Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Next Project Plans (2)
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Do you know what the most irritating moment is for an office worker?
When your boss dumps all the work on you and then goes off on his own merry way?
Or when the new junior under your direct supervision turns out to be such a disaster that he gives you cancer?
Sorry, but those aren't the right answers.
The real answer, as far as I'm concerned, is this.
"Oh ho, so you're Raguna Tersion? A pleasure to meet you. I'm Karlreiya von Loengram."
"...Greetings, Your Imperial Highness."
It's when the company president, whom you thought was too busy playing golf, suddenly shows up right in front of you.
Just like a fresh private in the army instinctively freezing in fear at the sight of the division commander, I couldn't help but stiffen at the princess's sudden appearance.
'No way, I thought she was just saying that out of courtesy, but she actually came?'
A while back, when I said it would be hard for me to visit the imperial palace, the princess had replied that she would come down to the Tersion Baron's estate herself.
But I figured it was just some WWE-style posturing between high-society folks and never imagined it was dead serious.
I cautiously lifted my head to look at the princess's face.
Platinum blonde hair cascading down to her waist, and sapphire-blue eyes that looked like the gems had been embedded right into her sockets.
Whenever nobles raved that the princess's beauty was a goddess incarnate on earth, I'd always thought to myself, 'That guy's really gunning for a big promotion.'
But now that I thought about it, maybe they were speaking straight from the heart.
Even I, whose standards had been sky-high from seeing Serika's face every damn day, found myself unwittingly awestruck by the princess's looks.
"First off, I want to apologize for barging into your place of rest so suddenly. If it bothered you, I'll make it up to you."
"...Not at all, Your Highness. If anything, it's my fault for refusing your invitation in the first place."
"I'm glad you understand. So, from what my maid told me, you couldn't accept my invitation because you were busy planning your next project?"
"Well, that's..."
I wanted to say, 'Truth is, I haven't planned jack shit for the next project; I just lied because your invitation sounded like too much hassle.'
But if I said that, I'd probably end up charged with insulting royalty and have my head chopped off in the square in front of the palace.
Ah, fantasy world, so it'd be the imperial palace square, not Gwanghwamun.
In the end, my options for what I could say right here were pretty much set in stone.
"...Yes. It's not a direct sequel to Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, but I am planning a completely different work."
"Ho ho, a completely different genre, eh?"
The princess shot me a question with an expression brimming with curiosity.
"So, could you give me a little hint about what kind of project you're working on?"
No, I haven't come up with a damn thing from the start—what the hell am I supposed to say?
"...I'm sorry, but I can't grant that request."
But I answered her sudden question without batting an eye.
"I'm an animator first, before I'm a noble loyal to the empire. Leaking info on a project that hasn't even started production is out of the question."
In reality, it was just a bunch of bullshit because I hadn't thought of anything at all.
Fortunately, the princess didn't seem to catch on that it was a blatant lie.
"...You're right, that does make sense. It's that stubbornness as an artist that let you create such a masterpiece..."
The princess muttered something utterly incomprehensible to herself, then nodded as if she'd come to some profound realization.
"Your Eli and Hamel's Disappearance. I watched it and loved every minute. Truth be told, I'm a huge fan of both you and your work."
"I see."
Well, I kinda figured as much.
Why else would someone as exalted as the princess pay attention to a nobody like me at the bottom of the noble caste system?
"Which brings me to a question I've just got to ask you."
"What is it?"
"What made you create this thing called animation in the first place? And what's your goal with it?"
"....."
Hmm, how the hell do I answer that?
Should I say Nymph and Goblin was a substitute so I wouldn't waste my precious magic power on noble brats, and Eli and Hamel's Disappearance was just to rake in merch sales?
But.
"Speak freely. I want to hear your honest answer."
Looking at the princess's eyes sparkling at me, I felt something sharp—my conscience—poking at my heart for the first time in ages.
I thought all that ripping off anime had rounded off my conscience into a circle, but apparently, a few pointy edges remained.
In the end, I had no choice but to open my mouth, feeling the pangs of guilt after so long.
"I want to make animation a form of culture."
"...You want to turn anime into culture?"
"Yes. Art forms were created to bring joy to people. Novels, plays, operas—they all share that as their ultimate goal."
"But novels, plays, and operas all have one fatal flaw. Do you know what that is?"
"...Most of the populace doesn't find them all that interesting."
Exactly.
Novels are lost on the illiterate, and plays and operas were polarizing even back on Earth.
In this fantasy world, with so few other hobbies available beyond those, most people ended up living dull lives without any entertainment.
"But animation is different.
Unlike novels, animation can be enjoyed without knowing how to read.
And even without culture or common knowledge, anyone can have a blast watching it.
Meaning, animation could provide entertainment that anyone—regardless of age or gender—could enjoy.
Well, sure, personal tastes might make some hate it, but I can't control that.
"I want to establish animation as a culture. Not something just for the educated or the rich, but a new culture anyone can enjoy."
For the record, this wasn't a lie.
Because the more animation takes root in the empire and the more people enjoy my works, the fatter my bank account gets.
And others might jump into the market to make their own anime.
'Then I can just lounge at home, scratching my belly, watching whatever anime they churn out without lifting a finger.'
If things go that way, I'll be living the ultimate NEET life.
And when I'm bored, I can just fire up fantasy-world Netflix for some anime.
Perfect.
Right as I was lost in this blissfully happy fantasy.
"...I see, so that's how it is. You really do have grand plans...!"
Grab.
The princess suddenly shot up from her seat and seized my hand without signaling.
It happened so fast I had no chance to react.
"Uh... Your Highness? Even so, men and women shouldn't be so close... this is a bit...?"
"I agree with your thinking. You're right. Most arts in the empire right now are the exclusive domain of nobles. So the options for commoners are extremely limited."
"Th-that... could you let go of my hand first while you talk...?"
"That's why I believe the animation genre you've created could be the solution to break through this. Just look at your Eli and Hamel's Disappearance—it captivated everyone from nobles to commoners, didn't it?"
Far from letting go, she gripped my hand even tighter as she spoke.
"On that note, I'd like to make you a proposal."
"...Pardon? A proposal?"
For some reason, hearing her words filled me with unease and a sense of déjà vu.
I think the duke said something similar once before?
What can I say—some ominous premonition that accepting this casually would screw me over big time later.
"W-well, whatever it is, I'm pretty busy these days, so..."
"No need to worry. My proposal might actually help you out, Raguna."
"...Help me? What do you—"
"Raguna, what do you think about airing animation for free to all imperial citizens via broadcast, instead of charging for theater screenings?"
"Pardon?"
Broadcast animation for free to every citizen of the empire?
So... the princess is telling me to make something like a TV anime?
