Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Next Work Plan (3)
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While Raguna was chatting amiably with the Imperial Princess like that.
'Annoying.'
Serika stared at the two of them with an extremely irritated expression on her face.
She was in a truly foul mood right now.
It hadn't started out that way for Serika.
Up until that morning, Serika had been in a fantastic mood.
That was because she'd heard the news that the Imperial Princess herself would be coming to see Raguna about animation-related matters.
"That's incredible. Even the imperial family is taking an interest in the animation you made! Congratulations for real, Raguna!"
Serika had said those congratulatory words to Raguna with complete sincerity.
To be honest, until now, watching Raguna had made Serika feel a little heartbroken.
That was because she'd learned that to produce Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, he'd received a massive investment from her father, Duke Grinebalt.
And because of that, he'd signed a contract handing over a huge chunk of the ticket revenue to the duke.
Sure, in exchange, he'd gained the rights to sell various character merchandise related to Eli and Hamel's Disappearance.
But honestly, Serika thought for sure that Raguna had taken a massive loss.
No matter how much animation merchandise you sold, it couldn't possibly compete with ticket sales revenue.
In fact, from what Serika had heard, Eli and Hamel's Disappearance was currently sweeping the capital in a box-office frenzy.
Not just nobles, but even commoners were clamoring to snag tickets.
In the process, Duke Grinebalt—who was set to take a big cut of the ticket profits—must have raked in enormous gains.
Meanwhile, Raguna, who only had rights to whatever character merchandise stuff, probably hadn't made much at all.
Considering all the budgets and effort Raguna had poured into making Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, it was basically free labor.
So Serika couldn't help but feel sorry for Raguna.
That was why.
The reason she'd been over the moon when she heard the imperial family would be seeking out Raguna over animation matters.
'The more interest the imperial family shows in Raguna, the clearer it'll be that he'll reap massive benefits from animation in the future!'
But.
"...I see, so that's how it was. You truly had grand plans all along...!"
Grab.
"Uh... Your Highness? Could you... maybe let go of my hand first before we talk...?"
The moment the Imperial Princess grabbed Raguna's hand mid-conversation.
"....."
For some inexplicable reason, Serika felt like her emotions had been shoved straight into an endless swamp.
'Annoying. For real.'
She wanted to snap at the princess to let go of his hand.
But even with her status as the daughter of Duke Grinebalt, she couldn't confront royalty head-on.
No matter her standing as a duke's daughter, there were lines you simply didn't cross with imperial blood.
'...Raguna.'
So Serika could only blankly watch as Raguna sat there, hands clasped with the princess.
Grip.
Though she didn't know why herself, she unconsciously clenched her fist tight.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...Ah, damn it. I'm losing my mind."
After my conversation with the princess wrapped up normally.
I clutched my inexplicably throbbing head and let out a sigh.
"Never thought she'd ask me to make a TVA animation of all things."
Of course, nothing like Earth's televisions existed in this world.
Unfortunately, there was an artifact that served a similar function.
To be precise, it was an artifact the imperial family used to broadcast announcements to major cities and government offices.
The princess had proposed tweaking it slightly to air animation across the entire empire.
- Well, since it'd be an animation airing empire-wide, it'd be best if it ran for a good long time. So, for example... how about making it around 50 episodes?
- ...A 50-episode animation?
Naturally, I was speechless at the princess's suggestion.
It had taken two whole months to produce a two-hour film like Eli and Hamel's Disappearance.
I couldn't even calculate how much time and effort a 50-episode series would demand.
- No need to worry about costs, by the way. The imperial family is prepared to provide you with a substantial budget.
- ......
- I see... You're so overwhelmed by the chance to pursue your dreams freely that words fail you. No need for thanks. I'll always support you.
- No, that's not—
- If you do well on this one, we could even sponsor your next project. So do your best.
...Please take that last part back.
Anyway, as I sighed deeply, reminiscing over that painful exchange.
Serika, who'd been pouting silently beside me until now, spoke up in a grumpy tone.
"...Well, whatever, it doesn't sound like bad news for you. The imperial family directly supporting you means you can make whatever you want. Right?"
By the way, Serika had been pouting ever since the moment the princess and I started talking alone.
What was eating at her to make that face?
Guess a lowly untouchable like me by birth can never understand a noble duke's daughter's heart.
"Just accept the princess's offer. You couldn't refuse even if you wanted to, and it's beneficial for you anyway."
"Hmm... Is it really beneficial for me, though?"
"What?"
Originally, I'd planned to hole up at home for a few years and live the ultimate NEET life.
But taking imperial funding for a 50-episode animation? No way I'd have a leisurely life after that.
And there was an even bigger problem.
'If things go south... I might end up as the imperial family's unpaid slave, cranking out animations for life!'
Yeah.
Suppose I took the princess's commission, made an absolute banger 50-episode series, and it exploded across the empire.
Nine times out of ten, she'd order me to make another sequel.
Why?
Because scouting new slaves is less efficient than squeezing every drop from the ones you have.
Especially when that slave's already proven they can hit home run after home run.
Professors never let talented grad students graduate for the same reason—they milk them like slaves.
'But I can't exactly sabotage an imperial-funded animation on purpose either...'
If I used their budget to make something like Kimchi Warrior, an enraged princess might have my head on a pike outside the palace.
This empire ran on filthy classism, not democracy, so it was entirely possible.
Plus, hate to work or not, as an animation creator myself, deliberately tanking a project felt profoundly wrong.
'So what do I do? Isn't there some clever way out?'
How could I make a high-quality animation and ensure the palace never asked for a sequel?
After agonizing over it, I finally had a brilliant idea.
"...Mecha stuff."
"...?"
"And LCL... no, an orange juice ending."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"If the whole human race turns into orange juice in the ending, everything wraps up nice and neat...!"
There was once a legendary anime that rocked all of Japan.
One hailed even today as a masterpiece for sparking a nationwide 'syndrome' upon airing.
And one that obliterated viewers' minds by wiping out humanity in its finale.
Well, plenty of anime kill off humanity in the end, but that one got infamous for it, hogging all the hate to this day.
And I planned to plagiarize... er, benchmark it.
The anime itself was a masterpiece, but its godawful ending drew endless flak—exactly the situation I wanted.
"Heh heh heh."
Come on, then. Think you'd still hand me the next project after everyone turns into orange juice in the finale? Let's find out.