The next morning, I sat in my study, a large wooden desk before me cluttered with drawing tools and sheets of paper filled with sketches. Sunlight streamed through the massive window beside me, casting a warm glow that motivated me to continue working on the latest manga. This time, I was drawing one of the most iconic scenes for the new volume of Naruto.
It was exhilarating to bring this scene to life. Even after all these years, I still felt excited imagining how readers would react. Would they feel the same emotions I did when I first read this story in my previous world?
I furrowed my brows, focusing intently on perfecting the details of the scene. My hand moved steadily, creating vivid lines on the paper.
Suddenly, there was a polite knock on the door. I recognized that knock.
"Come in," I said, not looking away from the paper in front of me.
The door opened, and a familiar figure stepped inside. Pak Tua Jenskin, the head butler of the Carval household, stood there holding a thick folder. His aging blond hair, streaked with white, complemented his dignified presence. His piercing green eyes seemed to hold a lifetime of wisdom.
He bowed slightly before approaching, maintaining his usual formal demeanor. "Lord Eldric," he greeted in his deep yet kind voice, "I've brought the manga sales report you requested."
I paused, setting down my pen, and turned my full attention to him. "Ah, finally. It's been weeks since the launch. How did it go?" I asked eagerly as I reached for the folder he offered.
Pak Jenskin offered a faint smile and said, "I believe you'll be pleased with the results, my lord. Perhaps even more than that."
Opening the folder with anticipation, I found detailed records of the sales for Naruto, Doraemon, and Your Name.
As I scanned the numbers, my eyes widened in astonishment. The sales for Naruto had exceeded my expectations. The story of the spirited young ninja had captivated readers, particularly young nobles and commoners who could afford it. Themes of determination, friendship, and recognition seemed to resonate universally—even in this world.
"Naruto's sales are exceptional," Jenskin noted, echoing my thoughts. "Especially among the youth, both noble and commoner, who are drawn to the protagonist's struggles."
I nodded in satisfaction, then shifted my attention to the Doraemon report.
Doraemon was no less successful. The tale of a robotic cat from the future had become a favorite among children, including my youngest, Lumi. According to the report, it had become the go-to choice for families seeking lighthearted, humorous, yet meaningful stories.
"And Doraemon, my lord, has become a family favorite. Its entertaining yet educational content has led many to recommend it to friends and relatives," Jenskin added.
But the most surprising was the report for Your Name.
Your Name was a phenomenon. Its popularity wasn't limited to the youth but extended to adults captivated by its magical love story. I hadn't expected the tale of two souls swapping bodies and connecting through destiny to strike such a chord with readers here.
"Pak Jenskin," I said, still amazed by the report, "the sales for Your Name... they're incredible."
"Indeed, my lord," Jenskin replied with a nod. "Many young nobles have even held gatherings to discuss the story. Some have sent letters requesting the Carval family to release similar stories soon."
I chuckled softly. "It seems timeless romantic tales with a touch of destiny are universally loved."
"That's true, my lord. However, there's one particular report that caught my attention."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's that?"
Jenskin opened another folder and retrieved a letter. "This is from one of our main distributors. They reported that your manga stock sold out within a week in several regions. There's an overwhelming demand for reprints, especially in major cities."
I laughed, both amused and pleased. This was undoubtedly good news, but it also posed a challenge. If demand continued to grow, I needed to ensure smooth production and distribution.
"Then we need to start reprinting immediately. Make sure our distributors receive adequate supplies. We can't let readers down," I instructed.
"I've already made arrangements, my lord," Jenskin assured me. "However, there's one more thing. Several nobles have requested special collector's editions of your manga, personally signed by you."
I chuckled again. "Signed editions, huh? Sure, I can do that. Let them know these will be limited releases. Exclusivity is key."
Jenskin offered a faint smile. "Of course, my lord. I'll convey the message."
"Good," I said, closing the folder. "This report is excellent news. But this is only the beginning. We need to maintain quality and expand our reach. This world is brimming with potential."
"Absolutely, my lord. With your vision, I believe manga will become a cornerstone of entertainment in this world," Jenskin replied confidently.
We then discussed the profits from the sales. The currency system here used three types of coins: bronze, silver, and gold. One silver coin was worth 100 bronze coins, and one gold coin was worth 100 silver coins.
The standard edition manga was priced at 50 bronze coins, while a premium edition made with higher-quality materials cost 50 silver coins. As for the signed collector's edition, I planned to set the price at 100 gold coins, with only 100 copies available.
According to the report, the total profit from the sales of all three mangas amounted to 4,200 gold coins. For a start, I was more than satisfied with these results.
After Jenskin left, I leaned back in my chair, letting my thoughts drift.
Naruto, Doraemon, Your Name... all were successful. But this was just the beginning. This world was full of untapped opportunities. More stories would come to life, and manga would become an integral part of the culture here.
With renewed enthusiasm, I picked up my pen and continued drawing.