Chapter 33

The people of this world often have a tendency to look down on casual otaku who enjoy anime and games.

There’s no need to look far; just check how casual otaku are treated in society, and you’ll understand all too well.

For instance, when a fast-food joint or coffee shop hosts a collaboration event tied to otaku culture…

“Uh, um, excuse me…”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Well, it’s not that… but…”

“For crying out loud, mumble all you want, but I can’t hear what you’re saying! What the heck are you trying to say, huh?”

“Boss, is this guy here for that thing?”

“That thing? Oh, you mean THAT?”

“Oh, right! I almost forgot about that. No wonder so many people today couldn’t even place their orders properly!”

“Hey, give me one of those otaku items from that guy!”

“Yes, one otaku item coming up!”

Just from this kind of conversation happening without a second thought, you can clearly see how casual otaku are treated in society.

But does that mean it’s okay to dismiss casual otaku outright? Absolutely not.

Because while they may be lacking in other areas, they excel in one crucial factor: purchasing power.

It’s no big deal for them to buy dozens of idol albums just to collect raffle tickets for fan meet-and-greets, and high-end models costing hundreds of thousands of won sell out instantly upon release. Why else would stores host otaku-themed collaborations if not to see their sales skyrocket?

In short, it all boils down to one simple statement:

“Casual otaku make money!”

If you manage to tap into their preferences and fulfill their needs through any means possible, extracting cash from them becomes incredibly easy.

That’s why we’ve prepared something special.

Not to steal the pocket money of «Knight Shin Chronicle» fans… but as a modest way to thank all the fans who’ve loved «Knight Shin Chronicle» so far, we’re hosting a festival.

After some deliberation on what to abbreviate it as, we’ve simply dubbed it ‘G-Star’ for clarity.

Still, it’s better than calling it Comike, right?

While I was preparing G-Star by renting the plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, Serika and Karlreya beside me looked at me with expressions of admiration.

“Ragnar… You must have been extremely busy producing «Knight Shin Chronicle», yet when did you find time to prepare an event like this? The scale and content of the event don’t seem like they were put together in just a day or two.”

“Naturally, it started from the very beginning.”

Because I knew from the start that a simple TVA anime wouldn’t make money.

So, from the beginning, I planned to use anime-related events to collect money from viewers, preparing everything ahead of time.

…Though, I never imagined the Emperor’s mess would lead to hosting a festival.

“If there’s anything we can assist you with, please let us know. The Imperial Household will always be ready to support Director.”

Karlreya’s words made me slowly shake my head as I replied.

“No, thank you. But I’d prefer not to rely on the help of the Imperial Household for this event.”

“Huh? Why?”

‘Well, if I get help from the Imperial Household, I’d have to share the profits from this event. I want to hog all the profits like a pig.’

But despite those inner thoughts, my tongue obediently said something else entirely.

“Well, this event is for the viewers who cherish and love «Knight Shin Chronicle». Given its purpose, I’d rather not accept outside help if I can avoid it.”

“Ahh, so there’s such deep meaning behind it!”

Karlreya looked at me with shining eyes.

And as she did, I felt an inexplicable sense of guilt, looking up at the sky.

Yeah, this is how we all grow up…

Anyway, whether it’s cleaning up the Emperor’s mess or securing my future pension, the «Knight Shin Chronicle»-themed festival, G-Star, is finally set to begin.

***

The day of the festival coincided with the day before episode 26 of «Knight Shin Chronicle» aired.

Naturally, once word spread about the «Knight Shin Chronicle»-themed festival, G-Star, throngs of people flocked to participate.

The plaza in front of the palace, capable of accommodating tens of thousands easily due to its vast size, was packed to the brim in no time.

“Is this where we can experience various events related to «Knight Shin Chronicle»?”

“I’m more curious about the voice actors of the characters. Rumor has it the actress who plays Saya is stunningly beautiful…”

“I want the exclusive goods only obtainable via lottery. No matter the cost, I must get the 1:1 scale model of the Zero Knight!”

People entered the square filled with various expectations.

“Wow, what is this?”

“Good grief, it’s incredible!”

Upon entering, they doubted their own eyes.

Despite being large enough to accommodate tens of thousands, the previously barren plaza, save for a few benches, had transformed into something resembling a futuristic base straight out of «Knight Shin Chronicle».

‘Of course, most of it is just an illusion created using magic, aside from a few props.’

Impossible in 21st-century Earth, but feasible in this fantasy world where magic exists.

Ragnar originally wanted to fully recreate the Illuminati base, but time constraints made it impossible.

Thus, while Ragnar silently lamented the lack of realism, the visitors felt otherwise.

“Look! This is the table where Linnea and Rachel usually relax and drink coffee!”

“This seems to be the control room where operators report data about the Knights!”

“There’s the warehouse where the Knights are stored! Let’s go check it out!”

To them, stepping into the world of «Knight Shin Chronicle» they usually watched on TV brought immense satisfaction.

Every corner offered something to explore, making it a dreamlike place for fans.

Yet, there was one spot drawing everyone’s attention.

“Oh, ohhhhh!”

“So, this is the actual 1:1 scale model of the Zero Knight, huh?”

Indeed.

At the center of the festival stood a meticulously crafted model of the Zero Knight, towering over 40 meters tall, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.

Even this alone moved the «Knight Shin Chronicle» fans deeply, but Ragnar wasn’t done yet.

[ROOOAAAR!]

“Wha, what?! It’s moving!”

“What, what is this?! It’s not just a model?”

“Could it be… Director really made a real Knight?!”

Suddenly, the Zero Knight, which had been standing still at the heart of the festival, roared and moved its arm.

Standing 40 meters tall, anyone with eyes couldn’t miss its massive limbs swinging around.

At that moment, as all eyes turned toward the Zero Knight model…

Wheeeeee!

The core of the Zero Knight opened, revealing a figure in a pilot suit walking out.

None other than…

“The Empress?!”

“What? That person in the pilot suit is the Empress?!”

“So the person who just piloted the Zero Knight was the Empress herself?!”

“Good heavens, could the Empress actually be a compatible Knight pilot?!”

Seeing Karlreya step out of the Zero Knight, the crowd was utterly astonished.

Of course, this was all part of a show masterminded by Ragnar.

‘Since the Emperor messed things up, I have to clean it up this way.’

This was Ragnar’s plan to counteract the subtle decline in the Imperial House’s authority caused by the Emperor’s antics.

Sure, Ragnar wasn’t brimming with loyalty to the Imperial House; he was just worried about the welfare of the pigs.

Nevertheless, Ragnar successfully drew everyone’s attention to the Zero Knight model, addressing the audience calmly.

“Gentlemen and ladies, did you see it? This is the secret war machine, the Zero Knight, built to repel all enemies threatening the Empire.”

Without changing his expression, Ragnar spoke with utmost seriousness.

At Disneyland in America, employees maintain their character roles thoroughly to create an immersive atmosphere of “the land of dreams” for visitors.

Similarly, Ragnar intended to immerse the attendees in the world of «Knight Shin Chronicle» by sticking strictly to the concept.

“The Zero Knight, especially, cannot be activated by anyone other than a compatible pilot. However, since Her Majesty the Empress, the sole compatible pilot in the Empire, has pre-activated it, everyone here can board the Knight without issue.”

“Oh, wow!”

“That’s exactly like the setting in «Knight Shin Chronicle»!”

Listening to the pure reactions of the crowd, Ragnar smiled.

“Then, let’s now draw lots to allow some of you to board the Knight yourselves. Today, you will become the pilots defending the Empire…”

***

Meanwhile, at the plaza in front of the palace.

A diplomatic envoy from the Richard Kingdom, visiting the Empire after several years due to certain matters, tilted his head in confusion.

Why? Because right in front of the palace stood a towering steel giant, easily surpassing several dozen meters in height.

“What… is that thing…?”

It was something he, an experienced envoy who had seen it all, had never encountered before.

As he felt an ominous pressure emanating from the giant, suddenly a voice explaining its purpose reached his ears.

– Ladies and gentlemen, behold! This is the secret weapon created to repel all threats to the Empire: the Zero Knight.

Upon hearing this explanation of the steel giant’s purpose, the envoy’s complexion turned deathly pale.

“What?! A war machine…?”

So, that towering giant was actually a secret weapon created by the Empire to invade other countries…?