Chapter 55: The Overt Plot of Capital
Golden Summit Hotel, top floor private suite.
Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Shonen World, raised his wine glass, looking at the chief editors of five small and medium-sized publishers sitting around the round table.
"Gentlemen, the dominance of NextGen Manga Monthly must be broken." His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the room. "What does Fullmetal Alchemist's 81.8% approval rating mean? It means from now on, all resources will tilt toward that one entity. Advertisers, distributors, even readers—they will only remember the first, not care about the second."
To Kane's right, Damen Lousi, Editor-in-Chief of New Comic Weekly, pushed his glasses. "Chief Kane, we understand your logic. But the problem is, how do we break it? The quality of FMA is right there. What do we fight with?"
"We don't fight on quality." Kane put down his glass, pulling up a proposal on his tablet. "We fight on quantity, distribution channels, and volume of voice."
A detailed plan appeared on the projection screen:
"New Generation Alliance" Phase 1 Plan:
Six magazines jointly host a Newcomer Award, total prize pool 10 million, winning works serialized simultaneously across all six.
Channel interoperability: works from any alliance magazine get priority display in all six bookstore networks.
Bundled advertising resources: negotiate annual collaborations with TV stations and video platforms under the alliance name.
Establish an "Anti-Monopoly Fund" to support potential authors rejected by NextGen.
"We use ten, twenty medium-quality works to squeeze the market space." Kane's eyes were sharp. "Readers only have so much time and money each week. When they have more choices in front of them, FMA's monopoly will naturally be diluted. This is called—an Overt Plot."
The room fell into a brief silence, then whispers erupted.
Yamaotta Akira, Editor-in-Chief of Manga Friend, raised his hand first. "I'm in. NextGen poached two of our potential rookies last month; I can't swallow that."
"I'm in too."
"Count me in."
"..."
All five expressed agreement. A smile appeared on Kane's lips as he raised his glass again. "Then, happy cooperation. Shonen World puts up 60% of the Phase 1 funds, the other five each contribute 8%. Next month, the Newcomer Award launches. We will show the industry—manga is not a one-man game."
At the same time, NextGen Manga Monthly Editor-in-Chief's Office.
Lee looked at the leak post on the industry forum—"Shocking! Six Magazines Jointly Establish 'New Generation Alliance', Target Aimed Directly at NextGen"—and frowned slightly.
"Is the news confirmed?" He asked Sue standing at the desk.
"Confirmed." Sue nodded. "Shonen World, New Comic Weekly, Manga Friend, and others held a secret meeting at Golden Summit Hotel this afternoon, led by Kane. Specific plans unknown, but definitely hostile."
"Any news from Gavin Zhao's side?"
"Manga Weekly wasn't invited." Sue paused. "But Chief Zhao just called, said he wants to meet and chat with you. sounded uneasy about Kane's moves."
Lee was silent for a few seconds. "Schedule for tomorrow afternoon. Also, does Alex know?"
"Haven't told him yet. He's drawing Chapter 26, should be done in a couple of days."
"Don't disturb him for now." Lee decided. "Wait until after the chat with Zhao to see the situation. But one thing must be done immediately—"
He pulled up the data backend for Fullmetal Alchemist. "Notify distribution, reprint 50%. Notify promotion, launch the 'Northern Arc' special project—deep analysis, character bios, worldview sorting. They want to drown us with quantity; we tell them with quality—in the face of absolute strength, all strategies are flashy tricks."
"Understood."
-------------
Ranch, evening.
Alex had just finished feeding medicine to the weak calf when his phone buzzed. A short message from Sue: "Kane united five magazines, preparing encirclement. Chief is handling it. Focus on drawing, will contact if needed."
He read it, replied "Okay," and continued checking the calf's breathing.
The calf was better than last week, able to stand on its own, but still thin. John was mixing feed nearby. "It'll live. Just needs extra care."
"Yeah." Alex patted the calf's head and went back to the house.
He didn't take Sue's message too seriously. Commercial competition was the editorial department's worry. He only had one job—draw the best work. If FMA was good enough, so good that readers had to read it, any encirclement was futile.
Next morning, he continued drawing Chapter 26. This chapter was the reveal of the secret Northern Experiment Base. Massive information, strong emotional impact. He drew slowly, deliberating every panel.
When drawing Alphonse seeing the test subjects, he remembered White Night's question yesterday—"Should it be anger or sadness?" Finally, he decided to draw Alphonse's armored hand trembling, but voice calm: "Brother, these people... are they still alive?"
Edward was silent for a long time. "Bodies alive, but can't be considered human anymore."
Alphonse's armor turned to him. "Then what should we do? Destroy this place, end their pain? Or..."
"Those we can't save, at least let them suffer no more." Edward clenched his automail fist. "But before that, we need to know—who made them like this, and why."
Cold dialogue, but with warmth within. That rationality and conscience maintained in the face of cruelty was the core of FMA.
Afternoon, Oak Creek Tea House, private room.
Lee and Gavin Zhao sat opposite each other. No pleasantries this time, straight to the point.
"Kane moves fast." Zhao spoke first. "Six-family alliance, channel interoperability, resource integration. Their Phase 1 goal is clear—dilute FMA's influence with quantity. If they succeed, the entire market structure will change."
"What suggestion does Chief Zhao have?" Lee asked.
"Cooperation." Zhao was direct. "But not between you and us, but between FMA and The Thorn Bird. White Night is now seen by the industry as Alex's successor. We can solidify this label—do a 'Master-Apprentice Special,' a creative dialogue, maybe even joint signings."
"Alex won't appear publicly."
"Then don't appear." Zhao was clearly prepared. "We can do a 'Ranch Creation Diary,' recording White Night's learning process at the ranch from her perspective. Don't film Alex's face, just hands, back, work table. Mystery maintained, but master-apprentice relationship solidified."
Lee thought for a while. "What benefit does Manga Weekly get?"
"Huge benefit." Zhao was frank. "The Thorn Bird lacks 'divinity.' If readers think she is Alex's successor, the hope for the next masterpiece, her ceiling will be raised infinitely. And this benefits NextGen too—you cultivated the next generation top author; that's the responsibility of an industry leader."
A very practical exchange. Lee had to admit, Zhao was a smart businessman—he saw the biggest value in White Night was not current data, but future potential.
"I need to ask Alex's opinion."
"Of course." Zhao raised his tea cup. "Tea for wine, to cooperation."
"To cooperation."
( To be Continued)
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