Prologue
Prologue
Late at night, faint moonlight illuminated a garden wall.
There, a man dressed in black clothing that would have gone unnoticed without the dim moonlight was preparing to leap over the wall.
Thud!
The man cleared a wall far taller than an adult male without even a running start, jumping lightly from a standing position.
"What of the item?"
Before the man, who had landed soundlessly on the opposite side of the wall, a woman who had been waiting in that spot for some time was already standing.
The sight of a young noblewoman—clearly a daughter of some aristocratic house, judging by her formal attire—unable to control her trembling hands as she urgently questioned the man.
"Here is the new third volume of Iron-Blooded Alchemist, as you commanded."
The man answered in a flat voice, and what he pulled from inside his coat was an ordinary book.
But the moment she saw the book in the man's hand, the woman trembled as though unable to contain her excitement.
Snatching it from the man, yet cradling it preciously, the woman began examining the book starting with its cover.
After meticulously checking for any possible printing errors, blemishes, or damaged sections, she let out a sigh of relief once she confirmed there was nothing wrong.
'Who would look at this sight and think she is the imperial princess called the Flower of the Empire?'
The man, who had been silently watching, sighed inwardly as well.
Seeing the princess bouncing up and down, clutching the book in both hands, all the hardships he had endured flashed before his eyes.
Not only in the capital but across the entire empire, people had flocked to form lines in front of the merchant houses selling these "manga volumes" to get their hands on them—a spectacle in itself.
Of course, he too had stood in line for nearly three days without washing or even using the restroom to carry out the princess's orders.
Had it not been for his past experience infiltrating enemy territory, he might have ended up with an embarrassing memory that would make him kick his covers every night for the rest of his life.
'Fighting assassins targeting the imperial family might actually be easier.'
Colleagues who didn't know the circumstances might sneer, asking what was so hard about buying a single book.
But this volume was a first-print limited edition that included the artist's handwritten signature and an illustration.
Even though purchase eligibility was restricted to loyal customers who had bought every previous volume, the odds had reached a staggering 100 to 1.
He couldn't forget the man who, having missed out on a copy by a single spot in line, collapsed to the ground and
'O heavens! I still have not obtained the book!!!'
wailed in anguish.
That man had clearly also been sent to buy the book on orders from the young lady he served, which made the desperate emotion all the more relatable.
"Surely the protagonist stopped that wicked father's scheme. How could he do that to his own daughter and dog... I must confirm it quickly!"
Watching the princess disappear while clutching the book to her chest, Jorge, a shadow guard of the imperial family, found himself troubled.
Should he report this "manga volume" to His Majesty the Emperor, and if he did report it, what exactly should he say?
Wrestling with this difficult dilemma, Jorge leaped back over the wall and slipped away.
***
"Yurushite kure sou ni mo nai~."
As expected, the melody of a masterpiece is never forgotten.
Humming the song while dividing panels on white manuscript paper and drawing, I felt elated.
It truly was a shame that this other world had no smartphone or PC for listening to music.
"Iron-Blooded Alchemist only shows its true worth when you watch it while listening to the songs."
I'd have to try launching an animation business somehow before long.
When I spoke with the Magic Tower last time, they said it might be possible if we turned image-storage magic into a tool and used illusion magic devices, so it wasn't outside the realm of possibility.
However, the research and contract-work costs would be astronomical, so I realized I'd have to work even harder at making money going forward.
"So, should I start selling limited-edition merch from now on?"
Fans would be horrified to hear that, but what could I do? Making animation requires money.
I'm not earning lots of money to spend it on myself.
Isn't it a kind of investment to revive the culture and arts of this other world?
So limited editions were an unavoidable choice.
I finally understand, Fuckple, why you sold smartphones that way.
I too shall now follow in your footsteps.