[149] The Steins;Gate of Destiny!

Chapter 149: The Steins;Gate of Destiny!

After the three-episode broadcast of Kara no Kyoukai, a great commotion swept across every place with a television.

Everyone was discussing topics related to Kara no Kyoukai, while those who missed the chance to watch it were filled with regret and frustration.

After all, Kara no Kyoukai was the first film to be broadcast exclusively on television, with no cinema screenings planned.

Of course, if the opportunity arises in the future, Durim wouldn't mind organizing a high-definition remastered version in theaters to rake in some profits across the entire empire.

However, since it wasn't shown in theaters, those without a television would have no chance to watch Kara no Kyoukai unless they could find access to one.

This undoubtedly left many people dissatisfied.

Fortunately, just before their complaints could boil over, Durin had Viscount Banil release a message—

Next, the concept of "TV taverns" would gradually spread across the southern regions, and the latest televisions would be distributed as quickly as possible throughout the area.

This news quickly spread, dispelling any lingering resentment among those who hadn't seen Kara no Kyoukai right away.

As for places outside the southern regions, considering that movies themselves hadn't even reached those areas yet, Durin didn't plan to expand television distribution across the entire empire for the time being.

One must eat their food one bite at a time and walk the path one step at a time.

Forcing the spread of movies and televisions without first creating the necessary environment would only end up being a futile effort.

However, Durin did intend to discuss with Alyssa, the president of the Adventurers' Guild, about setting up a hall television exclusively for the Adventurers' Guild in the north, where there was already a basic foundation for movies.

...

After the perfect conclusion of Kara no Kyoukai's broadcast, Durin ignored the group in Edward's tavern who, after watching the film, were so tormented by the wait for the next episode that their faces had twisted in agony. Instead, he headed directly to the Imperial Mage Academy and went straight to the top of the Alchemy Tower.

To his surprise, nearly all of the empire's nine Archmages were gathered there, with only Scar shrinking nervously in a corner.

"What... What are you all doing here? Don't tell me you're just hanging around to watch TV?"

At Durin's rhetorical question, the faces of the Archmages turned slightly red.

However, they were clearly accustomed to such situations and, far from feeling embarrassed, directly and decisively asked:

"When will the next episode of Kara no Kyoukai air? And will it still only be available on television?"

"When can you make more of those televisions? My old bones are worn out from running all the way here from the Mage Tower."

"What are you complaining about? Don't you usually teleport straight here? Anyway, when is the next chapter of Fate/Zero coming out? I'm even more excited for that!"

"I'm looking forward to both! Or better yet, why don't you just go and start filming now?"

At that moment, the Archmages were all fervently discussing amongst themselves, their eyes wide with excitement.

Durin, seeing this scene, couldn't help but smile wryly. If others in the world could see these Archmages—symbols of the highest wisdom among mages—behaving so mundanely, they would surely be shocked.

But fortunately, Durin wasn't just an exceptionally talented mage; he was also a transmigrator. So, even when faced with a barrage of questions from these Archmages, he remained calm and answered them one by one.

"The next episode of Kara no Kyoukai will air on television on the same day next month. By the way, the fourth episode has already been filmed. To ensure there are no unexpected delays, we only aired three episodes this time. Moving forward, we'll be releasing one episode each month."

"As for the televisions, they're still not ready for mass production. I estimate that only a few hundred units can be produced in the short term. These will be used to cover taverns in the southern region and given to some key figures in the empire. Building good relationships with influential people is a crucial step in the future development of Alchemy Tower, after all."

"As for the second chapter of Fate/Zero and the TV adaptation of KonoSuba, they're already scheduled for production. The leader of the Snowflake Troupe, Lord Chase, has taken over the direction of these two projects. So, he'll be the primary director, and aside from some key scenes, I won't be directly involved."

Hearing Durin's explanations, the Archmages nodded in satisfaction, evidently pleased with the answers they received.

Meanwhile, several of them were already thinking of using their status to request a television from Durin. After all, Durin had mentioned giving televisions to important figures, and who could be more important than them?

On the other hand, Hohenheim, sensing something, inquired, "Durin, if you're not going to direct the follow-ups for Fate/Zero and KonoSuba, then what are you planning to do next? The filming for Kara no Kyoukai shouldn't be that demanding, right?"

Seeing the skeptical look on Hohenheim's face, Durin replied candidly, "What else would I be doing? My greatest ambition in life is to create an endless number of spectacular films to present to audiences in this world. What's been released so far is just the beginning!"

"Oh? So you're planning to make more movies next?"

Seeing the anticipation written all over the faces of the Archmages, Durin calmly nodded, clearly not intending to keep it a secret.

Noticing this, Pollack, the Archmage specializing in Elemental Studies, promptly asked, "Durin, are you planning to make another movie related to mages? Fate/Zero and Kara no Kyoukai certainly showcased the role of magic in combat, but I'm actually more interested in a film that truly captures the essence of mages and the allure of magic itself."

Hearing Pollack's words, Durin responded with a mysterious smile, "Master Pollack, you've hit the nail on the head. The next film I'm planning to make is indeed closely related to 'magic' itself."

"Oh? You've already got something in mind?"

The curiosity of the surrounding Archmages was naturally piqued by Durin's words, and even the distant students from the Department of Alchemy, who were busy maintaining various television stations, as well as Scar, discreetly shifted their attention toward the conversation.

Durin, not one to keep things too secretive, generously offered them a bit of a spoiler, saying, "I wouldn't say it's a fully fleshed-out idea yet, but I do have a clear direction. The next film I plan to make is going to be very much about 'magic' and also tied to the concept of time. I can tell you the title in advance—"

"Steins;Gate!"

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