My Revolution 2

I see. Then they're doomed to fail.

...!

？！

It's simple. I needn't even run the numbers to tell you with certainty that they will not finish their second book.

Good grief. And here I really thought Miss Crane would be different.

Different? How so?

It's a common mistake among creators. Allow me to elaborate.

People tend to think they can perform at their peak whenever they like as long as they "put their mind to it."

"I once ran fifteen kilometers in an hour, so I could run thirty in two hours and three hundred sixty in a day."

Do those calculations make sense to you?

Of course they do! The numbers add up and everything!

...

I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but they do not.

There is simply no way a runner could maintain their top speed for twenty-four consecutive hours.

It's an obvious, common sense truth. And yet, many people forget it when it comes to different fields.

They tend to think they can do something all at once as long as they put their mind to it. Perhaps you're familiar with that mindset yourself, Master?

？！

There you go; an answer that comes from experience. And you're mostly correct.

What people truly need is the space to make steady progress every day. To believe one can complete the whole project in the last three days is to set oneself up for disaster.

Y-you think? ...Yeah. Maybe you're right...

And art makes things even trickier, since artists naturally want to believe themselves capable of rising to the challenge.

It's a real problem. Those sorts of toxic delusions eat away at not only yourself, but also those around you.

Ouch! "Wanting to believe themselves capable of rising to the challenge" cuts a lot deeper than I was expecting!

？！

I remember some of Chaldea's staff said something similar when they were facing a small mountain of paperwork...

Oh stop that. I'm not trying to wound anyone's pride here. I'm just explaining the way things are.

My point is, people are foolish creatures who will jump right into reckless plans without considering their feasibility.

That's unfortunate. Still, you think Miss Crane is like that, too?

She really doesn't seem like it to me.

I did think she was an exception. I know she is wise enough to determine when something simply isn't possible.

I suspect she has her own painful reasons for doing so...but never mind that now.

At any rate, she's still going through with this... Why? No, truly, I don't understand.

The more I think about it, the less sense it makes. And you said Vlad is sticking around too?

That's right. He was very eager to participate.

That makes no sense, either. He may be a Berserker with Madness Enhancement, but he still has a good head on his shoulders.

So I can't understand why he would be so quick to lend his aid to a plan doomed to failure.

...Hmm, this is starting to really bother me. Is there something I'm overlooking?

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...Fine. If it will remove this bone stuck in my craw, then that is what I will do.

I'll go check in on them and find out their reasons for doing this.

And if I don't find them to be valid, I'll stop them! Even if it means using my Noble Phantasm!

Welp, here we are paying Clothiers' atelier yet another visit.

Hello? We're coming in.

Oh, hello, everyone. Thank you all so much for coming. And Moriarty! You're here too!

How are you feeling? Are you doing better now, I hope? Please, have a seat.

Let me get you some tea. No, wait. On second thought, I'll make it an extra-nourishing herbal medicine drink.

No need to trouble yourself over me. I'm only here to observe.

...So, what's the current status?

We were just discussing props.

Props?

It was my idea. I thought we would need something besides clothes to set the tone we are going for.

It's gotta be a handgun! Something big, loud, and super flashy!

If I'm gonna get dressed up anyway, it'd be more fun to wield something other than a sword.

That does sound like a fun idea. I am in favor as well.

Then we'll need an outfit that can show off the firearm. I'll make some revisions to the design.

You are so quick to change designs on a lark, even after having started working!?

You'll never finish in time if that's how you're working! You've obviously bitten off more than you can chew!

We all just keep coming up with fun new ideas to pursue.

So we thought it would be interesting to try new ideas out whenever we come up with them.

Now I really don't understand. Why are you doing this, Miss Crane?

You've never once failed to deliver on a tailoring job. Until now.

So what are you doing now? How can you possibly expect to finish your second book on time like this?

Failure is all but inevitable, the way you are going. Do you not understand that?

Failure? ...Yes, I suppose so.

But what's wrong with that?

Huh?

That doesn't make any sense. You're going to forfeit after coming all this way?

Then there's even less point in continuing this project. This isn't even a matter of the sunk cost fallacy... What in the world is going on here?

Let me ask you a question of my own, Moriarty.

Where exactly is the failure?

Huh?

A failure to govern well can damage one's country. It can cause one to lose respect in the eyes of one's citizens and supporters.

But this is ServantFes, an impossible, fleeting dream. A brief summertime romp that will be over as quickly as it began.

And who in their right mind would define such things as successes or failures?

But, if you can't finish your doujin, that's a clear failure...isn't it?

Are you saying that none of this matters because it's all just fun and games?

Because if so, I would frankly hold you all in contempt.

It's not exactly like that. Right, Vlad?

Indeed. We are having a great deal of fun right now, Moriarty.

We are sewing clothes and wearing outfits for no other reason than that we want to.

It's a wonderful feeling. This is perhaps one of the greatest luxuries I have ever experienced!

Speaking personally, I believe the enjoyment found in the creative process to be the greatest treasure here.

But

Don't get me wrong. I ain't all happy-go-lucky about it like old man Vlad here.

I definitely wanna get this book finished! But there's no way in hell I'm compromising!

We're gonna do everything we wanna do with this book! No regrets, no excuses!

And what will you do if we fail?

We'll just try again some other day. Not like this's the only shot we're ever gonna get.

Then I believe you and I are largely in agreement. You, too, value the journey more than the destination.

...

Moriarty.

Yes?

I am this club's former representative.

As such, I feel I have a duty to stand by my fellow club members through thick and thin.

If it will help them finish a book they are completely satisfied with, and enjoy ServantFes to the fullest...

...then I am prepared to follow their fun and passions wherever they lead.

(Sigh...) Are you serious? I've heard what you have to say, and I still don't understand.

I understand the importance of having fun and keeping everyone motivated, to be sure.

However, I don't see how you can strive to finish your doujin without fear of failing to complete it.

I can't understand your logic, no matter how hard I try. Where's the fun in failing to produce results?

Um, Moriarty?

I think Mordred might have already mentioned the answer earlier.

Huh?

"No regrets. No excuses."

？！

Do it all? That's nonsense.

There comes a point in any job where you need to give up on some aspects and find a compromi...

No, wait. In this case...maybe there IS no need to do that...?

Exactly, Moriarty.

Those taking part in this festival do so solely because they want to. There is no obligation for them to accomplish anything.

We are all prisoners of our regrets to some degree. We lived our lives hoping to fulfill our dreams, and died knowing they would never bear fruit.

But here, we have a chance to challenge ourselves without reservations. So why not take advantage of it to do what we like, how we like?

Good point. And since you already finished one book, you don't have to be afraid to cancel your new one.

...Now I see. So we were each seeking different answers from the start.

I'm so sorry, Moriarty. We should have been more forthcoming about our feelings.

Please, there's no need to apologize. In fact, this has been a great opportunity to reexamine my own assumptions.

Now then! I may have failed spectacularly, but that doesn't mean I must allow that failure to stand in perpetuity.

A famous man once said, "Such slips are common to all mortals, and the greatest is he who can recognize and repair them."

Um, you do know that the "famous man" who said that was Holmes?

Believe me, I detest quoting him! But, when he's right, he's right!

My failure was forgetting to enjoy myself. But now, I'm ready to try again.

Youno, we, are going to finish our second book. It's going to enjoy rave reviews, and it's going to beat whatever the Normalization Committee throws at us.

That is my goal this time, and how I will enjoy myself.

I hope you're happy to see me, scheduleless ones, because I'm going to aid you once again.

Whatever we need to do to complete the book on time, I'll find a way to get it done.

Moriarty...!

A creator's passions run hot and chaotic by nature.

So by taking even that chaos into account and dealing with ever greater complexity, I can come closer to perfection than ever before.

Therefore...

It's time for a change of heart! I'm going to tackle this complex formula with a different approach.

Come, you inscrutable creators! I'm going to enjoy myself and understand where you're coming from, even if it kills me!

And from there, I WILL find a way to harness your enthusiasm and lead you to your goal, or my name isn't James Moriarty!