episode_0033

‘But no matter how sharp it is, a sword is just a tool. Depending on the purpose for which it is wielded, it can become a bloodthirsty demon sword, or a holy sword that protects the world.’

An old woman who kept repeating things that had no meaning and grinning darkly.

She measured Maya’s palm with her wrinkled hands and gave her a firm order.

‘So, if you don’t want to walk the path of a cruel beast, you’d better pay attention to the precious relationship that will come soon. Keeheehee!’

The Way of the Cruel Beast?

‘I can walk that path if I can gain strength.’

Xiang Yu from Phantom’s play was just like her.

The evil Jin Dynasty, which destroyed the six elven kingdoms and monopolized power in the world.

Didn’t you lose your beloved uncle and hangryang to their clutches and scream out loud?

However, Xiang Yu avenged his uncle with only one sword.

He condemned the enemies who killed his uncle and overthrew his enemy, the Jin Dynasty, in one fell swoop.

Didn’t he crush all the rebels and even banish his cowardly rival, Liu Bang?

‘So we no longer need a boring teacher like Fan Zeng.’

A thought while looking at Fan Zeng’s flattery, Xiang Yu’s advisor and de facto teacher.

The constant nagging that ‘you can’t rule the world with force alone’ reminded me of someone.

I’m talking about the sad look in the teacher’s eyes as he always tried to dissuade his disciples by saying, “You can’t survive in this world with strength alone.”

‘You’re wrong. The world is all about power.’

A Hero Candidate Medal made of orichalcum, identical to that of the playwright Phantom, hidden inside an old robe.

He muttered while clutching a badge with the slogan, “Evil is punishable by death.”

Xiang Yu had power, so no one could challenge his decisions.

Even if he divides his territory as he pleases, what can the 18 feudal lords of Songsari do?

Even if he were to order the rugged cliff to disappear, would the King of Pyramid dare to talk back?

And it was the immense power that Maya gained on her own that raised her from a frail child to the position of a candidate for the Sword Warrior today.

“I will definitely follow the path of a king like Xiang Yu.”

Maya swore, wiping the dirty blood from her face.

So, now I will never lose anything again.

No matter what happens, never.

“Okay, next person, come in! Let’s hurry up and do it!”

Today, Gelorushina is scheduled to perform as soon as the main character goes to work.

There, open auditions are being held under the leadership of the theater manager Isabella.

The second half of the scenario for , which was recently completed by playwright Phantom.

To cast the actress for the female protagonist, Woo-hee, who will appear prominently there.

… … And I, Phantom, was also present there as an audition manager.

‘Originally, Peking Opera was a field that female actors were not allowed to participate in.’

However, this is not an actual Peking Opera, but just a Peking Opera-style otherworldly play. Strictly speaking, it is more similar to Puccini’s or .

So, there is no reason why we cannot use female actors.

Honestly, I don’t want to do a romance with a male actor who looks like a parasite brother.

“Yes, thank you for your hard work. I’ll let you know the results later. Ugh… … !”

We sent away the 17th contestant who had faithfully participated in the evaluation, and stretched out his stiff joints.

The reason we were casting people from outside to fill the role of Woohee was simple.

“You know, Mr. Phantom? The actor playing Woohee has to do more than just act well.”

Professor Gaby, who is a judge along with Phantom and Lady Isabella.

It was just as she had pointed out, furrowing her eyebrows above the blindfold.

“The lead role of Farewell My Concubine must be able to sing the song given to her smoothly. The person who takes on the role must have the right combination of looks, acting skills, and singing ability.”

“Of course. I know that, Professor.”

Xiang Yu’s lover, Yu Xi, is actually a minor character with little importance in history.

In the first half, where action is the focus, it was only mentioned but not included for fear of distracting the plot.

It was judged that it would be better to focus on the protagonist’s corruption and downfall in the second half, given the established plot development.

The problem is that it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack to find a pearl-like applicant who can play the role of heroine Woo-hee.

There are many audition participants with pretty faces. At the same time, there are quite a few who have decent acting skills.

However, a candidate with excellent singing skills has not yet appeared.

“Hmm, since it has come to this. Why don’t you just have the professor take on the role of Woohee? She’s pretty, and since she’s an elf, she doesn’t show her age, so it should be fine.”

Isabella’s proposal, which is causing a stir with a fairly expensive debt. She’s quite wealthy these days, perhaps because she made a fortune overnight with .

Because boasted overwhelming popularity more than any other work performed at Gelorusina so far.

But Professor Gabi smiled and rejected Isabella’s suggestion.

“As you can see, I’m one-armed and one-eyed. Wouldn’t it be hard for a half-crippled person like me to play the role of the female protagonist?”

“Ugh, umm… … ”

Isabella looks troubled as she looks at the professor’s fluttering sleeve.

He seemed to be worried that he might have said something that would be unnecessarily painful to the disabled person.

Of course, the professor has a cool personality so he probably won’t mind too much.

“Okay, next! Applicant number 18, please come in!”

The professor called out the next order with his usual cheerful expression.

At her call, a woman entered with a timid gait.

And the moment I raised my head and saw the contestant’s face.

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

Professor Gabi and I were both surprised at the same time.

“Is this the Duchess Rosaline Wenford of the 3rd grade?”

“Yes! Ma, ma, that’s right, Professor Gabi!”

The one who showed up holding number 18 was none other than Senior Rosalind.

The professor asked her, looking at her smiling nervously.

“Nice to meet you. You haven’t taken my class yet, have you? But what brings you to the Gelorusina Theater?”

“Ah, yes! Actually, I also came here because I wanted to see the Phantom writer’s… … audition!”

Green eyes that glanced at me from time to time even while speaking.

Beads of sweat formed on the forehead, and breathing was labored.

When I heard that Phantom would be a judge at this audition, I felt like I rushed over there too much.

“Excuse me. Are you the author of Phantom?”

“Yes? Yes, that’s right, but?”

“Gee, gee, the real Phantom author… … !!”

Rosalind, shivering like someone who came out naked on a winter day, shouted in a new voice.

“That, that’s right… …I’m a huge fan! I’ve been watching your works since Admiral Lee!”

“Aha. I see. Thank you, Lady Wenford.”

“I, I. I, uh, haaah… … Pa, there’s something I really want to say to the Phantom writer… … Uh, thanks to the writer, our family, that… … ”

At this rate, I’m going to faint from shortness of breath, seriously.

Her eyes were spinning around as if she was under a spell of confusion, and her lips were constantly stammering as if she couldn’t organize her thoughts.

At that point, Professor Gabi sorted out the situation.

“Okay, that’s it. I understand the situation, Mr. Wenford. Then, without further ado, let’s get started. Page 24 of the script. Please read the scene where Woohee encourages Hangwoo to go into battle.”

“Ah! Yes! Page 24, page 24… … ”

It’s sad to see how nervous you are in every action.

It seems that the fact that the great writer Phantom, whom I admire, is right in front of me has a significant impact.

As I expected, Rosalind did not show her true worth.

“Pae, tyrant. Today, you are leaving for the battlefield… … So, So, So-jeop is terrified and doesn’t know what to do… … ”

“Student Rosalin? Should we calm down a bit? Judging from your pronunciation, I think you’ll do pretty well if you don’t get nervous. ”

A professor who speaks gently as if he is coaxing a child.

Rosalind nodded and resumed acting, but unfortunately, the situation did not change.

“Ah, sorry. I’ll do it again. That, that is, I pray earnestly for the safety of the overlord… … earnestly… … ”

“Haa, stop. That’s it.”

In the end, the extreme manager Isabella herself gave the cut signal.

She said, looking at the Duke’s daughter with a stuffy look in her eyes.

“You said you were the Duke’s Lady, right? I’m sorry, but this is a place to select actors, not a court social gathering. Even if you’re the Duke’s Lady, if you come here without any serious intentions, it’ll be difficult.”

“Ugh… … ”

Rosalind’s face turns red like a carrot at Isabella’s scolding.

And the next moment.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m sorry-!!”

The senior shouted at me, then buried his face in the script and looked so embarrassed that he didn’t know what to do.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt your audition! It’s just, I really wanted to meet you, Phantom Writer… … I’m really sorry!”

Oh my, our poor Rosalind.

To be honest, it’s not like my senior can’t act. His usual affectionate yet arrogant appearance is completely different from now.

However, being overly excited in front of the Phantom only served to poison him.

Maybe I should give you an autograph later to console you?

“Yes, well. I understand that.”

Isabella accepts her senior’s apology with a slightly bewildered expression.

She gestured, rubbing her temples as if she had a slight headache.

“Anyway, thank you for your hard work, Lady Wenford. Let’s stop here. Then, let’s move on to the next contestant… … ”

It was just then.

“Wait a minute.”

Professor Gabi had been staring at him intently since his senior shouted at him.

She raised her arm and gave instructions to her senior.

“Student Wenford? Sorry, but, what are you talking about? Hold it out for a bit. The pitch should be like when you play the piano.”

“Huh? Ah, ah~!”

“This time, raise the pitch to D.”

“Ahh~!”

“One more note. This time, a maze.”

“Ahhh~!”

The two repeat the same test as if they were auditioning for a vocalist.

How many more times did he test his senior’s vocal range like that?

Suddenly, a pleased smile spread across Professor Gabi’s lips.

“Author Phantom? Lady Isabella?”

She looked back at us both and said in a confident tone.

“I think the role of Woohee should be played by Wenford student?”