The Novel Editorial Department of Chiyo Bookstore Co., Ltd.
The cluttered and not particularly spacious open office made it hard to believe that this was the headquarters of the leading physical book publisher in Japan's publishing industry. Dozens of editors were busy with their own work. Some were contacting authors by phone, while others were personally reviewing manuscripts.
The atmosphere was noisy and bustling. If sound had physical form, the office would probably have burst from overcrowding.
Yet the serious expressions of the staff prevented the scene from feeling chaotic. Anyone who listened carefully to their conversations would quickly realize why this company was considered professional. Unlike the noise of a marketplace, every editor here was faithfully carrying out their responsibilities.
Suddenly, a commotion arose.
The editor-in-chief of the novel department, Akiyama Gojō, hurried into the open office. Before he had even caught his breath, he asked one of the staff members working at a computer:
"Shiho, is the interview footage with Director Kamiyā finished yet? If it isn't, put aside everything else. This interview is the highest priority. Headquarters has already called to urge us on."
The employee at the computer sighed helplessly and gestured toward the monitor.
"It's mostly edited already. I'm doing the final review now. Seriously, dropping such a massive task on us out of nowhere. We had to work overnight and didn't even get overtime pay."
Akiyama walked over to inspect the screen. He lightly smacked the employee on the head with a folder and said sternly:
"Stop complaining. Everyone's in the same situation. I'll treat all of you to drinks after work, but make sure this project is completed properly. Send the edited footage to my computer. I'll handle the final review myself."
"Yes, yes, understood, Editor-in-Chief Akiyama-sama."
The employee shook his head with a smile.
Akiyama Gojō was the chief editor of the novel department. He treated his subordinates very well and was widely praised as one of the younger generation's outstanding editors in the publishing industry. Since even their editor-in-chief had no complaints about the assignment, they couldn't exactly keep grumbling either.
Returning to his office, Akiyama used his computer to receive the interview footage for 'Fate/zero' that had been transferred by the staff member.
This interview project was a collaboration between Chiyo Bookstore and Yosuganosora Animation Studio.
To promote Kamiyā Yuu's new novel, Chiyo Bookstore conducted an interview with him, while Yosuganosora Animation Studio produced a promotional PV for the novel. Once edited together, the result became Chiyo Bookstore's official promotional video.
As chief editor of the novel department, Akiyama knew how seriously headquarters was treating this promotional campaign.
He was already familiar with Kamiyā Yuu's name.
At present, Kamiyā Yuu was both the director of the hugely popular original anime 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' and the president of Yosuganosora Animation Studio.
That meant he owned all associated copyrights and profits from 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'.
Even if such a person wrote a completely meaningless novel, he would still be worth cooperating with on a deeper level.
In reality, due to work requirements, Akiyama had already read the 'Fate/zero' side-story novel released by Kamiyā Yuu, 'Knight's Twilight'.
What surprised him was that such a lengthy work was merely a side story to the main novel. He had heard that six more character-focused side-story novels would be released gradually afterward.
At first, he found the situation rather strange.
An anime creator writing novels?
Wasn't that like a pianist suddenly deciding to play the trumpet?
It sounded utterly ridiculous.
However, after reading the submitted manuscript for 'Knight's Twilight', his first impression was that the writing was concise and sharp. The characterization was especially powerful, while the large-scale scenes were depicted with enough grandeur and impact to be breathtaking.
The entire novel was tightly structured. The plot advanced layer by layer, possessing an almost unbelievable level of attraction.
Moreover, compared to ordinary light novels, 'Knight's Twilight' had an advantage that simply could not be surpassed.
Kamiyā Yuu had personally illustrated dozens of exquisite full-page artworks, covering every major character appearing in the novel.
Even Japan's top light novel authors could never receive treatment on this level.
'Knight's Twilight' was unquestionably a blockbuster production among light novels.
The novel left Akiyama deeply impressed.
Its story recounted the legendary life of King Arthur, the most famous monarch in English history. Incorporating elements of myth and legend, it boldly portrayed King Arthur as a girl.
It was an extraordinarily daring concept.
The plot was perfectly self-consistent, telling a heartbreaking tale of a kingdom through Arthur's perspective.
Akiyama could identify what might be considered the story's "flaw"—
It was simply too heartbreaking and left readers with lingering regrets.
To put it plainly, the story did not provide readers with a sense of complete fulfillment.
Whether in television dramas, novels, or anime, tragic or happy endings may evoke different emotional responses from audiences. However, there is usually one shared feeling:
"This story has ended. This is its conclusion."
Works that fail to leave viewers with such an impression are generally criticized as having strong beginnings but weak endings.
Of course, some creators deliberately employ uncertainty in their endings for artistic effect, resulting in what is commonly known as an open ending.
This technique requires considerable experience.
When used for artistic purposes, an open ending is like suspending an entire work on a tightrope. After all, most audiences prefer a satisfying conclusion rather than some frustrating open ending that leaves them unable to fully enjoy the story.
There was, however, another common purpose for this approach.
If a sequel was already planned, an open ending could serve as motivation for audiences to return for the next installment.
'Knight's Twilight' clearly belonged to the latter category.
In Akiyama's opinion, it was a highly successful example.
Whether judged from an educational perspective or pure entertainment value, 'Knight's Twilight' was well worth reading.
Want to enjoy a compelling story?
'Knight's Twilight' delivers.
Want to learn about the life and legends of England's famous King Arthur?
'Knight's Twilight' was still the first choice.
There were many stories based on historical research, but Akiyama's personal favorite remained one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'.
Likewise, built upon historical events and embellished with folk legends, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' has become a masterpiece renowned throughout Asia and across the world.
It perfectly mastered the difficult balance required of historical adaptations—finding equilibrium between real history and the themes the author wished to express, then enhancing the story with dramatic elements.
It was truly worthy of being called a masterpiece.
'Knight's Twilight' was similar.
If one ignored the somewhat frivolous premise of King Arthur being female, then it was one of the finest novels about Arthurian legend that Akiyama had ever read.
"What a waste. If Director Kamiyā had debuted as a novelist..."
The thought barely crossed his mind before he laughed at himself.
No, that wasn't right.
Kamiyā Yuu had already become one of the most famous anime directors in Japan. By any measure, his achievements were not inferior to those of renowned novelists.
Still, he truly was a remarkable person.
Akiyama clicked open the video file that had just been sent by the staff member and began reviewing the interview footage.