NOVEL NEXT Chapter 93.1
The Renaissance of the North (3)
“Alright! Let’s take a picture!”
While it couldn’t match Earth’s digital cameras, it was far superior to Earth’s early black-and-white cameras.
The arcane-punk-style color camera, which used magic stone plates to record scenes, made its debut for the first time.
“This goes here, and then this goes like this, right?”
Jarvis proved that he wasn’t just a building manager because of his name at this very moment.
Being quite sharp, he mastered the use of the magic stone plate camera after hearing the instructions from his employer only once.
“Great positioning, good lighting—everyone, smile!”
Jarvis even had an instinctive understanding of what it took to take a great photo.
“What has our northern magician invented this time?”
“It’s a magical tool that draws pictures instantly.”
“What on earth is that?”
“Is it true we just need to stay still for a moment?”
Everyone, encountering the camera for the first time, stood awkwardly in front of it, waiting for Jarvis’s signal.
“Just don’t blink, everyone. That’s the only rule.”
Meanwhile, Arad repeatedly warned the bride, groom, and guests not to close their eyes.
This was the first photograph in this other world. How tragic would it be if a monumental moment like this was marred by people blinking in the picture?
The problem was, everyone was so focused on keeping their eyes open that the wedding photo ended up looking rather tense.
Even Arad hadn’t foreseen this outcome.
Click! Flash—
“One more!”
Click! Flash—
“Last one!”
Click! Flash—
The light-attribute magic stone attached to the magical camera flashed, and the sound of the magic stone plate being replaced echoed three times.
Thus, the first photography session in this other world was successfully completed.
After the continent’s first photo was taken, the reception continued.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Arad approached Theo and his bride personally to offer his congratulations.
“By the way, I heard the bride is the second daughter of the Chief Administrator. Manager Theo, you’ve done well for yourself.”
“I only found out later. She only revealed her family’s background when it came time to get married.”
It was the first time Arad met Theo and Maria as a couple today.
Usually, Arad didn’t meddle in the personal lives of his employees.
His meddling was reserved exclusively for matters related to Mary, likely a side effect of his past mental magic mishap.
“Hello, I’m Maria. My husband has told me a lot about you. And… thank you for healing his arm.”
“Not at all. I should be thanking you for taking good care of my employee.”
“I’ll do my best to support him so he can focus on his work.”
“Support? Nonsense. If you have the ability, you should also pursue outside activities. By the way, I heard from Manager Theo that you run a bookstore?”
“Yes, I do.”
“So, it was you who introduced Manager Theo to the joys of reading!”
“He doesn’t seem to read much these days, though.”
At Arad’s comment, Maria glanced sideways at her husband.
Now that I think about it… we recently developed steam-powered papermaking and printing technology…
Arad’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Maria.
That’s it! The boss’s talent-hunting gaze!
This is dangerous!
Theo and Mary’s expressions stiffened as they realized what was happening.
“Hahaha! What a truly joyous day! Don’t you think so?”
At that moment, the Chief Administrator, Haita, stumbled over to Arad, his face flushed with drink.
“Father! How much did you drink?!”
Maria, startled, scolded her father.
“Today is a special occasion! My second daughter, who nearly became an old maid, has finally gotten married! And she’s already expecting a child, no less!”
Haita looked at his daughter with loving pride, entirely unbothered by her rebuke.
“Isn’t that right, Sir Rosie?”
“Hahaha! Indeed, it is.”
Beside Haita stood Sir Rosie, Theo’s half-brother and a high-ranking knight, his face equally flushed.
Theo’s biological father was engrossed in conversation with other nobles a short distance away.
“My son Theo, congratulations.”
“Mother.”
Theo’s biological mother approached, clasping her son’s hands with teary eyes.
Even though Theo was the son of a concubine, he was now a respected executive at Arad Company.
He had even married the second daughter of Haita, the Chief Administrator of the High Tower.
This firmly established Theo’s position within the Shapiro family, to the extent that he could no longer be ignored.
As a result, Theo’s mother’s status within the family skyrocketed overnight.
“So, where will you go for your honeymoon?”
As the reception reached its peak, Arad suddenly posed this question to the couple.
“Honeymoon? What’s that?”
The bride, groom, and even those around them reacted with puzzled expressions.
“Oh… I guess that doesn’t exist here. Well, I suppose running into monsters or bandits while traveling would be its own kind of problem.”
Realizing his blunder, Arad laughed awkwardly and changed the subject.
“I’ll give Manager Theo a one-week paid vacation. Enjoy your newlywed life to the fullest after the wedding.”
“Really?!”
“This policy will apply to all our employees in the future. Oh, and the wedding gift policy will also be the same for everyone.”
“!!”
“!!”
Arad’s announcement drew silent exclamations of awe from everyone present.
In particular, the unmarried employees of Arad Company were suddenly ablaze with passion.
Before anyone realized it, the wedding reception had transformed into a wildlife documentary, with everyone keenly scouting for potential partners.
“If I get married, will I also receive a one-week vacation? And a gift?”
Among those intrigued was Mary.
“Of course.”
“I see.”
Mary’s eyes gleamed like a predator locking onto its prey as she looked at Arad.
“Ah! Jarvis, how did it turn out? Is it good?”
However, Arad, oblivious to her gaze, was entirely focused on the photograph.