SSS SKILL: DUPLICATE

Chapter 41 Crystal Ball: Prospect of Television

Edgar met the three captains of special forces and asked about the situation of the three teams. Everything is going smoothly. It is going smoothly because they have corrected many of the problems they have experienced. It was very difficult in the beginning. Many problems were met, but it was worth it. The result is a powerful force that will strike the enemy off guard.

Before the Red Dragon Guards formed, Edgar asked Marco to become the captain. Marco was surprised when he heard that Edgar would let him hold a powerful force. He said he would agree if Edgar could touch his clothes during sparring. Edgar set the sparring date after two years. Marco can become the temporary captain and leave after two years if Edgar cannot touch his clothes in sparring. Marco agreed because he thought it could somehow motivate Edgar to train harder.

After two years, both uncle and nephew met again. They went to the underground training hall and fought. Marco's eyes and mouth are wide open. His eyes nearly popped out of his socket. His nephew is a 3rd level aura master and a 4th circle magician! He did not wear armor in the sparring; his clothes were torn in many places. His butt is showing up, and Marco feels aggrieved. When they returned to the castle, Marco was already laughing. He was happy and excited.

Marco has a happy time as the red armor man of Dragon Hall. He was not allowed to use his main offensive technique because his identity must be hidden. All known hall members must use other martial arts to remain hidden, so Marco uses his fist martial arts and fire.

Marco actually loves fist technique, but the royal family specializes in swordsmanship, so he was not able to deeply study it. When he needed to hide his identity and use the fist technique in a life-and-death fight, he felt something click in his being. He loves using his fist to fight. His blood boils and pumps. His improvement is astonishing.

After meeting with the three captains, he went to the Runesmith department and met with Chief Alsef. Alsef no longer looks down on magic appliances. Those appliances lead them to a new world of runesmiths. He is even one of the master runesmiths, inventing quirky inventions. They accumulated a knowledge pool that is accelerating the development of runesmiths in the kingdom. They have so much budget that can support many projects, even quirky ideas, as long as they pass the review committee for projects.

"Your majesty, we still cannot understand how a crystal ball is able to transmit voice and images from a long distance. It is so miraculous. It can communicate across the world. The only limit is that it can only be done by two crystal balls that came from twin mystic clams," said Alsef with an expression of regret.

The two crystal balls are a gift from the Queen of Alya. She promised the gift when her sculpture was carved in the Valley of Legends. Twin mystic clams only appear once every decade. Every kingdom wanted to have it, but even the Alya Empire needed it, so they seldom gave crystal balls as gifts.

Although it is very valuable in communication, Edgar rarely uses it for communicating intelligence because it isn't safe! There might be another crystal ball in the Alya empire monitoring the communication! But its advantage is still there, so if it's urgent, it will be used by the intelligence department using code hidden behind the normal communication of two people.

Edgar did not expect that TV might develop before radio. Many countries were not able to study the secret of the crystal ball, but Baynard can because he is here! He is from the information age, where TV is everywhere! He just needs direction and ideas. He is sure that the master runesmiths of Baynard are now very capable of making television possible.

"Have you thought of invisible waves in the air that can instantly travel anywhere in the world? How is it possible to use that wave? What if two things share the same wave? The twin crystal ball probably has the same wave. Let us call the invisible wave television frequency. If we can have one main crystal ball transmitting information to a crystal tower that will transmit information to crystal balls with the same frequency, then we could convey our message to the whole kingdom. Communication will have a revolution." Edgar is describing how he remembers television to Alsef.

Alsef feels very excited. He does not understand the wave or frequency the king is talking about, but he has already experienced it many times. As long as he studies in the direction the king pointed out, he will understand it, and he will reach his destination! It has been proven many times!

Edgar could actually start the steam engine revolution, but that would cause too much damage to the world. Many efficiencies that a steam engine could do are done by magicians. Magicians can train while improving efficiency in many companies, thus killing two birds with one stone.

Edgar wants to find an alternative that will require the use of mana stones. He wants to build a train that relies on mana stone because it is renewable energy. It will circulate in the air again after being consumed, and then some will flow to where the mana vein is located. The cycle will just keep being repeated. Mana stone mine owners are now very rich. Yhey are like oil tycoons on Earth.

The density of mana in Baynard actually increased because of the use of mana stone in appliances. Trees became bigger, plants became more magical, livestock tasted better, and the magic beast became stronger. But advantages outweigh disadvantages. it became easier for magicians to cultivate, and people's physiques became better.

Edgar deliberately spread the news, so the sale of appliances exploded around the world. Each country is encouraging its people to use it. They even gave incentives to merchants so they could import the appliances. Edgar cannot hide the effects of appliances. Even he did not expect the astonishing effect, so he took the initiative to spread the news and let his appliance brand occupy the market before other appliance brands could appear.

After talking with Alsef, Edgar ordered Nina to call Rick and Kristoff for a meeting.

Rick is the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, and Kristoff is the one managing theaters.

The three of them sat around a table. Edgar started talking about the crystal ball and how news transmission and theater shows could go to the next level. Rick and Kristoff are both shocked.

"Rick, find two reporters, a man and a woman, who are not afraid to be seen by the whole people in the kingdom. They must look pleasing to the eye, and their voice should sound good and articulate. Prepare a dedicated team for newscasting on television."

"Kristoff, prepare a theater show for television. The show must contain many episodes. It must not contain anything detrimental to the kingdom and the rule of the Royal Court. Make a show that involves immigrants and shows how their lives changed under the rule of Baynard. Make sure to show how the people of Baynard welcome them with open arms. It will play an important role in assimilating Frannian and Rus."

Rick and Kristoff both agreed, but they have concerns on their faces. Edgar noticed it and let them mention it.

"You can ask if you have any concerns," said Edgar.

Kristoff has hesitation on his face but still states his concern.

"Your Majesty, how will actors and actresses earn in the future if theaters are shown for free?"

Edgar smiled when he heard it.

"The show will earn through advertising. Companies can advertise their product when it is used by actors and actresses during the show. It is called product placement. Actors and actresses will also receive sponsorship from companies once they become famous." Edgar described the product endorsement to Kristoff, who became very excited. The spring of acting will definitely come once acting becomes synonymous with popularity and high-income jobs.

"Your Majesty, thank you very much," solemnly said Kristoff as he bowed to Edgar. There are only a few actors and actresses. Once an actor gets sick, the whole play will be affected and need to be adjusted. There are people who like acting, but they have families to feed, so they can't pursue their dreams. Everything will change once actors and actresses can earn a lot.

Edgar smiles and nods at Kristoff, then looks at Rick, who probably has the same concern.

"The newspaper will never dissolve. It is a very important platform of communication between the Royal Court and its people. You don't have to worry that it will run out of money. The kingdom is rich. The news writers will slowly be transferred to news reporters as the television becomes more developed. The demand for newspapers will not be affected too much. Not everyone has the time to watch news on television. The newspaper will also contain information not mentioned on TV. It will take a long time before TV can enter everyone's home."

Rick felt relieved when he heard it. Edgar let Kristoff prepare more live shows, like cooking. Recording will probably take longer before it is invented. TV shows can only be taken live. The camera might appear first before video recording. Edgar reminded them that they must prepare what he ordered in a low-key manner. The television must remain a secret first. A plan is brewing in his mind using the television.