Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: 5. Mecha God Chronicle (4)
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Lately, the citizens living in the Empire had started to sense that something unusual was brewing.
Recently, the imperial family had been bestowing a particular artifact on every mid-sized city or town.
It looked like nothing more than a glass box at first glance, a peculiar artifact through and through.
But people knew exactly what it was used for.
No need to look far—every government office or neighborhood ward had one.
Essentially, it seemed to be an artifact the imperial family used to urgently contact cities whenever the need arose.
Of course, like all such artifacts, it went unused far more days than it saw action—365 days a year, easily.
Some even dismissed it as just a strangely shaped decorative ornament.
Yet now the nation was suddenly distributing these previously overlooked artifacts to every city, and people couldn't help but feel a chill of unease.
"What's going on? What on earth is about to happen?"
"Are they preparing for war, handing these out for emergency communications?"
"But there hasn't been a war in decades, and relations with other countries are better than ever, as far as I know..."
The common folk found themselves swept up in an inexplicable anxiety.
But the nobles felt no such worry.
On the contrary, they were eagerly awaiting the moment these artifacts spread across the entire Empire.
Thanks to their exclusive information networks, nobles had a rough idea why the Empire was distributing these 'televisions.'
"Finally... it's here."
"I've been counting the days. I'm a die-hard fan who watched Eli and Hamel's Disappearance a whopping three times."
"Hah, bragging about that in front of me? I've seen Eli and Hamel's Disappearance seven times. And that's not all—I collected every souvenir and doll sold exclusively in the theater's special shop."
"Urgh, you...! So infuriating! If I'd only had a bit more time and budget, I'd have outdone you so badly you couldn't even show your face...!"
"Hm, a new work from the creator of Eli and Hamel's Disappearance? No way I can pass that up."
"My daughter threw such a fit that I went ahead and bought one of these new television artifacts. She insists on watching the premiere live, no matter what."
Indeed.
In noble society lately, watching Eli and Hamel's Disappearance had evolved beyond a fad into a full-blown cultural staple.
Skipping opera or theater was no big deal, but anyone who hadn't seen Eli and Hamel's Disappearance was deemed uncultured.
A new proverb had even emerged: 'Shun those who've seen Eli and Hamel's Disappearance fewer than three times.'
What more needed to be said?
Nobles were fixated on when the creator of Eli and Hamel's Disappearance would release their next masterpiece.
So they hadn't missed the imperial plan to broadcast that new work via these 'television' artifacts.
"By the way, I'm dying to know what this new work from the Eli and Hamel's Disappearance creator will be. But the palace is clamping down on info—impossible to dig anything up."
"Well... I do have some connections in the palace. I've picked up a few details about this upcoming anime."
"Really?! Care to share with us?"
"Nothing major, but... word is, it's a 30-minute anime, airing in 50 episodes."
"...A 30-minute anime over 50 episodes? That's an insane runtime."
"Makes the two-hour Eli and Hamel's Disappearance look like child's play."
"Guess I should snag one of these televisions too. Then I can kick back at home and watch for 50 straight days."
And so the nobles whispered excitedly about the 'television' artifacts and the upcoming Eli and Hamel's Disappearance sequel.
Before long, the rumors reached the commoners' ears.
No conspiracy here—the nobles had no reason to keep it secret, so word spread naturally.
"Eli and Hamel's Disappearance? Yeah, I've heard of it. Some picture story the nobles are obsessed with lately, right? But why bring it up?"
"Get this... the creator's using those weird artifacts to broadcast a new anime for free."
"No way. So we can watch it without paying a dime, just by heading to a place with one of those artifacts?!"
Of course, commoners yearned for the cultural pursuits nobles enjoyed.
They just suppressed those desires, scraping by without spare coin for luxuries.
But now, a free shot at the anime nobles were hooked on?
"Damn right we'll watch. If the nobles enjoy it, why shouldn't we?"
"So when does this anime start airing? I wanna see it ASAP!"
Just as nobles and commoners alike buzzed with anticipation for the creator's new work...
🎬 Trailer Premiere 🎬 The new anime Mecha God Chronicle, created by the maker of Eli and Hamel's Disappearance. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ People went about their peaceful daily lives, as always.
The scene was so serene, it seemed the tranquility would last forever.
Yes.
Until one day, when they descended upon this world.
Outer Gods.
Horrific monsters with grotesque, otherworldly forms that defied any notion of shared existence.
Humanity unleashed every weapon at its disposal to exterminate the Outer Gods.
But their attacks did nothing to the Outer Gods.
Like swatting flies, the monsters effortlessly crushed entire armies, marching onward as if searching for something.
Empire cities lay in ruins, while a man gazed silently at a slumbering Mecha God somewhere distant.
And that man muttered coldly to a boy:
"[...Their goal is right here. If they reach this place, humanity is doomed.]" "[Board the Mecha God, Kai.]" "[Pilot the Mecha God and slay the Outer Gods. That's the only reason you're here.]" Kai's conflicted expression filled the screen, then cut away.
A red-haired girl smirked confidently from within a Mecha God cockpit.
A blonde girl perched on a Mecha God's shoulder, gazing at the starry night sky.
A black-haired girl wept before a Mecha God, the image flashing by.
Overlaid was a commander's sinister grin—and then:
"[I'll do it.]" The screen shifted to Mecha God and Outer God facing off.
Fists extended like sworn archenemies, they collided.
Static—
All sound vanished in an instant.
Then blackout.
One line appeared:
📺 Broadcast Schedule 📺 Mecha God Chronicle Airdate: October 4th, 9 PM "....."
"....."
The Emperor stared blankly at the trailer, prompting Kaya beside him to smile and speak.
"What do you think, Your Majesty? Raguna's new creation, Mecha God Chronicle. Even those clueless about anime should feel hooked after this teaser, right?"
Yes.
Just before airing the Mecha God Chronicle teaser on televisions nationwide, Kaya had shown it to the Emperor first.
After all, just as the Grinebalt Duke had funded Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, the Emperor was the true backer of Mecha God Chronicle—only natural.
Plus, showing it early allowed tweaks if anything rubbed him the wrong way.
But.
"...Y-Your Majesty?"
"....."
The Emperor's reaction was... off.
He'd started with a bored glance at the Mecha God Chronicle teaser, but by the end, his eyes were wide as saucers.
"...Kaya. I have one question for you."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Does the main anime include everything from that teaser?"
"...Pardon? Ah, yes. The teaser is just clips from the main show."
The Emperor clicked his tongue, clearly displeased.
"...Hah, that's most unsatisfactory."
Kaya's heart sank at his mutter.
Her worst fear had come true.
For reasons unknown, the Emperor despised Mecha God Chronicle!
Was it the Empire's cities getting wrecked by mystery monsters?
Or the imperial army fleeing powerless?
'Then... he'll demand changes to Mecha God Chronicle.'
Even if the plot demeaned the Empire, was imperial censorship of culture truly just?
As Kaya sighed inwardly...
"...Kaya."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor called her name in a low whisper.
"So... how far along is this Mecha God Chronicle?"
"...Pardon? From what I know, about five episodes are done..."
"...Bring them."
"Pardon?"
"Bring those five episodes to me right now! You show me this teaser and expect me to wait until airdate? And from now on, deliver each new episode straight to me the moment it's ready!"
"....."
Thus, the broadcast of the uncut, uncensored Mecha God Chronicle on television was sealed.