Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

Recently, “Book of Life and Death” could be said to have reached the peak of popularity within the Empire.

To describe how much, it was similar to when the genre called animation first appeared in the past, or when “Machine God Chronicles” was at the height of its popularity.

However, the popularity that “Book of Life and Death” is currently enjoying could be said to be somewhat different from that of “Machine God Chronicles” in the past.

“Machine God Chronicles”, which was Ragna’s first TV animation, was an anime enjoyed by males ranging from teenagers to as old as 40s and 50s due to its characteristics.

Mecha, and the children who have no choice but to board them, mysterious monsters, and fights to save the world.

To be honest, someone might laugh at it as childish, but it was a subject matter that would instinctively make a man’s heart race.

On the other hand, in contrast, women in the Empire tended to turn away from “Machine God Chronicles” to some extent.

Of course, among women, there were countless individuals like Evangeline who greatly enjoyed “Machine God Chronicles” and claimed to be fans.

But many women, while they might be interested in the story of “Machine God Chronicles”, couldn’t understand the men who were enthusiastic about the battles between Unit 0 and the Foreign Gods.

“It would have been better if Director Ragna had made “Machine God Chronicles” focusing more on the narrative between the characters rather than the battles of the Machine Gods.”

“That’s right. The tender relationship between Kai and Saya, or the love-hate relationship that exists between Kai and Eileen is really the essence.”

Well, to be honest, this wasn’t an issue where one could say which is right or superior.

Because it was perfectly normal for people to have different aspects that appeal to their tastes while watching animation, and.

It was the same on Earth that men praised action-packed battle scenes while women showed favor for somewhat lyrical and realistic stories.

However, all this situation was reversed due to Ragna’s second TV work, “Book of Life and Death”.

Unlike “Machine God Chronicles”, “Book of Life and Death” doesn’t feature unrealistic elements like battles by Machine Gods or the destruction of the world.

Also, unlike “Machine God Chronicles” where all sorts of settings like ‘Third Apocalypse’ or ‘Human Ascension Plan’ were rampant, the setting of “Book of Life and Death” was extremely simple.

All that exists in “Book of Life and Death” is just a battle of wits between two prideful geniuses.

Therefore, it was only natural that “Book of Life and Death” not only gained tremendous popularity among women in the Empire but also recorded a great success.

“Excuse me, Lady Florence. Did you watch episode 6 of “Book of Life and Death” that aired yesterday?”

“Yes, of course I did. As a lady of the Empire, not watching “Book of Life and Death” is like going to a ball without wearing a dress.”

It has now become a very common sight to see noble ladies talking about “Book of Life and Death” at balls, rather than romance novels or stories related to noble etiquette.

And today, at the ball of the Grinewald Duke family.
Right here, such conversations were going on among the noble ladies.

“To be honest, I don’t quite understand the recent story of “Book of Life and Death”.”

“Hmm, in what sense are you saying that?”

“Well, it’s like I don’t understand the actions of the protagonist, Louis.”

The young lady of the Egir Viscount family said, tilting her head.

“Why did Louis take the rash action of killing the imperial investigators or Alpha’s subordinates? Because he killed them unnecessarily, Alpha came to suspect Louis’s identity. If Louis had just stayed still, Alpha would never have suspected him.”

At Egir’s words, Lady Emily of the Florence Count family, standing opposite, smirked as if her words were trivial.

“My, it seems you’ve been watching “Book of Life and Death” without any thought, Lady. It’s a typical attitude of someone who knows one thing but not two, should I say?”

“…What did you say?”

“Think carefully. What was the trigger for Louis to decide to kill Alpha in episode 1 of “Book of Life and Death”?”

“…Well, it’s because Alpha noticed through psychological analysis that Zodiac was living in the eastern part of the Empire, right?”

“That’s right. At first glance, it seems like no one else could possibly figure out the identity of Zodiac, who goes around killing criminals using the transcendent object called the Book of Life and Death. But if you look at the reality, it’s not like that at all.”

Emily opened her mouth with a very haughty attitude.

“Alpha isn’t trying to catch Zodiac through magic or advanced magical engineering technology like others. He’s seeing through the psychology of the murderer called Zodiac, and is chasing the person who best fits the human image he’s drawn.”

“…So?”

“It means that Louis made the judgment that if he leaves Alpha alone, Louis might eventually be caught by Alpha.”

Emily looked down at Egir with a contemptuous attitude and said so.

“Alpha is moving very slowly but steadily towards Zodiac’s identity using profiling techniques based on human psychology and magic appropriately. Although it might take an enormous amount of time, it’s clear that Alpha would have eventually discovered that Zodiac’s identity is Louis.”

“…..”

“Louis knows this well too, which is why he’s confronting Alpha head-on, even going as far as to recklessly kill the imperial investigators or Alpha’s subordinates. Because-”

Emily clicked her tongue blatantly and delivered the finishing blow to Egir.

“The closer Alpha gets to Louis for investigation, the more Louis can also catch an opportunity to definitely kill Alpha. Currently, a high-level battle of wits is going on between them to reveal each other’s identity and name. Yet you’re saying you don’t understand Louis’s actions without even knowing that….”

“…Kuh!”

In the end, Egir, completely overwhelmed in logic, hastily hid herself, and.

Emily, watching the back of the loser, was immersed in a sense of superiority for having ‘refuted’ someone again today.

Ah- I didn’t mean to crush a noble lady raised preciously in such a ballroom with logic.

Thus, she mercilessly destroyed one lady who dared to challenge her with a conversation related to “Book of Life and Death”, but.

The passion for “Book of Life and Death” stirring in Emily’s heart showed no signs of cooling down at all.

While looking for prey to share a conversation about “Book of Life and Death” with her like that.

“…Hm?”

A certain man caught Emily’s eye.

In this ballroom where everyone was pairing up like animals in breeding season, one man sitting alone at a table.

Judging by his attire, he didn’t seem to be a young master from a very high-ranking family, but he gave the impression of being quite handsome.

And, at the same time.

“Excuse me, Young Master.”

Emily asked the man with the most polite smile she could muster.

“Is that… “Book of Life and Death” related merchandise? It seems to be merchandise related to the Shinigami, right?”

That’s right.

The man currently had a character merchandise of the Shinigami deformed into a very cute super-deformed shape placed on the table.

Even to Emily’s eyes, it was an item of quite excellent quality, so she also showed interest in that merchandise.

“Yes, it is.”

When the man affirmed Emily’s words, she smiled and opened her mouth.

“Hmm, to openly display “Book of Life and Death” related merchandise in such a ballroom. You must be quite a fan of “Book of Life and Death”.”

“…Pardon? Ah, well, I suppose so.”

The man nodded with a somewhat bitter tone.

“I roughly know who among the noble young masters are fans of “Book of Life and Death”… seeing that I don’t recognize your face, you must be someone who recently got into it. Nice to meet you, my name is Emily del Florence. As a fan of “Book of Life and Death”, I guess I’m your senior?”

“…Senior? Of “Book of Life and Death”?”

The man, who was looking at Emily with a somewhat blank expression, smiled wryly.

“I see. I look forward to your guidance, Senior.”

The man, Ragna, bowed his head to Emily with an extremely polite attitude.

In fact, the reason Emily spoke to the man was purely out of whim.

Although not on the level of the Imperial Princess or the Grinewald Duke’s young lady who were said to be the most beautiful in the Empire, Emily was also quite a beauty, so she was definitely not the type to speak to just anyone.

But now, Emily thought she had done very well to speak to this man.

Because.

“The scene in episode 6 of “Book of Life and Death” where Louis spends pleasant time with his family isn’t actually a scene showing that Louis has humanity left. Rather, it’s a scene implying that all humanity has fallen away from Louis.”

“Hmm, is that so.”

“But I think it’s not right to judge Louis as evil already. Louis was just pure, so he couldn’t tolerate the existence of evil in the world. So isn’t it a bit early to call him evil in a dichotomous way?”

“Director Ragna might not think so, but it’s still quite an interesting opinion, Junior.”

The opinions the man was currently expressing were quite satisfying to Emily, who claimed to be a true fan of “Book of Life and Death”.
Of course, compared to her idol Director Ragna, his insight was far behind, but.

As Emily was talking with the man for a while like that, she realized that it was time for the ball to end and felt regretful.

These days, it was very hard to find such a junior with considerable insight and manners towards seniors at the same time.

That’s why.

“Um, Junior?”

“What is it, Senior?”

“This is a gift for you.”

Saying so, Emily handed the man an ornament made of gold.

“It’s a kind of token that allows you to enter and exit the Florence Count family anytime. It’s usually given only to benefactors of the Count family.”

She said with an extremely coy expression.

“Although you’re far behind compared to Director Ragna or me who could be called his successor, your insight was quite decent, Junior. If you wish to receive teachings about “Book of Life and Death” from me, you’re always welcome.”

“…Is that so. Then I should give you a gift as well, Senior.”

At Emily’s words, the man smiled bitterly and handed her the merchandise that was placed on the table.

“This is “Book of Life and Death” related merchandise that will be sold throughout the Empire soon. Unlike other merchandise, it’s a limited edition made as a prototype, and only a very small quantity will be released, so it will have considerable value.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Emily, who had been coveting the merchandise since she first saw it, quickly took the gift without a word.

But only for a moment.

Recalling what the man had just said, she realized there was one question she had to ask.

“…You say it’s a prototype of merchandise that will be sold throughout the Empire soon? But how does Junior have such a thing?”

“Well, that’s because I’m the director of “Book of Life and Death”. Senior.”

“Come on, don’t joke, Junior.”

“…..”

Emily smiled gently at the man’s joke, but.

The man, Ragna, silently stared at her with an expressionless face, and.
Thus, Emily’s face also gradually stiffened.
“…Really?”
“…..”
“…It’s a joke, right? Right?”
“…..”
“…Please say it is, please….”