The Most Arbitrary Wizard

Chapter 45: Chapter 32: Book Signing (Part 2)

A book signing isn’t a corporate ribbon-cutting or an awards ceremony. There are no long opening speeches.

All Sean had to do was simple: sit behind a pile of books stacked nearly as tall as he was and sign them nonstop.

Given the number of people flooding the mall, the scene should have been chaotic. However, with police officers standing ramrod straight all around, everyone was consciously orderly this time. They formed two neat lines: one to pay for books, and one to bring them to Sean for his signature.

Someone asked curiously why so many police officers were there.

The lead officer glanced at Sean and began to explain to the crowd with a smile.

’An event without an opening speech always feels like it’s missing something. In that case, I might as well help Sean warm up the atmosphere.’

"First of all, thank you all so much for attending the book signing for our new, brilliant fantasy author, Mr. Sean."

"And thank you all for enjoying Mr. Sean’s books."

"To be perfectly honest, I’m a huge fan of Mr. Sean myself. The stories he creates are a perfect match for my own ideas of what’s magical and mysterious. You might laugh, but every night before bed, I lie there waiting for his next update. I can’t fall asleep until I’ve read it."

The crowd roared with laughter.

"Is it really that good?"

Hearing something like that from a uniformed police officer on duty had a strange, humorous quality to it. frёeωebɳovel.com

"Of course it’s true," the officer said earnestly. "Mr. Sean is my absolute favorite author. That’s part of the reason I’m here today."

His tone shifted. "We received an internal tip that criminals might try to use this opportunity to stage a terrorist attack here in the mall. As police officers, we must be prepared to protect everyone’s safety."

"On top of that, since I’m a fan of Mr. Sean, I obviously don’t want to see him get hurt. So, I specifically requested that my superiors assign me to this book signing to personally oversee this mission."

The crowd erupted at the mention of a possible terrorist attack.

The lead officer laughed again. "Please, everyone, rest assured. It’s not as serious as you’re imagining. If it were, we would’ve started evacuating people long ago. We wouldn’t have let you in in the first place, right?"

"The Day of Abstinence is in one week. As you all should know, every year around this time, some Heretics pop up spouting nonsense, threatening to do this or that. They’re just trying to create panic, disturb the peace, and make people question the existence of the Master and our faith in Him. But have they ever succeeded?"

"No!"

"Not even once."

"And this year will be no exception."

"And even if something does happen, we will be the first to organize and protect you during a safe evacuation."

His voice grew stern. "The reason so many of us are here today is to make one thing clear: We have zero tolerance for any and all criminal activity, big or small. It doesn’t matter who you are. Anyone who dares to break the law and endanger public safety will be met with the harshest punishment and suppression!" freeωebnovēl.c૦m

His words were forceful and resonant, leaving no room to doubt his determination.

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, completely missing the subtext of his speech.

If no terrorist attack followed, it would be because the perpetrators were afraid, not daring to provoke the police department and the government.

If a terrorist attack did occur and a conflict broke out with the officers on-site, then anyone they killed or arrested would become the "terrorists" from the internal tip.

Either way, they would be the righteous ones.

"That’s what I’m talking about! The people need police officers like you!"

Hearing the crowd’s praise, the lead officer quickly waved his hand dismissively and chuckled. "It’s all in a day’s work. Maintaining order and eliminating threats is our duty... Isn’t that right, Mr. Sean?"

He looked toward Sean.

Beneath the brim of the crisp police cap was a face he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Boger.

"Officer Boger is right," Sean agreed with a faint smile.

He wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Boger here today. After all, they had an "appointment" that had been set for a while.

Boger still had the look of an enthusiastic and cheerful police officer, one wholeheartedly dedicated to serving the people.

’Too bad I’m different now.’

He was no longer the weak, homebound otaku from half a month ago, the one who’d been tricked like an idiot and was powerless to fight back. The Boger of today couldn’t put the slightest bit of pressure on him.

"Mr. Sean, could you please sign it right here~"

"Of course."

Book after book passed under Sean’s pen. Sometimes it wasn’t a book, but a greeting card, a handkerchief, an article of clothing, a napkin... One person even hiked up their skirt, put their leg on the table, and asked him to sign it.

He was thoroughly enjoying this part of the event and didn’t spare Boger a single glance.

Wizards and mortals are of two different worlds; their joys and sorrows do not intersect. To a Wizard, the boisterous scene was nothing but an illusion, yet Sean blended into it harmoniously. It was as if, in that moment, he was just an ordinary writer.

Sean knew that from the moment he drank from the Spring of Enlightenment, his life would never be peaceful again. That made him want to enjoy this book signing all the more. It was a moment of honor every writer dreamed of, and it was the perfect way to put a final, full stop on his simple, ordinary past.

And begin a new Chapter.

Boger couldn’t understand how Sean could be so relaxed. ’Is he just putting on a brave face?’

He was curious. He wanted to see just how long the "Mr. Author" could keep up his act.

The book signing proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Sean’s hand was sore from signing, but he remained tireless, enjoying every moment.

’He did a rough count in his head. Assuming everyone who came for a signature had bought at least one book, he’d already sold over a thousand copies. That was a nice chunk of change. And this was just the on-site sales. After today, news of the explosive signing would hit the internet and the papers. They’d stir up more hype, and then the real money would come from stocking the bookstores.’

’It was just a shame he might not ever see that money.’

That was the only thing that soured Sean’s mood during the signing.

’He didn’t like doing free labor.’

’I have to find a way to get back the money that’s rightfully mine.’

Another person sat down across from him. Sean maintained his polite smile. "Hello, where would you like it signed?"

"Sign it on my ass, you Old Deng!" the person cursed in a low voice.

The person was none other than Charles.

He’d waited in line for hours, and it was finally his turn.

Sean: "..."

’What is this guy doing here?’

He shot Charles a questioning look.

Who knew that not only had Charles come himself, but he’d also brought a "local specialty" with him.

Charles handed a small bag to Sean and grinned. "A gift for you, you damn author."

He unzipped it and saw a pack of brand-new razor blades.

Sean: "?"

Someone nearby got a clear look at the bag’s contents and burst out laughing.

"Hilarious! He really sent him razor blades."

"Don’t laugh if you don’t get it. This is how we true fans show our love."

Even one of the police officers nearby couldn’t keep a straight face, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards.

Only from Sean’s perspective could one see that the bag didn’t just hold razor blades. Hidden beneath them was an Alchemy Potion.

Charles lowered his voice. "This is a Swift Potion. It’s got adrenaline in it. I’m going to cause an explosion in here in a minute. You use the chaos to escape. Don’t worry about me, I have my own way out."

Sean looked at Charles without a word.

When Sean didn’t respond, Charles’s eyes widened. "Did you hear me? These cops are bad news!"

But Sean suddenly smiled. "I know you’re anxious."

"But just wait. The signing will be over soon, an hour at most."

Of course Charles was anxious. "It’ll be too late if we wait until the signing is over!"

Sean was about to say it was fine, but before he could open his mouth, a man in a white lab coat emerged from the crowd with a smile, interrupting them.

"Leaving now... is probably too late as well, gentlemen."

...