Chapter 135

Chapter 135

#135. Level-Maxed Omnimaster’s Soft Power Cultivation (1)

Arad’s announcement about putting Arad Entertainment content up for auction.

Everyone in the room swallowed hard and started glancing at each other nervously.

“Can we also participate in that auction?”

At that moment, Petro from Arad Post cautiously asked.

“You take care of Mobile Knight Pluto properly. Now that I think about it, has your mind changed? We agreed to serialize Mobile Knight Pluto exclusively in Arad Post initially.”

“Huh? Yes! My foresight was short-sighted.”

“Foresight? Newspapers are supposed to be like that anyway. It’s weird for a newspaper to have something as big as Mobile Knight Pluto.”

“Yes…?”

“Pluto made you lose sight of your principles and convictions. Remember this: the purpose of a newspaper is to inform people about what’s happening in the world and deliver ‘necessary’ truths.”

“!!”

“If Arad Post wants to become the true leading paper of the Northern Region, it must never let comics take over.”

This statement by Arad applied not just to Petro but also equally to all the other media company presidents present.

“Comics or satirical cartoons, short stories—those are about right for newspapers. It’s just that there aren’t many places to promote these things right now.”

“So?!”

“Continue serializing Mobile Knight Pluto in Arad Post. Afterward, focus on short comics, satirical cartoons, and novels.”

To some listeners, this instruction might’ve been disheartening, but Petro looked deeply moved as if he’d realized something profound.

“Ah! The same goes for the manga and novels we’ll put up for auction. Since it’s the first time, we’ll give you large-scale epics, but afterward, everyone should follow the direction of Arad Post.”

“Then how will works like Mobile Knight Pluto be introduced to the world in the future?”

“They’ll be published in magazines and collected editions. If you have any ideas, start paying attention now. You’re all experts at printing, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”

Technology develops faster than politics, culture, or mental growth can catch up.

We need to set standards periodically.

With that conversation concluded, we briefly ate and then went our separate ways to attend to our respective tasks.

Half a month later.

Various newspapers across Lenslet simultaneously began serializing manga and novels co-produced by Arad Entertainment and author Meteor.

“Jackpot! Jackpot, sir!”

“Our weekly sales for Wind of Lenslet have already exceeded five times last week’s numbers!”

Naturally, the effect was undeniable.

Once again, it successfully sent the Lensretians’ dopamine levels soaring.

“We did well buying King of Leisure through stripping away all our slush funds!”

“Don’t celebrate yet. Start searching all over Lenslet immediately for anyone who claims they can write and artists who claim they can draw! We can’t rely on Arad Entertainment and Meteor forever.”

A few media companies, unsatisfied with just this, began recruiting their own artists and novelists to create similar works.

Arad didn’t block them; instead, he encouraged them.

* * *

The wave of cultural content that began in autumn continued uninterrupted into winter.

Not only that, every day brought new protoculture releases, leaving those who encountered them breathless with exclamations of “Decarcha!”

“Aaaaaah… Next chapter! NEXT CHAPTER!!”

Violet is one of the few remaining citizens of the Empire residing in High City and the only female Imperial resident there.

In her fairly luxurious mansion, permanently leased to her by Arad Capital’s staff, she was enjoying a rare day off.

“This is insane… What exactly is the identity of this author named Meteor?!”

With tousled hair, Violet lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Though her eyes were fixed on the ceiling, her mind was filled with lingering thoughts of the serialized novel she had just finished reading.

For someone like her, who until recently only knew work and home, the current wave of Northern protoculture had become her sole source of joy.

“Haa… How am I going to wait two more days…?”

With a long sigh, Violet tightly clutched the Northwind Voice newspaper in her hand.

“Should I rewatch the whole thing?”

Her gaze shifted toward a corner of the room where a neatly organized bookshelf stood.

There, various newspapers issued by different publishers were stacked neatly.

More precisely, only the pages containing serialized manga or novels had been carefully clipped out.

While newspapers are typically discarded after reading, becoming toilet paper thereafter, pages featuring articles about Ariana were exceptions.

Now, manga and novels had also joined this exception category.

Clipping and saving pages featuring favorite comics or novels had become a trend among Northerners lately.

“I’ll do the rewatch later. Time to go out.”

Violet unfolded the Northwind Voice newspaper.

Directly below the novel page she had just devoured was a prominent advertisement reading, “Duke’s Youngest Daughter Volume 1 Hardcover Out Now!”

“If I don’t go now, it’ll be too late!”

Violet’s gaze shifted further right along the bookshelf.

A tiny but precious personal library appeared.

Starting from Night Romance and Witch Julia serialized in Arcadia Morning, followed by Charles the Troubled Knight (Hamlet), Conteau Viscount’s Revenge (Monte Cristo Count), etc…

Each masterpiece that swept across the North eventually came out in collected editions once enough material accumulated.

These collected editions featured full-color illustrations unavailable in the newspaper serializations, making them irresistible purchases for novel fans.

“Huuu…”

Through the window, the fierce cold winds signaling the Northern winter were already blowing fiercely.

Inside her home, thanks to thermal magic devices, it was warm and cozy, but outside, the cold was almost unbearable even for someone born and raised in the southern part of the Empire.

“I understand why Bishop Company employees rarely venture out when they come to High City.”

While the hostile gazes from Northerners whenever they saw Imperials were certainly a factor, the bone-chilling cold here was another major reason.

Even Violet, who ended up working at the Lenslet Bank half-forced through Entaire, would’ve fled back south long ago if not for the thermal magic devices.

“Entaire Bishop… Truly an impressive person. To brave this cold and negotiate all the way to High City, and apparently, monsters used to be much more common here too?”

She finally understood why merchants from the Empire rarely ventured into the North both in the past and now.

“Hmm… Alright, let’s go!”

Finally, Violet got up from her bed, took a quick shower under the warm water from her Bluetooth Shower, and prepared to head out.

The novel she was currently reading was so engaging that it motivated her to endure the cold weather even though she was an Imperial citizen.

“Meteor… What on earth is his real identity?”

Among all of Meteor’s previous works, none lacked entertainment value, but the ongoing serialization of “Duke’s Youngest Daughter” in Northwind Voice was truly groundbreaking.

A family plagued by generations of madness, committing slaughter as casually as eating meals. Their fearful servants and vassals.

Amidst such a brutal household, the protagonist—a girl reborn with memories of her future life.

Using knowledge from her future, the reborn heroine tamed the bloodthirsty Duke and his sons.

As a result, even the cold-blooded Duke and his deranged third son became unusually obedient and gentle in front of the youngest daughter, creating a fascinating dynamic.

“If I miss out on the hardcover this time, I’ll have no choice but to wait another month.”

This comment indicated that there were many others obsessed with this novel.

Especially among the women of Lenslet, being unaware of “Duke’s Youngest Daughter” could lead to accusations of being an Imperial spy.

Finally, after reaching the volume length for a single book, the novel was coming out in hardcover today.

If she didn’t get in line early, she wouldn’t be able to buy it until the reprint.

“Huuu…”

After taking a deep breath, Violet stepped outside her house.

WHOOSH!

Despite having lived in the North for several years, the biting cold wind still greeted her unfriendly as ever.

Imperials and Northerners may look similar but have subtle differences.

Specifically, their aura, feel, and intonation differ.

Other kingdom residents might not notice much difference, but those born and raised in either the Empire or the North could tell instantly.

Both Imperials and Northerners trace their roots to the ancient Golden Age, but the latter inherited diluted Druid blood, giving them a peculiar exotic quality.

Even though it was a day off, Violet wore her uniform revealing her affiliation with Arad.

A thick fur coat prominently emblazoned with the golden carriage logo of Arad Group, paired with fur boots, leather gloves, and a fur hat…

It was attire designed to endure harsh winter conditions while performing duties.

Even a portable thermal magic stone was tucked inside her inner uniform pocket.

Unlike the active high-city dwellers wearing relatively light Rian coats claiming it wasn’t yet “real” winter, Violet’s outfit stood out distinctly.

Her fully armed appearance against the early winter chill drew more attention than her Arad uniform itself.

TAP TAP TAP TAP

Thus bundled up in fur clothing, Violet briskly walked down the streets of High City.

It wasn’t because of the cold but due to the unfriendly gazes from locals still wary of Imperials.

That’s also why she chose to wear her company uniform even on this day-off outing.

“Phew, at least I managed to buy one.”

Cradled in her arms was a precious book she had barely managed to purchase from a bookstore moments ago.

Limited to one copy per person, she regretted not buying more, but having one was better than nothing.

‘There sure are a lot of Northerners out today.’

Even at the bookstore earlier, Northerners proved their resilience to cold.

By the way, calling them “Northerners” nowadays might offend them. Even if you think it in your head, you must refer to them as “Lensretians” or “Lenslet” when speaking.

‘As always, amazing how they don’t seem cold dressed like that?’

Despite the freezing temperatures, most people were cheerfully strolling around in lightweight Rian fabric outerwear.

Only children dressed similarly to Violet.

Adult Northerners usually didn’t resort to full fur outfits and thermal magical devices unless it was during the coldest parts of winter.

‘This place is perfect except for the cold.’

While briskly walking, Violet observed the streets.

Buildings of various styles reflecting Northern architecture were growing taller and sturdier every day.

Elegantly dressed Northerners in high-quality Rian fabric coats.

Their clean skin, healthy teeth, and robust physiques made each passerby appear aristocratic and splendid.

People’s faces showed no signs of worry, and gentle smiles lingered on their lips.

‘And above all, the smell is great.’

Thanks to thorough bathing habits, frequent laundry, daily street cleaning, and especially the use of Bluetooth series technology preventing littering, there was absolutely no unpleasant odor typical of cities. Instead, it smelled pleasant.

‘Come to think of it, the prince’s birthday is coming soon.’

High City, which was already beautiful, had become even more stunning recently.

Shimmering low-grade magic stones and sculptures decorated walls and columns everywhere.

Pines and cypress trees lining the streets were also densely adorned with similar decorations.

“Gentle snowfields~♬ Holy night~♩”

Throughout the city, skilled residents practiced for this festival period, playing instruments and singing hymns created by the church, heightening the festive atmosphere.

‘It’s cold, but I’m happy!’

Even though she was born and raised in the Empire and spent most of her life in the Imperial Capital, Violet couldn’t deny the abundance, cleanliness, and tranquil beauty of High City.

She firmly believed that this unique atmosphere and culture surpassed even Benedenheim, the capital of the Kingdom Alliance known as the most advanced city on the continent.