in the name of the queen

Chapter 8 Who is Roland?

Even if a hundred years have passed, the Sussex literary world will never forget October 1791, 10 in the New Calendar of the Magical Era.

At first, people thought it was just an ordinary day when the results of the royal novel essay contest were announced.

The prize money for this essay competition is huge, and the Queen will personally award the prize to the champion. As long as you can win the championship, you will gain both fame and fortune.

There is a chance to meet aristocratic ladies who admire talents and reach the pinnacle of life.

Although literati are generally noble and arrogant, the royal family has given them too much.

The championship bonus can buy four separate small courtyards in the core area of ​​the imperial capital.

Faced with such huge bonuses, the literary giants did not hide it, and the rising stars in the literary world were also trying their best to show off their talents and inspiration.

Within the framework of themes such as gods, royalty, suspense, and gender, they racked their brains, wrote fast, and wrote magnificent poems that are both evocative and evocative.

They are confident of achieving good results.

After the Queen ascended the throne, those writers who were best at tearing beautiful things into pieces to trick noble ladies into crying began to smile.

No one knows how to trick tears better than them.

Her Majesty the Queen has lived a carefree life since childhood and has never experienced any troubles.

Are you worried about your father and brother being killed at the same time?
  Is this fucking trouble? Partying all night long without popping the champagne has become very restrained.

In front of the imperial power, family affection is just a joke.

In the history of the Sussex Empire, there was an old incident where three brothers fought for the throne in front of the Arc de Triomphe, and two were killed and one was injured on the spot.

Her Majesty the Queen has given face to her father and brother by not laughing in public.

In such a happy time, some sensational tragic novels can adjust the mood very well, and even help Her Majesty the Queen squeeze out a few tears.

Can this still win an award?

However, the moment the winner was announced, all the big names in the literary world exploded.

They rushed around asking each other, all discussing the same issue.

"Who is Roland?"

Writers have a circle.

The top writers in the Sussex literary world have been attending art salons held by nobles all year round. Their social status is not low, and most of them know each other.

Without their introduction, it would be difficult for ordinary writers to get ahead even if they are talented.

Below the top, there are more small writers struggling for dreams and bread.

They are busy converting inspiration into works every day, then take them to the editorial department, get rejected, and then continue to fight with life.

When they can take a breather from the pressure of life, they will attack their dreams again.

They are extremely eager to win the championship and change their destiny.

Even if they can't win the championship, the bonuses for the top eight and sixteen will save them from having to go to the alchemy workshop to endure the pungent smell or go to the dock to fight the sack.

After hearing the name of the champion, they instantly went crazy.

The reaction of small writers was even more intense than that of literary giants.

Everyone is a little-known writer, why can you win the championship?
  Shady, definitely shady!

Their anger is not surprising, people are not jealous of the soaring Phoenix, but they cannot tolerate other sparrows flying high on the branches.

Under the intentional or unintentional hints of several literary giants, young people with literary dreams directed their anger at Collins Publishing House, which specifically handled the essay solicitation.

The royal family is the patron and they are the actual enforcers.

It must be these sour radish don't take dirty money, and use their students/fellows/relatives/illegitimate children to get huge bonuses.

Shady, naked shady!
  The young man's anger was completely ignited.

They were not only angry because of the missing bonuses, but also because it was unfair!

Under someone's instigation, dozens of young people rushed to Collins Publishing House angrily.

The editors who were spreading all kinds of gossip news in the office had never seen this battle, and they were a little confused when faced with the young people's questions.

"Who is that damn Roland?" "Which noble's illegitimate son is he?"

"What is his background?"

"This is a naked shady story, Her Majesty the Queen will definitely skin you!"

Amidst the angry rebuke, Editor-in-Chief Byron saw that the situation was not right. He struggled with his fat body, retreated behind the editors, and started shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Don't make any noise, the final ranking of this essay competition is not up to me!"

"We only found out the result after receiving notification from the Home Secretary."

"If you don't believe it, you can go to the Imperial Post Office and ask Roland face to face!"

Although it was against professional ethics to leak the author's information, Byron didn't care so much.

It's immoral, it's immoral, and it's not illegal!

As long as you take the initiative to put down your moral shackles, you will not be kidnapped by morality!
  It is Her Majesty the Queen who makes the decision, and it is Roland who gets the benefits. Why should he be used as a human shield to ward off disasters?

The young writers were even more excited and violent. Under Editor Byron's oath of professional ethics, they could only believe it.

They left just as quickly as they came, rushing to the Imperial Post Office in a menacing manner.

Only the publisher's editorial office was left in a mess.

"Who among these bastards took away one of my ink pens!"

"I've been kicked several times, who should I ask for explanation?"

"Where is the editor-in-chief, Mr. Byron, please say something before you die!"

"Stop talking. The editor-in-chief received the most beatings. His eyes are still swollen now."

Although the young authors accepted Editor Byron's explanation, it did not mean that he would be safe.

Thinking of the usual resentment of being arrogantly rejected, the young authors, with the mentality of "here you come, just step on the high and low before leaving", "accidentally" knocked down editor Byron, and then "accidentally" removed him from Byron. Mr. stepped on his fat face.

Even if the royal family decides the ranking, this damn fat guy is not a good person.

The shortlist was recommended by him!
  If he didn't recommend Roland, how could this happen?

Shady, still shady!
  In this era, the opportunity to read and become literate is very rare. Most of these young authors do not come from wealthy families, so they are lucky to be able to read.

Some of them audited in the Holy See School, and some of them served as study companions for noble young masters, so that they could study secretly.

How could you not be angry when you finally had a chance to get ahead in writing, but it was ruined by a shady plot?
  Destroying a person's future is like killing his parents.

Being so polite to his father's murderer was already showing restraint.

But they were not so polite to Roland.

The angry young writers surrounded the Imperial Post Office, blocked the door of the clerk's office, and threw broken leather shoes, stones, and rotten eggs at the closed door as if for free.

Angry curses were heard endlessly, and the sound of banging on the door was even more chilling.

Lisa, who was blocked inside, turned pale with fright, and cast an uneasy gaze on Roland.

Her voice was shaking.

"Roland, they are so scary. Have you thought about how to explain them?"

"explain?"

Roland put down the tea cup and raised a finger.

"The Imperial Post Office is a part of the state power. We are employees of the state, working for the empire. Violently attacking state power is a serious crime. Let me think about it. The organizer will be jailed for at least three years, and the accomplices will also have to serve for half a year."

Lisa stared at Roland dumbfounded, witnessing him raising his second finger.

"Her Majesty the Queen has selected the rankings for this essay competition. The result of opposing the essay competition is to question Her Majesty's wisdom. This matter is big or small. If the Queen needs to establish her authority, the head of the organizer will have to be hung in the Square of King's Power."

"Explain? What obligation do I have to explain to a group of criminals?"

Roland put down his tea cup, came to the office door, added a chair to block the door, and stretched with a relaxed expression.

"Sister, pour some tea and watch the show."

(End of this chapter)