one should be made as a noble-exclusive item; after all, it’ll cost quite a bit to produce.”
I and the guild leader were both excitedly discussing the goods to be offered.
Before the release of ‘Kingdom of Ice,’ I had harbored some anxiety.
When we initially launched the fairy tale book, I was certain the children would love it, but a comic book was either going to be a massive hit or a complete flop.
The guild leader’s confidence after reviewing the manuscript, along with the princess’s directives to significantly increase the print run after submitting the final version, did nothing to quell my apprehensions.
But—
“Trapping Aida… Aida is the ice princess who lost her memory.”
Seeing Aida, who was embodying the protagonist Elza of ‘Kingdom of Ice,’ sparked a newfound confidence within me.
There she stood, in the bitter winter, wearing only a thin sky-blue dress while standing on the balcony.
The maids and Butler Alain tried to wrap her in an outer garment, insisting that she would catch a cold, but she stubbornly declared that she was the Ice Princess and felt no chill.
In the end, she caught a cold and ended up coughing while lying in bed, yet she relished declaring that she was essentially confined like an Ice Princess.
Perhaps thanks to Aida’s reaction, the newly released ‘Kingdom of Ice’ exploded in popularity.
Even the quantity distributed for public consumption was enormous, surpassing the sales of standalone volumes.
Even though the profits were kept to a minimum, the overwhelming sales brought in an amount that made me doubt my own eyes.
“Haha! I can’t believe the Young Master is purchasing wine from Charleslean!”
The guild leader exclaimed, looking at the wine glass in front of him.
This was the famous Charleslean wine, a specialty from the Southern region that nobles adored, renowned for its exquisite aroma deemed a heavenly luxury.
In the past, it was a price I could only dream of, but now, I found myself comfortably able to indulge.
“This is what a true noble should be!”
I continued discussing the goods business while sipping wine with the guild leader.
The factory was already built, and workers, including artisans, had all been sourced; all that remained was to finalize the items and start production, making their review swift and efficient.
“Then, should we definitely include that Olaf doll?”
“Yes, it’s bound to be popular! Just wait a moment; perhaps it should look something like this…”
Olaf was sure to be a hit character, and there was no doubt a doll had to be made. I quickly realized I needed to sketch it out for reference.
Noticing a piece of stationary on my desk, I thought, ‘Ah, I can use this!’
I began drawing the design of the Olaf plushie on the back of the letterhead.
“Hm, if it looks like that, it will surely be popular… Wait… Young Master! That crest!!!”
The guild leader gasped in shock, stopping him in his tracks.
“What’s wrong?”
“That’s the royal emblem, isn’t it?! Don’t tell me that’s another letter from the Princess? No, what’s more important is that you used the royal stationery for this?!”
Oh dear, what have I done?
This letter came from the Crown Prince.
“The Crown Prince sent a letter, that’s all.”
“For what reason?”
“Well, it mentioned something about being displeased with certain parts of the work, advising to exercise restraint and reconsider future creations, but it was all nonsense.”
As he spoke, the guild leader’s face went pale in real-time.
“Royal Highness, this is no trivial matter! It’s a severe incident!”
He was overreacting again. The guild leader was usually great, but moments like these, when he exaggerates, could be quite a spectacle.
Come to think of it, the guild leader didn’t know how things would turn out with the Crown Prince, did he?
Well, for me, knowing the development of the original story, the Crown Prince wasn’t that intimidating.
That man would soon be ousted and left in obscurity.
But it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.
“Don’t worry, guild leader. We should be fine for the time being.”
Despite his reassurance, the guild leader fidgeted in anxiety over the Crown Prince’s displeasure.
However, I figured it was unnecessary to provoke the still reigning Crown Prince’s sentiments, so I drafted a suitably vague response, ensuring nothing would go wrong.
“I merely acted in accordance with the instructions of the Princess. I deeply apologize for overstepping the feelings of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince,”
I transformed the contents of that letter into an elegantly formal statement and sent it off. With any luck, the Princess would harbor some grudge against the Crown Prince in return.