Do not confiscate my citizenship!!

Chapter 876: Lanqi and Hyperion's Opera Rehearsal
Mid-January.

Ikerite Opera House.

Located on the banks of the Yarra moat in the north of the city-state and on the south bank of the river port bridge, the Ikerite Opera House, as a multi-functional performing arts center in the capital of the Kingdom of Hutton, is one of the most famous and iconic buildings in the southern continent.

Designed by craftsman Gera a hundred years ago, it includes a series of starry night-like strip roof structures shaped like the sails of a sailing ship, sitting on a huge blue granite base, as if it is about to set sail in the starry sky.

Today is a weekday afternoon.

The Brillda Theater Company rehearses here.

"Ms. Half-Demon, why are you sitting in my room?"

The male protagonist dressed as the demon governor on the stage asked the female protagonist sitting on a chair on the other side of the stage.

The scene is arranged as a room in a noble mansion. The light from the chandelier hanging from the ceiling illuminates the entire bedroom. The crimson velvet sofas and chairs are placed next to the fireplace, and the firewood crackles in the fire. Even without seeing the snow outside the window, the audience will feel that this is a long-lost warm mansion in winter.

"Because I'm your fiancée."

The half-witch noble lady sat on a vintage sheepskin chair. The window curtains behind her were drawn, and the light from outside the window could vaguely seep into the room through the dense crimson gauze curtains.

She looked like someone who came to collect a debt, but also had a reasonable upbringing, and spoke softly to the demon governor.

"What do you have to do to stop pestering me?"

The Demon Chief helplessly raised his hand to cover his forehead. He had knocked on the door before and wanted the butler to come and ask the young lady to go back. Unfortunately, even the butler was not in a position to ask the young lady to go back, so he could only bite the bullet and talk to her here.

"..."

The half-witch lady stared at the demon chief's expression, and there seemed to be a trace of sadness and self-blame in her eyes.

But asking her to give up now is not as simple as nodding her head.

They were once so close, but now he has forgotten me as if he had lost his memory.

Finally, she stood up in a compromising manner and looked at the Governor.

"I hope you can solve the mystery of who cursed you and caused you to keep forgetting me."

The copper floor lamp was beside her, and she said,

"By then, even if you still don't remember me, I will convince the family to stop you from worrying about this engagement."

The lampshade is painted with fairies, symbolizing good luck, chasing each other, as if moving with the light and shadow on the two people.

The performance continues on stage.

The auditorium was sparsely populated, and Antanas and Shinora were whispering to each other as they reached into the popcorn bucket and watched the rehearsal.

“They both acted really well.”

“It’s not a farce at all.”

Antanas and Shinora both came with Hyperion.

"Are you guys implying that someone's acting was bad and it was like a farce..."

The Ice Witch muttered to the side.

She also had a day off today, so she happened to come and watch the rehearsal, or rather, watch it in advance, which would allow her to be more calm on the date and not be surprised by the plot of the performance that day.

"..."

Planai was wiping his glasses. He had bought a pair of glasses after returning to Ikerit and always carried a glasses cloth with him.

Pranay, who serves as the troupe’s historical consultant, is also here today.

But he sat very peacefully today.

Just by looking at Pranay, Antanas knew that the play was safe and he could speak freely.

In addition to the four of them who had watched the premiere of the film when they last stopped in Nistero City in the Krelian Empire, there was another great demon present today.

Their good friend Toliado is now working as a hard-working musician behind the scenes.

As an employee of the theater troupe, he also came to Ikerite after a long absence, a place he had wanted to visit but had not dared to.

Abigail had not yet forgiven the Dimension Bishop for the 20,000 pounds, and this time she would not allow him to run around during the performance and mess up, so he could only conduct the string orchestra honestly and play the piano according to the situation.

"Toliado knows how to compose music better, and can even improvise according to special circumstances."

Antanas listened to the background music of each scene and commented.

In fact, when he was in the demon world, Yabo's musical style would be more unrestrained and even abstract and weird, but when he calmed down and wrote opera music for himself, he could also play soulful music.

"Seeing him so quiet, it's a little strange to me."

Shinora tilted her head and covered her mouth.

"When the creditor is powerful, the one who owes the money is the son. You see, when Tata mentions the debt, Ranchi will also put down his rebelliousness."

Antanas told the truth.

“Although Yabo is usually unreliable, he does have a talent for opera performance.”

Pranay spoke pertinent words for his friends in the demon world.

Planai, who has been working in the troupe during this period, knows that director Abigail will tie Toliado to the theater this time no matter what, to avoid the situation like last time where he couldn't be found at the critical moment before the performance started.

"This is an old crew of the Dimension Branch. They do intelligence work like this."

The Ice Witch agreed.

The dimensional branch itself is a crew, which has to sneak into any place from time to time and pretend to be an employee of any unit. Back in the Demon World period, General Yabo's subordinates sneaked into the human kingdom to carry out missions in this way.

"Have you all read the original novel of "Holy War Romance"? Should I read the original novel first?"

Antanas asked the three great demons around him.

It was rare that five of their Great Demon Clan came today to watch this rehearsal that was not open to the public.

The princess sisters went to the Golden Bee Amusement Park again. Following Ifatia's suggestion, she wanted to keep a little surprise for the long-awaited performance, so she did not come to watch the rehearsal.

Antanas has not read the original novel, but Sinora, Pranai, and Artemis should have read it.

"It doesn't matter whether you've read the novel or not. Abigail's version is definitely adapted. That's why the last Cinderella story was so well received by the audience. The audience expected that there would be some differences from the novel from the beginning. Fortunately, Lanci managed it that time and didn't let the deviation be so big that the audience would notice it."

The Ice Witch said this, and gave Antanas a brief introduction to the connection between the Half-Witch Arc and the Cinderella Arc.

The story takes place during the Holy War of the Protoss Empire.

First, some historical context.

The Half-Witch arc takes place a few years after the Cinderella arc. The holy war has already begun, but historical figures of the Protoss Empire, such as Emperor Franklin and the Great Sage Isis, have not yet risen, and the current pattern of the Northern Continent has been formed.

Before the holy war began, the Protos Empire and the Demon World had established diplomatic relations. Since the Demon World was extremely developed but Protos was relatively backward, the demons had a very high status in the Protos Empire at that time. For example, the protagonist of the Cinderella chapter, the demon governor, went to the Protos Empire.

Due to the start of the holy war, the human countries and the demon world of the northern continent became enemies, and the governor could no longer stay in the human kingdom. He knew very well that bringing the gray girl back to the demon world would be a dead end for her. His family and the demon king would not allow him to marry a human woman at this juncture. In order to protect the gray girl, he decided to agree to the family's deal and return to the demon world, and left the gray girl with treasures enough to revitalize the family. He made an agreement with the gray girl that if the war could end, he would come back.

"This story is based on the background of the times. The ancient Protoss Empire learned a lot of knowledge from the demon world, and after being defeated many years later, it was ruled and built by the demons. Many demon heritages are preserved in the territory. The construction of the imperial capital Helrom in later generations shows that it has an indelible demon world style."

Planai is also known as Antanaskop Road.

Although they are all possible characters that may appear in the history of the Northern Continent, Antanas had been staying in the Demon Realm at that time and had not learned about the culture of human society in detail, so he did not study the metaphor of the Cinderella chapter for the subsequent plot in detail.

Looking back at history from the present, the Protoss can neither forgive the demons nor separate themselves from their traces, as if it were an eternal entanglement.

When the story of "Romance of the Holy War" begins, there is no war yet, and the demons and the Protoss are still on good terms.

However, if the humans and demons of that era accidentally fell in love, what awaited them in the future would be a bumpy road full of snow, wind, and thorns. Although the tone of the Cinderella chapter is cheerful, the foreshadowing of the historical background buried at the beginning of the story has already doomed them to a difficult ending.

What follows is the story of the male protagonist, the demon governor, returning to the demon world.

Since the Governor already has a half-witch fiancée of high status, his noble family hopes that he can fulfill the engagement as soon as possible to avoid the sensitive suspicion of being accused of being close to humans, while also obtaining the protection of the other family.

Then there was the opening of the Half-Witch episode performed by Ranch and Hyperion just now——

"The half-witch thought the Governor had forgotten about her."

The Ice Witch pointed at Hyperion in the direction of the stage.

"And the Governor insisted that he had no impression of the half-witch. He had no memory of the two of them in the demon world."

Her finger moved to Lanci, who was acting opposite Hyperion.

"So the half-witch in the original novel suggested that the governor solve the mystery. She suspected that the governor was cursed by the demons, so he kept forgetting her in order to destroy the marriage between their two families. As long as the governor can find the caster of the curse, no matter whether the governor can remember her or is willing to marry her, she will promise not to bother the governor anymore."

The Ice Witch told Antanas.

The two demons embarked on an unforgettable and romantic journey.

Along the way, they adventured in the demon world, explored clues, and went through dangerous life and death tests until they found the mastermind behind the scenes and defeated him.

In the end, the Governor still couldn't remember the half-witch, but during this journey, he fell in love with the half-witch again.

Even though there were no memories of her in his mind, he still couldn't erase the feeling of loving her.

"So this opening isn't that different from the original?"

Antanas asked the Ice Witch in a low voice.

"It's like this. Abigail's adaptation simply omits a lot of the historical background and quickly cuts to the scene where the Governor meets the half-witch in the mansion on a snowy winter day as the opening."

The Ice Witch nodded.

At this moment on the stage, the demon governor has already made arrangements with the butler and is ready to embark on a journey with the half-witch, and the scene will soon be changed to a new one.

"Pause."

A voice from the first row of the audience interrupted the ongoing rehearsal.

Abigail made a pause gesture, signaling all the actors on the stage to stop. She was wearing a black off-shoulder evening dress today. The well-cut fabric fit her exquisite figure, and she always wore a black gemstone necklace.

Whenever she was working in the theater, Abigail would dress beautifully and maintain her manners.

The actors who were speaking on the stage stopped at the same time, and Lanci and Hyperion looked at director Abigail in confusion.

There should be no mistakes in their performance, and that is when they gave their best effort.

Abigail shook her head, as if to tell them to relax.

"It's not that the acting was bad, it's just that it didn't have the effect I expected."

Abigail had no intention of blaming anyone, and she preached to the two leading actors.

“How can we improve this?”

Hyperion asked humbly.

She felt that it was not Lanqi's problem, but her problem.

"..."

Abigail was silent for a moment.

She was also thinking about the reason.

After watching Lanci and Hyperion's performances, Abigail couldn't help but compare Lanci's performances with Tata's. Abigail clearly felt that Lanci's performances were all accidents, and she was unexpectedly over the top.

Abigail thought about it and began to doubt whether she, who had always been strict with herself, had become evil and actually liked the outrageous performance of Lanqi and Tata.

But if Ranchi and Tata were to do it again, I'm afraid they wouldn't be able to replicate the effect of the Cinderella chapter.

Although Tata has acting talent, the reason why Abigail chose Hyperion instead of Tata is that Tata's lower limit is low and her upper limit is high. Her success is not replicable, while Hyperion has the upper limit and can also perform steadily.

Besides, Abigail never wanted to have another stage accident.

"I understand. It's not your problem. It's the script and my arrangement that are the problems."

After thinking for a long time, Abigail finally found the answer and pointed out the problem to the two.

From the Cinderella chapter to the Half-Witch chapter, although the Half-Witch chapter also maintains the comedy tone of finding joy in suffering in that era, the Half-Witch is a sentimental character and no longer needs to be a comedian like Cinderella.

Just like the same song, with different arrangements, will give the audience completely different feelings when listening to it.

"ah?"

Hyperion originally thought that Abigail would give her a sharp reprimand, but unexpectedly, Abigail found other problems after reviewing the situation.

"Yes, this comedy-style adaptation is not the best for you."

Abigail said firmly.

The current arrangement cannot bring out Hyperion's sensual talent that is a mixture of melancholy and joy.

and many more.

Cinderella wasn’t a funny character at first.

Abigail thought about it for a long time and found that Tata's infectiousness was too strong.

"So what do we do next...?"

Lanqi asked Abigail tentatively.

He didn't know whether he should continue the performance.

"Take a half-hour break first. Let me prepare for a while, and then I'll tell you how to rehearse."

Abigail said this, and asked the crew on the stage to rest, and she went backstage with the script.

……

A half-hour wait might seem quite long to the few media and industry professionals in the audience who came to watch the rehearsal today.

Of course, for several great demons, it was quite short.

The biggest characteristic of the demon race is their patience.

It was not until Antanas leaned out again, picked up a bag of potato chips from the seat at the side, opened it and shared it with several big demons that Abigail returned to the performance hall again.

"Okay, everyone should have had a good rest."

Abigail walked onto the stage, and Lanci, Hyperion and a group of actors explained the new script, but she surprisingly didn't want to waste any more time, and instead wanted them to start performing right away.

"But Miss Abigail, where's the full script?"

Lanqi seemed to have recalled some bad memories. He looked at the brief script in his hand and asked her.

Abigail only gave him and Hyperion the lines for the first act, and this was not a script but simply lines. They only knew their own lines but had no idea about the development of the plot and the lines of their opponent actors. They were even asked to prepare to perform after only watching for a while.

Even though Lanci and Hyperion were most familiar with the first act and the changes to this act seemed minor, they still didn't know what to perform.

"In fact, this form of performance was used in ancient drama performances."

Abigail told them both.

The actors only know their own lines but not the lines of other actors. In the early operas, this was mainly to keep the script confidential. The script was an important property of the troupe. To prevent the script from leaking out, the playwright might only give the actors their respective lines instead of the complete script.

This prevents competitors from plagiarizing the script.

Of course, this is also a way of rehearsal. In ancient times, the rehearsal time was very short, and the actors might rehearse more around the director, usually the screenwriter, according to his explanation, rather than relying entirely on the complete script.

Actors are familiar with fixed performance routines, and with their own lines, they can prepare for performances in a short period of time.

This form also allows for full improvisation, as some parts of the script may only have an outline, requiring the actors to improvise and fill in the details.

Giving a complete script will actually limit the actors' room for performance.

"The final reason is that there were illiterate actors. At that time, some actors had low cultural level and could not read a few words. Even if they were given a complete script, they could not understand it."

Abigail explains the history of drama in the ancient Cyrus period.

In short, considering the historical context at the time, there was precedent for the director not giving the actors a complete script, and it was not that she was making things difficult for the actors.

"But Abigail, in the first act of the new script you gave us, there are some parts where you didn't even write an outline, you only wrote half a line, so how are we supposed to talk?"

Hyperion pointed to the cloze questions on the script and asked Abigail.

She was also very nervous and squeezed Lanqi's palm slightly to tell him not to panic.

"At the beginning of the second act, there will be a teleprompter to remind you of your real-time lines, of course, only half a sentence. This is where you can improvise. If you two are completely immersed in the plot and regard yourselves as the hero and heroine of the story, you will be able to infer the development of the new script and know what you want to say."

Abigail's goal is to allow the two of them to perform works that exceed their limits.

"Anyway, next time on stage, you must treat yourselves as the true governor of the demon clan and the half-witch lady, and don't be afraid of challenges."

The performances of Tata and Ranchi gave her a good idea.

Sometimes, sharpening your skills before the battle can greatly stimulate potential, especially for talented players.

This kind of simulation training can also be used to train Lanci and Hyperion.

“Are there any major changes to the plot later on?”

Hyperion asked Abigail, she wanted to have a clear idea in her mind.

Abigail didn't even give them a second act, a third act, or anything like that.

This means that they have almost no idea of ​​the new plot and can only see it in real time on the teleprompter.

In order to prevent the leading actors from forgetting their lines again, Abigail specially developed a new tool, magic cards, which allow the actors to see text like shadow world mission prompts in their own field of vision in real time.

As for the plot, the two of them probably have to act it out while watching it, and they have to improvise at the same time.

"The changes in the first few acts are mainly in the details and foreshadowing, and the final act is completely different...so you will be familiar with many scenes from your previous rehearsals, so don't worry too much."

Abigail patted Hyperion on the shoulder and preached,

"But please note that the direction of the script has been rewritten by me. It will be different from the original work you have seen before, so you can forget the original plot of the Half-Witch Chapter that you have performed before and just focus on my new script."

"Wait, adaptation is not random writing, and parody is not nonsense..."

Togliado, who was sitting behind the piano, stood up. He, the original author, had something to say.

But before he could finish his words, he was silenced by Abigail's stare and sat back down obediently.

"Anyway, it's definitely right to listen to the director. That guy playing the piano doesn't understand "Romance of the Holy War" at all."

Abigail was sure she had found the problem.

The more joyous and adventurous tone does not suit Lanci and Hyperion.

Her thoughts were still misled by Tata, so much so that when she adapted the Half-Witch chapter, she subconsciously considered the effect of the Cinderella chapter when it was released.

However, after this revision, she believed that the script had been completely tailored for the two actors, Lanci and Hyperion, and they would definitely be able to fully demonstrate their respective acting characteristics.

"Huprienne, don't treat the upcoming performance as a rehearsal, but as a formal performance. If you don't perform well, I will have to find Tata to replace your role."

Abigail decided to put some pressure on the two, otherwise it would be difficult to stimulate their potential. Of course, she would not really do this, and the pressure would not be put on Hugh Bao.

"Uh."

Hyperion is not very competitive.

But she saw that Lanqi beside her had sweat on his forehead.

He seemed extremely afraid of acting out another drama with Tata.

"Don't worry, I'll do my best."

Hyperion assured Abigail, and also said this to Lanqi.

In order to prevent Lanqi from suffering, she will do her best to meet Abigail's requirements.

"In that case, I will work hard."

As Lanqi flipped through the script, he felt Hyperion beside him, and his mood slowly calmed down. He couldn't help but feel fortunate that this was a rehearsal at the Ikerite Opera House, rather than a performance that was dragged directly onto the stage.

What comforted him most was that the heroine he played opposite was Hyperion.

With Hyperion, who is the most reliable person on weekdays, he doesn't have to worry about anything going wrong with Hyperion. On the contrary, she will help him.

“I will try my best too!”

Hyperion clenched her fist and spoke with all her strength.

In the distant audience seats.

“I’m really looking forward to the opening.”

Antanas put some potato chips in his mouth, chewing them with a crisp sound, and spoke incoherently.

Tata is not here. It seems that she bought too many snacks today, and they couldn’t finish them.

"It feels more interesting than the actual screening, watching them improvise."

Even though they were far away, Shinora and the other big demons could use detection magic to hear what the people on the stage were talking about.

Last time, the legendary actress Talia's performance was purely free play, and the effect was extraordinary.

“It’s opening.”

The Ice Witch reminded softly.

She cared a lot about Hyperion's performance. Seeing her perform so well, as a parent she felt like her daughter had grown up. She felt very gratified just sitting in the audience and watching her.

The light on the stage changed, and rehearsal began again.

The scene was still the dark gray demon-style mansion bedroom of the noble mansion at the beginning. The crimson velvet sofa and chairs were placed next to the fireplace, and firewood and sparks were crackling in the stove.

"Ms. Half-demon, why are you sitting in my room?"

The Demon Chieftain asked the pretty figure sitting on the vintage sheepskin chair with a slightly indifferent and unhappy tone.

"Because I'm your fiancée."

The half-witch noble lady put her hands on her knees and answered calmly.

She seemed to have been to this room many times before and did not feel awkward as a visitor at all.

"What do you have to do to stop pestering me?"

The demon chief covered his forehead with his hands, turned around and knocked on the door, wanting to call the housekeeper and ask the demon lady to go back.

"Master, you called me?"

After there was a knock on the door, the Governor opened the door and the old demon butler outside walked into the room respectfully.

"Yes, can you please ask this half-demon lady to go home for me?"

The Governor pointed in the direction of the chair and gave instructions to the butler.

"..."

The butler followed the direction of the Governor's finger and looked at the vintage sheepskin chair.

He was silent for a moment, then looked at the Governor's son again, staring into the Governor's eyes.

"I can't help you, sir."

The butler replied with a regretful bow to the Governor, with a hint of concern, sadness, and helplessness in his eyes.

"never mind."

The Governor shook his head. The butler's caring look as if he was looking at a fool made him realize that there was nothing he could do and it was impossible to invite the young lady. He could only let the butler go.

The attitude conveyed by the butler was very clear, and even their family's attitude was very firm, asking him to marry the fiancée as soon as possible.

"Master, do you feel that the room is a little cold?"

The housekeeper felt like he could exhale mist in the room. Even though there was a stove, it seemed colder than outside.

"It's a normal thing in winter."

The demon governor just held the door and said this, he didn't think there was anything wrong.

"Okay, I'll take my leave then."

The butler bowed and left.

A few seconds later, only the Demon Chief and the half-witch lady were left in the bedroom again.

"..."

The half-witch lady stared at the demon chief's expression, a trace of sadness and self-blame flashing in her eyes.

She didn't seem to want to embarrass him.

Finally, she stood up in a compromising manner and looked at the Governor.

"I hope you can solve the mystery of who cursed you and caused you to keep forgetting me."

The copper floor lamp was beside her, and she said,

"By then, even if you still don't remember me, I will convince the family to stop you from worrying about this engagement."

The lampshade is painted with little ghosts from demonic purgatory, chasing each other, as if moving in the reflection of the lonely light and shadow on the wall.

……

in the audience.

Antanas and Shinola leaned back in their chairs leisurely, eating snacks and watching the performance on the stage intently.

"Any changes?"

Antanas hadn't read the original novel, so he couldn't tell much about the changes. "It really hasn't changed. It seems that only some details have changed, and the performances of Lanci and Hyperion haven't changed either."

Shinola is also looking for differences.

So far, there have been only minor changes to the plot.

For example, the butler didn't have so many lines at the beginning.

"It's okay, Antanas. Even if we have read the original novel, we don't know how the story will unfold later. So you can just watch it and you will understand it."

Sinora preached to Antanas.

"Since Abigail modified the plot specifically for them, it means that Abigail believes that they can perform well."

The two chatted quietly while appreciating the scenery.

After more than ten minutes, the first act was over.

The scene on the stage changed. The Demon Governor had already made arrangements with the butler and took the half-witch on a journey to the Demon Academy, where the half-witch insisted that she and the Governor had shared memories.

The corridors of the Demon Academy looked classical and gorgeous, with dim lighting and filled with the fragrance of ancient wood. It had been arranged to create a magical haziness from the depths of time. The end of the road in the distance seemed to be forever swallowed up by darkness, with only unfathomable mystery.

In this corridor, music that came from nowhere echoed in the empty corridor, mixed with wailing and singing, lingering around the Governor and the half-witch, like a prelude to chase and escape.

Even though the sight of this demon academy might seem a little scary and weird to human audiences, Lanci and Hyperion on the stage still looked calm, as if they were demons themselves and did not feel that this school was dangerous at all.

"You said this place can evoke my memories?"

The Governor asked the half-witch doubtfully.

He agreed to the half-witch only to ask her to stop bothering him. Until now, he had no intention of believing what the half-witch said, "Someone cursed him so he lost his memory of her."

He firmly believed that he didn't even know the half-witch, so how could he have been her classmate here and even fallen in love with her?

The dark marble floor was painted with golden patterns. Two people were standing on a carpet with demonic flower patterns in front of a door.

The surrounding walls were covered in eerie portraits and mirrors, as if looking at the students on the road.

"Correct."

The half-witch nodded firmly and proudly.

"But there are no photos of us here. How can you prove that we have been to this music classroom together?"

The Governor stared at the large classroom marked with the subject of music and asked the half-witch.

"Look, the music room is full of ghosts."

The half-witch just shook her head and used telekinetic magic to push open the sealed classroom door.

When the projection of the classroom was displayed on the stage, the scene inside also came into the audience's eyes. Compared with the tiered classroom, this place was more like a spacious theater.

The ornate lighting, red velvet seats, and the solemn stage look like a reflection of the Ikerite Opera House.

At the same moment, the air became extremely oppressive and almost solidified. The temperature in the corridor dropped suddenly due to the yin energy, and a shrill wailing like weeping blood echoed in the sound-blocked scene.

Countless phantom figures appeared as if they had come from another dimension. Their figures overlapped and it was impossible to distinguish the individuals. Like a choir, the constantly echoing sounds made the half-witch cover her ears.

"You know that this was something I caused?"

The demon governor looked at the hellish classroom, not caring about the half-witch at all, and felt neither distressed nor scared.

When the ghosts saw him, they were frightened and dared not disturb him.

"Yes, I was there at the time, so when they saw me, they were afraid of me too."

The half-witch took a step towards the classroom, and the ghost saw her and immediately began to back away, maintaining the same fear of her as the governor.

"..."

The demon governor frowned.

He seemed to have discovered the problem.

In his memory, he was the only demon who caused the music classroom disaster, and since then, the classroom has been closed. However, judging from the reactions of the demon ghosts inside, this half-witch also seemed to be an accomplice.

"These ghosts don't know they are dead, they just keep singing."

The half-witch lady said.

But their reactions must be real, the purest instinct and obsession.

"Okay, then I will initially believe what you said - I may have forgotten you. But I still can't completely rule out that this is a scam. After all, I really can't remember anything about you. I will investigate with you until we find conclusive evidence."

The Governor said to the half-witch.

"Let's walk the path we walked together again, and you will see more traces we left behind."

The half-witch smiled.

They explored the past in the demon school.

The scene gradually came to the next scene.

……

A cold wind blew onto the stage.

It wasn’t the biting cold of winter, but rather the fresh, cool feeling of breathing at the top of a mountain.

The scene is set in a desolate and dilapidated castle.

This is the banquet hall on the first floor of the castle, and at the same time, it looks like an ancient church.

In the projection, a magnificent organ nearly several stories high occupied the entire back wall. Some of the pipes were upright, some were curved, some were golden, and some were plain and simple. They were arranged in different shapes and levels, exuding an indescribable sense of sacredness and solemnity.

The dome was made of stained glass, and the light turned on by the Governor was like a galaxy hanging from the ceiling, illuminating the magnificent dark stone walls and floor.

A grand and spacious long table occupies the most conspicuous position in the center of the hall. The silver candlesticks have been extinguished for who knows how long. The brown oak carved dining chairs on both sides of the long table are arranged in order, which can hardly conceal the luxurious fragrance of the decadence and extravagance many years ago.

"What's here?"

The Governor put his hands in his coat pockets, mist floating from the corners of his mouth, and looked here aimlessly.

He remembered this place, but he couldn't recall any memory of the witch.

At this point he was no longer surprised why the witch knew he had been to this castle.

She knew so many things, so much that it seemed as if she had actually known herself.

"Do you feel the curse in this castle? You can feel uncomfortable as soon as you enter."

Miss Half Witch asked the Governor.

This place was obviously much more dangerous than the Devil's School, but she was not afraid at all. It was simply because the Governor was with her, or because they had been here before and had gone through all the dangers and hardships, so she was not afraid of any possible threats.

"This is indeed a cursed castle. Why does the curse spell seem so familiar..."

The Governor placed his hands on the table, sensing,

"Could it be that I really have a curse on me, and was unknowingly subjected to this spell?"

he said to himself.

Perhaps it was because this curse was too familiar and the harm was not that great, so he had not been able to detect it until he sensed other curses and discovered that he might have the same type of curse.

"I knew that with your talent, you would be able to find the curse on yourself. You just didn't believe it before."

The half-witch grinned, clasped her hands behind her back, bent slightly and smiled.

"Feel sorry……"

The Demon Governor lowered his troubled eyes.

His previous distrust of the half-witch seemed to have hurt someone who had once been truly close to him.

"It's okay. If you still don't remember me by then, I won't bother you. After all, I just want you to be happy every day."

The half-witch lady said cheerfully.

"..."

The demon governor did not answer her.

He couldn't guarantee whether he could remember her, or if he really couldn't remember her, whether he could fulfill his engagement and marry her.

At this moment, he only felt guilty.

"Well, it's something we both agreed to. Let's not make it seem like one of us owes the other anything. It's better to think carefully about the clues to solve the curse. Only in this way can you remember me, right?"

The half-witch approached and raised her hand to touch the demon governor's cheek, but she stopped and retracted her hand just before touching it.

Their relationship now was no longer the same as before, and she didn't want to make the Demon Governor feel awkward and troubled.

"The curse should be lifted. No curse can last that long, unless it is constantly affected by the environment or is continuously cursed."

The Governor nodded and murmured.

"so?"

The half-witch asked him.

"So the demons around us must have cursed me and wanted to destroy our family's marriage. We can narrow the scope of our investigation. We should return to the city now."

The Demon Chieftain answered firmly.

They finished searching for clues among the castles on the cliffs and were ready to return.

Then they passed through many places, and the scenes kept changing with the operation of the screen, machinery and projection.

It's a long journey.

It's like a review of their lives.

Or a proof.

Prove whether he will fall in love with her again even if he forgets her several times.

Until the final scene, the demon governor and the half-witch lady came to a church.

……

In the audience, several great demons from Antanas watched attentively, their frowning and focused expressions all showing that they were immersed in the moving performance of Ranci and Hyperion.

For a moment, they couldn't tell whether this was a play or a real love story between the Governor and the half-witch.

"That's not right. They have reached the final scene and still haven't found the murderer who cursed them."

Shinola, who was immersed in the plot, suddenly woke up.

In the original plot, the Demon Governor and the half-witch lady should be fighting the Demon Duke, who is the culprit who cursed them.

However, in the new plot modified by Abigail, they still couldn't solve the mystery. Not only could they not find the caster of the spell, it was as if the caster didn't exist at all. Instead, they imagined a conspiracy from the demon world.

Now they are on the stage, wandering into this dusk church with an attitude of giving up.

It is also the last place where the half-witch and the demon governor have shared memories.

The entire stage was quite dim, with only spotlights illuminating the two people. The flickering color halo filled the space between the stone pillars with the gloomy atmosphere of a church at dusk.

With the arrival of the Demon Governor and the Half-Witch Lady, the music begins with a series of soulful piano solos.

The two actors on the stage seemed to be slowly immersed in it.

They were no longer like Lanci and Hyperion, two actors rehearsing a play, but had become the governor and the half-witch who were truly exploring secrets.

"I don't understand. I don't understand."

If Antanas knew that there were many more plots to come, she might feel relieved, but when Sinora suddenly told her that this was the final scene, she felt a little caught off guard.

It wasn't until I looked at the time that I realized that the rehearsal was almost two hours in.

She couldn't help but look at Pranay and the Ice Witch.

The Ice Witch was still staring intently at the stage, seemingly unaware of the whispers between Shinora and Antanas.

And Pranay sighed.

Pranay seemed to have understood the foreshadowing of the plot.

Just like on the stage, Lanci and Hyperion are looking at the following lines that only they can see, and they should find out the truth soon.

"general……"

Antanas wanted to ask Pranay, but stopped talking.

She knew that Planai would not spoil the plot for her casually, and that the opera, which had taken so long to watch, should be watched by herself to the end.

Stage in the church at dusk.

No matter how the seasons change, the old church on this cliff sea of ​​flowers is always warm and pleasant. The afterglow of the setting sun shines through the stone pillars, and the breeze brings up fresh air and light petals.

The hero and heroine of the opera are at the end of the church.

"Why……"

The young demon seemed very confused, not knowing why he couldn't find the answer.

"I think I've probably figured it out along the way."

The half-demon noble girl was still wearing that pure white dress, as if she was not afraid of the winter cold, holding in her hands the flowers she had just picked along the way.

She had a slight smile on her face.

"What do you unserstand?"

The Governor raised his eyes and looked at the witch in front of him.

I want to read the answer from the other person's eyes.

He could not read any reluctance or loss in those amber pupils. There was only relief and a little sadness as she was about to say goodbye to him.

He didn't know why he felt fear when he saw the look in the girl's eyes. They were just companions who had just known each other for a few days. Could it be that he had completely trusted her subconsciously along the way?

"Think about it carefully, think about it carefully, think about it carefully, and you will definitely figure it out."

Her voice trailed off, reminding the Governor of the memory traces they had found along the way.

The melody played by the piano on the stage is melodious and gentle, and the notes flow through the heart like tears, echoing the joys and sorrows of the times in the opera. The left hand is sometimes steady and powerful, and sometimes soft as cotton, as if implying the uncertainty of fate.

"..."

The Governor stared at her with his eyes half open, bewildered.

It seemed like he couldn't figure it out, or wasn't willing to figure it out, and he selectively ignored many doubts.

Scenes from the past journey flashed through his mind, and were about to cause cracks to appear in the chain that locked the valve of truth, until it broke with a bang.

The sounds he heard along the way began to echo in his ears again, deafening.

“—they don’t know they’re dead.”

The half-witch lady told him the answer.

This is what she said to the Governor outside the music classroom of the Demon Academy.

Ghosts don't know they're dead unless someone tells them or gives them a hint.

"..."

The Governor had tears in his eyes and looked at the half-witch in astonishment.

The melody begins quickly and strongly, wave after wave, as if telling the character's surging emotions and unspeakable pain.

At the same time, the bass area plays a heavy sound, and dramatic violin chords are added from time to time, giving people a depressing feeling of impending storm. The music directly and sincerely reveals the cruelty of the war years, the impermanence of life, and the entanglement of love and hate.

The Governor's thoughts were in a tizzy.

In the room, the butler seemed not to see the half-witch. He just stared in the direction of the chair and did not interact with the half-witch at all.

Wherever she is, there is always a chill.

The demon who cursed him had always been by his side, cursing him.

original.

The half-witch is actually a ghost that only he can see.

"Is it me who is cursing you subconsciously?..."

The half-witch seemed to have remembered the past.

It turned out that she was already dead.

Perhaps before her death, her greatest wish was for the Governor to forget her, not to be sad, and not to be obsessed with her anymore. This wish accidentally turned into an obsession and a curse, but she accidentally turned into a ghost and was completely unaware of it. She stayed with the Governor foolishly, hoping that he would fulfill his engagement with her one day.

"No, no, don't let your imagination run wild. Come back with me first. Tomorrow we will continue to find out who cursed me. It must be some powerful family that wants to stop our marriage."

The demon governor spoke in a rare panic yet pretending to be calm.

"..."

The witch lady was stunned at first, then she smiled and slowly raised her hand, wanting to touch the impossible-to-touch governor.

Her smile contained a hint of doting, as well as a hint of pity and helplessness.

"My original intention was for you to let me go."

The half-witch lady said to the demon governor reluctantly.

"What did you say……"

The demon governor's voice was stiff, as if he didn't understand at all.

"Remember now, I won't curse you anymore. If you continue to stay here, you won't be able to move forward and start a new life."

The half-witch lady spoke softly in his ear.

"Stop it, please! I don't want to recall my memories of you."

The Governor is like a child who stays in bed, and the better to indulge himself for a second longer.

"call……"

The half-witch lady lowered her eyes and smiled helplessly. She had never expected that the beloved whom she once thought was omnipotent would choose to play tricks like this.

But she remained patient.

Tick-tock, the gears in the church bell tower turn.

The evening bell is about to strike.

Her eyes are as beautiful as the sunset glow in the clear sky.

The half-witch moved closer to the Governor. Even though he couldn't really hold her in his arms at the moment, she wanted to get closer, to snuggle up to him.

"I wanted to tell you what I had saved, all the letters I had written to you in my room but never managed to send to you."

The half-witch lady began to talk to herself.

Since the Governor was unwilling to speak again, she had to say goodbye.

“Sometimes I fall in love with your shadow.”

"Just watch you and follow you."

"The love you give me is always full. Do you know that I only love you in my heart?"

She spoke softly, like a gentle wife.

"..."

The Governor's hoarse voice made it impossible for him to speak, and it seemed as if he did not dare to interrupt the conversation which might be repeated every time.

It was time to give up, but he began to be reluctant.

Trying to erase the memory of her only makes it more unforgettable.

He only felt his eyes sore, and his body ran forward uncontrollably to hug the half-witch lady who he had been unwilling to touch before.

Until this moment, he felt as if he and Miss Half-Witch were in a different dimension, unable to touch her, and he really couldn't continue to deceive himself.

"Haha."

The half-witch lady suddenly smiled and looked at the Governor's clumsy attempt to hug the ghost, and couldn't help but laugh at his silliness.

Of course, there was some relief in this smile.

"You're finally willing to hug me."

She said with tears in her eyes.

"..."

The demon governor stared in amazement at the strange yet familiar face of the half-witch lady.

She might be the face he would never forget, the trace of a smile that made him feel guilty.

She might be the famine and the beasts, or she might be his daily cycle of entering heaven and hell.

Maybe it is the mirror in his dreams, the smile reflected in the stream.

Her eyes are so straightforward and sincere.

When she cries, it's unbearable to even look at her.

His heart fluttered as he approached her.

"If you can feel my feelings, please promise me that you will let me go in your heart and let me leave in peace, okay?"

The half-witch lady looked at the Governor and asked him one last question.

"..."

The Governor wanted to speak, but he couldn't.

Now I am far away on the other side of the voice that will never return.

I hope time can go back and everything can be saved.

"Well, I have to leave anyway."

The half-witch lady shook her head, having already made a decision in her mind.

"No, I will never forget you, unless you continue to curse me, then I will forget everything. I am willing to repeat such an adventure again, and I will accompany you willingly."

The demon governor stretched out his hand to grab her, but missed again.

"What's the difference between this and a dream? Don't stay in the dream, it's fake."

She asked, saying.

When the sadness seemed to be at its peak, the music slowly became calmer.

The melody becomes soothing and gentle, like a ray of sunshine penetrating the haze and illuminating the soul.

The farewell melody emerges faintly and interweaves with the main theme, symbolizing the coming of hope and salvation to the world.

The swaying and changing notes are like a candlelight in the darkness, reflecting the faint light in the heart.

The moment the evening bell rang, her figure was illuminated by the strong light, and the pure white color seemed to be welcoming her to heaven.

"It seems that all this is still too cruel for you."

There was only a smile on her lips when she looked back.

"I don't want to be away, I just want to be together."

There was no sadness on her face anymore, as if she had returned to the way she was when she first met him, even her expression was full of energy.

"I……"

Lanqi subconsciously wanted to say something, but found that the Governor's lines had ended there.

Hyperion observed Lanci's expression, a girlish giggle emanating from her lips.

"If God can bring us together again one day, no one can separate us..."

However, Hyperion continued to speak.

"Please hold my hand again and stay with me for the rest of my life."

Her figure was gradually no longer covered by the light until it was almost invisible and blended into the darkness of the church at dusk.

"..."

The Governor stood there, his red eyes trembling slightly.

He was attached to the gentle and warm sunshine of spring, which, like her quiet company, sprinkled on him and made him forget the sorrows of the past.

It wasn't until the sunset burned out that I seemed to see it.

Her blurry silhouette in the forest of fallen flowers.

(End of this chapter)