Chapter 7

Ragnar’s theatrical anime creation, “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel.”

After watching it, the Duke couldn’t help but think to himself:

“Completely insane.”

An utterly ordinary country girl named ‘Eli’ accidentally stumbles into the magical realm of the spirits while playing in the forest.

Naturally, the spirits aren’t too thrilled about this uninvited guest at first.

But thanks to the incredibly handsome and talented mage ‘Hammel’ protecting her, Eli manages to survive.

Under Hammel’s protection, Eli begins working in the spirit realm, gradually befriending the spirits.

However, she discovers that her protector carries a deadly curse.

And worse yet, she learns the Spirit King who rules over the realm is the one who placed the curse on Hammel.

So Eli pleads with the Spirit King to lift the curse, who then subjects her to numerous trials.

Through these trials, Eli realizes true love is the only key to breaking the curse, eventually freeing Hammel.

Even the Spirit King acknowledges their true love and sends them back to the human world.

Back in the human world, the two share another kiss, bringing the story to an end.

From Ragnar’s perspective, he had simply mashed together plots from Disney and Pixar animations like some kind of chimera.

But the Duke, unaware of this, thought differently.

“That guy Ragnar is truly a genius.”

A simple story of a girl meeting a boy and falling magically in love.

While this might seem like a common tale,

Ragnar’s use of the fantastical ‘Spirit Realm’ as a backdrop captivated audiences.

The dreamlike setting made it impossible not to be drawn into Eli and Hammel’s romance.

“How could he come up with such an incredible idea? The gathering place of all the world’s spirits and their resting ground – amazing.”

This wasn’t the end of it.

“Hammel is actually narrow-minded and pathetic. But he’s also honest and loves nature. He would never harm a spirit. I believe this fact. Please lift the curse on him, Spirit King.”

Recalling Serika’s voice after watching Ragnar’s first animation “Nymph and Goblin,”

The Duke realized just how much adding voices enhanced the experience.

When beautiful voices, including Serika’s, came together, the synergy was explosive.

Even knowing it was just an animated picture, the Duke couldn’t help but wonder if somewhere in the world Eli and Hammel’s love was real.

“At least in this, I must thank that guy Ragnar for giving Serika the chance to showcase her beautiful voice to the world.”

The art was stunning, the backgrounds meticulously crafted, and the music captivating – all created in just two months.

Truthfully, Ragnar had just used magic to replicate concept art and OSTs from works he’d seen in his past life.

But unaware of this, the Duke could only marvel.

“Unfortunately, that’s all there is.”

The Duke judged the situation.

“While entertaining and educational, and worthy of being called a masterpiece by anyone,

That boy was born in the wrong era.

Because the people of this world don’t fully understand what ‘animation’ is or the significance of Ragnar’s work.

They wouldn’t pay money to watch it.

Sure, it might have moderate success, but that’s all.

Ultimately, his animation will fail.”

With this conclusion, the Duke thought:

“When the animation flops, I’ll use that as an excuse to separate him from Serika. Perfect.”

As time passed, the day of the official release of “The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel” approached.

The Duke planned to visit the theater when the screening ended.

While personally hoping for failure, he still had a duty to observe the audience’s reactions as an investor.

However…

“…This can’t be right.”

The Duke involuntarily made a baffled expression.

Because the road leading to the theater was jammed with carriages, like a traffic jam.

The theater, from the entrance to the main hall, was packed with people.

These people were the owners of the carriages filling the streets.

“So, who exactly made this animation?”

“The creator or someone from the theater staff, get out here now! Before I buy the whole thing!”

“My daughter has questions about the content! Get someone out here!”

Though normally dignified and elegant nobles,

They were now shouting loudly, having lost their minds an hour after the screening ended.

Eventually, the theater owner and staff tried pleading with them to leave since the screening was over.

But these nobles, who usually looked down on commoners, wouldn’t listen to such requests.

Especially not in their current frenzied state.

“Just go home? No, bring out the creator then! I want to talk to him! Why are you making excuses!”

“Tell us who voiced Eli and Hammel! We want to know their identities!”

The theater owner, authorized by Duke Grinevalt, nervously explained:

“The creator’s identity is confidential due to personal reasons. Same goes for the voice actors.”

“What? Are you joking with us? Is that even proper speech?”

“…Any information related to the animation’s content is also confidential. If you’re curious, come back tomorrow and watch it again. Watching it a second time feels quite different.”

“That’s obvious! Of course I’ll watch it again tomorrow! The aftertaste is still so strong!”

Seeing the nobles agree so naturally, the theater owner quietly spoke:

“Today’s screening was a special preview for nobles only, but starting tomorrow we plan to open viewing opportunities to everyone. Meaning, commoners with money can watch too.”

“So… you’re saying we should sit with commoners to watch the animation?”

“…While increasing the number of people who appreciate this work is good, isn’t that a bit…”

Some nobles showed reluctant expressions, but the theater owner quickly responded:

“Of course, special VVIP box seats for nobles will be available. Though they are slightly more expensive than regular seats…”

“…Can we reserve those seats right now? I’ll pay double the original price.”

“I will too! Make it triple, no quadruple!”

“Quintuple, no ten times!”

Already costing at least ten times more than regular seats,

The nobles casually offered to pay ten times that amount.

Seeing this, the theater owner spoke:

“To all esteemed guests who watched ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel,’ wouldn’t you feel a bit disappointed to just leave?”

“…? Of course we would. That’s why we’re still here.”

“So quickly bring out the creators or voice actors. We have mountains of questions about the production!”

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. However… for those who feel disappointed, the creator has prepared something special.”

Saying this, the theater owner pointed to a store set up in a corner of the theater.

“…W-what is THAT?!”

Seeing it, the nobles widened their eyes.

The store’s true identity was none other than:

“A special store selling merchandise related to ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel.'”

The theater owner cheerfully announced:

“Mini statues of the main characters Eli and Hammel, Hammel’s staff, spirit-themed dolls…”

“…”

“These items, specially produced in very limited quantities for true fans, will be exclusively available for purchase by those present today. While they are a bit pricey, I believe true fans understand their value…”

“…!”

For a moment, an eerie silence fell.

But it didn’t last long.

“I’ll go first! All the mini statues of Eli and Hammel are mine!”

“Give me Hammel’s staff quickly! I’m a mage too! With this, I can use magic like Hammel!”

“Spirit dolls! My daughter loves Undine so much! Price doesn’t matter, just give them to me!”

“…”

Watching this chaos, the Duke was left speechless.

“Could it be that when Ragnar asked for secondary creation rights during the contract, it was all for this…?”

What a terrifying kid.

At this moment, the Duke genuinely felt fear toward this person named Ragnar.