[49] Actors in Position

Chapter 49: Actors in Position

Due to the absence of the DVD version of the magic crystal, Durin's film "Goblin Slayer" remained a live-action adaptation this time. He extensively revised the storyline to fit into a two-hour movie, condensing it from the original twelve episodes.

While longer than "Konosuba: God Blessings on this Wonderful World," this adaptation involved more alterations to the original story. To maintain narrative coherence and compactness, Durin removed numerous flashback and slice-of-life scenes.

Additionally, due to the world's lack of a city with comprehensive underground infrastructure like Water Town, he localized the storyline to fit the setting, avoiding the need to fabricate extensive underground facilities for the film's production.

In conclusion, this script was Durin's final version after spending a long time revising it. Now, he distributed this finalized performance script to all the extras present.

The reaction was undeniable. As everyone glanced at the uniformly copied script in their hands, they were instantly drawn into the story and couldn't pull themselves out. The vivid depiction of reality on the first page alone caused their pores to contract, let alone the relentless, gripping excitement that followed, thanks to Durin's extensive adaptation.

Most of the people present had read biographical adventure novels from the capital, growing tired of the cliché heroic deeds of powerful adventurers. Therefore, when they encountered a protagonist who was decisively different, they eagerly flipped through the script, engrossed in the tale.

As they reached the final battle, where the protagonist's home was surrounded by a large group of goblins, the adventurers clenched their fists, feeling a profound fear of these seemingly weak creatures in reality.

For even if you are immensely powerful yourself, what about your family? Even if you become the hero who slays dragons, how would you feel when you return to your village, only to find it slaughtered by a horde of cunning little monsters?

The story of the Goblin Slayer tapped into these emotions, instantly dousing the adventurers, who all harbored dreams of greatness, with a cold dose of reality. Yet, paradoxically, they were grateful for it.

"Can I treat this script as a family heirloom? I want my son to see this story too," joked the first adventurer to finish reading the script. His words broke the spell, and gradually, the adventurers emerged from the rollercoaster ride of the unconventional story. The adventurer who made the remark felt a flush of embarrassment as those around him reminded him, "This is going to be a movie shown on the big screen."

Even the Northland adventurers, who had no previous understanding of movies, were now awake and had formed an impression of what a movie was.

At this moment, even these Northland adventurers, who had little understanding of movies, were feeling the rush of adrenaline and eagerly anticipating the moment when this story would be adapted into what they called a "movie."

...

After everyone finished reading the script, Durin began the actors' training, or rather, buffing them up. The results were satisfying. Though these adventurers were rough around the edges and not adept at subtle facial expressions, with the assistance of implied magic, they quickly got into their roles—or rather, they quickly revealed their usual selves.

Once they completely forgot they were acting, these adventurers' portrayal of themselves was even better than what Durin had expected from professional actors.

After the roles were assigned, Durin found that almost all the characters in the movie had been cast. This even included non-human races like elves, dwarves, and lizardfolk who would join the protagonist's team later on. Thanks to the large number and high quality of adventurers in the Northlands, with the efforts of Guild Master Alyssa, even adventurers of non-human races could be found.

However, as Durin learned during a discussion, the adventurer playing the elf was actually a half-elf with human ancestry, and the one playing the lizardfolk was not a real lizardfolk but a person who had undergone some sort of mutation. Due to the deteriorating relationship between the Empire and the Orc Kingdom over the years, and strained relations with all non-human races, aside from those with some human lineage, it was rare to find other non-human races within the Empire.

The situation for these individuals with non-human lineage wasn't very good. Except in the power-centric Northlands, they struggled to survive elsewhere. This was also the main reason why Lawrence insisted on keeping the orc girl he had adopted at home and not letting her roam around.

Meanwhile, when Durin announced to Guild Master Alyssa, who had always thought she wouldn't have to act, the role she would play, she showed a panicked expression and exclaimed, "Director Durin, you want me to play the role of the Sword Maiden? But I'm not suitable for it, and I don't know how to act..."

To this, Durin just smiled and replied, "Does anyone here look like they know how to act? Don't worry about it. You are the perfect choice for the role of Sword Maiden in my mind, both in appearance and temperament!"

"But..."

Unable to articulate her resentment about playing the role of the Sword Maiden, Alyssa stood there dumbfounded for a while. Finally, unable to come up with anything to say, Durin firmly stated, "Guild Master Alyssa, have you forgotten what you said before about being willing to do anything to make this movie? Just playing a role on stage is something you can't handle? If that's the case, I would be quite disappointed in you..."

"No, it's... fine. I'll do it, I'll do it, okay..."

Though he felt a bit guilty for teasing her like this, Durin couldn't help but feel a sense of sadistic pleasure at the sight of the beautiful Guild Master looking so pitiful. Quickly shaking off such thoughts, he turned away and said, "Alright, everyone, please remember your roles and lines well. I look forward to your brilliant performances."

With Durin's words, all the actors, including Saiki, who arrived late due to his customized armor, patiently began to study their scripts and gradually immerse themselves in their roles.

With preparations for "Goblin Slayer" in full swing, the impact of "Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World," which had already aired in the Southern Region, was beginning to be felt anew.