Dropping a Novel? Absolutely Unforgivable!

Long time no see, Lancelot.

What's going on? If you went so far as to send a letter, it must be serious.

I'm looking for someone.

But there are too few clues... I need help.

...You called us all the way here for that?

You could've just asked another fairy!

P-Please calm down, Morgana!

If Lancelot's this worked up, it must be something serious...

Exactly, Princess. This person is a menace, enough to warrant punishment.

Eek! D-Don't tell me... a wanted criminal?!

Then what do you need us for...?

Sounds like someone you could handle on your own, Lancelot.

Heh. Not even close.

The one I'm after... is a dropped-novel author.

Dropped...? Is that their name or something?

Never heard of that before...

To put it simply... they're authors who quit writing.

Authors don't have steady income... so many end up quitting.

But this author isn't just any dropout.

The ultimate taboo... They disappeared after releasing just one volume.

So why are you trying to find them?

To make them write again, of course.

I finally found a book I love... I'm not letting it go.

Is that even possible?

Once someone gives up, it's hard to bring them back.

Heh. Don't worry, Princess.

No matter what it takes... I'll make them write again.

*Sigh* So it's not even anything important.

I don't want to waste my time on something so meaningless...

No, it's not meaningless.

Ethan...?

You can forgive a lot... but dropping a novel? That's a reader's heartbreak.

Heh. I knew you'd understand, Ethan.

So... how exactly are we going to find this "runaway" author?

My magic isn't all-powerful, Ethan.

Don't worry. The clues are in the book.

Can you really find someone... just from what's written in the book?

Maybe not exactly, but I can narrow it down.

Authors are always influenced by their surroundings.

For example, this part... the depiction of the castle interior is way too detailed.

You couldn't write something like this unless you'd actually been there.

So, they're not a commoner or a merchant...

But I don't think they're royalty or a noble either.

Books written by nobles always go on about etiquette and protocol.

Someone who can enter the castle, but isn't a noble...

Could it be... a knight?

That's right! A highly skilled knight would visit the castle frequently!

You're amazing, Ethan..!

But that's still not enough... We can't just interrogate every knight.

We need a solid clue...

......

Ethan, don't you think this part's a little odd?

Huh?

In romance novels like this... most knights use swords.

Swords are the standard weapon, and they fit the image of a strong, noble knight.

But the protagonist in this story uses a bow.

And their understanding of archery is incredibly deep!

Could they be someone who uses a bow themselves?

Wait a second... a knight who uses a bow...?

The male lead's name: Sold.

A prince who loves books... and his people...

And the knight who serves him... wielding a bow...

..! Ethan, don't tell me...!

Yeah. The one who wrote this book...

Is Tristan.

S-Swordbringer... how did you get this book...?

I'm sure I burned every last copy...!

Sorry, but... I didn't find this book myself.

Hello there. So you're Tristan.

..!? Who's this?! What's with that outfit?! Is she dangerous?!

This is Lancelot.

Believe it or not, she's actually a highly skilled knight.

Sorry to be blunt, but... why did you stop writing?

Huh? W-Well... I just got tired of it, that's all.

I'm the Princess Isolde's personal guard. I don't have time to sit around writing books...

I don't buy it.

If it were just a fleeting hobby, you wouldn't have gone so far as to publish it.

...There's another reason, isn't there?

......

I didn't come to interrogate you.

I just want to know what happens next.

......

That book... I wrote it for the Princess.

She loves reading, so I thought she'd be happy if I wrote something myself and gave it to her.

But she wasn't.

Compared to the books she usually reads... mine was pathetic.

That's why I gave up. I didn't write it for money to begin with.

......

How long did it take you to write that book?

Huh? About... a week, I think?

..! You finished a whole book in just a week?!

W-What? Is that really so shocking? I just jotted down whatever came to mind.

Easy for you to say... but most people can't do that.

Heh. Just as I thought...

Tristan, you've got real talent.

It's not too late, why not start writing again?

...Why are you trying so hard to help me?

There are way better books out there.

......

Because it was fun.

Your book... it brought joy to my otherwise boring life.

Isn't that enough of a reason?

......

Ugh..! Still, I can't do it! It's been so long, I barely even remember what I wrote!

And I have knightly duties...!

Don't worry. I'm pretty good at guarding people, too.

And the Princess already gave her permission. You can focus on your writing.

Huh..? Y-You don't mean...!

Tristan. I've heard everything.

Ethan and Lancelot have agreed to take over your guard duties. Please, devote yourself to your writing.

P-Princessss...!!!

(Sorry, Tristan...)

(But if you dropped the story... you've gotta take responsibility.)

You already finished all those books?!

Hmph. Thanks to a certain someone, I was stuck at my desk day and night!

S-Sorry... But still, that's incredible. Must've been tough, especially after such a long break.

......

Actually...

Wait, what? The final volume's still incomplete?!

W-What else was I supposed to do?! I couldn't come up with anything good, no matter how hard I tried!

I've never even... been on a date before!

Then maybe you should try one. And lucky for you, there's a perfect partner right here.

..! That's impossible!

If people saw me dating the Swordbringer... rumors would spread across the whole kingdom!

Hmm... Then how about this?

We'll show you how a date goes, live and in action.

Maybe watching it will spark some ideas.

..! L-Lancelot! That might be a little...

Actually, she has a point.

Seeing it firsthand is different from reading about it.

E-Ethan?!

Even if we're just acting... it could be good inspiration.

Ah... Y-Yes. You're right. Acting... right!

Th-Then... which of us is going on this "date," exactly?

Well, you can count me out.

Even if it's just an act, who knows what kind of wild thoughts Ethan's cooking up about my sexy body.

I-If no one else volunteers... I could...

Heh. I'll do it, Princess.

This all started because of me, so I should take responsibility.

......

Alright, then let's get going already!

Hey... Lancelot.

What? Why?

Do we really have to hold hands like this?

Of course. We're a couple right now, remember?

We have to hold on tight... so we don't drift apart.

Oh? Looks like they're selling meat skewers over there.

Mind if we stop for a second?

Sure, let's check it out.

Here, open up. Say "ahh."

I-I'll just eat it myself...

Then what's the point? We're supposed to be on a date, remember?

Come on, don't be shy.

......

Well? Is it good?

...Yeah.

That's it? What a lame reaction. You're supposed to say it's extra tasty today.

Sorry I'm such a dull guy!

Heh, it's fine.

That's just part of your charm.

..!? How can you say that with a straight face...!

...Then shall we continue? There are still a lot of places I want to visit.

I didn't think it would drag on this long...

Still, this should be enough, right?

Hmm? I think we're still missing something important.

Huh? But all the shops are closed...

I like you.

...!!!

Will you accept... my feelings?

W-Wait... I...

This is way too sudden...

Heh. Why are you so flustered?

It's only natural for a date to end with a confession.

...What?

I figured, if the main characters were going on a date, they'd probably end it with a confession like this.

What, don't tell me... you thought I was serious?

Lancelot, even if this is just acting...!

Hehe. Well then, that's the end of our date.

You can head back first. I want to walk around a little more.

Ethan?

Would you care... to explain?

Hey, Lancelot!!! You can't just run off and leave me with this mess!

Come back here and explain yourself!!!

...Just like in the books.

Even though I ran so far... the trembling won't stop.

Phew...

He didn't notice... did he?