Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: 9. Mecha God Chronicle - Festival (3)
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"So, to cut to the chase, it was all just a big misunderstanding on our part?"
"Yes, Your Highness. According to the Empire's explanation, the Mecha God is a fictional weapon that appears in an animation, and the one set up in front of the plaza is an amusement ride modeled after it."
"...An amusement ride? You're seriously calling that your excuse?"
In the end, the incident was only resolved after the Empire side gave the envoy a full rundown on Mecha God Chronicle and all sorts of other animations.
Of course, the kingdom's side hadn't believed a word of the Empire's explanation at first.
But after reviewing the mountain of explanatory materials the Empire had prepared, even they had no choice but to grudgingly accept the harsh reality.
Or, to be more precise, it was like their eyes had finally been opened.
Now that the truth had dawned on them, people were hurling blame at each other to cover up their own guilty consciences.
"No, why the hell would the Empire put something like that up in front of the imperial palace just to confuse everyone...?"
"Is that really the issue here? Because of you, our kingdom's become a laughingstock to the Empire!"
"No, why is this my fault? Honestly, isn't it the Empire's fault for building and erecting something like that in the plaza in front of the palace?"
But the nobles studiously ignored the envoy's aggrieved expression as they laid into him.
Overly pressuring the other side to bury their own mistakes.
It was the ugly spectacle that had repeated itself countless times throughout human history, playing out once again right here.
The kingdom's ministers spent quite some time yelling and shoving the blame onto each other before they finally regained their senses after a long while.
"...So, what the hell is this 'animation' thing anyway? I'm dying to know what it is that features a 40-meter-tall war machine."
"It's... apparently a new art form that's all the rage in the Empire right now. In summary, you could call it illustrations that move on their own."
"Hmm. So you're saying it's like comics come to life and moving around?"
"That would be a fair way to put it."
In Rihart Kingdom, plays and operas weren't as popular as they were in the Empire. Instead, novels and comics were all the cultural rage.
That's why everyone present could grasp the concept of animation fairly quickly.
But.
"...If it's moving comics, don't they sell a few of those at the Magic Tower too? How could something like that possibly be popular?"
"Weren't comics just something kids read?"
"..."
That said, no one there truly understood the value of animation.
They'd always thought comics were just kid stuff, so hearing that full-grown adults in the Empire enjoyed them was nothing more than intriguing.
"So, what about that... Mecha God thing?"
"It's a weapon from an animation currently airing in the Empire called Mecha God Chronicle. For reference, Mecha God Chronicle is insanely popular across the entire Empire, regardless of age or gender."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"A work that's a massive hit among the Empire's people. That's quite intriguing."
"We should probably hear a more detailed explanation."
As the envoy explained, the king and nobles' eyes sharpened with interest.
Though peace had held between them for ages now, the Empire and kingdom had once waged endless wars against each other for centuries.
That's why the kingdom needed to gather even the smallest scraps of information on the Empire—just in case.
"Could you give us a quick rundown of the plot for this Mecha God Chronicle?"
"Well... it's a bit of an unusual story..."
"No need to go into too much detail. Just keep it light enough for us to follow."
"Understood."
The envoy pondered for a moment before quietly opening his mouth.
"So... one day, these bizarre lifeforms called Outer Gods appear on Earth and wipe out every nation in an instant. The few surviving humans create weapons called Mecha Gods to fight back against the Outer Gods."
"Hm. A story about saving Earth from mysterious monsters."
"Pretty heroic stuff. We've got tons of comics like that on our side too."
The people nodded, as if they finally got it.
"The protagonist pilots a Mecha God and keeps defeating the Outer Gods hell-bent on exterminating the remnants of humanity. But then..."
"...But then?"
"One day, a powerful Outer God invades, pushing humanity to the brink of defeat. Right at that moment, the Mecha God the protagonist is piloting goes berserk—it chokes the neck of an allied Mecha God, rips out its guts, and tears them apart."
"...Pardon?"
In an instant, question marks floated above everyone's heads.
They couldn't make heads or tails of what they'd just heard.
Why the hell would allied Mecha Gods choke each other and rip out entrails?
And weren't Mecha Gods supposed to be giant steel constructs?
So why the hell did they have guts inside?
"Apparently, a gentle interlude song playing right during that scene shocked a ton of viewers. I watched it myself, and yeah, it's pretty gruesome."
"..."
"..."
"Shall I continue?"
"...Yes, please do."
"That turns Mecha God Chronicle from a hot-blooded vibe into something more melancholic. A few episodes later, another powerful Outer God attacks, driving humanity to the edge again... and right then..."
The envoy paused there, then spoke with a serious expression.
"The Earth explodes."
"...Pardon?"
"What did you just say?"
Everyone suddenly doubted their own ears.
Wait... what did he just say?
What exploded?
Why?
"The protagonist's Mecha God awakens and ascends to godhood, and in that instant, the entire Earth gets engulfed in an explosion. Though... according to the latest episode, the awakening stalls midway, so humanity survives unscathed."
"..."
"..."
By this point in the explanation, the king and nobles had to humbly admit one thing.
They could never understand the plot of Mecha God Chronicle from this summary alone.
Now everyone there was dying to actually check out what kind of work Mecha God Chronicle was.
And the envoy, quick to pick up on their mood, quietly spoke up.
"Ahem. Knowing this might happen, I got special permission from the Emperor to bring episode 1 of Mecha God Chronicle. Would you like to watch it together?"
"...!"
Suddenly, everyone's ears perked up.
Their curiosity about Mecha God Chronicle had been bursting at the seams anyway.
The envoy's offer couldn't have been more welcome.
"...By the way, how many episodes of Mecha God Chronicle are out so far?"
"As far as I know, up to 26."
"The Empire's Emperor sure is stingy. Twenty-six episodes out, and he only gives us the first one?"
The nobles grumbled, and the envoy gave a wry smile.
"About that... the Emperor made a proposal regarding it."
"What is it?"
"If our kingdom signs a peace treaty with the Empire and promises cultural exchange and openness, he'll not only provide all 26 episodes of Mecha God Chronicle but keep supplying the latest ones too."
"...Pardon? What?"
"Ha, the Empire's Emperor has lost his mind. Making a proposal like that to us."
Naturally, the king and nobles scowled at the Emperor's offer.
As mentioned before, the Empire and kingdom weren't exactly on friendly terms—not even politely.
This whole fiasco stemmed from a misunderstanding because relations were so frosty that exchanges were practically nonexistent.
Of course, a peace treaty or cultural exchange with the Empire wasn't a bad thing.
But for the kingdom to propose it first? That could be seen as the kingdom bowing its head to the Empire.
It was something pride wouldn't allow.
But.
"Hm, shall we at least watch episode 1 of Mecha God Chronicle first?"
"I'm curious just how fun it has to be for the Emperor to make such an arrogant offer."
With the plot summary still swirling in their heads, no one objected to watching episode 1.
"Wait, weren't you just calling the Emperor arrogant...?"
"Hey now! A work isn't to blame for human failings, right?"
"..."
The envoy let out a sigh and activated the artifact containing episode 1 of Mecha God Chronicle.
As a result, everyone present witnessed it.
Cities crumbling to ruin.
Humanity clinging to hope amid the chaos.
Mysterious monsters—the Outer Gods—invading to annihilate mankind.
A boy stepping up to protect a single girl: Kai.
And.
[ROOOOOAR-!]
"...!"
The berserk rampage of Unit 0 at the end, accompanied by those merciless words floating into view.
[To be continued next episode.]
"..."
"..."
The next moment, everyone there was left speechless.
But at the same time, they realized it.
Though no one said a word, they were all thinking the exact same thing.
As they quietly gauged each other's reactions in silence.
Someone very cautiously murmured in a small voice.
"...You know, maybe cultural exchange with the Empire isn't such a bad idea after all?"
"Our kingdom's always loved peace, hasn't it? A peace treaty? Sure, let's sign one."
"I've always hated how strained things were with our neighbors. Yeah, absolutely."
"..."
Rihart Kingdom, which had pursued isolationist policies until now.
Cultural opening: complete.