Translator: Yang_Wenli Editor: Yang_Wenli
While Baroque started reading the script with the intention of amusing himself, he wanted to see how shallow this young playwright’s work would be, he was immediately immersed in the brazenly dark and somewhat explicit script after reading only the first scene.
He had read all sorts of artistic works by Farucci’s master playwrights. He had also read all sorts of deep and profound works of legends that had passed along from older times. But, this ‘Léon: The Demon’ was entirely different!
When the plot reached the deranged law enforcer Stansfield bringing his subordinates to massacre the main female lead’s entire family, Baroque felt so much emotion that his hand left a deep crease on the side of the script.
“Baroque, be careful with it! I’m planning to keep that script in my collection!” warned the old performer.
However, Baroque completely ignored the old performer’s warning. To be able to become an outstanding performer, one must have a sufficient amount of imagination and emotional sentiments for the characters in the story. Baroque was also one such person.
When the female lead decided to, for the sake of survival, ignore the death of her family and proceed to knock on her neighbor, the male lead’s door, Baroque was completely shaken.
He turned the page with the intention of finding out whether the male lead opened the door. Yet, regretfully, the next page was blank.
Baroque woke up from being immersed in the story of ‘Léon: The Demon.’ He looked to the old performer who handed him the script.
He snatched back his script from Baroque and carefully smoothed the crease. While doing that, he asked, “I think you understand how I feel now, right?”
Of course Baroque understood his feelings. He also wanted to immediately grab the playwright by his neck and demand to know what happened next. But, at the same time, Baroque understood that this story was going to be... a bestseller.
While it might not match up to the legendary epics from Farucci’s master playwrights, it was most definitely going to be well-received!
“I’m going to attempt the audition again. I must do that...” Baroque muttered to himself.
He suddenly realized that he had missed an opportunity to perform in a movie that could become popularized in the entire world. Not only did he lose out on the reputation that the movie could’ve brought him, he had, most importantly, lost out on the opportunity to experience the story of ‘Léon: The Demon,’ as a performer!
“Madam Schroder does not allow for that. Maybe you can try waiting until the audition’s over.”
Unfortunately, reality was not as beautiful as one’s imagination. Baroque does not dare to openly disobey the Grand Duchess. Even though he was also a noble, Madam Schroder possessed the greatest authority in this mansion.
.........
Joshua was extremely satisfied with the audition. The Black Swan Theatrical Troupe was truly worthy of being Farucci’s top theatrical troupe. The performers were all able to understand things without explanation.
After they all renounced their stage play performing style like Sir Weissenasche did, they were all able to put forth a great performance.
So far, apart from the main male and female characters, all the other characters in ‘Léon: The Demon’ had confirmed candidates.
Of the hundred-plus theatrical troupe, only a single person remained. And, to Joshua’s surprise, this person was an elf, a blonde-haired and blue-eyed elf.
The Duke of Blackwood was inseparably close to the forest elves to begin with. Thus, upon thinking about it, Joshua felt that it was not surprising for the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe to have an elf.
“What’s your name?” Joshua asked the elf. Like all elves, she was tall. Standing there, she gave off a feeling of confidence.
“Tylene. I do not have a surname.”
The elf answered Joshua without any hesitation. She even said that she does not have a surname before all these people.
Her behavior was very bold in Joshua’s eyes. After all, the majority of the performers of the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe were children of nobles or nobles themselves. Only a small portion were commoners.
In this world, there existed only two sorts of people without surnames. One was the lowest tier commoners. As for the other, they were people expelled from their family. As for being expelled from one’s family, it was a disgraceful thing.
Hearing the elf’s answer, Joshua swept his gaze across the other performers from the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe. Sure enough, many performers were looking at the elf with amusement.
There does not exist ‘commoners’ among elves. As such, this elf was most definitely someone expelled from her family. That was why she had lost her surname.
“Then, Tylene, which character in ‘Léon: The Demon’ do you wish to audition for?”
Joshua had a favorable impression of this bold elven girl. Of course, his favorable impression came as a judge.
“Mmmm... the female lead?”
When the elf spoke of the character she wanted to perform, Joshua was able to hear some sounds of ridicule from the members of the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe.
During their auditions, no matter how outstanding the performances of the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe’s performers might be, none of them dared to say that they wanted to audition for the female lead.
The reason for that was because they were all able to tell after reading the script for ‘Léon: The Demon,’ that Mathilda was a character meant for their Black Swan.
“My apologies. Tyline, neither your height or your age is suited for the female lead.”
Joshua was actually someone who accepted fair competitions. Even though he was certain that the Flower of Farucci, Gallolei, would be the female lead, Joshua was willing to change the lead actress should Tylene’s performance be better than Gallolei’s.
Unfortunately, Tylene was nearly 170cm. Because of that, it was destined that she would not be able to play Mathilda.
“I don’t have any suitable roles for you right now. But, you can stay and try performing as a passer-by. What do you think?”
Ever since Joshua learned that the appearance of the black cat was related to the elven girl, Joshua was not willing to let any elven girl slip by him. Who knows, they might be able to summon that black cat again.
“That’s fine.”
Tylene gladly accepted Joshua’s proposal. Passers-by were not roles that needed auditioning. Tylene turned around with the intention to leave. But, she only took a couple steps before stopping.
“Mister Joshua, I want to know, did you write the song ‘Let It Go?’”
This elf was also interested in ‘Let It Go?’ Could it be that song possess some sort of special attraction toward elves?
“That’s a secret for now. Why do you ask that question?”
Compared to performing in ‘Léon: The Demon,’ this elf seemed to be more interested in that song.
“That’s an amazing song... it made me recall my hometown.”
As the elf spoke, she lifted her golden hair. A small amount of silver-white hair appeared from the side of her ears.
“That hair color is unique to the frost elves living in the icefields by the Nation of Frost. That race of elves should’ve disappeared when I was still a kid,” Ciri whispered to Joshua’s ear.
Ciri came from the Nation of Frost. Even though Ciri didn’t mention it to him, he was able to guess that was her origin after interacting with her for so long. That elf seemed to also be related to the Nation of Frost.
A mixed blood? Joshua decided he will look further into that matter in the future.
“Thank you for your praise. I look forward to your performance tomorrow. Today’s audition shall end here! I hereby thank all the outstanding performers of the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe,” said Joshua.
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