How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

59 – 59. First Performance

59.

“…I don’t know how I ended up in this costume.”

Allen pulled at his uncomfortable stage costume and showed an uncomfortable expression.

“Well, the only one suitable for the role is you, Allen. The author himself is acting out Shuren’s image! Isn’t it cool?”

“…Not at all. I was just planning to watch.”

Allen playing the protagonist, Shuren, goes back one week when the play production was nearing completion.

***

“Me playing Shuren? What about the others?”

It was a surprising conversation.

It was due to hearing something truly unexpected from the drama club member who came to find Allen, who was contemplating on the 7th volume at the club room today.

The drama club president who was originally supposed to play Shuren, was unwell from over practicing, leaving no other choice but Allen.

The conversation was enough to give anyone a headache.

“No, managing your condition is a basic requirement for any professional. What will you do if you push yourself too hard?”

“What can I do if I am in a situation where I can’t help it?”

The girl who introduced herself as a member of the drama club, Yurisis, crossed her arms and grinned.

“Before the club president collapsed, he left a note asking Mr. Alan, the playwright, to take on the role of Shuren.”

“…Is that so?”

“Well, if you don’t believe me, we can go together to the temple infirmary. You don’t think I would lie, do you?”

“I can’t help but doubt.”

Hearing this story from a person who was not Alan himself, but rather from a girl who hailed from the Kingdom of Palos, made it even more dubious.

The girl from the Kingdom of Palos, who identified herself as Yurisis Belphe Del Schalelune, donned an inscrutable smile.

“Do you think I bribed the club president with money?”

“No?”

“Oh my, I may be the successor to the Saerlun’s upper class…. However, I’m not foolish enough to want to see the playwright act. Of course, if it means I could join the writer’s club, I wouldn’t choose my method.”

“Yurisis Belphe Del Saerlun… I think I’ve heard that name. “

“Well, I’ve applied to join the novel and cartoon club.”

I recalled seeing her name when reviewing the application forms.

“Of course, I was rejected after a paper review. As a huge fan of yours, I was really disappointed.”

“With fans scattered all over.”

“hehehe, if I were aiming to build a relationship with Princess Felicia, I would’ve followed her everywhere. But that’s not my priority.”

“Then what?”

“I want to see playwright Alan act in person. This is not just the club president’s wish, but also the aspiration of the members of the drama club and the students in the faculty of arts.”

“I heard you just joined the drama club?”

Despite Alan’s pointed remark, Yurisis was unfazed.

“Obviously, but I wanted to connect with you, the writer, by any means.”

“You’re honest.”

“It’s a trait of a merchant, reliability and trust. I have nothing to hide from you.”

Yurisis was confident.

Alan frowned uncomfortably.

“Let’s move forward. We need to go to the temple infirmary.”

“Shall we?”

Ulysses smiled slyly.

“If it turns out my words are true, would you then take on the part of Schuren?”

“…We’ll see.”

“Oh dear, there’s no room for ambiguity in a conversation with a merchant. Everything eventually boils down to a transaction. How will you handle it?”

A sense of being swept up by a merchant’s eloquence.

Allen glanced at her.

“If we’re talking about a deal, you should also provide some kind of conditions.”

“Hmm, what about providing free support for work related to the Schuren Chronicle?”

“It sounds like a losing business.”

“hehehe, think of it as an investment. Remember, the condition for this deal is contingent that my words turn out to be lies?”

Allen thought the merchant had a good command of words.

Ulysses said,

“Well, realistically, it’s not a condition that is particularly disadvantageous to my side.”

The young female merchant from the Western Union Kingdom smiled slyly.

“Let’s proceed, author.”

***

“What are you thinking?”

“…I’m thinking that these clothes are uncomfortable.”

Leila burst into quiet laughter at Allen’s words.

The sight of Allen, who despite being the leading role in the Schuren play starting soon, expressing something other than nerves, was quite amusing.

“You find that amusing?”

“Sorry.”

“It’s a joke. In reality, I’m wondering how we ended up here.”

“Why?”

Allen nodded his head.

“Because I can’t help but think that I was completely swayed by Ulysses.”

“…Oh my, I came here because my ears were itching. I never expected you’d be gossiping about me. How disappointing.”

“Did you come here to spy?”

At Allen’s words, Ulysses smiled faintly as she gently opened her fan.

“Not at all. I just came to check if you are preparing well. You only have 30 minutes left.”

“Damn. I’ve really gotten myself into it.”

“Heh, a trader never enters a losing game, you know.”

“I should have known.”

With a snort, Allen donned a thoroughly verified Shuren-cloak, which looked as if it had been torn to shreds.

Even in the Shuren Library, a strong blend of Kunryong’s unique blood, he felt strangely out of place with his oriental features. The appearance of Shuren in the novel was brought to life just like in the reality.

Yurisis was impressed.

“It’s as if Shuren has materialized. Is Shuren’s character in the comics based on you?”

“…Secret.”

“Do you really base it on observing me?”

Allen’s response was consistently secretive.

Unable to pry a meaningful answer from her, Allen clicked his tongue, feeling the longsword at his hip. An actual iron object, yet an unsharpened fake sword. A hollowed-out object that wouldn’t hurt even if he was hit with it.

Yurisis chuckled sinisterly.

“The show is about to start. Should I call you an actor now?”

“… So noisy.”

Yurisis had a sly smile.

Before going on stage, Allen sighed and closed his eyes, seemingly to get into character. Imagining the numerous audiences waiting nearby, he felt his heart pounding hard.

‘Why do I have to do this?’

He was definitely in for it.

He resolved not to make any bets or deals with Yurisis ever again, as he climbed the stairs.

Behind him, Yurisis waved her hand.

“Do well, novelist~.”

“I’ll make your conceited face crumble someday,” Allen thought as he stepped onto the large stage concealed by a dark curtain.

Roarrr…

A terrifying cheer erupted, as if the audience had been waiting for the protagonist, Shuren’s arrival.

***

In the VIP box, Felicia, who had been waiting for the protagonist’s entry, was slightly surprised when she saw Allen, dressed as Shuren, take the stage.

It was because he closely resembled the Shuren from the comic, even more than she had expected.

The shadowy makeup around Allen’s eyes gave him a decadent look.

Allan, who had always maintained a bob claiming long hair was bothersome, had now appeared with long hair from a wig, which quite surprisingly made him look like someone who could pass off as beautiful.

“Why are you like this, Felicia?”

“No. Just a bit surprised.”

While Hubert nodded, their father, the emperor — who was also their sibling — remarked coolly.

“The author of the original work himself assumed the role of the protagonist, Shuren. It would be hard to expect good acting from him.”

“I believe so too. Isn’t it commonly agreed that the talent of an author and an actor are separate?”

Overhearing Hubert and the Emperor’s conversation, Felicia turned her gaze towards Allan on the stage.

The scene of the burning clan was realistically portrayed with the help of magic students from the School of Illusion.

In front of Allan, while this was unfolding, a drama club student appeared, stumbling in torn clothes.

-“Run, Shuren.”

These were the first words uttered by the condemned man, who was staring death in the face.

-“The condemned has betrayed us.”

-“Do you mean there’s a traitor?”

-“Yes.”

A brilliant white light flashed from the hand of the condemned man who was staggering towards them.

When did he draw it?

The body of Shuren, who stepped forward to support him, trembled.

The performance was meticulously rehearsed, but surprised gasps erupted from the students witnessing the spectacle for the first time.

-“Brother, what is this…?”

-“Heh, hahahahaha, hahahahaha! From the start, I disliked you Shuren! You took everything that should have been mine!”

-“What do you mean.”

With a thud, Shuren fell to his knees.

-“The Clan’s vision which you stole was originally intended for me. After enduring 10 years of training, focused solely on this goal, you robbed me of my future!”

With a deranged laugh, Shuren, who was kicked, toppled backward.

With a grimace, Shuren saw the figure of the condemned man, sword in hand, approaching him.

The audience swallowed hard.

The condemned man was scattering life energy as he approached.

With gritted teeth, Shuren drew his sword.

-“For such a reason…you betrayed the Clan, our family?”

-“Family, you say. I never had such a thing from the start.”

Ha, the Executioner distorted his smile.

-“Speak, Schuren. Where did you hide the backup?”

-“You think I would tell?”

-“Ha, then I suppose I’ll have to kill you and look for it. I have plenty of time. I can find it no matter where you’ve hidden it, given enough time. That thickheaded man will regret choosing you over me.”

-“How dare you do that to the Master!”

In response, the Executioner’s sword strike flew in.

Silent sword strikes were passing dreadfully between Schuren and the Executioner. A celebration of swordsmanship utilizing no mana.

Schuren, disguised as Allen, performed a flawless sword strike, befitting the youngest son of the Mueller family.

As admirable exclamations poured forth, a sheesh and a sword plunged through the air and stabbed into the ground.

The sword, created by illusion magic, cleaved the air, shaking the serene scene of burning mountains.

Schuren, who had evaded the sword strike, gritted his teeth.

-“Who are you?”

Frightened by the sword, the Executioner also turned around.

The stage slightly shaded, lights focusing on one side by ‘light’ magic, a beautiful woman with black hair revealed herself.

A female actor dressed in a form-fitting outfit, with black hair and blood-red eyes, emerged.

It was Lynn, who had made up herself with decadent make-up that did not suit her age.

-“Step aside, Dane Ashtail. I never allowed you to kill this one.”

-“…Lady Lutena.”

-“The only successor left by Clara Rusika. Cannot be easily killed.”

Lynn, dressed as Lutena, took ominous steps toward Allen.

An unexpected sword stroke cuts across Schuren’s chest.

An unexpected blow.

Before the Executioner, Dane, could yell out, the sudden blow pushed Schuren back.

Lutena spoke.

-“Your master, Clara Rusika, is dead. As are all members of your clan. Dane Ashtail, it’s all thanks to this lad.”

-“Lady Lutena.”

-“I wonder how long you can survive with that body.”

A sadistic smile crossed Lutena’s face as she approached.

A sword stroke followed her small step back, drawing lines across Schuren’s body. Struck by the sword, Schuren was swept away, disappearing into the shadow of the stage.

The spotlight on the stage illuminated Dane and Lutena.

“Lord Rutena! You are letting me kill him…”

“I already made a promise to Klara Lusika.”

Rutena slightly lowered the sword in his hand that flashed hints of blue light.

“I promised to spare his life in exchange for this sword. I don’t know if he’ll survive, though.”

“Then this sword is…”

“A sword that opens boundaries. The treasure of the Lusika clan, the Keyblade.”

Rutena’s cold laughter echoed as he moved his footsteps.

“I have the sword in my hands. All that’s left is to open the door.”

“Are you not going to confirm whether he’s dead or not?”

“Even if he fell from this height into the sea, his body wouldn’t remain intact.”

Rutena’s dark hair waved like ripples of the sea.

“If he comes back alive, that would be nice as well. It would be completely opposite of what Klara Lusika wants.”

A sharp laughter echoed.

***

“Why does Lyn act so well?”

That was a remark from Allen, who had come down from the stage to rest.