Creating Anime In A Fantasy World - Chapter 48: Auditioning for Goblin Slayer

Edward placed a bag full of gold coins on the table and said, “I want to rent you and your house for a few months. This is the deposit. The final payment will be at least twenty times this amount.”

Saeki looked at the bag of gold in astonishment.

It contained at least two hundred gold coins—a fortune that would take a silver-ranked adventurer at least six months of hard labor to earn.

“Rent me and my house?”

Before Saeki could speculate further, Edward continued, “Yes. I am planning to make a film, and I want to use your house as a shooting location. Also, I want you to play the lead role in the film.”

“???”

Being from the Northern Territory, Saeki had no idea what the word “film” meant.

Edward had anticipated this, so he quickly explained, allowing the reclusive adventurer to grasp the concept of films and actors.

After understanding…

“Sorry, I can’t do that, Mr. Edward,” Saeki immediately refused.

Although he glanced at the gold coins, which were enough to support him and the children he had taken in for years, he ultimately replied firmly, “I don’t want to get involved in any more trouble. My current situation might attract unnecessary attention. For the sake of these children…”

“For the sake of these children, you should do it,” Edward countered. “You haven’t been active as an adventurer for quite some time, right? These coins should help cover any debts you’ve accumulated. Completing my commission will earn you enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life. No matter how you look at it, you have no reason to refuse.”

“But I am a monster now—a creature who would be hunted down by the Church if my identity is revealed. If I am gone, these children will truly have no one to depend on,” Saeki replied with hesitation.

Seeing the adventurer’s dilemma, Edward suddenly asked, “What if I could offer you a chance to return to human society?”

“??!”

“Calm down, Saeki. Things aren’t as bad as you think. Your identity hasn’t been exposed yet, so you still have several choices to make. Right now, you have a choice: either accept my offer, take this money, and gamble on a chance to return to human society, or reject it and continue living outside town, where you and these children will live in fear, eating black bread every day. It’s entirely up to you.”

As Edward spoke, he felt as though his persuasive skills were getting better, making him wonder if he was more of a con artist than a director.

On the other hand, Saeki’s hesitation showed that Edward’s persuasion was working.

Saeki glanced around at the children behind him, showing a conflicted expression.

One of the children, a girl around fifteen or sixteen, smiled and said, “Uncle Saeki, don’t worry about us. We all know that you’ve always wanted to return to your adventurer life, to explore and see every corner of the empire, to become the legendary hero sung about by bards. Now, you’re like a bird with broken wings or a fish out of water. This isn’t the real you.”

“Nora, you…”

Saeki was stunned by the words of the girl who had always seemed so obedient.

At the same time, Edward chimed in, “That’s right. This child is spot on. You became an adventurer because it’s what you wanted, right? You’d rather be known as the mighty, legendary adventurer Saeki than as ‘Saeki, the farmer.’ This isn’t who you are, is it?”

“……”

Eventually, Saeki took the bag of gold, which could be considered his salvation.

He decided to agree to Edward’s proposal.

After all, if he didn’t repay his debts soon, he might lose his right to live near the town.

In a way, Edward’s appearance was a godsend, and that was a significant reason why Saeki agreed to the proposal.

However, he did not yet realize how much this decision would change his life.

<+>

In the Adventurers’ Guild of Winter City, Northern Territory.

Because Guild Master Eliza had posted a notice calling for actors and extras, the adventurers who had passed the first round of auditions were gathered here.

Among them were several rookie adventurers from the Southern Territory, two receptionists from the Adventurers’ Guild, and some veteran adventurers from the Northern Territory Guild.

Additionally, Daphne and her bodyguards were present because they had received the notice.

“Miss, are we really not going back? Sneaking off to the Northern Territory like this, without a word, will drive the Duke mad,” one of her bodyguards said.

Unfazed, Daphne replied, “Of course not. I finally passed the audition. How can I leave before filming is over?! Even if Father comes personally to get me, I won’t give up!”

Seeing the girl’s determination, the bodyguard gave up trying to persuade her and instead looked at the adventurers.

Due to the regional differences, the adventurers from the Northern and Southern Territory were waiting in different postures and clearly had different expectations for what was to come.

“I never thought we’d use a teleportation magic circle to come to the Northern Territory to make a movie! This is my first time using a teleportation circle!”

“Same here! And what kind of movie will it be this time? Is it a sequel to KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!? Do we have a chance to play the main roles?”

“Haha, you’re dreaming if you think you can be the lead. We’ll be lucky if we’re background characters in the boss fight.”

The enthusiastic discussions of the rookie adventurers could be heard clearly.

Seeing this, Daphne, who knew some of the script details, wore a subtle expression, choosing not to reveal the truth to them.

Soon, as Guild Master Eliza and Edward walked over, the lively atmosphere quieted down.

Facing the crowd’s eager, skeptical, or apprehensive looks, Edward calmly announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down. Soon, Guild Master Eliza will distribute the script and character breakdowns for this movie, and you will be auditioning for roles. Once your roles are assigned and you’ve learned your lines, we will immediately begin shooting!”

Since none of these people were professional actors, Edward did not plan to give them several days to prepare.

He only needed them to act as themselves, with the aid of a little suggestion magic.