Chapter 12

Yo, do ya know when the most infuriating moment is for an office worker?

When that so-called boss assigns all the work to me and then just goes off on a solo run?

Or maybe when that new direct subordinate turns out to be a complete mess and gives me cancer?

Sorry, but none of those are the right answer.

The real answer is…

“Oh ho, you must be Ragnar Terison? Pleased to meet you. I am Karlreya von Loengram.”

“…Your Highness.”

It’s when that busy corporate president, who we thought was always out playing golf, suddenly shows up right in front of me.

Just like how a newly enlisted private instinctively fears the division commander, my body couldn’t help but stiffen at the unexpected appearance of the Empress.

‘Wait, didn’t she just say she’d drop by as a mere courtesy? She really came?!’

A while back, when I mentioned it was tough for me to visit the palace, the Empress replied she would come down to the Baronage Terison herself.

But I figured it was just upper-class politeness, never expecting she’d actually show up.

I glanced up to see her face.

Platinum hair flowing down to her waist, sapphire-blue eyes like gems embedded in her sockets.

Every time nobles rave about how the Empress is a goddess incarnate, I secretly think ‘This guy really wants to get ahead.’ But now…

Even with my high standards from seeing Serika’s face every day, I found myself involuntarily impressed by the Empress’s beauty.

“First, let me apologize for intruding on your resting place like this. If it made you uncomfortable, please accept my apologies.”

“Not at all. Considering why Your Highness came here, I feel it’s more my responsibility since I declined your invitation.”

“Thank you for understanding. So, my maid said you were planning your next work instead of responding to my invitation?”

“Well, that…”

I wanted to say “Actually, I haven’t planned anything for the next work; I just lied because your invitation seemed too troublesome,” but…

If I said that, I might lose my head in front of Gwanghwamun Plaza for contempt of royalty.

Though in this fantasy world, it’d probably be in front of the palace square.

So, there wasn’t much choice in what I could say here.

“…That’s correct. It’s not a direct sequel to ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,’ but I’m planning something completely different.”

“Ah, a completely different genre, huh?”

The Empress asked curiously.

“Hey, can you give me a little hint about what you’re planning?”

Uh, how can I explain when I haven’t planned anything?

“I’m afraid I can’t grant that request.”

But I answered without hesitation to her sudden question.

“I am an animation producer before being a noble loyal to the Empire. Revealing information about a project that hasn’t even started production is simply unacceptable.”

Though I was just spouting nonsense since I hadn’t thought of anything,

fortunately, the Empress didn’t seem to notice.

“Hmm, now that you mention it, that does make sense. That stubbornness is what allowed you to create such great works…”

The Empress muttered something incomprehensible and nodded as if realizing something.

“Your ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ was very entertaining. In fact, I could say I’m a big fan of both you and your works.”

“Is that so?”

I kind of expected that.

Otherwise, why would someone as remarkable as the Empress take interest in someone like me, stuck at the bottom of the aristocratic caste system?

“In that sense, I have one question I want to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“Why did you create animations in the first place? And what purpose do you aim to achieve through them?”

“…”

Hmm, how should I answer this?

Should I say I created ‘Nymph and Goblin’ as an alternative because I didn’t want to waste my precious mana on young nobles, or that I made ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ to make a tidy profit from merchandise sales?

But…

“Speak freely. I want to hear your honest answer.”

Looking at the Empress who was staring at me with shining eyes, I felt something poking at my heart, like a triangle inside me.

I thought it had already become a circle from all the copying I’ve done while making anime, but apparently, it still had some sharp edges.

In the end, I couldn’t help but open my mouth after feeling a rare pang of conscience.

“I wish to establish animation as a culture.”

“…You want to make anime into a culture?”

“Yes. Art genres are originally created to bring joy to humans. Novels, plays, operas – they all ultimately aim for that.”

“However, novels, plays, and operas have a fatal flaw. Do you know what it is?”

“…Most citizens don’t find much interest in them.”

Exactly.

Novels can’t be understood by illiterate people, and plays or operas were divisive even on Earth.

In this fantasy world, excluding those, there are very limited hobbies available, leaving most people living boring lives without entertainment.

“But anime is different.”

Anime can be understood even by those who can’t read.

And you don’t need much education or common sense to enjoy it.

In short, through anime, we can provide almost everyone, regardless of gender or age, with enjoyable entertainment.

Of course, depending on personal tastes and personalities, some may not find anime interesting, but that’s beyond my control.

“I want to establish the genre of animation as a culture. Not something only educated or wealthy people can enjoy, but a new culture accessible to everyone.”

By the way, this isn’t a lie.

Because as the culture of ‘animation’ fully takes root in the Empire and more people enjoy my works, my bank account will surely grow richer.

Moreover, others might also jump into this market thinking they can make their own anime.

‘If that happens, I can just sit in my room scratching my belly while enjoying anime made by others without lifting a finger.’

Then I can fully embrace the life of a freeloader.

And when I’m bored, I can just turn on the fantasy world version of Netflix and watch anime.

Truly perfect.

Just as I was lost in these delightful thoughts…

“…I see, that’s impressive. You truly have grand plans!”

Thump.

The Empress suddenly stood up and grabbed my hand without warning.

It happened so fast I had no time to react.

“Uh… Your Highness? Even considering propriety between genders, this is a bit…?”

“I agree with your thoughts too. You’re right. Most art in the current Empire belongs solely to the nobility. Thus, entertainment accessible to commoners is extremely limited.”

“Uh… Could you please let go of my hand while we talk?”

“That’s why I believe the genre of anime you’ve created can be the solution to break this situation. Just look at ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ you’ve made – it captivated people from nobles to commoners across various classes, didn’t it?”

Saying this, the Empress not only didn’t let go of my hand but started gripping it even tighter.

“In that sense, I have a proposal for you.”

“…A proposal?”

As soon as I heard the Empress’s words, I felt an inexplicable sense of unease and déjà vu.

This sounded similar to something I once heard from a Duke…

Somehow, I had this ominous premonition that accepting this proposal carelessly would lead to trouble later.

“Uh… I don’t know what the proposal is yet, but I’m kind of busy lately…”

“Don’t worry. My proposal might actually help you, Ragnar.”

“…Help me? What do you mean by that?”

“Ragnar, what do you think about broadcasting your anime for free to all citizens of the Empire instead of releasing them in theaters for a fee?”

“Huh?”

Broadcasting anime for free to all citizens of the Empire?

So…is the Empress suggesting I make a TV anime?