Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

“So, to conclude, everything was our misunderstanding?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. According to the Empire’s explanation, the Machine God is a fictional weapon appearing in an animation, and what was set up in front of the square is an amusement ride that implements it similarly.”

“…An amusement ride? Are they saying that’s an excuse?”

In the end, this situation could only be resolved after the Empire’s side gave the envoy an explanation about all sorts of animations including “Machine God Chronicles”.

Naturally, at first, the kingdom’s side didn’t believe the Empire’s explanation at all.

But after seeing the numerous explanatory materials prepared by the Empire’s side, they too had to accept the cruel reality.

Or rather, to put it more accurately, they had now opened their eyes.

As they realized the truth, people were now busy blaming each other to hide their own faults.

“No, why do those Empire bastards set up such an amusement ride in front of the Imperial Palace to confuse people…”

“Is that the problem now? Because of you, hasn’t our kingdom become a laughingstock to the Empire?”

“No, why is that my fault? To be honest, isn’t it the fault of those who made and set up such a thing in the square in front of the Imperial Palace?”

But the nobles deliberately ignored the envoy’s wronged expression and busily criticized him.

Excessively attacking the other party to cover up one’s own mistakes.

The ugly affair that has been repeated countless times in human history was being repeated again here and now.

After a while of shouting and busy passing blame to each other, the kingdom’s ministers were finally able to regain their senses.

“…So, what exactly is this thing called animation? I’m curious what it is that has a war weapon appearing in it that’s 40 meters tall.”

“It’s… said to be a new art genre currently popular in the Empire. To summarize, should I say it’s an illustration that moves on its own?”

“Hmm. You mean it’s like comics coming to life?”

“It would be fine to see it as similar to that.”

In the Kingdom of Rihart, plays and operas weren’t as popular as in the Empire, but instead, cultures like novels and comics were trending.

Therefore, those present here could quickly understand the concept of animation.

But.

“…Aren’t there a few living comic books sold at the magic tower too? How can such a thing become popular?”

“Weren’t comics just something kids watch?”

“…..”

Even so, there was no one here who understood the value of animation.

They just found it curious that in the Empire, grown adults enjoy watching comics, which they thought were only liked by kids.

“Then what about that… Machine God?”

“That’s said to be a weapon appearing in an animation called “Machine God Chronicles” currently airing in the Empire. By the way, “Machine God Chronicles” is currently hugely popular among all ages and genders throughout the Empire.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“A work that’s hugely popular among the imperial citizens. That’s quite interesting.”

“It seems we need to hear a detailed explanation.”

Listening to the envoy’s explanation, the king and nobles’ eyes sharpened.

Although peace has been maintained for a long time now, in the past, the Empire and the kingdom were sides that had continuously waged war for hundreds of years.

Therefore, there was a need for the kingdom to collect even trivial information related to the Empire in preparation for any situation.

“So, could you briefly explain the content of this work called “Machine God Chronicles”?”

“Well… it’s a bit of an unusual content…”

“You don’t need to explain too much in detail. Just lightly enough for us to understand.”

“I understand.”

The envoy seemed to ponder something for a moment, then quietly opened his mouth.

“So… one day, strange lifeforms called Outer Gods appear on Earth and instantly destroy all countries. And the few surviving humans create weapons called Machine Gods to fight against these Outer Gods.”

“Hmm, a story about saving the Earth by fighting against unidentified monsters.”

“It could be called quite a standard story. We have many comics with that kind of story on our side too.”

People nodded with expressions of understanding.

“So the protagonist keeps defeating the Outer Gods trying to exterminate the remaining humans by boarding the Machine God. But then…”

“…But then?”

“One day, a powerful Outer God invades and humanity is driven to the brink of defeat. But then the Machine God boarded by the protagonist goes berserk and strangles the neck of an allied Machine God and scoops out its internal organs.”

“…Pardon?”

At that moment, question marks floated above people’s heads.

Because they couldn’t understand at all what they had just heard.

Why on earth are Machine Gods, which should be allies, strangling each other’s necks and scooping out intestines?

And wasn’t a Machine God supposed to be a giant made of steel?

Then why on earth are there internal organs inside?

“Apparently, many viewers were shocked because a calm children’s song played during that scene. Well, I watched it too and it was quite a horrific scene.”

“…..”

“…..”

“Shall I continue explaining?”

“…Yes, please continue.”

“From that point, “Machine God Chronicles” changes from a hot-blooded atmosphere to a somewhat depressing atmosphere. And a few episodes later, another powerful Outer God invades and humanity is driven to the brink of defeat again, but at that moment…”

The envoy paused here for a moment, then opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“The Earth explodes.”

“…Pardon?”

“What did you just say?”

At that moment, everyone doubted their ears.

So… what now?

What exactly explodes?

Why?

“The Machine God boarded by the protagonist awakens and becomes a god, and at that moment the entire Earth is engulfed in an explosion. Well… according to the content of the latest episode, the awakening stops midway and humanity seems to have survived safely.”

“…..”

“…..”

By the time they heard this explanation, the king and nobles had to humbly admit one fact.

That is, it was absolutely impossible to understand the plot of the work called “Machine God Chronicles” from that explanation alone.

By this point, everyone here felt like they wanted to see for themselves what kind of work “Machine God Chronicles” was.

And the envoy, who quickly noticed such sentiments of the people, quietly opened his mouth and said.

“Ahem, I thought this might happen, so I specially received episode 1 of “Machine God Chronicles” from the Emperor of the Empire, would you like to watch it together?”

“…!”

At that moment, people felt as if their ears had perked up.

It was just at the moment when their curiosity about that work called “Machine God Chronicles” was rising up to their throats.

The envoy’s words were truly a welcome proposal.

“…By the way, how many episodes of “Machine God Chronicles” have been released so far?”

“As far as I know, 26 episodes have been released.”

“The Emperor of the Empire really isn’t very generous. Even though 26 episodes have been released, he only gives us the first episode.”

When the nobles complained like that, the envoy made a bitter smile.

“Well… there’s a proposal the Emperor of the Empire made related to that.”

“What is it?”

“If our kingdom promises to sign a peace treaty with the Empire and engage in cultural exchange and opening, he says he will not only provide “Machine God Chronicles” up to episode 26 but also continue to provide the latest episodes to our side.”

“…Pardon? What did you say?”

“Ha, the Emperor of the Empire has gone completely mad. To dare to make such a proposal to us.”

Naturally, the king and nobles made displeased expressions upon hearing such a proposal from the Emperor.

As already mentioned, the Empire and the kingdom are in no position to say they have a good relationship with each other, even as a joke.

Wasn’t this very situation caused by a misunderstanding due to the bad relationship between the two countries, with almost no exchange?

Of course, signing a peace treaty or having cultural exchanges with the Empire isn’t such a bad thing.

But if the kingdom’s side proposes it first, it could be interpreted as the kingdom bowing its head to the Empire’s side.

That was absolutely unacceptable for the kingdom’s pride.

But.

“Hmm, then shall we start by watching episode 1 of “Machine God Chronicles”?”

“I am curious how entertaining it is for the Emperor of the Empire to make such an arrogant proposal.”

Because the plot of “Machine God Chronicles” that the envoy had just explained was still lingering in their minds, there was no one who said not to watch episode 1.

“No, you were just saying how arrogant the Emperor was…”

“Hey, you! How can you blame the work when it’s humans who are at fault? Huh?”

“…..”

So the envoy sighed and played the artifact containing episode 1 of “Machine God Chronicles”.

As a result, everyone here saw it.

A crumbling city.ity that hasn’t lost hope even in that.

Unidentified monsters, Outer Gods, invading to exterminate humanity.

A boy, Kai, who steps forward to protect a girl.

And.

[Guooooo-!]

“…!”

The ruthless letters that appeared simultaneously with Unit 0 going berserk at the end.

[To be continued in the next episode.]

“…..”

“…..”

The next moment, everyone here was at a loss for words.

But, at the same time, they realized.

Although no one was saying anything, in fact, everyone was thinking the same thing.

As they were quietly keeping their mouths shut while eyeing each other like that.

Someone very carefully, in a tiny voice, said this:

“…Well, now that I see it, cultural exchange with the Empire might not be so bad?”

“Our kingdom is originally a country that loves peace, isn’t it? A peace treaty, well, let’s sign it.”

“I’ve always been heartbroken that we didn’t have good relations with our neighboring country. Yes, indeed.”

“…..”

The Kingdom of Rihart, which had been pursuing an isolationist policy until now.

Cultural opening complete.