Translator: Yang_Wenli Editor: Yang_Wenli
Chapter 105 – Truth
This was an epoch-marking script of a story. Madam Schroder was certain that the contents of the script were much more blunt than the workers of Farucci’s playwrights.
Even though there were a lot of playwrights in Farucci that were fond of creating works to mock nobles, if this ‘Léon: The Demon’ was to appear as a movie, it would shatter the colorful attire of stage plays to bring blood and death before the audiences.
Merely the plot of the law enforcers ruthlessly killing Mathilda’s family, if that was to appear before the audiences as a movie, it would be akin to the exhibition of a bloody massacre to their faces!
Should that happen, then, it would not only raise a massive commotion in places with few conflicts like Farucci and Norland, it would raise the same commotion even in nations with unyielding characters like the Nation of Steel and the Nation of Frost.
All that being said, Madam Schroder was able to see a ‘transformation’ in the script. The reason why she sought out Joshua was because movies served to change the normal stage performances.
What was displayed in stage plays were truly too perfect, too beautiful and too unrealistic.
Those barbarians incapable of appreciating arts, those barbarians thinking about battles all day long, that was precisely that they criticized stage plays of.
Madam Schroder was certain that this ‘Léon: The Demon’ was most definitely not what the Nation of Steel’s Iron Chancellor referred to as ‘things to deceive little girls.’
She was extremely satisfied with the script. But, at the same time, there were some questions she had for Joshua.
“Is this a love story?”
The script Joshua gave Madam Schroder came to an abrupt end with Mathilda seeking help from her neighbor, the demon, after her family was massacred by the law enforcers.
Madam Schoder wanted to know what happened next. But, having dealt with stage plays for years, her experience told her that the following plot might have something to do with love.
“Regarding that... I’m unable to make a certain judgement on that question. Madam Schroder, personally, I feel that the most charming aspects about various art forms such as paintings, novels and movies lies in how different people can have different views. Everyone’s opinion toward that art is true. Only you can decide for yourself whether or not ‘Léon: The Demon’ is a story about love,” said Joshua.
“I like your viewpoint. Then, who are you planning to choose to be this movie’s main female lead?”
Madam Schroder asked the following question. That was what she was most concerned with.
From the age and outward appearance of the script’s main female lead Mathilda, only the most renowned actress of the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe, Gallolei, would fit it the best.
“The first choice for her would be your daughter.”
Joshua felt that his conspiracy to entice Madam Schroder’s daughter has likely been seen through by her. Thus, he decided not to conceal it anymore.
“...”
Upon hearing Joshua’s answer, Madam Schroder grew momentarily silent.
Indeed, Mathilda, the main female lead for ‘Léon: The Demon,’ suited her daughter very well. It could even be said that it was a role especially made for her daughter.
Madam Schroder was certain that this movie would be able to create a major commotion regardless of the country it was screened in. Its influence would most definitely surpass ‘Beauty and the Demon’ by far.
If Gallolei was to be the main female lead, her reputation as the Flower of Farucci will reach a completely new height never seen before. Everyone will remember this movie as one of the classics. They might even remember her to be the leading actress.
But... Madam Schroder felt that the temperament of the female lead Mathilda was simply too unruly.
She hoped for her daughter to be a graceful and dignified person and has been educating her as such.
“The quality of an outstanding performer is being able to perform all sorts of characters.”
Joshua saw Madam Schroder’s hesitation. It was natural, no one would want their daughter to say those sorts of crude things.
Truth was, the script Joshua gave Madam Schroder was also a version he had already censored.
“Let me think it over. But, the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe will proceed to Squirrel Street tomorrow. I’ll take care of getting guards for their protection.”
Madam Schroder was still hesitating. In the end, she decided to think it over.
“In that case, I will take my leave for now.”
Joshua picked up the script from the desk and left Madam Schroder’s study. When Joshua closed the door and walked out with Ciri, they were immediately greeted by the middle-aged butler.
“The dinner has been prepared. Would the two of you like to stay for a meal?”
The butler was leading the way for Joshua and Ciri. Staring at the butler’s back, Joshua once again felt that sort of uncomfortable feeling.
“Thank you for your kind intentions. But, we wouldn’t be staying for dinner. Apart from that, is your daughter satisfied with the plush toy I gave her?”
Joshua followed the middle-aged butler on the mansion’s first floor’s hallway. When they turned a corner, Joshua suddenly stopped.
Ciri who has been following Joshua the entire time seemed to realize something and stealthily tightened her grasp on her staff.
“Plush toy...”
The middle-aged butler was momentarily stunned by that question.
“I don’t believe you’ve given my daughter anything?” He replied to Joshua with the same calm tone.
His answer was correct. Apart from visiting the mansion last time, Joshua had not interacted with the middle-aged butler again.
“That’s true. After all, I don’t think you have a daughter.”
Regretfully, even though the butler answered correctly, Joshua still chose to believe his own intuition. Gray mist began to spread out from his hand.
A very small amount of chaos magic enveloped the butler. It would not cause him any harm at all. But, it was enough to affect the application of magic and special effects of certain races.
A faint light shattered from the middle-aged butler. Then, his appearance transformed into a tall and shapey dark elf.
“Is this your true appearance?”
Joshua retrieved his magic power. He took a glance at the surroundings. This was a remote corner far from the Grand Duchess’s study. He didn’t believe there would be any patrols coming here.
After confirming that there was no one else in the surroundings, Joshua turned his eyes to the dark elf. Ciri was also on full alert.
Joshua had thought the dark elf’s true appearance to be a Deceiver.
“That would be up to you to imagine.”
The dark elf did not expect for the Demon Prince to be this reckless. But, even though she was seen through by him, she still maintained her calm.
“I’m not interested in your race. I want to know who you are... and what sort of secret intelligence you’ve eavesdropped from me. As an exchange for the intelligence you’ve gathered from me, should I know a bit about you?”
The dark elf must be eavesdropping outside the study to determine the connection between Joshua and Farucci’s Grand Duchess of Blackwood.
Joshua opened the door to the study very abruptly. One would not be able to determine Joshua was leaving from the sound of things. Furthermore, the dark elf was extremely confident in her disguise.
Originally, Joshua didn’t really care much about the dark elf. But, since she came to him, he would naturally not let her escape.
*******************************
Translator YangWenli:
Please support my translation and this novel by upvoting it.
Check out my other translations too!