How a Hero Lives as a Writer

31 – A stage that looks like it came out of a book (2)

I thought it would take at least a month for ‘Vengeance Is Mine’ to be screened at Leonard Theater Company.

Because preparing for a substitute actor was quite tricky.

First of all, even if it’s not as good as a knight, you have to show off your swordsmanship so that the viewers can feel the power.

In addition, it was necessary to have a condition similar to that of the actor.

Even if you use artifacts or magic to change your appearance, it’s difficult to change your height or physique.

You have to find someone who meets those conditions and give them acting practice so that they don’t feel uncomfortable.

So it was at least one month.

By the way, I heard that ‘Revenge is Mine’ will be staged.

It’s only been two weeks since Viscount Leonard ordered us to prepare a substitute.

I was a bit vague when I promised to go see a play with Reina because I was going to be busy from September, but it just worked out.

So I decided to go straight to Raina and tell her to go see her play.

“Let’s go see a play.”

“A play?”

“Yes. I got a call from the Leonard Theater company that the play was ready to be staged.”

“Wow!”

A star appeared in Reina’s eyes.

I thought I would be waiting for some time, but it seems that I waited much longer than I thought.

“Play, it’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in a play.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I haven’t taken care of it since I went to see a musical when I was in college.”

“Muse, curl?”

Ah, I don’t know.

“Ummm… It’s a play, but a play with a lot of music in the middle?”

“Ah! It’s a play by Lloyd’s Company.”

“The Lloyd Troupe?”

“Yes. It is a theater company in the kingdom of Arcas, which is called the country of art, and it is characterized by cheerful music.”

“Oh, I miss you.”

I thought it was more like a simple earth cinema.

ㅡ Because each troupe has a different leader and different ways to interpret the work. There are also cultural differences.

… Yes.

Because even in a movie, the work differs a lot depending on who the director is.

So I thought the theater company was similar to a movie theater on Earth.

Theatrical companies are expensive to maintain, so only aristocrats or wealthy merchants run them.

If you spend a lot of money but fail at the box office, you will inevitably suffer a significant blow.

That’s why they say they make plays based on well-selling novels whose box-office factors can be easily grasped.

Basically, the artist makes a contract under the concept of selling a kind of property right called performance rights in the district to the theater company.

Theatrical companies stage plays based on the purchased performance rights.

If the play is later judged to be valuable, another theater company signs a contract with the theater company that has the right to perform.

In this way, it seems that the play is spreading to the troupes of each territory.

When a work becomes famous, just like a nobleman who tried to copy my manuscript, a theatrical company that has the right to perform is invited to the royal or imperial family to perform a play.

In this case, you get a significant advantage in the social world or something.

“Is it okay?”

Reina had a gloomy expression, unlike the bright expression she had shown until just now.

She seems to be thinking about the case in which she falls asleep while watching a play.

“You said that last time, right? You can go see it again and again.”

“… No matter how enjoyable something is, if you see it that often, you get tired of it.”

“Reina.”

“Yes.”

“My face looks fun, but I don’t get tired of seeing it every time, right?”

“That is, uh… !”

Raina covered her mouth and started laughing.

“Similar, right? If it’s fun, watch it again and again.”

ㅡ That’s right~

… It’s not about my face, is it?

ㅡ Well?

“Really, are you okay?”

“If it bothers you, you would say no. Do you think I’m the kind of person who cares about that?”

“You are the one who argues.”

Reina covered her mouth and gave a small smile.

Yeah, I’m not the kind of person who argues with that kind of thing.

“I’ll find out the time of the play later, so let’s go together.”

“Yes!”

It’s nice to be energetic.

So we promised to go see a play, and after three days we were able to head to the theater company.

“I look forward to it.”

“Yes, really.”

We sat in the VIP seats arranged by Viscount Leonard.

The people who came to the play this time were me, Reina, Prince Albert, Sir Louis, and two knights.

I think Prince Albert also really enjoyed reading ‘Vengeance is Mine’ and wanted to see the play.

So I guess I squeezed in some time.

“Oh, I guess I’m about to start.”

When I turned my gaze to the stage at the sound, the actors came up on the stage and bowed their heads toward the audience.

But um….

ㅡ The main actor’s expression is a bit stiff.

Isn’t that true?

ㅡ There was an incident like that, so maybe this stage will be the last.

If you went through that bloody rehearsal scene, no matter how good the leader is, you won’t be able to forgive the actor easily.

I thought it was unfortunate, but it can’t be helped if it’s a troupe headed by a noble.

After the actors finished their greetings, the stage curtain went down and the chaotic atmosphere calmed down.

Looks like you’re about to start.

After about 30 seconds passed, the stage curtain rose again.

I already saw the overall flow through the rehearsal, but the live broadcast is different….

I looked at the stage as if really possessed.

When I came to my senses, the first act had ended and the second act had begun.

The acting of the actors was splendid and restrained, so I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

When I came to my senses, the climax of the second act was approaching.

[Raise your sword.]

The scene played by Sir Lewis unfolded before my eyes.

“Wow….”

Those who perform swordplay right in front of them performed dangerous swordplay as if they were real knights.

The sharp metal sound that resonated with the troupe made my hands sweat and I even forgot to breathe.

And finally the winner was revealed.

[Nasty? I just followed my oath as a knight!]

[A knight’s oath?]

[Yes…. Therefore, according to the knight’s oath, be tolerant to those who seek mercy….]

[Sir was cruel to the weak, tolerated the bugs that gnawed at his country, and begged for his life in front of his enemies.]

[That, thing… !]

[You are not a knight, Kyle. It’s just a nasty rat.]

Chack!

As the protagonist swung the sword, red liquid sprayed out as if it had been cut for real.

Wow….

ㅡ You put a lot of effort into it.

Isn’t that true?

ㅡ Was it worth the effort?

I will.

I glanced sideways.

There was her father and daughter, leaning her upper body forward, showing off her excited expression.

Ah….

ㅡ Are you impressed?

Something makes me cry.

ㅡ Are you there?

Oh no!

The emotions that had been rising for so long drained away like the ebb tide.

ㅡ Didn’t you say where?

… This devilish old woman.

ㅡ Hey!

After the second act, the stage curtain went down.

After a short break, the third act will begin soon.

Maybe even Raina can watch the play to the end.

With that thought in mind, I glanced at her to see Reina dozing off rubbing her eyes.

“Bright Ball.”

Prince Albert slowly stood up from his seat, saying that it would probably be this far.

“Slow down and see.”

“No. I will go back too.”

Because I think it would be better if we watched together.

I’ll have to ask Viscount Leonard to come in and see it only in the third act later.

“Thank you.”

“No. It would be nice to see them together if possible.”

That side would make Reina feel more at ease.

As we stood up from our seats, we started to hear the sounds of bustle from the stage.

Anyway, it felt like the third act would begin soon.

We went to the extreme with a little quick pace so as not to get in the way of others.

After leaving the troupe and getting on the carriage, Reina fell asleep.

… Ha.

Seeing Raina fall asleep for some reason, I couldn’t help it because she felt uncomfortable.

“I’ll go on foot.”

As I got off the carriage, Prince Albert looked at me with a rather complicated expression.

“It’s not long now.”

“… Thank you.”

Lady’s hardcover books are very popular.

Now my name is always mentioned in the social world.

In addition, ‘Revenge is mine’ was released, and the heat was further increased.

At such a state, even a play of this level of nonsense is staged?

This has now become an out of control flow.

Rumours will start to spread to non-human races as well.

You can see that we have finally taken the first step.

ㅡ Now, there is a comic version of Lady, and the academy will be held next year?

That’s right.

Now I will change too fast and unpredictably.

So there’s not much left.

“I’m sorry you had to walk away because of me, Sir Louis.”

“Did you suddenly want to see the third act?”

Sir Lewis asked with a slightly mischievous expression.

“Yes. I want to go on a date with Sir Louis alone.”

“… Yes?”

… It was a joke, but something went wrong.

“I-I’m sorry.”

I thought he would accept a joke like this since we’ve become close friends, but steel isn’t easy.

ㅡ When did you say it was soft iron?

Please don’t hold the horse’s tail one by one.

As I started walking while arguing with Miss Helena, Sir Louis hurriedly followed me.

Something felt more awkward than usual, so I was confused about what to say.

At times like this… After all, it must be a topic about the play you just saw, right?

“Did you enjoy the play?”

“… Yes. It was fun.”

“How could such a play be prepared in two weeks?”

“In Oaklea, every year a soldier is discharged due to injury. Even if they are treated at a monastery, they are left with aftereffects.”

“Ah~”

Certainly, such people will always be waiting for a job.

… Maybe this isn’t even possible?

ㅡ That?

Stuntmen don’t fall from the sky.

In order to have a stuntman, an institution that trains stuntmen is also necessary.

It’s an action school.

ㅡ But I think it will be a bit difficult here?

Isn’t that true?

Because it is a play or a novel, the aristocracy is involved, so the concept of copyright exchanging contracts exists.

But it’s hard to create something with a new concept like Action School and claim the copyright.

“Maybe this will be the beginning.”

“What is it?”

“An actor who is good at swordsmanship is essential for this play. But there aren’t many actors who are good at swordsmanship.”

“Oh, so maybe there will be jobs related to double actors?”

“Yes. I think it will be a tempting story for mercenaries, adventurers, or soldiers who have been discharged due to injuries.”

“I have heard and seen it.”

I don’t have to create a separate action school, it will be created on its own as needed.

Because that’s what the original market is like.

“So where are you going?”

“Let’s take a moderate walk and then go back.”

“Weren’t you going to see a play?”

… Are you bringing that up again here?

“That, Sir Louis?”

“Just kidding.”

“Maybe… I’m angry?”

“Did I do anything to make you angry?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Did you do anything to make me feel sorry?”

“Sir Lewis….”

“This is a joke.”

See this guy?

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, it worked out very well.”

“Are you mad?”

“Did I do something to pout?”

“I might have.”

“No!”

“Whoops.”

Since we were talking nonsense, as Sir Lewis said, I felt a little relieved.

Still, there was something strange about being swung around.

I’m older….

ㅡ This is the feeling I sometimes feel toward you.

Oh, is that so?

I’m sorry about that.