Chapter 171: Episode 4 - The Hollow Of Shrine (1)
In the tavern of Norsrick, the audience was enthusiastically watching the TV adaptation of "KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World."
The show aired on television, interspersed with commercials between episodes.
As "Fate/Zero" was nearing its end, "KonoSuba" was also approaching its conclusion.
Among the crowd gathered in front of the TV was the adventurer Joseph, who had arrived early that morning to watch the serialized episodes of "KonoSuba." However, his companion Sam, who was also adventuring under a concealed identity, had opted to go to the cinema instead, more eager to catch "Fate/Zero" on the big screen.
Joseph was certainly looking forward to "Fate/Zero" as well, but he was more interested in "KonoSuba," which depicted the life of adventurers. Plus, he had earned very little from his adventuring gigs that month and needed to save money, to the point of not being able to afford a movie ticket.
At that moment, as he watched the final episode of "KonoSuba," Sam returned from the cinema and joined him at the tavern. Upon seeing each other, Sam couldn't help but complain:
"It's outrageous! The way 'Fate/Zero' ended was so abrupt! How could they cut it off right before such a crucial moment in the plot? The director must be out of his mind!"
Hearing Sam's grievances, Joseph secretly felt relieved that he didn't watch "Fate/Zero" in the cinema. He chuckled, "See? That's why I said TV is better than movies! If you had come to watch 'KonoSuba' with me, you wouldn't have to deal with this nonsense!"
"Come on, don't act all superior just because you prefer TV! Go ahead and laugh; I still much prefer movies. By the way, where does the plot stand now?"
"Probably close to the end," Joseph replied.
"Great! That means I can jump straight into 'The Garden of Sinners' afterward."
Joseph smiled helplessly at Sam's excitement. However, just as he turned his attention back to the TV, believing the show was smoothly heading towards its conclusion, a shocking plot twist caught everyone off guard.
...
On the TV screen, a female prosecutor suddenly arrived at the Adventurers' Guild and ordered her soldiers to immediately surround Sato Kazuma.
Caught off guard by the prosecutor's announcement of his arrest, Kazuma exclaimed, "Arrest? Me? Why?"
"The charges are attempted assassination for transmitting explosive materials to the lord."
"Huh?"
"The core of the mobile fortress 'Destructor,' the Corona Ore, was given under your orders, right? In fact, the ore was transported directly to the residence of the lord governing this territory."
"Wait, what???"
"Although the lord is unharmed, his residence has been obliterated. Therefore, you'll need to come with me for either compensation or legal punishment!"
"Ahh???"
In an instant, amid Kazuma's despair, the story took an unexpected turn that no one saw coming, leading to a shocking conclusion.
…
As the first season of "KonoSuba" reached this nearly heart-stopping cliffhanger, the viewers in front of the TV erupted with excitement.
At that moment, their reaction mirrored that of the audience in the cinema; everyone was furious and ready to flip their seats, wanting to confront the production team.
After all, compared to the relatively acceptable cut-off of "Fate/Zero," the abrupt ending of the TV adaptation of "KonoSuba" was completely out of the question!
Everyone was in a frenzy, desperate to know what would happen next, anxious to find out whether Kazuma would truly be taken away.
"Seriously, what is Director Durin trying to do? Is he trying to drive me insane?"
"I'm dying! I'm dying! If I don't get to see what happens next, I will seriously lose it!!!"
"I was just laughing at the people coming out of the cinema earlier. Who would have thought…"
"Ahhh, director, you're heartless! Just put me out of my misery already!"
"Haha, where does Director Durin live? I feel like I need to have a serious discussion with him about how to handle cliffhangers. By the way, where's my weapon?"
"Maybe not, considering Director Durin is a grand mage. No need to volunteer yourself for an execution."
"Wuwu, Director Durin, you have no compassion!"
"…"
Like the other viewers, Joseph felt a surge of frustration building up inside him.
Earlier, he had been mocking Sam, and now he couldn't believe that he was the one experiencing a cliffhanger so soon.
"Seriously, how could this happen? Ending it like this is just too much!"
As Joseph struggled to accept the situation, Sam couldn't help but wear a smug expression and burst into laughter:
"Told you so! The pain of a cliffhanger is universal! The director is truly heartless!"
"This is beyond heartless!"
At this moment, Joseph finally understood his friend's earlier breakdown and found himself unable to restrain his fury along with the other viewers around him.
....
Facing the distant shouts of anger echoing around him, Durin, sitting in Edward's Tavern, shivered slightly, sensing an intensifying chill in the air.
Determined to ensure his escape in case of an encirclement, Durin resolved to always have a teleportation magic circle prepared nearby.
Of course, compared to the viewers who had been watching TV since morning, the crew at Edward Productions and those who exited the cinema didn't share the same level of frustration.
After all, experiencing a brief glimpse of an ending didn't evoke as much immersion for them; in fact, they were somewhat pleased to see the TV audience experience the same pain they had.
The discontent bubbling within the group gradually eased. This made Durin feel even more confident in his decision to simultaneously release films on both television and in theaters.
…
Eventually, the audience's resentment regarding the abrupt ending of "KonoSuba" subsided. After a brief advertisement related to the Frost Film Festival, the screen quickly transitioned to "The Garden of Sinners."
At the sight of this, those who had been arguing vigorously, threatening to take their grievances to Durin, fell completely silent.
At the same time, Emperor Hubbard, the knights, the orc prophet, and Juno entered the tavern from outside, joining the stream of viewers coming in from the cinema. They crossed the slightly chilly street and finally relaxed once they were in the warm tavern.
"This is what television looks like? Such a small device can broadcast programs just like the movies?"
Before Juno could respond to the orc prophet's remark, Emperor Hubbard chuckled and stated, "All this is thanks to the wisdom of the Empire's mage, Durin Edward, or rather, it should be said, the wisdom of alchemical magic. His Excellency Durin once said that alchemical magic will create a brand new world."
"A brand new world…"
The orc prophet mulled over the phrase as he and the others took a seat in a relatively decent spot. They had arrived early enough to find a place to sit, but some latecomers had no choice but to stand and watch the TV or seek out other taverns in hopes of a better experience.
"It seems the number of televisions isn't enough," Hubbard noted.
Wilhelm nodded in agreement, "His Excellency Durin said he plans to increase the number of televisions tenfold within six months. By then, we shouldn't see such crowded scenes anymore."
"Tenfold? That number might sufficiently cover the Southern Region, but what about other areas of the Empire…"
"Your Majesty… do you think there's already a foundation for televisions to spread beyond the Southern Region? But there are some issues…"
"Hmm, I know what you mean. Whether it's television or alchemical magic, in the eyes of certain individuals, it's all too dazzling. Even in the Southern Region, I suspect that other places, including the Imperial Capital, will face considerable opposition."
"Why is that?"
"It's like that young Durin said: the future will be a new world. When faced with the arrival of this new world, what can the people of the old world do, even if they try to resist? Moreover, I haven't abdicated yet. Before I step down, I need to accomplish a few more things."
"…"
At His Majesty Hubbard's words, Wilhelm's gaze hardened, and he nodded in silence.
The two elders had once weathered tumultuous times, ranging from the struggle for the throne to leading armies on campaigns across the land, and finally securing the Empire's territory. Over the years, the storms they faced were known to no one but themselves.
Now, even in their advanced age, the two shared a profound mutual understanding, and just a few exchanged words effectively sealed off the topic.
However, while the conversation may have ended, the resolve that had been formed was clearly not something that could easily fade away…
Nearby, the orc prophet watched the two men, once feared by the Orc Kingdom, with a mix of wariness and respect.
After all, in a certain sense, your adversary is always the one who understands you best.
Decades earlier, the youthful Emperor Hubbard and General Wilhelm had left a deep impression on every resident of the Orc Kingdom with their prowess on the political stage and battlefield.
Now, despite both having aged, the orc prophet felt no inclination to relax. He was even more convinced that it was not yet time for conflict between their two nations.
Determined to do whatever it took to prevent war between them, the orc prophet continued to ponder his plan when, in the distance, the television screen officially began airing the fourth episode of "The Garden of Sinners," titled "The Hollow Of Shrine."
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