Having committed to making anime in this world, Durin had spent the last few days writing frantically, barely eating or sleeping as he transcribed the stories from his memory onto paper. Among the many isekai series he knew, he quickly locked onto two primary targets.
The first was Fullmetal Alchemist. The second was KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!.
Durin believed that Fullmetal Alchemist was a masterpiece, a series that held an unshakable place in the heart of every fan who had ever seen it. Its classic, action-packed story would fit perfectly in this fantasy world, and he had a burning desire to bring it to life. After all, it was the anime that had first pulled him into the fandom; it was the starting point of his otaku journey.
However, he had no idea how to design the automail or represent the alchemy. Furthermore, the series was filled with steampunk imagery. Considering the various technical challenges and limitations in props, he simply didn't have the ability to produce his number one masterpiece just yet.
In contrast, KonoSuba had no overly grand scenes, and its story was mostly concentrated in a single, ordinary town. More importantly, Durin already had some ideas for casting the characters. Influenced by these factors, he decided that the first anime he would produce would be KonoSuba.
"Live-Action Anime? A proposal? Lord Edward, what is all this?! Even if the debt is overwhelming, you mustn't work yourself into such a state…"
"Don't worry about that for a second," Durin said with a smile. He pushed the Fullmetal Alchemist manuscript aside and spread out the much thinner KonoSuba script. "Take a look at this first, then tell me what you think."
"This? This thing called… 'God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!'?"
Winry, known for her decisive nature, was confused but immediately followed her master's orders. She began to read the script for the live-action adaptation, personally written by Durin.
KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!. The name sounded like a chaotic, jumbled mess of a story. But in reality, this isekai anime had been incredibly popular in Durin's old world, not just for its hilarious plot, but also for its cast of uniquely charming characters.
The anime told the story of a game-loving shut-in, Kazuma Satou, who dies in an accident and, with the help of a goddess, ends up dragging the goddess herself with him to a new world for an adventure. The main characters are:
Kazuma Satou: The weakest class of adventurer. Though he has rare moments of competence, he is cowardly, shameless, and scummy most of the time.
Aqua: A Water Goddess who looks the part, with a lofty and divine bearing. In reality, she is arrogant, incredibly stupid, and a magnet for trouble.
Megumin: A girl from the Crimson Demon Clan with immense latent talent for magic, who has spent all of her skill points on a single spell: Explosion.
Darkness: The daughter of a lord and a crusader who acts as the party's tank. In reality, she is a hopeless masochist who revels in being hit.
This is the story of KonoSuba: an adventure party composed of these four, whose journey is ninety percent side-splittingly hilarious and ten percent genuinely touching.
"What a bizarre combination of people…"
As expected, upon reading the character descriptions, Winry's first reaction was one of pure disbelief. In response, Durin simply smiled and gestured for her to continue reading.
And then…
"Pffft—hahaha!!!"
Even the ever-serious and composed Winry burst out laughing at the absurd antics described in the story. And this was from the raw, unlocalized script.
Watching the girl try, and fail, to maintain her dignity in front of her master, a smile spread across Durin's face as he let out a silent, internal sigh of relief.
Although Durin himself loved this anime, he wasn't truly confident that a story so popular in his old world would be just as funny to the people here, especially considering the cultural differences. Many of the gags in KonoSuba were references only a modern person would understand. In a Western-style fantasy world like this one, a large portion of the content would likely be baffling.
But now, seeing Winry howling with laughter just from reading the unedited script, Durin's worries evaporated. His resolve to bring this anime to this world was cemented.
"This story feels so strange, but it's hilarious! Lord Edward, do you have a hidden talent for being a novelist? Ah, is this your plan to pay back the debt? I think this would be incredibly popular as a novel! If you could get royalties, it should be enough to solve the family's urgent financial problems…"
Watching Winry wipe tears of laughter from her eyes, Durin just shook his head. "I'm not cut out to be a novelist. But to save the House of Edward, I will find a way to bring this story to life!"
"Bring it to life? But you're not going to write it as a novel?"
Clearly, Winry couldn't imagine any other way to present a story. Surely, he didn't plan to just tell it orally.
Not wanting to explain too much just yet, Durin simply smiled. "For now, Winry, could you help me draft a letter?"
"A letter? To whom?"
"The Tower of Mages."
"What?!"
Winry froze, completely stunned to hear that name come from Durin's lips. She stood there, bewildered, until Durin's repeated urging finally snapped her back to her senses. She ran to the study and returned with parchment and ink.
Durin sat at the desk, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. Then, he picked up the pen and began to write.
To my dearest Miss Haelena,
It has been a long time. I trust you are well? I heard you've made a new breakthrough in your fire-element magic research, which is truly wonderful news. By my calculations, you must be close to graduation now. I'm incredibly envious.
By the way, Miss Haelena, have you earned all your required credits in elemental magic yet? Have you paid off that massive debt you accrued from your… extravagant spending on magestones? Are you still getting thrown into solitary confinement for recklessly casting Fireball, Greater Fireball, and Burst Fireball in class?
Haha, regardless, as a friend who once skipped classes and raised hell with you, I sincerely wish you all the happiness in the world.
I still remember that day we made a pact in the barbecue shop two streets down from the Tower. We swore we would change the state of the magic world, to break its blind obedience to authority and let the light of fire and alchemy illuminate everything. The thought still makes my blood boil with excitement.
It is, however, a shame that you still haven't paid me back for the barbecue.
Of course, I know that someone who can only cast Fireball, Greater Fireball, and Burst Fireball is unlikely to find a proper job to repay me. Thus, I have no intention of taking legal action. Instead, I wish to offer you an opportunity.
During the Tower's upcoming long holiday, I invite you to visit my castle in the Southern Territory. I have a plan here brimming with business opportunities. The starting salary is five gold coins a month, with room, board, and benefits included. Future raises will depend on performance. I eagerly await your arrival.
May the light of magic shine upon the world.
Your former classmate who was kicked out of the Tower of Mages,
Baron Durin Edward.
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