Chapter 386 - 271: Recreating the Animation’s Effect

Chapter 386: Chapter 271: Recreating the Animation’s Effect

"Completely handmade?"

"Completely handmade!" Zog said with certainty. "Even the car’s paint job has to be sprayed by hand, and the patterns on it have to be hand-drawn."

"The patterns could easily be printed by a machine. Drawing them by hand is more likely to result in flaws," Benz explained.

"No, the flaws are the point. That’s what makes it a unique, inimitable feature."

"But the cost would be astronomical. The hourly wages for high-level artisans are very expensive."

"That’s even better! If the cost is high, we can sell it for an even higher price. And not just a little higher—the cost should be about one-tenth of the retail price."

Zog was quite satisfied. He patted Benz’s shoulder. "Excellent. It’s not a problem, it’s an advantage. Keep up the good work. See you later, I’m off to give the children their presents."

He left Benz and Yuno staring at each other blankly in the lab.

"So why does it absolutely have to be handmade?" Benz still didn’t get it. "What kind of weirdo would buy a car where the production cost is only one-tenth of the price?"

"Don’t worry about it. Knowing the boss, this thing will probably sell out," Yuno said meaningfully.

Christmas.

After the Church became the leading power on the Continent, Christmas had become a very important holiday.

The usual tradition was to hold large-scale rituals where the faithful would bathe in the Goddess’s glory, that sort of thing.

There was no gift-giving segment.

But that wasn’t important.

Zog was just looking for an excuse. It was a completely self-styled invention, like eating apples on Christmas Eve.

Holding this kind of event could, first, stimulate the economy. Second, for the students from all over who couldn’t go home for long periods, it was an opportunity to foster a sense of belonging to the school.

If they identified with this place, they would, in turn, identify more with the city, and it would become their new home.

Then, when they grew up, as long as the offers elsewhere weren’t significantly better, they would be inclined to return to Deepwater City for work.

Who wouldn’t want a job close to home?

That way, Zog would have a steady stream of beasts of burden—no, I mean, workers.

Heh heh heh...

If you’re going to imitate something, you might as well go all the way.

Zog even had a giant Christmas tree set up on the school’s sports field, decorated with multi-colored illuminating Crystal Stones.

The school children’s wishes would be put in envelopes and hung on the tree.

Besides giving out small gifts that everyone received, Zog would also randomly select wishes from the tree to grant.

Although there was a large element of showmanship to it, Zog did genuinely help them fulfill their wishes.

The Red Dragon judged by actions, not intentions.

Right now, all the students in the school were in the main auditorium watching the finale of Digital Monster.

Meanwhile, Zog was getting into costume.

His normal appearance was too fierce, so he had a cute Red Dragon mascot costume made, similar to the one Elsa wore back when she was handing out flyers. He’d put it on and transform into the Christmas Dragon.

At the same time, he was screening the wishes hanging on the tree. Although the selection was indeed random, he had to filter out the really absurd ones. Otherwise, if he drew one he couldn’t grant, where would he, the honorary principal, put his face?

"Over there, there are a few wishes from kids who want to resurrect their lost loved ones."

The actual principal said, pointing to the Christmas tree.

She had read all the children’s wishes and planned to help grant some of them as best she could.

Zog nodded. That was a job he could have done a millennium or so ago, but not anymore.

It sounded abstract, but the God of Death had been killed by the Magic Goddess.

"Over there, someone wishes for a star."

"There are a few who want to become Mechanical Warriors, and they specified that toys don’t count."

"Wishes to become a Legendary Mage..."

The principal pointed out several clusters of wishes that were off-limits.

Zog acknowledged that he understood.

"When are the kids getting out?"

As soon as he asked, the distinct sound of children crying erupted from the auditorium. It sounded like hundreds of them were crying at once, their sobs merging into one.

"Alright, they’ve finished watching. They should be coming out soon."

"How do you know?" the principal asked curiously.

"It’s the Digital Monster finale. I cry when I watch it, too."