The screening of "KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World" began as planned, and its effect far exceeded Edward's imagination. From Edward's perspective, everything, from the shots to the scene depictions, was very satisfying.
As for the audience watching the film, they were the adventurers sitting below the stage.
At the beginning of the film, they were more curious than excited, resembling more of a study on what magic recording devices and imaging crystals were and how they worked rather than watching a movie. However, when the protagonist designated the goddess as the condition for his journey to another world, these people suddenly became more and more excited.
After all, ordinary people all love stories of adventure and excitement. Although the people in this world were already tired of knight novels, it didn't mean they wouldn't enjoy this kind of inherently exciting story.
As the story progressed and the protagonist successfully crossed over but ended up working at a construction site instead of embarking on an adventure, bursts of laughter erupted in the adventurers' guild. These laughs contained a lot of emotion and melancholy.
After all, most of the people present were adventurers. Who among them didn't have grand ambitions? Who didn't want to form a powerful team and accomplish unprecedented feats, gaining achievements worthy of continuous praise from bards? But unfortunately, reality was often different. Most adventurers in the southern region struggled to achieve anything significant in their lives; their so-called "missions" were often nothing more than temporary jobs.
The protagonist's struggles at the construction site depicted the true reality of these southern adventurers — helpless and not worthy of pity because that was life.
As the story continued and the protagonist, unable to tolerate life at the construction site, finally decided to embark on an adventure, the adventurers completely immersed themselves in the protagonist.
However, just as they were eagerly anticipating what the protagonist would achieve next, the film once again slapped them in the face. After all, how could an ordinary person like the protagonist fight powerful monsters? The goddess by his side was of little use besides her comedic ability.
Facing this situation, although the adventurers showed disappointment, they were still captivated by the interesting plot, continuously bursting into various kinds of laughter.
When the protagonist's team was initially established and the Headless Horseman truly appeared, the adventurers' guild fell into silence. Although Edward had previously told them that the Headless Horseman was deliberately acting for the film, their attention wasn't focused there:
"How did we end up being filmed?"
"So, was that magic experiment they mentioned earlier about this?"
"I'm on screen!"
"Ah, why do I look so cowardly! The other's won't let me live this down!"
Various voices spread throughout the adventurers' guild, while Edward silently admired the film he had created.
To be honest, due to limitations in filming methods, the film didn't meet his expectations. Various minor flaws lowered the overall quality of the film, but it only fueled Edward's determination to make the next one better.
However, ignoring these flaws and appreciating the film solely from the audience's aesthetic perspective of this era, it was undoubtedly a groundbreaking piece. Whether it was the innovative magical device, the Magic Video Recorder, or the unconventional script of "KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World," Edward could imagine the impact this film would have once it spread.
Regardless of the kind of impact it would have, he wouldn't give up on spreading it. After all, if no one took the initiative to create, then no changes would occur. Edward didn't want to live in a world without an entertainment industry forever.
So, even if this film caused significant real-world repercussions, even if many people considered him and his film as thorns in their eyes, Edward had no reason to give up.
As the story entered its later stages, the oppressive atmosphere created by the Headless Horseman in the film even transcended dimensions, making the audience feel an astonishing pressure. Undoubtedly, this wasn't the effect of the Magic Video Recorder but simply due to the overwhelming power of Belldia. Even through the screen, one could feel the terrifying oppression he brought.
Therefore, all the audience members nervously swallowed their saliva, even though most of them had experienced the actual filming that day, they were still in a state of intense tension at this moment.
Then, as the story continued to develop unexpectedly, this tension eventually turned into laughter echoing throughout the guild.
When they saw the protagonist's team not only failing to claim the promised three hundred million bounty for destroying the town but also owing forty million, waves of laughter turned into a wild laughter, even attracting many ordinary people from the streets to come and see what was happening in this adventurers' guild.
"What about the rest? Is it ending like this?"
"I also want to know how they're going to repay the debt next?"
"Forty million! It makes me feel like the two gold coins I owe are insignificant."
...
Seeing the cast list pop up, the audience fell into a state of wanting more. But rather than saying they wanted more, it was more like they hadn't even tasted the appetizer yet. After all, in the current progress of "KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World," they had only seen the beginning, just a starter. Their reactions were only natural.
Even in another world where entertainment was scarce, when people encountered an exciting new anime, didn't they hope time would pass faster, wishing for a week to feel like an hour?
Seeing this, Edward silently walked to the front of the stage, took down the imaging crystal, and spoke, "I know what you all want to ask. Indeed, as you suspect, this film is not yet complete. This screening can be considered as a preliminary version. The decision to continue production for the official version will depend on the specific popularity."
"Ohhhh!! So, there's more?!"
"I'm so looking forward to it! I want to see these guys goofing around more!"
"When will the sequel be made? I can't wait!"
.....
Facing the audience's anticipation, Edward just smiled and shook his head, then continued, "There will be news about the official version after the preliminary version is promoted. For now, let's focus on celebrating first. Although you adventurers only participated as extras, you still contributed to this film, so naturally, you're eligible to stay for the celebration."
Upon hearing his words, everyone in the guild became excited. After all, they had been discussing the fact that they appeared on screen earlier. Now, Edward directly acknowledged their roles, which made them feel a sense of pride.
As for those adventurers who were too scared to go to the city gate when the Headless Horseman attacked, they all showed regretful expressions, wishing they could go back in time and slap their past selves.
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