Gawain held great expectations for the young man before him who had created the Magic Shadow Drama.
Philem would receive direct sponsorship from the Cecil Royal Family. The team he needed, the funds, the equipnt, the venues—all of it would be provided.
Gawain never minded if soone thought of an idea before him, the traveler, nor did he care if soone else could implent those ideas. He had long understood that a person’s energy and talents were limited; he couldn’t possibly develop every aspect needed for a functioning society alone. Ultimately, it relied on the "people" who made up the society to accomplish it.
After conversing with rita Ponia, who subtly hinted at the key concepts of "spontaneous societal developnt" and "the hidden dangers of the descent of the chanical gods," Gawain was even more steadfast in his approach—focusing on promoting societal developnt and letting the masses build their own lives, rather than conjuring things out of thin air as a re traveler.
Of course, as an experienced individual, he would still need to make so corrections and reminders when new things were still immature in their early stages—his role was nothing more than that.
"Your Majesty, I... am very grateful," Philem expressed, beaming with delight and excitent when he realized the substantial support he would receive, "I will not let you down; I’ll produce the best Magic Shadow Drama and present it to you!"
"Don’t make it to present to ," Gawain imdiately shook his head, "That wasn’t your original intention for creating the Magic Shadow Drama—it’s ant for more ordinary people, for those who can’t enter theaters. Just write the stories you like, that the public likes. If the citizens of the Empire enjoy it, then it’s as if it’s presented to ."
Perhaps no noble or king had ever said such a thing, at least not in Philem’s understanding. The young man from Balon was profoundly moved, and Gawain continued, "Moreover, such new inventions should be promoted. As the patent holder of the Magic Shadow Drama, you shouldn’t just be the one who writes the scripts or films the dramas. I hope you can spread your creation—not only will this greatly benefit the developnt of Magic Shadow Drama, but you can also benefit from the patent licensing."
"I..." Philem, calming down from his excitent, showed a trace of unease, "Thank you for your trust, but... I don’t know what to do. I’ve never dealt with these kinds of things."
"Your Majesty, if you permit, I would be happy to assist Philem," Fendil suddenly said, "Though I don’t understand performances or scripts, I know how to deal with people."
Gawain smiled, "If Mr. Philem doesn’t mind."
Feeling a bit surprised, Philem turned to his "noble friend," and after a brief mont of astonishnt, hesitation, and contemplation, he finally smiled, "If possible... of course, I’d be very... honored."
"Just say you’re willing, no need to be so formal. I’m quite honored to be part of such an exciting endeavor," Fendil laughed heartily, his laughter dispelling the tension Philem had accumulated. The young noble from the northern parts then turned to Elywen, "Hey, aren’t you going to join in?"
"?" Elywen was a bit surprised, "Why invite ?"
"You possess a keen business mind inherited from your family," Fendil spread his hands, "Don’t tell you haven’t realized the connection between Magic Shadow Drama and business."
"...Father wants to learn so knowledge about Magic Guide Technology and social order in the southern borders," Elywen hesitantly replied, casting a quick glance at Gawain and then swiftly retracting his gaze, "Your Majesty knows I’m here to study—and so are you."
"Co on, friend, you’re of age!" Fendil exaggeratedly widened his eyes, "You’re not the kind of child who can only learn from being cooped up in a study with a family tutor, are you? This is the southern borders; almost everything you encounter here can be a learning opportunity!"
Gawain watched this scene with a smile, suddenly feeling a touch of sentint—youth is wonderful.
He broke the silence, "Given your status and the responsibilities you bear, you should engage in activities that participate in societal events. The coursework at the Imperial Academy won’t put much pressure on you and it encourages students to do more practical work."
Fendil looked at Elywen, "You see, even His Majesty says so."
"Then... I’m willing to participate," Elywen smiled, extending a hand to Philem, "Mr. Philem, I hope we get along well."
Rebecca, who had been watching from the sidelines with a pretense of reading, seized the mont to join in, "If you encounter technical difficulties, you can co to —I usually have a lot of work, so I can’t join you, but I can help out a bit... I think this Magic Shadow Drama is really interesting!"
...
The young people left, leaving only Gawain and Amber in the study.
Philem did not take the "projection equipnt" with him; it remained on Gawain’s desk, still looping video clips. After watching it so many tis, Amber had finally lost interest. However, she was a bit puzzled by the enthusiasm Gawain had shown earlier and couldn’t help but ask, "Is this Magic Shadow Drama really that important? I noticed your attitude was different this ti; your interest in it far exceeds that of an ordinary folk invention... almost comparable to when you heard about the successful trial of the flying machine."
"It’s certainly important. The construction of the spiritual domain has always been just as important as the material domain," Gawain glanced at Amber, "Have you forgotten how quickly and significantly newspapers and Magic Web broadcasts impacted the public, or how you utilized the power of propaganda back in St. Soniel?"
"I rember; there was even a debrief eting at the Intelligence Agency later. Old Mr. Godwin beca a consultant and proposed the concept of ’the influence of information coverage efficiency on groups within a unit of ti.’ There’s a team researching that in both the Intelligence Agency and the Propaganda Departnt now. But speaking of the Magic Shadow Drama... it’s not quite the sa as newspapers or broadcasts, is it?"
"You’re very perceptive; it is indeed different," Gawain nodded slightly, "It’s not direct propaganda, but it can be used for propaganda. Its essence is an entertainnt tool ant to satisfy people’s spiritual needs, which ans people are more active and unconscious in absorbing what it presents. It may not deliberately or openly promote anything, but it can subtly and persistently convey ssages, a unique effect of its own.
"Of course, I’m not only focused on those aspects; even without considering its promotional function, the Magic Shadow Drama is inherently interesting, isn’t it?
"When people have enough to eat and wear, they will always seek so ntal satisfaction. Nowadays, everyone already has football, chess gas, newspapers, and broadcasts; next, they’ll have Magic Shadow Dramas. I call this spiritual nourishnt."
"...Your theories are always elaborate," Amber pouted, "but they make so sense."
Gawain chuckled, unfazed by Amber’s minor irreverence in her words. He simply looked down at so docunts and correspondences on the desk, temporarily lost in thought.
After a few seconds of silence, he lifted his head, "In the last diplomatic letter from Typhon, they ntioned wanting to send exchange students, hoping to establish a more positive and harmonious diplomatic relationship with Cecil, correct?"
"Yes," Amber nodded, "But it’s obvious they have ulterior motives, and the concept of exchange students... clearly, they just want to co and learn things."
"I actually think it’s a good thing," Gawain said, to Amber’s imnse surprise, "In fact, I’ve already decided to agree to it."
Amber’s eyes widened instantly, but before she could exclaim or question, she suddenly guessed Gawain’s next arrangent.
After all, sitting as the head of the Intelligence Agency for the past two years, she has developed so extra sensitivity in certain areas.
"It seems like you’ve thought of it as well," Gawain noted Amber’s reaction, nodding, "Since Typhon wishes to establish more positive and harmonious diplomatic relations with us, then the friendly and open Cecil has no reason to refuse— we can engage in so broader and deeper comrcial activities. You see, since it’s business, it’s not excessive for so people from the Cecil Clan to go into Typhon borders to invest and open so new-style theaters, is it?"
Amber blinked: "Won’t Rosetta notice anything?"
"At first, he won’t notice. Then, he won’t be able to refuse," Gawain said slowly, his tone suddenly carrying an ethereal depth, "After a while, he might not like what we’re producing, but so what? The people of Typhon will like it."
"...Oh my god."
After a small gasp, Amber quickly shifted her focus back to the topic of the incoming students: "But no matter what, there will definitely be a batch of Typhon individuals coming in as exchange students... Ugh, just thinking about it gives a headache."
Gawain simply smiled at her, "As I said earlier, it’s a good thing."
Amber’s pointed ears twitched: "Oh?"
Gawain raised his gaze, looking beyond Amber’s head to the map depicting the entire continent.
His tone was leisurely.
"Typhon’s students will co, arriving in this prosperous, novel, and ever-changing Cecil. They co for knowledge and intelligence, ticulously selected, loyal to Emperor Rosetta Augustus, but when they return... it’s uncertain how many of them will still be Typhons."
As he spoke, Gawain paused, looking at Amber with a faint smile: "Wouldn’t you say?"
Amber sighed, her ears and shoulders drooping: "Ugh, that’s why I said just thinking about it gives a headache."
The half-elf lady looked dejected, her eyes seemingly engraved with the words: Don’t want to work overti.
Gawain paid no attention to her.
He leaned back in his chair, his gaze focused on so distant point, and after a long period of contemplation and silence, he quietly spoke, almost as if talking to himself: "Actually, if the Typhon individuals are just coming to learn so technology... I really wouldn’t mind."
The map depicting the entire continent hung on the wall, with the Typhon Empire and the Cecil Empire tightly adjacent, the jagged border areas resembling interlocking teeth, as if flesh were intertwined with bones.
Gawain didn’t mind using any asures to guard against this now-hungry neighbor, didn’t mind using any ans to lay traps, hide daggers, or drop poison, because it’s another empire, and not a very friendly one at that, with its teeth and claws long sharpened.
If it were Emperor Rosetta Augustus, he would certainly do the sa, perhaps is doing the sa— the Anzu civil war and the blood and fire of Winterhold Castle are still vivid in mory. The fact is that when it cos to national interests, the thods of Emperor Rosetta are no less ruthless than Gawain’s.
Yet Gawain also didn’t mind if Typhon’s industry could develop, didn’t mind if the Typhon civilians could survive a bit more in the upcoming era of challenges.
Because in the face of the chaotic wave and the Goddess of the Night, everyone is a mortal.
Every extra bit of power in the hands of mortals increases the chances of this season of civilization surviving.
Gawain sighed softly.
This contradiction and sense of tearing would probably haunt him forever, compelling him to make countless unavoidable choices until... the day the wall falls.
...
Plains of the Holy Spirits, eastern area, Sorinburg.
The power of nature seed to form an anomaly here, a strong vitality covering this land. Even as the entire northern continent has entered winter, vitality and warmth still reside in this place.
It’s as if spring has arrived prematurely.
A Magic-guided Vehicle with the "United Reconstruction Group" flag hanging from it stopped at the border of Sorinburg.
The direction from which the vehicle ca, a few hundred ters away, was a world of ice and snow, with a biting cold wind.
Ahead of the vehicle, a massive tree canopy, towering like a small mountain, lood in the distance. Lush vitality spread outward from the Sorin Giant Tree, where the ground was still covered in greenery, flowers still blood, and animals frolicked.
A grand magical power field enveloped the area, creating effects akin to a wind shield and Nature’s Blessing, with two distinct worlds within and outside the field.
Norris sat in the Magic-guided Vehicle, gazing from a distance towards the direction of the Sorin Giant Tree.
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