Squirrel Street. Klia Stage Station.
Morgan walked out of the carriage and took a glance at the stage station. Compared to Norland’s other stage stations operated by the Klia Trading Company, this stage station was extremely lifeless.
There were only three horse carriages stopped at the stage station. Their drivers were dozing off. It seems like it has been a long time since they’ve had customers.
It would appear that the enthusiasm brought on by ‘Léon: The Demon’ has not spread from Squirrel Street’s southern part to the northern part.
“Master Morgan!”
Sir Weissenasche immediately caught sight of Morgan standing on the other side of the stage station the moment he walked out from the stage station. He immediately walked over to greet Morgan.
“You’re finally here. I’ve already found longing for us in Squirrel Street.”
Sir Weissenasche pointed to a two-story building located near the stage station.
Unlike Madam Schroder who had ranks of carriages picking up and dropping off the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe from the Farucci’s Mansion everyday, Sir Weissenasche did not spend an extravagant amount of money on the actors.
He instead chose to lodge the actors near the filming site.
“Kelman, you’ve purchased this stage station?”
Morgan took a glance at the stage station. No matter how not busy the stage station might be, there should at least be attendants at such an hour. But, apart from the carriage drivers, there weren’t even any attendants in the stage station.
“Yes, that’s correct. I did so according to Mister Joshua’s order. I’ve already discussed with the people from the Klia Trading Company. They’re planning to build another stage station in the southern end of Squirrel Street. Because of that, I ended up purchasing this stage station for five thousand gold coins,” said Sir Weissenasche.
“Isn’t that... over spending? That amount of money is enough for my teacher and I to perform multiple performances...”
Accompanying Morgan, Femes was unable to contain herself from commenting after hearing the number Sir Weissenasche mentioned.
Even though Morgan was seen as a legendary performer in Farucci, his performances never used the extravagance of the performing stage to subdue his audiences. Because of that, Morgan lived his life very frugally.
Even Femes grew used to living life frugally.
But, before the movie product even began, they’ve already spent this much money... the word ‘prodigal’ immediately appeared in Femes’s head.
“This is a needed investment, Miss Femes.”
Joshua’s voice sounded from behind Femes and caused her to jump like a cat. Even the fur on her ears grew erect.
“Perhaps this is the difference between movies and stage plays,” said Morgan. Compared to his alarmed disciple, he seemed to have detected Joshua’s arrival.
“Correct. There are many more differences between movies and stage plays.”
Joshua did not know about the origin of this old actor Morgan. But, from how respectful Sir Weissenasche was toward him, he determined that Morgan’s identity must be quite remarkable.
“Mister Joshua, could you give me an introduction? I wish to be able to thoroughly understand this all-new art form.”
After coming to the filming site for Hachiko, Morgan became an apprentice with a vast desire for knowledge again.
To him, movies were an all-new art form. He hoped to be able to learn more knowledge about movies from Joshua.
“About that... Master Morgan, if you’re the manager of a well-known theatrical troupe, what sort of preparations would you do in order to perform in a city?” asked Joshua.
“I would need to hire a fleet of carriages and spend some time traveling to the city. As for the crews, they will need their costumes to be prepared. Then there’s rehearsals...”
Morgan seemed to have guessed the reason why Joshua asked him this question.
“A lot of money and energy would be needed for every performance.”
“But, the screening of a movie does not need such troublesome things at all.”
Joshua casually took out a blank originium crystal to show to the aged stage performer.
“All the movie screening needs is this originium crystal. Once it is embedded with magic, one merely needs to find a flat wall. That is all the procedure needed for movie screening! Using this method, I am able to screen ‘Léon: The Demon’ at the same time in theaters all over the world. In fact... even after the performers of the movie passed away, the recording of their performances will still remain in this world and be consecrated by the future generations as classics.”
Joshua’s final sentence caused a change in expression on Morgan’s face.
Morgan’s aged look was no disguise. He had performed in countless well-known stage plays. But, those stage plays will be forever lost to history upon his death. Perhaps there would be others in the future that would take on the role he had played before. But, the charm of their performance would be completely different from his own.
That was also the reason why many of Farucci’s well-known stage plays ended up becoming ‘things of the past’ after their main performers passed away. Even if people attempted to duplicate the performance in the future, the popularity of their performances will never match the original.
As such, an outstanding performer will hold a status akin to a natural treasure in the Nation of Farucci.
“Mister Joshua, please allow me to bring back an originium crystal with the recording of my performance to my motherland after the filming is completed.” Morgan spoke with a probing tone.
At the beginning, Morgan wanted to perform in Hachiko because of his curiosity toward movies and fondness of the script.
He still had the idea in his mind that Farucci’s stage plays were the best. But, after he finished hearing the exp[laination of a movie’s superiority from the young demon, Morgan suddenly realized that the floodgates to the change of an era will push stage plays from the stage of history.
“In terms of art, the Nation of Farucci should be at the forefront of this world,” Morgan slowly added.
“That’s no issue,” Joshua recalled how Madam Schroder was still in Farucci helping him promote ‘Léon: The Demon.’
From the message Gallolei sent him, the Grand Duchess not only encountered extreme difficulties in popularizing the movie, it seems like she might even receive dangers to her life.
The Holy Church has already attacked the Blackwood Forest inside the Nation of Farucci. Once the Holy Church pinned the blame of burning down the Blackwood Forest onto the demons, it will definitely intensify the citizens of Farucci’s hatred toward demons.
No matter how impactful the magic network might be, it was unable to cover Farucci. As such, Joshua could imagine how difficult it would be for Madam Schroder to promote ‘Léon: The Demon’ in Farucci. Using a phrase from Earth to describe the current situation she’s in would be — ‘being politically incorrect.’
But, if this performer Sir Weissenasche addressed as ‘Master’ was to go to Farucci to promote movies, he would become a great aid to Madam Schroder.
“Master Morgan, after the filming is complete, I hope that you’ll be able to publicize some things to the people of Farucci.”
Gallolei had already uploaded the crimes of the Heresy Tribunal to the Mage Forum. But, it would take a long period of time to spread to Farucci. Furthermore, it will be in the form of untrustworthy rumors.
Joshua did not wish for Farucci to be incited by the Holy Church into becoming another nation hostile toward the Demon Realm.