Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

After completing “Machine God Chronicles”, I was able to catch my breath a little.

Officially, I was given “time to contemplate and plan the next work”, but that was better than nothing.

So even if I slack off a bit during the time to plan the next work, it’s not my fault, right?

Considering that even animation producers or comic artists on Earth take considerable rest time after finishing a work, my behavior couldn’t be said to be that wrong.

And so today too, I was playing with all my might without thinking at all about making the next anime.

Originally, I would have been struggling to make the anime that would air next week at this time, but because I had become temporarily unemployed, it was possible to leisurely drink tea with Serika and Kaya like this.

But.

“Hey, my lovely disciple?”

“…..”

“Ragna? My disciple? Why on earth are you ignoring your godlike master’s words?”

“…Sigh.”

I couldn’t concentrate on drinking tea at all because of my master who had been noisily talking to me from beside me.

Finally, having run out of patience, I turned to my master and opened my mouth.

“…I’m sorry, but I’ve decided not to think of you as my master anymore.”

“Uh, huh? Why on earth?”

My master is surprised when I suddenly make a Hong Gildong declaration.

“Have you already forgotten? You sold me for a few coins last time.”

When I spoke very curtly, my master fidgeted with her fingers and opened her mouth as if apologetic.

“Th-That’s why I apologized to you later as a sign of apology. And I gave you half of the money I received from His Majesty…”

“Strictly speaking, that wasn’t giving me money, but more of an investment concept, I think.”

“But I said you could take more than half if there’s any profit from that! Honestly, at that level, it’s not an investment but more like a donation!”

“…What kind of absurd argument is that? Do you think I’m some kind of national pension or something?”

As I was arguing with my master like that, Serika and Kaya look at us with very curious eyes.

“…Why are you looking at people like that?”

“No, it’s just…”

“It’s a bit surprising that you, Ragna, are so close with Lady Aris. You’re like friends.”

“Oh my. Does my relationship with Ragna look like that to you? Girls?”

My master smiled brightly as if very pleased at Serika and Kaya’s words, but.

To be honest, to my ears, those words sounded like nothing but “You’re not acting your age.”

No, honestly speaking, shouldn’t someone who’s the master of a magic tower act a bit more solemnly?

Isn’t it undignified to play around giggling with kids at least 10 years younger?

“As expected of my disciple’s girlfriends. You have discerning eyes.”

“…G-Girlfriends?”

At my master’s words, Serika and Kaya bow their heads.

With their faces slightly flushed.

…To be honest, I was a bit hurt here.

That appearance was reminiscent of a girl who somehow frowned as soon as she became my seatmate in elementary school.

In that sense, friend, are you doing well?

Now, after decades have passed, I can’t even remember your face or name, but the wound you inflicted on my heart still remains as PTSD and continues to torment me even now….

As I was looking up at the sky and reminiscing about the past hazily like that, Kaya, sitting across from me, suddenly opens her mouth.

“By the way, Director. His Majesty gave you a hint.”

“What do you mean?”

“He was asking when you’ll start the next work.”

“…Sigh.”

I sighed hearing Kaya’s words.

“Didn’t I tell you before? Starting the next work is fine. However, unless His Majesty agrees to my conditions, I will absolutely not make any work.”

“…That was, asking to guarantee the autonomy of the works you make, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I don’t want to receive any interference regarding the works I make anymore.”

I didn’t want to experience having a hearing because of the ending of “Machine God Chronicles” like last time ever again.

…Well, to be honest, I can understand a little about what happened last time.

Because I showed too stimulating an ending from the beginning to the people of this world who don’t have much immunity to the genre called animation yet.

Modern people might think they’re making a fuss over just an animation ending, but.

Anyone who enjoys reading manga or watching anime must have experienced it at least once.

That experience of feeling the urge to murder the author when a manga or anime you were really enjoying suddenly ends with an abrupt and cursable ending.

Without going far, even I hurled countless curses at the author when the ending of a manga I usually enjoyed reading suddenly concluded with the protagonist committing suicide together with the villain.

However, understanding the Emperor’s feelings and accepting them are separate issues.

The ending of “Machine God Chronicles” last time was just because I had been planning to make a “true ending” from the beginning, so I didn’t make any particular protest towards the Emperor.

But if the Emperor throws another fit because he doesn’t like the ending of the next work, do I have to modify the work every time?

At least I didn’t want to do that.

Rather than seeing such a sight, I was thinking of not making any work from the beginning.

I couldn’t compromise on this no matter what.

“I also conveyed to His Majesty what you said. And he promised. From now on, no matter what happens, he will absolutely not interfere with the works you make. So… even if you destroy humanity again, he said he won’t say anything.”

“…..”

Since there’s no way the animation-addicted Emperor would utter such words himself, it seems Kaya must have scolded the Emperor quite severely.

In addition to that, I also said I would no longer provide preview copies of the animations, so there should be no one to interfere with my making of anime from now on.

…Well, I was also planning to refrain from “humanity extinction endings” as much as possible from now on.

But that’s when it happened.

“Disciple. Since we’re talking about anime production, when do you plan to keep the promise you made with this master last time?”

“…Promise? What promise?”

“Last time, in return for my help with Machine God control, you promised to grant me one favor later. Surely you’re not thinking of saying you’ve already forgotten, right?”

“…Hmm.”

Come to think of it, there was such a thing.

“So that was… a request to make an animation about magicians, wasn’t it?”

“Y-Yes. That’s right.”

My master opened her mouth, nodding her head repeatedly.

“What I felt while watching “Machine God Chronicles” this time was that there’s nothing more effective than animation for instigating and exciting people. If an animation about magicians comes out, won’t the number of graduate student slav… I mean, talented newcomers who voluntarily enter the magic tower increase?”

“…..”

As I looked at my master, who didn’t even try to hide her dark intentions, with an annoyed gaze, Kaya also opens her mouth as if remembering something.

“Ah, right. Come to think of it, His Majesty said he had something he wanted to tell you, Director.”

“…? Go ahead and tell me.”

“If you haven’t decided what to make as your next work, His Majesty said he would like to recommend one theme. Ah, of course, it’s absolutely not forced.”

“…A theme he wants to recommend? His Majesty, you say?”

“Yes. So… he was asking if you could make an animation about the founder of the Empire, the Knight King. His Majesty actually really likes that kind of myth or legend.”

Kaya said so with an expression as if somewhat embarrassed, and.

Hearing those words from Kaya, I made an expression as if contemplating something.

Certainly, it wasn’t such a bad proposal.

Because even in 21st century Earth, manga and anime about myths or legends were among the most loved.

If done well, it wouldn’t be impossible to make an interesting anime using this world’s Knight King legend.

But.

“…Disciple? Then what about the animation with a magician as the protagonist?”

My master looks at me with very anxious eyes.

She must be afraid that if I accept the Emperor’s proposal and make an anime about the Knight King, her request will automatically be ignored.

“What do you mean what happens? Since we can’t mix those two themes into one anime, one of them will have to be postponed-”

But, right at that moment.

“…Wait a minute.”

An idea that could only be described as truly devilish flashed through my mind.

An animation where a magician is the protagonist.

And at the same time, one that’s motived by the Knight King legend…?

“Um, Lady Kaya. Well, let me ask just one thing.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“I don’t know much about the Knight King legend, so I’m asking… Was this Knight King person a man? Or a woman?”

“Uh… as far as I know, the Knight King was a man.”

“…Hmm.”

It seems that in this world, unlike Earth, the Knight King was a man.

It was truly regrettable news, but that didn’t mean there was no way.

That is.

“Lady Kaya. I’m asking just in case, but. Do you dislike things like gender-bending?”

“…Pardon?”

“In other words, what do you think about making the Knight King a woman?”

“…?”