A Sense of Debt

After teasing Howard, Josh went to find Frank. As for the time in the Marvel Universe, Josh was not particularly concerned, because he had long since set it so that once that universe reached a certain point in time, its time ratio with the Muya Continent would automatically return to what it had been before.

So Josh did not care much about that. As for Howard’s aged appearance, Josh simply waved him off and told him to get lost.

He knew the guy was pretending, but Josh still found it rather strange to look at. More importantly, he had long been used to Howard’s younger appearance, so seeing him suddenly change his demeanor made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Howard only needed to spend a little time to change his appearance back. The guy was probably just more concerned about his wife’s opinion.

It had to be said that women were always catalysts for a man’s growth. No matter how unreliable a man might be, once he found the person he loved, he would change.

Howard was like that, and so was Tony.

Howard had been utterly debauched in the beginning, and Tony had only been worse. Yet Howard had clearly changed somewhat after getting married. Tony was much the same. Although he had not married, in the movies he had indeed stopped fooling around with women.

Shaking his head, Josh stopped thinking about such random things. He and Natasha were getting along very happily now, and Josh was not the sort of man who chased after one woman in the morning and another at night. Everything was moving in a good direction, so why should he think about all that nonsense?

After waiting only a little while, Frank appeared before Josh. This was only the second time Josh had seen him in such a hurried state.

The first time had been when Black came running to Josh’s territory. Back then, Frank had been thoroughly frightened by Black and Kane’s three brothers.

"Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations!"

"Oh? You already know the result?"

The moment Josh heard Frank’s words, he knew what had happened. Oberon’s group had probably returned before him and told Frank the news.

So Josh merely smiled. It was only a second place on the surface, nothing worth making a fuss over.

"By the way, Frank, did anything happen in the territory while I was away?"

"Everything has been very good. It is just that the teachers you recruited have been rather bored. Also, some people have arrived from your academy."

"My academy?"

It was perfectly normal for those teachers to be bored, but what did Frank mean by Josh’s academy?

Josh quickly realized what it was. It was most likely the matter he had discussed with Dumbledore and Snape before, about opening a main campus on the Muya Continent. They had likely sent over students and some teachers.

That caught Josh a little off guard. He asked curiously, "Who received them?"

"Howard did. I do not know what is wrong with him, but he deliberately made himself look very old."

"So it was that guy."

Josh nodded. Howard had done him a favor, but after thinking it over, Josh figured Howard had probably come with those students and teachers. To avoid trouble, he had simply taken the opportunity to receive them.

As for whether these newly arrived young wizards knew the language of the Muya Continent and some basic knowledge, Josh was not worried in the slightest. Whether at Hogwarts in the Wizard World or at the branch school established in the Marvel Universe, those things had more or less been written into their textbooks, and they were subjects that had to be tested every year.

If their grades were not up to standard, those students would not have been allowed to come here. Besides, these students were all exceptionally sharp. Since they had come here, they naturally knew the rules, so Josh did not need to worry about them causing trouble.

"How have you arranged them?"

"They have already been settled. Howard had them all enter the teaching district. He asked when you planned to have the school begin classes."

"No rush, but make preparations in advance. They should be able to begin studying normally sometime this month."

"I understand."

Frank nodded. He would carry out Josh’s orders in full.

To be honest, Frank was growing increasingly fond of Rivendell. Of course, the main reason was that Josh’s performance had become more and more outstanding, making Frank feel the value of his own existence.

It was not that Frank was being opportunistic. If Josh had no future whatsoever, then staying here would only mean wasting Frank’s talent and his life.

That was assuming Josh did not have an enfeoffment decree. But now, not only would Josh have one in the future, Frank even looked forward to seeing just how far Josh could go.

After all, Frank came from merely a noble family. They did not understand the true relationships among the imperial family members. They would only choose a prince whose interests aligned with theirs and who could ensure they lived better in the future, then support him.

Although Frank was highly capable and a decent person, having been steeped in noble family education for so long, it was only natural that his horizons were limited. The more outstanding Josh appeared, the brighter his future would be, and the harder Frank would naturally work for him.

"By the way, my lord, should we get more Magic Brains? As our territory keeps expanding and the number of civil servants keeps increasing, so…"

"Discuss that with Red Queen and Howard."

"But they said the construction of the magic network has not yet met the standard."

—

"Then listen to them. They are the experts."

Computers were called Magic Brains on the Muya Continent. After several months of continuous refinement and improvement, along with Frank and the others constantly learning how to use them, they increasingly discovered just how convenient Magic Brains were and how much they could improve work efficiency. Thus, more and more people hoped to use them.

Unfortunately, whether it was the internet or a local area network, the setup in Rivendell was only mediocre, so Magic Brains had yet to become widespread.

Even if they were equipped, they would only be a pile of useless junk. Why waste so many resources installing them?

However, Josh already had some ideas. He believed that before long, these things could be formally introduced throughout Rivendell. Even if they were only introduced among public officials, it would still be a good step forward. At the very least, it would improve work efficiency considerably, would it not?

"Oh, right. This money is for you." As if remembering something, Josh directly tossed a Space Bag to Frank.

"So much money? This money is…" Frank was startled when he looked inside the Space Bag.

"This is what I earned from selling Magic Cinema to King Carl. And if I am not mistaken, Rivendell will probably soon see a surge in tourists. Oh, right, many song and dance troupes also hope to discuss cooperation with us. I will leave all that to you."

"I understand. Then can Magic Cinema begin showing in Rivendell as well?"

"Of course. Set the prices as you see fit. They can be a little expensive at first. When the audience numbers start dropping later, you can lower the price accordingly."

"I understand, my lord."

While Josh was explaining several important matters to Frank, in the Star Empire far to the east of the continent, Avila was walking alone toward a secluded palace within a grand imperial palace that seemed both lavish and steeped in the weight of history.

She looked extremely cautious, deliberately avoiding many of the guards stationed there. This palace was where the elves kept certain important or interesting items. Without Ilka’s permission, no one could approach it.

Of course, Ian and Avila were not actually included in that restriction. Avila only instinctively avoided the guards because she felt guilty. Simply put, Avila intended to sneak inside and take away certain things stored there without anyone discovering her.

Avila did not know why. Although Josh had yielded the first place in the Four Nations Invitation to her, it was still publicly recognized and recorded in the annals of history. Yet for some reason, her father Ilka had shown no intention of giving out the reward, neither in Kars City nor after they returned.

As an elf, Avila valued her integrity greatly. That was why, even though Josh had clearly stated that she did not need to keep any promise, she still felt deeply conflicted. Moreover, she had promised Josh that she would give him the reward. She could not bear it even after less than a day had passed.

Avila felt that she owed Josh something. The feeling was incredibly strong. She had felt that way ever since Josh had deliberately let her win. The promise she needed was not only disapproved of by her father, but she had even been scolded by Josh for it. Yet Avila did not seem angry at all.

Since she could not fulfill one promise, then she would fulfill another promise! Avila was unwilling to wait even a single day. Since Ilka had not taken the initiative to give her what Josh wanted, Avila chose to take it herself.

After avoiding another group of guards—or perhaps those guards had already noticed her and simply said nothing—Avila successfully "infiltrated" the palace. However, what she had not expected was to find Ilka inside!

"I thought you would wait a few days before coming. I did not expect you to be more impatient than I imagined."

"…"

Ilka looked at his daughter with a complicated expression. That night in Kars City, he had been delayed because he was discussing something with that bastard Black. By the time the two of them arrived at the banquet hall, they found Vison drinking madly, while Ian and Kane wore awkward expressions.

Once they learned what had happened, both their faces twisted. The difference was that Black’s face twisted from laughter, while Ilka’s twisted from anger. It was true that parents should not interfere in their children’s affairs, but who could endure watching the daughter they had painstakingly raised suddenly be taken by another man like this?

If the person with Avila had been an elf, Ilka would not have thought too much about it. Elves did not have that kind of nerve. If it had merely been an ordinary human noble, Ilka would not have cared much either—unless they wanted to face utter destruction, then they could try.

But the person with Avila was Blair’s son! In terms of status, they were absolutely equal, so Josh definitely had the nerve to do such a thing. Moreover, in Ilka’s eyes, Josh had never been much of a good man. One only needed to look at Natasha. That girl was definitely Josh’s lover, so nothing Josh did would be surprising!

Even more terrifying was that no matter what people outside said, Avila did not offer a single rebuttal, as though she had tacitly accepted it. She had even put on that necklace, which she had kept away for over twenty years and never once worn, just because of one sentence from Josh! With things like this, even Ilka himself would not believe that there was nothing between her and Josh.

"Ah, forget it. You came to take Josh’s reward, did you?" Ilka sighed helplessly. He truly did not want to think about it anymore.

"You knew?" Avila froze for a moment. Though she was not as cold as she was when facing strangers, she still spoke very little.

"How could I not know? Do not treat us like fools."

"Then what do you mean?"

"Ah, go on. That boy from the Gale Family is also going to Josh’s territory, so go with him. Oh, and if Josh mistreats you in any way, come straight home and tell me. I will give him a lesson he will never forget!"

Avila stared blankly at Ilka. Why did she feel as though Ilka was speaking as if he were marrying her off? But Avila did not care about that, just as she did not care about the rumors outside. Right now, she only wanted to make up for what she owed Josh.

"I understand, Father. I will take good care of myself."