chapter 28
“You must know that the stage production equipment and filming devices developed by the Magic Tower are currently being lent out.”
“Yes… I heard other troupes have been using them. Not ours, though.”
Her tone wasn’t soft.
Hmm, I suppose she might still bear a grudge.
From her perspective, it might even look like her troupe was disbanded because of the Black Moon project — and the equipment I developed for it.
Well, since I only started the business because of Polyus, it’s all his fault anyway.
“How about this — instead of recreating the background on stage… what if you film it at a real cliff, under a real sunset, beside a real waterfall?”
“!”
“Director Chillen. If it’s not going to be performed on stage, why insist on a theater?”
As Director Chillen stood there, stunned by the Tower Lord Damian’s suggestion, I quietly stepped in.
“Of course, film direction and stage direction are very different. But I thought it would be better to invite someone who has already reached the peak in stage direction than someone who’s completely inexperienced…”
I grinned.
“I’m not looking down on theater. But haven’t you ever wanted to film in a real setting instead of just a stage?”
“…Of course I have.”
I smiled brightly.
“I promise you the best treatment.”
The other directors working on Black Moon were very skilled with equipment, but they lacked artistic sensitivity and a true director’s touch.
I had a feeling this group could bring the cinematic direction I was looking for.
“…The best treatment, you say?”
“Money, of course, and…”
I wanted to give Damian the decisive moment here.
Because I’d already realized something — the Velderte Troupe meant something special to him.
Come on, Tower Lord. Say the key words.
I trailed off mid-sentence and turned to him.
Catching my gaze, Tower Lord Damian continued smoothly.
“The devices made by the Tower — some of them will be supplied exclusively to you, Director Chillen, and to your team.”
Director Chillen’s eyes trembled violently.
Of course. He must’ve watched with envy as other troupes got to use the equipment I lent out.
“On a clear day, I can make it rain for you. And for scenes requiring fire, I can let you use it safely.”
“…!”
“I can create a sky where lightning truly strikes, make it look like real magic bursts from someone’s hands… I can help with all that.”
“Is that… truly possible?”
“If there are any other effects you’d like, beyond the ones I mentioned, the Tower can develop them.”
“Then… things that only appear in fairy tales — can we really film them? Flying in the sky, for example?”
“Of course.”
I added leisurely from the side,
“Hmm, we could even shoot from the sky, capturing downward scenes. In a war sequence, that kind of aerial angle would make the army look so much more overwhelming, don’t you think? You’d see their numbers more clearly too.”
He had said earlier he didn’t want to hear a single word about theater, and now Director Chillen was covering his open mouth with his hand.
His head must be spinning right now.
He understood what I was saying — that this would be something entirely different from a stage play.
Director Chillen shook his head slowly, then sighed as if giving up.
“It’s a temptation I can’t refuse. I’m not a fool who would miss such a chance…”
“You’ve made the right choice.”
“But… if you only brought me in because I used to know Young Master Damian from the Velderte Troupe, then…”
Ah, typical. Of course he’d say the exact same thing as Damian.
I sighed, looking at the uncertain Director Chillen.
Dealing with the Tower Lord was one thing, but I hadn’t expected to have to coax a man old enough to be my father too.
Still, I started this — so I’ll see it through.
“Director Chillen.”
I lowered my voice, calm and steady.
“Representative, I…”
“You’re not confident? You really think we brought you in just because you know Tower Lord Damian personally?”
At that, Director Chillen’s eyes suddenly flashed.
I lifted my chin slightly and continued.
“If that’s the case, you can quit right now. I need a director capable of creating something greater than The 13th Knight, not a toothless tiger who’s already given up.”
“Absolutely not.”
Director Chillen’s voice came out strong.
He looked between Damian and me with renewed confidence.
“I’ll make sure you’re glad you came to find me today.”
He was no longer the man sitting idly by the lake pretending to fish.
His entire being radiated vitality again — just like back when people called him the Tiger Director.
Well, this meeting room is really paying off.
I looked around proudly at the people packed into the Magic Tower’s finest conference room.
Once I persuaded Director Chillen — who had practically led the troupe — it became much easier to gather the rest of the production team.
They all threw away the so-called “grace period” the Velderte family pretended to give them and came to work with me instead.
The Velderte family’s reaction?
“They’ll never find work anywhere else. We made sure they wouldn’t be unemployed overnight, and this is how they repay us? How ungrateful.”
I was angrier than they were. I bit my lip.
Some of these people had worked for decades — and that family had the nerve to treat their troupe, which bore their own name, like trash.
Utterly shameless to the end.
What should I even say to comfort them?
But their faces were bright.
They didn’t seem particularly hurt — at least not enough to dwell on it in front of me.
“We’ll make something so incredible that they’ll regret everything. Isn’t that right?”
They didn’t need my sympathy.
Everyone here had already moved past the pain.
“Of course. We’ll make something so magnificent they’ll weep tears of blood!”
So I just laughed cheerfully. And they all smiled even brighter in return.
“I guess we can’t keep calling ourselves the Velderte Troupe anymore, huh?”
“Representative, we’re the Black Moon Troupe now, aren’t we?”
That seemed to ignite them even more — everyone dove into work with fiery enthusiasm.
“…Even though I’ve been directing theater for years, this feels like a completely different field.”
“Yeah. If we keep acting like we’re on stage too long, it’ll look awkward. Since the camera captures every detail, the performances have to be directed differently too.”
“It’s not like theater at all. It’s so hard it’s making my hair fall out — but it’s fun. I never thought I’d get to make something like this in my lifetime.”
“Honestly, we should be grateful that bastard fired us.”
And that was that.
With top-tier salaries, excellent benefits, and magical filming equipment that set their artistic souls ablaze, the best staff of the Velderte Troupe officially signed contracts with me.
Reunited under a new banner, the former Velderte troupe members were bustling with energy, chatting nonstop.
Normally, Damian disliked such lively atmospheres.
He avoided crowds, and loud noise bothered his ears.
But today was different. Watching the troupe’s excitement brought a faint smile to his lips.
It reminded him of his childhood — when he watched their plays and secretly dreamed that one day, if he became heir to the Velderte family, he might run the troupe himself.
While lost in thought, a voice called beside him.
“Young Master Damian — no, Tower Lord. What do you think?”
Damian only nodded indifferently, but truthfully, he felt more animated than usual.
This day has come… all because of her.
Because of Melanie.
As a child, she was the distant daughter of a duke.
Years later, she became Polyus’s fiancée.
Lady Clotilde. Representative Clotilde.
Melanie Clotilde.
Light lavender hair cascading down her back in soft waves, violet eyes glimmering like gemstones — her beauty and uncommon coloring made her stand out, but that wasn’t what drew people in.
It was her confidence — a poise that matched her striking looks.
When she spoke in that clear, sure voice of hers, anyone would want to follow her lead.
“Tower Lord, let’s get engaged.”
“Why don’t you take some time to get to know me first?”
“How about we attend a ball together before you decide?”
Damian had never regretted accepting Melanie’s proposal.
But… even someone as sharp and composed as her had one fatal weakness.
One so great that people sometimes forgot about it.
Melanie Clotilde’s health — was fragile.
