Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

It might be a very belated story now, but.

The princess, Karleigh von Lohengramm, was an enormous fan of “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”.

To the extent that she had already watched “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel” more than 10 times and collected all the statues and goods.

Therefore, it was somewhat predictable that the princess would naturally become a fan of Ragna, who created the genre of animation.

‘Ragna Tersian. A once-in-a-century genius who produced the animations “Nymph and Goblin” and “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”.’

The Grinewald Ducal family did their best to keep Ragna’s identity hidden.

But in the end, the imperial family’s intelligence organization succeeded in discovering Ragna’s identity, breaking through all those obstacles.

After learning about the identity of the creator of “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”, the princess now became curious about the person called Ragna.

‘How on earth… can he imagine such a world and create such stories?’

The world he depicted through animation was extremely emotional and dreamlike, and the stories he created through that background were very sophisticated and beautiful.

Of course, Ragna had merely snatched the original drawings and clichés of animations that numerous animation producers on Earth had created after much deliberation.

But the princess, unaware of these circumstances, could only express admiration for Ragna.

Thus, the princess went beyond simply having fan feelings towards Ragna, to the point of wanting to know who Ragna was as a person.

That’s why.

As soon as she found out Ragna’s identity, she immediately sent a letter inviting him to the imperial palace.

‘According to reports, he’s just the second son who doesn’t have succession rights in the baronial family.’

So despite having outstanding talent, Ragna Tersian was pushed out of the mainstream noble society and lived a life almost like an unemployed person.

The reason he could depict a dreamlike world reminiscent of fairy tales through animation must have been partly due to his desire to escape his miserable reality.

That’s why the princess deliberately invited Ragna to the imperial palace.

Among the numerous nobles, only an extremely small number could be invited to the imperial palace.

Through the act of inviting Ragna, she was sending a message that she, at least, was watching over him and always supporting him.

But.

“Lord Ragna has refused Your Highness’s invitation.”

“…What did you say?”

The princess unknowingly made a bewildered expression.

“He refused my invitation? What’s the reason?”

“Well… he said it was because he didn’t want to be disturbed while conceiving the sequel to ‘The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel’. His will was so firm that I couldn’t say anything more.”

“…..”

It was something she hadn’t even imagined.

That he would refuse her invitation.

Normally, the princess might have felt a bit displeased upon hearing such a report from Hilde.

She had considerately invited him to the imperial palace.

Yet Ragna flatly refused her proposal.

Usually, no one in this world likes those who carelessly cut off the kindness they’ve shown.

But.

“Your Highness, this is a gesture of sincerity that Lord Ragna sends to you, saying he’s truly sorry.”

Saying this, Hilde handed over the gift Ragna had sent to the princess.

“Th-This is…!”

It was none other than Ragna’s handwritten autograph, concept art originals from “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”, and a setting book.

Moreover, the autograph had the sentence ‘Wishing good luck to Karleigh’ written on it.

In fact, for Ragna, it was merely an act of dumping various materials that had no further use after producing the anime to the princess.

But for the princess, who was an extreme fan of “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”, she couldn’t help but receive such gifts quite differently.

“To think that such amazing things existed in this world besides statues and goods!”

The princess was delighted like a child while looking at the concept art and setting book of “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”.

Until now, the princess had watched the anime more than 10 times to keep the backgrounds and appearances of the characters appearing in “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel” in her mind without forgetting.

But with the concept art Ragna had gifted her, there was no need for that at all.

Because those concept arts contained sketches of the spirit world scenery drawn by Ragna himself, and illustrations of various characters including Elli and Hamel.

Also, the setting book contained various background settings that couldn’t appear in “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel” due to time constraints.

For example, Elli and Hamel’s families that couldn’t appear in the anime, or the nature of the magic Hamel used, or the reason why the Spirit King had to keep them in the spirit world.

Looking at these hidden settings, the princess couldn’t help but feel a truly thrilling emotion.

‘In this world, except for Ragna, I’ve become the person who knows the most about “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”!’

In front of the cafe at the theater showing “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”, there were plenty of experts showing off about the settings related to the anime all day long.

But the princess, who had obtained the setting book directly from Ragna, could now be said to have reached a level different from those ordinary people.

If she had another chance to debate with them now, it would be fully possible to completely ‘refute’ them without even giving them room to wag their tongues in front of her.

That sense of superiority was currently making the princess overflow with infinite compassion towards Ragna.

“…I see, Ragna Tersian is currently planning a sequel to ‘The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel’.”

The princess muttered this while fiddling with the concept art and setting book in her hands.

“Then… it can’t be helped. I can’t ruin the sequel to ‘The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel’ because of my selfish desire to see him.”

“Then…”

“I will cancel the invitation for him to come to the imperial palace.”

“…It’s a wise decision, Your Highness.”

At the princess’s words, Hilde sighed in relief and said.

“From what I can see, it seems Lord Ragna went down to his hometown to relieve the considerable stress he received while producing ‘The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel’. Moreover, Lady Serika is with him, so I don’t think we need to disturb him unnecessarily.”

“…Hmm, what did you just say?”

At that moment, the princess frowned.

“Who is with whom?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?”

Hilde opened her mouth with a somewhat puzzled expression.

“Currently, Lady Serika El Grinewald, the daughter of the Grinewald Ducal family, is with Lord Ragna. I think they might be enjoying a vacation together…”

“…Serika El Grinewald?”

That name is certainly one that exists in the princess’s memory as well.

How could she not know?

She’s the one called the jewel of the Grinewald Ducal family, and at the same time, along with herself, considered one of the most beautiful women in the empire.

But why on earth is such a woman staying by Ragna’s side?

“Well, it’s because Lady Serika voiced the role of Elli in ‘The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel’.”

“…What did you say?”

“Also, according to our investigation, Lord Ragna and Lady Serika have known each other since childhood, a kind of childhood friend. So I don’t think it’s strange for them to be together to that extent.”

“…..”

Indeed, it was as Hilde said.

If they’ve known each other since childhood, and moreover, if they have a relationship as anime producer and voice actor, it’s not strange for them to enjoy a vacation together.

But.

‘…Somehow, it’s annoying.’

That’s right.

The princess felt a strange emotion creeping up for some reason.

Despite rejecting her invitation outright, saying he needs to conceive the next work for “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”.

Yet he’s enjoying a cozy vacation with Serika El Grinewald?

How should I put it.

For some unknown reason, it feels like her pride as a woman has been greatly hurt.

In the end, the princess, whose mood had soured, unknowingly spoke in a curt tone.

“So, we just need to not invite Ragna Tersian to the imperial palace, right? Then the solution is simple.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I will go to the Tersian Barony to meet him myself.”

“…Pardon?”

“Seeing that he has the Grinewald Duke’s daughter by his side, I don’t think it will be much of a problem if one more person is added.”

“Y-Your Highness… please calm down a bit…”

Hilde’s face turned pale as she tried to dissuade the princess in any way possible.

‘Hmm, now that it’s come to this, I should secure more of Ragna’s autographs. Should I get an autograph on the Ifrit doll, or on the Undine doll? If I authenticate goods with his signature, even those ordinary people in the cafe will have to acknowledge me eventually.’

Unfortunately, the princess was already deeply immersed in her own world, so she didn’t hear any of Hilde’s words.

It was truly a severe case.