Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

“Ragna, could you take a look at this?”

“…What is it now?”

“Well, it’s a new collaborative doujinshi of ‘Machine God Chronicles’ and ‘Book of Life and Death’ that our doujin circle just printed. Actually, my favorite characters are Eileen and Saya, and that fact will never change, but the design of Marie, who could be called the heroine of ‘Book of Life and Death’, is quite nice too. So this time I drew a doujinshi combining the two worlds, does it look okay?”

“…..”

To be honest, I felt like I was going to die of embarrassment.

Kaisel had been going on and on about the doujinshi he drew while holding onto me in this place where envoys from all countries were gathered.

‘Shit.’

I wanted to shut Kaisel’s mouth right now, but unfortunately, there were too many watching eyes around at this moment.

In other words, there was no means for a mere second son of a baron’s family to legally shut Kaisel’s mouth.

Just as I and Kaisel were in full bloom with our disgustingly warm otaku talk.

“I see, so Ragna-nim produced the work ‘Book of Life and Death’ using Duke Grinewald’s idea.”

“No, strictly speaking, Father’s idea was just a crude thing at the level of a simple delusion. But it was Ragna’s ability that sublimated that crude idea into a work.”

“…..”

Serika and Kaya were singing praises about me to the envoys from other kingdoms.

But wait, Serika….

Even so… isn’t the Duke your dad…?

Is it okay to talk about your dad behind his back in front of people from other countries like that?

And actually, even ‘Book of Life and Death’ can’t be called my original…?

As I was looking up at the sky and lamenting, with nowhere to escape no matter where I looked.

“Oh, by the way, what is Ragna-nim’s title?”

“…Excuse me? The Director’s title?”

“Yes. According to rumors I’ve heard, Ragna-nim is from quite a prestigious family. No, if you can casually produce masterpieces like ‘Machine God Chronicles’ and ‘Book of Life and Death’, you must have received an extraordinary education, right?”

At the envoy’s words, Kaya and Serika made somewhat embarrassed expressions, then sighed and said.

“Well… actually, the Director doesn’t have a noble title.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The Director is the second son of a baron family, but that family already has an official heir.”

That’s right.

I was legally of noble status, but.

At the same time, I didn’t have a title like duke, marquis, count, or viscount.

Because the official heir of the family was my older brother, so he was also the one to inherit the next baron title.

Well, I wasn’t particularly interested in the position of a lord that would only give me headaches and a lot of responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the envoys’ expressions change somewhat mysteriously at Kaya’s answer.

“…Huh. You mean he had no title?”

“And it was a baron family…? No, is that even possible?”

And seeing their reactions, I felt some hope arising.

What, you guys… have you finally gotten pissed off?

Because the person who rebuked you earlier is actually a nobody who doesn’t even have a title?

Well, doesn’t it appear a lot in Korean web novels?

Noble villains who treat those of lower status carelessly and treat commoners like insects.

Were the envoys who came to the Empire actually having personalities like typical noble villains?

Then are you finally going to show something?

Are you ready to expand this issue into a diplomatic problem between the Empire and other countries?

As I harbored secret expectations towards the envoys.

Unfortunately, reality seemed to be extremely cold.

Because.

“This is truly ridiculous. Is this how poorly the Empire treats talents?”

…What?

“Ragna-nim’s animations are currently shaking the entire continent beyond the Empire. Along with that, the Empire’s status is also skyrocketing. Yet you’re saying the Empire side hasn’t given any title to someone who has achieved such great merit?”

“That’s right. The Empire truly has no eye for people. If it were our country, we would have already bestowed at least a decent title on Ragna-nim.”

“In that sense, Ragna-nim, would you perhaps consider naturalizing to our country? If you naturalize to our country, I promise we’ll hang those useless parasites and offer you the territories they held!”

“Hey, where do you think you’re cutting in line? Ragna-nim, if you’re thinking of naturalizing, I think the wisest choice would be to come to our country, which has the most prime territory in the southern continent-”

“…..”

And so I was left speechless at this unexpected development.

Serika and Kaya, who had been quietly listening to this from the side, showed quite serious expressions.

“Certainly… someone like Ragna wouldn’t be strange to receive one or two decent titles. At least a baron title… maybe even a viscount title might be fully possible…”

“Yes. I was planning to formally propose to His Majesty soon anyway. The Director needs to be given at least a count title to have an equal status with a member of the Imperial Family.”

“…Wait a moment. An equal relationship, you say?”

“Yes. Is there any problem, Serika?”

“Don’t play dumb…! The reason you’re trying to give Ragna a count title. It’s actually because you’re aiming for Ragna, isn’t it! Did you think I wouldn’t know that at least a count title is needed to have a relationship with a member of the Imperial Family!”

“My goodness. I didn’t have such an intention, but come to think of it, I suppose such an interpretation is possible.”

“Kaya-nim. I’ve known Ragna for ten years as a childhood friend. There’s no place for another woman by Ragna’s side now…!”

“My, come to think of it, I remember His Highness Kaisel saying something like this when we were discussing comics in the past. What was it again? Something about childhood friends being entities whose defeat is already promised…?”

“…..”

I felt dizzy.

I couldn’t understand exactly what was being said between Serika and Kaya right now, but.

I instinctively realized.

That intervening in the conversation between those two right now would be nothing more or less than an act of suicide.

“…In that sense, I’d really like to see a blonde-haired beautiful girl like Eileen from ‘Machine God Chronicles’ appear in your new work this time. Oh, how about making the Knight King a blonde-haired beautiful girl? I think viewers might like something like a love story between the Knight King and a current Academy student-”

“…..”

Right.

You’re admirably consistent.

Keep living like an otaku like that in the future too.

As I was busy letting Kaisel’s otaku talk go in one ear and out the other.

Kaisel glanced at where the envoys were gathered and then opened his mouth in a small voice.

“By the way, Ragna. There’s one thing I want to ask you.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“…Do you really intend to include those heroes from their countries that they’re talking about in your new work? You know, seeing your attitude now, it doesn’t seem like you have any particular thoughts.”

At Kaisel’s question, I shrugged and said.

“I don’t know. If I think it fits the development of the work, I’ll include them, if not, I won’t.”

The number of heroes I’m going to feature in this work is eight in total, and.

Among the eight, four characters are confirmed to appear, so there are still four spots left.

So if I think they fit the atmosphere of the work sufficiently, it’s possible to include heroes from their countries as well, isn’t it?

The envoys also said they wouldn’t interfere with my making of the animation, so there’s no need for me to be particularly mindful of them.

“…Wait, you said four heroes are confirmed to appear?”

But at my words, Kaisel tilts his head.

“You told me a while ago. That you were thinking of featuring the Hero King, the founder of the Empire, the Great Mage, and the Knight King. But you’re saying there’s one more past hero whose appearance is confirmed besides them?”

“Well. I don’t think there’s a rule that only past heroes have to appear, is there?”

“…What?”

At those words, Kaisel made an expression of utter incomprehension, but.

Unfortunately, I had no intention of explaining any further to Kaisel.

Because this was nothing short of the most crucial spoiler for my next work.

A characteristic of otaku.

They go crazy for developments like fighting against oneself.

My current self fiercely fighting against my future self?
And at the end, my future self acknowledges my current self and lends me power?
Honestly, I absolutely can’t resist this, you know?