Programmer?
The dark elf searched through her memories in only a couple seconds. But, she realized that she had never heard of that profession or race before.
Nevertheless, her sleeping magic seemed to have some effect on Joshua. The moment Joshua fell down, she loosened her guard. Unfortunately, they caused her to pay a considerable price.
In that split second, Joshua grabbed her hand. She tried to struggle free from Joshua’s grasp but discovered that her arm seemed to be wrapped around by a Titan Python. The power of his grasp was so strong that she was unable to struggle free at all.
The racial strength of a Chaos Demon far surpassed that of a Dark Elf. Even though this dark elf was very skilled, had a strong body and countless treacherous magic abilities, she was still unable to break free from Joshua’s grasp.
This was no friendly handshake that lasted for several seconds.
In the short few seconds her hand was being held, the dark elf felt her palm being full with an aura of gloom coldness. Accompanying that coldness was pain.
She felt like her soul was being pulled out.
Joshua released his hand. Immediately, the dark elf took multiple steps and backed herself to the wall behind her. Then, she took a glance at her hand.
A scarlet imprint appeared on her palm. The shape of that imprint was identical to the Duke of Bones’ imprint on Joshua’s palm.
“Originally, I was planning to negotiate with you in a friendly manner. But, it seems like that’s out of question now.”
Gray magic power began to overflow out from Joshua’s body. The chaos magic immediately dispelled the sleeping magic the dark elf casted on Joshua. All sense of sleepiness disappeared from Joshua’s body.
“Because of that, I had to resort to this rough method...”
The dark elf held onto her imprinted hand with her other hand. She was trying to remove that strange imprint with her magic. Unfortunately, her attempt ended in a failure.
The content of the imprint was not complex at all. But, the master of that imprint possesses power far superior to the dark elf.
“Lord Joshua, I’ve been branded with a Lich’s imprint. Anyone in my current position would not be able to keep calm...”
The dark elf gave up on the thought of removing the imprint with her own strength. The reason for that was because she no longer had any time left. Because of Joshua’s involvement, the mage that she rendered unconscious was showing signs of waking up.
This was no longer a place suited to have discussions with Joshua. Dark gray mist appeared on her body. She was planning to alter her appearance to Madam Schroder’s trusted aide to deceive the knights outside.
But, her disguise was not successful. The moment her disguise extended to her imprinted hand, her entire disguise started cracking like glass. The moment her disguise touched the imprint, it shattered.
But, the dark elf did not panic because she lost her ability of disguise. She immediately took out her dagger and placed her hand on the cinema room’s door knob.
She was planning to break out of the Farucci’s Mansion with force. With her skills, she was absolutely certain that she would be able to escape from the dozen guards outside.
But, the moment her hand touched the door knob, Joshua’s voice sounded from behind her.
“If you are to leave like this, you will never be able to obtain the sample film for ‘Léon: The Demon.’ I don’t believe the Grand Duchess of Blackwood would make the same mistake twice.”
Sure enough, Joshua’s words caused the dark elf to stiffen her movements. It would appear that Joshua had guessed correctly. The reason why she went through all this effort to sneak into the cinema room was to obtain the completed sample for ‘Léon: The Demon.’
The dark elf placed away her dagger. She turned around and took a glance at the mage that was about to wake up. The same rune once again appeared on her fingertip. That pitiful mage was forced to be put asleep by her again.
The dark elf needed the originium crystal containing ‘Léon: The Demon.’ Not only did she promise to bring it back to the demon realm, she also needed that movie to suppress the side effects of her abilities.
While the Heresy Tribunal had given her a lot of powerful abilities, the side effects of those abilities were all fatal.
Back when she was still in the Heresy Tribunal, she could utilize the singing from the Saintess Herolia to ward off those crazed mutterings. But, now that she had betrayed the Heresy Tribunal, she would only be able to eliminate those mutterings only by finding a meadow of blooming flowers and quietly sit there for an entire day.
But, the movie ‘Léon: The Demon’ was able to eliminate all the negative emotions in her heart in only a short period of time. The dark elf was certain that she would not grow tired of the movie even if she was to watch it for ten more times in succession.
“Lord Joshua, do you... possess an originium crystal with that movie stored in it?”
She took a glance at the originium crystal under the protection of a magic barrier. She originally thought that Joshua had ‘sold’ the movie to that Grand Duchess of Blackwood.
“Of course. Madam Schroder is only an ‘agent’ and ‘investor,’ said Joshua.
“I needed one such originium crystal.”
The dark elf weighted her options. She wouldn’t be able to eliminate the magic barrier with Joshua present. Not to mention, there’s that dangerous imprint on her hand.
That imprint contained chaos magic. Because of that, she was unable to utilize any magic with her left hand.
The dark elf was forced to reach terms with Joshua.
“According to the principle of things, a movie can only be sold as DVDs after it’s been in theaters for several months. But, seeing that you’re a special customer, I am willing to make an exception and sell you an originium crystal containing ‘Léon: The Demon,’” said Joshua.
“Then... what is the price for it?”
The dark elf did not bother to wonder what ‘DVD’ meant.
She was not stupid. She knew that the value of ‘Léon: The Demon’ far surpassed what one could imagine; whether it be the economic benefits from the screening or the unimaginable and influential benefits it will bring to its producer.
But, that’s assuming that the movie would only be screened in theaters permitted by the producer.
“Price? Let me think about it. Originally, I was planning to share interesting things with you as long as you’re willing to join my entertainment guild. Regretfully... miss dark elf, you’ve ruined my trust in you. But, taking into consideration that you’ve helped me with taking care of the troublesome Heresy Tribunal, I’ll sell you it for 50% off then.”
Joshua opened his hands. The imprint from the Duke of Bones started to emit a faint light. The dark elf could feel the imprint on her hand emitting a slightly painful sensation.
“The price shall be your soul. What do you think?”
Finally, Joshua did something that the representatives of evil, the demons, should do. He was planning to use life and soul as the transaction currency.