Tylene knew what the consequences of being associated with a demon was. According to rumors, she might even have to offer her own soul or life as the sacrifice. In less serious cases, she might have to enslave herself to the demon for the rest of her life.
Perhaps Joshua might be completely different from the rumored demons. But, right now, all the members of the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe were bearing witness to Tylene choice.
If Tylene accepted Joshua’s invitation, the Holy Church will become her enemy. In a world composed mostly of humans, that was not a sensible choice.
But, Tylene did not show any hesitation this time. Even though her Blackwood Elf friend was completely against it, Tylene had already made her mind. Of course, her answer would be, ‘I’ll go with Teacher Joshua.’
“Um... Madam Schroder, thank you for all the consideration you’ve seen me throughout the years. I’m planning to stay in Norland and accept Mister Joshua’s invitation,” said Tylene.
“Tylene! Believe me! He’s much more dangerous than your imagination!”
“...Flay, about that...”
Tylene was listening to her friend’s attempt at stopping her. But, she had already made her decision. Even if she would really encounter danger, she would, for the sake of gathering nourishment for the World Tree, disregard everything.
While Tylene was singing in the Hearthstone Tavern, she happened to chat with Ynor.
Merely how Joshua was able to turn an unknown succubus into the best actress known by all the young people of Norland, Belle, was enough to convince Tylene that Joshua was truly capable of turning people famous.
“That’s enough. You should return to the person you’re tasked with protecting. This is not something that you should involve yourself in.”
Madam Schroder spoke to the Blackwood Elf with a commanding tone. Flay gently bit at her lower lip. She wanted to continue to say something. But, Tylene went up to her and held her hand. Flay looked at Tylene and saw that she was gently shaking her head.
“If you’re worried about the safety of your friend, you’re welcomed to come check out on her at the Hearthstone Tavern at any time,” said Joshua.
Before the Grand Duchess, Flay’s authority was too little. Only her teacher, the elder of the Blackwood Elves, was able to influence the Grand Duchess’s decision.
Flay sighed. Then, her body disappeared before Joshua. She returned to her master Gallolei’s side.
After Flay left, no one tried to stop Tylene. Carrying her gorgeous and somewhat heavy dress, the elven girl carefully walked over to Joshua’s side.
The instant she stood beside Joshua, she was officially bidding farewell to her peaceful life and stepping into an invisible battlefield.
She would no longer be under the protection of the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe. The Holy Church will view her, an elf associated with the demons, as a thorn in their side.
But, at the same time she lost her protection, Tylene obtained what she wanted!
“That stage is prepared for you. This will be your final performance in the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe. Make sure to not mess it up.”
Joshua pointed to the stage in the center of the performance hall. Tylene’s slightly hazy eyes started shining the moment she saw the light focusing the stage.
This time around, she showed no hesitation. She picked up her dress and walked toward the stage. Even though her footsteps appeared very clumsy and awkward like a duck paddling to the eyes of the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe’s actresses that had experienced countless upper class balls, she managed to walk to the center of the stage with her clumsy steps.
She picked up the originium crystal inscribed with the rune of voice amplification and instantly became the most dazzling existence in the entire performance hall.
This was the first time she stood on the stage after joining the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe!
Gradually, music began to rise from behind her. This was the first time the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe was performing music for only her. It was also going to be their last time.
Joshua was standing at the bottom of the stage and looking at that dazzling girl on the stage. With a soft voice, he said to Madam Schroder, “Madam Schroder, I think you will end up regretting your decision.”
“Farucci does not lack outstanding singers.”
Madam Schroder did not accept Joshua’s words. After all, Farucci has never been a nation lacking in singers. What they truly lacked were legendary musics handed down from generations past and to generations future.
Joshua didn’t say anything to her response. The reason for that was because Tylene had begun singing. Tylene was indeed naturally talented in bel canto operatic singing. She spent only a few minutes to read over the musical score for ‘Star Sky.’ When the music started playing, she immediately caught the correct pitch.
Joshua recorded Tylene’s performance with an originium crystal. The first CD single, no, originium crystal single, was born in Joshua’s hand.
.........
Flay left the performance hall. But, she did not go far. The music that sounded from the performance hall suddenly grabbed her legs like a rope. She was forced to stop.
The depression she felt instantly dispersed. Curious, she went to the performance hall and extended her head through the entrance to hear the performance from the Black Swan Orchestra.
When the performance gradually entered its climax, a black cat suddenly appeared on Flay’s head.
“Ah...”
She immediately stood straight. She wanted to pick up the black cat from her head.
But, as that black cat was their Blackwood Elves’ Spirit of the Ancient Tree, an existence akin to the lifeline of their race, Flay did not dare to rashly touch it.
For the Blackwood Elves, one must pass through multiple sacred ceremonies in order to touch the Spirit of the Ancient Tree. Directly touching it without doing the ceremonies would be an act of extreme disrespect.
The black cat took a glance at the performance hall before quickly turning around to look at the hallway outside.
“Who?!”
Flay also looked over to the hallway after seeing the black cat doing so. At the end of the hallway appeared a silhouette. Seeing that person, Flay became completely alerted.
“Who would’ve expected that I’ll be able to see the consciousness of a World Tree after so long...”
At the end of the hallway was a tall actress. Flay knew her. That actress possesses a high status in the Black Swan Theatrical Troupe. But, Flay could tell that someone was disguising themself as that actress.
“I am only here to warn you all. The enemies of the elves are not the demons. Rather, it’s the Holy Church,” said the actress.
“The Holy Church?”
Flay examined the female actress. She was checking out the areas on her body where she might be concealing a weapon. While doing so, she noticed the imprint of a black bird on her neck.
“Answer my question first!”
A stranger infiltrated into Madam Schroder’s mansion. Furthermore, it was someone who could transform themself into another person. To a bodyguard like Flay, that infiltrator was not a guest she could chat with a smile on her face.
However, the issue lies in how the black cat was on her head. Because of that, she cannot take out her dagger to fight the infiltrator.
“I am only providing you with a warning out of goodwill. Even though I quite loathe you first elves, I loathe those lunatics from the Church even more. Make sure to take care of that cat while it’s still able to snore in peace.”
After the actress finished saying those words, she walked through the corner of the hallway and disappeared before the Blackwood Elf.
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