Translator: Yang_Wenli
“Your Highness Joshua, are you alright?”
Prophet noticed the change in Joshua’s expression.
It was not a friendly expression. If Joshua was a random passerby on the street and Ciri saw him having such an expression, she would’ve called for Norland’s law enforcers to arrest him.
“Prophet...”
Joshua was mulling over how to entice Prophet. No matter how young she looked, he knew that she would not be interested in candies. Likely, if he was to offer her candy, she would ask him ‘why?’
Regretfully, Joshua’s haven’t had many interactions with Prophet. Because of that, his impression of this scholarly little girl remained at ‘she’s expressionless, an ultra bookworm, etc.’
“Are you very interested in programming?” After thinking about it for a while, Joshua ultimately asked a very simple question.
“I’m interested in the composition of the magic network as it’s a completely new sort of magic inscription system. My curiosity prompted me to study under Your Highness Joshua’s programming course. However, as I’ve come to Norland under Her Highness Cecily’s order, I am unable to spend too much time on the subject of programming.”
Prophet has detected Joshua’s intentions. While the magic network was a fresh subject for her, she was unlike her four students and would not allow herself to be tempted by novelties. She was capable of utilizing her reasons to control her desire.
“Things are not looking well in the Demon Realm. Your Highness Joshua, knowledge regarding the human world’s arcanotech devices and alchemy are the things the Demon Realm needed the most. They are also the areas Her Highness Cecily wishes to grasp the most.”
“Eh... Indeed, it’s hard to refute that. The infrastructures of the Demon Realm are indeed lagging tremendously.”
Joshua recalled through the memories of the Third Prince. Even when ignoring the disparity in magic research between the Demon Realm and Norland, the infrastructures of the Demon Realm were also far inferior.
Norland has successfully entered the ‘industrial age’ but the Demon Realm was still stuck in a ‘medieval era.’
“But, Prophet, what about after you’ve finished with all that? Once the alchemic factories and machinery industries are established in the Demon Realm, what do you plan to do then?” asked Joshua.
“I believe Her Highness Cecily will give me additional orders. Your elder sister will not stop at just providing sufficient food for the populace. She will definitely set her target to surpassing humanity’s arcanotech devices.” Prophet placed the pieces of paper containing the basic program she wrote back in between her book, “Regretfully, Your Highness Joshua, compared to the virtual product created through the magic network, what your elder sister needed more are the alchemic workshops that could be put into production.”
Joshua slowly walked over to Prophet and half squatted, “You don’t have to worry. I wouldn’t interfere with your choice. Very rarely would I force others.”
“...”
Not interfere?
Prophet felt skeptical toward Joshua’s response. The moment she sensed the change in the expression in his eyes as he looked at her, Prophet realized that things could be developing toward a terrible direction.
She never expected for the Demon Realm’s Third Prince to value her learning ability so much.
Even though Prophet’s curiosity made her very interested in the magic network, she was a freak of absolute rationality. Because of that, she knew that the things she should be learning now were the human’s arcanotech technologies and alchemic research.
That was also the order from Her Highness Cecily.
Had it been someone else, Prophet could have bluntly refused them. Unfortunately, the person before her was the Demon Realm’s Third Prince.
He was someone with equal status to the Second Princess in the Demon Realm. If Joshua was to forcibly give her an order... she would have no choice but to seek help from Her Highness Cecily.
However, it would appear that this Demon Realm’s Prince was different from the others power-wielders.
“That being said, I have a question for you,” Joshua slowly walked over to Prophet. As he moved his fingers, the magic network interface appeared before Prophet.
“I wanted to know what you think about the magic network. Or, in other words... what do you think this little window is capable of accomplishing?” asked Joshua.
Was this a test? Or was it a simple question?
Since earlier, Prophet was unable to lower her guard toward Joshua. She was worried that the Third Prince would have a sudden urge to kidnap her and force her into researching the magic network.
As Prophet pondered about what Joshua was thinking, she was staring into the ever-changing magic network interface.
“The messenger has cut down the distance for communication. This function will be very convenient for daily life. If used in wars, it will transform the structure of war.”
Prophet began to speak of her viewpoints of the magic network’s various functions.
“The Mage Forum offered a place for the exchange of information. It could be viewed as an extremely efficient human mercenary hotel. Furthermore, it possesses a definite amount of information storage ability. As for the Voice of Norland, I believe Your Highness Joshua is using it as a sort of ‘weapon.’”
“Is that all?” it doesn’t seem like Joshua was very satisfied with Prophet’s answer.
“Those are the only practical uses of the magic network that I could think of. Your Highness Joshua, the magic network is an imaginary product created through magic rune inscriptions. It does not possess any material entity. No matter how excellent something is on the magic network, it is, in the end, a pile of rune inscriptions. While the music and movies you’ve produced might bring value to the magic network, those fictitious aggregation of magic rune inscriptions cannot provide sustenance nor could they be used to kill others. Because of that, the magic network is incapable of providing much value in the real world.”
Prophet gently pushed her wooden glasses frames. Her lake-like tranquil eyes were looking straight at Joshua without any fear as she declared the limits of the magic network.
After saying all that, Prophet was prepared to face Joshua’s wrath. However, it seemed like the Demon Realm’s Third Prince was someone who was forever incapable of becoming angry. Instead of anger, he had an unknown and baffling sort of smile on his face.
For some unknown reason, seeing that smile, Prophet felt a slight bit of... displeasure. Joshua’s expression seemed to be saying ‘This child is still too young and doesn’t know about the wider world.’
“Prophet, could this represent the value that you spoke of?” A gold coin appeared in Joshua’s hand. It glimmered a dim shine under the light.
“Of course,” Prophet seemed to have guessed what Joshua wanted to say. Because of that, she decided to retort before he could say anything, “Your Highness Joshua, everything regarding the magic network is currently free of charge. Whether it be the messenger, the Mage Forum or the Voice of Norland, all of them are free. As such, all the users are able to utilize those programs free of charge. Moreover, the price you’re selling the access to the magic network is too low. A single silver coin? With the current functions the magic network is capable of providing, even if you are to raise the price a hundred-fold, people will still be willing to pay for it.”
“Regarding the price of the originium crystal to access the magic network, if it wasn’t out of consideration how much it’ll cost to manufacture them, I might even give them out for free. Also, there are many ways to earn money using the magic network.”
Joshua tossed the gold coin in his hand to Prophet. Then, he slowly walked over to the window.
Holding the gold coin, Prophet also walked over to the window. At this moment, Ciri showed consideration and found a little stool for Prophet so that she could step on it to look at the sight outside the window.
“Prophet, what do you think about the way humans do their business transactions right now?”
“While the establishment of stores and shops is one of the most primitive ways for humans to conduct business transactions, it is also the most practical way.”
Prophet looked to the streets of Norland outside the window. Off set by the various different originium crystals inscribed with illumination magic runes, dazzling light covered every corner of Norland.
Even at night, Norland’s bustling atmosphere did not stop. The lights reflected in Prophet’s eyes. She pondered when the Demon Realm’s Royal Capital would become like Norland.
“The most practical? But, I don’t think it’s that efficient.”
Leaning against the window, Joshua turned to look at Prophet standing on the wooden stool.
“Not efficient?”
“Well, I’ll give an example. Take my assistant’s magic wand, we had to take a horse carriage together to a wand shop in Norland’s Alchemic Marketplace to purchase it,” Joshua pointed his finger toward the light-filled Norland. Although one would not be able to see Norland’s Alchemic Marketplace here, Prophet knew that it was in the direction Joshua pointed to.
“And then?” Joshua’s words caught Prophet’s interest.
“Don’t you think that’s too inefficient? For the sake of purchasing a wand, my assistant and I had to take an hour-long carriage ride in order to reach Norland’s Alchemic Marketplace. We also had to experience the feeling of being crammed from the crowd gathered there. It took us half an hour to find the store and, after we finished with our purchase, we had to take another hour-long carriage ride back here.”
“Aren’t those the necessary steps needed to purchase goods? Your Highness Joshua, you wouldn’t be able to have merchants come to your home...” When Prophet’s words reached this point, she suddenly stood shocked.
It was Joshua’s first time seeing a ‘shocked’ expression on this expressionless little girl. Nevertheless, the shocked look did not persist for long.
“No... it’s possible. If it’s the magic network, then it’s possible,” Prophet started to mumble to herself. Her thought process was proceeding at a rapid pace.
“It seems that you’ve managed to think of it. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to make merchants come to my house. However, I can bring their stores to the magic network.”
With a wave of his hand, Joshua revealed a post on the Mage Forum to Prophet. It was a post on the Daily Discussions sub-forum about the sale of useless magic wands.
Some of the more quick-witted mages had realized the outstanding information exchange ability provided by the Mage Forum and had begun exchanging goods on the platform.
“Merchants are able to put their shops onto the magic network. Through pictures and words, they could describe their goods and set a price. As for the customers, they merely need to make their selections on the magic network and pay a corresponding amount of money. Then, someone will deliver their purchased goods to them.”
“But, Your Highness Joshua, there is a loophole in your plan. There exist no concept of ‘currency’ and ‘gold coins’ on the magic network.”
“That is something that could be solved using various different means. For example, an agreement could be made with Norland’s gold depository. Or perhaps, we can establish our own gold depository,” said Joshua.
If someone else said the things Joshua said, Prophet would think that they’re completely delusional.
But, since it was the Demon Realm’s Third Prince who said those words, Prophet felt that he was totally capable of accomplishing them. She believed that he was capable of persuading the gold depository and merchants to join his terrifying plan.
If the ‘magic network shops’ that Joshua spoke truly came to fruition, the wealth and value it would generate would be simply inestimable.
“A terrifying thought,” In the end, this was the only phrase Prophet could describe her feelings with.
“Unfortunately Prophet, there’s currently no plan for its development. But, the magic network is capable of accomplishing much more than that.”
Joshua once again opened a new magic network interface. The interface was showing the newest game Joshua created, ‘Minecraft.’
“A world composed of blocks...”
As matters stood, Prophet has completely eased herself to whatever Joshua might present to her. After all, the concept he presented earlier was enough to completely pique her interest.
She began pondering the future possibilities of the magic network with the reasonings provided by Joshua.
Ripples started to form in her long tranquil heart. The feeling of excitement was slowly filling her heart.
But, the excitement did not bring about a smile on the young scholar’s face. Before Prophet could finish speaking, her body suddenly fell to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.
‘Crap...’
Fallen on the ground, Prophet attempted to regain control of her body. Unfortunately, she discovered that she was unable to move her body from neck down.
“What happened?”
Joshua was about to introduce the future of the magic network’s Gaming Area when the little girl suddenly fell to the ground. It was all too sudden.
“...”
Prophet pursed her lips slightly. After a short moment of hesitation, she revealed her secret.
“Your Highness Joshua, I’ve mentioned to you before that I’ve been using special magic to implant my soul into bodies that are already dead in order to extend my life. This body is one such body,” Prophet’s voice sounded slightly powerless, “The price of doing this came in the form of my memories. My memories are deficient and I can only store them in originium crystals. Furthermore, if this body... experienced too great of a shift in emotions, I will lose the ability to control it.”
“That sounded like a very complicated setting. So, how exactly do we restore you to normal?”
Ciri had supported the fallen Prophet back up. However, it seemed like Prophet’s body was still completely dead.
“I will need to reconstruct my link with this body in my sleep,” Prophet’s voice sounded apologetic. It was only now that one could hear a trace of emotion in her voice, “That being said, Your Highness Joshua, could you continue with what you were talking about earlier?”
“It’s fine for us to talk about this topic at another time. You should recover first.”
Ever since Joshua formed a link with the Duke of Bones, he gained a certain understanding of souls.
Souls were not things that could be changed at will. Both bodies and souls were very ‘precise machines.’ If one wanted to mesh them together and have them operate smoothly, having only a ‘gear’ connecting them would be far from enough.
“About that... Your Highness Joshua, I’m ashamed to say that I am afraid that this same sort of situation will occur if we talk about this topic again. Your vision for the future of the magic network is terrifying enough to bring me excitement.”
No longer suppressing her emotions, the tone of Prophet’s voice sounded a lot more pleasant.
“So far, I’m only drawing a pie to you. Once I start carrying out my ideas, I will seek you out. The only thing I hope for is that you’ll be willing to take a bit of your time to study programming.”
After being comforted by Joshua, the little girl finally decided to compromise. Ciri carried her to a bed and placed a blanket over her. Not long after, the little girl fell asleep.
“Joshua, is the magic network store you spoke of something that could really exist?” After settling Prophet, Ciri turned around and started to inquire Joshua who had just drawn multiple large pies.
“Yes. Even if it’s something that we cannot accomplish this year, in two, three or however many more years... I will make it appear on the magic network. At that time, we only need to sit at home to shop through all the stores of Norland or even the entire world,” said Joshua.
“If... if that is to happen, wouldn’t my wallet that I’ve gone through great difficulty to fatten up be sucked dry completely?” Ciri imagined the day where magic network shopping would arrive and reached a terrifying verdict.
“That’s no issue, I’ll increase your wages then,” said Joshua.