Throughout June, while the outside world buzzed with discussion and everyone offered their opinions, Roland instead kept a low profile and settled down to write.
Using short fables, he wrote one classic tale after another from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, enriching the content of Romance of Seris.
"Good, another dozen or so finished. That should give us at least a few more idioms and allusions to use!"
In the second-floor office of the Runes editorial department.
The Magic Quill in front of Roland stopped. The paper beneath it was already covered in short pieces written in square Chinese characters.
He had brought over stories such as "You Are Not a Fish," "A White Horse Is Not a Horse," "Mencius's Mother Moves Three Times," and "Yan Shi's Automaton."
Dylent happened to come in just then, bringing him the latest newspapers.
"Mr. Roland, here are the news articles you asked for.
"I just read through them. Nothing major has happened at home or abroad lately, but construction of the Mage Tower in the Lainer Kingdom is progressing nicely. Apparently, it could be finished two or three months ahead of schedule."
Roland's time and energy were now more precious than most people's, so Dylent, as his assistant, read the newspapers and then gave him a brief rundown.
While speaking, however, Dylent glanced at the desk, looking intrigued.
"I just finished these. Have a look."
Roland chuckled as he spoke.
As though he had found a treasure, Dylent stepped forward and picked up the manuscript to read.
"'You Are Not a Fish,' 'A White Horse Is Not a Horse,' 'Against Aggression,' 'Benevolence and Love'?"
The Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods were a golden age in Seris philosophy and cultural history. Many important schools and intellectual traditions flourished then,