Well, there I was, deep in thought about how to mess around with the plot of “Fate’s Sky.”
Not only the staff living in the Baronage Terison but also the voice actors staying in the city had arrived here safely, news came.
So, without further ado, I issued a summons to all the staff immediately.
You see, there was something I absolutely had to convey to everyone regarding the production of this anime.
On the very day all the staff gathered at the Baronage Terison…
I started by introducing the newcomers joining my animation production team this time.
“Hello, I am Evangelin von Thieria, who will be taking on the role of the protagonist’s junior in ‘Fate’s Sky.'”
Evangelin flashed a smile and gave a polite bow as she greeted everyone.
Though it was a pretty standard greeting like anyone else’s, her every small movement exuded an air of dignity, no doubt due to her background.
“Oh, are you around the same age as Miss Reiz? For some reason, you seem to look like it?”
“Wow… She’s incredibly beautiful, isn’t she? Some might even say she rivals Serika or Karlreya!”
Most of the staff were busy marveling at Evangelin’s face, but those who knew even a little about her background and identity weren’t so relaxed.
“…Evangelin von Thieria? Didn’t I see her face at that audition for ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ a while back…?”
“No way, but if Thieria means… could it possibly be that Thieria Ducal House?”
“Now that I think about it, I did hear rumors about a young lady around Reiz’s age in the Thieria Ducal House…”
The staff looked quite astonished, but having worked with heavyweights like Serika and Karlreya for over a year, they didn’t react too dramatically.
The person who reacted most wildly to all this wasn’t anyone else but Reiz.
“Miss Evangelin! You’ve finally come!”
And just like that, Reiz, seemingly thrilled to meet her peer after such a long time, hugged Evangelin tightly and bounced around joyfully.
All the staff, including myself, couldn’t help but smile warmly at Reiz’s antics.
Honestly, compared to a room full of grumpy uncles in the animation production environment, having someone cute like her around isn’t bad, right?
“Hmm… Never would’ve guessed this young lady would join the production team. By any chance, was it you who casted her?”
At Serika’s question, I simply nodded.
“Since we’ll need quite a number of voice actors for ‘Fate’s Sky,’ I decided to take this opportunity to cast her.”
As per the story setting, there are seven teams of mages and heroes participating in the ‘Full Moon Ritual,’ which is a core element of ‘Fate’s Sky.’
In other words, we’ll need fourteen main roles filled by voice actors.
So, during the auditions for ‘Knight Shin Chronicle,’ I hadn’t forgotten about Evangelin’s impressive acting skills, hence casting her now.
“Could it be otherwise? Wasn’t it out of gratitude for Evangelin helping Reiz at the Academy that you cast her for this project?”
“…”
At Serika’s words, I merely cleared my throat and avoided answering directly.
…Whatever, if Reiz likes her so much, that’s more than enough reason to cast Evangelin, isn’t it?
Anyway, once introductions from Evangelin and the other new members joining the production team were done, I slowly rose from my seat.
Everyone in the meeting room turned their gaze toward me.
“Hello. There may be some of you meeting me for the first time today, so allow me to introduce myself. I’m Ragnar Terison, director of this work, ‘Fate’s Sky.'”
Setting down the setting book and script of ‘Fate’s Sky’ in my hand, I made eye contact with each member of the staff.
“To cut to the chase, since I don’t like beating around the bush, let me get straight to the point. The reason I’ve gathered you all here before we officially begin producing ‘Fate’s Sky’ is rather simple. There’s something I wanted to earnestly request from all of you beforehand.”
“…Something you wanted to earnestly request?”
“What exactly is it?”
While hearing the staff’s puzzled questions, I smiled faintly.
“It’s simple. What I want to say is that I intend to take full control over all aspects of producing ‘Fate’s Sky,’ including the storyline development.”
“…Huh?”
Instantly, the staff wore expressions of bewilderment.
“So, what you’re saying is… Director, you’re telling us not to interfere in making this work?”
“Yes. After careful consideration, I believe it would be best if I solely create ‘Fate’s Sky.'”
I chuckled slightly as I spoke.
“So, without further ado, I’d appreciate it if everyone follows my orders quietly regarding this project.”
Of course, no matter what, even if I’m the director, I can’t just make an anime however I please.
It’s true that in anime production, the director’s word holds the highest priority.
However, since anime production is a collaborative effort involving all the staff, they have legitimate rights to speak up too.
In short, my statement just now was nothing more than pure coercion.
‘But for this anime production, I must have full authority.’
Because in creating this new work, ‘Fate’s Sky,’ there will likely be plenty of unconventional developments and settings.
Didn’t the staff irritate me last time during the production of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ by saying things like how Knight Shin was unrealistic, or that Outsiders should be one-hit KO’d by a Great Mage’s Meteor Shower?
If they saw the protagonist’s ‘ability,’ which disregards the law of equivalent exchange, or the ‘Barrier Magic’ that completely defies common sense, they’d probably foam at the mouth.
Thus, to prevent such situations, I decided to take full control over the production of ‘Fate’s Sky.’
“…”
“…”
Silence fell.
Well, it’s understandable. Who in this world would like being told that their opinions will be ignored and they’ll just be given work?
Therefore, I was fully prepared for the staff to protest or throw a tantrum.
Actually, I secretly hoped something like that would happen.
Because if it became known that there was discord between the director and the staff in the creation of ‘Fate’s Sky…’
Especially if the discord arose because the director tried to take full control of the production process, people would surely heap criticism solely on me.
If that resentment built up against me gradually, when controversial developments occurred later in ‘Fate’s Sky,’ there wouldn’t be anyone left to defend me.
No matter how things turn out, I won’t suffer any losses.
A truly clever strategy, thinking two, no, three steps ahead.
Just then, as I was inwardly smiling contentedly…
“…Hmm, well. I agree with the director’s opinion.”
Serika said this with a somewhat casual tone.
“As everyone here knows, none of the things the director has forcefully pushed through so far have failed, right? So, perhaps letting the director do as he pleases will benefit the success of this work?”
“I, I also agree with Serika-san.”
Reiz, though softly, opened her mouth with a steady voice.
“During the production of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ and ‘Life and Death Department,’ the director always considered me while making the works. S-so, I think there must be a reason behind the director saying such things. I… will follow the director’s words without question.”
With these two leading actresses voicing their agreement, the staff seemed convinced and nodded their heads.
“Indeed, Serika-san and Reiz-chan aren’t wrong. So far, nothing the director has asked us to do has failed, right?”
“Director Ragnar has been an excellent person who provided us with amazing salaries and benefits when all we could do was wander around theaters for scraps. It seems reasonable to assume there’s a hidden reason behind his request.”
After muttering amongst themselves, the staff ultimately allowed me to take full control without resistance.
“…”
Thus, I successfully obtained full authority over ‘Fate’s Sky’ from the staff without expending any effort.
This is undoubtedly not a bad thing…
But what is it…?
Even though everything went according to my plan, this unpleasant feeling lingering somehow…?
“Then, let’s move on to discussing the story progression.”
I began speaking with a somewhat melancholy tone.
“Do you remember the hero wielding a black spear from the PV of ‘Fate’s Sky’?”
“Ah, are you talking about Chris, the hero of the Federation?”
“The scene where he fights against the man wielding two swords caused quite a stir.”
The female staff members excitedly chimed in.
“I heard that thanks to that PV, ‘Fate’s Sky’ has skyrocketed in popularity within the Federation.”
“Also, many women have become fans of Chris due to his handsome looks and flashy combat scenes.”
Listening to the female staff’s comments, I nodded.
“Out of caution, I suggest the production team not to overly favor the character Chris.”
“? Why not?”
“Well, Chris is set to appear as the antagonist in ‘Fate’s Sky.’ In fact, he’ll be the one directly killing the protagonist. Additionally, Chris himself will end up quite unfortunate as the story progresses.”
“…What?”
Instantly, all the staff present froze in shock.
“Did you just say… what exactly?”
“What did I say? That in ‘Fate’s Sky,’ I’m planning to make things particularly miserable for the spear-wielding hero, that’s all.”
“…No, I mean before that.”
Seeing the staff questioning me with trembling voices…
I casually responded.
“Oh, now that I think about it, I forgot to mention this to you all. In episode 1, the protagonist is scheduled to meet his demise at the hands of Chris. Specifically, Chris will pierce a hole through the protagonist’s heart.”
“…Huh?”
So, the Federation is eagerly anticipating how their national hero will perform in the story, huh?
No way.
Would they still cheer on seeing their hero clearly playing the villain and killing the protagonist?
