READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 171
“Have you heard the rumor that pink snow is falling in Somerset Territory?”
“Pink snow?”
“Yeah! The people who dropped by Somerset to buy goods said they’ve never seen such a spectacle.”
Recently, intriguing rumors had been circulating across the Empire.
Somerset Territory, a place previously unheard of, had become a tourist attraction ever since the Somerset Goods Store was established, and now it claimed that pink snow was falling there.
“Does that even make sense? Somerset is located in the South, and they don’t even wear coats during winter, let alone have snow!”
“Well, that may be true, but given it’s Somerset, maybe it’s possible after all.”
The man’s rebuttal made another man pause in thought, and he nodded in agreement.
The items coming out of the Somerset Workshop were all so peculiar that it made one think they might have developed something else.
“Pink snow in the South? Should we go see it?”
“I guess it’d be nice to visit while stopping by the Somerset Goods Store.”
The rumor of a fantastical pink snow gradually spread, causing an influx of visitors to Somerset.
There were already people who used the goods store, but recently, due to the emergence of goods stores in the capital and other major cities of the Empire, the number of visitors had decreased.
However, the joy of Somerset’s residents soared with the many visitors flocking in.
“Can you believe that a month’s worth of reservations is already full?”
“That’s not all! The restaurant owner, Jans, boasted that he made gold in sales in just one day.”
“From restaurants to shops, inns, and pubs, there’s no place that isn’t crowded.”
The visitors coming for the pink snow were mostly affluent individuals, lavishly spending their money in Somerset Territory.
As a result, Somerset was experiencing an unexpected boom.
“Do you remember what the Young Master said last time?”
“What about? Ah, that you would sprinkle this pink snow during a set period every winter?”
“Exactly! So, won’t a lot more people come next year?”
“That’s right. There’s nowhere else in the Empire, or even the continent, with snow like this.”
“Well then, if we set up stalls to sell food and goods during that time, it might turn into a big hit!”
Although they weren’t prepared this time due to the lateness of the season, the people of Somerset believed that if the same happened next year, they’d make a fortune by catering to tourists.
Thus began the Somerset Snow Festival, drawing people from all across the continent, not just the Empire.
***
“I hear you’re releasing a new fairy tale again, that’s really impressive!”
“It’s a bit tight, but I managed to find some time since the animation work is somewhat completed.”
Upon receiving the new fairy tale book from Rupert, Esteban could only marvel at his speed.
Rupert was involved in everything, from his professorship at the Academy to animation projects, the serialization of Manapia, and the production of fairy tale books and goods.
While Esteban enjoyed working and did more than most, he could never hope to keep up with Rupert’s schedule.
“Rudolph? This time, it’s not a human as the main character.”
“Yep, it’s a deer, and a deer with a red nose!”
Listening to Rupert, Esteban slowly began to read the new fairy tale, <Rudolph>.
Of course, since it was Rupert’s work, it was bound to be entertaining, but to market it effectively, Esteban needed to fully grasp the story.
In the case of the recently released <The Little Match Girl>, after reading its tragic narrative, Esteban had opted not to go for a lottery or release goods as part of their sales strategy.
“If we tried to push such commercial advertising with a story like <The Little Match Girl>, it would probably backfire.”
Others mocked him, dubbing him the lucky one who met Rupert first, but the truth was that Esteban understood Rupert’s works as deeply as anyone.
“This is…”
And after finishing <Rudolph>, Esteban felt certain about it.
“What do you think?”
“It’s perfect. I understand now why you hurried the release of this work.”
Rupert smiled at Esteban’s words.
He trusted Esteban’s abilities more than anyone else.
Even now, Rupert felt assured by Esteban’s immediate understanding of why he had rushed the work.
“Did the pink snow in Somerset Territory happen for the sake of this work?”
“No, rather the opposite.”
Actually, <Rudolph> was a fairy tale Rupert had never intended to create.
There was no Christmas in this other world, nor was there a Saint Nicholas, the origin of Santa Claus, so it felt ambiguous.
However, to comfort his younger sister, Aida, he had brought up the story of Santa Claus and Rudolph, which quickly spread among the children of the territory and received a good response. That’s when Rupert suddenly decided to create it.
“Even if there isn’t a Children’s Day, we need to have at least Christmas for the sake of the kids.”
Is there anything purer than the wish of children who wait all year for Christmas, hoping Santa brings them their desired gifts?
Rupert wanted to let the kids in this world taste that exhilarating experience.
“Above all, this fairy tale is also incredibly educational.”
Esteban appeared quite fond of the <Rudolph> book.
Though <The Little Match Girl> was excellent, Esteban had felt uneasy about its overly tragic content for a story aimed at children.
Of course, it was meaningful for that reason, but he believed a lighter, more hopeful story was needed at this time.
This <Rudolph> perfectly aligned with Esteban’s feelings.
“Moreover, there’s so much potential for merchandise, from Santa Claus to Rudolph, how exciting!”
“Exactly! Aida is already throwing a fit, demanding I make her a Santa Claus outfit.”
Rupert was equally excited.
Though <Rudolph> was not created for commercial purposes, it could easily be considered something that children in the Empire would want as a gift from their parents.
“Children will definitely ask for things that we sell at our Somerset Goods Store.”
It was the same on Earth.
Every toy company was busy advertising across all media during the year-end.
It was said that December sales determined the toy industry’s performance for the entire year.
Rupert thought that having something like that in this world wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.
If they conducted discount events or activities at that time, it would create wonderful memories for both parents and children.
“It would be great if the Somerset Welfare Foundation also drew up plans to give gifts to children during this time.”
“Yes, thanks to the donations that came in because of <The Little Match Girl>, we have enough funds to proceed with what you mentioned immediately.”
Esteban recalled what Rupert had previously said, watching him outline the plans as if he had prepared them beforehand.
“We need to make this winter warm.”
Despite the sigh at how the work he released was <The Little Match Girl>, intending to warm people’s hearts through its tragic content…
Now, he could be certain.
The winter of the Empire would indeed be a bit warmer than in the past.
***
“Professor, you’re really not resting and just churning out works.”
Adrian was reading Rupert’s latest works, <The Little Match Girl> and <Rudolph>, in the carriage.
Since the unveiling of <Steel Heart> at the last graduation ceremony, it had provided him with ample inspiration for his own creations still in progress.
“I no longer have doubts; I’m confident.”
Adrian reminisced about the first time he read Rupert’s works.
Back then, he thought he could easily catch up if he made a proper piece on his own.
But as he read more and learned more, he realized just how elevated the standard of Rupert’s works was, and his perspective expanded.
“Your Highness, we have arrived at the palace.”
“Thank you for your hard work during the journey.”
As he got out of the carriage, Adrian once again felt the weight of the difference as the coachman announced their arrival.
“Welcome back!”
Snap!
It was the royal palace of the Kingdom of Sylvania, a sight he hadn’t seen in a while.
Though it didn’t compare in size to the Empire’s Imperial Palace, the timeless and exquisite charm unique to the Kingdom was something that definitely stood out.
Soldiers lined up at the entrance of the palace to welcome Prince Adrian back.
Adrian responded to each soldier’s greeting with eye contact.
“Welcome back, Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while, Chancellor Cartel.”
Chancellor Cartel of Sylvania had come out personally to greet him upon Adrian’s arrival.
Having bonded over concerns for Sylvania’s future despite their age difference, their long-awaited reunion was filled with shared excitement.
“Where are Father and Brother?”
“They’ve briefly left the palace for morning appointments. They will return shortly, shall we have tea until then?”
“Sounds good. Even though I’ve had countless types of tea in the Empire, nothing quite compares to the taste of home.”
Relocating to a private room for tea, Adrian and Cartel shared stories ranging from small talk about their well-being to more significant matters.
“What did you think of the Empire you saw with your own eyes, Your Highness?”
At Cartel’s question, Adrian closed his eyes for a moment, recalling his experiences in the Empire.
“Chancellor, I realized something.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“If this continues, our Sylvania has no future.”
Then, he uttered a shocking statement in a quiet voice.