The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 132 Let's see how you laugh now (Please subscribe!)
The market performance of "Lame Pigeon" is not ideal.

Since their business, [Port Homing Pigeons], published "The Bride of Longjincheng", their reputation has been declining.

This is a well-selling melodramatic novel, but the vast majority of its sales come from the loyal readers of "Mary Sue".

This has led to the widespread belief within the industry that [Harbor Pigeon] is a publishing house that only publishes romance novels and targets the female market.

If one simply seeks a stable and comfortable life, continuing to cultivate the market for melodramatic novels might be a good choice.

However, as Miss Mary Sue's fame grew, the amount of profit the publisher had to concede also increased—the publisher already suffered a loss on "The Bride of Longjincheng" alone.

If Mary Sue's next book remains lukewarm, and she continues to make concessions, it wouldn't be a harmonious collaboration.

So he has been seeking other opportunities to try to publish other types of books.

However, perhaps because the "melodramatic novel" genre is so deeply ingrained in people's minds, the amount of profit-sharing offered to authors due to the losses is not attractive enough to entice high-quality writers to choose them.

As a result, most authors still choose to connect their new books with the publishers they frequently work with.

There are no outstanding newcomers at the moment, which makes it difficult for them to expand their market.

"Actually, that book, 'The Guide to the Forest at Dusk,' has a lot of potential. With a little effort, it should be quite popular."

The dwarf jokes inside are particularly insightful, and this kind of humorous book has never lacked an audience.

Except for the dwarves. But it doesn't matter, there aren't many dwarves in Dragongold City, and they don't like reading anyway.

Dwarfs value happiness.

Of course, I'll also enjoy these jokes that bring joy.

Lame Pigeon sat in front of his bookstore—the publishing house was upstairs, and as the owner, he certainly didn't need to work all the time. When he was bored, he would read and rest in the bookstore downstairs.

Using the eaves for shelter from the rain, and gazing at the overcast, rainy day that mirrored his own, he sighed deeply.

"Unfortunately, if you anger that Xingmei tycoon, it will be a loss for you. Who would want to anger a nobleman for this? You may not usually deal with them, but once they set their sights on you, you can expect them to cause you trouble everywhere."

Just like the author of this guide.

Without a background that can rival the nobility, suppressing you would be a piece of cake.

"It's just a pity that such a good book was lost..."

As he spoke, the lame pigeon lay back in his rocking chair and began reading the newspaper.
"That's strange. Why haven't they published any news about orcs lately? Is someone above deliberately suppressing it? How could Dragon Gold City allow a group of orcs to hide in its territory?"
The Golden Oak in Dragon Tail Pass has opened, offering a limited-edition Star Plum Wine for 1 gold coin per cup daily... Hey, wouldn't that Star Plum tycoon be furious if he saw this? But that wild boar doesn't seem to read newspapers.

Miss Wendy of the Silver Shield family escaped from Duskwood, rumored to have been attacked by a necromancer—

Oh, Wendy, I've seen her before. Lately, I've been going to various bookstores frequently, asking about a book whose title I don't know.

Whenever they look for a book, they always say that it seems to contain stories about necromancers.

There are so many books about necromancers that even after searching, I still couldn't find what she wanted. She even left her address, saying that if there was any new information, I should remember to go to her home in the Upper City to let her know...

"Hilarious! We can't even get to the upper town!"

The lame pigeon savored the published content, passing the time while it was bored.

Only when the bell placed at the bookstore entrance rang, signifying the arrival of a customer, did he remove his monocle and, holding his cane, walk towards the door.
"Books will serve as messenger carriers connecting us. What would you like, guests?"

He narrowed his eyes and saw that the visitors were a strange group of people.

Although they lacked attire that clearly identified them, Lame Dove immediately recognized them as a group of adventurers.

Adventurers are the only group that can assemble both dwarves and gnomes at the same time.

For some unknown reason, the dwarf was carried on the shoulders of the dwarf.

It's good that he was a dwarf there.

If it were a human, their head would probably be dragged along the ground...

The two women behind him were also quite conspicuous.

A woman dressed in a magnificent purple mage's robe, which completely concealed her figure, and an oversized mage's hat that also obscured her face.

But the lame pigeon could still tell it was a woman because her breasts were far more magnificent than his own dwarf head.

And the blond, blue-eyed man, whose face was considered beautiful even among humans, allowed the lame pigeon to recognize him at a glance:
"Oh, dear Miss Silver Shield, are you here again to inquire about the necromancer's writings?"

"That's right, but I learned the name of this book today."

Wendy was somewhat frustrated because she found that even with the title, she still couldn't find the book in major bookstores or even the Central Library.

Now, out of sheer wishful thinking and unwilling to give up, I can only ask:
"Do you have a copy of 'Tang Qi's Guide to the Dawn and Dusk Forest' here?"

"The Guidelines? No, of course not."

The lame pigeon shook its large head.

How can a book that has not yet been published be released to the market?

But out of curiosity, he couldn't help but ask:
Where did you hear about this book?

"Of course, it came from the author. He told me to look forward to his work, which is why I've been searching for it all this time—you mean you've heard of this book too?"

"Of course. In fact, I saw his first draft just this afternoon."

"So, in a while, I'll be able to buy this book here?"

Wendy's eyes lit up; she felt a surge of relief, like someone who had been thirsty in the desert for a long time and had finally found an oasis.

"Can I pay a deposit in advance? Then you can deliver it to my home."

"No, I can't do that."

"Should I come and buy it myself later?"

“No—I mean, we have no plans to publish it.” “Why? Isn’t the book good enough?”

"It's interesting enough."

"Isn't it hilarious that they're all making fun of me? He can just wait to be added to the dwarfs' kill list..."

With his arms crossed, Shattered Stone couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

Dwarves are very vengeful, and it was precisely because they had a good relationship with each other that I had fewer opportunities to take action.

Wendy, however, didn't understand: "Since you also find it interesting, why don't you want to publish it?"

"because……"

Just as the lame pigeon was about to explain, it suddenly occurred to him that Miss Wendy before him seemed to be an opportunity for him—

She was also a noblewoman!
Moreover, they were nobles with real power!

There were also differences among nobles.

Some nobles were as wealthy as the Star Plum tycoon, while others were so poor that they only owned a dilapidated old house in the cliffside district...

However, very few nobles are able to truly participate in decisions that affect the entire Dragon Gold City.

Orion Silver Shield, the commander of the Flying Dragon Cavalry, is one of the few members of this noble family who commands an aerial army and the Upper City Guard.

Some even suspect that this cavalry commander is one of the many masked lords—

"Power is not money, but power can become money. Money, however, cannot become power."

This led even the powerful Starmayne tycoon to try to invite the family's children to his weekend balls in order to gain more political influence.

The eldest daughter of the Silver Shield family is well-known for being deeply loved and protected by her father.

I heard that during the previous martial law period, Orion even had a big argument with Lord Leon because his beloved daughter was locked outside the city gates.

The fact that such a young lady would spend a month searching for a book that has not yet been published is enough to demonstrate the potential of "The Guide".

More importantly, while he was wary of Xingmei, she had absolutely no need to be!
If I can use this lady as a shield, wouldn't my desire to expand my publishing categories be able to continue?
Thinking this, he coughed lightly twice, suppressing a smile from his lips, and feigned frustration, saying:

"The main reason is that it was a work by a new author, and the subject matter was quite novel. We couldn't determine whether it would bring us any profit, so after careful consideration, we chose to reject the manuscript..."

He certainly wouldn't say that Mel Barry was behind it all.

That would only needlessly provoke a nobleman.

Instead, she patiently guided him:

"Of course, if that gentleman can find a respected figure in society to act as a guarantor and conduct some promotional activities, we certainly won't refuse—that at least guarantees a basic return, doesn't it?"

Wendy, like her father, knew nothing about certain business logic.

She had absolutely no idea what this meant.

But looking at his companions around him, they clearly didn't seem to know anything about it either.

I was at a loss for words:

"So you need someone to vouch for you and promote it, right? Do you think I can do that?"

"Of course, the Silver Shield family you represent is itself a symbol of prestige."

"I am not speaking on behalf of the family, but personally."

Wendy didn't want to escalate the whole thing to the family level; she felt that the so-called 'publicity' was simply about promoting the book to her peers.

They had their own circle among the nobles.

But the lame dove understood that this had nothing to do with Wendy's wishes—

She enjoys the conveniences that come with her noble status, but she also bears the prestige and responsibilities of nobility, which cannot be severed at will.

But Lame Pigeon never intended to use her influence.

At most, when tycoon Xingmei blames him, he can retort with "I dare not disobey Miss Silver Shield's orders," which would be enough to leave the other party speechless.

That's enough:
"Of course, you are also very trustworthy."

If you are willing to act as guarantor for this book, I can immediately contact the author, find a lawyer, and draft a contract.

Wendy couldn't help but ask, "Do you have his address?"

"Ah, ouch—"

The lame pigeon was in a bit of a dilemma.

Tang Qi had previously submitted his manuscript by mail, placing it directly into the publisher's mailbox, and he wasn't really sure where the publisher's address was.

As for Merlin, whom I know—he's hiding from his creditors himself, so it'll be hard to find him.

Fortunately, the gravel was very knowledgeable about this, and thus helped Tang Qi in a way:

"It's in [Golden Oak], that newly opened tavern. If you've made up your mind, I'll just show you the way."

……

"So this is the newly opened [Golden Oak]? As expected, it still reeks of poverty..."

Hey, you damn bard, you never expected I'd block your publishing channels, did you?

"I've been waiting for this day for so long, let's see how you'll still be smiling later!"

Mel Barry, peeking out of the carriage, couldn't help but grin broadly at the thought of what was about to happen.

(End of this chapter)