Creating Anime In A Fantasy World

“How is it, Edward? Do I have the talent for magic?”

In the office of the Nosrick Cinema, Daphne looked expectantly at Edward.

He withdrew his hand and displayed a surprised expression because Daphne indeed possessed a magical talent. At least her magical circuits were top-notch, and her elemental affinity was quite remarkable, certainly better than Helena’s pure fire affinity.

Yet, despite such talent, Daphne had not received any attention from the ducal family. The family employed many mages who could have easily tested her for magical potential. However, Daphne’s talent had not only gone unnoticed, but the southern duke had strictly prohibited her from coming into contact with any supernatural power…

As Edward pondered the implications, his brow furrowed deeply. Although confused, he smiled and replied, “Your talent is quite impressive. Even though you’re starting late, with this level of magical ability, you could reach high-level mastery in your lifetime.”

“Really?!”

Hearing Edward’s words, the excited Daphne grabbed his sleeve. Her usually reserved expression now completely gave way to her enthusiasm as she exclaimed, “I want to become a mage too, Edward! Teach me magic!”

“Uh… if you want to learn magic, why not just return to the duke’s estate? That Roy fellow, a grand mage, could teach you in no time. If not him, your duke father could send you to the Mage Tower. The new term starts soon, and you could be attending classes.”

The moment Edward finished, Daphne’s face dimmed. She took a step back and nervously said, “Father won’t agree to let me learn magic…”

“He won’t agree?”

Now Edward was completely baffled.

Most nobles, even the current Emperor, would jump at the chance if one of their children had magical talent, sending them to the Mage Tower without hesitation.

How could anyone with such a rare gift be barred from learning?

But seeing Daphne’s timid demeanor, as if she was afraid of something, Edward began to understand.

Despite being the daughter of a duke, Daphne’s personality hadn’t become arrogant from privilege; instead, she seemed bound by countless rules and restrictions.

After thinking for a while, Edward sighed and said, “Alright, alright. I’ll teach you. But you better think it through. I’m not exactly a proper mage. In fact, I prefer Alchemy to magic itself. Even if you follow me, you won’t learn much about magic.”

“Really?! That’s amazing! I’ll do my best, Edward… Edward-sensei!”

“Please, I’m only two or three years older than you. Just call me ‘brother’ or something, but don’t call me ‘sensei’.”

Seeing Edward’s irritated expression from being called old, Daphne couldn’t help but giggle.

After this light moment, Edward returned to writing his script.

He worked late into the night while Daphne, who had just learned basic mage skills like magic sensing and meditation, left the Nosrick Cinema excitedly with him.

They planned to rest at the Edward Film Studio’s headquarters, which was in the tavern across the street.

However, as soon as they stepped into the tavern, a different atmosphere from usual caught Edward’s eye.

Unlike the usual lively scene, the atmosphere in Edward Tavern felt strange.

“…..”

Seeing two knights sitting at the bar, looking utterly confused, and an old knight in the middle of the hall, emotionally holding Belldia’s hand with tears streaming down his face, Edward and Daphne were completely puzzled, having no idea what was going on.

…

After they walked in, Edward watched as the younger and middle-aged knights tried to calm the crying old knight. He quickly grabbed Belldia and asked, “What’s going on? Did you scam the old man?”

“Of course not! Director Edward, don’t slander me!”

“Then what’s this about? From the looks of it, people might think we’re running a shady tavern that bullies the elderly. Surely it’s not a scam…?”

“I… I have no idea either! He seems to recognize me, but if he were an old acquaintance, after all these years, I have no memory of him at all…”

Indeed, anyone witnessing an elderly man with gray hair shedding tears in the middle of a tavern could easily imagine a hundred different scenarios of bullying in a shady establishment. Especially someone like Edward, who was fully aware of the crazy personalities and undead who frequented his tavern.

Since even Belldia seemed at a loss for what was happening, Edward had no choice but to wait patiently for the weeping old man to calm down. During this time, he casually chatted with Saeki, asking about how his past two days in the Southern Territory had been since moving in. Then suddenly…

“Sir! I, Wilhelm, am so fortunate to see you again in this lifetime…”

“???”

It was the first time Edward had seen General Wilhelm so emotional. After finally regaining his composure, Wilhelm immediately approached the still-confused Belldia and bowed deeply. “Sir, do you remember the chaos land beyond the Northern Territory decades ago?”

“Decades ago? The chaos land?”

Belldia looked at the old man before him, whose features had long been erased by time, and after a moment, he responded, “Decades ago, I was still under that damned lich’s control, only regaining myself in rare moments… Wait, hold on. I do remember something. You’re the reckless young man who faced a horde of beasts alone, aren’t you?”

As soon as Belldia finished speaking, General Wilhelm fell to his knees with a thud, nearly tearing up again.

His appearance was so pitiful that Edward rushed to close the door, lest someone think the tavern was exploiting elderly patrons.

Meanwhile, having confirmed that the person before him was the one who had saved his life, Wilhelm spoke excitedly, “That’s right, that reckless young man was me. Back then, I thought I was powerful enough to handle the chaos land. However, after entering, I quickly got separated from my team. I intended to retrace my steps, but I accidentally stumbled upon the lich’s lair. It summoned countless beasts to hunt me down. If it hadn’t been for your timely rescue, I would’ve been devoured by those monsters!”

With that revelation, everyone finally began to understand what had happened, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

The Headless Horseman, whose soul fire flickered in his eyes, also started to recall those rare moments of lucidity from his endless years.

Sighing, Belldia helped the old man up and said, “This body of mine grants me immortality, which is both a blessing and a curse. Not only have I outlived all my old comrades, but now, even a ‘kid’ like you has grown old before my eyes…”

Hearing this, General Wilhelm quickly responded, “Regardless, it’s thanks to you, Sir Headless Horseman, that I’m still alive today. Please, allow me to repay the favor from back then!”

As Wilhelm was about to bow again, Belldia swiftly stopped him, while Edward, watching from the side, joked, “See, Belldia remembers now. Just a gesture of gratitude will do. Besides, is it really okay for you, General Wilhelm, to be so chummy with an undead?”

“You…”

To Wilhelm’s surprise, Edward had recognized him.

Both Wilhelm and the knights at his side, Wycliffe and Rhine, were stunned.

Edward nonchalantly pointed to the badges on their chests and said, “Most people wouldn’t recognize the Imperial military insignia, but I’ve seen it once or twice. And General Wilhelm, didn’t we meet a few years ago at the Southern Territory Duke’s banquet?”

“You’re… the eldest son of the Durin Family?”

With the confusion finally cleared up, Edward quickly ushered out anyone not involved, leaving only the three knights, Belldia, and himself in the hall.

Seeing that the old general was about to shed tears again, Belldia, unable to bear it, smiled and brought out a new bottle of wine. “Alright, enough of that. This is a tavern, after all. Since fate has brought us together here, let’s have a drink.”

Belldia grabbed the bottle and gulped down the wine. Edward hadn’t even registered how Belldia, whose head wasn’t attached to his body, drank it—yet somehow, the alcohol was gone in no time.

Wilhelm hesitated, but eventually took the cup Belldia handed him. He then asked, “By the way, Sir Headless Horseman, why are you in a small southern tavern like this?”

No matter how many years had passed, Wilhelm could never forget the scene from back then.

The knight before him was so powerful that his memory of that strength had lingered throughout the years.

He couldn’t help but be curious as to why Belldia was now in the Southern Territory, far from the north.

Sipping his drink, Belldia, with Edward’s help, recounted the story of how he escaped the lich’s control, was hunted by the Church, almost died in the Southern Territory, and was saved by Edward. After that, he chose to join the Edward Film Studio.

Listening to the tale, the young knight Rhine was filled with enthusiasm and kept asking questions, but he was soon silenced by Knight Commander Wycliffe, who had been listening intently.

Belldia suddenly turned to Wilhelm and joked, “So, how have you been all these years? I remember you were so scared when surrounded by beasts that you wet your pants. I even told you to bring some liquor to the battlefield, so even cowards could gain the courage to die in battle after a few drinks, hahahaha!”

Hearing Belldia reveal such an embarrassing part of his past, Wilhelm’s face turned red. He quickly glanced at the two knights beside him, who were trying hard to suppress their laughter.

“In any case, thanks to your help back then, I made it back to the army. That experience propelled my swordsmanship, and now I am a general in the Empire. I’m here in the south to discuss strategies with the Southern Territory Duke about the upcoming invasion by the Orc Kingdom.”

“Not bad. I didn’t expect you to become a general in the Empire. Well done, hahahaha…”

Belldia’s laughter left Edward and Wilhelm confused. But then, Belldia’s expression turned somber, and he added, “Back in the day, my mentor was also an Imperial general. All my achievements in the military were because of him. If it hadn’t been for that incident, I might have succeeded him and become the next general. He hoped I would become the first sixth-tier knight of humanity and defend the Empire from the races beyond our borders…”

“……”

Even Edward, hearing Belldia’s past for the first time, fell silent. Wilhelm quickly responded, “Regardless, without your intervention back then, I wouldn’t be here today. If there’s anything I can do for you, I swear as an Imperial general that I will do it!”

“No need,” Belldia waved him off. “My wishes have already been fulfilled by Director Edward. If you insist on repaying someone, repay him.”

Edward was taken aback by the sudden shift. Wilhelm turned his intense gaze to him, clearly saying, Whatever you ask, I’ll make it happen.

Edward sighed, feeling awkward. “Honestly, I don’t have any big requests…”

“But—”

Just as General Wilhelm was about to speak, Edward cut in, “That said, if helping me makes you feel like you’ve repaid your debt to Belldia, I do have a small favor to ask…”

Wilhelm eagerly responded, ignoring Knight Commander Wycliffe’s hesitation, “The favor of Sir Headless Horseman’s benefactor is something I would never refuse. Whatever you need, I will do my utmost to fulfill it.”

“Uh, there’s no need to be so formal. It’s nothing major… I just need a few of your soldiers who can fight well—and act. Any gender, as many as you have!”

“???”

Wilhelm stood there, utterly confused.

Even Belldia, who had been curious about what Edward would ask for, wore a strange expression.

As a member of Edward Film Studio, he understood all too well why Edward would make such a request.