Upon closer inspection, she was immediately captivated.
Because what Hayden threw at her was actually a draft proposal for a virtual streamer competition program that was enough to scam funding from many companies!
Moreover, as an ancient god who was essentially hundreds of years old, Hongye quickly discovered that Hayden had deliberately written several classical-style magical rituals in the draft of this proposal, and the more she read, the more surprised she became: "...A festival? You want to turn this tournament into a festival?"
Hayden shrugged, looking completely matter-of-fact: "Isn't an idol competition just a festival? The important thing is the content of the magical rituals in this festival."
The Old Gods extracted energy from people's thoughts and beliefs through social order, rituals, and rule. That being said, rituals and order are not entirely intangible; sometimes they require tangible mediums.
For example, religious ceremonies, such as rituals.
In ancient times, emperors, who were mandated by the ancient gods, needed grand and regularly conducted sacrificial ceremonies to demonstrate the legitimacy of their rule and the existence of social order. These ceremonies, along with the entertainment and revelry inherent in certain rituals, would gather the people's faith energy—and the necessity of revelry for resurrection magic has already been explained, so there's no need to repeat it here (just padding the word count), right?
Similarly, a competitive event, especially one between idols that attracts worldwide attention, is also a festival, a carnival. For example, the well-known Olympic Games were originally a competitive festival for the ancient gods to celebrate.
The athletic tournament is a festival. This principle has always been true and has not really changed from ancient times to the present.
Hayden's magical style is similar. He is not a purely classical magician, but a reformer who integrates the ancient and the modern. Therefore, in this project draft, Hayden also suggested that they could combine the psychic arcane and publicity efficiency of the Mithra Group's relevant departments with the Smoke Mirror Life Construction Company's advantageous technology in controlling life and death, and through cooperation, attract the largest audience and participants to facilitate the ritual and complete the entire god-making ritual to overcome death.
Hongye had initially been very skeptical of Hayden, after all, she had suffered quite a bit at his hands and had even been fooled by him once—and just now, Hayden had even pulled out the Dragon Ball and made some suggestive remarks about wanting her to rebel. But now, seeing this well-reasoned and logically sound draft proposal written by Hayden, even Hongye, who had suffered so much, couldn't help but be tempted!
Originally, if it was just about holding an idol competition to attract popularity, Hongye could have easily proposed the idea herself. She was a senior employee of the Mitra Group, and a special subordinate of the deputy director, Dajini Tian. It was entirely possible for Dajini Tian to take the lead; there was no need to share the profits with Smoke Mirror Company.
However, with Hayden offering his unique technology and the life-or-death support of Smoke Mirror Company, Red Leaf had to hesitate. What Hayden offered was so tempting that it wasn't without value even to executives of large companies.
But in truth, isn't this perfectly reasonable? Hayden has always possessed considerable value, which is why executives at large companies are interested in him.
How could Hayden not see that Red Leaf was hesitating? He immediately picked up his hammer of words and struck while the iron was hot:
"Although our backers have a deep-seated feud—I'm referring to Dakini and Peacock King—cooperation in this kind of situation is a win-win situation. With the life magic technology I now have access to, plus the strength of the Mithra Group and the external support of the Smoke Mirror Company, what can't we accomplish? We're sure to reap enormous rewards."
These words added another weight to Hongye's scales. But she still seemed somewhat hesitant. It seemed that tempting her with benefits could not sway her heart.
Until Hayden delivered the final blow:
“I can give up another point. I will design the ceremony for this idol competition, and I will incorporate elements of Japanese Shinto tradition into it, so that [Jizaitiannu·Hama] can become the core of the ceremony and the protagonist of the competition!”
With that final blow, Momiji's wavering intensified. And this time, the reason for her wavering seemed deeper and more complex than before. Even Hayden could see a flickering fire in the ninja's eyes.
The world is bustling, all for profit. Whether Momiji is a samurai, a fox, or a tengu ninja, she is not an object; she has ambitions, only what she desires may not be the same as others.
So, what exactly does this tengu ninja desire?
This was Hayden's second encounter with this tengu ninja, and he had now confirmed that she was actually an ancient Japanese deity. The Shinto religious rites native to the Japanese archipelago—originally distinct from the culture represented by the Mithra Group—were severely influenced and suppressed due to the Mithra Group's economic intervention.
If this idol competition were to be hosted by the Mithra Group, gods like Dakini, who are not true Japanese gods at all, would obviously only be organized in the Mithra Group's cultural style.
In this way, the ritual would be more beneficial to other virtual idols under the Mithra Group, such as the Five-Colored Goddess... rather than the Free Goddess Mara.
However, Hayden could offer her a different option at this moment.
Could this be the reason why Hongye wavered, the reason for her desire?
Hayden didn't know; he was just guessing. He simply had a gut feeling that the little fox's loyalty wasn't directed towards the Mithra Group or Dakini. Hayden just felt that this was the key to unlocking her heart.
This is because it does not benefit Dakini or the Mithra Group.
The silence and hesitation lasted for a very long time.
Several minutes later, Hongye spoke again, asking with a deep sense of confusion, "What good does doing this do for you?"
She initially held Hayden in some respect, but later became wary of him. Now, perhaps out of confusion, she has almost no idea how to deal with him.
So Hayden put away his playful expression and said seriously, "As long as we can use this new technology to defeat death, what does it matter if I'm not the first one to defeat it?"
That's the absolute truth.
There is an old saying: "A virtuous person can be deceived by his principles."
Hayden hadn't actually lied to Hongye. But after hearing Hayden's words, she still felt a deep respect: "I was being presumptuous, Mr. Hayden. You really aren't a bad person."
These words made Hayden somewhat worried; was Miss Hongye perhaps too easily fooled?
Regardless, Hongye finally agreed.
She said she still needed to go back and discuss it with Tujini Tian, but putting aside the company's cooperation, it should be no problem for her to participate in the virtual streamer competition.
Since that was the case, Hayden saw no need to linger there any longer. He hurriedly took Pania and Angela back with him.
He needed to hurry and report the collaborative project he had just discussed with Miss Kureha to Goddess Mikite (of course, he would omit all the parts he shouldn't let her know). Even if Goddess Mikite gave Hayden face, he would still have to report this as soon as possible. However, considering that such an activity would benefit everyone, Goddess Mikite would most likely agree.
As expected, the goddess Mikkuri was quite surprised after hearing the whole story.
She didn't object, but asked a question very similar to Kureha's: "Such a large-scale collaborative competition is indeed very valuable to the company, but as an experimental product, [Magical Girl Pazuzu] will find it difficult to compete with other new virtual idols. What competitive advantage can she possibly have in such a competition?"
"We are competitive."
Hayden answered immediately, and even held up four fingers.
“She has four advantages that no one else has. As long as I organize the competition, I can bring out her strengths and make her stand out.”
He spoke with great seriousness and conviction.
173: Words spoken are as sharp as knives.
"【Magical Girl Pazuzu】has four advantages that no other virtual idol possesses."
Hayden spoke eloquently and confidently in front of Miktikahiva.
Needless to say, the goddess Mikkuri was very interested in this.
"Four advantages?"
These words made her raise her eyebrows, and she couldn't help but curiously continue the conversation.
"Where do you see her competitive advantage? Can you really name four strengths?"
As Mikkuru was speaking, she suddenly seemed to remember something and smiled slightly: "You don't mean to say that [Magical Girl Pazuzu] is less like an idol and more down-to-earth compared to other virtual idols, do you?"
Hayden actually nodded: "That is indeed one of her most important characteristics."
"Whether it's the other virtual streamer idols created by our Smoke Mirror Company, or the celestial maidens, goddesses, and fairies that Mitra Group has already cultivated and shaped, they are all true professionals. The virtual streamer industry has a history of eighty years, and other major companies have used their decades of experience to make their idols almost perfect and impeccable."
"However, [Magical Girl Pazuzu] is the first virtual streamer idol of Smoke Mirror Company. She is an experimental machine, unprofessional, and has many flaws—but precisely because of this, she can easily bring a 'live broadcast feeling' and a 'non-everyday feeling' to viewers who are used to perfect idols. The more imperfect and immature she is, the more she can attract viewers."
Why do people enjoy watching virtual idols in costumes jumping around in cyberspace? Simply put, it's because real life fails to satisfy their inner desires. It's because daily life in reality doesn't provide the fulfillment we crave that happiness in the virtual world.
Whether it's virtual idols or other forms of entertainment—people play games, watch videos, and read novels—all because they offer things they can't get in daily life. The imperfections of "Magical Girl Pazuzu," and the surprises she can bring to viewers, also fall into this category.
If one day all of humanity can obtain everything they desire in real life, then all virtual entertainment will be rendered obsolete... However, this is merely an empty theory.
Hayden's words, however, made the goddess Mikt look at him with a somewhat skeptical gaze, as if she was not convinced and wanted to say "that's all?"
But Hayden certainly wouldn't "that's it".
"Getting back to the point. Miktti Kashiva, this 'non-ordinary' attribute, is not something particularly objective, so it's not the first advantage I want to mention."
Noticing the goddess Mikt's suspicion, he immediately steered the conversation back to his pre-planned course, and began to say...
"【Magical Girl Pazuzu】's first and greatest advantage is that Pazuzu just died!"
These words only made Goddess Micket pause for half a second. As the Goddess of Death of the Smoke Mirror Company, she immediately reacted, realizing, "Indeed, Pazuzu just died!"
She had been somewhat skeptical a moment ago, but after realizing what Hayden said, she finally regained her trust in his skills and even showed a hint of admiration: "Indeed! Pazuzu's death is fresher than any other virtual idol's [name] on the market!"
To extract energy from death, all new virtual idol suits steal the names of deceased gods and demons, using these powerful dead as anchors for energy extraction. However, even if death cannot completely erase the existence of these powerful gods and demons, their "corpses" still possess varying degrees of freshness. So, which deceased god or demon could be fresher than Pazuzu?
To my shame, Pazuzu has only been dead for less than six months!
Unless some company goes out of their way to kill a god or demon and immediately uses its "corpse" to make a new virtual idol suit, [Magical Girl Pazuzu] will definitely be the newest one!
Hayden, having gained the approval of the goddess Mikket, immediately pressed his advantage: "The second advantage is the Secret Flame. As you know, I possess a new type of Secret Flame synthesis technology. Although I can't give it to you for free, I'm currently managing [Magical Girl Pazuzu], so of course I won't hesitate to use the Secret Flame on her."
"Which other virtual idol can invest as much Secret Fire as I can? When it comes to this pure life energy, who can compare to our [Magical Girl Pazuzu]?"
This statement is, of course, only partially true. Hayden doesn't possess any secret fire synthesis technology; he relies entirely on Angela's leisurely breathing at home. But the other half of the statement is entirely true. Angela is the only perpetual motion machine in the world capable of freely absorbing and releasing primordial life energy. How can any other virtual idol compare to [Magical Girl Pazuzu] here?
Miktikashiva certainly understood this principle. In fact, when Hayden first said that Pazuzu had an advantage, Miktikashiva's first thought was the Secret Fire. Now, hearing Hayden say this, she was naturally not surprised, and simply nodded in understanding.
"The first advantage is fresh corpses, the second advantage is a large amount of secret fire—the third advantage, of course, is the top-notch technology of Smoke Mirror Company in manipulating life and death."
Hayden, having said this, bowed slightly to the goddess Mikt.
"While there are several giant corporations that dominate the modern world, who can compare to Smoke Mirror Life Construction Company when it comes to the utilization rate of life force and death? And within Smoke Mirror Company, who can compare to you? Even if Mitra Group is the strongest super-corporation, you are undoubtedly unparalleled in this respect."
Flattery will get you everywhere. Moreover, Hayden's words weren't just simple flattery; they were flattery based on facts.
If it were just ordinary flattery, Mickett, as a high-ranking member of the board of directors of Smoke Mirror Company, whose power ranks among the top twenty in the world, would be used to ordinary flattery by now. Hayden's words, however, were genuine praise, hitting right where she was most proud.
Even the god of capital can't help but feel happy when he hears others praising his proudest strengths, and when those praises are quite reasonable.
So, even though the goddess Mikkelsen knew that Hayden's words were half flattery, she couldn't help but smile slightly and say, "Mr. Hayden, you really know how to compliment me."
Of course! How could a wizard not flatter the gods?
Fortunately, Hayden wasn't foolish enough to say anything reckless. He figured the atmosphere was just right, so he brought up the fourth advantage: "Besides that, Pania has another great advantage, which is her synchronization rate with Pazuzu."
These words surprised Goddess Mikt: "Synchronization rate? That little kitten's synchronization rate isn't bad, but it can only be considered good. Her synchronization rate with Pazuzu never reached 90%. Now, the new virtual idols created by the Mitra Group directly use personality chips, and their synchronization rates are no lower than that of the little kitten."
The goddess Mikt's words were indeed true. The Mitra Corporation's mind magic technology was unparalleled, leaving other companies far behind. Although they shared some personality chip technology when they collaborated with Smoke Mirror Corporation, it was clear that they kept the most core technology in their own hands.
However, Hayden shook his head and said, "A higher synchronization rate is not necessarily better. The Mitra Group has personality chips with higher synchronization rates and better brainwashing efficiency, but they may not be suitable for overcoming death—the power of life and death is ultimately a subject we are better at."
He spoke somewhat vaguely, but that's because things were a bit complicated.
The Mitra Group's advancements in mind technology, particularly in personality chip technology, are truly formidable and should not be underestimated. However, [Magical Girl Pazuzu] has a first-mover advantage and already possesses ample experience. Pania is at least more skilled than the others.
Using a personality chip doesn't necessarily mean the person inside it is incapable, but Panya's skill is still an advantage.
After hearing this, Goddess Mikt stared at Hayden for a long while. After a full half minute of contemplation, she seemed to have made her final judgment and nodded slightly: "As always, Mr. Hayden. Your words are very persuasive. Therefore, I will cooperate with the Mitra Group, or at least with the Dakini Heaven, to host this so-called 'VTB Arena Tournament.' I hope you can provide me with a more complete proposal as soon as possible."
"But even after hearing so many of your well-reasoned arguments, there's one thing I still have serious doubts about: do you really think this little kitten..."
The vampire goddess turned to look at Pania, who was sitting obediently in the corner of the office. This girl always acted like a cat in front of her terrifying boss, very well-behaved.
"...Even with the four advantages you mentioned, do you really think this little kitten can beat all other new virtual idol streamers and take the lead in such a large-scale competition?"
Hayden then turned and glanced at Panya. They stared at each other for a moment, and Panya looked at him expectantly, as if trying to get some encouragement or information from Hayden's gaze.
But Hayden didn't give her that information.
"To be honest, I don't think she has any real chance of winning."
He turned his head, looked at the goddess Mikite again, and calmly said,
"But we don't need her to actually win. Miktikashiva, what we need is the secret technology to overcome death, and we just need to extract as much benefit as possible from this competition. Which virtual idol wins the victory and fame, who comes out on top—what does that have to do with us?"
Pania was dumbfounded.
Goddess Mikt nodded in satisfaction: "I am relieved that you say so."
After that, she discussed some technical details with Hayden and then sent him back to write the project proposal.
Hayden hurriedly took Panya home, but on the way he found that Panya was like a wilted eggplant, completely deflated, and even staring at him with a mournful look.
"What's wrong with you now, girl?"
So Hayden had no choice but to take her home and, after confirming that it was safe and they wouldn't be eavesdropped on, ask her helplessly.
Panya felt wronged: "...I thought you thought highly of me, Uncle."
"Huh?" Hayden was completely confused by her words. "I really think highly of you. Otherwise, why would I push you to participate in this kind of competition?"
Pania, though simple-minded, wasn't an idiot. Hearing his words, she immediately realized, "Ah, so what you said just now was just to fool the vampire boss?"
To her surprise, Hayden shook his head again: "No. I didn't need to lie to her just now."
? ? ? ?
Panya's little brain finally couldn't quite process what was happening.
Fortunately, Hayden finally realized that the girl hadn't quite grasped the point, so he sighed and explained, "Think about it carefully. What do we need? Is it for you to be number one in this kind of competition? Don't we want you to overcome death and become a god?"
"Huh?" Pania was even more confused now. "But isn't that why we held the idol contest...?"
"Winning the virtual idol competition will certainly attract a lot of popularity, but it's not necessarily good to have a lot of popularity, just like it's not necessarily good to have a high synchronization rate. High profile inevitably brings misunderstandings and delusions. Haven't you suffered enough from too many impure fans last time? Do you think I helped you clean up your fanbase the other day?"
Hayden explained with a frown,
"Similarly, the synchronization rate also needs to be appropriate; it's not simply a matter of being high. In reality, we don't need you to win at all. What we need is for you to use this competition, this festival, to complete the ritual of disintegration into godhood—you haven't forgotten that, have you?"
Of course, of course, Pania hasn't forgotten... probably.
Anyway, she sat down on Hayden's living room sofa, her face covered in cold sweat.
However, there was still one thing Pania couldn't understand: "If that's the case, even if I gain more popularity in the competition, this random popularity won't be of any use to me, right?"