Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Eli and Hamel's Disappearance (3)
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Speaking frankly, the Grinebalt Duke had anticipated that Eli and Hamel's Disappearance would flop miserably.
But when the lid was lifted, the outcome was the polar opposite.
Eli and Hamel's Disappearance was achieving unprecedented success in continental history.
For example.
"Selling the A-2 seat for May 10th at 13:20 for 1 gold!"
"...1 gold? Wasn't the original ticket price 30 silver? This is a total rip-off!"
"So, are you not buying? If not, step aside. From what I know, tickets are sold out until at least May 17th. Wait until then if you want."
"...No, even so, a threefold markup is too much. Could you knock a little off—"
"Hey, if you're not buying, get out of the way. Mister, I'll take it. I'll buy that scalped ticket for 2 gold."
"Hey now, who said I wasn't buying? No cutting in line! I'll purchase the ticket first!"
Not only were theaters sold out, but public scalping had become almost commonplace.
"Excuse me, do you have Ifrit dolls instead of the Undine ones? In the anime, the Ifrit crying 'If, if' was so adorable."
"Don't worry, sir. I'm told Ifrit dolls will be released soon after the Undine ones. If any come into the shop, I'll reserve one for you."
"Well, I'll be. You don't look it, but you're a very polite young man!"
Merchandise related to Eli and Hamel's Disappearance sold out the moment it hit store shelves.
"In the early part of the movie, the scene where Hamel catches the falling Eli from the sky and they stroll through the air together—wasn't that incredibly moving?"
"Ah, yes. That aerial walk scene? My daughter watched it and sang about wanting to walk in the sky like Eli."
"Personally, I found the moment when Hamel looks at the unconscious Eli and whispers, 'Live on, for you are beautiful,' even more touching. It's that feeling, you know? Like it explains why women fall for bad boys."
"For me, it was when the Spirit King says, 'I am no monster. I am a god.' It gave me chills. A Spirit King ruling the spirit realm must truly be a divine being, right?"
"The mages from the Magic Tower say the Spirit King is indeed a god-like entity in his own dimension. So the creator didn't just make it up."
"Really...? As expected, the creator is truly amazing!"
This extended even to groups gathering at cafes in front of theaters, spending the whole day discussing Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, offering all sorts of interpretations.
Wherever one went in the capital, talk of Eli and Hamel's Disappearance filled the air.
'These are the end times.'
Thus, the duke couldn't shake the feeling that all this was an elaborate prank meant to fool him.
"A single theater can't accommodate everyone wanting to see Eli and Hamel's Disappearance. We've decided to rent ten more theaters for additional screenings. Theater owners are begging to lend us theirs."
"All VIP box seats for the week are fully reserved."
"Lord Raguna's anime merchandise venture is an overwhelming hit. Stock sells out as fast as it's produced."
"Various noble houses are investigating who voiced the characters in this anime. We've taken measures to keep Lady Serika's identity hidden."
"...Good, you handled that well."
Amid reports that all stung the duke's heart, this one was particularly pleasing.
Truth be told, he wanted to brag to the neighborhood that his own daughter voiced Eli in Eli and Hamel's Disappearance.
But knowing Serika disliked standing out in front of people, the duke held back.
"...Still, I just can't understand it. I know Eli and Hamel's Disappearance is entertaining, but how did it achieve such massive success?"
At the duke's mutter, his secretary cautiously spoke up.
"Well... Lord Raguna sent invitations to select noble houses before the anime's release. Mainly families who visited the Tersion Baron's estate to watch Nymph and Goblin."
"...What?"
In other words, Raguna had distributed free tickets to specific noble houses in advance?
Why?
"He sent two invitations per selected house: one to the young noble who watched Nymph and Goblin, and one to their guardian. He even explained that Eli and Hamel's Disappearance was the same style as Nymph and Goblin. So..."
"...I see. So that's how it unfolded."
Listening to the secretary, the duke pieced together the situation.
Raguna's first anime, Nymph and Goblin, had been a massive hit with young nobles.
They were die-hard fans of his work, so they'd rush to see anything new he made.
'But his trap didn't end there.'
Cunningly, Raguna sent invitations only to 'specific' noble houses that had seen his previous anime, skipping others.
But nobles wouldn't miss that detail.
Noble society was a tight-knit circle; rumors spread like wildfire.
So, what would uninvited noble houses feel upon hearing this?
'...Damn him. All clever tricks and no substance.'
With just a few pre-release invitations, Raguna lured a huge number of nobles to the theaters.
Once nobles filled the seats, Eli and Hamel's Disappearance's success was all but guaranteed.
After all, the anime had universal appeal that captivated everyone regardless of age or gender.
"Thanks to that, my plans are in utter ruins."
Originally, the duke had intended to use the anime's failure as an excuse to prevent Raguna and Serika from meeting.
But with Eli and Hamel's Disappearance achieving record-breaking success, he had no pretext to block their encounters.
Especially since Serika voiced Eli.
Imagining Raguna and Serika chatting amiably together, the duke ground his teeth.
But that lasted only a moment.
'...Objectively speaking, Raguna's not a bad fellow. A genius who invented a brand-new art form unseen in this world, raking in fortunes from secondary creation rights. His personality doesn't seem terrible either...'
'No matter what, I absolutely can't allow it! How dare that filthy man touch our Serika!'
'But... Serika has to marry someday. I can't keep her forever, so maybe permitting some meetings with him is worth considering seriously...'
'No, not while I draw breath! Who knows what dark schemes that Raguna hides in his heart!'
Watching the duke's internal tug-of-war play out on his face, his aides let out quiet sighs.
Unable to let it drag on, the secretary seized the moment.
"Your Grace, regarding the earlier matter of noble houses investigating Lady Serika's background, there's one more thing."
"...What is it?"
"Among those probing her, some seem to be of very exalted bloodlines."
"What?"
The duke furrowed his brow instantly.
Though phrased euphemistically as 'exalted bloodlines,' he knew exactly what that meant.
"Exalted bloodlines—you don't mean—"
"Yes, exactly."
The secretary nodded.
"It appears the imperial family is searching for Lord Raguna and Lady Serika."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In front of a theater screening Eli and Hamel's Disappearance.
A staff member selling tickets there swallowed hard without realizing it.
"Are you still selling tickets? I'd prefer a VIP seat for today if possible."
The woman who spoke flashed a dazzling smile, her beauty almost blinding.
And in that moment, the staff's instincts screamed.
This woman was undoubtedly of extremely noble status.
Far beyond petty barons or viscounts strutting about.
Thus, he responded with utmost caution to avoid offending her.
"...I'm sorry, but today's VIP seats are all sold out. Noble customers reserved them in advance."
"Hmm, then could you tell me which nobles bought them? If I persuade those customers, they might yield the tickets to me."
The staff paled at her words.
"Th-that's impossible! Those nobles are of such high standing! Not just viscounts or counts—even marquesses reserved these—"
"Is that so? Then there's no issue at all."
She smiled brightly and continued.
"If the ticket holders show up, please tell them this: the Imperial Princess of the Empire, Karlreiya von Loengram, wishes to speak with them."
"...Pardon?"