Chapter 45

「Knight Shin Chronicle」 having wrapped up, I finally managed to catch my breath, even if just a little.

So officially, this is supposed to be my “time for deep contemplation about the next project,” but you know… it’s not like that’s set in stone or anything.

Thus, if I slack off a bit during this “next-project brainstorming time,” it’s not really my fault, right?

Besides, considering how even Earth anime producers and manga artists take considerable breaks after finishing a work, my actions weren’t exactly wrong.

And so, today too, without giving a single thought to making some follow-up anime or whatever, I poured all my energy into playing around.

Normally, I’d be scrambling to make next week’s episode of an anime by now, but since I’m temporarily unemployed, here I am enjoying tea leisurely with Serika and Karlreya.

But then…

“Hey, my beloved apprentice?”

“…”

“Ragnar? Our dear apprentice? What’s your reason for ignoring your sky-high teacher like this?”

“…Sigh.”

Ever since this started, I couldn’t focus on drinking tea thanks to my teacher sitting next to me, chatting noisily.

Finally, my patience running thin, I turned to my teacher and opened my mouth.

“…Sorry, but I’ve decided I no longer consider you my teacher.”

“Eh? Wh-what? Why?”

My teacher was startled when I suddenly declared my independence.

“Haven’t you forgotten already? You sold me off for a few bucks last time!”

As I spoke curtly, my teacher fidgeted with their fingers and replied apologetically.

“B-but I already apologized later! And I gave you half the money I got from His Majesty…”

“To be precise, that wasn’t giving me money—it was more like an investment concept.”

“But we agreed that if there were profits, you’d get more than half! Honestly, that’s practically charity rather than investment!”

“…What kind of twisted logic is that? Do you think I’m some kind of national pension fund?”

As I argued back and forth with my teacher, Serika and Karlreya watched us with expressions of genuine curiosity.

“Why are you staring at people like that?”

“Well, it’s just…”

“Ragnar, it’s surprising how close you seem to Aries-sama. It’s almost like you’re friends.”

“Oh my, do you think our relationship looks like that? Kids?”

At Serika and Karlreya’s words, my teacher beamed happily, though honestly, to me it sounded like they were saying, “You’re not acting your age.”

Come on, once you become the master of a magic tower, shouldn’t you act a little more dignified?

Hanging out and fooling around with kids over ten years younger—doesn’t that just scream irresponsibility?

“Still, our apprentice’s girlfriends have good eyes, don’t they?”

“…Gir…girlfriends?”

At my teacher’s words, Serika and Karlreya bowed their heads slightly.

Their faces flushed ever so slightly.

To be honest, seeing this scene brought back memories that hurt a little.

It reminded me of that girl who scowled at me for no apparent reason after becoming my partner in elementary school.

In that sense, buddy, how’ve you been?

Even though decades have passed and I can barely remember your face or name, the emotional scars you left on me still linger as PTSD, tormenting me to this day…

While I was lost in reminiscing, gazing at the sky wistfully, Karlreya suddenly spoke up from across the table.

“By the way, Director. His Majesty sent word to you.”

“What did he say?”

“He asked when you’ll start working on the next project.”

“…Sigh.”

Hearing Karlreya’s words, I sighed deeply.

“Haven’t I already told you? I’m fine with starting the next project. But unless His Majesty agrees to my conditions, I will absolutely not create any works.”

“…Wasn’t that condition about ensuring creative freedom for your projects?”

“Yes. I don’t want anyone interfering with my creations anymore.”

I never want to experience another hearing over the ending of 「Knight Shin Chronicle」 like last time.

Honestly, I can somewhat understand why there was such a fuss last time.

After all, showing such a shocking conclusion right away to people in this world, who aren’t yet immune to anime as a genre, was probably asking for trouble.

Modern audiences might think it’s ridiculous to throw a fit over an anime ending, but anyone who loves manga or anime knows the feeling:

When a story you’ve been loving suddenly ends with a random, infuriating twist, it’s impossible not to feel homicidal rage toward the creator.

Take me, for instance—I cursed endlessly after discovering the protagonist had randomly committed suicide alongside the villain in a favorite manga’s abrupt finale.

But understanding the Emperor’s feelings doesn’t mean I accept his interference.

Last time, I didn’t protest much because I’d planned the “true ending” of 「Knight Shin Chronicle」 from the beginning.

If His Majesty throws another tantrum over the ending of the next project and forces me to revise it every time, I’d rather not make anything at all.

There’s one thing I won’t compromise on, no matter what.

“I’ve also conveyed this to His Majesty. He promised not to interfere with any of your projects going forward, no matter what happens. Even if humanity is destroyed again, he said he won’t say a word.”

“…”

The anime-obsessed Emperor wouldn’t utter such words lightly, so it’s clear Karlreya must have done quite some convincing.

And since I’ve already decided not to include “humanity-ending conclusions” unless absolutely necessary, it seems everything will work out fine.

Just then…

“Apprentice, since we’re talking about anime production, when do you plan to honor the promise you made to this teacher?”

“Promise? What promise?”

“You agreed to grant me one favor in exchange for my help with Knight Shin control last time, remember? Surely you’re not planning to forget that already?”

“…Hmm.”

Now that you mention it, yes, that did happen.

“So… wasn’t it the request to make an anime featuring mages?”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s right.”

With a vigorous nod, my teacher continued.

“While watching 「Knight Shin Chronicle,」 I realized nothing is better than anime for stirring people up and getting them excited. If we made an anime centered on mages, surely more talented newcomers would willingly flock to the magic tower—not slaves, obviously.”

“…”

I stared at my teacher with a deadpan expression, while Karlreya also chimed in, seemingly remembering something.

“Ah, right. Speaking of which, His Majesty has a message for you, Director.”

“…? Go on.”

“If you haven’t decided on your next project yet, His Majesty would like to recommend a theme. Of course, it’s not mandatory.”

“…A recommended theme? From His Majesty himself?”

“Yes. Apparently, His Majesty wants you to create an anime based on the legend of the Empire’s founder, the Knight King. His Majesty is particularly fond of myths and legends like these.”

Karlreya said this with a slightly bashful expression, and I found myself deep in thought.

Certainly, it wasn’t a bad suggestion.

Even in 21st-century Earth, comics and anime based on myths and legends were immensely popular.

With some effort, creating an interesting anime using the world’s Knight King legend seemed entirely possible.

But…

“…Apprentice? So what about the mage-themed anime?”

My teacher looked at me anxiously, clearly worried that accepting the Emperor’s proposal would cancel their own request.

“How could it go? Since we can’t mix both themes into one anime, one of them will have to wait until later—”

Right at that moment…

“…Wait a second.”

An utterly devilish idea flashed through my mind.

What if we created an anime where mages were the main characters…

But simultaneously used the Knight King legend as its basis?

“Hey, Karlreya. Just one question.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Since I’m unfamiliar with the Knight King legend… Was the Knight King male or female?”

“Um… As far as I know, the Knight King was male.”

“…Hmm.”

Seems the Knight King in this world was male, unlike on Earth.

This was indeed unfortunate news, but not insurmountable.

Because…

“Karlreya. May I ask something hypothetical?”

“Yes?”

“What do you think about… gender-swapping the Knight King?”

“…Pardon?”

“In other words, what do you think about making the Knight King a woman?”

“…?”