Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Second Anime Plan (1)
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After wrapping up Mecha God Chronicle, I was finally able to catch my breath, if only a little.
Officially, this meant I now had time to "ponder my next project," but hey, that was something.
So even if I slacked off a bit during that pondering time, it wasn't really my fault, right?
Back on Earth, animation producers or manga artists always took a pretty long break after finishing a work anyway, so you couldn't exactly call my behavior out of line.
And so, today as well, I was throwing myself wholeheartedly into playing around without giving a single thought to making some next anime or whatever.
Normally, I'd be scrambling to produce next week's episode right about now, but since I'd become a temporary bum, I could leisurely sip tea with Serika and Kaya like this.
But then.
"Hey, my darling disciple?"
"..."
"Raguna? My precious disciple? Why are you ignoring your sky-high master's words?"
"...Sigh."
I couldn't focus on my tea at all because of my master, who'd plopped down next to me and kept yapping noisily.
Finally, with my patience worn thin, I turned to her and opened my mouth.
"...Sorry, but I've decided I won't think of you as my master anymore."
"Wh-what? Why?!"
My master jumped in surprise at my sudden "I'm Hong Gil-dong" declaration.
"Have you forgotten already? Last time, you sold me off for a few bucks."
I spoke curtly, and she fidgeted with her fingers, opening her mouth apologetically.
"Th-that's why I apologized to you later. And I gave you half the money I got from His Majesty..."
"Strictly speaking, that wasn't really giving me money—it was more like an investment."
"But if it turns a profit, you're getting more than half! Honestly, that's basically charity, not an investment!"
"...What kind of twisted logic is that? Do you think I'm some kind of national pension fund?"
As my master and I bickered back and forth, Serika and Kaya watched us with eyes full of curiosity.
"...Why are you staring like that?"
"Well, it's just..."
"It's a bit surprising to see you so close with Lady Aris, Raguna. You two seem like friends."
"Oh my. Does our relationship come off that way, girls?"
My master beamed happily at Serika and Kaya's words.
But honestly, to my ears, it just sounded like "She's not acting her age."
I mean, shouldn't the master of the Magic Tower carry herself with a little more dignity?
Wasn't it a bit unseemly for someone at least ten years older to goof around and flirt with kids like this?
"As expected of my disciple's girlfriends. You've got good eyes."
"...G-girlfriends?"
Serika and Kaya bowed their heads at my master's words, their faces flushing a little.
...To be honest, that stung a bit.
It reminded me of this girl from elementary school who scowled the moment we got paired as desk mates.
Anyway, friend, how've you been?
It's been decades now, and I don't even remember your face or name anymore, but the emotional scar you left me is still kicking around as PTSD, tormenting me to this day...
As I gazed at the sky, lost in wistful memories of the past, Kaya, sitting across from me, suddenly spoke up.
"By the way, Director. His Majesty sent word for you."
"What did he say?"
"He was asking when you're starting your next project."
"...Sigh."
I let out a sigh upon hearing Kaya's words.
"Didn't I tell you before? I'm fine with starting the next one. But if His Majesty doesn't agree to my conditions, I absolutely won't make it."
"...That was about guaranteeing your creative autonomy for the projects you make, right?"
"Yes. I don't want any interference in my works anymore."
I never wanted to go through another inquiry like the one over Mecha God Chronicle's ending.
...Well, honestly, I could kind of understand the fuss last time.
This world still wasn't fully immune to the anime genre, so dropping such a provocative ending right off the bat had shocked them.
Modern folks might think it was overkill just for an anime ending.
But anyone who's into manga or anime has probably felt it at least once.
That urge to murder the creator when a really fun series ends on some abrupt, infuriating note.
No need to look far—me, for instance. I cursed out an author nonstop when a manga I loved wrapped up with the protagonist suiciding alongside the villain out of nowhere.
But understanding the emperor's feelings and accepting it were two different things.
Last time with Mecha God Chronicle, I'd planned the "true ending" from the start, so I didn't protest to him.
But if he threw another fit over the next one's ending, would I have to revise every time?
I didn't want that, at least.
Better not to make anything at all than deal with that.
This was one thing I absolutely wouldn't compromise on.
"I passed your words on to His Majesty, and he promised. No matter what happens from now on, he won't interfere with your works. Even if you wipe out humanity again, he won't say a word."
"..."
An anime addict like the emperor wouldn't say that himself, so Kaya must've really laid into him.
And with her cutting off pre-release episodes too, no one would meddle in my anime production anymore.
...Though I'd try to avoid "humanity extinction endings" from here on out anyway.
That was when it happened.
"Disciple. Since we're on the topic of anime production, when do you plan to fulfill that promise you made with this master?"
"...Promise? What promise?"
"Last time, in exchange for my help with the Mecha God controls, you said you'd grant me one request later. You're not going to say you've forgotten already, are you?"
"...Hmm."
Oh yeah, there was that.
"So that was... to make an anime with a mage as the protagonist?"
"Yes, yes. Exactly."
My master nodded repeatedly as she spoke.
"Watching Mecha God Chronicle this time made me realize there's nothing more effective at riling up and exciting people than anime. If there's an anime about mages, won't the Magic Tower get more voluntary graduate slave... er, talented recruits?"
"..."
As I shot her a glare for not even hiding her ulterior motives, Kaya spoke up as if something had occurred to her.
"Oh, right. His Majesty had one more message for you, Director."
"...? Go ahead."
"If you haven't decided on your next project yet, he'd like to recommend a theme. Oh, it's definitely not mandatory."
"...A theme he wants to recommend? Even His Majesty?"
"Yes. He was wondering if you could make an anime about the founder of the empire, the Knight King. His Majesty really loves that kind of myth or legend."
Kaya said it with a somewhat embarrassed look.
I pondered her words, my expression turning thoughtful.
It wasn't a bad idea, really.
Back on 21st-century Earth, manga and anime based on myths or legends were hugely popular.
If done right, I could make something fun using this world's Knight King legend.
But.
"...Disciple? So what about the mage protagonist anime?"
My master looked at me with anxious eyes.
She was probably scared that if I took the emperor's suggestion and did the Knight King, her own request would get shelved.
"What do you mean? I can't combine those two themes into one anime, so one of them has to wait—"
But right then.
"...Hold on."
A devilishly brilliant idea flashed through my mind.
An anime with a mage protagonist.
And at the same time, based on the Knight King legend...?
"Hey, Kaya. Just one question."
"Yes? What is it?"
"I don't know much about the Knight King legend, but... is the Knight King a man? Or a woman?"
"Um... I think the Knight King was a man."
"...Hmm."
Apparently, in this world, unlike Earth, the Knight King was male.
It was a real shame, but that didn't mean there was no way.
Namely.
"Kaya. Just to be sure, but... you don't mind gender swaps, do you?"
"...Pardon?"
"I mean, what do you think about making the Knight King a woman?"
"...?"