42 [42] The Influence of Movies
Chapter 42: The Influence of Movies
The former site of the Norsrick Grand Theater, now located across from the Norsrick Cinema, has been repurposed into a new establishment. However, it wouldn't be accurate to call it a tavern; it now serves as the headquarters for the Edward Studio.
The main offices are naturally housed on the second floor, while the ground level maintains the appearance of a typical tavern.
Previously owned by the Banil family, this property was swiftly offered to Durin when they learned of his search for a headquarters for his production studio. With the street outside the Norsrick Cinema bustling with visitors daily, property values in the area have soared to extraordinary levels. Acquiring a property directly opposite the cinema would typically be a daunting task.
This gracious gesture underscores the importance the Banil family places on their relationship with Durin. Indeed, their decision proved wise, as it greatly influenced Durin's decision to enter into a long-term partnership with the Norsrick Cinema. Additionally, it's likely that most of his future franchise locations will take inspiration from the Norsrick Cinema for expansion.
In any case, following the acquisition of the storefront, Durin swiftly converted the ground floor of the headquarters into a typical tavern, catering to patrons exiting the cinema. This setup allowed him to directly receive feedback from the audience, akin to a proverbial review wall, where thoughts from all viewers of "Konosuba God Blessings on this Wonderful World" would reach Durin promptly.
With occasional appearances by Zat and the others, the tavern quickly became the liveliest establishment in Norsrick, surpassing Durin's expectations by far, thanks to its prime location directly opposite the cinema.
Moreover, the tavern's popularity can also be attributed to its proprietors, none other than Beldia and Wiz!
Yes, this undead duo, weary of the trials and tribulations of their adventures, naturally sought a simpler, more peaceful life. Though initially uncertain when Durin assigned them the task of running the tavern, they surprisingly excelled in their roles once they began.
Wiz, a former high-ranking mage in life, demonstrated a knack for management, with impeccable calculation skills. Additionally, her charming appearance as a hostess unexpectedly endeared her to the patrons.
While Beldia lacked a human form and emitted a deathly aura that wasn't inherently inviting, the cinema-goers, all fans of "Konosuba God Blessings on this Wonderful World," didn't perceive him as a terrifying monster upon their first encounter. Instead, they eagerly approached him, thrilled to interact with the real-life portrayal of the formidable boss from the movie.
Indeed, thanks to the filter of fandom, patrons didn't regard each other as frightening creatures but rather reveled in meeting characters they admired from the film. This unexpected behavior left the once-unaccustomed headless knight feeling bewildered for quite some time before he gradually acclimated to it.
Now, with the tavern operated by two undead individuals, it has become a symbol of the Norsrick Cinema. Nearly everyone desires to experience it firsthand. After all, where else can you watch a movie and then have the boss from the film pour your drinks? It's truly a regal treatment.
Especially considering that this boss's true identity is a super sixth-tier powerhouse, if only they knew, they could boast about it for a year or more, though most people are unaware.
In any case, the presence of the Edward Studio on the second floor of the tavern inevitably became known. After all, it wasn't just Aya and Zat visiting the second floor every day; even Banil occasionally dropped by. It was evident to anyone observant that something was going on with the tavern.
However, with two top-tier undead guarding the premises, plus Durin himself being a powerful mage, no one dared to make any trouble. Even if a few mages attempted to probe the situation on the second floor, a certain retired boss would swiftly intervene with a righteous elbow strike under the terrifying intuition of a super sixth-tier swordsman, effortlessly tossing them out the back door and into the nearby Pleasure Street.
After numerous incidents like this, anyone with a shred of intelligence refrained from attempting any mischief. For true fans, merely seeing the actors in real life was an immensely satisfying experience.
...
On the second floor of the tavern owned by the Edward Studio, as Durin set down his pen after writing the final word, he let out a long sigh of relief and stood up.
Despite the various noises emanating from the tavern below, as a great mage, Durin could easily tune out the unnecessary clamor. For a true mage, entering a meditative state was possible even in the midst of a bustling market.
This was the fundamental difference in the innate abilities of individuals, and it was also the primary reason why the number of great mages was significantly fewer than that of high-ranking mages.
After stretching his muscles, Durin tidied up the script of the new film in his hand and carefully stowed it away. Then, he walked to the window and admired the bustling scene outside the cinema.
It had been about a week since the premiere of "Konosuba God Blessings on this Wonderful World." In this short week, the emerging industry known as cinema had rapidly gained popularity, and the lucrative effects of this new industry were visibly skyrocketing.
Especially due to Durin's initial targeting of the general public, news about the film quickly spread far and wide. Even people from surrounding villages and nearby towns often traveled long distances just to catch a glimpse of the magical movie. Those who watched it seemed to be enchanted, unable to control themselves anymore... and then, they, too, became uncontrollable.
In any case, with the support of such a large audience, the box office of "Konosuba God Blessings on this Wonderful World" soon surpassed the milestone of one thousand gold coins. This growth rate was expected to continue for several months to come, as there were still many local residents of Norsrick who had yet to see the film. These potential viewers would gradually be captivated by the growing hype and eventually become new audience members.
Moreover, the Adventurer's Guild and the Norsrick Cinema had already decided to promote the film. The purpose of this move was naturally to expand the industry and extend the audience's reach from Norsrick to the entire Southern Region. When that time came, the millions of residents in the Southern Region would all become film enthusiasts!
At that point, the wealth generated by the film would far exceed the current calculations based on thousands.
As for the Southern Region Adventurer's Guild, their strategy was clear. They would gradually reach out to theaters in all towns across the Southern Region to inquire if they were willing to screen the film. If they agreed, it would be mutually beneficial, allowing everyone to profit. However, if they refused, preparations had already been made for outdoor screenings, as Durin had previously suggested.
It could be said that outdoor screenings were tantamount to openly confronting local forces. After all, this new form of entertainment would directly result in a sharp decline in the audience for traditional stage plays and operas. If these old industries failed to adapt to the changing times, they would face a devastating blow.
The conflicts and friction arising from this situation would undoubtedly be significant. Therefore, the Adventurer's Guild preferred not to resort to this measure unless absolutely necessary. However, if they couldn't persuade the old theaters in the end, they wouldn't hesitate to do so for the sake of the guild's interests. After all, everything was for the sake of profit.
If you hinder my progress, then I'm sorry, but please die.
It's as simple as that.
Though it may sound cruel, that's the reality. In this war without gunpowder, showing mercy to your enemies is being cruel to yourself. No one will back down, no matter what.
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