NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75
Shurika’s successful opening led to an impressive performance by the twins and Aren.
As the audience cheered and the atmosphere of the show thickened, the next performer stepped forward with a spirited stride, seemingly eager to keep the momentum going.
A man who bowed deeply in all four directions.
‘A bard?’
No. Although his attire was reminiscent of the bards you might find in an inn or on the street, it had a solemn vibe, you could say.
His first impression felt closer to that of a performer or conductor than a whimsical bard.
“Esteemed ladies and gentlemen! Our turn is finally upon us!”
He clapped his hands loudly at one side, and shortly after, a group of musicians entered and settled in the center of the stage.
“I won’t speak long. We’re about to begin a small concert where various musicians and bards blend together! Please, enjoy!”
─Clap clap clap.
After a brief applause from the audience, silence fell as the performance commenced.
Thump thump. Boom boom.
Ding. Ting ting.
Whoosh!
Instruments like drums, lutes, harps, and flutes harmonized beautifully without missing a beat.
“The wind is the breath of adventure─ our song will reach your very soul─.”
The high notes from the bard in the front pierced through the instrument sounds, captivating the audience’s ears.
‘This isn’t just a small concert; it’s a full-on concert! Great song, though!’
Turning to glance at Lumia, I noticed she was swaying ever so slightly to the rhythm.
It was fascinating to see her ears perk and flop adorably in sync with her swaying body.
The others were all around, some lifting their arms, swaying, or closing their eyes to immerse themselves.
‘How many songs are they planning to play?’
The musicians on stage alternated between lyrical tunes and upbeat numbers, playing with the audience’s emotions, bringing them up and down repeatedly.
“Breaking free from gray days─ I’ll step toward a brilliant tomorrow──!”
Ding ding! Boom!
“Wooooaaah!!!”
“What a voice….”
“Thank you! Have a wonderful evening, everyone!”
After receiving the roaring cheers, they bowed and descended from the stage.
“…Nice.”
‘It might seem a bit boring from my perspective, but… well, if you’re enjoying it, Lumia, that’s good enough.’
As the stage turned over to the next performer, a wave of captivating sights began to bless my eyes once more.
Swish.
“Oh my. Oh my, how wonderful! So romantic!”
“Is it possible for a person’s body to move so gracefully and flexibly?”
A beautiful duet dance themed around love was performed by a male and female dancer.
Or perhaps it was the muscle-bound man who had sold us tickets earlier, using real magic for a strength demonstration, not some shady trick.
“Wow!! Mister! Make a bunny! Bunny!”
“Make a bear too!!”
A middle-aged wizard controlling the rare and unique attribute of Mysticism appeared, scattering star dust in the air, creating glowing shapes of animals in the sky.
Unlike the previous acts, I found the wizard’s whimsical magic, targeting the children and making them smile, quite delightful.
‘Mysticism School, huh… I hope I get a chance to know one of their mages later.’
“Aren. That cat you did earlier, thanks.”
Right, the moment when kids were shouting, “Make this! Make that!”
Upon hearing Lumia softly whisper the sound of a cat, I bravely joined in, asking for a cat to be made.
With the adults’ eyes on me, feeling slightly embarrassed, I thought it was worth it as long as it made Lumia smile.
“Haha. I was just happy to see you smiling brightly at that shining kitty. That’s all I needed.”
“…Eek.”
Thus, the unexpectedly adorable magic demonstration by the Mysticism School wizard ended, leaving only one show remaining.
*
“What did I say? I told you there’d be something worth seeing outside of training, right? How’s it going? Your perspective must have changed after seeing it all! Hahaha!”
“Hmm, yeah. You were right, Philip. While I should keep the strict discipline of being a Paladin, I shouldn’t push myself too hard. Thanks to you, I’ve gained valuable insights.”
“Daddy! This birthday is really the best… I love you!”
“Oh, my daughter! If you enjoy this much, we can come here a hundred or a thousand more times. They change the show daily, so let’s plan to come again tomorrow!”
As night deepened, a relaxed atmosphere filled the area as everyone shared their thoughts and joy with friends or family before the final show.
I was just about to say something to Lumia when…
Whoosh─
The wind swirled on the once-empty stage, and soon formed into a human shape.
Snap!
It was, indeed, Laititia’s lead, who had shown dazzling magic before they vanished.
“Now! Did everyone enjoy themselves?”
Dressed in an elegant tailcoat and silk hat, he held a new black staff, enhancing his flair as he spoke to everyone with amplification magic.
“Yeeees!!”
“It feels like a dream!!”
“It’s not over yet, is it? Medeia hasn’t come out yet!!”
Clang.
He cheerfully raised one hand as he tapped the ground with his staff.
“Hahaha! Of course, it would be a waste of breath to say otherwise. The main act, the grand finale, hasn’t appeared yet!”
“Medeia!!! Medeia!!!”
“Yeah, I was so disappointed she wasn’t out yet!!”
Buzz buzz.
“Now, coming from the distant Asphel Kingdom, our noble lady and Laititia’s one-and-only ace! The century’s beauty you’ve all been waiting for!”
…How extraordinary could the following act be, to warrant such a loud introduction?
Thump!
With a resonant voice, he spread his arms wide to announce.
“Let’s meet Medeia now──!”
Boom! Bang!
“Woooooaaah!!!”
Click clack. Click clack.
The sound of her heels tapping against the stone floor mingled with the sand of the Coliseum echoed through the air.
“…Woah.”
“Unbelievable.”
“I’m so jealous. She’s too pretty that I don’t even feel envy. If only I could live just one day with a face like that, I wouldn’t have any other wish.”
As she walked in with her glistening aqua hair flowing, whispers of admiration emerged from the surrounding crowd.
‘She is pretty, but… the century’s beauty? Not jealous at all? Is my standard too high now?’
Everyone around had outstanding looks, so naturally, I wasn’t too impressed.
[Chaos says humans are way too exaggerated.]
‘Right? If Chaos were to show up, everyone here would be a mess in an instant.’
[Chaos pouts, asking not to make it embarrassing by showing off.]
Click clack.
Snap.
“Well then, Medeia, let’s have a wonderful last performance. …Hmm? You don’t seem well. Did something happen before coming here? Are you alright?”
“Of course! I’ve been looking forward to this for ages! Wow! So many audience members! How much is all this?”
“Really? Well, if you’re okay, then I won’t say more. But I can’t keep everyone waiting, so I’ll take my leave backstage.”
It seemed like the amplification magic was temporarily cut off; they were chatting, but I couldn’t hear the content.
I was curious.
Spirit fusion, a giant boulder-breaking acrobatic feat, sword dance enveloped in sword energy, concerts, and dances, and the wizard’s show from the Mysticism School—all of it had been quite the spectacle, so what could possibly grab everyone’s attention next? There’s no way it’s just a stunning appearance.
‘Until now, I didn’t check the status window to avoid spoilers. But since it’s the last act, it should be fine. Let’s take a look.’
As the conversation wrapped up, the lead had magically departed, so I quietly observed Medeia, who was adjusting her outfit by herself.
Zap.
[Due to the characteristic ‘Violet Sword Barrier,’ Chaos reads only a portion.]
What?
────
[Irmela]
[Strength: □□] [Agility: C+] [Durability: □□]
[Stamina: B] [Mana: A+] [Luck: □□]
[Possessed Traits] (Collapse)
Mana □Transformation
Evil □Mark
Single Language
Violet Sword Barrier
One Who Casts Off Flesh
Puppet □shaping Technique
Body Control
Tehelum’s Leg
────
???
[Chaos is shocked.]
I thought I must’ve read it wrong and quickly shut my eyes before opening them again.
Upon looking back, the information on the status window remained unchanged.
“…”
“Aren, what’s wrong all of a sudden? Your expression is weird. Are you worried about something?”
As Lumia, noticing my shock, asked from beside me, I had no energy to spare to respond.
‘No. Dammit, haah. After enjoying everything, I shouldn’t be acting this way. What the hell is this?’
My head was getting hotter.
“Everyone! Are you ready to enjoy the finale─!”
“Yeeeees!!”
“Let’s go! Let’s go!”
‘Crap. Now isn’t the time to be leisurely considering this.’
The gap in skill levels between us was so vast that I could hardly be sure if a sneak attack would work.
If I attacked without saying a word and got blocked instead, it would be me getting cornered while that thing squeezes the life out of me.
‘Should I just secretly slip away with Lumia while everyone else is left to fend for themselves?’
Damn it! Get a grip.
Sure. If someone were to put themselves in my shoes, they might say that if the two of us could escape, it wouldn’t matter what happened with the chaos inside as long as we survived.
Even if that thing kills everyone and escapes, a few people would forget about the two who vanished long ago.
Crackle.
But… can I truly live a life like before simply by surviving like that?
No. It wouldn’t be possible.
‘Living life while rationalizing being in a shithole is pointless; I’d rather die here than accept such a life.’
Before dreaming of becoming strong and living well.
Let’s live a life without regrets, one that I won’t be ashamed of.
Spring!
One way or another, whether I die or survive, I decided it was best to quickly inform everyone so at least the children could escape.
“That’s not Medeia!! It’s just a cover for the Evil God’s seed!! We don’t have time to explain; get the kids out—!”
Hrrrmm.
Just before my shout finished, Medeia, no, Irmela, opened her arms wide.
With a crazed sparkle in her weapon-like eyes.
As if the cheerful mask she had been wearing vanished in an instant, that hideous expression flawless displayed itself while staring me down.
‘It’s too late.’
“Now then, shall we begin the last show?”
Whooosh!!!
With horrifying intensity, black smoke surged forth, while a mass of threads and tentacles erupted from behind Irmela.
*
Beep!
“Who could it be at this hour? It’s killing my vibe… Oh? A communication from a senior level?”
─Guild Leader! We’re in big trouble! I’m just out having some fun with family on my day off, but! Just now, a situation involving an Evil God has erupted at the 5th District Theater, so please hurry!
‘Evil God? I thought everything was quiet since we wiped out not only the Apostle but also the related deities and slaves five years ago. Why now?’
Swipe─
She dispelled the magic to shake off her tipsiness and asked.
“What did the rumors say? Weren’t they doing some sort of circus instead of the arena since yesterday? Then there should be a lot of kids among those adventurers too?”
─Yes! So many of them! They’re really holding on, and agh! Please save my family, Guild Leader!
“Got it, hold on for a little longer.”
Beep.
“Hey! Senior Instructor!!!”
Crash bang!
“Did you call?”
As she slipped on her coat, she said,
“I’ll give you ten minutes, so gather everyone under your command as quickly as possible. The Evil God’s forces have appeared in the 5th District. One instructor got caught up with his family in this mess.”
“Wha?! Why are the guard dogs feasting on the rewards while doing nothing… understood! I’ll assemble them right away!”
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1Zk1Bamt2bEVERjVVWnhONjdsUHkyekR6bUlFUzhJTE5jVCt1T2ZCY1pvSg
“We’ll teleport there via Warp Gate, so tell everyone to gear up, no exceptions.”
“Ugh, this is gonna cost a fortune for the Warp fees. Yes!”
Haa.
With a deep sigh, she got ready.
Swish. Clank.
“This city is about to get noisy all over again. Ah, my time of lounging and teaching kids is saying goodbye now─.”
Clatter.
“There’s some fun, but when a big event happens like this, I suddenly miss Earth. Alright, everything’s ready, sunglasses on!”
Bang!
“I’ve gathered everyone except for the utterly sick and those really hurt! Let’s go!”
“Okay. I’ll head out first, so take care of the kids and follow closely.”
Swoosh─!
She leapt from the window, disappearing in a flash.
Within moments, only the sound remained.
The sign hanging at the front of the building swayed from the fierce wind she created, and soon after, dozens of individuals began to emerge one by one.
The Swordsmanship Guild.
She was the Guild Leader of the Swordsmanship Guild.