Crowdfunding (2)

Rewinding time a little.

Shortly after the ending credits of episode 38 of “Sky of Destiny” rolled and the crowdfunding advertisement appeared.

Duke Grünewald mobilized all his connections to gather all the nobles belonging to his faction.

The time when episode 38 of “Sky of Destiny” ended was around 10 PM.

It could be said to be a somewhat late time for a group gathering, but the Duke didn’t care at all about such ‘trivial’ matters, and.

The other nobles who were called by the Duke at this time felt the same.

Because for them, there was nothing more important than this current situation.

The nobles of the Empire were those who prided themselves on being the first to see through the value of Ragna’s animations more than anyone else in this world.

To put it bluntly, if it weren’t for Duke Grünewald’s sponsorship or the nobles’ interest in the new culture called animation, Ragna’s first work “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel” might have been buried just like that, right?

…Of course, as long as Ragna had the cheat key of 21st century Earth culture, failure was impossible for him, but.

At least the nobles themselves firmly believed that they were undoubtedly the pioneers of the culture called animation.

That’s why, despite the late hour, the nobles willingly gathered like this.

Crowdfunding related to the production of the sequel to “Sky of Destiny”, the animation produced by Count Ragna Tersion.

This was undoubtedly a matter of utmost importance incomparable to anything else throughout the Empire.

“Since it’s a bit late, let’s get straight to the point. I believe there is no one among those attending this place today who didn’t watch episode 38 of “Sky of Destiny” that just aired.”

Nod.

At Duke Grünewald’s statement, all the nobles attending this place nodded their heads as if they had agreed in advance.

Missing the live broadcast of episode 38 of “Sky of Destiny”?

For the nobles who were already addicted to Ragna’s animations, that was something that couldn’t happen even if the sky were to fall.

“And after all the ending credits rolled, Count Ragna didn’t just end “Sky of Destiny” with that, but even went so far as to reveal an additional video to the world.”

“…You mean the sequel to “Sky of Destiny”.”

“So… it was an IF-type story about how the Full Moon Ritual would have progressed if Karin, the protagonist Yuri’s junior, had awakened, right?”

“Judging from the subtitle of the sequel being ‘Soul of the Sky’, I think there’s a high probability that the sequel will focus more on the settings of the Full Moon Ritual itself rather than the activities of protagonist Yuri or the summoned heroes.”

“I think so too. Because didn’t the Hero King say this in the main story? That originally this ritual was a secret wish of magicians to reach for the sky.”

“Plus, the image of the heroes stained black that appeared briefly at 1 minute 3 seconds. I wonder if it might be a hint that the heroes who were on Yuri’s side in the main story will this time appear as villains?”

Although it was just a short video of about 2 minutes in length.

Many of the nobles attending today’s meeting were members of ‘My Struggle’ who regularly attended anime-related discussion meetings once a week.

So they were able to instantly catch the various foreshadowings that Ragna had secretly planted in that short video and speak about them here.

“That’s right. Looking at the content of the special video released this time, it’s clear that the sequel to “Sky of Destiny” is planned to proceed with new developments that didn’t appear in the main story.”

Tap tap.

Saying so, Duke Grünewald raised his finger and tapped the top of the desk.

“However, that’s only if the target amount for the crowdfunding proposed by Count Ragna is fully raised.”

“…..”

“…..”

Crowdfunding.

The target amount of 50 million gold.

If the target amount is not raised, the sequel cannot be produced.

At those words that seemed to pierce their hearts, the atmosphere that had soared to the sky just moments ago due to the news of the production of the “Sky of Destiny” sequel cooled down coldly as if it were a lie.

“…So, what exactly is this crowdfunding?”

“Judging from the content of the advertisement, it seems to refer to the act of receiving investments from an unspecified large number of people. It seems to be a word newly created by Count Ragna.”

“Oh, receiving investments from an unspecified large number of people rather than from a wealthy individual or merchant company…. As always with Count Ragna’s actions, his behavior truly goes far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.”

The nobles couldn’t help but express admiration for the concept of ‘crowdfunding’ that they had never thought of before.

In fact, that was natural if it was natural.

Because crowdfunding was a fresh concept that had only appeared in the early 21st century even on Earth.

But the reason why crowdfunding flourished on Earth was because it became so easy to receive investments from an unspecified large number of people using the medium of the internet.

And conversely, this means that in a fantasy world where the internet doesn’t exist, the possibility of success is very slim even if you try to attract crowdfunding.

And that was exactly what Ragna was aiming for.

Ragna originally had no intention of successfully receiving investments, but rather had a scheme to use the failure to attract investments as an excuse not to produce a sequel to “Sky of Destiny”.

“It’s pleasing that if you click and pay money, the anime gets copied, but to be honest, 50 million gold is a bit of a burdensome amount.”

“If it were 500,000 gold… no, even 5 million, I would have closed my eyes and invested. But 50 million gold is a bit…”

And as Ragna had intended, even the nobles expressed difficulty at the astronomical amount of 50 million gold.

Even for nobles, 50 million gold was by no means an easy amount.

However.

“Oh, do you really think so? That investing money in this crowdfunding is really a burdensome thing?”

Duke Grünewald had already anticipated that the nobles would show such a reaction, and.

“Do you know this? If you invest in this crowdfunding, you can receive ‘special benefits’ from Count Ragna in return?”

“…Special benefits?”

“What do you mean by that?”

To the nobles’ questions, the Duke opened his mouth in a somewhat relaxed tone.

“In other words, Count Ragna is planning to rank the people who invested in the crowdfunding and give them special benefits.”

…In fact, Ragna had just made this plan for show because he couldn’t proceed with crowdfunding empty-handed, but.

The Duke, who firmly believed this to be Ragna’s ‘true intention’, slowly began to read out the confidential document he had urgently obtained through Serika just moments ago.

“First special benefit, those who rank within the top 100 investors in this crowdfunding will have their names inserted in the ending credits.”

At that moment, the nobles who heard Duke Grünewald’s words felt their ears perk up.

“What? So if we just pay money, our names can appear in the ending credits of the animation?”

“The name of our family in that sacred place where only the staff and voice actors who produced the animation can appear?”

It was a reward that any noble who staked their life on honor couldn’t help but covet.

Currently, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Ragna’s animations were being watched by all countries on the continent, beyond just the entire Empire.

As such, if one’s name or family name could appear in the ending credits of the “Sky of Destiny” side story.

That would be equivalent to making the family name known throughout the entire continent.

“Second special benefit. Those who rank within the top 30 investors will be given the right to attend the preview screening of the “Sky of Destiny” side story.”

“The, the right to attend the preview screening?”

“That right which was only given to absolute authorities like His Majesty or the Duke, they’re going to distribute it like this?”

Even up to that point, it was a special benefit that any fan of “Sky of Destiny” couldn’t help but drool over.

But the Duke’s words weren’t completely finished yet.

“And the final special benefit. What is given to those who rank within the top 7 investors is-“

“…It’s said to be a replica of the weapons used by the heroes appearing in “Sky of Destiny”, perfectly reproduced and the only one of its kind in this world.”

“…!”

At that moment, all the nobles gathered here widened their eyes.

This can’t be.

The weapons used by the heroes appearing in “Sky of Destiny”.

They plan to give replicas of those as special benefits for this crowdfunding?

“Good heavens…. Isn’t that on the same level as distributing replicas of the Book of Life and Death used by the Shinigami in “Book of Life and Death” in the past?”

“No, it’s not even comparable to that. Because the replicas of the Book of Life and Death distributed in the last lottery were multiple identical items, but this time they’re planning to give replicas that are made only one of each as special benefits!”

Gulp.

The sound of someone swallowing saliva fills the entire conference room.

Of course, it couldn’t be helped.

Not just anything, but replicas of weapons that could be called super-premium limited editions that exist only one in this world.

It was a special benefit that any fan of “Sky of Destiny” couldn’t help but drool over, and at the same time.

A treasure whose value could not even be dared to be estimated.

After seeing this, not putting money into this crowdfunding?

That was something impossible for the nobles of the Empire.

“If we rank within the top 7 investors, we can receive that replica? Damn, how much was left in my bank balance again?”

“Hero Chris’s magic spear, the ceremonial dagger used by Psyche, the Knight King’s holy sword…! There’s not a single one that can be passed up!”

“An opportunity has come to buy with money something that originally couldn’t be bought with money! Wouldn’t anyone who doesn’t buy this be an idiot?”

Just as the nobles were clamoring to invest money in this crowdfunding with their eyes turning bloodshot.

‘…These shameless bastards.’

Kaisel, who was attending this place as a big fan of “Sky of Destiny” and also as Deneb’s friend, had to swallow his anger inwardly while listening to the utterly shameless remarks of the Empire’s nobles.

‘If nothing else, the Knight King’s holy sword should become a national treasure of our kingdom. Yet these Imperial nobles dare to covet our kingdom’s national treasure?’

At this moment, Kaisel made a decision.

In the past, due to various circumstances, he couldn’t get his hands on the replica of the Book of Life and Death, but.

This time, he would use any means necessary to get his hands on the replica of the Knight King’s holy sword.

If necessary, even if he had to mobilize the kingdom’s entire budget, he would definitely.

A crowdfunding bidding race with souls at stake.

…Can you keep up?