Fantasy Writers 1860

Samuel has been having a tough time these past few days.

He knew his trick would be exposed sooner or later, but he didn't expect it to be exposed so quickly.

There are just too many clever people in Lentinion. In just a few days, people who imitate him, or who think the same way he does, have sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

If only there were a few more days... if only there were a few more days.

He had already fooled three members of parliament with that counterfeit 100-pound note, and if he had a few more days, he was sure he could achieve even greater results.

When he saw in the newspaper that victims had blocked the entrance to the editorial office of the Lontinion Weekly to demand compensation, he knew that things had gotten out of hand and his scam would soon be unsustainable.

Left with no other choice, he fled overnight, rushing to Chester City, hoping that news about him had not yet reached him.

Chester is the capital of Hamptonshire, renowned for its magical industry, and has been developing rapidly in recent years, with its population also expanding rapidly. Because of its proximity to Lentinion, there is frequent movement of people between the two places.

The reason he came here instead of other cities or villages, or even went abroad, was mainly because he felt he wasn't earning enough and was confident he could earn more here.

He had only just made contact with high-ranking figures at the level of parliamentarians and had only just gained their trust. Compared to the enormous sum of money that was likely to be his soon-to-be-obtained from these parliamentarians, the meager sum he had previously earned from his poor friend was still rather insignificant.

Of the three senators who had completely trusted Samuel, one gave him something that became his greatest asset in deciding to come to Chester, and the source of his greatest confidence and assurance.

An invitation was sent to Sir Leinster Dahllange to attend an upcoming charity gala in Chester.

During his conversation with this nobleman councilor named Lenster Darlan, the latter casually mentioned an invitation he had recently received from a capitalist who supported him.

He didn't really want to go, but he didn't want to offend the person on the spot, so he accepted the invitation.

Samuel immediately realized it was a good thing and politely suggested that if the other party did not want to go, he could send the invitation to him or ask him to attend on his behalf.

Congressman Lenster immediately agreed and sent a letter of introduction along with the invitation to Samuel.

The hundred-pound note was fake, but the invitation and letter of introduction in my hand were genuine!

A charity auction that can invite noble members of parliament, and all the other attendees must be wealthy and influential figures, is a great opportunity for upward social networking.

So when he sensed that something was amiss in Lentinion, he decisively took all his belongings and ran to Chester, where he quietly waited for the dinner party to begin.

During this time, he also went to the location on the invitation to scout it out, only to find that it was actually a large warehouse.

Why would such an event for important people be held in a warehouse?

Although somewhat puzzled, Samuel didn't dwell on it and arrived at the warehouse at the time specified on the invitation.

"Excuse me, I'd like to confirm, are you indeed Lord Lenster Darlang?" The tall, thin man glanced at the invitation, didn't find anything wrong, but still asked the question.

Yesterday, the boss showed him portraits of everyone who was supposed to attend today, and he felt that the young man in front of him didn't look much like Lord Lenster.

Although he felt that it was highly likely that Lord Lenster was unable to attend due to some unforeseen event and had asked a close friend to attend in his place, he still had to ask as a matter of routine.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Samuel casually pulled a letter of introduction from his pocket and handed it over; the contents of the letter were exactly as the tall, thin man had guessed.

Samuel wore a confident smile. "Lord Lenster has urgent business to attend to and has specifically asked me to attend in his place. He has already given me instructions to be on time and to convey his greetings to the master."

The short, stout man frowned, then glanced at Samuel a few more times. Although his clothes weren't fancy, he did seem to have a certain confidence in his speech.

The tall, thin man glanced at the invitation, then at the letter of introduction in his hand, before returning them both to Samuel. He nodded politely and stepped aside to make way for him: "In that case, please come in."

The inside of the warehouse looked completely different from the outside; it was actually a meticulously decorated banquet hall.

Thick carpets covered the floor, and several long tables covered with pristine white tablecloths were laden with exquisite pastries and expensive-looking drinks. Well-dressed men and women were conversing quietly, their glasses jingling, and the air was filled with the mingled scents of cigars and perfume.

Looking up, it still looked like a warehouse, without a floor. There were only magnificent crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and two layers of iron railings enclosing the surrounding walls, with office-like cubicles behind the corridors.

"Distinguished guests, good afternoon! Thank you all very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this dinner." Samuel hadn't eaten much when he heard the host's voice coming from the makeshift stage.

"Today we are honored to have a special guest with us. He has been dedicated to promoting the rights of subhumans and advancing social progress and harmony. We regret that he cannot be present today, but he has sent a representative!"

Applause began to erupt from the crowd.

"Next, let us invite Mr. Samuel to the stage so that His Excellency Derrenster can deliver the opening remarks!"

Samuel: ?

Is this step still included?

The congressman didn't tell me this before!

Did he forget about it? Or did he deliberately not tell me?

Samuel's mind went blank for a moment. Countless eyes were focused on him, some expectant, some curious, and some scrutinizing.

He braced himself and, amidst applause, walked unsteadily onto the stage.

What should I say at this moment?

Although he has relied on his eloquence to get to where he is now, all of that was in private, one-on-one conversations.

He really didn't know what to do if he had to give an unprepared speech in front of so many people in public like this.

Samuel recalled his extraordinary experiences over the past few days: by imitating the plot of a novel, he had gone from a penniless vagrant to an "eccentric millionaire"; from a lowly servant being ordered around to a powerful figure who could befriend a congressman; from working humbly to standing arrogantly in front of everyone, while they could only smile obsequiously at him...

Money, that's the power of money.

This power is so great that it surpasses all magic in the world. You don't even need to actually possess it; as long as everyone believes that you possess it, this power will be bestowed upon you.

This power clearly belongs only to nobles, kings, servants of the gods in churches, and the gods' favorites... It has never been available to ordinary people like myself.

As ordinary people, our destiny is clearly to toil and struggle our entire lives for it, striving with all our might to hope for even a tiny fraction of the favor of this great power...

But what have I accomplished?

He had actually seized this great power from the king, the nobles, and the gods' favorites, all through his own intellect and wisdom!

A strange emotion surged within him, a complex mix of inferiority, anger, arrogance, and hubris.

He took a deep breath, his eyes sweeping over the well-dressed, sanctimonious figures below the stage, when a thought suddenly rose uncontrollably from the depths of his mind.

He cleared his throat and blurted out with a ferocious expression:

"I can make the money flow backwards!"

The entire room fell silent instantly.

Everyone was stunned, looking at him in bewilderment, wondering why Sir Leinster's speech began with this sentence.

Some have already begun to appreciate this powerful opening line and are secretly praising Sir Rennster's brilliant stroke of genius.

Isn't charity precisely about making money flow in reverse?

This summary is so vivid and insightful!

Samuel seemed to be ignited by his own words. He raised his voice, a strange and twisted smile spreading across his face: "How about it? I have that power! To make you all willingly hand over the money in your pockets, how about that?"

The audience was stunned.

Thinking about it carefully, what they said makes sense. Isn't this charity gala a way for people to willingly take money out of their pockets?

But what exactly is the reason I possess this power...?

Just then, the heavy doors of the banquet hall were suddenly kicked open, and a group of uniformed police officers rushed in.

"Police! Don't move!" Inspector Leeds shouted sternly.