Chapter 26: Possibilities at the Cinema
The debut of the Headless Horseman concluded smoothly, although it took some time for the special effects of the Holy Light spell, and preventing the adventurers from reporting to the Southern Knights also kept Logistics Director Winry busy for a while. However, ultimately, this filming session came to a successful close.
"After a few more small scenes, as long as we finish the final battle with the Headless Horseman, our first filming session as a crew will officially wrap up. Don't slack off these days; give it your all to present the best film possible!"
"Yes, Director Durin!"
With everyone accustomed to this title, they responded in unison, and Durin returned to the temporary residence at the inn. He took out the pile of imaging crystals that had been completed so far and placed them on the table below the candlestick.
As magical energy was slowly inputted, the recorded video images stored within the crystals were projected into the air. Soon, Durin, who understood the operation well, projected the images onto a not-so-large curtain.
In an instant, like watching a movie on the square in his past life, Durin saw the scenes from the previous filming sessions unfold before his eyes.
"Once this film is released, those interested in this technology will surely flock to it."
Durin had anticipated this situation long ago. After all, the potential of the magic recording machine and imaging crystals was unimaginable. While for Durin, it was just a prop for filming, for the Empire, such technology would bring about an era of change, be it in military or civilian applications. After all, in a world without even cameras, skipping straight to video recording was revolutionary.
"We'll talk about those things when the time comes. After all, as a transmigrator, I don't even have any external aids. I have to rely on my own spiritual power as a mage to recall memories from my past life. It's really tough..."
Muttering to himself, Durin slowly peeled away the magic from the imaging crystals. As he watched the curtain lose its images due to the loss of magic, he frowned. "I originally planned to sell these crystals like DVD discs, creating a disc market. But now, it seems that designing a cinema is the best way to distribute them. After all, this thing requires magic to operate. It's a bit unrealistic to expect every household to have magic installed..."
Shaking his head and temporarily putting aside thoughts about the future, Durin refocused his attention on the present. After all, he hadn't even finished shooting a single film yet. There was no use in thinking too far ahead.
According to Durin's plan, "Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!" was already sixty to seventy percent complete. The remaining tasks included the purification water scene, the showdown with the former transmigrator wielding a sword, and the final battle with the Headless Horseman.
The filming of the three segments proceeded smoothly. The purification water task posed little difficulty, although it might be too stimulating for the actress Aya. However, with Durin, a powerful mage overseeing, there was no real danger. If things went awry, Durin could always expend more magic to bypass the incantation and instantly freeze the lake with a fifth-level spell, "Glacial Epoch." Though it would likely freeze Aya along with it, at most, she would catch a minor cold.
Apart from this, the remaining two scenes involving the former transmigrator and a group of extras had also been cast. In this world, where money could solve most problems, even if the actors lacked skill, Durin could use suggestion magic to instantly immerse them in their roles, regardless of their acting abilities.
With this plan in mind, the filming process resumed with vigor on the second day.
....
In front of the lakes surrounding Nosric, the entire crew was gathered.
After everyone had assembled, Durin instructed Wiz to cast a corrosion spell directly into the lake. Since even Durin wouldn't use this necromantic spell, Wiz, who had picked up necromancy after becoming a lich, could manage it.
As the color of the lake water gradually changed from clear blue to a mixture of black and purple, Durin commanded Lawrence beside him, "Put those crocodiles in. Don't worry, it's just a basic necromantic spell. Your creatures will only have a bit of diarrhea for a couple of days."
"Well, Director Durin, you've mentioned this to me before."
Without hesitation, Lawrence opened the cage door on the carriage, and the crocodiles he had raised jumped into the water, completely unaware of the strange changes in the lake.
"It's surprising that you keep crocodiles. Are they some special magical creatures?"
"They're nothing special, really. I just have a fondness for magical creatures. While I like most magical creatures, I captured these because they're easy to care for and eat anything."
Seeing Lawrence's smiling face, Durin, who couldn't quite understand his aesthetic, gave a subtle smile. Then, he shouted to Zat in the distance, "Are the actors ready? Has Aya prepared herself mentally? If not, bring her over, and I'll give her a buff!"
Durin's words clearly had an impact. In the area where the actors were resting, Aya, who had been reluctant, finally crawled into the cage. However, from her resigned expression, it was evident that she hadn't quite adjusted.
"Is this really necessary? Can't someone else take my place? And why does it have to be me who gets stuck with this script? Why not Zat?"
Upon hearing the girl's whining-like voice, Durin, paying no mind to the veins bulging on Zat's forehead nearby, spoke first, "Quit acting like a drama queen. There are no stunt doubles in this era. Either act properly, or don't blame me for giving you a buff!"
"Yikes!"
Eventually, a hopeless Aya was thrown into the lake. Fortunately, because the water wasn't very deep, even sitting in the iron cage, Aya wasn't submerged. Nonetheless, the filming officially commenced.
...
"I feel like a tea bag that's been steeped for hours..."
After two hours passed without any monster attacks, Aqua gradually relaxed. She even felt like chatting with Kazuma and the others who were nervously watching her.
At that moment, Megumin, wearing a somewhat awkward expression, suddenly said, "The vicious crocodiles haven't shown up at all. It would be nice if everything ended peacefully like this."
As soon as these words, resembling a flag, were spoken—
"Ah, they're coming!!! They're really coming!!!"
As if responding to a battle cry, the steel cage containing Aqua was surrounded by a large number of crocodiles, producing crunching noises as they bit down.
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