Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: 12. Second Anime Plan (4)
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"Let me get straight to the point. What you're doing right now is nothing more than murder."
The worst serial killer in history, 'Zodiac,' who has been indiscriminately slaughtering criminals across the entire continent lately.
Addressing this Zodiac, the detective 'Alpha'—who has solved countless cases while hiding his face until now—opened his mouth with a stern, unyielding voice from within the screen.
"Just moments ago, you killed the man who appeared on this broadcast as my proxy. The moment you murdered that innocent man, you tumbled down to the level of a mere murderer."
"…."
"No person has the right to judge another. And certainly no one has the right to kill on a whim. In other words, you're no different from all the people you've killed so far—you're just a criminal."
"You're simply evil, Zodiac."
At Alpha's words, the protagonist Louis, who had been quietly watching the broadcast, let out a disbelieving laugh.
In his hand was the Life and Death Ledger he had just received from the Death God.
"Me, evil? No, I'm justice. I'm a god-like being who will overthrow this rotten world filled with evil and create a new one brimming with the righteous."
"You're nothing but a delusional maniac who thinks he has the divine right to judge others."
"And you'll soon be a fool murdered by that maniac."
At first glance, it seemed like the two were conversing across space itself.
But in reality, it was no conversation—just each spouting whatever they pleased.
Watching this scene, the Death God standing behind Louis smirked.
"Heh heh heh… They don't even know each other's names or identities, yet they're hell-bent on killing one another?"
"Humans truly are… fascinating creatures."
"…Cut."
I watched the recording session up to that point and gave the signal in a flat voice.
"Impressive. I never imagined animation voice work was done like this."
And right beside me was someone watching the entire scene with eyes full of admiration.
"It's like breathing life into lifeless objects. Truly… beautiful. Isn't this akin to a god shaping his creations?"
"…."
If some random guy had rattled off such cringeworthy commentary beside me, I would’ve kicked him out on the spot.
Unfortunately, this wasn't just any random guy—he was Kaizel von Richardt, prince of the Richardt Kingdom.
He had come to see me today over the issue of importing the Life and Death Ledger into his kingdom.
"I didn't expect Your Highness to come in person."
"What do you mean 'in person'? How could we send some lackey for something as monumental as importing animation into the kingdom?"
Kaizel jumped up, reacting fiercely to my words.
"The people of our kingdom are eagerly awaiting Director Raguna's next work after Mecha God Chronicle. Your animations are the only 'drug' permitted to our citizens."
"…."
"That said… this new work's theme is quite intriguing. A story about someone who can kill without lifting a finger, and the detective trying to catch him…."
Saying that, Kaizel smacked his lips as if mildly disappointed.
"I heard from Her Imperial Highness that your next project would involve the legend of the Knight King. I had high hopes that our kingdom's great hero might appear in it, so it's a bit of a letdown."
"…."
At Kaizel's words, I turned to look steadily at Kaya.
Kaya, finding my gaze a bit burdensome, averted her eyes.
Sure, I was curious how Kaya had leaked info about the next project, but that wasn't the point.
There was something in Kaizel's words I couldn't just let slide.
"…The Knight King is a hero of your kingdom? As far as I know, the Knight King is the founder of our empire."
That's right.
According to what Kaya had told me, the Knight King was the founder of the empire and the imperial family's progenitor.
So why was Kaizel calling that Knight King a hero of his kingdom?
To my question, Kaizel tilted his head and replied.
"Huh? You didn't know? In continental history, the title 'Knight King' is actually quite common."
"…What?"
"His Highness is right, Director. The title 'Knight King' isn't exclusive to our empire's founder."
Kaya calmly agreed with Kaizel.
"The empire prevents others from using it to preserve the founder's dignity, but other nations have no such need. From what I know, there are about five people called 'Knight King' in continental history."
"…."
It sounded absurd at first.
But upon reflection, it wasn't entirely implausible.
After all, I recalled several Earth kings who had dubbed themselves 'Knight King.'
'Honestly, 'Knight King' is a pretty badass title.'
It's like how 'Heavenly Demon' is such a cool title that now every tom, dick, and harry uses it.
Of course, titles don't have copyrights, and how do you stop other countries from calling their heroes whatever they want?
"But there's something in Your Highness's words I can't ignore. If it's the Knight King in an animation made by our Director, shouldn't it obviously be our empire's founder? Logically, he wouldn't feature your kingdom's Knight King, right?"
"Haha, Imperial Princess. I acknowledge your empire's Knight King is impressive, but our kingdom's wasn't to be trifled with either. He was called the 'Lion King' for his bravery and was a superhuman who slew hundreds of enemies single-handedly—"
And so, Kaya and Kaizel launched into a Pokémon battle over whose Knight King was cooler.
I had zero interest in the debate unfolding between them.
Because listening to their conversation had just sparked a brilliant idea.
"Hey, Kaya. Mind stepping aside to talk for a sec?"
"Our empire's Knight King was a demigod who gathered all the continent's treasures to found the empire… Wait, I'm still talking to His Highness—"
I dragged Kaya—who was still clinging to the VS debate—to a quiet spot and spoke softly.
"To be direct: Doesn't it bother you that other countries' kings share the same title as our empire's founder?"
"…Yeah? It's pretty annoying."
Kaya clicked her tongue, clearly displeased.
"Our empire's Knight King lived three thousand years ago, the earliest figure in any history book. And these later nobodies use the title 'Knight King' without a care!"
Kaya huffed, clearly harboring long-held grudges.
I whispered to her in a sly, scheming tone.
"I feel the same. Our founder deserves the utmost honor, so how can he share 'Knight King' with other nations' heroes?"
"Exactly!"
"But if we feature the Knight King in the next work after Life and Death Ledger, won't the same issue arise?"
I deliberately clicked my tongue to poke at Kaya's nerves.
"Look at Kaizel just now—he heard 'Knight King' and assumed it was your kingdom's hero. Same problem. Other countries might claim the character as their own."
"No… We can't allow that!"
Kaya's face paled as she actually envisioned that future.
Seeing her like that, I decided to drive the final nail.
"With that in mind, how about giving the Knight King a new title in the Life and Death Ledger sequel animation?"
"…A new title?"
"Someone as legendary as our founder could easily have more than just 'Knight King.' He already has titles like First Emperor or War God."
"Well… True."
After all, the more titles and honorifics dangling from a name, the cooler it gets.
"From my research, the Knight King mastered not just the sword, but spears, bows—all weapons—as a superhuman hero. He's incomparable to other nations' heroes; he's the king of heroes."
Saying that, I snapped my fingers and continued.
"The progenitor of all heroes. The first superhuman in the oldest histories."
"So, how about calling him the 'Hero King'?"