Swish

The metal pen glided smoothly across the manuscript paper, divided into panels according to the conté.

The lines, which varied from thin to thick, breathed life into the illustrations, offering a much more dynamic look compared to previous drawings.

“It's marvelous. Creating a pen with this feel is truly amazing.”

The metal artisan’s face brightened at my compliment. Until I tried the pen, he had a nervous expression, but my satisfied feedback finally made him smile.

“As you suggested, rather than using just lead, we mixed it with steel at a specific ratio, which resolved the durability issue.”

Using only lead made the pens too soft, causing them to break easily, so mixing steel resolved the issue.

Though it was an easy solution to think of, getting the ratio right was anything but easy.

After numerous trials and errors, we had finally created the metal pen, known as the G-pen.

“In truth, with just a G-pen, one can draw an entire manga.”

Many esteemed manga artists use only a G-pen; having secured the foundation and core of manga drawing tools, it was as if the game was already won.

With this tool, I could express any line I wanted; all that remained was my skill, and honestly, I was brimming with confidence in that regard.

“It's like giving a legendary horse to a great general.”

Now that both the manga paper and tools were complete, the only task left was transferring the conté onto the manuscript paper.

I focused again on the manuscript and began drawing.

Scene Transition

Recently, a common enemy had emerged among the merchants.

“Damn those Yurens! They have no sense of business ethics!”

That enemy was none other than the Yuren Trading Company. They had introduced the novelty of fairy tale books and used them as bait to steal major clients, the nobles, with their aggressive sales tactics.

“Count, why have you suddenly terminated our contract…?”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t provide fairy tale books, can you?”

The Yuren Trading Company gave the right to purchase the fairy tale books exclusively to the nobles they had business relations with, causing many nobles to switch their dealings to the Yurens.

The affected trading companies gritted their teeth and tried to produce counterfeit copies of the fairy tales to sell.

“You want to imitate a product from an author with a royal commendation? Are you insane?!”

Somehow, Yuren Trading Company had managed to win over the Imperial family, who granted them a commendation plaque, effectively blocking any attempts to replicate the fairy tales. It was infuriatingly frustrating.

“But we don’t have much longer until our plan is complete.”

The Vera Trading Company, another one of the Empire’s top seven trading companies like the Yurens, had its capital branch manager, Jax, speak to their guild master, Vera.

Vera’s lips curled at Jax’s words.

“Yes, it took longer than expected, but we have finally succeeded in producing our own fairy tale books.”

Instead of simply copying the fairy tales, they decided to create entirely new content from scratch.

To achieve this, Vera Trading Company assembled artists who could draw well and storytellers to develop their own fairy tale books.

Of course, there were many initial trials and errors. No matter how hard they tried, the quality of the illustrations couldn’t match Rupert’s, and the stories were lacking.

However, after several revisions and attempts, they managed to create fairy tale books that, while still inferior in quality, were at least readable.

The launch was now imminent.

They couldn’t expect an instant breakthrough, so they had to start by capturing even a small share of the market.

As time passed, the quality would improve, and eventually, they might produce even better fairy tale books.

“Just wait, Esteban. I will repay this humiliation.”

Vera harbored deep resentment toward Esteban, the guild master of Yuren Trading Company.

Esteban, who had elevated Yuren Trading Company from a small trading firm to one of the top seven trading companies, was regarded as a monster, whereas Vera felt inadequate for having inherited one of the leading positions among the top seven trading companies, only to have it reduced to just one of the top seven.

To make matters worse, Vera couldn’t stand idly by as even their clients were stolen by the Yurens with their fairy tale books.

“This will be the first step toward reclaiming our position as the Empire’s top trading company.”

The thought of Esteban’s outrage upon seeing the newly released fairy tale books brought a smile to Vera’s face.

“Master!”

“What’s with the commotion? How can you call yourself a merchant if you’re not composed, tsk.”

Vera clicked their tongue at the employee who burst into their office without even knocking. How careless, and what could possibly be so urgent?

“It’s… the Yurens have released a new product in collaboration with the Imperial family!”

“A new product?”

“It’s a manga book.”

Manga book? What kind of book is that? Vera felt a growing sense of unease. Just before the release of their secret weapon, the fairy tale books, a new product launch came out of nowhere.

And to make matters worse, it was released in collaboration with the Imperial family.

“Get me that manga book immediately!”

“Yes, understood!”

It seemed that only by confirming its nature could Vera's anxiety be relieved.

While waiting for the employee to return with the manga book, Vera tried to calm their nervousness.

“Please, let it be nothing special…”

Scene Transition

“This is fascinating, is it not?”

“…Indeed it is, Your Highness.”

Princess Iolyn Vel was constantly exclaiming in amazement as she examined the manga book, Frozen.

This manga book was smaller than a fairy tale book, making it easy to hold with one hand, which was convenient for viewing and carrying around.

Unlike fairy tale books, which had long narratives that were difficult for illiterate people to read, this book was composed of simple dialogues, making it easy to read.

Even commoners could read this with just a bit of learning, making it an ideal introductory tool for literacy.

“However, it also carries a grand and heroic epic of overcoming adversity.”

Using simple words often results in light content, but this manga book was different.

The reason lay in the illustrations.

The entire book consisted of illustrations, with only minimal explanations and dialogue—a truly intriguing book.

“What kind of book is this?”

Receiving the completed copy initially left her puzzled, but she quickly became engrossed in it.

The drawings appeared to be alive and moving. The natural flow of the panels guided the reader's eye through the story.

The protagonists of Frozen seemed so lifelike that one could almost believe they were moving before their eyes.

Additionally, the spectacular magical battle scenes depicted in the manga book were vividly brought to life, as if turning imagination into reality.

“This is… entertaining.”

Even Aiton, the chamberlain who usually complained about the excessive funding given to Rupert and Esteban, was completely absorbed in reading the manga book.

Princess Iolyn was equally satisfied. Previous fairy tales had beautiful stories but lacked excitement.

This was precisely her taste.

“It’s delightful to see Hanna punch that man in the face and for Elsa, who was thought to be dead, to return and teach him a lesson!”

The betrayal by the seemingly virtuous Hans made her blood boil, but the sweet revenge of the Elsa and Hanna sisters left her with a pleasant feeling all over.

Princess Iolyn realized that Rupert’s books made her emotions fluctuate more intensely than usual, but she acknowledged that what was good was good.

“Aiton, increase the production of this book beyond what we originally planned.”

“Your Highness, the planned amount is already quite substantial.”

“I sense great potential in this book. I want to give the citizens of the Empire more opportunities to learn about literacy and morality through this book.”

Seeing the princess's serious expression, Aiton decided to follow her intentions.

Though Princess Iolyn sometimes appeared unreliable, when she had that expression, she always made astonishingly wise decisions that exceeded expectations—a true monarch.

Thus, his role was to ensure her intentions were accurately spread.

“However, I still don’t fully trust those individuals.”

Thinking of the guild master’s expression when receiving Imperial funding made Aiton uneasy.

There were no errors in the documents, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being taken advantage of.

Nevertheless, he had to meet with the guild master again to give the order for increased production.

Scene Transition

“Elsa…”

The third prince, Edric, was staring vacantly at a book in his quarters.

The manga book, a new creation said to have been commissioned by his sister, the princess, had left a more profound impression than expected.

When he read the fairy tales before, he found them intriguing but assumed this would be no different. He thought he’d take a light glance at it.

Strangely, he kept thinking of the female protagonist, Elsa.

A blonde woman with her hair tied up, cursed by the Ice Witch and burdened by a lonely past.

Yet, she doesn’t let the curse or her past define her and becomes a hero who saves the kingdom, a story that resonated deeply with Edric.

Until now, he regarded the opposite sex as a source of unnecessary emotions that interfered with his rational judgment.

But Elsa, for some reason, seemed like someone it wouldn’t be so bad to be with.

Once more, he opened the book to the scenes where Elsa appeared.

Thump

He felt his heart beat.

This woman seemed to live and move within the pages of the manga book.

Her expressions and actions felt incredibly real.

Elsa… Elsa… Elsa… Her name echoed in his mind.

He felt a deep sympathy for this strong yet fragile woman. While her sister Hanna found true love, why did Elsa not have a destined partner?

It was unfair.

Edric thought this woman, who overcame hardships and adversities with such grace, deserved happiness.

He suddenly imagined himself beside her.

It was winter.