Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Life and Death Ledger (5)
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Lately, within the Empire, Life and Death Ledger had reached the absolute peak of popularity.
It was to the point where it resembled the frenzy when the anime genre first emerged—or when Mecha God Chronicle was riding high.
However, the popularity currently surrounding Life and Death Ledger was somewhat different in nature from that of the earlier Mecha God Chronicle.
Raguna's first TVA anime, Mecha God Chronicle, was—due to its very essence—something enjoyed by males starting from their teens and going as high as their forties or even fifties.
Mecha. Kids with no choice but to pilot them. Mysterious monsters. Battles to save the world.
Honestly, someone might scoff and call it childish, but it was pure, instinctive material that set any man's heart pounding.
On the other hand, Empire women had largely turned a cold shoulder to Mecha God Chronicle by comparison.
Of course, there were countless women like Evangeline who absolutely loved it and proudly called themselves fans.
But most women might find interest in Mecha God Chronicle's storyline—yet they simply couldn't comprehend men going wild over the battles pitting Unit Zero against the Outer Gods.
"If Director Raguna had focused Mecha God Chronicle more on the characters' narratives instead of the Mecha God fights, it would've been so much better."
"Right? The tender bond between Kai and Saya, or that love-hate tension between Kai and Eirin—pure delight."
Well, honestly, it wasn't a question of one side being right or superior.
After all, it was perfectly normal for people to have different tastes hit by different parts of an anime.
Men raved over the explosive action scenes, while women warmed to something lyrical and grounded in reality—just like back on Earth.
But Raguna's second TVA production, Life and Death Ledger, flipped the entire situation on its head.
Unlike Mecha God Chronicle, Life and Death Ledger featured no Mecha God battles or outlandish elements like world-ending catastrophes.
And whereas Mecha God Chronicle overflowed with convoluted lore like the 'Third Apocalypse' or 'Humanity Ascension Plan,' Life and Death Ledger's setup was dead simple.
All that existed in Life and Death Ledger was a cerebral showdown between two prideful geniuses.
So it was only natural that Life and Death Ledger exploded in popularity among Empire women, racking up a blockbuster smash.
"Excuse me, Lady Florence. Did you catch episode 6 of Life and Death Ledger that aired yesterday?"
"Of course I did. For an Empire lady, skipping Life and Death Ledger is like showing up to a ball without a dress."
It had become an everyday sight for noble ladies at balls to discuss not romance novels or noble gossip, but Life and Death Ledger.
And today—at the Grinebalt Duke's family ball.
Right here, such chatter was unfolding among the noble ladies.
"Honestly, I don't get the story in Life and Death Ledger lately."
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?"
"Well... the protagonist Louis's actions just don't make sense to me."
The lady from Viscount Edjir's house tilted her head as she spoke.
"Why would Louis pull such a reckless move, killing off the imperial investigators and Alpha's underlings? Because of that, Alpha started suspecting his identity. If he'd just laid low, Alpha never would've zeroed in on him."
At the Edjir lady's words, Emilia—Lady Florence, standing opposite—let out a dismissive snort.
"Oh dear. Looks like you've been watching Life and Death Ledger without a single thought in your head. The classic case of knowing one thing but not two."
"...What did you say?"
"Think back. What sparked Louis to decide on killing Alpha in episode 1?"
"...Alpha pieced together through psych analysis that Zodiac was living in the Empire's east."
"Exactly. On the surface, the transcendent Death Note makes Zodiac—the killer scribbling down murders—seem impossible to unmask. But dig deeper, and that's far from true."
Emilia spoke with an air of supreme smugness.
"Alpha isn't chasing Zodiac with magic or fancy magitech like everyone else. He's profiling the killer's psyche, hunting the person who best fits the portrait he's built."
"...And?"
"It means Louis judged that if he left Alpha unchecked, he might get caught eventually."
Emilia gazed down at Edjir like she was utterly pathetic.
"Alpha's progressing slowly, sure—but steadily closing in on Zodiac's identity with psych-based profiling mixed with magic. It might take ages, but someday, he'll definitely realize Zodiac is Louis."
"....."
"Louis knows it too. That's why he's going all-out, slaughtering investigators and Alpha's men to force a head-on clash. Because—"
Emilia openly tsked her tongue, landing the knockout blow on Edjir.
"The closer Alpha gets to Louis under the guise of investigation, the better shot Louis has at nailing a sure kill. Right now, it's an ultra-high-stakes mind game to expose each other's true identities and names. And here you are, not getting that and whining about Louis's actions not making sense..."
"...Kuh!"
Completely out-logicked, Edjir fled in a hurry.
Watching the vanquished foe's retreat, Emilia basked in the smug thrill of having dismantled another opponent today.
Ahh—I never meant to logic-bomb a delicately raised noble lady in a place like this.
She'd just obliterated one foolhardy lady who'd dared challenge her to a Life and Death Ledger debate.
Yet the passion for Life and Death Ledger squirming in Emilia's chest showed zero signs of dying down.
As she scanned for more prey to geek out with...
"...Hm?"
Emilia's eyes locked onto a certain man.
In this ballroom where everyone was pairing off like beasts in heat, one guy sat alone at a table.
His clothes didn't scream high nobility, but damn, he was handsome.
And right then.
"Pardon me. Young lord."
Emilia flashed her politest smile and tossed him a question.
"Is that... Life and Death Ledger merch? Reaper-related, right?"
Indeed.
The man had a super-cute, chibi-style Reaper figurine perched on his table.
Even to Emilia's keen eye, the quality was top-notch—so naturally, she took notice.
"Yes, it is."
Affirming her guess, he prompted Emilia to smile and continue.
"Hmm, openly displaying Life and Death Ledger merch at a ball like this. You must be one heck of a fan."
"...Pardon? Ah, well, yeah."
He nodded with a somewhat sheepish tone.
"Everyone knows which noble young lords are Life and Death Ledger fans... Unfamiliar face means you're a fresh convert, huh. Nice to meet you—Emilia del Florence. As a fan, think of me as your senior?"
"...Senior? For Life and Death Ledger?"
Staring blankly at Emilia, the man suddenly chuckled.
"Got it. Pleased to meet you, Senior."
The man—Raguna—bowed to her with exaggerated politeness.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Truth be told, Emilia approaching the man was pure whim.
Not quite on par with the Empire's famed beauties like the Imperial Princess or Grinebalt Duke's daughter—but Emilia was a knockout herself. She didn't chat up randos.
But right now? She congratulated herself on the smooth approach.
Because.
"In Life and Death Ledger episode 6, Louis's wholesome family scene? Not proof he's got humanity left. It's hinting he's lost every last shred."
"Hmm, interesting take."
"But flat-out calling Louis 'evil' this early feels wrong. He was just so purely idealistic, he couldn't stomach evil existing in the world. Binary good-evil labeling him? Too soon, no?"
"Director Raguna might disagree, but that's a fun perspective, junior."
The man's takes were delighting Emilia—the self-proclaimed die-hard Life and Death Ledger fanatic.
Sure, nowhere near her idol Director Raguna's level of insight.
After geeking out with him for ages, Emilia realized the ball was winding down—and felt genuine regret.
Juniors with real insight and senior-respect? Rare as hen's teeth these days.
Hence.
"Um, junior?"
"Yes, Senior?"
"A gift for you."
With that, Emilia handed him a golden bauble.
"A Florence Count family pass—free entry anytime. Reserved for true benefactors."
She delivered it with peak haughtiness.
"You're miles behind Director Raguna or his successor—me—but your takes aren't half bad. Want Life and Death Ledger lessons from me? Door's always open."
"...I see. Then here's a gift from me, Senior."
Smiling wryly at her words, the man slid the table merch her way.
"Life and Death Ledger merch hitting Empire-wide shelves soon. Prototype limited edition—tiny run, huge value."
"Hmm, nice."
Emilia—who'd been eyeing it since glance one—snatched it up eagerly.
But moments later.
Replaying his words, she clocked a question she had to ask.
"...Prototype for an Empire-wide merch drop? How's a junior like you got one?"
"Because I'm Life and Death Ledger's director, Senior."
"Pfft, quit joking, junior."
"....."
Emilia smiled softly at his 'joke.'
Raguna stared back deadpan.
And Emilia's face slowly hardened.
"...For real?"
"....."
"...Joke, right? Right?"
"....."
"...Please say it is... please..."