Chapter 21

After hearing the news from Serika and Karlreya about some protests breaking out, the emotion I felt was nothing short of “absurdity.”

No, seriously.

To be honest, protests are basically staged shows targeted at the government or corporations—like a choreographed WWE match, right?

Even though it might look like chaos with tear gas and firebombs flying around, deep down, there’s a set of unspoken rules and etiquette, kind of like turn-based RPGs. At least, that’s what I thought.

But then, hearing that a protest broke out because of Episode 1 of “Knight Shin Chronicle,” specifically because of me… There’s no way that wouldn’t feel absurd.

I’m trying to get cut loose from the Imperial Household as fast as possible by making an anime, not creating one to unite malcontents against the Empire and the Imperial Family!

“Shit, are we gonna have CIA-types showing up at my house next?”

I absolutely wanted to avoid waking up one day to find a ninja stuck to my ceiling.

So, I rushed over to the district.

And…

“Animation creators, awaken! Awaken!”

“Hurry up and release Episode 2 of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle!’ Guarantee the human rights of viewers! Guarantee them!”

“Viewers of all nations, unite!”

“Wooaaah! Uwaaaah!”

“…What the hell are these guys doing?”

Seeing the identity of the ‘protesters’ Serika and Karlreya mentioned, I couldn’t help but feel utterly baffled.

Apparently, unknown people were protesting in front of the palace square using “Knight Shin Chronicle” as an excuse. I thought it was going to be something serious like peasants armed with spears revolting against bourgeois oppression. Instead, all I saw were drunkards rolling empty beer bottles around.

Sure, their numbers were unusually high for just a drunken gathering, but they didn’t feel threatening at all.

“What? All this fuss is because of these guys?”

“Yes, because such an event has never happened in the history of the Empire.”

Thud.

Then, a chilling voice came from behind me.

I knew exactly who it belonged to.

How could I forget? This guy always looks like he wants to eat me alive whenever he sees me.

“Father!”

“It’s been a while, Serika. About a month, right? And Your Highness is here too. Long time.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while. Duke.”

This person was none other than Duke Grinevalt.

While he greeted Serika and Karlreya warmly, his expression turned sour when he looked at me.

“As you can see, the people gathered in the square are just a bunch of drunkards. So His Majesty laughed it off and decided to let them be. Reacting to every little commotion would only damage the Empire’s dignity.”

“…Then why am I here?”

“I already said it. This is unprecedented in the history of the Empire.”

Saying that, Duke Grinevalt now looked at me with a very serious expression.

“There have been countless protests throughout the history of the Empire, each for various reasons. But I can confidently say that no one has ever protested for such a ridiculous reason before.”

“…”

“Of course, your situation is unique, but even considering that, the fact that your anime caused such absurd changes in society so quickly is undeniable. And that’s just after one episode aired.”

With that, Duke Grinevalt sighed deeply.

“Though, compared to that, the bigger issue is some lunatic inciting people.”

He pointed to a young man with a mustache standing at the forefront of the protesters.

“…Huh?”

That face was so familiar—it felt closer than my own parents due to how much I’ve seen it online.

“According to reports, this guy started inciting people in a pub after failing the entrance exam for the Imperial Art Academy. He’s quite the headache.”

“Hmm.”

If viewed another way, this could potentially become the precursor to a massive catastrophe.

“What’s his name?”

“Uh… Ricardo, I think. Why do you ask?”

“Nah, just… feels lucky.”

Same last name, but thank goodness the names differ.

Thinking back, there’s no way he could’ve reincarnated into this world.

Because, as far as I know, after losing the war, he fled to Antarctica and teamed up with the Reptilians to prepare for an invasion of America—he was far too busy.

‘Looks like whether on Earth or in a fantasy world, big events are always caused by people with that surname.’

Having roughly come to terms with that in my mind, I turned to the Duke.

“So, what do you plan to do with these guys?”

“I already said it. Though I’d love to throw them all in jail, we’re leaving them alone. Dealing with drunks like this would make the Imperial Family look foolish.”

“But if we leave them in the square indefinitely, isn’t that also a problem?”

“…”

At my words, the Duke furrowed his brows but couldn’t offer a proper rebuttal.

Then, Serika, standing beside him, spoke up with a worried expression.

“Should I go talk to them and try to persuade them?”

“Talk to them about what?”

“For instance… explain that the broadcast schedule is already set, and the production team can’t arbitrarily change it?”

But I shook my head in response to Serika.

“No, you don’t need to do that.”

“But-”

“I’ll handle it personally.”

“…What?”

“I have a good idea on how to disperse them.”

With that, I shrugged and strode toward the crowd of drunkards—no, protesters.

“Hey?”

“Who’s this?”

Realizing that all eyes were on me, I bowed and began speaking.

“Hello. I’m part of the staff working on the ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ animation team. I’ve come here today to discuss the broadcasting issues related to ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.'”

“Oh, ohh! The ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ staff is finally here?”

“The voices of united viewers have reached the ears of the animators!”

Most of the drunkards got excited just from the presence of someone from the ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ team.

However, Ricardo, the instigator, didn’t get excited like the others. Instead, he stared at me coldly.

“…So, the ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ team realizes the gravity of the situation, huh?”

“Gravity? What gravity?”

“I’m talking about the first episode aired yesterday!”

As he said that, Ricardo clenched his fists tightly.

“Is it even reasonable to end an anime like that? You’ve raised everyone’s expectations sky-high, only to push the important scenes to next week! That’s practically criminal!”

“Yeah, yeah! How am I supposed to wait until next week when I want to watch every day!”

“I can’t stand not knowing what happens next!”

As Ricardo spoke, the surrounding drunkards joined in, shouting loudly.

Had I been less experienced, I might’ve been intimidated by their fervent reactions.

Unfortunately for them, I was immune to such outbursts thanks to years spent playing spicy AOS games in Korea.

“I understand. Last night, I felt the same way you all did when the anime ended like that.”

“…What?”

“That’s because we, too, felt sorry for not providing enough content for our beloved viewers.”

Saying this, I put on a very melancholic expression.

“My most respected director often says this: The reason I create anime is to bring joy to many people. To make them smile through duals… no, anime. He asks for nothing else.”

“…”

“…”

The disapproving gazes from behind me stung, but I pressed on.

“That’s why I fully empathize with how you all feel standing here today. Our director felt the same way. In fact, he asked me to deliver a message to all of you.”

“…What did he say?”

“That is… starting next week, we will honor your requests and air ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ twice a week!”

“What, what?”

“Twice a week? Are you serious?”

“Good heavens, is this a dream?”

My words shocked both Ricardo and the protesters.

They hadn’t expected their demands to be accepted so easily, despite organizing the protest.

But soon…

“I can’t believe there exists an animator who listens to his audience like this…”

“The creator of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle,’ is he divine?”

“I believed in him from the start!”

Watching the protesters rejoice in delight, I smiled warmly.

“…Ragnar.”

“What?”

Serika whispered softly to me.

“Didn’t we originally plan to air two episodes weekly starting next week? We only aired one this week because of the schedule set by the Imperial Family.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“…Then aren’t you lying to them? We’re just following the original schedule, not responding to their demands.”

Hearing her innocent question, I tilted my head.

“But they don’t know that, do they?”

“…What?”

“Ultimately, we solved the problem, which is good for us, and they feel their demands were met, which is good for them. Isn’t that a win-win?”

“…”

“…”

“…This kid should never be allowed near politics.”

Beside the speechless Serika, the Duke muttered under his breath.

I had no idea why he said that.