Signing Event (Part 2)

The book signing wasn't a company ribbon-cutting or an awards ceremony. There wouldn't be any long opening speeches.

All Sean had to do was sit beside a stack of books piled nearly as high as he was and sign one after another.

Judging by the number of people pouring into the mall, things should've been at least a little chaotic. But with the upright, uniformed police officers standing around them, everyone was unusually well-behaved this time. They formed two orderly lines: one to pay for books, and the other to hand them over to Sean for signing.

Someone curiously asked why there were so many police officers.

The officer in charge glanced at Sean and smiled as he explained.

An event without an opening speech always felt like something was missing. If that was the case, he might as well help Sean get the crowd warmed up.

"First, I'd like to thank everyone for coming to the book signing for our rising fantasy author, Mr. Sean."

"And I'd also like to thank you all for enjoying Mr. Sean's books."

"To be honest, I'm actually a devoted fan of Mr. Sean myself. The stories he writes perfectly match my imagination and understanding of magic and mystery. I don't mind if you laugh at me, but every night before bed, I lie there waiting for his latest update. I can't sleep if I don't read it."

The crowd burst into laughter.

"Is it really that good?"

Coming from a uniformed police officer who was on duty, the remark somehow had a comical quality to it.

"Of course it is," the officer said earnestly. "Mr. Sean is my favorite author, bar none. That's why I'm here today."

Then he changed tack. "We've received word that criminals might take advantage of today's event to launch a terrorist attack at the mall. As police officers, we have to be prepared and keep everyone safe."

"Besides, I'm a fan of Mr. Sean's, and I certainly don't want him to get hurt. So I specifically asked my superiors to assign me to the book signing, where I could personally carry out this mission."

The mention of a possible terrorist attack caused an uproar.

The officer in charge smiled again. "Everyone, rest assured. It's not as serious as you might think. Otherwise, we would've started evacuating the crowd already. We wouldn't have let you in."

"Ascetic Day is a week away, as you all know. Every year around this time, a few heretics start spouting nonsense about what they're going to do, hoping to spread panic, unsettle the public, and cast doubt on the Lord's existence and our faith in Him. But have they ever succeeded?"

"No."

"Not once."

"This year won't be any different."

"Even if something does happen in a little while, we'll organize everyone's safe evacuation immediately."

His tone turned grave. "The reason we've sent so many officers here today is to make our position clear: we have zero tolerance for all criminal activity, no matter how minor or who's responsible. Anyone who breaks the law and endangers public safety will face the harshest punishment and crackdown we can deliver!"

He spoke with such conviction that no one could doubt his resolve.

The crowd applauded and cheered, never realizing the hidden meaning behind his words.

If no terrorist attack occurred, it would be because the culprits had been scared off and didn't dare provoke the police and the government.

If a terrorist attack did take place and the perpetrators clashed with the security detail, then anyone they killed or captured would be the "terrorists" mentioned in the inside information.

They would always be on the side of justice.

"Good job! The people need police officers like you!"

At the crowd's praise, the officer in charge quickly waved his hands and said with a hearty laugh, "It's only what we should do. Maintaining public order and eliminating threats is our duty... Isn't that right, Mr. Sean?"

He looked at Sean.

Beneath the square police cap was a face he hadn't seen in a long time.

Burg.

"Officer Burg is right," Sean said with a faint smile.

He wasn't surprised at all to see Burg here today. After all, they'd "arranged" this long ago.

Burg still looked like the same cheerful, amiable, public-spirited police officer.

Too bad Sean had changed.

Today, he was no longer the frail shut-in from half a month ago, someone who could be fooled like an idiot and couldn't retaliate in time. Burg couldn't put the slightest pressure on him now.

"Mr. Sean, could you sign here?"

"Sure."

Books passed beneath Sean's pen one after another. Sometimes people brought something other than a book: a greeting card, a handkerchief, a piece of clothing, a tissue... Someone even hiked up her skirt and put her leg on the table, asking him to sign it.

He enjoyed this part of the event and barely spared Burg a glance.

Wizards and ordinary people lived in two different worlds; their joys and sorrows weren't shared. The lively scene around him was nothing but an illusion to a wizard, yet Sean fit right into it, as if he were just an ordinary author for this one moment.

Sean knew that from the moment he drank from the Spring of Enlightenment, his days would never be peaceful again. That was all the more reason to enjoy this book signing. It was a moment of glory every author longed for, and a perfect way to put a period on his simple, ordinary life.

Then he could begin a new chapter.

Burg didn't understand how Sean could act so relaxed. Was he just putting on a brave face?

He was curious to see how long the author could keep up the act.

The book signing proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Sean's hand grew sore from signing, but he was still happy to keep going.

He had a rough estimate. Assuming everyone who asked for his signature had bought at least one book, they'd sold over a thousand copies. That would earn them quite a bit of money. And that was only the sales at the event. Once news of the wildly successful signing was posted online and in the papers, they could build up the hype. Stocking bookstores afterward would bring in the real money.

It was a shame he might not get any of it.

That was the only thing that made Sean unhappy as he signed.

He didn't like working for free.

He had to find a way to get back the money that belonged to him.

Another person sat down across from him. Sean kept his polite smile. "Hello. Where would you like me to sign?"

"Sign my ass, you old bastard!" the man muttered.

It was Charles.

After waiting in line for hours, it was finally his turn.

Sean: "..."

What was he doing here?

Sean asked Charles with his eyes.

As it turned out, Charles hadn't come alone. He'd also brought Sean a local specialty.

Charles handed Sean a small pouch and grinned. "A gift for you, you dog of an author."

Sean unzipped it and found a packet of brand-new razor blades.

Sean: "?"

Someone nearby saw what was inside and burst out laughing.

"I'm dying. He really gave him razor blades."

"You wouldn't get it. This is just how we true fans show our love."

Even one of the police officers beside them couldn't keep a straight face; the corners of his mouth kept twitching upward.

Only from Sean's angle could he see that, besides the razor blades, there was an alchemical potion hidden beneath them.

Charles lowered his voice. "This is a Swift Potion. It's been mixed with adrenal hormones. I'll set off an explosion inside in a little while. Use the chaos to escape. Don't worry about me; I've got a way out."

Sean looked at Charles without saying a word.

When Charles saw that he wasn't responding, he glared at him. "Did you hear me? None of these police officers are any good!"

Sean suddenly smiled. "I know you're in a hurry."

"But wait a little longer. The signing will be over soon, within an hour at most."

Of course Charles was in a hurry. "If we wait until the signing's over, it'll be too late!"

Sean wanted to say it was all right, but before he could, a man in a white lab coat smiled and stepped out of the crowd, interrupting their conversation.

"It might already be too late for you to leave, gentlemen."