The World Expo had a very demanding requirement for entries. Before meeting Joshua, Hyrlan has applied to enter the World Expo with her arcanotech device to the Advanced Magic University three times. Yet, in all three occasions, she was denied on the premise that there were insufficient spaces.
The Crystal Palace's floor space was limited. A portion of the floor space was reserved for the various nations. The other portion was reserved for Norland's various Advanced Magic Universities and famous alchemic ateliers.
As the spaces were truly scarce, Hyrlan, an ordinary magic student, would most definitely be rejected.
Madam Schroder represented Farucci. The floor space reserved for a country would be sufficient enough for Joshua to display 'Hearthstone' in full swing.
After coming to a decision to cooperate, Joshua and Madam Schroder's afternoon tea ended in delight to both parties.
Regretfully, Joshua didn't manage to catch sight of the Flower of Farucci during this afternoon tea. Perhaps she was hiding somewhere to practice her acting skills.
After he returned to the Hearthstone Tavern from Madam Schroder's mansion, Joshua began to prepare for the upcoming World Expo.
Apart from the optimization of Hearthstone, he was also attempting to remodel the 'camera.'
Affected by the chaotic nature of his magic, the possibility of being able to successfully remodel the camera would be all up to luck.
Fortunately, on the World Expo's opening day, Joshua managed to successfully enhance his camera with the ability to broadcast live.
"Is it a success this time?"
Ciri was sitting in Joshua's office and looking at the pile of remnant originium crystal. Seeing those, she once again realized exactly how unstable the magic of Chaos Demons were.
"It's a success. However, it's the only one."
Joshua sighed and leaned himself onto his chair. Fortunately, the Third Prince's research into originium crystals and the knowledge he obtained was still in Joshua's head. Else, Joshua wouldn't have been able to give the camera the ability of live broadcast in such a short period of time.
"What use is this thing?"
Ciri was holding a piece of cake she brought back from the bakery. There was cream on the corner of her mouth. However, she had no idea.
When Ciri was participating in the afternoon tea hosted by Madam Schroder, she did not touch a single dessert the entire time.
The reason for that was all because she believed that 'people seek for returns when giving favors.' Ciri noticed that Joshua and Madam Schroder were negotiating at that time. As Joshua's assistant, she felt that it would be shameful to eat the food of a person they're trying to negotiate with.
That being said, Ciri had Joshua bring her to the bakery to make up for the missed desserts afterwards.
"You'll know at the World Expo."
Joshua placed the sole successfully remodeled 'originium crystal' into his suitcase.
Right at this moment, Ciri's older sister Hyrlan arrived at the tavern's second floor. She stood outside Joshua's office and knocked on his door.
"Mister Joshua."
Hyrlan was still wearing a plain and simple mage gown. But, even though she was wearing a loose-fitting mage gown, one could still notice her shapely figure.
"Am I… really able to participate in the World Expo?"
Hyrlan had already confirmed that question with Joshua countless times several days ago. But, she still found it difficult to believe on the day of the World Expo.
She knew very well how difficult it was to have her arcanotech device enter the Crystal Palace's exhibition hall. Not long ago, she was still pondering about how to persuade the auditors to allow 'Hearthstone' to be exhibited at the World Expo.
But, days later, Joshua told her that she didn't have to worry about it anymore.
"Of course. I've promised you that the arcanotech device you've created will be exhibited at the World Expo. Everyone will know that you're the creator. And now, it is time for me to fulfill my promise."
The foundation behind 'Hearthstone' was Hyrlan's arcanotech device. Back then, Hyrlan could be said to be a person who had signed a contract with the demon Joshua.
Seemingly to confirm what Joshua said to be true, a butler-dressed middle-aged man walked up to the tavern's second floor. When he saw Joshua, he slowly walked over.
"Mister Joshua, the carriage arranged by our Lady Duchess is already waiting outside. Should I order some people over to help you move your arcanotech devices set out to be exhibited?"
This butler was the same butler Joshua met at Madam Schroder's mansion.
"I've already prepared everything."
Joshua picked up the suitcase on the table. The suitcase possessed a much greater storage area than what Joshua imagined it to have. There was no issue in putting a Hearthstone arcade machine and Hyrlan's drafting arcanotech device in the suitcase.
"Miss Hyrlan, let us discuss things further at the World Expo, okay?"
"Of course!"
Hyrlan has been waiting for this day for a very long time. For the sake of allowing her mother's posthumous work to be displayed at the World Expo, she went as far as to skip university for months on end all so that she could work in her alchemic atelier.
Guided by the middle-aged butler, Joshua arrived at the street outside the Hearthstone Tavern. There was a horse carriage inscribed with the emblem of the Grand Duke of Blackwood waiting on the side of the road.
Joshua bid farewell to Melina who was managing the tavern and, together with Hyrlan and Ciri, got into the carriage.
The carriage interior was as luxurious as its exterior. Joshua found a seat by the window and sat down. Ciri and her sister Hyrlan sat themselves across from Joshua.
The World Expo could be said to be the matter of greatest celebration in Norland. Originium crystals emitting all sorts of different-colored light filled the streets. Fireworks created from illumination runes would flash through the sky from time to time.
The Hearthstone Tavern was located in Norland's business district. To reach the Crystal Palace from the crowded business district on a horse carriage would take a long time.
With nothing to do, Hyrlan and Ciri began to compete in Pong to pass time.
Joshua was not too interested in Pong. Once 'Hearthstone' spreads through the city of Norland, perhaps Joshua could attempt to create other games.
Maybe he could recreate some of the NES pixel-based graphics games he had played in his childhood. That being said, since he would be going to partake in an event celebrating Norland, Joshua decided to relax himself.
After getting tired from watching the people and scenery outside, Joshua turned his line of sight to the sisters Ciri and Hyrlan.
An indescribable sort of delicate fragrance filled the entire carriage. Perhaps the carriage was scented to provide aromatherapy.
Joshua cannot deny the fact that the sisters sitting across him were a beautiful scenery.
Joshua naturally knew fully Ciri's feelings for him. If he could find a girlfriend as beautiful as her, it would be his fortune of several lifetimes.
Since coming to Norland, Joshua has worked for nearly two months straight nonstop in order to consolidate a base, a foundation, in this city. It was indeed time for him to relax and take care of things like feelings and relationships.
While Joshua was pondering about all that, the horse carriage that has been traveling through Norland's bustling streets for close to half an hour finally came to a stop.
"Mister Joshua, we've arrived at the venue for the World Expo. Lady Duchess is already waiting for you inside the Crystal Palace."
It was the exhibition where practically all the major nations of this world were participating in, the exhibition held to display the latest arcanotech devices.
Joshua patted his suitcase. It was time for the people of this world to experience the way of entertainment from the Information Age.
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