Translator: Yang_Wenli Editor: Yang_Wenli
Guided by the middle-aged butler, Joshua and the sisters entered the Crystal Palace without a hitch.
After arriving at the World Expo, Madam Schroder tried to invite Joshua to join the nobles chatting. It was obvious that she was trying to inform the nobles from other countries that Joshua was already her ‘property.’
But, her invitation was tactfully refused by Joshua.
While waiting for the official start of the World Expo, Joshua and Ciri found two stools and started playing Hearthstone in the exhibition hall.
As for Hyrlan, she was quietly watching from the sidelines as a spectator.
“When I was drawing the original art for this card, I had thought to myself... isn’t this card’s effect too excessively strong?”
Ciri was having a match with Joshua. Her character was the mage Jaina whereas Joshua was playing as the paladin Uther.
Joshua had just summoned the strongest Paladin Class card Tirion Fordring. That one card completely stopped Ciri’s board. She was unable to defeat Tirion and ended up dying to that one card.”
“Ciri, you’ve used your Polymorph1 too soon,” said the spectator Hyrlan with a quiet voice.
Hyrlan actually didn’t have much interaction with ‘Hearthstone.’ She didn’t even have an account. But, as the rules for Hearthstone were very simple, Hyrlan understood how it was played after watching a single round as a spectator.
She did not expect for the arcanotech device she created to be able to produce such an interesting card game.
Right when Hyrlan was planning to try out Hearthstone for herself, a figure filled with hostility walked into Farucci’s exhibition hall.
Ciri picked up the staff she placed to the side and stood up. At the same time, she turned to ask her sister, “Say, big sis, do you think a mage’s polymorph skill will be able to turn a templar into a sheep?”
The mages of this world also possess the magic skill capable of turning humans to animals. But, polymorph was not an ordinary mage skill. Instead, it was a curse ability belonging to voodoo magic.
Because of that, very few mages in the university Hyrlan studies in knew how to cast that malicious magic.
“I don’t think that’ll be possible. I’ve heard from Professor Dunsk that polymorph is only effective toward those who are extremely weak and stupid.”
Hyrlan looked at the Ecclesiastical Templar that walked into Farucci’s exhibition hall. From how aggressive she appeared, she knew that this templar did not come here to check out the exhibition or appreciate the arts and sculptures.
Judging from the heavy armor and oppressive air, she does not resemble someone weak and stupid in the slightest.
Following Ciri’s example, Hyrlan picked up her own staff too. Hyrlan already knew that Joshua’s true identity must have something to do with the demons.
She also knew that the Ecclesiastical Templars would never spare a demon. To them, demons were simply beings that they cannot exist together with.
“Ciri, calm yourself. Any one of the paintings nearby could cost as much as an entire year’s worth of salary for you. It’s best if you don’t break them.”
Joshua warned Ciri that this was not a place for battles, that all the paintings of this place were from Farucci’s famous painters and Madam Schroder even had people watching over them.
“Why are you here?!”
Messai stopped at a place not far from Joshua. She does not dare to approach any closer.
As she does not have her sword with her, her battle power has been decreased by more than half. Furthermore, she was certain that Joshua was a terrifying Chaos Demon.
If Joshua decided to wage battle, Messai must give herself sufficient time to escape.
“Why am I here? Obviously, I’m here to participate in the World Expo.”
Joshua gave Messai a simple answer. That answer was also the truth. Unfortunately, the accumulated impression this female knight had toward demons made her incapable of believing in Joshua’s answer.
“I don’t care what sort of conspiracy you might be planning. Our Ecclesiastical Templars will soon rush over here.”
A golden rune appeared on Messai’s hand. That rune served as the method for the templars to confirm their status with others on the battlefield. The rune served a single implication — the discovery of demons.
Joshua didn’t bother to explain things further. The reason for that was because the attendant from Farucci in charge of overseeing their exhibition hall had walked over.
“I’m sorry, young miss. Please do not use magic at this place. What you’re doing is showing disrespect toward the artists of Farucci.”
This attendant didn’t care if Messai was wearing the Ecclesiastical Templar’s armor or whatever else.
This exhibition hall was akin to Farucci’s territory. All offensive magics were restricted in this place. If anyone dared to go against that rule, they would be openly provoking Farucci.
Messai opened her mouth and wanted to explain that her magic does not possess any offensive nature. But, several attendants in charge of the exhibition halls’ security were already walking toward her. Seeing them, Messai was forced to withdraw her magic.
“You... do you not know his identity to be a demon?”
Messai pointed to Joshua sitting by the Hearthstone machine. She hoped that the attendant would hand Joshua over to her upon learning his identity.
After all, those troublesome dwarves were not here to protect Joshua...
“Demon?”
The attendant turned around to take a glance at Joshua. Then, he shook his head at Messai and revealed a sorry expression.
“I’ve never heard of that before. Mister Joshua is an important guest of our Grand Duchess. Young miss, if you continue to show such hostility toward our guest, we will be forced to urge you away using rough methods.”
The attendant’s voice was very courteous. But, he was planning to act with force if necessary. The courtesy was merely in a spoken form.
When did this demon become acquainted with a Grand Duchess from Farucci?!
At this moment, Messai profoundly realized how small of an authority she held. Her status as a veteran knight of the Ecclesiastical Templars was nowhere enough to provoke another country’s Grand Duchess.
If she was a Legion Commander of the Ecclesiastical Templars, she would be totally capable of forcibly bringing Joshua out from the exhibition hall.
“If Miss Messai is worried about me, you can stay here and monitor my actions like how you did in the Hearthstone Tavern. In the meantime, you can also enjoy a delightful round of Hearthstone. What do you think?”
Joshua once again issued a demonic invitation to the female knight. His behavior also served to express to the attendants to not worry.
“This...”
Messai was actually hesitating. As a noble Ecclesiastical Templar, she should not heed to the suggestion of a demon.
The female knight stepped out of Farucci’s exhibition hall. Then, the rune in her hand shined again. She was using that method to inform others in the Crystal Palace that an enemy had appeared. After that, she stepped back into Farucci’s exhibition hall.
“Demon, I will not allow you to escape,” Messai spoke with a determined voice.
After saying those words, the female knight sat down on the seat across Joshua in a very natural manner. Then, she took out her card storage with the decks she had prepared to take on the shadow BOSS Joshua.