““But didn’t they-”


    “Yes. Yes they did.” The woman in charge was clearly annoyed. “But they changed their tune the moment they learned the elves were also interested.


    It’s ridiculous, yes, but I really don’t want to deal with that insufferable Bandir prick turning this into some diplomatic incident. So please just set up some another five or six booths or however much the elves have, will you? Or do I have to repeat myself?”


    “N-No, of course not, la-”


    “Good.” The woman cut the flustered worker off and immediately turned her attention towards yet a different victim.


    ”“No need,” was the confident answer.


    “Are you sure? It’s okay to tell me. Just tell me now.”


    “I’m certain Lady Jasmine. The sound is impeccable. It’s a truly magnificent tool. And if I may?”


    A raised eyebrow gave him the go-ahead.


    “It might be presumptuous of me, but in fact I would strongly suggest equipping our own Arena with some of those crystals.”


    The woman slowly nodded in response to the elderly man’s suggestion; clearly the man held enough seniority that his words carried some weight with her.


    “Alright then. I trust your opinion on the matter.” This was the man’s dismissal.


    ““I’m surprised to see you so personally involved,” Severin admitted frankly.


    ‘And judging by your looks, you’re already at it for a couple of hours,’ he thought but didn’t dare pointing out loud, even though this observation only served to raise the respect he felt for the young noble.


    “Plus, let’s not forget those heating devices you promised to sell us,” the princess reminded him. “Those in itself are motivation enough. So having us help entertain our own citizens so that in return we can equip every Hanvian household with one of those spheres is quite the deal for us, ha.


    “But mentioning the Games... I truly wish you’d agreed to host your event in our Arena, you know? Could have offered you a much larger share of the revenue, too.”


    “This really isn’t about the money.” Severin explained.


    “You already said this during our negotiations. But aren’t you still a merchant?”


    Severin in response rolled his eyes in a deliberately exaggerated fashion; now that he and his team earned a couple of days’ rest, he had regained much of his humor. Still, he couldn’t divulge more than he already had, and left it at that gesture.


    The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and after Severin confirmed everything was still on schedule, the woman turned her attention back to some organizational matters.


    From now on, Severin was simply another visitor with no other responsibilities. Everything happening from now on was out of his hands and left to more experienced people.


    From now on, he and his employees had some long overdue free time. Which first of all allowed for an extensive breakfast.


    Only Emily joined him in the otherwise empty cafe.


    Krill and Sabina had already left to spend some time with their families while Mylana used this opportunity to do some tinkering in the store’s backroom.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.As for Bandur - with the minimap still disabled, Severin had no clue what the dwarf was currently up to, but he wasn’t too worried either.


    He kept to leisurely observing the nearby workers, and the crowd gathering in the distance while eating.


    Though the official start was still some hours away, entrance would be quite some time before that. At which point the food stands would also open for business, Emily had pointed out.


    Before they knew it, the screens all over the festival side-the smaller ones on the outskirts of the site, as well as the enormous one on the center stage- came to life, and an all too familiar voice could be heard; it was the signal that the main show would soon begin and for people to get settled.


    Emily and Severin grabbed another tray of some unfamiliar plant-based elvish snacks, before joining the surge of people who had yet to get to their seats.


    He couldn’t help praising himself for his foresight to record the welcoming speech, he as the organizer of this event, was obliged to hold, beforehand.


    When others, such as Malcos’ eldest Princess, surely would have jumped at this opportunity, just thinking about having to do this live and in front of a city’s worth of people, made Severin’s stomach turn with anxiety.


    Severin tried to ignore his own voice resounding from every one of the [Receivers] and focused on making his way towards the elevated seating area specially reserved for himself, his employees and their families, and a select few other people personally invited by Jasmine. And, of course, several guards.


    Missing no opportunity to play politics, Severin thought to himself once they arrived.


    Not that he cared, as long as she wouldn’t involve himself in her plans.


    Instead, it was mainly the families of his two regular employees who insisted on meeting him to personally thank him for their newfound wealth; much to Severin’s own embarrassment and discomfort - after all, their few coins of salary to him was truly negligible.


    He only escaped this awkward situation when the playback of his speech full of trite platitudes finally came to an end and was met with a thunderous storm of applause so loud that it made all other communication impossible.


    Applause, Severin understood, which was not for himself or his speech, but was testimony to the audience''s enthusiasm and expectations for what was to come.


    It lasted a few minutes, just long enough to actually get seated, before the screens once again flickered to life and now showed the face of some annoyingly handsome fellow Severin didn’t recognize.


    “, all you people of Galira who found their way here, be it as participants or solely as spectators, Thank You for your warm welcome!


    And of course Thank You to Severin and the Emporium for making all of this possible in the first place–and for paying my salary, haha.


    The Games or the All Galirian Rumble. It is my honor and pleasure to now present to you the first ever Broadcasting Event!”


    “Before we begin, however, I want to remind everyone that this is new for all of us. Not just this stunning venue in the heart of the Golden Mountains, or the premise of this event, but also the involved technology.


    Novelty truly is the theme here, haha.


    And so I ask you all for your understanding and patience if not everything is always running smooth. After all, many of our submissions will be actual live footage!


    So while we wait, let’s take a look at some details of our first participant, shall we?”


    With this, Jake dramatically produced a sheet of paper. He took a look at it, and,


    “Woah, who would hav-”


    ““Waah!”


    “What the-!”


    Parts of the audience were either startled by the sudden change on the screens, others, mostly the regular folks, were truly frightened by what they saw: a closeup view of a light-green scaled snout bearing multiple rows of razor-sharp fangs which seemed to close in on the audience.


    ““Doez thiz vork?”


    Short silence and even more shaking.


    And then, suddenly, the view zoomed further out, revealing the full image of the… creature?


    “Aah, thiz should be better, yez? You can zee me no, no? Vell, I hope zo.”


    Ahem.


    “I am Limzahl ov Clemenzcale Clan. And zhe nove… novilt… ar.. new thing I showz yu iz great Zaurian culture!”