NOVEL NEXT Chapter 395
The lords of Iceland, who had only been desperate for survival until now, finally found the leisure to pay attention to luxuries they hadn’t enjoyed for a long time.
Orogite.
The first and finest theater of Coldon and Iceland.
What kind of art and performance can one expect in a neighborhood as impoverished as this? But this is Iceland—the final destination for criminals, fugitives, and refugees from Europa.
Inside, those who had no choice but to flee to survive, pouring their efforts into menial labor, farming, and hunting, gathered to unleash their true talents and abilities.
Though it was hardly dignified, after a little while following the successful conclusion of the first performance, the gaze of artists throughout Europa turned toward Iceland.
A market that was, quite literally, a blue ocean; the first in history to hold gold coins by the boxful, with investors thirsty for the luxury of cultural life.
Artists from all over Europa, burning with a sense of mission, flocked to Iceland with the sound of jingling gold coins, and the Orogite Theater expanded every year.
Thus, since its inception, Orogite had earned its reputation as the largest and finest theater in Iceland, but even before entering, it was quite noisy thanks to three individuals.
Elizabeth Felwinter, Catherine Marigold, Atanitas, and Karem. All three certainly deserved to be selected as VVIPs without question.
Naturally, all the participants who had come for this charity auction showed interest.
“Is this your first time at Orogite?”
“Indeed. It seems a bit crowded.”
“That’s usual, but this year’s charity auction is busier than usual.”
The focus on the charity auction, where the two VVIPs were the main subjects, dispersed quickly. Perhaps because there were three VVIPs, the director came out to guide them.
“So, Catherine, what do you think of this place?”
“As I mentioned earlier—”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Elizabeth shook her head firmly, as if to indicate that was not the point.
“Your hometown is Servianus, isn’t it?”
“Oh, is that so?”
Servianus is a leading cultural nation in Europa.
Even in a large town, it’s well-known that there’s at least one arena or theater.
Given the history of Servianus’s cultural life, dating back to the Palatino Empire, it was only natural that Elizabeth would be curious about Catherine’s evaluation. After all, she was the closest to being from Servianus.
“I was under Olivier’s tutelage from a young age, so my impressions may not be as profound as an ordinary Servian.”
Catherine supported her tilted head as if recalling memories pushed to the back of her mind with her finger.
“It can be compared to a rather large urban theater. Given the history of this theater, one could say it’s surprising.”
“What about when compared to the Colosseum?”
“The Colosseum?”
Karem muttered absentmindedly at the familiar proper noun he had heard countless times in his past life.
“You mean the largest circular arena and theater in Servianus? Its original name is different, but it’s been forgotten.”
While Mary responded to Karem’s words, Catherine had made her point to Elizabeth and the guards who were listening with just two sentences.
“The Colosseum has a capacity of 100,000.”
“100,000.”
“That’s only referring to the audience, mind you.”
Elizabeth was left speechless upon hearing such an unimaginable number. The people listening also fell silent. It was impressive to hear how grand it was, but when the specific number was mentioned, they couldn’t help but be amazed.
‘Goodness, 100,000 people.’
Even Karem was honestly a bit impressed.
How many arenas have a capacity of 100,000 in a previous life? Yet, it also serves as a theater, apparently.
Perhaps the influence of magic and magic tools played a big role, but it was still rather impressive.
“That’s quite an exaggeration; Orogite can definitely hold its own against a major Servian city theater.”
“I’ll gratefully accept the praise from a distinguished guest. The staff will surely be pleased as well.”
Karem realized it felt like being praised by a Briton for making kimchi stew for a Korean. He had been quietly listening, but then he noticed that the direction they were being guided was different from that of the other guests.
There weren’t many people, but compared to the crowds they had passed previously, it was far too sparse.
“We’ve prepared a separate seating area for distinguished guests. We applied the latest theater facilities from Servianus.”
The director, who had been walking alongside them, quickened his pace up the stairs and opened the door himself.
“This is the special seating.”
The special seating they entered, guided by the director, felt familiar in a way. It resembled a room more than seating, with a wide-open space in front revealing a multitude of people, seats, stage, and decorations.
Similar special seats could be seen flanked to the left and right beyond the open space, and if Karem had seen right upon entering, it seemed there were also ones to their sides.
‘That… classic movie thing… what was it called?’
Specifically, it was a viewing area for distinguished guests often featured in classic movies set during the Renaissance. It was definitely just two words.
“I can’t remember…”
“If you need anything, just pull the string to the side.”
As Karem mumbled while sitting in the guided seat, he heard the director personally demonstrating and introducing the items and amenities provided in the special seating to the group.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Uh, is there perhaps a list of items submitted for the charity auction?”
“That will be distributed before it starts, but if you wish, I can give it to you right away.”
It seemed the director had received this question countless times before, answering without hesitation.
“Do you need it?”
“Well then, I’ll ask for it.”
That sounded like something Iona would say. After confirming that there were no further requests or questions, the director left the special seating and quietly closed the door behind him.
“Mary.”
“Understood.”
It seemed Mary guessed the order just from the mention of Catherine’s name, promptly setting the table with snacks and pouring wine.
It was a service just for the guests sitting in the special seating, who might grow bored before and during the auction.
“Hmm, is such an auction common in theaters?”
“Oh, no way.”
Elizabeth shook the glass she received from her maid left and right.
“Orogite usually operates as a theater where various performances are held according to its original purpose, but occasionally it rents out its facilities based on the tenant’s requests.”
“Hmm, it’s quite common in Servianus as well.”
Given the nature of the theater where people perform, it was unavoidable to have irregular gaps between shows.
You can’t just play recordings, and every performance is a live show.
You cannot always perform the same show, nor can you showcase a new show without rehearsals.
‘This is no different from my past life.’
It was just like when a group or company rents a facility to hold events. The only difference this time was that the tenant was the Three Gods’ cult headquarters, and the facility was Orogite Theater.
“Karem, junior. Do you need a drink too?”
“What? Wine? No, do you have beer?”
“Unfortunately, I found that no beer was prepared.”
So, a single drink? Karem waved his hand at Mary, who was bringing it.
“Then that’s fine. I’m not so fond of wine.”
“Oh my, isn’t that rare? You don’t drink? Last time, I saw you drinking beer.”
That seemed surprising; curiosity sparked in Elizabeth’s gaze.
“No, I can manage fruit wine or beer. It’s just that the typical sour and bitter taste of other alcohol types is a bit—”
“Hmm…? Are your tastes still immature?”
“Please let me be considered innate. No matter how much I try, wine, especially, just isn’t for me… Oh, but dessert wine is fine.”
“Your taste is exactly the same as our Alicia! Oh, I completely forgot it was so natural. This body has grown due to a curse.”
Catherine squeezed her eyes shut as though she were bracing for what was to come from that statement.
“In that sense, Karem. What did you think of it?”
“What do you mean by impressions—”
“Naturally, it’s only natural to ask about the intimate, secretive night!” Puhuut!
“Cough! Cough cough!”
It didn’t matter who did it first. Karem and Catherine both burst out at the same time. Luckily, they managed to direct it toward the floor.
“Y-your Grace, even though this is a special seat so the people below can’t hear us, there are still people on both sides—”
“Oh dear, that’s nothing to worry about.”
“Excuse me?”
“Why would a special seat be special?”
With a cheeky smile, Elizabeth tapped the table.
“This area is all soundproof, you know? So regardless of what happens here, the people outside won’t have a clue.”
“…Just what on earth is going on with that last part—”
“I merely said to be aware that such things sometimes happen.”
Elizabeth lightly shook her glass.
“Who knows if either of you will come here again?”
“Your Grace.”
“Oh, by the way, Catherine. How did you utilize the book I lent you?”
“Please, there are ears listening.”
“Ah, come on. They’re both parties involved, right? Am I talking about my maid? Ava?”
At that comment, the maid, who had been like a statue, took a little step closer to Elizabeth.
“Madam, did you call for me?”
“You’re not spreading the information you’re hearing right now, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“See, right?”
In the steadfast pledge of the devoted maid, Karem and Catherine shared a simultaneous thought.
That maid is definitely going to talk to others about this. However, Elizabeth didn’t give either of them a chance to protest.
“More importantly, Karem. Is what I heard truly a fact?”
“What do you mean, a fact?”
“I heard that your first encounter took place outdoors, not even indoors—”
No! I never told anyone about that, how on earth did you—In that moment, Karem shot a glare at the only being capable of spilling the beans, a house fairy.
The way she visibly flinched only affirmed Elizabeth’s speculation.
“Oh my, just look at you. I thought maybe you were just a naive innocent drawn to an older mentor, but boldly encountering the outdoors, which could be quite cold—”
“Technically, it was hot—Ah crap.”
“Catherine? Hot, you say? What exactly do you mean by that?”
At the words that couldn’t be overlooked, all of Elizabeth’s attention immediately turned to Catherine, while Karem let out a sigh of relief internally. Of course, only mentally. Better to keep out of it than get dragged in.
So, Karem chose to focus on another topic.
Desperately ignoring the words echoing in his ears.
‘So, this is how to view auction items here.’
In the center of the open space at the front of the special seating was a silver mirror. While it initially didn’t obstruct his view as the back was vividly visible, the sensitivity was shockingly high as he reached out with both hands.
‘So like this?’
With that, Karem slightly spread his hands to the sides. The scene reflected in the mirror zoomed in as if magnified like a phone’s screen.
It was more sensitive than he expected, but thanks to past experiences, he adapted quickly. Karem manipulated the mirror, thoroughly surveying the stage.
It seemed to have better facilities than the theaters he had seen in his past life, but as the director had said moments ago, perhaps because it was still before the start, there wasn’t much to see.
His interest swiftly shifted from the stage to the audience area.
If there was nothing to do, merely watching the human scenery on the subway was considered the best pastime, and indeed, it was somewhat worth watching.
Even if he couldn’t hear what they were saying due to the distance, merely observing their different attire was anything but dull.
Even if the designs looked the same, the details varied.
“Your Grace, the catalog has arrived.”
“Oh, thank you. Just place it on the table. So, Catherine, I must absolutely find out what that ‘hot’ thing was today.”
In the midst of casually dismissing the maid and making another statement that would only further distress Catherine’s incredulous expression, Karem’s eyes crossed with Catherine’s sitting beside him.
‘Good work out there.’
‘You jerk. I’m the only one stuck taking the blame—’
Ending their wordless conversation abruptly, Karem turned his gaze fully away, completely shutting out his ears to the words echoing.
The maid had placed the catalog on the table.
His overall impression after skimming through it was simple.
‘Hmm, well. It feels vaguely like game items.’
The catalog served the literal function of a catalog, merely listing the items to be auctioned and the names of the donors without any distinctive features.
Fortunately, it had neatly divided boxes with numbers, making it easy to read.
‘But the list? What? Did Catherine already spread the word?’
There’s no way that could be true.
If that’s the case, the culprit must be Alfred.
No, it might also be Iona.
Regardless, upon seeing this already widely used in civilian hands, Karem felt an inexplicable sense of pride swell up in his heart as the original distributor.
‘But this is interesting.’
With names like “Teeth for Summoning a Dragon”, “Ashen Lion’s Horn”, “Holy Alvar’s Spear”, “Elixir Failure,” each item felt like something out of a fantasy game’s consumables, equipment, or other miscellaneous junk items.
As he continued glancing, ignoring the desperate looks from the side and the pinching sensation in his left hand, Karem’s eyes fixed on one entry.
Unlike the grand names of the other auction items, it was not grand at all.
Just three letters.
Even with just that, Karem couldn’t take his eyes off it.
No one could possibly overlook it.
“This is some kind of typo, right?”
“Karem, junior?”
Mary tilted her head at Karem, who was rubbing his eyes after looking at the list.
“What typo? What do you mean?”
“It says ‘Unicorn’ right here.”
“Oh, that was just a little joke. Karem, junior. How could a unicorn be in an auction—”
“No, I’m serious.”
“What did you just say?”