The man and woman talking in the room both looked to be around forty. The woman was dressed normally, while the man was still wearing an opera costume. Shade could tell because not only was he wearing an outdated, patched tailcoat, he even had a fake beard glued on.
Dorothy introduced the man and woman to Shade. They were respectively the troupe leader and Deputy Troupe Leader of the Moli Troupe. In front of Shade and Dorothy, they did not continue discussing that sensitive topic from just now. Instead, they praised Miss Writer's generosity and her pursuit of art.
None of the four mentioned the contents of the opera troupe's performance, but they all knew that everyone had heard what had just been said.
Only after Miss Writer and Shade returned to the street and headed toward the Three Cats Inn did she sigh to Shade:
"This sort of thing is unavoidable. Although the negotiations have only just begun, and no one can guess the final outcome yet, anyone can see that no matter which country gains an advantage, the other certainly will not be content with it."
She glanced back in the direction of the troupe:
"I just hope this ends soon."
"No one can stay out of it."
Shade said softly. The Blonde Young Lady pressed her lips together and nodded, greatly agreeing with Shade's view.
After lunch at the Three Cats Inn, Little Mia finally calmed down. Shade then took Dorothy back to 6 Saint Derain Square and explained why he had gone to the north of the city to find her:
"Take this."
Shade carefully removed a feather emitting a pure white glow from a book. The feather was too extraordinary to be stored through normal means. The Goddess in the Lake had told Shade that