Chapter 73.2: Patronage

Chapter 73.2 : Patronage

WARNING: 80% of the chapter IS HAZARD!

===

Reiji flashed his usual daring smile.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with Reiji this time.

「Well, it will come to this eventually... But let's start with the investigation first, Reiji-kun. That guy might be innocent after all.」

But according to the results of the investigation so far, he was definitely guilty.

「Everyone, the tea is ready.」

As we concluded our meeting, the door of the room opened up and Sahoko came in, bringing tea into the room.

Other than the tea utensils placed on the tray, she also brought a huge round object along with her.

「Sahoko-san. What is that?」

I asked her, looking at the round object.

「Ah, this is cheesecake. I somehow managed to get a good supply of ricotta cheese.」

Sahoko replied with a smile.

Ricotta cheese was a cheese made by boiling down milk. It seems such cheese exists in this world too.

「Oh, it looks delicious.」

「Right. In addition, it match very well with this mintea I got from Regena.」

Mintea was the name of the flower that blooms in Nargol. The tea made from that flower has a refreshing flavor and calming effect.

It seems that Shirone's childhood friend loves this tea.

Regena looks to have gotten a lot of this flower from him when she left Nargol.

Since it could be made into such delicious tea, I don't think Shirone's childhood friend was a bad person.

「Let's call Shirone to join us and have a short break.」

Reiji stopped me when I was about to go to call Shirone.

「Let me call her. You take a rest for now, Chiyuki.」

「Eh? Thank you.」

Reiji then left the room.

Sahoko brewed the tea and sliced the cake for Nao and Rino.

The fragrance of mintea drifted around the room.

Basking in the fragrance of the mintea, I was thinking about the Moonlight Goddess.

Just who in the world is that woman?

Though that woman was undoubtedly related to this incident, there was a possibility that the very same woman was also the mastermind behind this incident.

Oh whatever, let's think about that matter after I finish this tea.

===

◆Sword's Maiden; Shirone

We took a short break after the rehearsal for the drama.

Honestly, I was so tired.

Even Ainoe-san looked really exhausted after the rehearsal before she went to the toilet along with a bodyguard.

Though it might be better if I came along with her, I didn't feel inclined to do so.

Nevertheless, the mechanisms in this theatre were awesome.

There was a crane-like thing used to hang the actor in midair in case their entrance scene was from the air. There was also an opening in the floor for the actor to enter the stage from there.

Just how much were the costs for making all this?

Though I've seen many other theatres in other countries, their level was far below this theatre.

When I looked around the wall, various masks of various sizes and colors were fixed along the wall. There was the mask of an angry man, the mask of a calm woman, there was also an interesting clown mask, etc etc.

All of them were masks to be used in plays.

In reality, the theatrist actors and actresses in this world performed with masks. It sounds like some sort of ceremonial thing, but honestly I don't understand the details.

But, only a few selected ones were allowed to use these masks. With just a few masks, one person could perform more than one role. That's why, properly speaking, there was no need for me to perform this role.

But, Leader Midas' plays were the kind that never used masks.

I heard that beautiful actresses didn't wear masks, but it seems to add more color in the play.

Though it might be thanks to those factors that Midas leader's drama was really popular, that is also the reason why I was really troubled right now.

「As expected of Shirone-sama. It's as if this isn't the first time you're playing such role.」

Midas approached me while praising me for my acting.

「Eh, I see...」

I replied appropriately.

「It's as if you're the real princess Arfelia. I knew that my choice was right by choosing you.」

Midas bent their body back and forth in an eerie manner as they praised me.

I mean, the dialogue just came out naturally when I spoke to the one who played the witch's role.

Wait a minute, didn't that make Kuroki, a prince?

NOPE!! ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE!! SUCH ROLE DOESN'T SUIT HIM AT ALL!!

I mean, he was nothing more than a normal, boring person who got seduced by a witch.

But of course, there was no way I wouldn't do something about his situation. Just how much is that guy going to keep me worrying about him? [TL : Does this girl have a screw loose in her head or something?]

「Yes, Shirone-sama. You're really talented.」

Alto-kun praised my acting too.

「Thank you, Alto-kun.」

Alto-kun came to me, still donned in his prince's attire.

To be honest, he was more suited to be a princess rather than a prince. I mean, with his cute face, he could be mistaken for a woman if he wore women's clothes.

Moreover, he was really weak. He might be even weaker than the normal women of this world.

Naturally I wouldn't tell him about this.

It seems he wants to become a strong man. That's why he has a lot of respect for Reiji, the hero.

Come to think of it, Kuroki was really weak back in our childhood too. Since when did he become so strong like that?

「Alto-san, aren't you going to take a break? I made sweets.」

A woman approached Alto-kun.

She was the patron of the troupe.

「Thank you very much. Madam Sefiria. I love you so much since you always treat me kindly, Madam.」

Alto-kun was smiling innocently as he hugged Madam Sefiria.

The madam seems to be really happy being embraced like that.

So swe~et, was what I felt.

Alto-kun was weak, but it seems he knew how to use his cuteness.

Madam Sefiria was the wife of a big shot in this country.

The inheritance she received from her husband was enormous. It seems that she donated some of that wealth to this troupe.

It seems that this kind of patron was indispensable for the troupe. Some patrons didn't just give to the troupe; some patrons even directly gave their backing to a troupe member.

Ainoe-san's patron was also one of them.

I recalled Ainoe-san's performance during the rehearsal.

Her performance was splendid. Her magic definitely has nothing to do with that, it was the fruit of her years of effort.

I couldn't understand why someone like her would cooperate with our enemy. Could it be that she was really just being used by the mastermind just as Chiyuki-san had said?

And that person might be none other than Ainoe-san's patron himself. If she was forced to participate, it was only natural that I wanted to save her.

「Shirone!」

Reiji called me when I was pondering about Ainoe-san.

「It seems I came right during the break time. Sahoko brewed tea for us. Do you want to join us?」

The female members of the troupe let out shrill voices upon witnessing Reiji speak with a refreshing smile on his face.

He really is popular. He might have felt a sense of superiority since he always received such favorable treatment from women.

「Okay, I'll go.」

I replied with a smile on my face too.

Since Sahoko brewed tea, she must've prepared a cake for us too. Sahoko-san's sweets were really delicious.

「Ainoe-neesan!! Are you here?」

Someone was calling for Ainoe-san.

It was one of the male members of the troupe. Maybe something for Ainoe-san.

「What's the matter?」

Reiji-kun went and asked that male member. The man showed a slightly scared face upon hearing Reiji's question.

Though he was really popular amongst the female members, the same couldn't be said for the male members.

Well it really couldn't be helped since the way he treated men and women was greatly different.

He is kind towards women yet extremely harsh towards men.

But, I wish that Kuroki could get along with Reiji once he comes to our side. But then again, was that really possible?

「A-A VISITOR IS LOOKING FOR AINOE-NEESAN! HE SAID THAT HE IS THE MESSENGER FROM CORNES-SAMA, BUT I ASKED HIM TO WAIT AT THE ENTRANCE SINCE THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM!!」

Reiji and my line of sight intersected, and we nodded to each other.

「Since Ainoe-san is in the middle of break right now, let me deal with him.」

That male member showed a troubled look on his face upon hearing what I said.

「... EH? But...」

It seems that not even I'm allowed to meet that messenger.

「Hey. Shirone said that she's going to deal with that messenger. Do you have any problem with that?」

Reiji, who was taller than that male member, asked while looking down on him.

「N-NO!! ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM AT ALL!!」

The male member quickly excused himself after Reiji threatened him.

「Sorry. I should've been able to handle it better, but...」

Don't mind it. This is my duty. I'll go to question that visitor. Take a rest for now.」

「Eh? but, Reiji-kun.」

「You must be tired after that rehearsal, right? Now take some rest.」

Reiji spoke while smiling lightly.

Sure enough, I was really tired since I've yet to get used to their pace. Let's accept his offer now.

「Sorry for troubling you, Reiji-kun.」

Thus, I went to Chiyuki-san and co after I thanked Reiji-kun.

The visitor for Ainoe-san. I wonder what kind of person was it that came for her?

I went to everyone's place while pondering about that matter.

===

◆Dark Knight; Kuroki

Zand escaped from my pursuit.

It happened last night when I ransacked his shop.

I ignored the shop employee and went straight toward Zand's room.

But, the main reason why he escaped was those women who only had their head left obstructing my path.

I hesitated to finish them off knowing that they're actually Zand's victims. How miserable.

I was really helpless back then since the people on the first floor had already escaped when I confronted Zand.

I was really furious at my own incompetence that time.

I had no idea where his hiding place was right now. I also had no idea about Zeal and Tarabos' hiding place.

But, I had a clue in my hand. Ainoe.

Ainoe got her power from Zeal. In short, she knew Zeal's hiding place.

That's why I went to meet her to ask her about Zeal's hiding place.

I'm glad that I didn't miss telling her that I was in the middle of inspection when we met before. But then, this time, it was a real inspection.

「Thank you for taking me along with you, Dark Knight-sama.」

Sienna, who was waiting by my side, was thanking me. Sienna was walking by my side, wearing a hood to hide her face.

She asked me to take her along since she was worrying about the troupe and wanted to meet Ainoe in person.