Director Edward

Chapter 241: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Premieres! (3)

Time continued to pass bit by bit. In the major cinemas of the southern region, as well as those in the eastern and western regions, crowds of spectators had gradually begun to gather.

Though most people had no idea what kind of story JoJo's Bizarre Adventure was, they were clearly filled with anticipation.

In contrast, audiences from the eastern and western regions, having never seen a movie before, were unfamiliar with what a "movie" even was. As a result, they appeared rather bewildered upon entering the cinemas.

Of course, this was also because they assumed that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, with its low ticket price, wouldn't be anything special—certainly not compared to the neighboring screening of Song of the Vampire. As such, they didn't expect much from the experience.

With this mindset, everyone quietly waited for the movie to officially begin, and for the story to unfold at last.

...

The Imperial Capital, Royal Palace.

Unlike the peaceful New Year celebrations in the other four regions, the New Year in the Imperial Capital was a lively affair. In addition to the annual Imperial Festival, there were performances by various orchestras and theater troupes, creating an atmosphere of vibrant festivity.

At least for the royal family, the nobles, and the wealthy merchants in and around the Imperial Capital, this period was never lacking in entertainment.

Of course, this so-called entertainment held little appeal for Emperor Hubbard. A man who had spent his life on the battlefield, he preferred the thrill of dancing on the edge of a blade to the refinement of poetry and song.

Thus, when Durin sent him a projection crystal containing a new film specifically as a gift, Emperor Hubbard immediately set aside all his work. Without hesitation, he gathered a few trusted confidants and retreated to a private, isolated chamber.

"Your Majesty, is there something you need from me?"

General Wilhelm's confusion was met with nothing more than a smile from Emperor Hubbard. The emperor gestured toward the projection crystal resting on the shelf and said,

"Baron Durin has truly shown his thoughtfulness this time. I had expected him to release a new movie to coincide with the reopening of the eastern and western regions, but I didn't expect him to send me a copy personally. This is quite a precious New Year's gift, wouldn't you agree?"

"I see," General Wilhelm replied, nodding with a calm smile.

He had always known that Emperor Hubbard enjoyed movies, but he hadn't expected him to hold them in such high regard. After all, even the grand duke's gift of deep-sea diamonds had barely elicited a reaction from the old king.

But that was just the kind of man Emperor Hubbard was. He had little interest in ostentatious displays and far preferred simple, practical things. And if such a gift carried genuine thoughtfulness, it was all the more likely to win his sincere praise.

In short, after summoning his youngest daughter, General Wilhelm, and a handful of trusted guards, Emperor Hubbard instructed a court mage to infuse the projection crystal with magic. The group then quietly awaited the start of the film.

...

Edward's Tavern

As the various regions of the empire prepared to watch the film set to premiere on New Year's Day, Durin finally managed to shake off his exhaustion.

At the same time, he noticed the tavern's regulars had already gathered, sitting eagerly at their tables, waiting for him to start the screening of the new movie.

Seeing this, Durin wasted no time. He quickly retrieved a backup projection crystal and began the screening in the tavern.

"What's this new movie about?" Zat couldn't help but ask.

In response, Durin calmly replied, "It's a story about vampires."

"Vampires?"

The crowd was stunned, surprised that Durin had chosen such a familiar and relatable subject this time. After all, even in the southern regions, vampires had long been a well-known mythical creature.

Back in the ancient days, there had been frequent rumors of common folk encountering vampires. However, in the modern era, these stories had been reduced to urban legends, with few people taking them seriously anymore.

Yet, as the word "vampire" echoed through the room, Laetitia, who had quietly wandered over at some point, spoke up.

"Vampires… There was a time when the empire truly did have such dangerous creatures. They often clashed with the church in bloody battles. But after a certain event, no vampire has ever been seen within the empire again."

"What event?" someone asked.

"I don't remember."

"...Really?"

The group couldn't help but groan at Laetitia's response, unsure if she was playing dumb or genuinely clueless.

After all, even Beldia, who had lived for over 500 years, had no recollection of anything related to vampires. The tales of their existence dated back at least a thousand years—far beyond any of their lifetimes.

These events were so ancient that, aside from true relics of the past, no ordinary person in the present day could possibly know their details.

Durin, however, couldn't help but connect Laetitia's words to a certain vampire progenitor still living in the southern region. Instinctively, he felt this individual might have some link to the events she mentioned.

But he couldn't be sure. After all, a vampire progenitor, being the creator—or rather, the origin—of all vampires, shouldn't have had any reason to turn against their own kind. Arcueid, as the progenitor, was not someone who would logically raise a blade against her kin.

Pondering this, Durin eventually dismissed his speculations and turned his attention to the projection in the tavern, which was already starting to display faint, emerging images.

In the next moment, as the visuals gradually sharpened, the first part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure officially began.

...

The movie began on a desolate mountain road, drenched in torrential rain under the pitch-black night sky.

"Look over there! That carriage's been in an accident!"

A filthy old man and a woman descended the slippery road, approaching a carriage that had been wrecked by a landslide. Beside the broken carriage lay a nobleman, seemingly lifeless.

"Master, the woman in the carriage is dead, but the child is still alive. She used her body to shield the baby in her final moments."

"A child? Who cares about the child? What matters now is grabbing anything valuable!"

The old man greedily snatched the ring from the noble's finger before prying open a nearby box.

Inside was a strange, eerie mask that sent shivers down one's spine just by looking at it.

"What the hell is this? Forget it, I don't want it!"

He tossed the box aside and resumed rummaging through the noble's belongings. However, to his shock, the noble suddenly regained consciousness.

"Did you save me?"

The noble's unexpected awakening startled the old man into silence. The noble, now sitting upright, anxiously asked about his wife and child.

Hearing from the old man that his wife had died protecting their child, the noble wept bitterly but soon collected himself. Murmuring to himself, he said:

"My name is Joestar. Thank you for saving me. While I am still coherent, may I know your name?"

Realizing that the noble had mistaken him for his savior, the old man hesitated before replying, "My name is Dario Brando."

"I see. Mr. Brando, I, Joestar, will surely repay this debt of gratitude."

As the nobleman finished speaking, a crack of thunder roared across the distant sky.

At that very moment, the strange mask in the discarded box, now stained with blood on the ground, suddenly sprang to life. It twisted into an eerie shape, sending chills down the spines of all who watched.

"Click!"

The clock of fate had struck. Destiny had been set in motion!

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