"The nobility truly are the nobility. Even their codenames are so elegant. A silver fox symbolizes wisdom and glory; merely thinking of that image makes one seem to see a streak of silver light flashing above the Sunshine Circus beneath the sun." The clown host wore an intoxicated expression as he fantasized. When his fantasy ended, he flung his arms high and shouted, "Most loyal audience of the Sunshine Circus, cheer for our new challenger, Silver Fox! I believe she will certainly bring us the most spectacular performance!"
From the unknown darkness came wave after wave of cheers, each louder than the last. It seemed as though the host's so-called "loyal audience" filled every direction.
Laplace could not help but frown. She did not like this feeling of being watched, especially not by a group of murky creatures she knew nothing about—not even whether they were human.
Though displeased, Laplace understood the situation. She silently lowered her head and said nothing, simply waiting for this less-than-pleasant "plot" to pass.
"It seems our challenger Silver Fox can hardly wait to present a marvelous performance to the audience! Then let's waste no more words. The show is about to begin—let us raise the curtain!"
As the clown host's words fell, another burst of cheers erupted.
With a comical hand-over-heart bow, the clown host concluded his opening remarks.
At the same time, the spotlight above his head slowly vanished. Now, the only person still beneath a spotlight in the darkness was Laplace.
And the lighting was intensifying. One beam, two beams, three beams... five beams. A full five spotlights shone upon Laplace.
They made her already pale face even whiter, especially amid the darkness, where she was white enough to seem almost luminous.
Laplace displayed obvious discomfort beneath the numerous spotlights. She tried