episode_0036

[… … It’s already been eight years since I rose up in arms.]

30 minutes later, the second half of resumed safely.

Xiang Yu, who was being chased by Liu Bang and reached Dongcheng, began to give a speech.

Immediately after being defeated by the Samienchoga’s plot, the Chu army was reduced to only 800 men.

Even that number had been reduced due to Han’s relentless pursuit, and now there were only 28 soldiers left.

[I have personally fought 70 battles, and have killed all who stood in my way. Every castle I have attacked has fallen, and I have conquered the world without ever losing a single battle.]

… … But even so, the reverse divergence was still a reverse divergence.

[Hahaha, breasts! Heaven? Did the heavens punish me for my cruelty?]

Xiang Yu laughs heartily as he gazes at the Han army swarming in like a flock of clouds.

There was no longer any worry in his eyes, having shaken off his worries thanks to Woohee’s sacrifice.

On the contrary, only a hollow light remains, as if something has been realized.

[… … Yes! You are right! The reason I am in such a difficult situation today is because Heaven has destroyed me, not because I did not fight well!]

28 soldiers who followed him until the very end.

Looking around at them, the young hero who once ruled the world with a sword shouted.

[I swear to you! I will definitely send you back to your hometown, Gangdong! I will show you the ultimate martial arts that I have honed my entire life for you!]

“The ultimate in martial arts that you’ve been honing your entire life?”

“Ha, but there are only 28 left! How are we going to get through this predicament?”

“That’s right. It seems like it would be impossible with just the Sammaejinhwa or the Lightness Technique.”

The audience looks uneasy at the seemingly absurd declaration.

Although he fell from grace, Xiang Yu is a web novel-style protagonist that has had audiences immersed in and rooting for him since the beginning.

In any case, everyone hopes that he overcomes this difficulty and returns to his former self.

Slurp! Slurp!

Then, Xiang Yu took out two more swords in front of the audience.

According to the Chinese Book of the Moon, Xiang Yu had three famous swords in his lifetime.

The Yongcheon Sword, the Taea Sword, and the Gongbu Sword are the three swords.

And in the next moment, cheers erupted from the surprised audience one after another.

“Huh!?”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Those, those, swords?!”

Although he was cornered, Xiang Yu’s personal power grew day by day.

He finally achieved the state of unity between the body and the sword.

A so-called peak master in martial arts.

Ironically, when things became irreversible, he reached the highest level he could reach as a swordsman.

And having reached the state of Shingeom Unification and freely used his internal energy, he was now able to display transcendent skills that surpassed imagination.

[Igi-eogeom (以氣馭劍) technique-!!]

Choaaaah-!!

Whoosh! Whirlyrick-!!

Fetus and fear, excluding Yongchuan, which was carried by Xiang Yu himself.

It began to fly freely through the sky and slaughter the Han army on its own.

[Eww! Retreat! Retreat!]

[The sword! The sword glides by itself!]

[Xiang Yu! That guy is truly a monster among monsters!]

[Look-!! I will cut off the enemy general’s head for you-!!!]

Xiang Yu charges into the distraught Han army, shouting a single word of warning.

Following the swordsmanship, the beast known as the Seochopaewang charged in, and the enemy was completely torn to pieces.

After killing the enemy general with a single stroke, Xiang Yu raised his Longchuan Sword and asked.

[Have you seen it? What kind of dance is this tyrant’s?-!!]

The answer to that question came from the audience, not the extras.

“Wow! Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu!”

“The power to pull out mountains! The energy that covers the world!”

“Even if he loses, a hero is a hero-!!”

In fact, swordsmanship is a martial art that is relatively unnoticed in modern martial arts, where power inflation is soaring.

However, for people from another world who are unfamiliar with the martial arts genre, it is bound to be an eye-opening skill.

“Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu!”

As the saying goes, seeing is believing, so the audience, who had been discouraged by the growing odds, gained momentum again.

Chomp, chomp-!!

In this way, Xiang Yu and his 28 defeated men indiscriminately cut down the Han army and advanced forward.

In a total of nine battles, the Han army lost nine generals and nearly 1,000 soldiers, while the Chu army suffered only two casualties.

… … And finally, they reached the Wujiang River, which marks the border between the Central Plains and Jiangdong.

[Overlord! Return to Jiangdong and plan for the future!]

[That’s right! After crossing the Ohgang River, if we burn all the ships, even the Han army won’t be able to chase us!]

[The Overlord is a hero sent from heaven! If we gather our strength and rise again, we can definitely break Liu Bang!]

Soldiers who were inspired by their lord’s possessed dance and encouraged to fight once more.

The audience also agreed and cheered him on.

“That’s right! Cheer up, Seocho King!”

“It’s not over yet! Go back home and get stronger!”

“You came to your senses thanks to Woohee anyway, right? Just reflect and change your mind!”

[… … No, that can’t be.]

But Xiang Yu just shook his head in excitement.

Looking around the audience, Balthazar, the actor playing the role of the tyrant, spoke in a bitter voice.

[All 8,000 of the Gangdong soldiers who rose up with me were killed, leaving only 26 people. How can I go back and face the people?]

“What? No! The soldiers are all fine, so why are you doing this?! Go back home and start over!”

“You just learned how to fight with swords! Don’t give up and fight Yubang again!”

The decision of the tyrant is romantic, yet at the same time hasty. The audience who saw this shouted out in unison.

But the king’s determination had already been firmly established.

[If I return to Gangdong, our hometown will also be engulfed in war! Today, I intend to complete my mission by sending you back to your hometown!]

[Defeat, Defeat! Hao Na… … ]

[Shout! Do you dare to disobey the king’s orders? Everyone, board the ships! I, Xiang Yu, will block the Han pursuit!]

[Keuheuk, King!]

Eventually, the 26 surviving men crossed the Wu River on a ferry.

Xiang Yu took his best horse, Wuchu, with him and went alone.

But when the boat was halfway across the river.

Eeheehee-!!

with a splash!

The black horse, watching its master walk away, howled bitterly and jumped into the river without hesitation.

“Huh?!”

“Oh my gosh!”

Struggling, Struggling. A horse desperately trying to swim back to its owner.

But even the famous horse that ran across the ground at the speed of the wind could not overcome the strong current.

Eventually, after a short while, Ochuma helplessly sank into the deep water.

[Ah, my dear!]

Xiang Yu shouted as he stared at his horse that had disappeared beneath the water.

[Yes! You were a dragon born with a horse’s body! Since a dragon just returned to being a dragon, there is no need to be sad!]

“Whoa! What a long life! Who would have thought that a day would come when my heart would be torn apart like this over a mere livestock.”

“As expected, the Phantom writer is a genius. Even the death of a mere horse can be portrayed so tragically.”

However, there was not much time to mourn Ochu’s death.

[Over there! The evil Xiang Yu is over there!]

[Unfold the Hundred and Eight Arhat Formations! Never let them escape!]

The Han army had been persistently pursuing the Chu army. They had finally reached the Wu River.

Soon, red-costumed extras began to swarm in like a flock of clouds.

Xiang Yu snickered as he glared at the Han flag fluttering among them.

[I’ve heard the rumor. King Liu Bang of Han has placed a reward of 1,000 gold coins and a title of 10,000 households on my head?]

Then he lifted up the blood-stained Yongcheon Sword and uttered a single word, “The Lion King.”

[Good! Who will be the first to aim for the lordship?! Whoever wants Xiang Yu’s head should come forward-!!]

As expected, no one came forward after hearing this.

Even if you desire the prize, you cannot enjoy wealth and honor if you lose your life.

There was not a single soldier or general who was not afraid of Xiang Yu’s bravery.

Even when he was pushed to the edge of a cliff, the Seocho King was a living legend.

… … And no one was willing to step forward to kill Xiang Yu.

[Archers! All forward!]

In the end, King Liu Bang of Han himself went out, accompanied by a large number of archers.

[Aim the crossbow! Fire immediately upon receiving the order!]

Soldiers load arrows and aim their crossbows in unison at the commander’s command.

King Han, escorted by them, stood in place without saying a word, exchanging glances with Xiang Yu.

Although they have come to fight with swords over the world, they are sworn brothers who once shared a drink together under the banner of overthrowing the Jin Dynasty.

The futility of a friendship that ultimately resulted in the death of one side was keenly conveyed.

[The blue river laughs happily, and the winding waves rush to the riverside~♪]

Elf musicians began to play the zither and the flute at the back of the stage.

At the same time, they gathered together and began to sing the song composed by Phantom and Professor Gabi.

[Let’s remember today’s events while looking at the rippling waves~♫]

[Let’s look at the blue sky, smile, and forget the dizzying world~♬]

[Who will win and who will lose, isn’t it only heaven that knows~♫]

“Changhaeilseongso” (滄海一聲笑), the theme song of the 1990s martial arts film “So-o-gang-ho”.

It was an exquisite lyric that well depicted Xiang Yu’s situation of falling from a conqueror to a loser.

And the moment the elf musicians’ mournful melody stops.

[… …Kill him.]

With a faintly bitter smile, Yubang gave the order.

Ping! Ping!

Swish-!!

A hail of arrows, expressed through lighting and special effects, flew towards Xiang Yu.

Countless arrows, enough to turn the blue sky pitch black.

Watching this, the actor playing the role of Xiang Yu, Balthazar, quietly closed his eyes.

… … In this way, the Western Chu Overlord met his end in a way that paid homage to the ending of Zhang Yimou’s 2002 wuxia film, Hero.

“Okay, thank you for your hard work!”

“Everyone worked hard! Let’s keep doing this for the rest of the period, haha!”

After the curtain call, the actors gathered to clean up the stage and take off their makeup.

Everyone bursts into laughter as they celebrate the successful conclusion of the performance.

But the one receiving the most praise today is, of course, me, the main character.

And it was Rosalind, who worked well together with me.

“You did a great job, Balthazar. Your acting has improved even more than in the first episode.”

Isabella, the theater manager, pats my shoulder with a satisfied expression.

She, who was once famous as an excellent actress, smiled and joked.

“Professor Gabi said that you have talent. What do you think? Don’t you want to continue doing it as a side job? Young and talented people are always welcome.”

“Haha, thanks, but I have to decline.”

I just wanted to get an A+ on the midterm exam, but I have no intention of starting a career as an actor. Just working as a playwright has already brought me a lot of money and fame.

“I, I… … Balthazar.”

Then, kuk kuk. Someone pokes my shoulder.

Just a moment ago, Rosalind was surrounded by other actors and receiving praise.

“What’s wrong, sir? Is there a problem?”

“Ah, before the show started… … Uh, that revised version of the script you were talking about… … ”

… … Aha. This is it.

As expected, she seemed a little uneasy and said she hadn’t received the final revisions.

In fact, even at the time of the second revision, there was no similar kissing scene between Xiang Yu and Yu Xi.

It was just a scene of the overlord holding his lover’s corpse and shedding tears, but it was changed after some suggested that their separation be expressed more sorrowfully.

After I decided to revise the play as a playwright, I quickly returned to the dormitory and changed my clothes.

After returning in time for the performance, I pretended to hear the corrections and proceeded with my makeup.

And I asked that information to be relayed to Senior Rosalind before the opening.

‘It seems like communication was a bit hazy because the show was about to start and we were busy.’

“I’m sorry, senior. You must have been flustered because I suddenly showed up. I didn’t know you wouldn’t have received the final revisions.”

“… … ”

“Ugh, Senior? Are you really mad? I’m really sorry.”

How angry do you have to be for your cheeks to turn so red?

We’re so close that it doesn’t show, she’s the Duke’s daughter who hasn’t even been engaged yet.

Wasn’t it important for noble ladies to be chaste and modest? If a man tried to make physical contact with them without permission, they would feel insulted.

At that moment, Rosalind muttered quietly.

“… … didn’t come out.”

“Yes?”

“I’m not mad. I’m just… … ”

A senior who trails off with a mysterious expression that makes it difficult to read his true intentions.

A confused confusion flickers in the previously gentle green pupils.

The action of covering the corner of her mouth with the silk sleeve of her still-standing costume reminded her of a graceful dancer from the East.

“Sorry.”

After wandering around like that for a while, she tightly shuts her eyes.

Then he turned around and ran away in a hurry.

“I’ll talk about it later. See you later, Balthazar.”

“Huh, huh? Senior?”

Because of that, I had no choice but to stand there alone in a dazed state.

Sorry? What? I’m the one who should be sorry.

Anyway, our cute senior Rosalind. Where will that considerate personality of yours ever go?

Cheeks flushed with redness as if they would burst at any moment.

Rosalind stroked it and walked with an unsteady gait.

Of course, I didn’t actually kiss Balthazar.

Just before the kiss took place, he stopped just in time with his face covered by his collar.

We awkwardly waited for the curtain to come down, maintaining a subtle distance between us, almost touching.

“… … ”

Still, Rosalind couldn’t forget the scent of her junior’s fig perfume lingering in her nose.

And their lips moved until they almost overlapped.

I couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like if they really did touch.

‘It must have been just an act.’

Balthazar was probably just following the script.

Why on earth is my heart pounding so hard it feels like it’s going to explode?

Is it because my head gets hot just by looking at the face of the junior I’ve always been friendly with?

A woman’s innocent first kiss, one she has never given to a man before.

… …as if it had been romantically stolen from him.

“Ugh.”

An embarrassing, yet creepy and sweet feeling that I’ve never felt before.

It was a moment when I was struggling with the first ‘fever’ in my life and was walking past a large curtain.

“Excuse me, sir? Please vacate the seats!”

Suddenly, the voice of the person in charge is heard from outside the stage.

It looks like someone stayed in the theater even after ended.

Rosalind suddenly felt curious and peeked her face through the red curtain.

Then it came into her sight.

A man with a sword on his back, his yellow eyes shining like a bird of prey under his hood.

“Guest? The show is over! I would appreciate it if you could go back now!”

“… … ”

A hooded prosecutor who remains steadfast despite repeated advice from stage managers.

Although I don’t know much about it, it was clear that I was deeply impressed by something after watching Phantom’s .

‘That’s right. I felt the same way when I first saw Admiral Lee.’

A creative force that leaves a strong yet delicate impression, an attractive power that comically breaks down the boundary between reality and fiction, and even a noble narrative that reminds me of my father who was exiled to the North.

Why else would he waste his meal time and lecture time just to visit the Killigruger Theater?

While I was thinking about this, I wondered if the person wearing the hood was sitting there because he had similar feelings to me.

“Senior Rosalind? What are you doing?”

“Hic! Hey, Balthazar?!”

Rosalind was startled by the call of her junior who had returned without her knowledge.

Balthazar, who has not yet removed his disguise.

I don’t know why, but today, my junior looked unusually manly and handsome.

“Who came offstage? Why are you hiding so secretly… … ”

“Oh, no? It’s nothing. It’s, it’s just that there’s a guest who doesn’t go over there and stays… … ”

“Are you a guest who is not going?”

“Ugh, uh. Over there, over there.”

Rosalind stutters involuntarily and tries to smile as usual.

But in reality, I felt like I was going to suffocate while standing up because my breathing was so suffocated.

As I stood next to Hang-woo Balthazar wearing Woo-hee’s clothes, the unknown emotions from before came back to me like a hurricane.

“… … ”

At that very moment, the eyes of the prosecutor and Balthazar, who had been motionless in the audience, met.

His sharp eyes, like those of a bird of prey hunting for prey, were scanning the actor playing the role of Xiang Yu.

And the next moment.

“Huh? Now just leave.”

“Oh, really?”

The hooded prosecutor suddenly stood up from his seat and disappeared without a trace.

He staggered and staggered, maintaining an irregular gait, as if he had suffered a great mental shock.