Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

The conference room in the Imperial Palace.

The place where the Emperor and high-ranking nobles usually gather to discuss important matters of the Empire.

And now, the Emperor and nobles were gathered there with serious expressions.

To those who knew nothing, the high-ranking nobles’ expressions might make one suspect that some great calamity had befallen the Empire.

Well, in a way, that wasn’t entirely wrong.

Because the reason the nobles gathered here was none other than the fact that they had heard terrible news that was like a bolt from the blue to them.

“As the matter is quite serious, I’ll get straight to the point. Everyone, please be quiet.”

Duke Grinewald, who was acting as the chairman of this meeting on behalf of the Emperor, opened his mouth in a calm tone.

“Everyone present here today will know. The ridiculous incident in the past when nobles gathered to hold a meeting because of episode 25 of “Machine God Chronicles”.”

At the Duke’s words, the nobles unconsciously nodded their heads.

How could they possibly forget that incident?

It wasn’t just anything, but a meeting that was held because of an ‘animation’ that they usually considered nothing more than entertainment.

But what’s even more astounding is that the events that unfolded due to the aftermath of episode 25 of “Machine God Chronicles” were something that even the nobles gathered here couldn’t ignore.

At that time, for whatever reason, Ragna Tersion, the director of “Machine God Chronicles”, came up with an absurd development of blowing up the Earth at the end of episode 25.

And because of that, all sorts of crazy people appeared, from those who hoarded food in preparation for emergencies to those who incited people saying the end was near.

Of course, most of the people gathered here know well.

The fact that humans are creatures easily influenced by media such as culture and art.

The fact that sometimes a single book or a beautiful line of a song can have a greater influence than controlling people with swords or magic.

But even taking that into account, the influence that animations, including “Machine God Chronicles”, had on the citizens of the Empire was truly immense.

And now.

The terrible nightmare that occurred with episode 25 of “Machine God Chronicles” in the past was about to repeat itself.

The reason for this was none other than.

“Ragna Tersion, that guy is planning to conclude “Book of Life and Death” early. In the near future. Perhaps within the next 10 episodes!”

“Wh-What!”

“Is, is that true!”

“Impossible! My “Book of Life and Death”, “Book of Life and Death” only has 10 episodes left until its conclusion!”

At the Duke’s words, the nobles gathered here made expressions of shock.

Because they too were avid viewers who diligently watched “Book of Life and Death” which aired at 9 PM every weekend.

Even if they didn’t show it outwardly, there were those who collected related merchandise or even enjoyed discussions in ‘My Struggle’ while hiding their identities.

That’s how much animation had already become a part of life for the citizens of the Empire.

Of course, they knew well.

No matter how interesting an animation is, as its essence is a ‘story’, its end is bound to come someday.

But even so, isn’t this a bit much?

Ragna’s previous work, “Machine God Chronicles”, had a history of airing for as many as 50 episodes.

No, not only that, didn’t he even show the spirit of service by including ample individual endings for each heroine in the director’s cut?

So why is he trying to end “Book of Life and Death” so early?

No one would complain even if “Book of Life and Death” aired for 50 episodes like “Machine God Chronicles”!

“I was so surprised that I talked to Ragna, and he said this. That for other works it might be different, but for this work, leaving when the applause is loudest is the right path.”

“…Pardon?”

“He said that at least for “Book of Life and Death”, ending it this way would be going out on a high note.”

The people present here now had no idea about this, but.

Ragna often felt regret whenever he watched ‘that work’ on Earth which was the motif for “Book of Life and Death”.

Because while the battle of wits between the protagonist and the detective chasing him was so entertaining that it could be called one of the best ever.

As the development of the work passed the middle part, due to various ‘adult circumstances’, it was forced to continue serialization, causing the quality of the work to deteriorate considerably.

Incidentally, this wasn’t Ragna’s personal opinion, but the opinion of the author who drew ‘that work’.

Because the author who created ‘that work’ drew a work about a boy dreaming of becoming a manga artist as his next work.

In that next work, he directly mentioned his past work and said it was regrettable that he didn’t conclude it early without being bound by the circumstances of the editorial department.

That’s why Ragna was the same.

While Ragna wasn’t without regret for the success “Book of Life and Death” had achieved and the benefits of continuing to air it.

He made the judgment that concluding “Book of Life and Death” at this point was ultimately the best path for this work.

…Well, in fact, even if it wasn’t “Book of Life and Death”, there were still countless works left to copy, so he could afford such composure.

But.

“Duke Grinewald. Could you perhaps persuade the director of “Book of Life and Death” once more? At this point, the conclusion of “Book of Life and Death” is… a bit of a problem.”

“…Is there some issue?”

To the Duke’s question, Count Florence, who was in charge of the Empire’s public safety, opened his mouth with a sigh.

“Well… since “Book of Life and Death” began airing, the crime rate in the Empire has decreased by more than 50%.”

“…Pardon?”

“That’s not all. The number of people who turn themselves in after committing crimes has also greatly increased. A single work called “Book of Life and Death” has achieved what the Empire couldn’t accomplish even after pouring hundreds of millions of gold!”

At Count Florence’s words, everyone here made expressions as if dumbfounded.

They too had thought while watching “Book of Life and Death” that if they did something wrong, Zodiac might judge them through the Book of Life and Death.

But even so, to the extent that people who committed crimes would turn themselves in?

Isn’t this an overwhelming result that makes all the policies implemented by the Empire to lower the crime rate seem ridiculous?

“Of course, this is a temporary phenomenon occurring because “Book of Life and Death” is currently being aired throughout the Empire, but still, isn’t it something? Doesn’t it mean that the longer “Book of Life and Death” is aired, the more beneficial it is for the entire Empire?”

“…..”

In the past, Ragna succeeded in restarting cultural exchanges with the Richard Kingdom, which was in an antagonistic relationship with the Empire, through “Machine God Chronicles”.

And on top of that, “Book of Life and Death” is making a great contribution to lowering the crime rate occurring throughout the Empire?

‘This is absurd. It’s really driving me crazy. To think that a mere son of a baron family would grow into a big shot shaking the Empire.’

‘I made the wrong judgment. I should have invested in the animations Lord Ragna was making from the beginning, like Duke Grinewald.’

‘Should I try to contact Ragna Tersion even now? If I could participate in the animation business he’s making, I feel like I could gain enormous profits…’

As the nobles gathered here were each mentally calculating in their heads like that.

The Imperial Princess, who had been sitting to the right of the Emperor without saying anything and just listening to the nobles’ conversation until now, quietly opened her mouth.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll pretend I didn’t hear the Count’s words.”

“…Pardon? No, Your Highness. Why on earth-”

“Well, because the Director has already decided to conclude “Book of Life and Death” within the next 10 episodes.”

The Imperial Princess said flatly, as if this was something she could never compromise on.

“There was something we promised when we first agreed to make animations with him. That we would not interfere at all with how he makes animations. And I don’t want to break the promise I made with him.”

“…Your Highness.”

“I’m sorry, Count. So let’s pretend I didn’t hear those words.”

Although she was saying so in front of the Count.

In fact, the one who held the greatest dissatisfaction with the fact that “Book of Life and Death” was ending early at this meeting was none other than the Imperial Princess.

Personally, the Imperial Princess preferred the story of “Book of Life and Death” over “Machine God Chronicles”, so she wanted “Book of Life and Death” to be aired for as long as possible.

But there was no guarantee that forcing Ragna to make “Book of Life and Death” would result in a development as satisfactory as now, and.

The Imperial Princess clearly remembered what disgraceful behavior the Emperor had shown when he couldn’t accept the ending of episode 50 of “Machine God Chronicles” in the past.

If nothing else, she didn’t want to become the same kind of person as the Emperor.

“…Hmm.”

“It’s regrettable but… since Your Highness says so, it can’t be helped.”

Just as the nobles sitting here were nodding their heads slowly, agreeing with the Imperial Princess’s words.

“Ha. What an arrogant bastard, being nothing more than a nobody from a nameless baron family. If it weren’t for Your Highness, I would have already kidnapped him to our family and made him make “Book of Life and Death” every day.”

Twitch.

At those words muttered by someone among the nobles sitting at the conference table, the Imperial Princess unknowingly frowned.

When she turned her head to look at the guy, it was a face not in her memory.

As the Imperial Princess of the Empire, she had inputted the faces of most nobles into her head, so it was probably most likely some trash noble from somewhere.

No, even if he wasn’t trash, it didn’t matter.

At the point where he spoke ill of Ragna in any way, the Imperial Princess had already defined him as trash.

“…Oh, an interesting opinion.”

The Imperial Princess opened her mouth, looking straight at the trash’s face.

“To utter such words while knowing well under whom I work… you’re quite brave indeed.”

“Y-Your Highness! Th-That…”

The trash belatedly realized what he had said and begged for mercy, but.

It was already too late.

The Imperial Princess had already decided what punishment to give to that arrogant bastard.

In fact, she just wanted to return exactly what Ragna had done to her a few days ago to someone else.

“I hear you like “Book of Life and Death” so much that you want to watch it every day? In that sense, I’ll specially tell you how the future developments will be.”

“No, that’s not it! Please don’t tell me! Please, have mercy…!”

But the Imperial Princess lightly ignored the trash’s pleas and whispered in a low voice to his ear.

“…The second Zodiac who picked up the Book of Life and Death that came down to earth is a woman who lost her family to the murderer Louis dealt with in episode 1. She’s in a state where she can see other people’s lifespans through a deal with a Shinigami.”

“Ugh…!”

“Due to that woman’s careless actions, Louis eventually gets found out that he is Zodiac. But he uses the Shinigami who has taken a liking to that woman to devise a scheme, and roughly how that goes is-”

“Arghhhh…!”

The man learned about all the plot twists that would come out in the next 4 episodes as the price for momentarily misusing his mouth.

Thus, he lost the will to live for the next 2 weeks.