Chapter 18

Recently, the citizens residing in the Empire have begun to sense that something unusual is happening.

Lately, the Imperial Household has been bestowing a certain artifact to pretty much every medium and small city.

Though it may just look like a glass box at first glance, this was a rather peculiar artifact.

People were all too aware of what this artifact was used for.

Because even without going far, one could find these things in public offices or district administrative centers.

So basically, it seemed to be a communication artifact used by the Imperial Household to urgently contact each city whenever necessary.

Of course, like most artifacts of its kind, it was used far less often than it was not, throughout the 365 days of the year.

Thus, some people thought of it less as an artifact and more as a strangely shaped decoration.

However, now that the nation had suddenly started distributing these previously inconspicuous artifacts to every city, the people couldn’t help but feel something was off.

“What is it? What’s about to happen?”

“Could they be handing these out to use for emergency communications during a war?”

“But there hasn’t been a war in decades. And I’ve heard our diplomatic relations with other nations are in great shape…”

The commoners were thus enveloped in an indescribable sense of unease.

On the other hand, the nobles felt no such anxiety, unlike the commoners.

In fact, they were eagerly awaiting the artifact’s distribution across the entire empire.

Because through their noble-exclusive information networks, they roughly understood why the empire was handing out those “television” artifacts.

“So… It’s finally here, huh.”

“I’ve been counting down the days for this. I’m a hardcore fan who’s watched ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ three whole times.”

“Ho ho, are you boasting to me with just that? I’ve seen ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ seven times. Not only that, I successfully collected all the commemorative goods and figurines sold exclusively in the theater’s special shop.”

“Gyaaah! Curse you! If only I had more time and budget, I would have watched the anime and collected goods far beyond your reach!”

“Hmm, since it’s a new work from the creator of ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,’ I can’t possibly resist.”

“I bought one of those so-called television artifacts because my daughter is throwing a fit. She wants to watch the live broadcast at the right time no matter what happens.”

That was how it was.

In recent times, watching ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ wasn’t just a trend in noble society—it had become a cultural phenomenon.

While missing an opera or play might not raise eyebrows, failing to watch ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ was enough to brand someone as uncultured.

With proverbs like “Do not deal with anyone who has watched ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ fewer than three times,” what more needed to be said?

The nobles were keenly interested in when the creator of ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ would release a new masterpiece.

And thus, they did not overlook the imperial plan to broadcast his new creation via the “television” artifact.

“Still, I’m awfully curious about what the new work from the creator of ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ will be. But the Imperial Household is controlling the information, so there’s no way to know.”

“Hmm… Actually, I know a few people connected to the Imperial Household. Through them, I’ve learned a bit about the upcoming anime.”

“Really? Can you share that information with us?”

“It’s nothing major… but apparently, the new series will air fifty episodes, each thirty minutes long.”

“Thirty-minute anime over fifty episodes? That’s… an absurd amount of content.”

“Compared to the two-hour-long ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,’ this feels like an overwhelming amount.”

“In that case, I should probably buy one of those television artifacts too. With it, I can comfortably watch the anime at home for fifty days.”

And so, the nobles chattered excitedly about the “television” artifact and the new work from the creator of ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel.’

Before long, the commoners also caught wind of the news.

Since the nobles weren’t plotting any rebellion and had no reason to keep it secret, word quickly spread among the common folk.

“‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’? I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it that picture book-like thing the noble lords have been enjoying recently? Why bring it up?”

“What? So… the creator of ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ plans to broadcast a free anime using those strange artifacts?”

“Unbelievable. That means if we go where the artifact is installed, we can watch the anime for free without paying anything, right?”

It was only natural. Even commoners desired to partake in the cultural life enjoyed by the nobility.

But due to the daily struggle to make ends meet, they had little room to indulge in such extravagances.

Now, however, they had the chance to watch the anime the nobles were obsessed with—for free?

“Dang, of course we should watch it. If the noble lords can enjoy it, why shouldn’t we?”

“So when exactly does the anime start airing? I want to watch it soon!”

Just as both nobles and commoners were buzzing with anticipation for the new work from the creator of ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’—

– The teaser for the new anime by the creator of ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,’ titled ‘Knight Shin Chronicle,’ was released.

Ahead of the official airing, the preview for ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ was suddenly broadcast on television.

***

As usual, people were living their peaceful lives.

Such tranquility made it seem like the peace would last forever.

Until the day they descended into this world.

The Outsiders.

Terrifying monsters with bizarre and grotesque forms that hardly seemed alive.

Humanity poured every method they had into exterminating the Outsiders.

Yet the Outsiders shrugged off humanity’s attacks as if swatting away flies, effortlessly neutralizing all armies while continuing their march toward some unknown destination.

As the empire’s cities were devastated, the scene shifts to a man silently gazing at a sleeping Knight Shin somewhere.

And the man mutters coldly to a boy:

“…Their goal is here. If they reach here, humanity will perish.”

“Board the Knight Shin, Kai.”

“Ride the Knight Shin and defeat the Outsiders. That is the sole reason you were brought here.”

Kai’s conflicted expression fills the screen before it transitions.

A red-haired girl smirking confidently while piloting the Knight Shin.

A blonde girl sitting on the shoulder of the Knight Shin, gazing at the stars under the night sky.

A fleeting image of a black-haired girl crying as she looks at the Knight Shin.

Overlapping these images is a commander with a sinister smile.

“I’ll board.”

At that moment, the screen switches to Knight Shin and Outsider staring at each other.

As if recognizing each other as mortal enemies, their fists collide mid-air.

Crackling static fills the screen as all sound abruptly stops.

Then darkness.

Finally, a single sentence appears on the screen:

“[‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ – Premiering October 4th at 9 PM.]”

“…”

“…”

Watching this trailer, the Emperor sat there with a vacant stare, while Lady Karlreya beside him smiled and spoke.

“Well, Your Majesty, what do you think of this preview for Ragnar’s new creation, ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’? Surely even those unfamiliar with anime will find it intriguing?”

Indeed. Before broadcasting the preview on television, Karlreya had come to show it to the Emperor first.

After all, just as Duke Grinevalt was the financial backer for ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,’ the Emperor himself was the primary investor for ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.’ This was only natural.

Additionally, showing the preview to the Emperor beforehand allowed for any adjustments if he found anything objectionable.

However…

“Excuse me, Your Majesty?”

“…”

The Emperor’s reaction was… odd.

Initially, he watched the preview with indifference, but by the end, his eyes were wide open.

“…Karlreya. There’s something I must ask.”

“What is it, Your Majesty?”

“Will the events shown in the preview also appear in the main series?”

“…Pardon? Ah, yes. They do. The preview simply takes parts from the main story.”

At Karlreya’s response, the Emperor clicked his tongue, seemingly displeased.

“Ah, that’s quite troubling to hear.”

Instantly, Karlreya felt her heart sink, fearing the worst.

What she had dreaded had come true. For some reason, the Emperor didn’t seem to approve of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle!’

Was it the destruction of the empire’s cities by mysterious monsters that offended him?

Or perhaps the repeated retreats of the empire’s powerless army?

‘So… His Majesty intends to demand changes to ‘Knight Shin Chronicle,’ does he?’

Even if the storyline contains elements critical of the empire, is it truly right for the imperial household to suppress culture like this?

As Karlreya sighed inwardly, at that very moment—

“…Karlreya.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor called out to Karlreya in a low voice.

“So… How far along is the production of this ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’?”

“…Pardon? As far as I know, about five episodes have been completed…”

“…Bring them here.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said, bring the five episodes you’ve already produced to me immediately! How am I supposed to wait until the airing date after showing me a preview like this?! And make sure to bring me each new episode as soon as it’s ready!”

“…”

And just like that, the decision was made to broadcast the uncut, uncensored version of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ on television.