Creating Anime In A Fantasy World

Chapter 264: The Garden of Sinners: Oblivion Recording (Part 1)

The release of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure swept across the Empire like a raging storm.

Everywhere—north, south, east, and west—the only topic on people’s lips was that movie. The sheer quality of its storytelling, its characters, and its emotion had captured the hearts of audiences from all walks of life.

And at the center of it all stood its director—Edward Durin.

Having chosen New Year’s Day as the premiere date for his newest masterpiece, Edward’s name now echoed throughout every city and village in the Empire.

In the southern territories, his reputation was already legendary—people there knew him as the prodigy who, while still young, had risen to the rank of Grand Mage. But for the eastern and western territories, this was their first time hearing the name “Edward Durin.”

And once they did, his story spread like wildfire.

Everyone learned that the genius behind JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure wasn’t just a talented filmmaker—he was a young mage who had already released multiple acclaimed films in the south half a year ago.

The revelation shocked the entire Empire.

Audiences—already captivated by the brilliance of cinema—found themselves idolizing this mysterious, impossibly gifted young director.

By contrast, the film released alongside JoJo—Song of the Vampire—was in a rather… pitiful state.

Its low production quality and outrageously high ticket price (ten times that of JoJo’s) turned it into a disaster from day one. Theaters reported record-low attendance, and once word spread about how dreadful it was, no one even considered buying a ticket.

Naturally, its director, Viscount Rainier, was dragged into infamy overnight. Everyone now knew his name too—but only as the fool responsible for the biggest flop in the Empire’s short cinematic history.

His noble partners and investors, once so eager to profit from the film craze, immediately cut ties and fled, leaving Rainier completely isolated.

And seeing his downfall, other nobles who had dreamed of making easy money in this new “movie industry” all backed away, unwilling to repeat the same humiliating mistake.

Under these circumstances, the first week’s theater revenue reports were finally compiled and delivered into the hands of Viscount Baniel.

. . .

“Hahahahaha!”

Even through the thick stone walls of the second floor of the Nosrick Cinema, Baniel’s laughter could be heard echoing like thunder.

His joy was impossible to contain.

Sitting quietly on the only sofa in the office, Edward read through the detailed financial report, his expression calm as still water.

“…Looks like everything went smoothly,” he said at last, voice steady and quiet.

Baniel nearly jumped to attention, his face glowing with admiration.

“Director Durin! JoJo has become an unstoppable phenomenon across the eastern and western territories! Every single day, theaters are selling tickets faster than they can print them. Compared to that trashy Song-thing—and forgive my language, but it truly is trash—anyone with eyes could tell from the first frame that it would fail!”

Then, with an almost reverent tone, he quoted, “Just as you once said…”

“Anything truly interesting will always be loved. Anything dull is destined to be erased by history.”

Edward’s calm voice carried across the room like a quiet truth.

Baniel nodded so fast it was a wonder his neck didn’t snap.

“Exactly! Exactly, Director Durin! Those words are pure wisdom—truer than any royal decree!”

But Edward only gave a tired sigh and waved his hand dismissively.

“Enough with the flattery.”

Then, after a brief pause, he asked, almost absently,

“By the way… what’s become of that Viscount Rainier?”

Hearing Edward’s question, Viscount Baniel froze for a moment—surprised that he would even care about a man like Rainier.

Still, after a short hesitation, he answered carefully:

“That man? He’s finished. Completely. His fellow nobles have all abandoned him—he’s no longer the proud peacock he used to be. In fact, because of that disastrous film, he’s buried under so much debt that he’s likely to lose everything he owns. His title might remain… but his estate, his wealth, his influence—gone. He’s nothing more than a shell of his former self.”

“…I see.”

“Yes. I even heard that some of the nobles who invested in his movie have started personally hunting him down to collect what they’re owed. He’s been running from city to city like a beggar. He’s already sold off everything he could, but even that’s nowhere near enough to pay back what he owes. No money, no honor, no dignity—he’s a walking ruin.”

“Seems like we won’t be seeing him again,” Edward said flatly.

There wasn’t an ounce of sympathy in his tone.

After all, Viscount Rainier had treated the art of film with nothing but arrogance and greed—seeing it only as a new way to make quick profit. To Edward, who saw cinema as something sacred, such a man deserved to crash and burn.

Of course, this wasn’t simply about revenge. Edward hadn’t competed with him out of spite.

From the very moment he’d first picked up a camera, Edward had carried a quiet hope—a vision for what cinema could become in this world.

Whether that dream could ever truly take shape was still uncertain. But he wanted—no, needed—to see at least a glimpse of that future. Even if the hope was fragile, even if it was faint, he would chase it all the same.

Because the ones who change the world are never those who merely light the first torch—but those who carry that flame forward, spreading its light until it becomes a blazing inferno.

That was the future Edward longed to see.

. . .

Time flowed on. A month passed since the release of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

By now, the vast majority of audiences across the eastern and western territories had seen it—and those same viewers had become its most passionate promoters. Word of mouth spread faster than any advertisement, drawing in countless new faces who had never even heard of movies before.

And during this surge of popularity, Edward quietly returned to work—resuming the production of The Garden of Sinners.

After all, his one-month delay had already tested the patience of fans to the limit. Even if the “television taverns” broadcasting his films hadn’t yet reached beyond the southern territories, the audience there had been waiting anxiously for updates.

He owed them an answer.

So, while overseeing Chess as he filmed the third chapter of Fate/Zero, and keeping tabs on Goblin’s progress with the second half of Steins;Gate, Edward pushed himself to finish The Garden of Sinners: Chapter 7 at record speed.

And at last, across the southern territory and in the Mage Tower itself—under the burning gaze of countless eager fans—The Garden of Sinners: Chapter 6 finally premiered!