He is Already a Tycoon at a Young Age! - Chapter 65



Only Krnovel

“In the old days, there was courage and greatness in the Danes who held spears and the kings who ruled them! We will sing of the heroic deeds of those monarchs…!”

A deep voice echoed through the classroom.

A man wearing Viking armor and a helmet walked along the platform, shouting loudly.

“I command you to disappear! Ah! Spirits of cursed warriors! I curse you!”

All the students stared blankly as the man swung the axe.

I am one of them.

‘What the hell is going on?’

I did enter the classroom.

I have no idea what’s going on.

At first glance, it looks like a play.

“What a unique person.”

Is that the level of a father of fantasy? The man in Viking attire shouted, putting down his axe.

“That’s all for today’s class. Everyone, don’t forget to submit your reports by next week!”

When class ended, the students rushed out, giggling and laughing.

Okay, let’s go ahead and talk to him naturally.

‘If only I had taken classes like that when I was in school, I wouldn’t have missed an A.’

This is the first time I’ve had such an interesting literature lecture. It felt like a Korean literature professor dressed up as a magistrate and reciting Chunhyangjeon.

The man looked at me and asked in an English accent.

“It seems like it’s the first time we’ve met. Who are you?”

“My name is Adolf Hitler, Professor. I happened to hear your class while I was looking around the school…”

I said in a calm tone.

“It was really impressive.”

“I see you are interested in medieval literature. Are you from Germany?”

“Yes, I can say that. I am not an expert in this field, but if you don’t mind, I would like to talk to you more.”

“Oh, yes, of course. I was just about to head to the break room. Would you like to come with me?”

The man said, picking up the axe.

Something feels ominous.

“I haven’t even introduced myself. Tolkien. My name is John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Tolkien.”

JRR Tolkien.

Author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

The man who created modern fantasy.

Elves, orcs, dwarves, etc.

It’s hard to put into words the impact this man has had on the world of fantasy.

“You can come this way.”

I followed his lead and walked down the hall. The other professors passed by, greeting him without a care in the world, even though they saw his Viking attire.

I guess this isn’t the first or second time this has happened.

There were some students who snickered, but Tolkien didn’t seem to care much.

There were a few other professors sitting in the break room.

“Hey, Ronald! You’re looking fancy again today! Did you find any loot?”

“There is nothing but gold and silver treasures dripping with blood. Ah, what a cruel fate!”

Tolkien laughed and shouted.

He put down his axe and helmet and guided me to one side of the sofa.

A large canvas on one side of the break room. It depicted a red dragon spitting out flames.

“That’s an impressive painting. Did you draw it, Mr. Tolkien?”

“There is nothing more fascinating than a dragon. I’m not very good at watercolors, but I paint them from time to time as a hobby.”

Tolkien looked at the picture and smiled.

“Dragons love gold and silver treasures, and are always looking for new armor and metals.”

“Armor made of a metal that shines like silver, is stronger than steel, and is as light as a feather.”

“What did you say?”

Tolkien asked with a puzzled expression after hearing what I said.

“I just said whatever came to my mind.”

The Lord of the Rings.

Even if you don’t know the novel, everyone has seen the movie at least once. Even if you haven’t seen it in person, there’s no one who doesn’t know it.

Tolkien today would never have imagined it.

“Actually, I’m a person who is interested in fantasy. No, I should say I’m more interested in interesting novels.”

I said.

To be honest, my fandom is the biggest.

‘Because I’m a fantasy fan too.’

There is nothing more dreamlike than being able to talk to Tolkien himself.

It’s been a long time since I felt fortunate to have fallen into this world.

“Haven’t Britain already produced some great novels like Sherlock Holmes? I think there’s plenty of potential in fantasy as well.”

“So, are you going around the universities looking for stories of British legends and myths?”

“Oh, yes.”

Actually, that’s not true.

Tolkien muttered with a thoughtful expression.

“Britain lacks its own mythology and stories like Germany, France, and Finland. There aren’t many things that are properly recorded.”

“Then, how about Mr. Tolkien making it himself? I felt it when I listened to your lecture earlier, but you have a great talent for storytelling.”

“You are flattering me. Creating a myth is not something that just anyone can do.”

Tolkien said in a cheerful tone.

When I heard him say that, my conversation with Gunsback came to mind.

The fantasy and science fiction boom had already begun, several years ahead of its original history.

If only I could inspire Tolkien…

Not just novels, but also movies, toys, card games, etc.

My head was spinning with all kinds of business ideas.

‘What’s important isn’t the business itself.’

There’s more to it than just money. How can you get Tolkien interested?

Fantasy, storytelling.

‘That’s it.’

Pen and paper, table.

A game that can be played as long as you have imagination.

TRPG.

Commonly known as tabletop role-playing games.

It was a game where storytelling and imagination were the most important, and it was often played by American nerds.

The most famous of them all is…

Dungeons and Dragons.

This was also a fantasy worldview influenced by Tolkien.

With Tolkien’s help, we might be able to make this happen.

Barbarians, dragons, wizards, dwarves, elves, trolls, etc.

“I am a businessman in the United States, doing publishing and other things.”

As I said that, I took out a business card from my bosom. It was a version of Mickey Mouse drawn by Disney.

“I have an interesting idea, would you be interested?”

＊＊＊

Two days later

London

“How was your side, Richter?”

“Chae, when I told you I wanted to publish a book, you were really excited. When you told me the terms of the contract, you almost cried.”

Richter said as he sat in the back seat. In the passenger seat was Joseph Kennedy.

I took charge of driving.

‘I made it just in time.’

In order not to be late for the Nobel Prize ceremony, the three of us had to go to different people.

Richter’s take was Agatha Christie.

The queen of mystery.

But now he was one of those writers who is not so famous.

“Look, it’s so sad to see it all.”

“The people I met were also strange. Usually, when you think of a new screenwriter, don’t you think they’re a bit timid?”

Joseph intervened.

“He’s very arrogant and confident. Is there really a need to hire someone like that? I told him to contact Warner Brothers first.”

“We’ll find out in a few years.”

I answered as I turned the steering wheel. It’s always confusing in Britain because the traffic is on the opposite side.

There were traffic controls everywhere, as if some kind of festival was being held.

‘Why are there so many people?’

What day is today?

The streets of London were filled with cars and buses.

“Alfred Hitchcock and Agatha Christie. They both make a ton of money. Not to mention Tolkien, whom I met.”

One is the queen of mystery.

Another famous director who is called the master of suspense.

Here are Tolkien and Keynes.

You came to England and are making a pretty good profit?

“But is selling books or movies that important?”

Joseph asked.

“Well, if you succeed, you’ll make money, but it’s a bit strange that you care so much about it.”

“Money is important, but I want something else.”

The Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes, 007, Mr. Bean, etc. These works are responsible for British nationalism.

So-called soft power.

“If these works are successful, the British people will feel proud. And naturally, attention will turn to me.”

British culture is amazing!

A British work that made France feel inferior and shocked the United States and the entire world!

‘They were popular throughout history anyway.’

If only we could bring that forward…

I become a promoter of the new British culture.

“Do you want to be loved by the British as well as the Americans?”

“Influence, to be exact. If you have love, you can gain influence.”

Influence is power itself.

Power can be gained not only through politics but also through business.

‘No, it’s actually more profitable for business. Money has no borders.’

A musician playing the flute cannot choose his own tune.

The one who pays gets to choose the song.

While I was lost in thought, Richter shouted from behind me.

“Oh, oh! W-W-You went into the wrong driveway! This is…”

“What? There’s no warning sign. I guess I’ll have to get out from there.”

Union Jack flags stretched out on both sides of the road. Cavalrymen on white horses.

The streets were packed with people on both sides.

Even the parade had an open atmosphere.

We pulled over to the side, urged on by the traffic police.

“Since we’re already in London, let’s take a look around.”

A carriage seen from the other side in the distance. The British people who saw it cheered and waved small flags.

“I guess he is the king. My late grandfather will be thrilled to see me here.”

Joseph grumbled.

“When I think about the hardships my family went through in Ireland…”

“Shh! What are you going to do if you say something like that and get lynched?”

“King George V.”

I muttered as I looked at the carriage. The famous grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II.

In the carriage there were not only the king, but also princes and princesses.

They waved out the window.

Faces that seem to pass by.

With Prince Albert, who later became King George VI…

‘Was that Prince Edward?’

The famous pro-German king.

It seems like he gave up his throne to marry an American divorcee.

I didn’t expect to see you here.

It was only for a brief moment, but I felt like he was staring at me.

“God save the King!”

Our UK itinerary came to a close with the sound of people singing echoing through the streets.

＊＊＊

“Can you make it on time?”

“I, I don’t know!”

After getting off at the port, we got into the car and headed straight for Stockholm.

Due to problems with the ship, the arrival in Sweden was delayed.

“I think I can still figure it out somehow.”

The car roared loudly as it sped along.

The Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet are held at Stockholm City Hall.

The area in front of the building was bustling with people.

“wait a minute!”

“Come on, let’s go!”

By the time I arrived at the city hall, the award ceremony had already begun. A middle-aged man who looked like a Nobel Prize committee member came running in a hurry.

“I thought you weren’t coming to the awards ceremony. Did something come up in the meantime?”

“There was a problem with the ship, so it was a bit delayed.”

It’s a bit embarrassing to go into detail.

I have to just gloss over it.

“Let’s hurry up and go to the front. The Nobel Prize in Physics will be awarded soon. Mr. Hitler, who started the Advanced Institute for Inventions, will also give a commemorative speech.”

Two familiar faces in the front row.

Edison and Tesla.

I guess they didn’t kill each other on their way here.

“Now, I would like to announce the winners of the 1920 Nobel Prize in Physics: Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. Please come up to the podium. You two…”

The two men went up to the podium to receive their awards.

After that, it seemed like he was giving a thank you speech, but I couldn’t hear it well because of the distance.

“Richter, what are you doing? Let’s go forward too.”

“Oh, okay. Just a moment.”

Suddenly, a man caught my eye in the crowd. His face looked familiar.

He said, extending his hand through the crowd.

“Mr. Adolf Hitler, if it is all right with you, we can talk later…”

“Oh, yes.”

I answered absentmindedly and was pushed forward by the crowd.

The host’s words echoed.

“Next, we will be taking commemorative photos. Officials, please come forward. Reporters, please follow the designated line.”

It was still a long way from the podium.

Me, Joseph, and Richter.

The three of us made our way forward through the crowd.

The host’s voice was heard again.

“Mr. Hitler? Is Mr. Hitler not here?”

“Here it is!”

As he shouted, the crowd dispersed to both sides and a path was formed.

It’s like a miracle of Moses.

As they stood on the podium, Edison, Tesla, and other officials came into view.

Scientists and inventors working at the Advanced Invention Research Institute.

‘Something’s strange…’

They all had whiskers attached to their noses. It looked like they were copying my mustache.

Did Edison have a moustache like that?

As I stood there blankly, Richter and Joseph also came up to the podium. They were both growing mustaches.

“Hey, look at that.”

The reporters pointed at us and giggled.

Is this some kind of hidden camera?

Joseph said with a smile.

“We all decided to take a picture with a beard just like yours. Don’t you think it’s pretty cool? This is the real Hitler Division.”

“I didn’t know you prepared something like this.”

No, it really was a hidden camera.

Tesla and Edison aren’t kids.

“Okay, now let’s take the picture. Everyone, look this way!”

I chuckled to myself as I heard the loud flash of lightning.

I can’t imagine what this will look like in tomorrow’s newspaper.

Through the crowd, I saw the man I had seen earlier.

Where have I seen this face before?

‘Surely from a book about Germany…’

The memory came back a beat late.

Gustav Stresemann.

The Weimar Republic’s greatest diplomat and winner of the 1927 Nobel Peace Prize.

That guy wants to see me?

===＊＊＊===

Author’s Note

Q: Was Tolkien really like that?

A: Tolkien had a professorial image in his day. He was known as a professor who looked like a professor, and he liked to wear corduroy pants and a jacket and smoke a pipe. But he also had an actor’s side, and even when he was at King Edwards School, he loved drama and plays.

He also enjoyed dressing up, and once terrified his Northmoor Row neighbors by racing down the street on his bicycle dressed as an axe-wielding Viking. When the mood struck, he would shed his stuffy, model professorial persona and let loose his mischief. In the 1930s, Tolkien owned a car, but after a few minor accidents driving it, his wife Edith concluded that it was safer to take public transport.

The biggest problem was that he habitually ignored traffic lights, and when crossing the main street, he would not look at the lights and would rush down the side road shouting, “If we go ahead, people will scatter!” For this reason, Edith tried not to get in the car when her husband was driving.

(Source – Tolkien’s Fantasy Lords, Michael White)