Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Eli and Hamel's Disappearance (4)
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Karlreiya von Loengram.
The Empire's Imperial Princess, and a woman regarded as the most valuable treasure owned by the Imperial Family.
Her innate beauty was renowned not just throughout the Empire, but across the entire continent, and she was extraordinarily wise, earning her the Emperor's boundless favor.
Moreover, her personality was merciful and gentle to the utmost degree, making her a perfect exemplar of noblesse oblige.
However, even this princess, who received perfect praise from the outside world, had one flaw.
It was that she was an extreme workaholic with absolutely no hobbies.
Some might question why being a workaholic is a flaw—wouldn't it mean she handles her duties with the utmost effort? But those working under her could never agree.
After all, how could a subordinate say, "I'll head home first, haha," when their superior refused to leave and kept working?
On top of that, with no hobbies at all, she often came to her office even on weekends to handle work.
As an superior, she was incredibly capable, but the kind of person no one wanted to work under.
In any case, it was on one such weekend that she learned about the theatrical animation Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, which had recently become the talk of the capital.
While reading a report on the nobility's recent activities, she frowned at the bizarre word "animation."
"...Um, Hilde."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"What in the world is this 'animation'? It's the first time I've ever heard the word."
At the princess's question, her maid Hilde smiled brightly and replied.
"Ah, you mean animation, Your Highness. It's no wonder you wouldn't know. It's a new form of art that's recently become popular in the capital."
"...A new art form?"
"Yes, exactly. From what I know..."
And so Hilde gave a brief explanation of the basics of animation and the massive box-office hit sweeping the theaters: Eli and Hamel's Disappearance.
"So, to sum up what you're saying, animation is like a moving picture book that comes alive. But why is it popular among the nobles?"
"Because it's fun."
"...What?"
"I watched Eli and Hamel's Disappearance last weekend, and it was incredibly entertaining. Unlike plays or operas, which can feel a bit dull in their stories, this was thrilling. I could see why people are so obsessed with anime."
The princess furrowed her brow, clearly unable to comprehend Hilde's words.
"...I've never found plays or operas fun, so I can't really relate to what you're saying."
"Ahaha, well, Your Highness has no interest in that sort of thing."
"That said, from what you've told me, animation does pique my interest quite a bit."
"Pardon? You too, Your Highness? In what way?"
"If it's as you describe, animation allows even children who can't read or illiterates to easily understand the story. Unlike plays or operas, which people often find boring, couldn't it be used for educating the populace?"
"...Ah, yes."
Hilde's expression turned a bit strained at the princess's words.
Well, of course it would.
A hardcore workaholic princess like her wasn't about to change overnight.
"With that in mind, it seems I should experience animation firsthand at least once."
"...Pardon?"
"So, where is it? Where can I watch Eli and Hamel's Disappearance?"
And so, the princess made time on the weekend to venture out and watch Eli and Hamel's Disappearance.
That evening, after returning from viewing Eli and Hamel's Disappearance,
"....."
The princess stared blankly into space for a long while with a dazed expression before finally speaking in a hollow voice.
"Um, Hilde."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You're right... animation is surprisingly fun. It was a delight for both my eyes and ears."
"See? I told you so, Your Highness."
Hilde couldn't help but grin widely upon hearing the princess's words.
Unfortunately, the princess wasn't finished.
"But... even after watching Eli and Hamel's Disappearance from start to finish, there are still a few scenes I don't understand. And some I can't quite remember clearly."
"...Pardon?"
Hilde tilted her head in confusion.
The princess before her had a brilliant mind that rarely forgot anything she'd seen once.
For her to not grasp the story of Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, which even children understood on the first viewing? It didn't make sense.
"So what I'm saying is... it looks like I need to go watch the animation again after work tomorrow."
"Pardon?"
"I overheard people at the cafe in front of the theater saying cases like mine aren't rare. Apparently, some have seen Eli and Hamel's Disappearance over ten times and still can't grasp the creator's profound intent."
"No, Your Highness, that's..."
She almost said, You're just hooked on anime, but clamped her mouth shut.
Because if the princess left to watch Eli and Hamel's Disappearance,
Everyone working under her could finally clock out on time for once.
That would be a perfect world where no one got hurt.
Besides, a healthy hobby for the princess, who'd been a workaholic until now, wasn't such a bad thing.
In the end, Hilde held her tongue—not for herself, but for the sake of those suffering under the princess—and bowed.
The next day, the moment work ended, the princess dashed to the theater and watched Eli and Hamel's Disappearance.
A week passed like that.
And then.
"Hilde."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You said you'd seen Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, right?"
"Yes, that's right, but..."
"In your opinion, who's the cutest spirit in Eli and Hamel's Disappearance?"
"...Pardon?"
"There's a souvenir shop in front of the theater selling Undine and Ifrit spirit dolls. I agonized over which one to buy. Undine, who cries 'Undi, Undi,' and Ifrit, who cries 'If, If,' were both cute in their own ways."
"...Why not just buy both?"
"Heavens, how can you say something so irresponsible? Loving everyone is the same as loving no one at all—don't you know that? Steward over there, what do you think?"
It started with suddenly holding character popularity polls in the middle of work.
"Tch. Those guys talking about Eli and Hamel's Disappearance all day at the cafe—they're no joke."
"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
"On my way out of the theater, I grabbed a coffee and tried debating them lightly, but they completely dismantled my arguments. True fans who've seen the anime ten times or more are on another level. They know every detail of the in-universe lore."
"....."
The princess, who usually avoided conversing with those beneath her station, casually debating anime with random people on the street.
"Haa... No matter how I think about it, I just can't accept the ending of Eli and Hamel's Disappearance. Why didn't the creator make it a happy ending?"
"...Wasn't that a happy ending? I liked how it left a lingering aftertaste."
"No, it's not. Promising to meet again someday and returning to the human world? That's just an unsatisfying, frustrating ending!"
"....."
And it went on like that, constantly bringing up Eli and Hamel's Disappearance at every opportunity.
Thanks to this, Hilde and everyone else working under the princess quickly realized she was utterly hooked on animation.
'Well, considering Her Highness's usual image, it's a bit shattered, but this isn't so bad.'
'She's such a workaholic that having an outlet like this is probably fine.'
However, her previously stellar reputation was so strong that people didn't mind her new behavior much.
That was why.
They never expected her to suddenly stand up one day and issue such an absurd order.
"We need to find the creator of the animation."
"...Pardon?"
Naturally, everyone gathered in the princess's office doubted their ears.
"Because of that damn Eli and Hamel's Disappearance, I can't focus on work. I need to summon the creator and talk it out directly to resolve this."
"....."
"....."
"Don't look at me like that. This is all for the Empire. If my mind is troubled and I can't work properly, it harms the Empire."
"...Understood, Your Highness."
But what could they do? It was a direct order from the princess.
Realizing she had no right to refuse, Hilde sighed quietly and bowed to the princess.
However.
"Oh, and just to be clear—once we find the creator, make sure to tell everyone not to be rude. Treat them with the utmost courtesy, like a distinguished guest. They're a treasure of the Empire, after all. And—"
The princess rummaged in her pocket, pulled something out, and placed it in Hilde's hand.
It was none other than.
"...Paper and a pen?"
"If you meet the anime's creator, ask if they'll give me an autograph. It'd be even better if they include my name too."
"....."
It seemed the once-wise Imperial Princess had clearly crossed an irreversible river.