Episode 89 New Year Cultural Event (4) Fin
"I'll definitely show you a successful performance next time!
Please look forward to it!"
"Alright, I heard you. Just go and finish your treatment already. Please."
Receiving farewell from Karix, wrapped in bandages here and there all over his body, Aria and I left the Magic Tower.
No matter how minor it was compared to before, it was still impressive how energetic he was after an accident where that huge greatsword fell on him.
"I was surprised that he insisted on guiding us to the very end even in that condition."
"It's fortunate there weren't many demonstrations left; if an accident had happened early in the exhibition tour, it would have been a disaster."
Having a strong work ethic is fine, but I really didn't want to be guided by someone who just had an accident and was wrapped in bandages.
That's just... how should I put it... kind of trashy.
In the end, Aria and I looked around the remaining demonstration halls by ourselves and finished.
Besides technology related to culture, everyday household technologies were also being developed, like ovens with timer functions or washing machines powered by magic stones, so it was quite interesting to see.
"There was a brief commotion in the middle, but I'm glad we came to this Magic Tower exhibition.
How was it for you, Aria?"
"Of course, I enjoyed it as well.
Seeing your ideas realized in reality, and there were so many fascinating technologies.
These are things you don't easily see in the elven forest."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Perhaps as a side effect of us elves having long lifespans, we don't get tired or bored even if there are no changes in life for a very long time.
That's probably why the development of new technology is quite slow."
"Because you don't feel the need for it?"
"Exactly. And in most cases, we try to solve things with magic or spirit arts."
Aria let out a small sigh here and continued.
"That's why I left my hometown forest and started traveling.
Every now and then, an un-elf-like elf appears who quickly gets bored of an unchanging life, like me.
Just like Ophelia, the protagonist of [The Elf's Journey] that you write for my birthday every year."
"Aha. So, Aria, you were in a similar situation as me."
An elf who ran out of the forest because she was bored.
And a reincarnator who started writing because he was bored.
The two are bored but the strongest... well, not quite.
A duo who got bored in their given environment and actually acted on the thought of "I'm frustrated, so I'm running."
"Hehe. That is true.
Thanks to that choice, I met you and got to see and enjoy such diverse cultural developments, so I can truly say it was the best choice of my life.
If I had stayed in the forest, I wouldn't have seen such things even after hundreds of years."
"I also only got the proper mindset to write after meeting you, so in a way, I suppose I should be grateful for that choice as well. Hahaha."
What if either of us had failed to overcome our boredom and simply conformed to our given environment?
We would have been suffering from boredom without any of the cultural development we see now.
In that sense, we were both lucky.
"I look forward to working with you in the future too, Aria."
"I'm the one who should say that.
You may not absolutely need me now.
But I absolutely need you and the works you've written!
Ah, and it's not just me, but everyone in the kingdom. Hehehe."
Anyway, after warmly singing each other's praises like that.
Aria and I headed to the last scheduled event of this New Year commemoration.
It was the last in order, but absolutely the most important event that we couldn't miss.
"To all the writers attending the 1st 'Yustia-Wey Culture Awards,' as the King of the Yustia Kingdom and the host, I convey my gratitude and congratulations!"
It's an event hosted directly by the royal family and His Majesty the King, so missing it would be a huge deal.
***
"I suppose we need to create a special award for the cultural world."
"Huh?"
The origin of the 'Yustia-Wey Culture Awards,' which I ended up attending last, began with Count Lucid's single remark.
"You know that the overall cultural level of our kingdom has been rising day by day lately, don't you?
Strictly speaking, you were the one who started it."
"Of course I know. That was precisely what I was aiming for in the first place."
Since I began my creative activities in earnest, the cultural level of the Yustia Kingdom had risen sharply over several years.
Partly thanks to me showcasing various things using my past life's memories.
Partly thanks to more writers than expected quickly absorbing and developing them.
And above all, thanks to showing that one could succeed both commercially and in terms of prestige.
There were gradually more works worth reading, which I was pleased about, but what was he getting at?
"As a result, analyses have come out stating that our kingdom's cultural level is quite overwhelmingly ahead of other nations.
And no wonder—how many innovative works have you introduced?
Novels, plays, comics, games, and various other things.
It's only natural that the gap with other nations is widening."
"Thank you for the praise...?
But what does that have to do with creating an award?"
"Since we've gotten this far ahead.
I was thinking we might as well solidify our image as a 'culturally advanced nation.'"
"A culturally advanced nation?"
"Yes. By having the royal family directly establish a special award for the cultural world for the first time.
Declaring that our kingdom is truly sincere about culture and ahead of the curve.
And giving writers more motivation and goals to engage passionately in their creative activities."
"Oh..."
"At first, we'll select and award only writers from the Yustia Kingdom.
But gradually, if we invite and award writers from other nations as well, we'll be able to create authority and an image that resonates across the entire continent."
So that's what this is.
He's talking about creating something like the Nobel Prize in Literature, GOTY, or various film festival awards from my past life.
'...That's not bad?'
No, it's not just not bad—it's an excellent plan.
To the extent that the term 'culture victory' exists, culture's influence on other nations is far greater than one might think.
Economically as well.
Even to the point of reducing conflicts and hatred between nations.
If we could obtain the title of a culturally advanced nation, there was nothing but good in it.
Moreover, Count Lucid's idea was good because having such an authoritative award would grant tremendous influence.
'In my past life, whenever someone received a famous foreign award, it caused quite a stir.'
It's like a blank check in the cultural world, or a ranking, you could say.
In that you gain the authority to select and recognize such works, it could be seen as power beyond a mere award.
'The Count and the royal family are probably aiming for exactly that.'
As a citizen of the Yustia Kingdom, there was absolutely no reason to oppose the plan if it would succeed.
And it actually seemed quite likely to succeed.
"It sounds good? It seems like a very good plan.
It would be best to execute it quickly."
So when I immediately agreed,
"Oho, is that so? That's good, then.
Then, I shall include your pen name in the name of the newly created award."
"...Huh?"
My pen name was forcibly included.
"Wait, why does it have to be that way??"
"Your name must be included for the symbolism to be complete.
The fact that you are the main protagonist of our kingdom's cultural development is something even a five-year-old baby in the most remote corner would know.
If your name isn't included when creating such an award, would people recognize it?
They'd say the royal family is just trying to get a spoonful of the soup you prepared."
And so, the 'Yustia-Wey Culture Award,' with both the royal family's name and mine attached, was created.
Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn't burdened by having my name stand alongside the royal family's on an award aiming to encompass the entire continent.
But since it wasn't particularly harmful to me, I just accepted it.
In fact, strictly speaking, this was a very honorable and prestigious matter.
'The royal family and Count Lucid probably did this out of goodwill, acknowledging my contributions.'
And precisely because the award had such background, it was only natural that it became an event I absolutely couldn't miss.
Just think about it.
If the royal family included my name alongside theirs as a shout-out, and then I no-showed from the very first ceremony, how humiliating would that be for the royal family?
It would undoubtedly be a disaster comparable to when... no, when Ronaldo no-showed.
The award's authority would plummet as well.
Since I wouldn't be able to withstand the royal family's wrath if that happened,
I quietly attended the ceremony and kept my seat.
"The winner of the glorious 1st 'Yustia-Wey Culture Award' in the comics category is....
Congratulations! Writer Vayde, the artist of [Kidnapped into the Academy's Illegal Circle]!"
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"Oh, I read that comic for fun, and it even won an award.
I feel proud, like my discerning eye has been acknowledged."
"Ugh... I thought a different nominee would win, so I feel like my eye has been denied..."
"Hahaha. All the other nominated works were excellent as well.
Come now, cheer up and let's guess the next winner!"
And the award ceremony I attended was more fun than I thought.
Well, I used to enjoy watching year-end award ceremonies on broadcasts.
Since I was watching this one in person, it naturally had to be fun.
'Besides, I'm not even receiving an award, so I can watch comfortably without needlessly feeling anxious or nervous.'
Ah, it had been decided that I would not receive this 'Yustia-Wey Culture Award.'
Not in any category at all.
"Why is there not a single award for Writer Wey's works?"
"The winning works are good, but aren't Writer Wey's works more interesting and symbolic?"
"The award name even includes Writer Wey, so how does it make sense that there's nothing?"
Someone might argue like this.
Honestly, considering achievements, reputation, and popularity, I thought it would be right for me to receive them too.
"If that happened, we'd have to fill all the categories with your name.
You've played a pioneering role in every category, so picking and choosing what to give and what not to give would be rather awkward.
Then, what would happen to the award's authority and other writers' motivation?
Since your pen name is already in the award's name, you'd just get criticized for making it your personal award ceremony."
"Sigh. I suppose that would be the case?"
"That's why you're excluded from individual awards.
Not just this time, but going forward as well."
...That was roughly the reason for my exclusion.
"I understand the Count's position, but it's quite unfair.
We know full well how amazing the author is.
But if the author can't receive awards, I'm worried that malicious words or forces might try to use that to slander him."
"I was a bit upset and worried at first too.
But I'm fine now."
It's not because I'm particularly magnanimous; it's just because I'm receiving something else instead.
"While it's unavoidable that I'm excluded from the awards,
if they don't compensate me separately for that, the royal family could get criticized and face discontent."
So there was an alternative prepared for me.
After all the other award announcements were finished,
a surprise special award was announced!
"Finally, for the first Hall of Fame, the person everyone has been waiting for!
Please welcome Writer Wey!"
It was the Hall of Fame.
Having accumulated achievements that were impossible to reward without giving awards, yet unable to let me hog everything alone,
they decided to create a realm beyond simple awards and enshrine me there.
Originally, the Hall of Fame is a status created to mean 'stop monopolizing and yield for the juniors' after winning the 'Yustia-Wey Culture Award' three or more times, but.
'I entered it from the start.'
A strong message and a way of propping me up, implying that I would have swept all categories and immediately entered the Hall of Fame.
This way, there would be no backbiting or slander regarding awards.
Instead, it would grant immense authority along with great symbolism.
Should I say it makes me something untouchable?
"I was on edge, worried they might not give me any awards and just shut me out completely, but this is recognition!"
"Hmm, indeed indeed.
As an apostle of culture, going straight to the Hall of Fame is better than receiving awards one by one. Yep."
"If Writer Wey took everything from the start, it would look bad, you see.
It looks better to yield to the juniors and enter the first Hall of Fame."
Fortunately, the other guests all seemed to understand and accept it.
They acknowledged that entering the first Hall of Fame was a far more authoritative and symbolic position than individual awards.
And yet, to completely eliminate any potential remaining noise,
there was one final move prepared.
"Thank you for being born in this kingdom, Writer Wey.
I shall never forget that the kingdom's culture could develop thanks to you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty.
I will continue to strive to contribute to cultural development."
"Hahaha! I look forward to seeing what ingenious and amusing things you'll create next!"
Unlike previous awards presented by the Count or other nobles,
for the first time, His Majesty the King himself walked up and presented me with the plaque.
What could be more perfect acknowledgment than the King of the kingdom personally awarding you?
Thanks to that, I was able to slowly descend from the stage receiving cheers and admiration rather than people's doubt and slander.
The next day.
It was only natural that people's reactions exploded throughout the kingdom.