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

60 – 60. First Performance (2)

60.

“…more impressive than I thought.”

The Emperor seemed genuinely impressed.

The adaptation of the Shuren Chronicles was based mostly on the first volume.

The interesting thing was they significantly increased Shana’s role by considerably condensing the somewhat lengthy stories from her village.

Most importantly, the script was adapted personally by the original author.

They cut out parts as per theatre requirements and audaciously enhanced certain others.

The feeling was that the entirety of volume one had been successfully compressed.

The Emperor applauded.

“The Empire’s future seems bright. There will be many stars in the art world of the Empire.”

“It was beyond my imagination.”

Even Crown Prince Hubert, who hadn’t had high expectations, admitted he was amazed by the quality that exceeded his imagination.

“I heard the original author was the youngest son of Duke Mueller, and his sword skills were more outstanding than I expected.”

“He was unfortunately born with talent. If the author himself adapted and directed it, it would have been happier for him to be born in a family other than the Müller duchy.”

The Emperor’s assessment was a cold one.

Then, another remark followed after.

“Such regrettable talent, he even writes and performs… If he didn’t come from Müller duchy, his talent would have been a blessing.”

“I think so too.”

“Felicia, what do you think?”

“Y-yes?!”

Half in a daze from the Emperor’s call, Felicia was startled.

Looking at his daughter’s overly sensitive reaction, the emperor chuckled and stroked the girl’s head.

“Looks like you were completely absorbed in it. Was it that fun?”

“Well, yes…”

Embarassingly, Felicia was so engrossed, she even ignored the words of her father, the Emperor.

It was why her face turned crimson.

She was so deeply engrossed that she couldn’t hear anyone else.

“Hubert said, “It’s clear that he’s a talent, different from Albert Müller or Alice Müller.”

“A great star in the empire’s art scene.”

“But the old masters of literature will hate it.”

“I’m tired of stale old men, who keep producing stale novels.”

The Emperor stood up.

“I want to meet them in person.”

“We’ll make arrangements.”

***

“I’m tired, so tired…”

“You worked hard, my lord.”

Only after finishing the theatrical stage and the last greeting could Alan remove his suffocating theatrical costume.

When he got off the stage, Maya was waiting with a towel and water.

“Thanks for the water, Maya.”

Alan, who took a sip of the water handed over to him by her, slumped into a chair.

His body felt sore here and there, probably because he used muscles he didn’t usually use.

Alan gulped down the water.

‘…When I think about it, I really fumbled that deal.’

From the start, he had walked right into the strategy concocted by Yurisys.

Alan had unknowingly stepped right into the Go-Stop game that the drama club leader and Yurisys had set up.

‘I didn’t expect the two of them to be so in sync.’

It was clear that they had planned together to set Alan up for the role of Shuren. However, he couldn’t exactly voice his complaints either.

If the child of the Duke of Muller, a noble, were to frequently lie, it would tarnish the family name.

Even if they were high nobility, they couldn’t just do as they pleased, especially for this reason.

This was more pronounced in the Duke of Muller’s family, which valued honor above all else.

“How was the performance?”

“It was a nightmare. Oh, Lin was better at acting than I thought?”

“You seemed to be fully immersed.”

Alan shook his head fervently.

Had his recommendation of Lin to the drama club, who were struggling to find someone to fit the image of Rutenas, been the root of his problems?

Unexpectedly, Alan ended up speaking to Lin before even Felicia.

“Of course, it was expected.”

“Well…I guess.”

Since the day of the entrance ceremony, he had singled out Alan to talk to.

This could have signified that he loved Shuren’s War chronicle deeply, but the problem was that he hadn’t imagined that he would personally take on a role in a play.

Even when the Kunlun exchange students vehemently opposed it.

“I mean, despite the Kunlun guys foaming at the mouth in opposition, I never thought he would still do it.”

“I believe Lin is the best fit for Rutenas’ image.”

“Even though we call it the external image, isn’t it just a single image of Rutenas from a manga…?”

“What I mean is the role selection is an exact match to that image.”

“I can’t deny that. But… honestly, it’s a bit burdensome. Rutenas is not a heroine but a villain.”

If it were the role of a heroine, Alan wouldn’t have been burdened.

However, Lin took the role of not the heroine, the dark magician Irene, but the main villain and final boss, Rutenas.

Even from Alan’s perspective, Lin’s synchronization with the role was so perfect that it left him speechless.

‘In reality, I only asked if he could cosplay a villain and act for fans, I never thought he would accept right away.’

Alan took another sip of water.

Lynn handled the Rutena stage costume and role astoundingly well, it was almost unbelievable.

To Alan’s mind, Raila’s portrayal of Ruten was impeccable. It was as though the character had been cast straight out of a drawing.

‘It’s strange from the start. Why would the princess volunteer to do something like this in person?’

This was a conversation topic that Alan couldn’t comprehend.

As he was drinking water and hydrating, Lynn, who had left a little later, descended the stairs, her face slightly fatigued.

Meia, who had been waiting, handed her a bottle of water.

“Thank you for the water, Meia.”

“…You’ve worked hard.”

“No, I think Alan had a harder time than me.”

Her speech was as polite as ever.

Lynn’s gaze turned toward Alan, who was slumping in his chair. His face seemed to read, ‘I am so annoyed right now, don’t bother me.’

Lynn took a sip of water and smiled faintly.

“You were really good at acting, Lynn. When did you practice?”

“hehehe, who knows how long I practiced?”

“Stop being coy.”

“Your face says you’re annoyed, Alan.”

With Lynn’s gentle response, Alan shook his head in exasperation.

“But Alan, you were rather impressive.”

“Well, I’m a firm believer in doing one’s best at whatever they undertake.”

To Alan, it was only natural.

A professional should always give their best in any task, even if it was given against their will.

Of course, he intended to protest this to Uriasis again, but who knows how the crafty Uriasis would respond.

“…That’s a great spirit.”

“I’m a professional. It’s only right to give my best in every job, no matter what.”

“Doing your best in everything is a wonderful attitude.”

“hehehe, you both worked hard.”

At the coy voice, Alan subtly looked up.

In his hand, he saw Uriasis with a Juul fan, decorated with The Kunglung Empire’s unique design.

“…You’re here.”

“Today’s acting was really well executed. I didn’t know the writer had a talent for acting. The same goes for the Eastern Princess.”

Lynn drank from her glass, seemingly not wanting to start the conversation. Allan rested his hand on his forehead.

Ulyssis laughed as he spoke.

“I think it’s safe to say it’s bound to be a hit. Though I think it largely relies on the clever move of the author offering the 6th volume as a pre-release teaser.”

And true to Ulyssis’ word, the debut of the Shuren Chronicles play naturally had to be a success.

Because they attracted audiences with the early release of the 6th volume of Shuren Chronicles.

Especially considering the fierce competition for the first show’s tickets was rumored to be bloody.

Allan set down his water bottle.

“It’s no surprise the audience seats were filled, considering we only limited it to 600.”

“You’re judging the situation quite coldly. But you’re right. This is an obvious result. With the lure of the Shuren Chronicles Volume 6 pre-release, would the fans of Shuren Chronicles ever pass it up?”

“Of course not.”

Although Allan tends to deny reality often, he’s well aware the fanbase of the Shuren Chronicles is extraordinary.

It’s impossible not to know when the books are selling by tens of thousands in the royal city.

Plus, there’s the established standard of the Glinhears Newspaper Agency. It would be stranger not to know.

Allan spoke.

“But I can’t possibly expect the audience to be this big at the next performance.”

“Hoho, but the mere fact that His Majesty the Emperor personally attended this viewing will surely generate enormous buzz. That’s not a bad thing for you, is it?”

“Exclude the fact that I must act.”

“Oh my. But I sincerely marveled, you know? I thought you perfectly played Shuren.”

“I wasn’t that great. I’m an author, not an actor.”

Ulyssis seemed perplexed as he spoke.

“But you seemed to have talent?”

“I told you. I’m an author. Appearing in the first production was already enough of a stretch for me.”

“How unfortunate.”

Originally, Allan had set a condition for accepting the role. That was to only take on Shuren’s part in the first performance.

That was something Ulyssis and the drama club students were disappointed about.

No student fit Shuren’s role as well as Allan did. No matter how much they practiced and wore wigs, it was difficult to find anyone who could portray the role as naturally as Allan.

It was to such a degree that the drama club president personally nominated Allan.

Ulyssis spoke.

“Ah, also, the Emperor said he would like to see you. It seems like you should prepare right away?”

“What?”

What on earth is this thunderbolt-like sound?