Chapter 38
A week later, I met with the troupe leaders to whom I had sent letters along with the newsletters. This time, it was the troupe leaders themselves who had reached out to me first, clearly desperate for audiences.
Of course, Alex came along too. There were only three troupes gathered, but soon the others would surely realize the situation. Sitting at the table, they all wore expressions of complete disbelief.
“No, I just don’t understand! You’re telling me that the audience really stopped coming just because the newsletter said our play was bad? Especially the noble audience—more than half have stopped coming!”
The leader of the Seckle troupe spoke first. He spread a newsletter across the table. It contained a sharp critique of the play that the Seckle troupe had been performing.
“Do you understand this, my lady? Am I just uneducated? A fake monster deceiving the public and making them unable to distinguish reality? Are you saying our audience is all idiots?”
“I understand your frustration. I’m just as baffled.”
The Seckle troupe specialized in designing monsters. Their plays, while similar in theme to defeating monsters, featured many creatures of various forms, attracting those who enjoyed that spectacle.
But the newsletter criticized them, saying that since there was no real content and people were just clapping at paper dolls, going there was better suited for watching fireworks than theater.
“Honestly, I’d probably want to go even more just out of spite…”
“But it’s hard to say you like Seckle’s plays. Nobles like to show off what they’ve seen, to flaunt their taste.”
Showing wit and discernment in refined conversation was an essential part of social exchanges. It seemed Katia was deliberately targeting that aspect.
“The same goes for the Forest troupe’s plays. Too focused on sensationalism, appeals excessively to emotions… Watching a play should awaken reason and encourage thought, but they chase only superficial pleasures.”
Alex, who had come with me, finally spoke in a firm tone.
“That’s fine as far as reputations go. The real problem is that audiences are actually leaving!”
Another troupe leader slammed the table in frustration.
“But can we really do anything about this together? I only know how to make plays.”
Alex spoke despondently. But when people gather, something can always be done. I had gathered everyone for a reason, with my own plan in mind.
“Of course, the noble lady must have a plan!”
“Let’s print our own newsletter. And distribute it.”
Everyone present looked at me with wide eyes, focused.
“Why didn’t I think of this! They write only what they want, pretending to be objective!”
“But what about the cost? We probably can’t print as many as they do.”
“I have the money.”
It was the Grand Duke’s money. This was exactly what it was for. I was told to ask for whatever I needed!
“And one more thing. Katia made a huge mistake.”
“What is it?”
“The performances are free for now, right?”
“Exactly. That’s the problem!”
“That’s her biggest mistake.”
A free performance means even those without affection for the play can just go and watch. No matter how excellent the play, it can’t satisfy everyone. Ridiculous negative reviews are bound to appear.
“You might not understand now…”
“You’ll see soon. And Alex—”
“Yes?”
“Let’s use lighting. Magical stone lighting.”
“…Suddenly?”
Even just turning on lights had elicited gasps from the audience. If that simple trick worked, imagine what more advanced lighting could achieve, both technically and in swaying public opinion.
“You use other people’s money when you can. This is all about beating Katia, so it’s a completely justified expense.”
My heart raced at the thought of taking action. I wanted to meet the Grand Duke soon, to tell him what was happening and how I would handle it… and most importantly, to secure the budget.
When I said I had a report, the Grand Duke appeared immediately. Technically, he made me appear before him. Again, that blasted teleportation.
“I’ve been well… ugh… Your Highness, I feel awful.”
“Oh my.”
Though he said “oh my,” it wasn’t out of concern—more like he found it amusing that such things happened.
“Well, get used to it then.”
The words that followed were even more remarkable. The Grand Duke elegantly sat on the sofa while I staggered toward it, collapsing onto it.
“And after the inauguration? I saw the newsletter. How was the play?”
“The play… was very good.”
The Grand Duke chuckled at me, for some reason. Lately, he seemed to laugh more often. But that didn’t make him seem friendly. A person who once glared at me fiercely laughing suddenly doesn’t suddenly look kind.
“What did you like about it?”
“That’s not important right now. The newsletter paints their play as good and ours as bad, so we need money to publish our own newsletter. And we want to use magical stone lighting for the Forest troupe. It’s crucial to beat Katia.”
“Alright. Then are the important points done?”
Why was he like this today? Was he just being lazy? I didn’t want to leave everything to chance and have it all be my responsibility later.
“No! I need to tell you the plan too. We’ll publish justified evaluations of our plays, accept reader submissions, and use lighting for production.”
“Reader submissions? You want people’s opinions on the plays?”
“Yes.”
“What if people insult your troupe?”
“Then we don’t include it.”
“Hmm.”
“This is clever. Many people go to Katia’s free performances even if they don’t like them. Plenty will think, ‘It’s not great.’ Those opinions will be published.”
“For something coming out of your head, that’s pretty ruthless.”
This isn’t ruthless at all. Katia knows well how to pressure her opponents, but even her methods have limits.
“But didn’t you say Katia’s play was good?”
“It was well-made. The message is unpleasant… but she really loves the theater. The focus wasn’t just on spectacle, which I like. It seems she copied our methods! But using classical tragedy form was clever. Also…”
I babbled on alone, feeling a bit embarrassed, and glanced at Leon. He didn’t seem to be paying much attention, staring at me impassively as if watching my solo chatter.
“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s embarrassing.”
“When someone talks, you should listen.”
“You don’t seem to be listening much. That’s why I said this isn’t important.”
The strange embarrassment came from seeing Leon oddly amused. My personal impressions of Katia’s play weren’t his concern at all.
“How you evaluated your opponent is important. It’s the basis for judgment.”
I felt twice as embarrassed, realizing I’d been talking without understanding his requirement. I cleared my throat.
“She’s not someone to be underestimated. She uses plays to sway public opinion, but her level of production isn’t low. In short, Katia can manipulate people’s psychology, so we must respond firmly.”
“How do you think she’s exerting pressure?”
“Well… the noble audience is leaving… Why do you keep making me repeat myself? Do you lack a reason to give the budget?”
“Not at all.”
Leon rested his chin on his hand.
“Keep talking.”
This is really strange. Is he playing with me or what?!
“I’ve said everything, and you don’t seem curious… What is it then?”
Leon thought for a while and then shrugged, seemingly unsure himself. He had a servant bring him a pouch of money and handed it to me immediately.
“Take it and go once your business is done.”
Leon didn’t answer my questions and teleported me home again. I barely had time to think and suffered from teleportation nausea.
That guy! I’ll definitely get my revenge someday!
