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Chapter 221: Rising Star Author: Annie Mecklenburg
🕑 Added 2025-01-26 11:01:00 +0000 UTCWhile Charlot patiently awaited news from Clair Bretagne, Annie organized a team of fifteen rapid scribes for him. Every day, Charlot memorized 5,000 words before immediately switching to another scribe. This ensured the scribes worked at peak speed, producing an astonishing 50,000 to 60,000 words daily.
These drafts were promptly sent to a publisher affiliated with the Bretagne family. By nightfall, they were compiled into finished manuscripts, complete with illustrations. Every 60,000 words were edited into a single volume. Within just seven days, the first volume of two different books appeared on the shelves of major bookstores in Strasbourg.
Charlot, a man who valued his dignity, refused to have his name credited on either book. Instead, he granted the naming rights to Annie. After confirming his decision, Annie published both novels under the pen name "Annie Mecklenburg."
Yes, even the side story depicting the deep bond between Duwei and Crown Prince Chen was released under this pseudonym.
Charlot was terrified that Princess May would discover this. The two books weren’t available in the Behemoth Principality, but Charlot couldn’t help but feel as though he was inadvertently revealing himself. The Grand Princess of Ingrima had once fought two against one, severely wounding a Saint-rank vampire from the Dolaney clan and extracting their blood core. This achievement left an indelible impression on Charlot.
Even Menielman Soumet, his senior at arms, wasn’t nearly as ferocious.
Thus, Charlot leaned into his role as a Transcendent, working tirelessly, reciting manuscripts day and night without pause.
Neither Clair Bretagne nor Ebner Soumet had visited Charlot recently. Both were preoccupied with their own affairs. This deployment of the Purple Finch Knight Order was a significant opportunity for them. As neither was a direct heir of their families and had no chance of inheriting noble titles, they had to forge their own paths.
Not all nobles were born with silver spoons. Some had merely gold-plated ones.
As Charlot labored over his manuscripts, the days slipped by. Initially, he had longed for Strasbourg whenever he was away, but now, he found himself nostalgically yearning for his days at Silver Dove Castle, Mostar Castle, Cappadocia, and even Britain. Life in those places, he realized, had been far more relaxed compared to his current grueling routine of memorizing novels from Earth.
Both novels were over three million words long—unprecedented epics in the Old Continent. Their compelling and dramatic stories captivated readers but tormented Charlot, who had to memorize them.
Countless times, Charlot considered cutting the plots short and ending the novels abruptly. Yet every time he thought of Princess May’s ferocity, he envisioned her ensuring he’d have no descendants if he dared such a thing.
...
A week after the novels’ publication, Clair Bretagne finally resolved the army’s issues and informed Charlot that they were ready to depart.
Relieved, Charlot packed his belongings and prepared for the journey. Annie, ever thoughtful, assembled a creative support team for him.
This team included ten horses and fifteen rapid scribes, ensuring Charlot could continue memorizing manuscripts even amidst the chaos of military campaigns. The manuscripts were sent by express riders back to Strasbourg every few days.
Neither Clair Bretagne nor Ebner Soumet had any objections.
When Charlot set out, he brought along Dolores Soumet, Anastasia, Belisa, eighteen warriors from the Redback Bear Tribe, and all the city patrol guards stationed at No. 1 Falcon Street—nearly 200 people in total.
Of course, this modest group paled compared to the other knight orders.
Currently, Clair Bretagne controlled only two knight orders. Of the remaining five, one was Charlot’s own West Wind Knight Order, stationed in Machubi. Another, led by Baron Febollet, had returned to Silver Dove Castle. A third, composed of defeated troops under Duke Joseph, held Mostar Castle. The last two were regional knight orders from the Behemoth Principality, with mixed affiliations. Clair Bretagne had to subdue each of these factions.
Although the task was challenging, Clair remained confident. After all, he already had the best start—the West Wind Knight Order, the most formidable of them all, had sworn allegiance. Its commander was unquestionably trustworthy.
...
After traveling with the main force for a day, Charlot approached Clair Bretagne with a request to return to Machubi and bring his troops.
Clair immediately agreed. He continued onward with two main army regiments, while Charlot split off, heading directly for Machubi.
Machubi was not only Charlot’s first labyrinth but also his only one. Having undergone three rounds of labyrinth expansion, it was undoubtedly Charlot’s most significant stronghold.
He cared little for the fleet at Cappadocia, knowing it was beyond his control. But the West Wind Knight Order in Machubi? He had left his most loyal subordinates there.
Accompanied by Dolores and others, Charlot made haste to Machubi. From a distance, he noticed the fortress-labyrinth bustling far more than when he had left.
Puzzled, Charlot approached and was greeted by an excited shout: “Commander Mecklenburg has returned!”
“Mr. Charlot is back!”
“Our captain has returned!”
A wave of cheers rolled through Machubi like a rising tide, quickly spreading across the fortress.
Dubin, Yellow Bear, Gwen the Spotted Deer, Bancroft the Swift Wind Wolf, and hundreds of others surged forward, surrounding Charlot and his party as they entered Machubi.
Inside, Charlot was surprised to find the fortress even livelier than before. The population had grown by nearly 30%, and dozens of new shops had appeared. Just as he was about to inquire about the changes, Ross Bard of the Bard Commerce Guild approached with a beaming smile.
Charlot had previously spared Ross from punishment—not out of strategy but due to the peculiar leniency of a transmigrator. Yet seeing the merchant now, Charlot felt a bit uneasy and was about to reprimand him when Ross quickly spoke up:
“After you left, I moved my entire family here and encouraged all Bard Commerce Guild merchants to open branch stores in Machubi.”
“I also helped your knight brothers settle down by covering their relocation costs and bringing their families to Machubi.”
“The population here now exceeds 20,000.”
Ross Bard’s face was full of obsequiousness. Though Charlot had said nothing when he departed, the merchant had been filled with dread. After Charlot left, Ross had a revelation, recalled his family, and gambled his entire fortune on Machubi.
The bustling, thriving Machubi was the result of Ross Bard’s wholehearted efforts, leveraging his lifelong business acumen.
Charlot casually asked a few questions and quickly pieced together the truth. A sudden realization dawned upon him:
“Sometimes, saying nothing and silently playing it cool really works wonders.”
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