Translator: Yang_Wenli
Norland. Hearthstone Tavern.
Early in the morning, Joshua’s study has been seized by the Flower of Farucci. Before the Morning News had even aired, Gallolie came to the Hearthstone Tavern with the Blackwood Elf Priestess Oranka and her elven bodyguard Flay.
Her purpose was to finish the land cultivation work in ‘Minecraft’ that she didn’t finish last night.
“Flay, you need to use a shovel to dig the earth...” Gallolie provided her elven bodyguard who had just come in contact with that game some recommendations.
“But... young miss, how do I make shovels?”
“I’ll drop one for you.”
Gallolie had become a qualified ‘land cultivator.’ Albeit, it was only in the game.
Like last time, Joshua was standing by his study’s door watching the four girls sitting around the desk playing Minecraft. The only difference was that the elven priestess’s seat has been replaced by Gallolie’s bodyguard Flay.
“The Daughter of the Forest seemed to be very fond of this place,” Priestess Oranka’s voice was suddenly heard.
Joshua turned around to the elven priestess standing outside the door. The Blackwood Elves’ elder, Safran, was also present.
“Gallolie has only grown fond of that game.”
Joshua straightened his body and closed the door to his study so that their conversations will not disturb Gallolie’s Minecraft farming adventure.
“Unfortunately, if Gallolie is to continue acting like this, I will not be able to explain things to Madam Schroder in Farucci,” said Joshua.
“Madam Schroder will be grateful toward the protection you’ve offered us, Son of Chaos,” said Elder Safran.
“I’m talking about Gallolie’s addiction to the game. It is possible for one to become addicted to the games created from the runes. Madam Schroder wouldn’t allow for her daughter to be engrossed in a fictional world all day long every day.”
Joshua took a glance at the clock in the tavern.
It was not yet time for the Morning News. Yet, Gallolie already came to visit the Hearthstone Tavern with Priestess Oranka and Flay.
“Addiction...” Priestess Oranka mumbled that word.
“I think it’s because everything in Norland is simply too novel for Gallolie and our people. That is why they grew to become curious about them.”
At the same time Priestess Oranka used that sort of justification to convince Joshua, she was also trying to convince herself...
The reason for that was because the eight priestesses under her were acting strange lately. At the beginning, these young elven priestesses were filled with fear toward the human world.
But today, the two youngest priestesses decided to go out to conduct ‘information gathering.’ In other words, they decided to take a stroll outside.
Priestess Oranka even heard that they’ve managed to make some... friends... on the Mage Forum.
Those all-new changes gave Priestess Oranka a bad premonition.
“Okay then. I’ll trust the rumored self-control the Flower of Farucci had,” Joshua does not believe that Gallolie’s accomplishments were all acquired with only her looks.
“That said, what are your plans? Do you plan to wait for the World Tree to germinate and then return to Farucci with Gallolie? Or... do you plan to continue to stay here for a while?” asked Joshua.
“My people are hoping that I will be able to bring the reborn Holy Tree back.”
Priestess Oranka looked at Joshua’s study. Even though there was a wooden wall between them, she could still see the seed of the World Tree lodging in Gallolie’s body.
That seed was growing with an unimaginable speed.
“Even though it is hard to accept, Norland is able to provide the Holy Tree with more fertile soil. I plan to stay here a bit longer with my sisters. As such, Son of Chaos, we hope to be able to obtain the... method to accelerate the growth of the Holy Tree,” said Priestess Oranka.
She took the bait! Joshua clapped his hands in his heart the moment he heard Oranka’s answer.
What that Blackwood Elf Priestess asked of him could basically be translated as ‘Please make us popular!’
For Joshua, that was not something difficult to accomplish. These Blackwood Elves were good looking and had pleasant voices for both narration and singing. They were full of potential to become idols.
If they’re willing... Joshua could help these Blackwood Elven priestesses walk a completely different path all for the growth of their Holy Tree.
“This will have to depend on the individual,” With a smile on his face, Joshua said to this hope-filled Blackwood Elf priestess, “If you don’t mind, I will go to Farucci’s Mansion in the afternoon to conduct an ‘interview’ with the other elven priestesses. Only after that will I be able to determine what the best plan would be.”
Right after Joshua finished saying those words, the dark elf who was in charge of the Morning News walked in from another room. She interrupted the conversation between Joshua and the two Blackwood Elves.
“Joshua, I’ve received news from a member of the Black Dove that they’ve seen templars from the Nation of the Holy Church outside the city.”
The dark elf took out an originium crystal and tossed it to Joshua.
Joshua imbued his magic power into the originium crystal and a photo of the area outside Norland was projected out of the crystal.
After the dark elf took on the occupation of a reporter, she went and roped in her trusted aides from the Black Dove to assist in her career. Joshua upheld his promise and started paying them wages and benefits such as pension, unemployment insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, maternity insurance and housing fund.
“It seemed like a very small group.”
Joshua doesn’t know why the Nation of the Holy Church would dispatch templars to Norland at a time like this. Unluckily, the missionaries from the Demon Realm dispatched by his elder sister Cecily would also arrive at Norland today. Furthermore, they will be arriving near Squirrel Street.
If the templars were to encounter the missionaries from the Demon Realm, it is very possible that they will start fighting uncontrollably.
“Sure enough, maybe I should have Zenarth change the location of the teleportation gate to the dwarves’ city? As for now... Thousand Faces, help me find a carriage. I will need to proceed to Squirrel Street later.”
Joshua planned to personally proceed to Squirrel Street to welcome the missionaries from the Demon Realm so that they would not end up fighting the templars.
“Son of Chaos, do you require assistance?” asked Elder Safran.
As the relationship between the Blackwood Elves and the Nation of the Holy Church has soured beyond repair, Elder Safran would show no mercy in swatting down the templars with his bear claws.
“The templars would not dare to mess around in Norland. I am only going to pick up some friends from my home town at Squirrel Street. Elder Safran, you should stay here to protect Gallolie instead.”
Joshua cannot negate the possibility of inquisitors hiding among the templars. Those elusive assassins were what they really needed to be on guard against.
At this moment, Ciri suddenly pushed open the study’s door and walked out. She was holding a staff in her hand. It seemed like she was eavesdropping on the conversation between Joshua and the two Blackwood Elves.
“I guess, at a time like this, I should say ‘A fight? Count me in!’ right?” Ciri waved around the spear-like staff in her hand.
“Even if there’s a conflict, I don’t think we’d need you, Ciri, to act. There seemed to be a... Sin Demon that looked very much like Zenarth among the missionaries from the Demon Realm,” said Joshua.