Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

In fact, there wasn’t much reason why Ragna decided to hold an auction to determine which heroes would appear in the animation.

No, to be honest, he hadn’t given it much thought.

He was just thinking that he’d hold an auction and then milk the envoys from other countries appropriately, that’s all.

And now.

‘Ah, shit. Did I make a mistake by saying I’d do this?’

Less than 10 minutes after officially starting the auction, Ragna regretted his decision.

Because.

“Regardless of anything else, we’ll pay twice the amount the Federation side is willing to pay!”

“Ha, ridiculous! Then we’ll pay three times as much! No, four times!”

“My, I heard that recently the Bersila City Alliance’s financial situation isn’t very good. Aren’t you pushing yourself a bit too hard?”

“Ha, even if we have to take out a loan, we’ll pay somehow. Isn’t this much better than watching a hero with no roots appear in Ragna-nim’s animation?”

“…..”

It was because it had gone beyond simply trying to gain an advantage by having their country’s hero appear, and had started to turn into a pride battle between countries.

That’s right.

Ragna had greatly underestimated the influence his animations had on the entire continent.

Until he produced “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel” and “Machine God Chronicles”, Ragna’s animations were only popular within the Empire, but.

Due to the groundbreaking performance shown in the process of exporting anime to the Rihard Kingdom, Ragna’s animations came to be exported to the entire continent.

In other words, the animations Ragna makes are the only unique means capable of exerting influence across the entire continent beyond the Empire.

And in that animation, their country’s hero doesn’t appear but another country’s hero appears conspicuously?

Then the status of that country would fall to the ground that very day.

So it doesn’t matter how much money it costs.

How can money be of any importance when they can save their pride and flatten the noses of other countries?

‘…These crazy bastards. Why are they making a fuss here of all places?’

Of course, Ragna, who was watching all of this from the front row, felt nothing but a sense of going crazy.

Why?

Because sparks might fly to him later.

Someone might say something to him, claiming he provided the cause for those two to fight over a mere animation.

So if they’re going to fight, go somewhere secluded and do it quietly, not in front of me!

Just as Ragna was about to try to stop them before a knife fight broke out.

‘…Wait a minute.’

Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.

‘This… I don’t think I need to stop this.’

Come to think of it, what Ragna wanted was just a life as an ordinary citizen.

A life as a good-for-nothing who dreams of just lazing around holed up in some quiet place.

Somehow things got terribly tangled up and he ended up getting involved with high-ranking people like the Emperor and Kaya, constantly making animations, but.

He was still holding onto the hope that someday he would escape to freedom like Dobby.

But thinking about it calmly, it seemed like he might be able to fulfill his wish if he used this situation well.

‘Instead of stopping them in this situation… what if I say something that seems to encourage the fight?’

These are people who came to the Empire as envoys representing their countries.

What would happen if I rub them the wrong way right in front of such envoys?

Probably, since the envoys are also human, wouldn’t they get seriously pissed off?

Of course, since Ragna is the absolute superior in this place right now, they can’t express any complaints towards him.

But if they clearly remember the rudeness Ragna committed and report what happened today when they have an audience with the Emperor later.

Then there’s a non-zero possibility that the Emperor might feel some disappointment towards Ragna, or even expel him from the system.

If it were another noble, being out of the Emperor’s favor or being expelled from the system would be tantamount to a death sentence, but.

For Ragna, wasn’t that the very wish he had been hoping for?

‘Hehehe.’

Good, not bad.

No, it’s not just not bad, it’s very good.

Originally, he had expected it would take about 10 years until retirement, but.

If things go well, he could become a good-for-nothing as soon as tomorrow, so how could he not be happy?

That’s why.

“…Tsk.”

He made a sound of clicking his tongue, loud enough for both envoys to hear.

“How disappointing, both of you. Is this all the level of the two countries representing the southern continent?”

“…Excuse me?”

“No, Ragna-nim. What on earth are you-”

The two envoys looked at Ragna with somewhat surprised expressions at his high-level remark.

But it was too early to be surprised already.

Because Ragna’s provocation was just starting in earnest now.

“Actually, I’ve been quite interested in the two countries representing the south for a while. In particular, I was so interested in the myths and legends of the two countries that I even considered featuring them in this work.”

Of course, Ragna was a person so uninterested in history that he didn’t even know who the Knight King, the founder of his own country, was, but.

At this moment, he opened his mouth shamelessly with a thick skin on his face.

“But it seems I’ve overestimated the two countries too much. I’ve become certain watching you two raise your voices and fight now. That no matter what happens, I won’t include the heroes of these two countries in my work.”

“Ah, no…!”

“Ragna-nim, that’s-”

“There’s a saying that a child’s behavior reflects their parents. Seeing your behavior now, is it just my simple misunderstanding to think I can guess what kind of people the heroes of the two countries were?”

“…..”

“…..”

Seeing the envoys’ faces turn bright red at his extremely rude remarks, Ragna decided to deliver the final blow at this point.

“I don’t know well what kind of people the heroes of the two countries were when they were alive. But I don’t think they would be pleased even if their descendants appear in the animation while slandering and defaming each other.”

Ragna’s tone was polite, but the content was extremely rude.

He insulted the envoys, insulted their countries and heroes, and even threatened not to include them in the animation while picking unreasonable faults.

In this situation, it would be stranger if they didn’t get pissed off at Ragna.

‘You’re pissed, right? You must be pissed. So quickly go to the Emperor and tell him all the insults you received here! Hurry!’

As Ragna was thinking that while inwardly rejoicing.

“…Hahaha! That’s a statement I simply can’t refute!”

“Well, you got us there. I didn’t expect you to come at us like this.”

Suddenly, the two envoys burst into laughter while looking at Ragna, then broke into bitter smiles.

“…?”

Of course, this was far from the situation Ragna had hoped for or expected.

What the hell, why are you guys suddenly acting like this?

Isn’t this the timing where you should get angry at me and snort and make a fuss?

But why are you suddenly making expressions like you’ve become sages?

Why on earth?

“Hehehe, come to think of it, this is how the Director was. Actually, the Director acted exactly the same when producing ‘Machine God Chronicles’.”

Towards Kaya who was muttering as if somehow pleased, the two envoys made expressions full of curiosity.

“Is that so? What happened when ‘Machine God Chronicles’ was being produced?”

“Before producing ‘Machine God Chronicles’, there was still an atmosphere in our Empire of discriminating against people based on their background, class, or hair color. And the Director wanted to break down that reality. That’s why all the heroines appearing in ‘Machine God Chronicles’ have different backgrounds and hair colors.”

“Oho, I see…!”

“Indeed, it’s amazing. Truly befitting of Ragna-nim’s actions.”

Of course, Ragna couldn’t understand at all what was being said between them.

I’m sorry, but what conversation are you having right now?

I just… wanted to match the heroines’ hair colors like a rainbow, that’s all?

“There’s no need to deliberately play the villain, Director. There’s no one here who didn’t understand what you wanted to say.”

“…Excuse me?”

What do you mean by playing the villain?

I really wanted to become a third-rate villain here?

You know, like that third-rate villain in romance fantasy novels who schemes all sorts of plots but gets caught, and in the end gets exiled to some quiet countryside!

“The reason you provoked those two is none other than because you’re pursuing world peace through your animations, right Director?”

Kaya said with a pleased smile on her lips, but.

“…?”

Of course, this was utterly news to Ragna.

I pursued world peace?
Since when?

Was I such a great person?

Really?

“Come to think of it, it was the same with ‘Machine God Chronicles’, and ‘Book of Life and Death’ too. You always included content related to hymns of humanity in the animations you make. In your eyes, how displeasing must it have been to see the two of them not stopping their quarrel over each country’s pride?”

As if affirming Kaya’s words, the two envoys also nodded and said.

“That’s right. Only after hearing your rebuke did I come to my senses. I clearly realized what ugly and foolish thing I was doing.”

“The heroes of our countries were truly people of high pride and honor. What’s the use of appearing in the animation like this? Wouldn’t it just be smearing their faces?”

Watching them create an incredibly warm atmosphere while laughing heartily, Ragna asked in a trembling voice.

“Um… then what do you plan to do about the auction…?”

“Haha! Come to think of it, what would ordinary people like us know about animation? Let’s do as Ragna-nim wishes. Won’t a more interesting work come out if the animation is produced entirely according to Ragna-nim’s will?”

“That’s right. This actually turned out well. There will be the fun of predicting and guessing which heroes will appear in the animation!”

“…..”

No… I actually intended to squeeze a lot out of you guys through this auction….

I was going to use the money I squeezed out of you as my retirement fund….

Why are things turning out like this?

Why on earth?

Just as Ragna was falling into a state of panic.

Kaisel secretly approached Ragna’s side and whispered in a low voice into his ear.

“By the way, our kingdom side hasn’t given up on anything yet. If you’re okay with it, we’re fine with making our kingdom’s heroes into women as much as you want-”

“…Kaisel.”

“Yes, Ragna. What is it?”

“Shut your trap. For real.”

“…Sorry.”