Paying a Visit

The Black Swan Troupe's performance came to an end amid a wave of applause... Even as the stage curtains were slowly drawn shut, many audience members remained seated for a long while, unwilling to leave, hoping only to catch one more glimpse of the Flower of Falosi.

Salinya Professor sat in the VIP Seats, listening to the unceasing applause below. As the owner of the Nolan National Theater, he was very satisfied with this performance—and with the Black Swan Troupe. As expected of Falosi's foremost troupe, hailing from the Country of Art. Tonight, nearly everyone had been conquered by the Flower of Falosi's charm.

"Salinya Professor, the carriage has been arranged. Are you heading out now?"

"Of course. It is time to bid our old friend farewell."

Salinya Professor picked up the stemmed glass in his hand, drained the Red Wine in a single gulp, then set the glass directly on the table beside him.

He did not understand what taste was, nor had he ever cared to. He only knew which Red Wine tasted good and which did not. This was also one of the principles by which he ran a theater: the depth and artistry of a production were of the least importance. What mattered most was that it looked good, that it was entertaining, that it could draw an audience...

That was the most fundamental condition for a theater's survival. Yet one of his old friends had never understood this, stubbornly clinging to his pitiful art.

And now, that art had driven him into a corner. It was time for Salinya Professor to make the Nolan National Theater the only theater in this country.

Salinya Professor pushed open the door, several attendants following behind him. Before he could reach the stairs, however, a figure at the end of the corridor made him stop in his tracks.

"Professor, where are you planning to go?"

"I was merely planning to visit an old friend, Miss Galolie... You have just completed such a splendid performance. You should rest first."

Salinya looked at the girl leaning against the corridor wall. She was none other than the Flower of Falosi who had just let her charm blossom freely upon the stage. Though she had removed her makeup, the magnificent and cumbersome gown she wore remained unchanged.

"Before I came to Nolan, Father told me it was the most prosperous city in the world—far more prosperous than Lijiaer, the capital of my homeland. But I have been in this city for nearly three days now, and I still have not properly seen it. Professor, could you take me around?"

Her words and movements were elegant and composed, but heaven knew what this girl—who could portray every kind of role with breathtaking perfection—was really like.

"Well... Miss Galolie, forgive my presumption..."

Touring the city with a beautiful woman was an honor for any man, but this time Salinya Professor was going to smash up someone else's establishment, not out sightseeing.

Bringing along a group of burly mages to wreck a place was enough. What sort of sense did it make to bring the Flower of Falosi, his theater's leading actress, along with him?

"Professor, may I understand your next words as defying an order from a Duke's Daughter?"

Though there was not the slightest hint of command in her tone, that one sentence was enough to make cold sweat pour down Salinya Professor's back.

The hierarchy within the Nolan National Theater was strict. As the theater's behind-the-scenes manager, he should have held absolute authority—but things had changed since the Black Swan Troupe arrived.

His relationship with the Black Swan Troupe was not that of employer and employee, but one of equals. In fact, the status of that most dazzling Black Swan in the troupe far surpassed his own.

The reason for all this was that the Flower of Falosi was the daughter of a grand duke of Falosi, while Salinya Professor was nothing more than a theater manager.

His old friend, White Thorn Flower Jazz, was also from Falosi. Only people from that nation so steeped in artistic spirit would open theaters. And the only reason this Black Swan had chosen his theater was a passing whim.

Just like how she had suddenly demanded to go out now—Salinya Professor had never been able to fathom her thoughts.

"But, Miss Galolie, if you go out now and someone recognizes you..."

Salinya Professor knew exactly what kind of influence the Flower of Falosi held in Nolan at this moment. If Galolie were recognized outside, it might cause quite a commotion.

"I know. That is why I prepared beforehand." Galolie raised a mask in her hand and put it on her face.

"..."

A mask alone could not possibly conceal her identity!

Salinya dearly wanted to remind the Flower of Falosi of that fact, but mindful of her status as a Duke's Daughter, he did not dare neglect her any further.

It would be perfect for her to witness the White Thorn Flower Theater's sorry state. Compared with the Nolan National Theater, now at the height of its glory, it would surely allow the Nolan National Theater to take firm root in this proud Black Swan's heart.

"Please."

Salinya Professor led the way, choosing a corridor known only to himself and his attendants, and exited the theater.

When Galolie lifted her heavy skirts and stepped into the carriage, Salinya Professor let out a small sigh of relief.

He should be thankful that the audience had not dispersed yet.

The carriage began making its way toward the White Thorn Flower Theater. Inside, Galolie drew back the curtain and looked outside.

"Before I came to this city, Father told me there were two theaters here."

"Miss Galolie, there is only one. The White Thorn Flower Theater you are referring to has fallen so low that it has not produced a new play in nearly half a year and is on the verge of closing down. No customer would ever patronize such a rundown place," Salinya Professor said.

"Is that so?"

"I guarantee it in my own name, just as I once guaranteed it to your father. Everything you enjoyed in Falosi was the finest; everything you enjoy after coming to Nolan shall likewise be the finest. That is the answer the Nolan National Theater can give you."

Galolie gave no further reply. She turned her gaze to the window, the sights of the city reflected in her wine-red eyes. Nolan beneath the night sky was illuminated by the glow of Runes.

After a journey of more than ten minutes, the carriage soon arrived before the White Thorn Flower Theater. Salinya Professor stepped down from the carriage. The area around the White Thorn Flower Theater was still as deserted as ever, and the more deserted it was, the happier he became.

"I hope this shabby theater will not dirty your dress, Miss Galolie."

Salinya Professor no longer cared whether anyone recognized the Flower of Falosi. It would be even better if they did. This visit was not merely about smashing up someone else's establishment; taking everyone in that establishment away in one sweep would be the finest outcome of all.