Though it may sound like an all-new story now that I mention it…
Empress Karlreya von Loengram was a huge fan of “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel.”
Just how much of a fanatic? She’d already watched “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel” over ten times and collected every statue and merchandise related to it.
So, it was only natural that the Empress became a fan of Ragnar, the creator behind the phenomenon known as anime.
‘Ragnar Terison. The once-in-a-lifetime genius who created “Nymph and Goblin” and “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel.”‘
The Grinevalt Dukehouse had done their best to keep Ragnar’s identity hidden…
But the Imperial Household’s intelligence network eventually succeeded in uncovering his true identity.
Once the Empress learned about the creator of “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,” she couldn’t help but become curious about this man named Ragnar.
‘How on earth does he imagine and create such worlds?’
The world he depicted through animation was highly emotional and dreamlike, with stories born from those backgrounds being incredibly sophisticated and beautiful.
Of course, Ragnar was merely borrowing storyboards and clichés painstakingly crafted by countless animators from Earth…
But unaware of this, the Empress could only marvel at him.
And so, her admiration for Ragnar grew beyond mere fandom—she wanted to know who this man truly was.
That’s why…
As soon as they discovered Ragnar’s identity, she sent an invitation to bring him to the palace.
‘According to reports, he’s merely the second son of the baronage, without any inheritance rights.’
Ragnar Terison, despite his extraordinary talent, was ostracized from noble society and lived a life akin to that of a freeloader.
His creation of such fantastical animated worlds must have been partly driven by a desire to escape his own miserable reality.
Thus, the Empress deliberately invited Ragnar to the palace.
A select few among the many nobles ever receive an invitation to the palace.
Through this gesture, she wanted to convey that she noticed and supported him.
However…
“Lord Ragnar declined Her Majesty’s invitation.”
“…What did you say?”
“He refused your invitation because he didn’t want to be disturbed while brainstorming a sequel to ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel.’ He was very firm about it, so there wasn’t much more I could say.”
“…..”
This was entirely unexpected.
That he would reject her invitation…
In other circumstances, the Empress might have felt slightly annoyed upon hearing Hilde’s report.
She had extended a courteous invitation to Ragnar out of consideration…
Yet Ragnar dismissed her offer outright.
No one likes someone casually brushing aside their goodwill.
But…
“Your Majesty, Lord Ragnar insists this is his sincere apology.”
With that, Hilde handed the Empress a gift sent by Ragnar.
“This… this is…”
It was none other than original concept art and setting books from “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,” personally signed by Ragnar himself.
The signature read: “Wishing Lady Karlreya good fortune.”
Truthfully, Ragnar was just offloading various materials he no longer needed after producing the anime…
But for the Empress, an avid fan of “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,” this gift was extraordinary.
“There are treasures like these in this world besides statues and merchandises!”
The Empress gleefully examined the concept arts and setting books of “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel” like a child.
Until now, she’d watched the anime over ten times just to memorize the backgrounds and characters…
But with these concept arts, there was no need to do so anymore.
They contained hand-drawn sketches of the spirit realm and illustrations of characters like Eli and Hammel.
Moreover, the setting book revealed hidden details not included in the anime due to time constraints.
For example, Eli and Hammel’s families, the nature of Hammel’s magic, or why the Spirit King had to imprison them.
Perusing these hidden settings, the Empress couldn’t help but feel exhilarated.
‘In this world, excluding Ragnar, I am now the person who knows “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel” best!’
At the café outside the theater showing “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,” self-proclaimed experts debated anime-related topics all day long…
But having received the setting book directly from Ragnar, the Empress was now on a whole new level compared to those commoners.
If she were to debate with them again, she could effortlessly “refute” them before they even opened their mouths.
This sense of superiority now fueled the Empress’s boundless benevolence toward Ragnar.
“…So, Ragnar Terison is currently planning a sequel to ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,’ is he?”
Holding the concept arts and setting books in her hands, the Empress muttered softly.
“Then… there’s nothing I can do. I can’t let my selfish desire to meet him ruin the sequel to ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel.'”
“Then…”
“Cancel the invitation to the palace.”
“…A wise decision, Your Majesty.”
Relieved, Hilde sighed and spoke.
“From what I see, Lord Ragnar seems to have gone back home to relieve the stress from making ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel.’ Moreover, since Lady Serica is also with him, there’s no need to disturb him.”
“…Hmm, what did you say?”
Suddenly, the Empress furrowed her brow.
“Who is with whom?”
“Ah, did you not know?”
Hilde looked perplexed as she explained.
“Currently, Lady Serica El Grinevalt of the Grinevalt Dukehouse is with Lord Ragnar. They seem to be enjoying a vacation together…”
“…Serica El Grinevalt?”
That name was certainly familiar to the Empress.
How could she not know?
The jewel of the Grinevalt Dukehouse and one of the most beautiful women in the empire alongside herself…
Why on earth was she spending time with Ragnar?
“Well, Lady Serica voiced the role of Eli in ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,’ you see.”
“…What?”
“Also, according to our investigation, Lord Ragnar and Lady Serica have known each other since childhood as childhood friends. Therefore, it’s not strange for them to spend time together.”
“…..”
Indeed, as Hilde said, it made sense.
Knowing each other since childhood and having the relationship of an animator and voice actor, going on vacation together wasn’t unusual.
But…
‘…Something’s irritating me.’
That was it.
The Empress inexplicably felt a strange emotion creeping up on her.
While claiming he needed to plan the sequel to “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel” and rejecting her invitation…
He was enjoying a peaceful vacation with Serica El Grinevalt?
How should she put it…
For some reason, her pride as a woman was deeply hurt.
Eventually, with her pride wounded, the Empress unconsciously snapped.
“So, you’re saying we shouldn’t invite Ragnar Terison to the palace? Then the solution is simple.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I’ll go visit him at the Terison baronage myself.”
“…Pardon?”
“Judging from how Lady Serica is already there, adding one more person shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Your Majesty… please calm down…”
Hilde’s face turned pale as she tried to stop the Empress…
Unfortunately, lost in her own world, the Empress paid no heed to Hilde’s words.
Truly severe.
‘Hm, now that things have come to this, I need to secure more of Ragnar’s autographs. Should I get one on the Ifrit doll or the Undine doll? If I can authenticate merchandise with his signature, those commoners at the café will have no choice but to acknowledge me eventually.’
