The Wildest Troupe in Town

"Wake up, Marlin. The troupe's carriage is already waiting for us."

Raul walked into the bedroom and pulled back the curtains, opened the window, and threw off the covers in one smooth sequence.

"Can I sleep for five more minutes?" Marlin asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Of course not. Did you forget that you were the one who wanted to audition for the magic film? If we're late, there won't be anything left for you."

"Okay, Dad." Marlin got out of bed with a pitiful look on her face. Leaving her warm blankets was no easy task.

A few minutes later, Raul rushed out of the house with Marlin in his arms.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting."

"It's fine. The Mixed Beast Troupe never abandons a companion," the beastman driving the carriage said in a muffled voice.

Though it sounded more like the name of a mercenary band, they were in fact a genuine troupe.

It was just that most of their peers refused to acknowledge them as one.

Their members came from every race: orcs, half-elves, underground gnomes, and even a mimic responsible for playing all kinds of unusual roles.

None of them had received formal theatrical training, either. Their methods had all been figured out through performances in villages and towns.

Critics and grand theaters believed they insulted the "noble art" of drama and refused to let the Mixed Beast Troupe take the stage in Twin Towers City.

But today, they had finally gotten the opportunity they had long awaited. Drogo’s Toy Store was recruiting actors for the magic film Holy Mountain Journey.

Raul figured that since it was a toy store looking for actors, the city's major troupes would surely look down on it.

He had heard of Drogo’s Toy Store. Almost every child in Yo-Yo City owned one of its toys, and its products had now spread into the outskirts. He had even heard that people on trains were specifically assigned to sell yo-yos to tourists from all over.

A few days ago, he had seen someone walking along while playing with something, so absorbed that they walked straight into a tree. It seemed to be called a cube puzzle, and it was also from Drogo’s Toy Store.

With business that good, he figured they had to earn at least several gold coins a month.

That was an unimaginable sum of money.

His instincts told him that although the store had never staged a play, it was bound to have fresh ideas. This was their chance.

"Dad, what's a magic film?" Marlin's little face was full of excitement at the prospect of going into the city.

"Uh, probably something like a play. Their recruitment notice says troupe experience is preferred."

"Oh, then it must be boring." In Marlin's mind, plays were always long and hard to understand, with stale plots. None were as good as the stories she made up for Lado.

Who was Lado?

Lado was her best friend, a big yellow dog and the best listener for her stories. It would be even better if he did not lick her after eating poop.

The carriage traveled along the country road toward Twin Towers City. Two hours later, the group arrived at Cornflower Street.

The exquisite buildings stood in stark contrast to their patched, worn clothes.

Raul had never been to this street. Things here were too expensive; buying anything at random would cost enough to cover several months of living expenses for him and his daughter.

A long line had formed outside Drogo’s Toy Store, completely unlike what he had imagined.

Raul felt a little embarrassed. He had only convinced his troupe companions to come audition by saying that hardly anyone would show up for a toy store putting on a play.

"Look, aren't those people from the Violet Lily Troupe?"

Raul looked in the direction his companion pointed. A group stood outside the shop, each with a violet lily badge pinned to their chest. That was one of the best troupes in the city.

This was bad. He had hoped they might win a role with at least a few scenes, but now that hope was probably gone.

Under the awning outside the store, a half-elf was recording registration information. A small clock sat beside him, and every few minutes he would mutter, "One copper coin. Earned another copper coin."

Since they were already here, they could not back down just because they saw the Violet Lily Troupe. Raul went over to fill out a registration form.

When the half-elf saw the Mixed Beast Troupe's lineup, he became far more enthusiastic and carefully explained the information they needed to fill in.

But the more Raul wrote, the colder his heart became. Everyone listed before them on the registration form came from renowned troupes. It was not just Violet Lily, but Swan Castle, Wranglers—nearly every notable troupe in the city had come.

What chance did the Mixed Beast Troupe have now? He had thought that if they could not get a main role, a supporting role would do. But at this rate, they would not even be able to compete for an extra part. They had most likely come for nothing.

How had this happened?

On the table were descriptions of the available roles, along with their corresponding pay.

After reading through them once, Raul immediately understood why competition for the roles was so fierce.

Even characters with only a few lines were paid three gold coins. The notice said magic films did not require them to perform many times like a play; they only had to perform well once and record it. This toy store was ridiculously rich!

The audition was held on the first floor. The shelves that had displayed toys had been removed, leaving the space wide open. Many mannequins stood in the middle, and several people sat behind desks at the far end. They had to be the audition judges.

Raul stood on tiptoe to peer inside. The judges appeared to be two women, one quite young and the other a little older, as well as... was that a drake?

The beastman in the troupe was so nervous that he kept wiping sweat away, his legs trembling nonstop.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you so nervous? If we don't get picked, we don't get picked. Just treat it as experience."

"No, it's that dragon, and that person. They're dangerous. Terrifying. We should run."

"Huh?" Raul found that baffling. "Even Marlin isn't scared. What are you scared of?"

"It's different. This is different. My instincts are very accurate."

As Raul was comforting him, the young judge called for the next auditionee.

"Swan Castle Troupe, Yulian."

A wave of astonishment rose from the crowd of onlookers.

Raul had heard that name too. Yulian was Swan Castle Troupe's leading actor, and every production he had appeared in over the past few years had been a huge success. He had heard that nobles had spent fortunes to support him. He had to be here for the male lead.

After Yulian read through the script excerpt, he went through a set of warm-up exercises, assumed a boxing stance, and began his performance.

"Stop!"

Less than half a minute had passed before Aisha stopped Yulian.

"Have you never been in a fight?"

"Of course I have training. My boxing coach is the best in the city, and I have never missed practical sparring sessions."

"You're not acting out sparring. You're acting out a real fight. You're facing an evil creation of a necromancer, a mindless, raging zombie. Are you playing house here? Again."

Yulian was indignant. He had been onstage since he was twelve, and every evaluation he had ever received had been praise. Yet this little girl said he was playing house?

If not for the money and Madam Flynn, he would have cursed her out on the spot.

Madam Flynn had not even given him a proper look.

She must have been too tired. If she watched seriously, she would surely sense the charm in his performance. Why would she let that little girl speak instead?

Yulian adjusted his mindset, resumed his stance, and started over.

"Stop!"

This time, she stopped him even sooner than before.

"Can't you understand human speech, or do you not understand what a life-or-death crisis is? Who are you putting on that affected act for?"

"This is theatrical acting. Have you even watched a truly good play? What gives you the right to judge me?" Yulian finally could not hold it in and snapped back.

"Did I ever say this was theatrical acting? Maybe the stage likes your affected mannerisms, but I do not need them here. Next."

Aisha's tone was full of contempt.

"You don't understand anything. Don't think you're special just because you latched onto some rich person who paid to fulfill your theater dream. Pah! Let Madam Flynn judge it. Is my performance good or not?"

The more Yulian spoke, the more agitated he became. Madam Flynn would definitely support him. She had watched Swan Castle Troupe perform many times; she must appreciate his charm.

The thought of having someone on his side gave him confidence. Aisha did not look like a noble, so she must have risen through using her body. He had gotten where he was the same way.

We're both dirty. What makes you think you can humiliate me like this?

In his fury, Yulian even began cursing.

"You blind bitch—"

Before he could say the final word, his throat suddenly tightened and no sound came out. Then breathing became increasingly difficult.

It was sensory illusion magic!

Madam Flynn looked at him as though he were garbage and made a shushing gesture.

"Sorry..."

Yulian barely forced the apology through the gap in his throat, but Madam Flynn remained unmoved. Instead, she pointed at Aisha.

Yulian only felt the dizziness intensify. He fell to his knees and tried to apologize to Aisha, but he could no longer make any sound. Before his vision went completely black, he vaguely saw Aisha nod.

Then, suddenly, oxygen flooded back into his lungs.

Raul was stunned.

Yulian, who had seemed so high and mighty moments ago, was now sprawled on the ground like a beaten dog, gasping so heavily it seemed as if he were about to vomit up his lungs.

"Next. Mixed Beast Troupe, Raul."

Raul turned to look at the beastman, who was trembling like a sieve. His instincts had been right after all.

Before, a bad performance would at worst get them thrown offstage. If they messed up here today, would they lose their lives?