Chapter 90: Stickers (3)

While revising the Fioré Beast Compendium, I incorporated famous beasts known to exist or from legends in each region into the mythology.

For example, the 'Ice Dragon' from the Fioré mythos and the Ice Dragon Iberkina living in the permafrost were completely unrelated beings.

From the beginning, even the records claiming that the Ice Dragon in the Fioré mythos was real were doubted for their credibility.

The same was true for Vampire Lord and Lilith.

"Is it really necessary to include real people in the compendium to this extent?"

Aria did not understand the extent of the adaptation work that was almost obsessive on my part.

"Can't we just print the Beast Compendium illustrations on the bread?"

Realistically, Aria was right.

But this was a case of knowing one thing and not knowing another.

"To the average person, it might seem that way."

"Are the people of the Fioré Kingdom not ordinary citizens?"

"The people of the Fioré Kingdom have grown up listening to the Fioré mythos since they were young. For them, the beasts from the mythology are still alive."

"But it's fictional."

"Yeah, it's fiction. A living fiction."

Aria, who had a keen sense of reality, had an expression that made it hard to tell if she understood what I was saying.

"Living fiction" was in the realm of emotion, not reason.

The reason I wanted to bring the Fioré mythos to life was also to touch that emotion.

"People are creatures who feel exhilaration at the fact that the medium they are immersed in is real."

For example, in my previous life, there were people who traveled to Mount Hua in China, which had gained fame as a renowned martial arts novel setting.

There were also people who went to the actual locations that inspired the animation and took pictures.

It was called a 'pilgrimage.'

It is to visit and indulge in the nostalgia of a fictional character they once got lost in.

When you go to the place where the fictional character was, you can feel a strange sensation as if you are in the same space as that character.

In fact, in the country of Japan, they even developed this into a tourist product.

When I went to Tokyo, I was able to see the actual houses and furniture where the characters from the anime lived.

But taking it a step further, the protagonist of the manga I used to enjoy is real?

This is truly a fantasy.

You can't stand this.

"I kind of get the feeling."

Aria also had an expression that showed she understood my explanation.

"It feels like the great figures in history are alive, right?"

"Similar."

In this case, it was fiction, not reality.

"But is it okay to use the dragon's name without permission?"

"What's the big deal? Everyone uses it."

I have given flesh and credibility to fictional beings.

The Ice Dragon Iberkina, who claims the permafrost as its territory, and the Red Dragon Theodore, who is said to inhabit the lava fields, etc...

The dragons from the continent map have been incorporated into the Fioré mythology.

There was nothing to worry about.

Dragons, who live for nearly eternity, did not pay much attention to human society.

Rather, the idea of going directly to the dragon to ask for permission was even more unbelievable.

Because of this, dragons have been a staple subject for creators since ancient times, used like common firewood.

Whether to write a novel or perform a play with it was the creator's freedom.

Lilith's permission? Of course, I got it.

─Alright, I will allow it.

─Princess, why are you giving permission instead?

─Lilith, this is a golden opportunity to raise Lilith's stock. It's not because I'm coveting the stickers.

─Last time, you said you'd only take one pose, but you ended up taking ten! I can't trust your words!

─It's disappointing that you can't trust my words. When Lilith was to receive the title of 'Lord,' I was going to help the vampire integrate into the other races' autonomous district.

─...!!

─Well, since Lilith is the one making the decision, if Lilith doesn't like it, there's nothing we can do.

─Uh, no...

─Yuri, it's unfortunate, but we should consider this matter dropped. Lilith dislikes it...

─Who said I didn't like it!

Although there was a minor procedural mix-up where the First Princess gave her permission first and Lilith reluctantly agreed later.

It was a conditional permission to receive approval for the production modeling, but it was a reasonable request.

Lilith herself, as the party involved, will have to confirm it.

The condition proposed by the First Princess was indeed a trap, but...

Flame King Dragon, Blue-Eyed Ice Dragon, Vampire Lord...

It was the reason behind the birth of the Beast Bread Compendium.

*

The release of Beast Bread caused an explosive reaction in the Fioré Kingdom.

"To think there was a beast inside the bread...!"

"They say only three people can complete the compendium."

"I heard that there are only six copies left of the Flame King Dragon."

"Umm!"

The fact that the beasts listed in the Beast Compendium could be drawn from the bread meant that it was an event open to all the kingdom's citizens.

The fact that it was made directly by a dwarf craftsman, making it impossible to have counterfeits, was also a merit of the stickers.

It was known that only the dwarf artisans called 'Beast Lord' could create the stickers.

Even.

─Those who complete the bestiary will be bestowed with the title of 'Beast Master,' and their names will be inscribed in the .

"B-Beast Master...?"

"...the resonance is wonderful."

"I've decided. From today, my dream is to become a Beast Master."

The title of 'Beast Master,' who conquered the Fioré Mythos, has shaken the hearts of the kingdom's people.

It naturally led to the craze for Beast Bread.

"Damn...! Another goblin!"

"I don't want to see that orc's face anymore. I feel like the bread I ate during the day is stuck in my throat."

"Will the Blue-Eyed Ice Dragon actually appear?"

The kingdom's people were busy tearing off the wrappers in front of the store.

"Flame King Dragon! This is the Beast Shop where the Flame King Dragon appeared!"

"Antea was summoned once, and Aldrich was summoned three times!"

The merchants displayed the list of items that had come out of their shops and solicited customers.

Meanwhile, there was another reason why Beast Bread's Stickers became even more popular.

Poo-♬

Bam~♬

Bam~♬

Poo-♬

"This is addictive."

"Haha, making it so that a melody plays every time you tear the paper, what a brilliant idea."

Every time you tore open the wrapper of the sticker, a melody corresponding to the grade of the beasts inside would play.

The longer the melody and the louder the sound, the higher the grade of the beast.

It is a simple scroll magic placed on the sticker's wrapping paper at the White Tower.

This simple melody scroll could be mass-produced, so it was a process that didn't cost much.

Of course, the price of bread has risen accordingly, but compared to the value of the stickers, it was just an interesting event.

"Preta for sale! Exchanges are not accepted!"

"Finding a Long Golem in good condition!"

The citizens of the Fioré Kingdom gathered in the central square or parks to trade or open stickers as if it were part of their daily routine.

Then, whenever a long melody was heard, everyone in the square would look over there.

Bam bam bam bam bam!

"Rare?!"

What's up?

"Fe-Fenrir!"

"Are you talking about Fenrir, the wolf of divine slaughter!? Sell it to me! I'll give you 100 gold!"

"200 gold!"

An unexpected auction was held, and there was also a heartwarming scene where everyone shared their bread with one another.

In just half a month, tens of thousands of Beast Breads were sold in the Fioré Kingdom.

However, since the appearance of the Flame King Dragon, no more stickers that surpasses the rare grade have appeared.

It was one day, about a month after the Beast Bread had been released.

Tap, tap.

Late at night, Hans, a man working as a mercenary, was sitting by the campfire preparing a late dinner.

Poo-♬

"Ugh, another dud."

Hans clicked his tongue as he threw the sticker he had opened into the fire.

And then it was the time when he was about to put the Beast bread in his mouth.

"Could I warm myself by the fire for a moment?"

"Who are you?"

Hans, wary of the gruff voice heard from the forest, asked.

"No need to be wary, it's just a passing dwarf."

The one who appeared in the doorway was a dwarf with a squat build.

"I want to warm up, can I join you?"

"Do as you please."

"Thank you."

When the dwarf sat down at the fire without hesitation, Hans lowered his guard.

Hans, who was quietly sipping bread and beer alone, handed the dwarf a flask of beer out of awkwardness.

"Would you like some?"

"Oh! Thanks."

The dwarf accepted the water flask that Hans offered without hesitation.

Seeing the dwarf who was downing his water bottle as if he intended to empty it completely, Hans let out a bemused chuckle.

"Would you like another drink?"

"Is that really, okay?"

"I brought plenty of beer, so feel free to enjoy."

Hans took out the beer bottles he had brought from his backpack and laid them out.

"Haha, then I won't refuse and will drink."

The dwarf, grinning widely, tilted the beer bottle again.

One bottle, two bottles, three bottles...

'You sure drink a lot.'

Even Hans, who had been fine with three bottles, began to feel a twinge of regret as the dwarf poured his fourth beer.

Did he sense Hans's displeasure?

"Ah, that was good."

The dwarf, who had just finished his fourth beer, picked up another bottle and stood up.

"Do you not want to eat?"

"As long as there's beer, it's fine."

The dwarf waved off the meal, shaking the beer bottle he was holding.

"By the way, you're eating Beast Bread. Are you collecting beast stickers or something?"

"Collect? What are you talking about? I just cracked it out of boredom. If something good comes out, I can sell it, right?

"I see."

The dwarf pulled out a sticker and tossed it to Hans.

"That was good. Here is the price of the beer."

"Are you saying that this sticker is worth the price of five bottles of beer?"

"Heh, do you happen to know? I wonder if something good will come out of it."

The dwarf who had said something meaningful took a swig from the bottle and walked down the dark forest path.

"...I guess I've seen all kinds of dwarves."

Hans shook his head as he watched the dwarf disappear beyond the forest path. It was then that he absentmindedly opened the stickers that the dwarf had handed him.

Bam bam bam bam!

"?!!"

The long melody echoed through the campsite.

The melody continued endlessly for a long time.

Bam bam bam bam! Bam bam bam! Bamparabarabarabam! Bam bam bam bam bam! Bam bam bam bam bam bam!

After such a long melody passed, Hans's eyes widened as he looked at the sticker.

"Huff, t-this s-s-sticker is...!"

Against the backdrop of the permafrost filled with icy white snowstorms, a massive Ice Dragon was intricately depicted.

Only then did Hans realize who the dwarf he had met was, and he shouted as he looked in the direction he had disappeared.

"B-Beast Lord...!"

It was the moment when the first Blue-Eyed Ice Dragon, Iberkina, appeared in the Fioré Kingdom.

Meanwhile, at that moment in the imperial palace.

Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith. Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith…!

"Sigh, when on earth is the Milk Angel Lilith coming out?"

The First Princess Luciella was stacking mountains of Beast Bread and tearing off the wrappers all night long.

***

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