Chapter 364 - Trailblazer

August Revolution Street, Farucci.

A horse-drawn carriage was driving slowly through the busy street.

Joshua, who had just finished his negotiations, was sitting in the carriage.

"I have never seen His Majesty so excited when signing a contract."

Madam Schroder sat across him in the carriage, holding two parchment scrolls in her hands, which the king and Joshua had just signed.

"Any king would be excited to be able to expand his territory."

The first scroll contained a preliminary agreement between Farucci and the Demon Realm. The two most important parts were the non-aggression treaty and a treaty of free movement between citizens of the two kingdoms.

Non-aggression treaties were very common, almost basic, treaties among human nations.

But until two years ago, humans perceived the Demon Realm not only as a dangerous forbidden place, but also as a sort of "dungeon full of opportunities and treasures" - basically a treasure trove guarded by monsters.

No human being would openly acknowledge the demons in the Demon Realm as equals.

The contract that Joshua held was the first time in centuries that a nation was willing to acknowledge the demons' existence and place in the world.

"Mr. Joshua ... Farucci has not been involved in any war for decades, and has no diplomatic disputes with any of its neighbours."

Madam Schroder carefully recalled the details of the discussion between Klund III and Joshua at the meeting. She realised that there hadn't been any mention about war. So what did Joshua mean by the king expanding his territory?

"I wasn't talking about territory in the physical sense, Madam Schroder." Joshua showed her the second scroll.

It was a business contract between Joshua in his personal capacity as an entertainment purveyor or agent, and Klund III.

"Your King wishes for me to establish a 'television station' in Farucci. He will determine the programmes that will be broadcast, which will be witnessed by audiences all over the world after the 'television' becomes popular. Maybe I will even see your Black Swan Troupe performing in the Demon Realm one day?" Joshua said.

"I think I understand what you mean … Every time I meet you, Mr. Joshua, you surprise me."

Madam Schroder had arrived in a hurry towards the end of the meeting, so she only half understood the concept of "television".

But the second contract with Klund III stated that "the site of the television station may be chosen at will, and once chosen, the king will personally order the Socrond construction union to start work on it, with Farucci bearing all of the construction costs. "Madam Schroder could therefore imagine the extent to which Klund III was obsessed with this TV station.

"So when are you going to start building this ... television station for His Majesty, Mr Joshua?"

"I'm just telling you the details in advance. Right now, I'm still working on Avatar."

There was a sudden commotion in the street as a group of cavalrymen in silver armour slowly rode down the street.

"What is the matter, Ciri?"

Joshua saw Ciri, who had been looking out of the window like a child on her first outing, suddenly back up to Joshua.

"Nothing, I just recognised some nasty symbols."

Ciri suddenly pulled up the hood of her mage robe, covering her long grey hair.

"Nasty symbols?" The only thing Joshua could see outside the window was the group of riders.

Madam Schroder's carriage was one of the most luxurious ones on the street, and the knights nodded politely to its occupants as they passed by.

Madam Schroder nodded back at them.

"They are ambassadors from the Nation of Frost." Madam Schroder explained to Joshua that the Nation of Frost had invited His Majesty Klund III to join the campaign against the Demon Realm a month ago. But His Majesty Klund III had sent them back on the grounds that they needed time to think about it.

Madam Schroder had no intention of concealing this from Joshua, and even if she had done so, she wouldn't have succeeded.

The Frost Knights were basically the enemies of Joshua's country. If Joshua had acted aggressively, Madam Schroder would have been the first to stop him.

But Joshua's reaction was far more subdued than she had expected.

"So I've come just in time then," he said. "By the way, what would have happened to you if they had seen you?"

"Well, I'd have gotten out of the carriage and fought them." Ciri said as she took her hood off.

Joshua didn't press Ciri for details. It sounded like Ciri had some personal business with them, and with Madam Schroder present, Joshua couldn't ask.

"As for the Nation of Frost's invitation, don't worry, Mr. Joshua. I have never thought His Majesty Klund would be inclined to participate in such a senseless war. But Mr. Joshua, the Nation of Frost is trying to convince other nations as well to join the campaign …" Madam Schroder said, looking at the silver knights with a slightly icy gaze.

"It doesn't matter. At least the Demon Realm is no longer isolated now. Now that we have a first friend, there will surely be a second and third. And I personally hope that the Avatar movie will make some people see that this is not a righteous war," Joshua said, his eyes on the distant silver knights.

"Mr. Joshua, I admire what you've been doing for the Demon Realm, but I can hardly imagine that a single film will change a country's opinion of another."

Madam Schroder's common sense told her that it was almost impossible to stop a war between two countries with just a film. But she somehow didn't think those words were baseless when she looked at the young demon in front of her.

Had it been a year ago, Madam Schroder wouldn't have believed that Farucci would end up becoming an ally of the Demon Realm either!

But the demon sitting in front of him had actually done it. And not only had Joshua done it, he had also succeeded in turning the terrifying Sin Demon into a "good luck charm" among the noble ladies of Farucci.

"Is that so? I'm quite confident." Joshua replied.

"I wonder why." Madam Schroder enjoyed her time with the young demon. Joshua always had something new to say, which was what she liked.

"As long as the films I make, the games I produce and the fairy tales and novels I write are more interesting than the canon of the Nation of the Holy Church and the lies of their preachers, that's all that matters," Joshua said with a smile on his face.