Creating Anime In A Fantasy World

Chapter 231: The “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” Film Project!

Leaving the Southern Territory Grand Duke’s estate and returning to Durin Castle, Edward’s expression carried a trace of helplessness… yet his eyes gleamed with excitement all the same.

By contrast, the girl walking beside him, Winry, looked uneasy—her brows knit, her steps just slightly stiff.

“Lord Durin,” she asked nervously, “do you really intend to compete with those nobles… and release a brand-new film alongside them during the Imperial New Year?”

For a moment, Edward blinked in surprise. Then, with a small smile, he gave no answer.

After all, the matter was clear in his mind. Just earlier, those southern nobles—led by Viscount Rainier—had boldly declared before the Duke their intention to produce a film of their own.

And the Duke had shown no small amount of interest. He had pressed them with question after question, even down to the specifics of the theme.

Edward, standing nearby, had learned everything.

The nobles were working on a vampire film.

Of course they were.

In this world, vampires had always been a favored subject for stage plays. Especially in the southern territory, but not only there—throughout the Empire, vampire dramas drew countless devotees. In the capital, the nobles themselves spent outrageous sums each year to attend such plays.

It was no exaggeration to call the subject “over-saturated.”

And behind these nobles stood the theater troupes—companies whose livelihoods had been crippled by the sudden rise of cinema. With their wealth of experience performing vampire dramas, they had chosen their battlefield well. Confident, perhaps even arrogant, they were sure they could transplant their beloved genre onto the screen.

Their goal was obvious: to use the subject they knew best, stake everything on a decisive duel, and seize control of the east and west markets at this crucial moment of expansion.

Viscount Rainier, of course, had worn a mask of courtesy when he spoke:

“With film’s popularity set to spread across the Empire, and Durin Film Production Company unable to release anything new for the moment, why not leave this task to us? I am certain the audience will welcome a fresh production—and in doing so, Baron Durin, we would also lighten your burden.”

A polite smile, thinly veiling ambition.

But Edward saw it for what it was. Behind his calm expression, he resolved then and there:

If they wanted to duel with vampires, so be it. He would meet them head-on, with the same theme, on the open stage of the market.

Thus, before all present, he declared without hesitation:

“I appreciate Viscount Rainier’s concern. However, Durin Film Production Company does not lack the strength to create something new. In fact, I have already decided: we will release a vampire-themed film as well—on the very first day of the new year, across the southern territory, and throughout both the eastern and western territories!”

Gasps rippled through the banquet hall. The Southern Territory Grand Duke looked stunned, but the nobles—Rainier and his circle—were even more shocked.

Their surprise quickly turned to confidence, however. These men radiated certainty, as if the victory of their vampire film were already assured.

Edward, meanwhile, remained utterly unmoved. His smile did not waver, his face betraying no hint of concern.

It was Constantine who finally broke the tension, asking with a furrowed brow:

“Baron Durin, what of the production schedule? If you begin a new project now, surely your other works will suffer delays.”

Edward answered evenly, as if the matter were trivial:

“Fate/Zero and Steins;Gate are indeed on tight schedules. But at our studio, we have more than enough talented staff capable of taking over directing duties in my stead. As for The Garden of Sinners—its cycle is certainly demanding… but if I were to delay it by one month, I doubt anyone would mind.”

“—What!?”

The reaction was instantaneous. Dozens of noble eyes turned upon him, wide with shock, many filled with indignation. Even Duke Constantine and Daphne herself stared at him in disbelief, clearly enraged.

For most of those present, The Garden of Sinners—already filled with breathtaking moments—was far more anticipated than some unknown new film. To casually suggest delaying it—!

But Edward stood firm, smiling gently, as if his decision were absolute—an iron will cloaked in calm.

“Anyway,” Edward declared with calm certainty, “I believe that within the time remaining, our studio can rush out a vampire-themed production. It will be ready for release on the very first day of the new year, pushing the reach of cinema to even greater heights. As for The Garden of Sinners… I’m confident that with more time to polish, it will return next year in an even more refined, perfected form.”

“This…”

Constantine was left momentarily speechless.

Viscount Rainier, however, shot Edward a sharp, frosty glance. With an audible scoff, he turned his back, muttering:

“Then we shall await Baron Durin’s new film. When the time comes, let us see which of us claims the box office.”

With that, he and the other southern nobles departed. The rest of the guests, sensing the tension that had smothered the banquet’s mood, also began taking their leave one by one.

Edward himself had planned to slip out quietly as well, but Constantine held him back.

“Concerning the matter of the True Ancestor,” the Duke said in a low, serious tone, “I hope you will refrain from discussing it with others.”

“…Does it truly need to be kept secret?” Edward asked.

“Not entirely,” the Duke admitted, “but you understand. Beings like her—anomalies—are not safe within the Empire. Though the True Ancestor was once a founding hero, deeply trusted by the first Emperor himself, in this era her name has long since faded from history. If word spreads now that she lives still as a vampire progenitor, it will bring only unrest and disaster. That is something none of us desire.”

“…I see.”

Edward nodded, grasping the weight behind the Duke’s warning. Just as he turned to leave, however, a thought struck him.

“By the way, Duke—my younger brother, El. He’s still serving in your command, isn’t he?”

The Duke blinked, then broke into a rare, warm smile.

“You mean Durin El? Yes. He’s doing quite well. A promising lad, with real potential. I’ve stationed him at the Third Southern Border Post. Another year of service there, and his term will be complete. He’ll be free to return.”

“…I see. Then I’ll be counting on your care for him until then, Your Grace.”

“Rest assured,” the Duke replied, his eyes gleaming, “I’ve had my eye on the both of you brothers for some time now.”

With that cryptic remark, Constantine and Daphne took their leave.

. . . .

The banquet was over.

Back at Durin Castle, Edward returned to his familiar workroom. Piles of discarded manuscripts lay scattered across the floor. Without hesitation, he began digging through them, rifling sheet after sheet with restless hands.

Winry, surprised, merely stood by in silence. She didn’t try to stop him, simply watching over him quietly as the room grew cluttered with paper.

At last—after what felt like hours—Edward pulled a tattered manuscript from the depths of an old chest. His eyes lit up.

“This is it… JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure!”

His voice rang with certainty, his hands gripping the precious script.

For a long while he read, page by page, revisiting the story that had once captured his heart so deeply.

Then, closing the thin stack of papers at last, he sat back. In his gaze burned a light—bright, unwavering, and fierce.

He knew it beyond doubt.

This was it.

This was the work he had been searching for.