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Weekend 9 PM.

It was a time when, normally, the streets would be deserted as everyone stayed home to watch an anime.

However, for some reason, the streets were packed with people even after 9 PM.

The anime that had been airing every Weekend 9 PM was none other than “Alchemist,” and considering that “Alchemist” had just entered its climax, the final boss battle, this was undeniably strange.

This was a bizarre incident that had never happened since the introduction of anime to the Empire.

The reason for this peculiar event was none other than—

“Kuh… How could this happen? For you to go like this, like this…!”

“It’s impossible…! I can’t believe it…! How could someone so young…!”

Countless people were shedding tears and mourning for someone.

The faces of the people gathered here were filled only with pain, and they did not hide their sorrow at having lost someone.

Who was this ‘someone’ for whom so many people were sending their condolences in the heart of the capital, the very heart of the Empire?

“Arpin…! Arpin is gone…! To save Ellen, he sacrificed himself…!”

“It was a heroic act, but what are those left behind supposed to do…? How are the remaining two episodes of “Alchemist” supposed to proceed now…!”

That’s right.

The one they were mourning was none other than Arpin, the younger brother of the Riel brothers, the protagonists of “Alchemist.”

This was because in the latest episode of “Alchemist,” the shocking development occurred where Arpin eventually sacrificed himself.

“…My brother, with his right arm as the price, was able to retrieve my soul from the Void Chronicle and settle it in this armor.”

“In that case, the opposite should also be possible. If I pay with my soul, I should be able to restore my brother’s right arm.”

In the final battle against the ‘Creator,’ the final boss of this anime, Ellen’s artificial right arm was shattered due to an overly strenuous fight.

Arpin wanted to help his brother in any way he could, but he soon realized that it was impossible.

“…Is this it for me.”

This was because his armor, which he had pushed beyond its limits, was already on the verge of shattering.

He couldn’t be of help.

However, if he didn’t help Ellen somehow, the only outcome awaiting all humans in this country was to be turned into Philosopher’s Stones by the ‘Creator.’

So, what should he do?

What was the best choice he could make at this very moment?

Arpin easily found the answer.

“I just need to sacrifice myself.”

To sacrifice himself and regain his brother’s right arm.

It was okay.

It wasn’t that difficult.

Just like three years ago, when his brother had sacrificed his own body to save him.

He just had to do as his brother had done.

“…You must win, brother.”

Muttering this, Arpin clasped his hands together as if in prayer—

…And with that, everything came to an end.

Ellen’s right arm returned, and Arpin disappeared beyond the gate.

Thus concluded the journey the brothers had run relentlessly for the past three years, and Episode 62 of “Alchemist.”

“…..”

“…..”

The viewers knew this well.

How strict and ruthless Ragnar was when it came to the anime he produced, if nothing else.

While he might have seemed like an ordinary person who wanted all his anime to end with a happy ending, he was also a merciless individual who would do anything to elevate the quality of the anime he produced.

Of course, in works like “Knight Shin Chronicle,” he had rewound the world’s time, bringing all characters back to life along with it.

However, conversely, this meant that unless it was an exceptional case of that magnitude, Ragnar killed off the characters he created without a shred of mercy.

Furthermore, the thematic message conveyed by “Alchemist” was that one should not carelessly bring the dead back to life.

Wasn’t the reason the Riel brothers had suffered hardship for over three years, losing their bodies, precisely because they had attempted human transmutation to save their mother?

If they were now to attempt human transmutation to retrieve their brother, or use the Philosopher’s Stone created with the lives of others, what would become of the lessons they had learned?

In that sense, Arpin, who had disappeared into the Void Chronicle, had effectively met his death.

Therefore, the viewers had gathered here to mourn Arpin, who had departed so vainly.

“Senior… I pray that you will be happy on the other side… Please rest well there…”

And there stood a man at this gathering, addressing Arpin as ‘Senior’ and offering his condolences.

That man’s name was Denneve.

Furthermore, Denneve was the one who had gathered people at Weekend 9 PM and held a memorial service for Arpin.

No, to be more precise, he had deliberately chosen this time slot to hold the memorial service.

The reason he did this was extremely simple.

‘Arpin is dead. Or rather… to be more precise, he hasn’t completely died, but he’s in a state that’s as good as dead. Because there’s no way to return from that side to this one.’

‘However, conversely, this means that Arpin’s death has not yet been confirmed. Because it’s impossible to definitively rule out the possibility of Arpin’s revival in the future…’

‘But what if no one watches “Alchemist” anymore?’

‘If that happens, won’t Arpin’s death remain unconfirmed and live forever in our hearts?’

He was reminiscing about the quantum mechanics theory that an event cannot be definitively said to have occurred if it is not observed.

Thus, Denneve became the historical figure who first established quantum mechanics in the fantasy world.

But at this moment, such a trivial matter held no importance for him.

What truly mattered was leaving a sliver of hope, even if it was through such a loophole, wasn’t it?

However, even if the worst-case scenario was avoided, Arpin was now irrevocably gone, and could never return to reality.

This was an eternal separation, as good as death.

And so, the people were now sending their condolences to him, who had become separated from Ellen forever.

However, if you thought Denneve was holding this memorial service simply out of fandom, that would be a grave mistake.

This was because he was a young duke of the Grinevalt Dukehouse.

He was an individual equipped with the noble mindset of seeking maximum benefit even from the smallest of actions.

‘Through this memorial service… I will inform the world that the era of the Riel brothers has come to an end. Now, the era of Alchemist Denneve has arrived!’

‘I am the true protagonist of this era. Now that I’ve switched from Mage to Alchemist, I am determined to reach the pinnacle…!’

Not long ago, the entire continent was shaken by the revelation that alchemists had synthesized a new material called ‘plastic.’

And Denneve, witnessing this, could easily grasp the boundless potential of the profession of alchemist.

Over a mere plastic, the entire continent was convulsed, and even all the nobles of the Empire were forced to curry favor with Ragnar.

And what if Denneve also invented a groundbreaking new material or tool that did not exist in this world, just like Ragnar?

If such a thing were to happen, it wouldn’t be entirely impossible for Denneve to exert influence over the entire continent.

Denneve had set his sights on instigating an industrial revolution in this world with his own hands.

‘First… I need to win over the people attending this memorial service. These are true fans who truly cherished and loved Alchemist Arpin! Therefore, if I can win their hearts, it’s no different than gaining powerful allies.’

As Denneve finished these calculations in his mind, pondering how he could bring them under his wing—

Murmur, murmur.

Denneve’s ears picked up the sound of people whispering something.

And Denneve scowled at the noisy chatter.

Who the hell was idly chatting in this sacred place mourning the eternal farewell of Arpin?

Just as Denneve was about to open his mouth to reprimand them—

“Hey? Did you hear? That news? They say Arpin’s back!”

“What? Arpin returned to the mortal world? Really?”

“No… How is that possible? No matter how much I think about it, there was no way to return from that side to here?”

“Apparently, in this 63rd episode of “Alchemist,” Ellen miraculously brought her brother back to reality using a method no one expected! They say everyone who watched was amazed at how ingenious it was!”

“Damn it…! Why didn’t I watch this episode live? Why did my past self believe the nonsense that Arpin would never return?”

“Is it because of my lack of faith in Director Ragnar once again…? Why is my faith in the director always lacking at such crucial moments? Why?”

“Damn it! This isn’t the time! Episode 63…! I have to watch the 63rd episode that just aired…! Before anyone spoils it for me!”

“Is there anyone who recorded this episode on an Artifact? If there is, I promise to buy it at twice the usual price!”

And so, the people who had filled this place suddenly disappeared in a rush—

“…..”

Only Denneve was left behind alone and desolate.

Thus, the ambition of a certain sapling, who dreamed of sparking an industrial revolution in this world, shattered to pieces the moment it began.

It was a sad ending.

 

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