The storyboard for comics and the storyboard for animation were similar yet different in many ways.
In comics, once detailed drawings are added on top, that becomes the final version, but storyboards for animation only show a rough outline of the story.
Since the empty parts of the storyboard, drawn only at the beginning and end of the scenes, needed to be filled in, true work could be said to start from that point.
“Wolfgang, thank you for coming all the way here.”
“No, I was itching to start working as soon as possible.”
Having randomly met Wolfgang from the Art Department, Rupert had invited him to the animation research lab set up on the second floor of the Somerset Workshop.
It was a chaotic place filled with the sounds of artisans busy discussing and creating things here and there.
“In order for the animation to flow smoothly, we need to loosen this section a bit more.”
“But won’t that cause snags and minor breakdowns in that part?”
“That’s something you need to figure out.”
What caught Wolfgang’s eye was the projector used to screen animations during the graduation ceremony.
Seeing the artisans discussing around it, he suddenly felt that this was indeed the place creating the most popular works across the Empire.
“The music you will create this time is essential for this work.”
Although he wanted to take a bit more time to explore, Wolfgang, guided by Rupert, moved to the third floor where he received a storyboard for a new animation that had already been prepared.
“This is… The Kingdom of Ice, isn’t it?”
“You knew.”
“Of course! I’m really excited that this animation is based on this work.”
Wolfgang’s words were not empty.
Rupert’s first work, The Kingdom of Ice, was undoubtedly an entertaining work, but it felt a bit lacking compared to today’s comics.
“If it were made into an animation, not only would it be more vivid, but we could also present the gorgeous scenes more dramatically.”
Moreover, the thought of his own music blending with this work made Wolfgang excited.
“First of all, we need the overall background music that’s the most important for the piece. Also, we need music for this scene and this part…”
As Wolfgang spoke, Rupert explained the music he needed and which scenes it would fit into.
Listening to his explanations, Wolfgang also offered his opinions.
“Oh, that’s a shame.”
“What do you mean?”
“To create music that fits this piece, there are many points where I need to discuss things with you as we’re doing now, but…”
Wolfgang expressed his frustration that he would have to go back and forth to the academy to use instruments for composing.
“Oh! How about this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Our Somerset Mansion has quite a large area.”
Nodding in agreement, Wolfgang acknowledged Rupert’s words.
It was an extraordinarily large estate, difficult to believe it belonged to a mere count.
“Actually, I was already thinking about how to handle the many art students who wanted to learn from me during the vacation-”
“- We’re planning to create spaces in the remaining grounds of the mansion for guests and for working.”
Wolfgang thought that sounded reasonable.
Indeed, while the Academy provided instruments and had a good working environment, it was difficult to concentrate on composition with other students around.
The idea of having a dedicated space in the mansion, as Rupert mentioned, was quite captivating.
“Then I look forward to it!”
With that, Wolfgang promised to stay at Somerset Mansion once the space was ready and left, while Rupert watched his retreating figure with a content expression.
“Another one caught, huh?”
“When did you arrive? And could you not say ‘caught’?”
When he turned around at the suddenly familiar voice, he saw Esteban watching as Rupert saw Wolfgang off.
“There’s no better expression than that.”
“Let’s gloss over that. But why are you here?”
Knowing Rupert’s habit of deflecting when he felt cornered, Esteban naturally brought up the reason for his visit.
“Marquis Demian offered to send personnel, and we also managed to gather some resources on our side.”
“He’s cooperating more actively than I expected, Marquis Demian.”
“He’s fundamentally a merchant. Knowing he’s on the same boat, he understands that cooperation is beneficial.”
Marquis Demian agreed to cooperate fully with Agora in exchange for a joint animation business.
In truth, although it was referred to as joint cooperation, the roles assigned to them were almost subcontracted.
When Rupert created a storyboard and handed it over, the artists from Vera Merchant Guild took on the role of filling it in.
And the completed animation would also be supplied by Vera Merchant Guild.
“This project requires a massive amount of manpower and capital, so we initially needed partners.”
Creating the illustrations required for animation was so labor-intensive that it was like grinding people down.
Yet, the better the skilled artists, the better the outcome, so one couldn’t just jam anyone in, which made the joining of Vera Merchant Guild—standing out in comic book endeavors after the Yuren Merchant Association—rather grateful for Rupert and Esteban.
“Moreover, since you’ve recruited students from the Academy, we now have enough manpower.”
Rupert had unearthed precious talents while teaching students at the Academy, and they expressed their eagerness to work here after experiencing new things at the Somerset family.
Thus, as he had mentioned to Wolfgang earlier, he was in the process of building dedicated living spaces for such people.
“By the way, why did you name it the Lab?”
“Well… I heard that, on the edges of the Empire, a place where only those who did good deeds in their past lives go is called a Lab. So, I borrowed that name.”
“Oh, I see it has such a meaning. I initially thought it meant a prison or a torture chamber.”
As Esteban chuckled, Rupert laughed along, but he was secretly struggling to hide the feeling of unease.
*
Rustle.
During the vacation, Edric returned to the Imperial Family and was practicing his drawing in the secret room he had created before.
While producing the animation Sylvania Musical Band for the comic club, he had felt incredibly frustrated about not being able to participate due to a lack of skills.
However, knowing that if he just remained frustrated, he wouldn’t have a role next time either, he was dedicating all the hours he was given to practicing drawing.
“What’s frustrating is, why does Rupert only have one body?”
As he drew, Edric once again realized how remarkable Rupert was.
Having consumed not only Manhwapia comics but also those from other places, Edric deeply appreciated how unparalleled Rupert’s art was in comparison.
Yet, he was dissatisfied that such talent was being underutilized at the moment.
“Why do only men appear in Van Helsing?”
Elza from The Kingdom of Ice and Winry Rockbell from Iron-Blooded Alchemist.
Rupert’s female characters had all captivated Edric’s heart.
However, as there had yet to be a female character to shake his heart in the new Van Helsing, he felt quite disappointed.
“I knew you would think the same, Elzawin!”
Among the Doujinshi Club, several members who resonated with him strongly agreed with his sentiments.
All works, including Van Helsing and others from Manhwapia, lacked female characters, which was disheartening.
What somewhat soothed his heart was—
“Indeed, Puppet Theater!”
It was Puppet Theater.
Elleor, among the main characters in Puppet Theater, was a character that perfectly appealed to him.
Not only did she bravely fight against the enemies, but she also did her utmost to protect the other main character, a boy, which left a strong impression on him.
And wasn’t that it? Watching her quarrel with the other male protagonist, Gato, was so amusing it made him laugh out loud.
“The figure needs to be released soon.”
He had heard that figures would be released along with the comic’s launch, so waiting was quite a struggle.
As Edric was lost in thought about Elleor, he soon focused back on his drawing practice.
The drawings that once seemed very awkward at the start were now starting to look fairly comic-like.
Of course, he still had a long way to go, but his drawing skills had progressed to a point where hope was visible.
“I already have the content I want to draw decided.”
The reason Edric was practicing drawing so hard was simple.
To directly bring the comic in his mind to life.
His favorite genre was comics featuring attractive female characters.
“This is definitely going to be a good comic!”
Since it was a story already validated in the Doujinshi Club, he was eager to draw that work.
*
“What kind of emotion would make one cry tears of sadness?”
Ioleen was holding her pen, frozen in place.
The manuscript for the serialized issue that normally would be finished by now remained untouched.
The scene she needed to draw was that of Elleor, who mourned, believing Gato had died, which she had to depict, but—
She did not yet fully understand the emotion of sadness.
While she could recognize feelings of anger or regret, she was puzzled about what exactly it felt like to be so sad one would cry tears.
Having never shed tears herself, she couldn’t grasp sorrow.
While she could understand sympathy, she couldn’t understand the sadness that came from losing someone she cared about.
“Was I a puppet too…?”
She was well aware of the reason she had always pursued things she found interesting.
She wanted to be similar to others.
Her siblings would laugh and cry over minor matters, showing dramatic expressions.
So she had tried to mimic them and participated in the things they found interesting.
However, none of that helped her understand their emotions.
Rather,
“That was the time when my heart felt the strangest.”
The memory that floated back in her mind was when her younger brother Edric and Head Attendant Aiden colluded to take the comic books and fairy tale books she had collected.
When her precious items were taken away by someone, she realized a strange chill in her heart.
“Yes, sadness was the emotion of being robbed of something.”
Now, Ioleen was slowly coming to understand her feelings.
She was a person who felt sad when her precious things were taken away.
And the thing she valued the most at that moment was always one man who made her feel intrigued.
“I didn’t realize I disliked being robbed as much as I did.”
And she thought she wouldn’t want to feel the emotion of sadness again in the future.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
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So it seems she’s gonna want to take mc hu? Just when Amelia misunderstood mc wants to marry her and there’s thay crazy dragon heart yandere too, mc will have it tough haha.