Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: 14. Ledger of Life and Death - Climax and Resolution (4)
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A few days later, episode 12 of Ledger of Life and Death aired, unfolding its story with the same madcap intensity as always.
"With this, I'm certain. Marie's true identity... is the second Zodiac."
Marie, who had suddenly appeared one day claiming to be Louis's girlfriend, had been captured by Alpha.
"Now that we've caught Marie, we'll soon uncover the identity of the first Zodiac as well. Honestly... I have a pretty good idea who it is already."
"... "
Alpha was also biding his time, waiting for another chance to capture Louis.
"Grim Reaper, it's time we parted ways for a while."
"...What?"
"I never wanted to resort to this if I could help it... but I have no choice. You know the final rule of the Ledger of Life and Death, don't you?"
"...Heh heh. You're really going to do it?"
"Yes. From this moment on... I renounce ownership of the Ledger of Life and Death."
Cornered, Louis made his final desperate gambit to turn the tables: relinquishing ownership of the Ledger and erasing all related memories.
It was a story hurtling forward like a runaway train, refreshingly relentless in its pace.
Viewers who tuned in without a second thought would suddenly realize that 30 minutes had flown by in the blink of an eye.
Only when the staff roll appeared did the audience snap out of their trance, utterly absorbed in Ledger of Life and Death.
Normally, viewers would be furiously debating the episode's twists and turns by now.
But strangely, everyone was just staring at the staff roll, letting out heavy sighs.
The reason was simple.
"A show as fun as Ledger of Life and Death... and it's about to end soon..."
"I heard it came up at that meeting with the nobles the other day. They're planning to wrap it up within 10 episodes at most."
"So that means Ledger of Life and Death will end around episode 25 at the latest, or 20 at the earliest..."
That was right.
The early cancellation of Ledger of Life and Death, mentioned at the recent state council meeting, had become common knowledge among all Imperial citizens.
Naturally, the news that Ledger of Life and Death would soon conclude sent the citizens—especially the "My Struggle" crew—into a frenzy that was nothing short of astonishing.
"This can't be happening! Shouldn't Ledger of Life and Death run for at least 50 episodes, just like Mecha God Chronicle?"
"Exactly! Who the hell does Director Raguna think he's messing with by ending an anime after just 20 episodes?"
"Raguna... you said you'd make Ledger of Life and Death a masterpiece like Mecha God Chronicle. Are you fooling us?"
"Sigh... Should we hold another Soviet rally?"
Truth be told, they knew full well why Raguna wanted to wrap it up around now.
It was the only way to give the story a clean introduction, development, climax, and resolution.
But knowing that didn't make it any easier to accept.
No fan in their right mind would cheer for their favorite anime to end after a measly 20 episodes.
And so, as everyone sighed in resignation, steeling themselves to face the cold reality...
A shocking piece of news reached the ears of the Imperial citizens.
"What? Ledger of Life and Death is getting adapted into a stage play and musical soon?"
"Yeah. Word is, the play and musical versions will follow an original story penned by Raguna himself—different from the anime, but still."
For any Ledger of Life and Death fan, this was the kind of news that would make their eyes roll back in excitement.
One anime just wasn't enough to quench the hunger gnawing at their hearts.
An original Ledger of Life and Death story diverging from the anime?
No way they could pass that up.
And on top of that...
"And this is kinda surprising, but..."
"Spit it out already!"
"Anyone who watches the Ledger of Life and Death play or musical gets a raffle ticket for limited-edition high-quality merch."
"What?!"
The man’s words left everyone around him stunned.
Ever since anime took off in the Empire, related merch and figures had skyrocketed in price.
Mecha God Chronicle had been somewhat merciful, selling tons of goods cheaply at the festival.
But the intricate figures of Unit 0 and the other Mecha Gods fetched prices in the millions.
And the ultra-limited Eli and Hamel's Disappearance merch, sold briefly in theaters, was now worth whatever the seller named.
Just recently, a staff prop from the film—a mere tens of gold in the story—had auctioned for thousands.
Every Imperial citizen knew this, so imagining the value of Ledger of Life and Death limited merch was child's play.
"Rumor has it the limited-edition Ledger of Life and Death merch from Director Raguna is a hyper-detailed replica of the Ledger itself."
"A r-replica of the Ledger?!"
So, a perfect copy of the Ledger Louis used to judge criminals in the show?
"These replicas have spells cast by master mages, so the pages never run out. Plus, there are all sorts of hidden functions. They're so hard to make that only twelve were produced."
"N-No way..."
Everyone swallowed hard at the revelation.
Only twelve replicas of the Ledger in the entire Empire.
For any fan who'd loved the show, it was irresistible.
And its value? It would dwarf any merch before it, no question.
At that moment, everyone shared the same thought.
I can do it. I will get one!
Of course, even with a raffle ticket, the odds were slim to none.
But wasn't entering the draw a thousand times better than sitting on your hands?
And if you actually won a Ledger replica?
Well, what then?
Life-changing jackpot, that's what.
Right?
Of course, the "My Struggle" folks wouldn't sell theirs—they'd flaunt it everywhere instead.
"Oh yeah, theaters are taking pre-sale reservations. Tickets'll sell out in seconds, so we gotta book ASAP, right?"
"...!"
People exchanged glances without thinking.
But only for a moment.
"Where's the nearest theater from here?"
"Mom, Dad, big bro, little sis—who else is family? Gotta maximize those raffle tickets!"
"I'll buy raffle tickets for three times the musical ticket price! Hit me up if you're interested!"
"...My raffle tickets? Take 'em if you want. Check there—I left them all in that spot."
And so...
The era of the great play and musical boom began.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Breaking News Way over the line... One raffle ticket for Ledger of Life and Death merch per play or musical ticket. Is this for real? 📰 Breaking News Super raffle ticket from 10 regulars? Peak shameless commerce... Theater and musical worlds drowned in backlash. 📰 Breaking News Scalping to hoarding for limited merch... Social chaos erupts in massive controversy. 📰 Breaking News Hermione Professor at Imperial Art Academy blasts: "Theater and musical scenes are dog meat joints straight up. No different from mint choco or rose dog meat to hook the kids." Scathing critique. 📰 Breaking News Director Raguna Tersion of Mecha God Chronicle and Ledger of Life and Death gets reevaluated amid theater/musical outrages. 📰 Breaking News Raguna, who aired anime for free Empire-wide and sold merch dirt-cheap at the festival, charts a polar opposite path from greedy theaters and musicals. 📰 Breaking News Axis of evil: theaters and musicals. Beacon of justice: Director Raguna. Why does he make anime solely for the Empire's people, the 'fool' of our era? "Ugh, this is why I can't trust merchants. Super raffle tickets? Unbelievable."
A few days later, Serika muttered while scanning the front-page headlines plastered across every newspaper.
"Raguna went out of his way to bless the theater and musical crowds, and they stab him in the back like this. Next thing you know, we'll have 'super ejections' forcing audiences out or 'ban reflexes' to protect him. Right, Your Highness?"
"I agree completely, Serika."
Kaya frowned, clearly displeased, and chimed in.
"Money-grubbing scum are hopeless. Exploiting fans' love for anime with such despicable tactics... It just crushes the pure hearts of those who adore Raguna's work. Makes me sick."
"... "
"Hm? Raguna? What's with the face?"
"Yeah, Director. You look like you heard something you wish you hadn't."
"No, I just... lament how people in human skin can sink to such beastly lows..."
Raguna sighed deeply in lamentation.
Super raffle tickets? Ceilings?
He didn't know who came up with it, but whoever did wasn't human.