Surviving as a Plagiarist in Another World

The Emperor of the Empire, the Lucky King Abraham.

When describing Abraham’s life, the nickname “Lucky King” was an excessively innocent joke.

During his time as a prince, his brothers, who were ahead in the line of succession, “accidentally” suffered accidents just before the imperial throne competition, allowing Abraham to dominate half of the world. Shortly after his ascension to the throne, a few nobles who had been challenging the authority of the imperial family were plotting to manipulate the “luckily crowned emperor,” when by “coincidence,” the floor of the building they were in collapsed, and all of the emperor’s opposition either died or became disabled.

Therefore, the nickname “Lucky King” was a joke created by those who feared Abraham’s “luck.”

The emperor, who was deeply loved by luck.

When considering that the Lucky King himself had never once attended a session of the imperial council after his ascension, under the pretext of respecting “the rule of law by the council,” it became clear just how “terrible” his kind of luck was. No one was left as an enemy of the Lucky King, and no one was ever given the chance to become his enemy.

It was a kind of talent that was somewhat different from the “Lazy King,” who was loved by all the people of Harren.

The people of the Empire…

Feared Lucky King Abraham.

“Of course, Your Majesty, the only ruler of the Empire.”

However, the actual Lucky King, whom he had imagined, was not as authoritative or fearful as he had thought.

To be more specific… he was a dignified person. The Lucky King was the kind of leader who deliberately expressed a more authoritative attitude, fearing that the other party might feel uncomfortable with his “friendly demeanor.” He felt like the exact opposite of the “Lazy King,” who had no authority to speak of.

“A charity auction… The proceeds will go to improving the treatment of border soldiers and supporting the welfare of retired soldiers, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“To be honest, I am very grateful. First, that child had asked me to increase the budget for military weapon development, and I was having a headache over it… but thanks to this, things will ease up a bit. Oh, when I say ‘weapon development budget,’ I don’t mean preparing for war or anything like that. I’m talking about new technologies like military aircraft, tanks, submarines, and such.”

“Tch, it seems like you’re really enjoying life, don’t you, Brother?”

Abel clicked his tongue, dissatisfied with what he was hearing.

Despite his son’s sarcastic attitude, the Lucky King calmly defended the first prince.

“That child is sincere in his own way.”

“Isn’t it just stubbornness, wanting to participate directly in acrobatic flying?”

“If it’s something that must be done, there’s nothing he can’t do, whether it’s flying or even cleaning out the sewers.”

“If a child is trying to get on a tightrope just because it’s fun to watch at the circus, isn’t it the right thing to stop him?”

“Abel, you are underestimating your brother.”

“Well… I can’t deny that.”

The sudden family dispute made me, standing next to them, feel a little awkward.

Noticing my discomfort, Abel belatedly apologized with a glance, and the emperor chuckled softly, glancing at me.

“Ah, I must have shown an ugly side of myself. In front of my family… I am not the emperor, but ‘father.’ Can you understand?”

“Ah, yes.”

Suddenly, at that moment, the figure of Lady Es crossed my mind.

More specifically, the conversation with Lady Es came to mind.

She had said that for the sake of the imperial family’s dignity, he was the kind of person who would not shed a single tear, even if a knife pierced his heart. Ꞧ𝘼N𝙤𝖇ƐS

“Dad… you’re really a pitiful person.”

“Is that so?”

“You really love your family, but you pretend to love them… it’s ridiculous. Or is it the opposite? Anyway, you care so much about how others see you.”

“…”

“You act as if you’re the one properly keeping the family and the imperial family intact, pretending to be lighthearted, even though you’re secretly ashamed of showing your weaknesses because of family affection… Do you think I can trust you as my father? If I were to go with you to see him, he’d probably act lighthearted, like a father who can’t win against his daughter, then cough awkwardly and try to act serious in front of my husband, saying, ‘I’ve shown an unsightly side in front of my son-in-law, haha.’ It’s so obvious, right?”

“Son-in-law?”

“Oh, guest. A guest.”

“…”

“If by any chance you meet His Majesty the Emperor, just know that everything he says is a lie. His attitude, his habits, his actions… it’s all fake. He doesn’t even know what he’s really thinking. He only cares about ‘how he looks.’ That’s why he doesn’t get along with second brother… Abel, on the other hand, has a hidden attachment to family. Hehe.”

Abel. Abraham.

Lady Es had said that the two of them “didn’t get along.”

Now, I could feel just what that meant.

“This fountain pen, which this child recklessly put up for charity auction… I was thinking of giving it to you as a gift, Homeros, since it’s also fate. It should be useful to you.”

“Oh, no. I already received something from Lady Es.”

“Ah, I see. That child… hmm. By the way, what are you trying to do by expanding your influence like this?”

“Pardon?”

“Through preparing this banquet… and through the charity auction and other events, you’ve clearly shown your influence, your power, and the ‘people’ you can rely on at any time. Those who have dedicated their lives to the church and those who are neglected by the church, scholars who want to grasp truth and those who want to obey it, merchants who make money by selling goods and usurers who lend money and take interest—everyone who once ignored each other gathered for the sake of the name ‘Homeros.’ After tonight’s banquet, there will likely be nobles who will start to watch you warily.”

“…”

“Everyone now knows you have ‘power.’ Naturally, it follows that they will wonder what you intend to do with it. Some will fear that they will lose something because of you, while others will expect to gain something by using your power.”

There was a strange tension in the voice of the Lucky King. No, it wasn’t just his voice; the air between the Lucky King and I seemed to have grown tense.

The gemstone-like ice mist created by magic sparkled.

“…I have no particular intention. The banquet was simply prepared because Prince Abel requested it.”

“Is it because this child is Lady Es’s older brother?”

“No. He said he would open the central library of the Empire to the public.”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

“Ah, yes. That’s correct. I made such a promise.”

Honestly, since this banquet symbolized the new millennium of the Empire, and was the most luxurious banquet of this era to showcase the imperial family’s dignity, I didn’t really know much about it. After all, someone like me, who doesn’t even participate in social circles, couldn’t have any profound insight into banquets.

Not just banquets, though…

In fact, in most matters, I had never found anything of value beyond “literature.” I had started the welfare foundation, accepted the church’s proposal to be a poet, created the academy, and got involved in various businesses—all for literature. It was simply because literature was something “people” created, and thus people got caught up in things for the sake of literature.

So, as a translator, I was someone closer to an editor than a writer.

Rather than creating works, I valued more the environment where works were sold, read, and evaluated. I was someone outside the work, clinging to “literature” rather than “writing.” And that would never change.

“You asked what I would do with ‘power,’” I said.

“…”

“That is not something I can decide, nor something I can answer.”

I’m not a real writer.

“My life is tied to literature, so I believe literature will decide my path. If literature stumbles while walking a long road, I will ask those walking alongside me to help lift it back up. And if literature runs too fast for people to keep up, I could also push others forward to catch it.”

“Would you use all your authority solely for literature?”

“Power of literature, by literature, and for literature. I am not the master of authority, so I cannot speak definitively about it.”

“What if you were blocking literature’s progress? If giving up all your power could advance literature, would you agree with that?”

“If the progress of literature could be achieved through my sacrifice, I would consider it an immensely honorable thing.”

“…Ha, haha!”

Whether my answer was appropriate or what intention the Lucky King had in asking that question, I didn’t know.

However, the Lucky King seemed quite satisfied as he burst into laughter.

For quite some time, he laughed so joyfully that tears came to his eyes.

Eventually, the Lucky King, still smiling, pulled out a coin from his pocket.

“Let’s make a bet.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m not entirely like you, but I also have a more convincing way of making decisions than merely ‘my opinion.’”

“…….”

“You said you don’t need a fountain pen, so… well, how about I open the Imperial Library’s rare collections to you? Would that satisfy you?”

“What do you want in return?”

“Literature.”

“Excuse me?”

“A handwritten manuscript of The Great Gatsby was sold for 20,000 gold coins, wasn’t it? I’d like to receive one of your handwritten manuscripts as well. If I win, I’ll purchase the manuscript for 30,000 gold coins.”

“Ah, if it’s just that… Sure. That’s fine.”

The Lucky King showed me both sides of the coin.

On the front side was the face of the ‘Sovereign King,’ which bore a striking resemblance to the Lucky King standing before me.

“If the front side lands, I win. If the back side lands, you win.”

“Understood.”

“Let’s test your luck, then.”

Coin toss.

The Lucky King flicked the coin into the air, and it spun as it ascended.

Soon, it landed on the back of the Lucky King’s hand, settling into place.

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.

.

“So, you actually bought the manuscript for 30,000 gold coins?”

“That’s correct.”

“Doesn’t that seem like a bit of a rip-off, even for the winner of a bet?”

“Isn’t it a fitting price for a gift to my daughter?”

The Imperial Millennium Banquet.

There were only two people who knew why this banquet wasn’t held precisely on January 1st.

Abel, who had prepared the banquet, and the Crown Prince who would succeed the Emperor—

Even Homer, the literary Transcendent, was unaware of the true host of this “most splendid banquet in the world.”

The daughter who had spent her childhood birthdays confined in a narrow room.

The father who had locked his daughter in that room—what thoughts had filled his heart on each of her birthdays?

By now, there was no one left who remembered such things.

“Father?”

“Idris… Is. My dear, beloved daughter.”

“…….”

“Happy birthday.”

With trembling hands, the Lucky King handed the manuscript he had kept close to his chest to Lady Is.

Lady Is alternated her gaze between the manuscript and the Lucky King.

Letting out a small sigh, she finally nodded and accepted the manuscript, holding it close to her chest. Then, as if murmuring, she spoke in a small voice.

“…Thank you… Father.”

The Lucky King was someone deeply loved by a cruel fate called luck.

As a child, when he gazed at the stars and wished, “I want to be someone who shines like those stars,” a lamp fell, a fire broke out in the palace, and the flames spread to his thin nightgown. From that day forward, this relentless luck had plagued him for life.

On the day he wished, “I hope my brothers stop fighting,” while watching his siblings quarrel over the succession, this comical nickname ‘Lucky King’ stuck with him, and he resolved never to wish for anything again.

He vowed not to desire anything or expect anything.

But.

How could a person truly live that way?

“My queen! Are you pregnant?!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The mage confirmed that a child is growing in my womb.”

“Haha, I already have two sons… This time, I hope for a beautiful daughter who takes after you.”

The cruel luck that tormented the Lucky King always fulfilled his wishes in ways he never anticipated.

When Idris declared herself a ‘woman.’

When she dressed in women’s clothing, groomed herself as a woman, and acted like a young girl.

The emotion the Lucky King felt was not what a parent should feel for their child.@@novelbin@@

It was regret—the feeling of having made a mistake.

What made it worse was that Lady Is was astute enough to perceive those emotions completely. That created an irreparable misunderstanding and conflict. Two wise individuals, capable of guessing each other’s feelings, behaved foolishly because they failed to truly understand one another.

The Lucky King was not a wise father, and Lady Is was too young to listen to her parent’s story.

But since the Lucky King was truly a person beloved by fortune.

He was given a chance to undo the irreparable conflict. Fortunately, the Lucky King was not foolish enough to make the same mistake twice.

“Daughter.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Is, your birth… was the greatest fortune of my life.”

“…Yes, Father.”

“That’s all I wanted to tell you.”

“…….”

Lady Is hugged the manuscript tightly to her chest.

The stack of paper worth 30,000 gold coins crumpled. But neither the giver nor the receiver cared about that.

What truly mattered.

Could only be seen with the heart….

[Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.]

[It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…. And one fine morning—]

[So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.]

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“Whoa—! No way, the back side landed?!”

“Young Master, it’s time for your meal.”

“Ugh, my luck is trash….”

“Young Master?”