Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

To conclude, the “Machine God Chronicles” festival was a huge success.

From the main event of boarding the 1:1 size Machine God model, to the meetings between voice actors and fans, everything was wrapped up successfully.

But for me, the word ‘success’ didn’t mean such things.

‘All the goods and products I prepared for this festival sold out completely!’

In other words, it means that all the products I prepared to extort money from otaku were sold.

‘I had anticipated that the nobles would buy all the Machine God figures. But I didn’t expect all the related goods and products to sell out too.’

There were mainly two types of products I prepared for this festival.

One was the 1:44 size Machine God alloy figure prepared for the wealthy nobles.

The other was small goods like posters, keychains, or lighters and mugs used by characters in the series, prepared to empty the pockets of commoners who don’t have much money.

In fact, if it were 21st century Earth, the latter would be the factor earning more money than the former.

At first glance, you might think ‘Can you make money?’ by selling such small goods.

But these goods are very easily accessible, and because they’re cheap, people buy them without much thought, so they’re unexpectedly very profitable.

On the other hand, ultra-premium figures don’t sell well because of their very high price, so they’re unexpectedly not that profitable.

But that’s only the case on Earth where animation-related culture is widely spread.

Although “Machine God Chronicles” has been a huge hit throughout the Empire, I couldn’t be sure if people would buy related goods or figures.

But contrary to my worries, all the goods I had worked hard to produce from before the airing of “Machine God Chronicles” sold out. Could there be happier news than this?

‘With just this one festival, I’ve easily surpassed the profits earned through “The Disappearance of Elly and Hamel”!’

Of course, I wasn’t hogging all those profits like a pig, I had to distribute them to other people, but even considering that, it was true that I had earned an enormous amount of money.

‘Now if I just screw up the ending of “Machine God Chronicles”, it’ll be perfect.’

So I stepped into the meeting room of the Imperial Palace, thinking about various plans on how to secretly hit the viewers’ napes.

“Ah, Director. You’re here.”

Kaya, who was already there, welcomed me warmly.

“The guest has already arrived.”

“Am I late?”

“No, if anything, I arrived here earlier than the appointed time.”

Saying so, a man sitting opposite Kaya stood up and extended his hand towards me.

A man with a face I’d never seen before, even though I’d been frequenting the Imperial Palace quite often for “Machine God Chronicles” related business.

If there’s anything special, it’s that his face is so handsome it makes people feel intimidated.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Kaisel von Rihart, who came from the Kingdom of Rihart for cultural exchange.”

“…von Rihart?”

The moment I heard the man’s name, I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

Because as far as I knew, the surname ‘Rihart’ was one that only the royal family of the kingdom could use.

Then, the identity of the man in front of me is none other than-

“C-Could you possibly be His Highness the Prince of the Kingdom of Rihart?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…I am honored to meet you, Your Highness.”

When the prince readily affirmed my words, I hurriedly knelt before him.

Although I’ve been frequently associating with high-ranking people like the Emperor and Dukes recently, my original status is the second son of a Baron family, which could be considered the lowest in the noble caste society.

Given the difference in status that normally wouldn’t even allow eye contact, it was wise to bow my head on my own.

But.

“Ah, no! Please stand up, Director! How could someone like you bow your head to me! Please speak to me informally.”

“…Pardon?”

“Since learning about the existence of animation, I have used everything at my disposal to watch all the works you’ve created. From “Nymph and Goblin” to “The Disappearance of Elly and Hamel”, and “Machine God Chronicles”!”

“…..”

That was a bit surprising.

I don’t know about the other works, but “Nymph and Goblin” was a work I only showed to the kids who visited our territory, so I wonder how he managed to watch it.

“That’s not all. The spirit dolls related to “The Disappearance of Elly and Hamel”, and in addition, various figures and goods of “Machine God Chronicles” sold at this festival! I purchased all the products I could buy. Of course, it’s still far from enough.”

“…..”

As he said this, the prince’s eyes were somehow sparkling as he looked at me.

To be honest, it was a bit burdensome.

“I think Ragna-nim is truly a genius of the century. Not only did you create the genre of animation that didn’t exist in this world before, but to use storytelling and techniques that utilize the advantages of animation to the extreme…! Do you know how much I admired you while watching “The Disappearance of Elly and Hamel” or “Machine God Chronicles”?”

“…..”

“For example, in “The Disappearance of Elly and Hamel”, the mainstream interpretation is that the character Elly symbolizes purity, while Hamel symbolizes human arrogance. But my thought is somewhat different. Because the true heart that Hamel shows in the climax part clearly shows more innocence than that of Elly-”

Only after hearing that far did I finally realize.

I see.

The prince was just an otaku deeply immersed in anime.

When I realized that fact, I felt my favorability towards the prince in front of me rising a little.

Well, originally otaku can quickly become friends with others just because they’re fellow otaku.

It’s all for that reason that some kind of exchange took place among otaku who went to the library after having the classroom taken over by popular kids during lunch break in school days.

Anyway, I was listening to what the prince was saying with some kind of favorability towards him, but.

“Come to think of it, I thought Saya in “Machine God Chronicles” might be a clone of Kai’s younger sister. If it’s not rude, could I know if this speculation is really true?”

“Ah, that’s…”

“And why does Unit 0 go berserk but other Machine Gods don’t? Is it the difference in materials used to make the Machine Gods, or the difference in the contents inside the core?”

“Well, that’s…”

“When Unit 0 awakened in episode 25, Dr. Rachel muttered that the creation ceremony was beginning. She said that in return, all false creations would perish. Doesn’t that mean that the Earth was still a world where creation hadn’t properly begun? Inferring from that, the true identity of the Outer Gods is actually-”

“…..”

“In addition to that, just one more question…”

I knew well that otaku who are deeply immersed in something usually talk about twice as much as usual, but even considering that, this was an overwhelming barrage of questions.

Moreover, each question the prince asked was touching on critical foreshadowing related to future developments, so I couldn’t easily answer them as a kind of bonus.

Just as I was sweating profusely and trying somehow to answer the prince’s questions.

“Whew…”

The prince, who had been excitedly bombarding me with questions for quite a while, suddenly lets out a sigh.

“Really… “Machine God Chronicles” is a work worthy of being called the greatest masterpiece of this century. But if there’s one unfortunate fact, it’s that the process of officially importing this work to our kingdom seems quite difficult.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“As Ragna-nim well knows, the citizens of the kingdom harbor not-so-good feelings towards the Empire. Regardless of the reason, there are quite a few people who show unconditional antipathy if something comes from the Empire.”

I’m well aware of the fact that the Empire and the kingdom are not fond of each other.

“For now, His Majesty the King wants to officially import “Machine God Chronicles”, but it’s obvious that there will be strong public opposition, so he can’t push it recklessly. Considering the fact that a masterpiece like “Machine God Chronicles” should spread all over the world, this can be said to be a great loss for all of humanity.”

“…..”

I see.

I wondered why the Emperor suddenly sent me here, so it was because of this situation.

Certainly, if the kingdom’s side officially imports “Machine God Chronicles”, it’s not a bad thing for me.

Because it was clear that some crumbs would fall to me in the process.

But unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to interfere in such diplomatic fields.

‘I’m already extremely busy with work on modifying the Machine God model for practical use.’

For some reason, the Emperor ordered me to make the Machine God actually usable, talking about some Giant God Soldier project or whatever.

Well, to be honest, I wasn’t uninterested in implementing a giant robot in reality using magic.

Anyway, between making anime and modifying the Machine God, I was already too busy to have the capacity to interfere in such diplomatic issues-

‘Wait a moment.’

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashes through my mind.

A perfect idea that could solve all the problems surrounding me at once if done well.

“…Your Highness.”

“Yes, Ragna-nim.”

“Come to think of it, recently, didn’t the kingdom mistake the Machine God model I made for a combat weapon secretly developed by the Empire?”

At my words, the prince smiles bitterly as if a bit embarrassed.

“…That’s right. It was a happening that occurred because our kingdom’s envoy knew nothing about “Machine God Chronicles”. But now that misunderstanding has been completely cleared up, so you don’t need to worry too much-”

“How about we just make that a reality on this occasion?”

“…Pardon?”

You say there might be strong public opposition if you try to officially import “Machine God Chronicles” from the Empire?

Then shall we test if they can make such brave claims even when they see a Machine God moving and protecting humanity right before their eyes?