episode_0006

“Oh, Julius Caesar. Is that the title of the next work?”

“That’s right, Mr. Renoir.”

“That’s quite a unique name. I guess the main character is an ancient figure?”

“That’s about it.”

From a medieval perspective, Rome was a truly ancient time.

Caesar, who established the foundation of the Roman Empire, is a person from even older times.

Fortunately, in this world, there existed a legendary ancient civilization that flourished like Rome.

Thanks to this, Renoir was also able to understand the worldview in the script for without much difficulty.

“Oh, hm! Oh! This is the best part! No, cancel! Isn’t this the best part? No, no, cancel! Every scene that comes out is a masterpiece!”

Renoir quickly reads the scenario and plays the drums and janggu alone.

It was only natural that he would be excited as he would be playing the role of Caesar, the main character this time.

“… … Oh my god, Phantom! This work is a masterpiece, comparable to Admiral Lee!”

“Thump!” said Renoir, closing the script he had finished reading.

He added in a serious voice, stroking his bearded chin.

“No, in some sense, it’s a masterpiece that surpasses Admiral Lee! The main character Caesar’s growth, activities, crisis, success, and fateful destruction! All of these elements are in perfect harmony to form one perfect story! It feels like everything is seamlessly connected through the hero’s tragic death?”

It was understandable to feel that way.

After realizing that the audience in this world had a higher tolerance for sad endings than expected, I intentionally wrote the story to be the epitome of a ‘tragedy’.

Tragedy is a genre with such a long history that it is said to be at the origin of art.

The golden age of ancient Greek culture was marked by tragic plays that dealt with the epics of mythological heroes.

Aristotle, the great philosopher of Athens, defined tragedy in his Poetics as follows:

A poetic form that describes an inevitable fate for humans, or a fate that leads to destruction and misfortune due to other humans or one’s own internal struggles.

In that sense, there was no man of action more suited to the tragic genre than Julius Caesar.

Even Shakespeare, a master of English literature, used him as a motif when writing the tragedy Julius Caesar.

“Thank you for the compliment. Then let’s get right into preparing the stage setting. This is a piece that His Majesty the Emperor will be watching, so let’s make everything perfect.”

Theatre is a so-called comprehensive art.

In addition to the script and acting, a single piece of work requires a lot of effort in many areas, including directing, costumes, props, and makeup.

Furthermore, is a play set in Rome, which can be called the lifeline of European civilization.

To give them the proper treatment, there was a lot to prepare, from everyday wear such as the toga and tunica to the legionnaire’s lorica armor.

‘It will cost quite a bit, but it won’t be too much since the royal family is providing sponsorship.’

In any case, the sponsorship money is not money that is swallowed up, but rather seed money given to produce better works.

Even that amount has come down to a huge amount, so it won’t be tight just because you’re preparing one play.

The capital’s high-end costume shop, which had signed an exclusive contract with the Killigruger Theater Company, was in the midst of a long period of contemplation over the designs to send there.

“Hmm, but you know. Everything else is good, but this one.”

“Opening the page to the middle of the play, Renoir asked in a displeased voice.

“The characters in the part you named ‘Gallic Expedition’… …Do you really have to use orcs as the villain ‘Vercingatorix’ and his subordinates?”

“Yes. I don’t know about anything else, but I hope you follow my plan thoroughly in that part.”

One of the most important things when creating a theatrical stage is reality.

Only when the reality on stage can be imagined as real reality can the audience become immersed in the story.

In a place where elves, dwarves, and dragons actually exist, the appearance of unfamiliar races would also be an important element of reality.

And in this world, the ones who will be combined 1:1 with the Celts of Gaul are none other than the Orcs.

A race of barbaric warriors who were both despised and feared by the Romans.

If we take into account the aspect of reflecting reality, there was no one who fit the role of villain in the Gallic Expedition as much as the Orcs.

Of course, Renoir still didn’t look convinced.

“No, but isn’t this a performance that His Majesty the Emperor himself is coming to see? And a lowly and violent orc is coming up and performing? Why would a barbarian, who would be more suited to a day labor camp or a private arena, be on stage… … ”

“Trust me, using Orcs as Vercingetorix and the Celtic extras would be the best choice.”

“Uh, hmm… … I see. I will trust your aesthetic sense. It was your ability alone that led to Admiral Lee’s success.”

“Thank you.”

Originally, orcs lived in small tribal units outside the boundaries of civilization.

However, there are quite a few who stay in the capital to earn money or acquire imperial citizenship.

So, the plan was to directly select an orc who would fit the role of Vercingetorix through formal auditions.

‘It’s always been said that the protagonist shines brighter when supported by a villain.’

When a reactionary character becomes clumsy, the protagonist who suffers from him also becomes clumsy.

Vercingetorix was an extraordinary hero who almost prevented Caesar’s expedition to Gaul.

Even in order to save the story, it’s not something that can be left to some random orc.

A moment later, on the dedicated stage of the Killigruger Troupe.

“Next!”

“Oh, come, brothers of Gaul. Come with me for freedom… … ”

“Thank you for your hard work. Next!”

“I, I surrender now! Please spare the lives of my brothers? Dao?”

“Next!”

There, with the cooperation of the city, orc workers selected from a nearby loading dock were auditioning.

Phantom, a great playwright who received royal favor.

To select an actor to play the role of Vercingetorix in his next film.

To flawlessly complete a masterpiece of a quality that would satisfy the Emperor’s family.

And the ones who hosted the auditions were Renoir, the head of the theater company, and myself, the playwright.

After about an hour of auditioning like that.

“Phantom. Are you still going to continue? There are some decent ones, so pick one of them or at least cast a human actor… … ”

Renoir asked in a dull tone, perhaps because he was starting to get bored.

An expression that said he still didn’t understand why they had to capture orcs and do this.

Of course, I could understand his frustration.

Most of the orcs who stay in the imperial capital are manual laborers who have come to civilized countries to earn money.

If we compare it to Korea, they are like sweaty, smelly day laborers you often encounter at construction sites.

It was difficult to expect artistic ability from such people, so it was natural that Renoir considered auditions a waste of time.

But I stubbornly expressed my opinion.

“No, to fit my vision, an orc actor must play this role.”

Since the Emperor’s family will be attending the event, I will have to give it my all.

To do that, there shouldn’t be a single detail that is glossed over.

In order to fully capture the rugged feel of the Gallic campaign, a wild and macho race like the Orcs was absolutely necessary.

Moreover, Vercingetorix is a character who must play the role of the main villain in the Gallic expedition part, which is a crucial turning point in the play.

Even if he didn’t have acting skills on par with famous actors, he had to have the charisma and personality to captivate the audience.

‘Even if they are workers, there must be at least one.’

If you want to get satisfying results, you shouldn’t hesitate to do street casting, right?

And so the next, and the next.

It was a car that was conducting auditions sequentially.

“Huh?”

A large young orc appeared with a confident gait.

He looked down at me and Renoir with an unusual look in his eyes and snorted.

“Oh, participant number 28. Your name is Bokio, right?”

“Yes, I was called in to help with the Killigruger Theater Company’s play.”

A polite and soft tone of speech that doesn’t match his rough appearance.

I was momentarily speechless as I looked at his shoulders broadly spread from side to side and his body muscles as solid as a rock.

Although his tall stature and impressive physique are impressive for an orc, what really catches the eye is his appearance.

Unlike ordinary orcs, he had a rather handsome appearance.

If I had to describe it, I would say he is a handsome man with a strong wildness and cheerfulness at the same time.

Even though the auditions hadn’t even started yet, I was already qualified to get in with at least 50 points for my looks.

“Okay. Let’s wrap things up and start the audition.”

No matter what, what’s truly important on stage is realistic acting.

I gave instructions while looking forward to seeing how well he would digest the role.

“You can read the scene where Vercingetorix gives a speech to his compatriots. Before the main character Caesar’s expedition, everyone gathers in front of the altar and renews their resolve.”

“Okay.”

Ahem, big. Bokio clears his throat slightly at my words and prepares himself.

He took a moment to catch his breath, then opened his eyes wide as if trying to immerse himself in something.

“My Gallic brothers! Let us fight against the invader, Caesar!”

……omg.

Bokio’s shout echoed loudly as if thunder had struck.

At this, I held my breath for a moment and opened my eyes wide.

The thick and distinct pronunciation unique to orcs, and the suction power that came out naturally without anyone having to teach it, were truly top-notch.

“Rome may take our lives, but he cannot take our freedom!”

He raised his fist and shouted, just as the script instructions said.

“We will fight as free men against the invaders, and we will die as free men! Arise, my precious brothers! Caesar will regret having dared to set foot in Gaul-!!”

A cheer so loud it echoed throughout the theater.

When it died down, all that remained were my and Renoir’s faint breathing.

“… … How are you, Mr. Renoir?”

Veteran actor Renoir is speechless and just blinks his eyes.

I glanced at him and swallowed hard as I asked.

“Oh my god.”

At this, Renoir took a deep breath and let out a single exclamation.

He looked back at me and smiled happily.

“I think we’ve just found a Vercingetorix we can both agree on, Phantom.”

“Okay, everyone, line up! The play is about to start!”

“The next work by the writer of , the talk of the town! He has made a splendid return with !”

“A work that His Majesty the Emperor is scheduled to see! His Highness the Crown Princess and His Highness the Prince will also be coming!”

The fateful day when the curtain was set to rise on .

The area in front of the Killigruger Theater was teeming with people.

From high-class guests who officially purchased tickets to onlookers on the street who simply wanted to see the imperial family in procession.

At the entrance of the theater, where countless citizens gathered regardless of social status, a struggle of all against all was taking place.

“Hey, let’s not push it! I’ll see the play for a day or two!”

“A play that His Majesty the Emperor himself will be watching! You must get a seat that will get a good impression!”

“Cerny Sir! Please, keep your dignity! Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for trying to steal from a noble?”

“Hey, be quiet! Do you think I don’t know that you bought your ticket secretly from a ticket seller? I knew it when you whined about not seeing Admiral Lee on time!”

The sound of people crowded together, each talking their own way.

It is a huge scale that gives an idea of the excitement in the capital city caused by the play .

And today, the Killigruger Theater presents Julius Caesar for the first time.

I too was loitering around the theater entrance dressed in my uniform.

“Balthazar! Over here, over here!”

“Senior Wenford!”

A red-haired woman waving happily from the other side.

At this, I smiled and approached her with calm strides.

A beauty wearing a flowing dress for going out, pure white gloves on her hands, and a necklace around her neck.

Rosaline Wenford was promoted to the rank of Duchess thanks to her father, Lord Wenford’s steady rise to power.