Advent of the Three Calamities - Chapter 254

Chapter 254: Sudden Proposal [2]
Coming into the Theater Society—A building designed for the gathering of all experts within the industry, I saw people flocking the entrance as they made their way inside. It seemed like a big event was happening.

“Looks like they’ve invited a lot of people.”

Aoife spoke, staring at the front with a small frown.

“…..Since they invited so many people, it seems like they’re confident in what they’re going to show. I’m starting to grow curious.”

Aoife turned around and flashed a small card in her hand. It was a black card with the words ‘VIP’ deeply imprinted on it.

“I have a nice room. Do you want to tag along?”

“….Sure.”

Aoife was being oddly friendly, but I didn’t refuse her offer.

Curiosity got the best of me and I ended up nodding and following her from behind.

The room we entered was rather spacious. Several red sofas lined the sides, and a couple of chairs were positioned over an exposed area, providing a clear view of the stands below.

‘As expected of a Princess… the room is amazing.’

A crowd was already forming beneath.

It was slowly filling up.

“Take a seat over here. No one should be disturbing us for the time being.”

“….Okay.”

I sat down and made myself comfortable. As I did so, I overlooked the stage beneath. There were several people present, all of which were tweaking the devices that were used for the upcoming performance.

I was curious.

Just what sort of person had they used to replace me? …and why was I not made aware of it?

I scratched the back of my head.

Things didn’t really make sense, but since the situation was like this, I could only lean back on the chair and quietly observe what was happening.

The more I thought about it, the more my curiosity started to eat at my mind.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait for long.

Cli Clak—

The stage lights turned off, plunging the entire theater into silence. All eyes focused on the stage as a single light shone at the center, illuminating a plump middle-aged figure.

Standing at the center, I recognized her in an instant.

‘Scriptwriter Olga.’

Indeed, given that she was here, it wasn’t a lie to say that she was busy. That much I could understand.

….I was just curious about my replacement.

Aoife seemed to be on the same boat as me as she fixed her gaze on the center stage. She looked very absorbed by what was happening.

“Thank you to everyone who is here today. Most of you may already know me so I won’t bother to introduce myself since I am not here to be the star, but merely the background piece.”

Olga began her speech with a simple greeting.

“All of you present are esteemed guests of the theater world, and it’s my privilege to have all of you present before the main event that will be displayed at the Four Empire Summit.”

She looked proud as she spoke. With her chin up and fresh makeup, she appeared completely different from the worn-out version of herself that I was used to seeing.

It was a nice change to see.

“As many of you know, this work that I will be presenting will be my masterpiece and something that most of you should already be aware of.”

Olga laughed.

“Originally, I had another actor in mind to play the script, but due to circumstances he wasn’t able to come.”

I felt Aoife’s gaze on me. She seemed to say, ‘Didn’t you tell her?’

I shrugged.

“How do I tell her if I just came back yesterday? I thought the Academy said something.”

“….”

Aoife helplessly shrugged.

“I guess you have a point.”

She then went on to lean on her chair as her attention returned to the play. I stared at her briefly before shifting my attention back as well.

“But please don’t worry.”

Olga said, her tone sounding rather excited.

“I’ve found a replacement! And let me be real with all of you…”

She paused, her smile widening as she scanned the audience.

“He’s better than the previous actor. And I’m not just saying better, but a lot better.”

Olga proceeded to laugh with joy. Staring at her and seeing just how happy she was, I found myself pursing my lips.

Hmm, I wasn’t sure why, but her words didn’t really sit well with me.

….It was as if she was completely dismissing me.

‘I guess she might’ve really gotten angry over my matter.’

Or maybe I was just overthinking things.

This was possible.

As expected, the moment Olga revealed that the actor was ‘better’ the crowd grew a little restless as they all looked towards the stage with piqued curiosity.

I was the same and turned my attention towards the stage. I found myself increasingly staring at the red curtains that hid everything behind.

Yet again, I found myself asking the same question.

Just who in this world was this new actor?

“I think I’ve held enough of your time. Do you all want to see the act?”

The question was a rhetoric one, but everyone present nodded and shouted their words of approval.

“Alright then…!”

Olga turned around to face the curtains.

“Let the play begin!”

***

The play started just as Aoife remembered.

Swoosh—!

The curtains spread, and the stage light flickered open, revealing the insides of a bakery.

Tok—

A lone footstep shattered the silence that had settled over the theater. A figure clad in a brown jacket and top hat entered, his presence gathering the eyes of all those watching.

He was Joseph, the main protagonist of the play. Played by Darius, the same person that had been there during their play, quite expertly played his role.

It was almost as if he was the character himself.

[Huaam.]

He started off with a yawn as he looked around.

His voice was crisp, and audible for all to hear.

It was the first time that Aoife watched the play live and she had an entirely different feeling compared to the last time.

She found herself immersed in the play as her gaze remained firm on the stage.

From his vocals to the visuals, Aoife could tell the play had been further refined than it had been when they had done it.

‘It’s good.’

Such was her impression of the play at first.

The scene continued.

Joseph looked around the place and talked about the victim, Emily. He proceeded to touch a few things before finally calming down and sitting on a chair.

[Emily Stein]

He went on to say as he sat, his voice sounding extremely deep. It echoed throughout the entire theater, reaching the ears of all the audience members.

The lights turned off and the stage fell into silence.

Cli Clank—

[Dissapeared yesterday.]

Joseph’s voice continued within the darkness that took over.

[Baker’s daughter. Was looking for missing equipment.]

His words, though soft, gently reached Aoife’s ears, cuddling her and further immersing her in the play.

[What a problematic scenario.]

Cli Clank—!

Aoife held her breath the moment the light turned back on.

The entire world… it had turned gray. A monotone and redundant gray. For some reason, she felt her mouth grow dry at the sight.

No longer was Joseph in the bakery, but he was now in the middle of a long alleyway.

Sitting with his back against the audience, he looked ahead.

Tak—

A footstep echoed as a figure appeared.

A young girl about Aoife’s age.

Staring at her, Aoife pursed her lips. Jealousy simmered within her, but at the same time, she couldn’t deny the truth. With just a glance, she could tell that the actress was better than her.

From her subtle gestures to her tones…

Aoife had no choice but to admit her inferiority.

Emily was currently approaching a man whose back was turned against them.

Aoife stared at the back with narrowed eyes. It was as if she was trying to see through the back of his head.

He had long black hair neatly tied behind him, and his tall frame hinted at a well-toned body beneath his attire.

‘Who…?’

[Ah, excuse me! Do you perhaps know if any shops are still open where I can buy some parts for a broken mixer?]

Aoife stopped breathing the moment the actress spoke. The tension was palpable, and everything felt suffocating.

[….]

The tension was further fueled by the heavy breathing of some of the audience members as they focused on the central figure.

Each second felt stifling. Almost as if someone was gripping her heart and squeezing it.

[….You’re looking for a replacement?]

Aoife gripped the side of the chair, her knuckles whitening as she turned to look at Julien. He was staring at the actor, his expression unreadable and calm, betraying none of the tension she felt.

It was just the sound of his voice, and yet, she felt the hair at the back of her arms rise.

What sort of…?

Aoife massaged her face.

‘Ridiculous. I’m being ridiculous.’

The play continued like Aoife knew, with Azarias pointing in a certain direction.

Incredibly, Aoife felt tense the entire time and despite not seeing his face, she could only admit that Julien’s replacement was quite good.

Especially during the last sense.

[R-red…]

Mumbling in silence, the actor looked up slightly.

[….I want to see it.]

Those words alone were enough to shake Aoife as she couldn’t help but find herself comparing the current performance with that of Julien’s.

‘Better? Same? Worse…?’

That was when the end of the first part.

The scene shifted back to Joseph who now entered the flower shop. He was following the hints of the vision.

To Tok—

Knocking on the door, the entire theater turned silent as all eyes focused on the flower shop.

For some reason, it almost felt as if everyone had been removed from the theater as a deathly silence gripped the surroundings.

All eyes were focused on the door that led to the flower shop.

A shadow soon cast behind it, and Aoife’s grip over the armrest tightened.

Finally… Finally she was going to see the replacement.

Clank!

[How may I help you?]

The moment the door swung open, Aoife’s breath caught in her throat, and she instinctively recoiled into her chair.

Her gaze fixed upon the man who entered—a figure with long, jet-black hair cascading over broad shoulders, and piercing green eyes that seemed to rival Julien’s in intensity and presence.

He was someone Aoife had never seen before, but just his appearance alone was enough to captivate the audience.

Regarding his acting…

“Ah… This…”

Aoife stared at the red world presented before her.

She didn’t know when, but time seemed to flow in a heartbeat. Before she knew it, the first part of the play ended, a figure lying down on the ground as a red painting appeared on the wall.

The entire time, her gaze remained rooted on the man who stood at the center.

He was…

Aoife swallowed, turning her head to stare at Julien.

….Overwhelming.