Don't confiscate my citizenship

Chapter 876 Lanci and Hyperion’s opera rehearsal

Mid-January.

Icerite Opera House.

Located near the Yala Moat in the north of the city-state and the south bank of the River Port Bridge, as a multi-functional performing arts center in the capital of King Hutton, the Icerite Opera House is one of the most famous and iconic buildings in the southern continent.

Designed by craftsman Gela a hundred years ago, it includes a series of starry night ribbon roof structures shaped like the sails of a sailboat, sitting on a huge blue granite base, as if setting sail in the starry sky.

Today is a workday afternoon.

The Brilda Theater Company rehearses here.

"This half-demon lady, why are you sitting in my room?"

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

The scene is arranged like a room in a noble mansion. The light of the chandelier hanging from the ceiling illuminates the entire bedroom. The dark red velvet sofa and chairs are placed next to the fireplace. The firewood is crackling in the fire, even if the audience does not need to see it. The snow curtain outside the window will also make you feel that this is a warm mansion that has been missing for a long time in winter.

"Because I am your fiancée."

The half-witch aristocratic lady sat on a retro sheepskin chair. The curtains behind her were drawn down, and the light from the window could vaguely seep into the room through the fine crimson gauze curtains.

She looked like she was here to collect debts, and she also had a reasonable upbringing, and she spoke softly to the demon governor.

"How can you stop pestering me?"

The Demon Governor raised his hand to cover his forehead helplessly. He had knocked on the door earlier and wanted the housekeeper to come and invite this young lady back. Unfortunately, even the housekeeper could not invite this young lady back, so he could only bite the bullet and talk to him here. She talks.

“…”

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

But asking her to give up now doesn't mean just nodding her head.

Obviously they were once so close, but now he has forgotten himself as if he has lost his memory.

Finally, she stood up compromisingly and looked at the Governor.

"I hope you can solve the mystery of who cursed you so that you will always forget me."

The copper floor lamp was beside her and she said,

"At that time, even if you still can't remember me, I will convince the family not to let you worry about this engagement anymore."

The lampshade is painted with fairies symbolizing good luck. They chase each other and seem to move with the light and shadow on the two people.

The show continues on stage.

The audience inside the auditorium was sparse. Antanas and Sinora reached into the popcorn bucket and watched the rehearsal while whispering to each other.

"They both acted really well."

"It's not like a farce at all."

Both Antanas and Sinora came with Hyperion.

"Do you have any hidden meaning, saying that someone's acting is not good and it looks like a farce..."

The Ice Witch muttered from the side.

She also had a day off today, and she happened to come to watch the rehearsal, or watch it in advance, so that she could be more calm during the date and not be surprised by the plot of the day's performance.

“…”

Pranai was cleaning his glasses. He got a pair of glasses after returning to Icerita and took the glasses cloth with him.

Pranay, who serves as historical advisor to the troupe, is also here today.

But he was sitting very calmly today.

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

In addition to the big demon that the four of them had watched the release of when they last stayed in Nistro City in the Creain Empire, there was another big demon present today.

Their friend Togliado is now working behind the scenes as a coolie musician.

As an employee of the theater troupe, he also came to Icerite for the first time in a long time, where he wanted to come but did not dare to come.

Abigail has not forgiven Dimension Bishop for the 20,000 pounds, and this time he is not allowed to run around during the performance and lose his chain, so he can only conduct the string orchestra honestly and play the piano according to the situation.

"Togliado knows better how to score music, and can even perform some improvisations according to special situations."

Antanas commented as he listened to the background music of each scene.

In fact, in the demon world, Yabo's music style will be more unrestrained and even abstract and funny, but if he calms down and writes the opera score for himself, he can also play soulful music.

"Seeing how quiet he is, I feel a little strange."

Sinora tilted her head, covering her mouth and said.

"When the creditor is strong, the son is the one who owes money. You see, when Tata mentions the debt, Ranchi will also give up his unruly attitude."

Antanas told the truth.

"Although Yabo is usually unreliable, he does have a talent for opera performances."

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

Pranay, who has been working in the troupe during this period, knows that director Abigail will tie Toliado to the theater no matter what, so as not to happen again like the last time when the critical moment of the show was about to start but he could not be found. human condition.

"The veteran crew of the Dimension Branch is like this when it comes to intelligence work."

The Ice Witch agreed.

The dimensional branch itself is a crew. It has to sneak into any place from time to time and act as an employee of any unit. Back in the demon world, this was how General Awa's subordinates sneaked into the human country to perform tasks.

"Have you all read the original work of "Jihad Romance"? Should I make up the original work and read it again?"

Antanas asked the three big demons around him.

Five of them, the great demons, came today to watch this rehearsal that was not open to the public.

The princess sisters went to the Golden Bee Playground again. According to Ifatiya'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 work, but Sinora, Pranay, and Artis should have read it.

"Actually, it doesn't matter whether you have read the original work or not. There must be some adaptations in Abigail's performance version. This is also the reason why the last performance of the Cinderella story was accepted by the audience. The audience expected from the beginning that it would be similar to the original work. Of course, it was different, but luckily Lan Qi took care of it that time and didn’t let the deviation be so big that it was discovered by the audience.”

The Ice Witch said, and gave Antanas a brief introduction to the relationship between the Half-Witch Arc and the Gray Princess Arc.

The story takes place during the Holy War in the Protos Empire.

First of all, some historical background should be mentioned.

The Half-Witch Chapter is set a few years after the timeline of the Cinderella Chapter. The Holy War has already begun, but the historical figures of the Protos Empire, Franklin the Great, and the Great Sage of the Empire, Isis, have not yet risen to power. It is far from forming the current pattern of the northern continent.

Before the start of the Holy War, the Protos Empire and the Demon Realm had established diplomatic relations. Since the Demon Realm was extremely developed but Protos was relatively backward, the Demon Race would have a very high status in the Protos Empire at that time. For example, in the Cinderella Chapter, go to the Protos Empire. The male protagonist is the demon governor.

Due to the beginning of the Holy War, the human countries and the demon world in the northern continent have become enemies. The governor cannot continue to stay in the human country. He knows that bringing the gray girl back to the demon world will be a dead end for her, and his family and the demon king will not allow it. At this juncture, he married a human woman. In order to protect Gray Girl, he decided to agree to the family's deal and return to the demon world. He also left Gray Girl enough treasure to revitalize the family. He made an agreement with Gray Girl that if the war could end, He will come back.

"This story strictly refers to the background of the times. Because the ancient Protos Empire learned a lot of knowledge about the demon world and was controlled and built by the demon clan after its defeat many years later, many demon clans remained in the realm. Its legacy can be seen in the construction of the later imperial capital Herom.”

Pranay is also on the road to Antanaskope.

Although they are all possible characters in the history of the Northern Continent, Antanas had been staying in the demon world at that time and had no detailed understanding of the culture of human society, so he did not carefully study the metaphors of the Cinderella story for the subsequent plot.

Looking back at history from the present, the Protoss can neither forgive the demons nor separate their traces, as if they are entangled forever.

When the story of "Holy War Romance" begins, the war has not yet broken out, and the demons and the Protoss are still on good terms.

It’s just that if humans and demons in that era accidentally fell in love, what awaited them in the future would be destined to be a rugged road full of wind, snow and thorns. Although the Cinderella story has a happy tone, the era buried at the beginning of the story The background foreshadowing has already destined them to have a difficult ending.

What follows is the story of the male protagonist, the Demon Governor, returning to the Demon World.

Since the governor himself has a high-status half-witch fiancée, his famous family not only hopes that he can fulfill the engagement as soon as possible to eliminate the sensitive suspicion that he is close to humans, but also to obtain the protection of the other family.

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

"The half-witch thinks the Governor has forgotten her."

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

"The governor insisted that he had no memory of the half-witch. He had no memory of the two of them in the demon world."

Her finger moved towards Lan Qi, who was acting opposite Hyperion.

"So the half-witch in the original work suggested that the Governor solve the mystery. She suspected that the Governor had been cursed by the demons, so he kept forgetting her in order to destroy the marriage between their two families. As long as the Governor could find the curser , regardless of whether the Governor will remember her or not, and whether he will marry her or not, she will promise not to bother him 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 experienced dangerous life and death tests until they found the mastermind and defeated him.

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

Even though there was no past memory of her left in his mind, he still couldn't erase the feeling of loving her from his heart.

"So this opening is not much different from the original?"

Antanas asked the Ice Witch in a low voice.

"It's like this. Abigail's adaptation just omits a lot of 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 scene."

The Ice Witch nodded.

On the stage at this moment, the demon governor has already made an agreement with the butler and is preparing to take the half-witch on a journey, and it will soon change to a new scene.

"Stop."

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

Abigail made a pause gesture to signal the actors on the stage to stop. Today she was wearing a black off-the-shoulder evening gown. The well-cut fabric fit her slim figure. She always wore a black gemstone necklace. .

Whenever she was working in the theater, Abigail would dress smartly and maintain her appearance.

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

There should be no mistakes in their performance, and it is also the state in which they perform most wholeheartedly.

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

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

Abigail did not mean to blame and gave a sermon to the two leading actors.

“How can we improve?”

Hyperion humbly asked for advice.

She felt that it wasn't Lan Qi's problem, but her problem.

“…”

Abigail was silent for a while.

She was also thinking about the reason.

After watching Ranchi's and Hyperion's performances, Abigail couldn't help but compare Ranchi's and Tata's performances. Abigail clearly felt that Lanchi's performance was all an accident, and she got it unexpectedly.

After thinking about it, Abigail began to wonder if she, who had always had strict requirements, had gone too far to like Ranchi and Tata's outrageous performances.

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

Although Tata has acting talent, the reason why Abigail chose Hyperion instead of Tata is that Tata has a low lower limit and a high upper limit. Her success is unreplicable, and Hyperion has the qualities While reaching the upper limit, it can also perform stably.

Plus Abigail never wants to have a stage accident again.

"I understand, it's not your problem, it's the script and my arrangement."

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

From the Cinderella story to the Half-Witch story, the Half-Witch story also maintains the comic tone of finding joy in the suffering of that era, but the Half-Witch is a sentimental character and no longer needs to be as comic as Cinderella.

Just like the same piece of music with different arrangements, the audience will have completely different feelings.

"ah?"

Hyperion originally thought she would be sharply criticized by Abigail, but she did not expect that Abigail found another problem after reviewing the case.

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

Abigail said decisively.

The current arrangement cannot bring out Hyperion's emotional talent of melancholy and joy.

etc.

Gray Princess didn’t start out as a funny character either.

Abigail thought for a long time and found that Tata's appeal was still too strong.

"Then what's next...?"

Lan Qi asked Abigail tentatively.

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

"You guys take a break for half an hour and let me prepare for a while, and then I'll tell you how to rehearse."

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

…

The half-hour waiting time may be considered a long time for the few media and industry professionals who came to watch the rehearsal today.

Of course, for several big demons, it was almost all short-lived.

The biggest characteristic of their demon clan is their patience.

Until Antanas leaned out again, picked up a bag of potato chips from the seat on the side, opened it and distributed it to several big demons, Abigail returned to the performance hall again.

"Okay, everyone should have rested."

Abigail walked onto the stage, and Lan Qi, Hyperian and a group of actors were explaining the new script. However, she unexpectedly didn't mean to waste any more time. She actually wanted them to start the performance immediately.

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

As if a bad memory had been recalled, Lan Qi looked at the simple script in his hand and asked her.

Abigail only gave him and Hyperion the lines for the first scene, and these were not scripts but simple lines. They only knew their own lines, but did not know the development of the plot or the lines of the opponent actors. They even only gave them They watched for a while before they were ready to start the show.

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

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

Abigail told them both.

Knowing only one's own lines, but not the lines of other actors, in early operas was mainly to keep the script secret. The script was an important property of the troupe. To prevent the leakage of the script, the playwright might only give the actors their respective lines, and Not a complete script.

This prevents competitors from stealing the script.

Of course, this is also a rehearsal method. In ancient times, the rehearsal time was very short. The actors may rehearse around the director, usually the screenwriter, and follow his instructions, rather than relying entirely on the complete script.

The actors are familiar with the fixed performance routines, plus their own lines, so they can prepare for the performance in a short time.

Also this form allows for full improvisation, and some places in the script may only have a rough outline, requiring actors to improvise and fill in the details.

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

"The final reason is that there will be illiterate actors. At that time, some actors were not well educated and could not read a few words. They could not understand the complete script."

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

In short, considering the historical background at that time, there is a precedent for directors not giving actors a complete script. It is not that she is making things difficult for the actors.

"But Abigail, in the first act of the new script you gave us, you didn't even write a synopsis in some parts, and only wrote half a line. So how should we dialogue?"

Hyperion asked Abigail, pointing to the clozes on the notebook.

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

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

What Abigail pursues is to enable the two of them to perform works that exceed the upper limit.

"Anyway, on the stage next, you have to act like a real demon governor and half-witch lady. Don't be afraid of challenges."

Tata and Ranchi's performance gave her a good idea.

Sharpening your skills in battle can sometimes greatly stimulate your potential, especially for talented players.

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

"Will the plot change significantly in the future?"

Hyperion asked Abigail, she wanted to know for sure.

Abigail didn’t even give them the second act, the third act, and the rest of the script.

This means they barely know the new plot and can only see it instantly on a teleprompter.

In order to prevent the protagonist from forgetting his words again, Abigail specially developed a new tool magic card, which allows the actors to see text like shadow world task prompts in their own field of vision in real time.

As for the plot, I'm afraid the two of them can only watch it while acting, and at the same time they have to improvise.

"The changes in the first few scenes are mainly in details and foreshadowing, but the final scene is completely different...so you will be familiar with many scenes from 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 re-adapted by me, and it will not be the same as the original work you have seen before, so you can forget about the original plot of the Half-Witch Chapter that you have played before, and fully immerse yourself in my new story. It’s in the script.”

"Wait a minute, adaptation is not random editing, drama is not nonsense..."

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

But before he finished speaking, he was silenced by Abigail's gaze and sat back honestly.

"Anyway, what I heard from the director is definitely correct. The guy playing the piano doesn't understand "Jihad Romance" at all."

Abigail was convinced she had found the problem.

The more joyful and adventurous tone didn't suit Ranchi and Hyperion.

She was still led astray by Tata, so much so that when adapting the Half-Witch chapter, she subconsciously considered the effect of the Cinderella story when it was released.

However, after this revision, she believes that the script has been completely created for the two actors Lanci and Hyperion, and they will definitely be able to fully display their respective characteristics as actors.

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

Abigail decided to give the two of them a little pressure, otherwise it would be difficult to stimulate their potential. Of course, she would not really do this, and the pressure would not be on Xiubao.

"Well."

Hyperion is not very competitive.

But she saw that Lan Qi beside her was already sweating on his forehead.

He seemed extremely afraid of another drama with Tata.

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

Hyperion assured Abigail and also said to Ranch.

In order for Lan Qi to avoid suffering, she will do her best to meet Abigail's requirements.

"In that case, I'll work hard."

Lanci turned over the script and felt that Hyperion was beside him, and his mood slowly calmed down. He couldn't help but be glad that this was a rehearsal at the Icerite Opera House, rather than a performance that was directly dragged onto the stage.

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

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

"I will work hard too!"

Hyperion clenched her fists and spoke with all her strength.

In the distant auditorium.

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

Antanas put potato chips in his mouth, making a crisp sound when chewing them, and spoke indistinctly.

Tata is not here. She seems to have bought too many snacks today, and they can't finish them all.

"It feels more interesting than a real release, watching the two of them improvise."

Shinola and the other big demons could use detection magic to hear what the people on the other side of the stage were talking about even though they were far apart.

The last performance performed by the legendary actress Talia was pure freedom, and the effect was extraordinary.

"It's opening."

The Ice Witch reminded softly.

She was very concerned about Hyperion's performance. Seeing her perform so well, as a parent, she felt as if her daughter had grown up. She was very happy to sit in the audience and just enjoy it.

The light on the stage changed and the rehearsal performance started again.

The scene is still the dark gray demon-style mansion bedroom in the aristocratic mansion from the beginning. The dark red velvet sofa and chairs are placed next to the fireplace, with firewood and sparks crackling in the stove.

"This half-demon lady, why are you sitting in my room?"

The Demon Governor asked the beautiful figure on the retro sheepskin chair with a slightly cold and displeased tone.

"Because I am your fiancée."

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

She seemed to have been in this room many times before, and she didn't feel any awkwardness as a visitor.

"How can you stop pestering me?"

The Demon Governor covered his forehead and turned around to knock on the door, wanting to call the housekeeper and ask the Demon lady to go back.

"Master, did you call me?"

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

"Yes, can you help me invite this half-demon lady home?"

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 young governor again, staring into the governor's eyes.

"I can't help you, Master."

The steward regretfully bowed to the governor and replied, with a trace of concern, sadness and helplessness in his eyes.

"never mind."

The governor shook his head. The butler's caring look, as if looking at a fool, told him that there was nothing the butler could do. It was impossible to invite the young lady, so he could only let the butler go out.

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

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

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

"It's normal in winter."

The Demon Governor just held the door panel and said this. He didn't think there was any problem at all.

"Okay, then I'll resign."

The butler leaned back.

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

“…”

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

She didn't seem to want to embarrass him so much.

Finally she stood up compromisingly and looked at the Governor.

"I hope you can solve the mystery of who cursed you so that you will always forget me."

The copper floor lamp was beside her and she said,

"At that time, even if you still can't remember me, I will convince the family not to let you worry about this engagement anymore."

The little ghosts of the demonic purgatory are painted on the lampshade. They chase each other and seem to move in response to the lonely light and shadow on the wall.

…

In the audience.

Antanas and Sinola leaned back leisurely on their chairs and ate snacks, watching the performance on the stage intently.

"Any changes?"

Antanas hasn't read the original work, so he can't see many changes. "It really hasn't changed. It seems that only some details have changed. The performances of Ranchi and Hyperion have also not changed."

Sinora is also looking for differences.

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

For example, the previous opening of The Butler did not have so many lines.

"It's okay Antanas, even if we have read the original work, we don't know how the subsequent plot will play out, so you can watch it and understand it."

Sinora gives a sermon to Antanas.

"Since Abigail has modified the plot tailor-made for them, it means that Abigail believes that they can perform well."

The two chatted quietly and admired it quietly.

After more than ten minutes, the first act ended.

The scene changed. The demon governor had already made an agreement with the butler and took the half-witch on a journey to the demon academy, where the half-witch insisted that she had shared memories with the governor.

The corridors of the Demon Academy look classic and gorgeous, dimly lit and filled with the aroma of ancient trees. They have been arranged to give a hazy sense of magic in the depths of time. The end of the road in the distance seems to be forever swallowed by darkness, only the unfathomable mystery.

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

Even though the sight of this demon academy would make the human audience feel slightly spooky, Ranchi and Hyperion on the stage still looked calm, as if they were demons themselves and did not feel any danger in this school.

"You said, this place can bring back memories for me?"

The governor asked the half-witch doubtfully.

He only agreed to the half-witch so that she would not disturb her anymore. Until now, he had not believed the half-witch's statement that "someone cursed him so he lost his memory of her."

He firmly believed that he didn't know the half-witch at all. How could he have been a classmate with her here, or even fall in love with her?

The ground paved with dark marble was painted with golden patterns. The two of them stood on a carpet with patterns of demonic flowers, in front of a door.

The surrounding walls are full of weird portraits and mirrors, as if looking at the students on the road.

"right."

The half-witch nodded firmly and proudly.

"But there are no photos of us left here, so how can you prove that we were in this music classroom together."

The Governor asked the half-witch as he stared at the large classroom with the door number "Music".

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

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

When the projection of the classroom is displayed on the stage, the internal scene also floods into the audience's eyes. Compared with the lecture theater, this place is more like a spacious theater.

The gorgeously decorated lights, red velvet seats, and the solemn stage are like the reflection of the Icerite Opera House.

At the same moment, the air became extremely oppressive and almost solidified. The temperature in the corridor suddenly dropped due to the Yin Qi, and the scene with closed sound echoed with mournful wails like weeping blood.

Countless illusory figures appeared as if they had traveled from another dimension. Their figures overlapped and it was impossible to distinguish individual figures. Like the choir, the echoing sound made the half-witch couldn't help but cover her ears.

"Do you know that I once caused this?"

The Demon Governor looked at the classroom that sounded like hell. He didn't care about the half-witch at all. He didn't feel uncomfortable or afraid.

When these ghosts saw him, they felt scared and did not dare to invade him.

"Yes, I was still there at the time, so they would be afraid of me when they saw me."

The half-witch took a step towards the classroom. When the ghost saw her, he immediately began to back away, maintaining a fear equal to that of the Governor.

“…”

The demon governor frowned.

He seemed to have discovered the problem.

In his memory, he was the one demon who caused the disaster in the music classroom. Since then, the classroom has been closed, but judging from the reaction of the demon ghost inside, this half-witch also seems to be an accomplice.

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

The half-witch lady said.

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

"Okay, then I 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 your memory. I will continue to investigate with you until we find conclusive evidence. evidence."

The Governor said to the half-witch.

"If we walk the road we have traveled together again, you will see more traces we left behind."

The half-witch smiled.

They explore the past in the demon school.

The scene gradually came to the next scene.

…

A cold wind blew on the stage.

This is not the biting cold of winter, but the freshness and coldness of breathing as if on the top of a mountain.

The scene is in a desolate and dilapidated old castle.

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

In the projection, a majestic pipe organ nearly several stories high occupies the entire back wall. Some of the pipes are upright, some are curved, some are golden and some are woody and elegant. They are arranged in different shapes and levels, exuding indescribable magic. A sense of sacred solemnity.

The dome made of stained glass, the lights turned on by the Governor seemed like a starry river hanging from the ceiling, illuminating the magnificent dark stone walls and floors.

The most conspicuous position in the center of the hall occupies an atmospheric and spacious long table. The silver candlesticks have been extinguished for an unknown period of time. The dining chairs carved from brown oak on both sides of the long table are in order, which cannot hide the fact that they were drunk and drinking many years ago. A luxurious fragrance for a change.

"What's here?"

The Governor put his hands in his coat pockets, looking here aimlessly with mist floating in the corner of his mouth.

He remembered this place, but could not recall any memory of the witch.

At this point, he no longer wondered why the witch knew that he had been to this ancient castle.

She knew so much that it was as if she had actually known herself.

"Do you feel the curse in this castle? You can feel discomfort as soon as you walk in."

the half-witch lady asked the governor.

This place is obviously far more dangerous than the devil school, but she is not afraid at all. This is entirely because the governor is by her side, or because they have been here before and have overcome any dangers and hardships, so she is not afraid of any possibility. The coming threat.

"This is indeed a cursed castle. Why is its curse so familiar..."

The governor put his hand on the table and felt,

"Is there really a curse on me, and I just fell under this spell unknowingly?"

he said to himself.

Perhaps this kind of curse was too familiar and not so harmful, so he had never been able to detect it. It was not until he sensed other curses that he discovered that he might have the same type of curse on his body.

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

The half-witch grinned, holding her hands behind her back, bending slightly and smiling.

"Feel sorry…"

The demon governor's troubled eyes were lowered.

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

"It doesn't matter. If you still can't remember me, I won't pester 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 would be able to think of her, or if he really couldn't remember her, whether he would be able to fulfill his engagement and marry her.

At this moment, he only felt guilty in his heart.

"Okay, it's a matter of mutual consent. Don't make it look like who owes someone. Why don't you think carefully about the clues to unlock the curse? Only in this way can you think of me, right?"

The half-witch approached and raised her hand to caress the demon governor's cheek, but stopped when she was about to touch it and took it back.

Their relationship is no longer what it used to be, and she doesn't want the demon governor to feel disconnected or troubled.

"The curse should be broken. There is no curse that can last for such a long time unless it is constantly affected by the environment or is continuously cast."

The Governor nodded and murmured.

"so?"

the half-witch asked him.

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

The demon governor replied firmly.

They searched for clues among the castles on the cliff and were ready to return.

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

It's been a long journey.

It's like a review of their lives.

Or a proof.

Proving that even if he forgets her several times, he will fall in love with her again.

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

…

In the audience, Antanas and several great demons watched with rapt attention, their frowning expressions all immersed in the moving performances of Lan Qi and Hyperion.

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

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

Sinola, 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 prince, the culprit who cursed them.

But in the new plot revised by Abigail, they still couldn't solve the puzzle. Not only could they not find the spell caster, it was as if the spell caster didn't exist at all. Instead, they imagined a demonic world. conspiracy.

Now on the stage, they wandered into this dusk church in an attitude of giving up.

It is also the last place where the half-witch and the demon governor share common memories.

The entire stage was quite dark, with only the spotlight illuminating the two people. The flickering halo filled the stone pillars with the dim 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 no longer look like two actors rehearsing a play, Ranchi and Hyperion, but have become a governor and a half-witch who are truly exploring secrets.

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

Antanas might be relieved if she knew that there were many more plots to come, but Sinola suddenly told her that this was the final scene, and she felt a little caught off guard.

It wasn't until I looked at the time that I realized that almost two hours had passed since the rehearsal.

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

The Ice Witch was still looking at the stage intently, as if she hadn't heard the whispers of Sinola and Antanas at all.

Pranay, on the other hand, sighed.

Pranay seems to have understood the foreshadowing of the plot.

Just like on the stage, Ranchi and Hyperion looked at the next lines that only they could see, and they should soon find the truth.

"general…"

Antanas wanted to ask Pranay, but stopped his voice.

She knew that Pranay would not give any spoilers to her casually, and she should finish the opera by herself after watching it for so long.

Stage in church at dusk.

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

The heroes and heroines of the opera are at the end of the church.

"Why…"

The demon youth seemed confused and didn't know why he couldn't find the answer.

“I think I’ve probably figured it out along the way.”

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

She had a slight smile on her face.

"What do you understand?"

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

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

There was no trace of reluctance or loss in his amber pupils, only relief and a little sadness about saying goodbye to him.

He didn't know why, but he felt fear when he saw the girl's eyes at this moment. It was obvious that they were just companions who had only known each other for a few days. Could it be that he had completely trusted each other subconsciously along the way?

"Think carefully, think carefully, think carefully, and you will definitely be able to figure it out."

Her voice grew softer, reminding the Governor of the crumbs of memory they'd found along the way.

The melody played on the piano on the stage is melodious and gentle, and the notes flow through the heart like teardrops, echoing the joys and sorrows of the times in the opera. The left hand is sometimes steady and powerful, sometimes as soft as a catkin, as if to hint at the uncertainty of fate.

“…”

Governor Jing opened his eyes and looked at her with a sense of loss.

It was as if he couldn't figure it out, or was unwilling to figure it out, and selectively ignored many doubtful points.

Scenes of the past that happened during the journey flashed through his mind, causing cracks to appear in the chain that locked the valve of truth until it suddenly broke.

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 room of Demon Academy.

Ghosts do not know they are dead unless someone else tells them, or a hint makes them aware.

“…”

The governor's eyes were filled with tears and he looked at the half-witch in shock.

The melody begins to be rapid and intense, wave after wave, seeming to tell the characters' inner emotions and unspeakable pain.

At the same time, a thick sound is played in the bass area, and dramatic violin chords are added from time to time, giving people a sense of depression about the coming rain. The music directly and sincerely reveals the cruelty of the war years, the impermanence of life, love and hate. entanglements.

The Governor's thoughts were many.

In the room, the housekeeper didn't seem to see the half-witch. He just stared in the direction of the chair. There was no interaction with the half-witch.

Wherever she is, there is always a chill.

The demon that cursed him always seemed to be placing a curse on him by his side.

turn out to be.

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

"Actually, it's me who is subconsciously cursing you..."

The half-witch seemed to be remembering the past.

It turns out she is dead.

Perhaps before she died, her biggest wish was to make the Governor forget about her, stop being sad, and stop being obsessed with her. This wish accidentally turned into an obsession and a curse, and she accidentally turned into a ghost without knowing it. She stayed with the governor foolishly, hoping that one day he would fulfill his engagement with her.

"No, no, don't think too much. Come back with me first. Tomorrow we will continue to find out who cursed me. It must be a powerful person from some family who wants to prevent our marriage."

The Demon Governor spoke in a rare panic and pretended to be calm.

“…”

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

Her smile was a little doting, but also a little sad and helpless.

"My original intention is for you to put me down."

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

"What did you say…"

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

"Just think about it, 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 talking, please! I don't want to recall memories of you."

The Governor is like a child lying in bed, wishing he could indulge in it for a second longer.

"call…"

The half-witch lady lowered her eyes helplessly and smiled. She did not expect that her beloved, who she once thought was omnipotent, would choose to cheat like this.

But she remained patient.

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

The bell of dusk is about to ring.

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

The half-witch leaned close to the Governor. Even if she couldn't be hugged by him at the moment, she wanted to get closer, like cuddling against him.

"I wanted to tell you what I saved. I wrote many letters to you in my room, but I couldn't send them to you."

The half-witch lady started talking to herself.

Since the Governor was unwilling to speak again, she could only 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 was speechless, and it was more likely that he did not dare to interrupt the words that might be missed.

It was time to give up, but he didn't want to.

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

He only felt that his eyes were sore, and his body was out of control as he ran forward and hugged the half-witch lady who had previously been unwilling to touch her.

Until this moment, he felt like he was in a different space with the half-witch lady and couldn't touch her. He really couldn't continue to lie to himself.

"Ha ha."

The half-witch lady suddenly smiled. Seeing the Governor clumsily trying to hug the ghost, she couldn't help but laugh at his stupidity.

Of course, there is a bit of joy in this smile.

"You are finally willing to hug me."

She said with tears overflowing from the corners of her eyes.

“…”

The Demon Governor stared blankly at the strange yet familiar face of the half-witch lady.

She may be the face he will never forget, the trace of the happy face that makes him feel guilty.

She may be the famine and wild beasts, or he may be the reincarnation of heaven and **** he enters every day.

Maybe it was the mirror in his sleep, the smile reflected in the trickle.

Her eyes are so straightforward and sincere.

It’s unbearable to look at twice when you cry.

His heart fluttered as he came closer to her.

"If you can feel my feelings, please promise me to let me go in your heart and let me leave peacefully, 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 we are far away on the other side of the sound that will never return.

I hope we can turn back time and hope everything can be undone.

"Well, it's time for me to leave anyway."

The half-witch lady shook her head, already making a decision in her heart.

"No, I will never forget you. Unless you continue to curse me, 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 catch her, but missed her again.

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

she asked, saying.

When the melancholy seems overwhelming, the music slowly calms down.

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

The farewell melody faintly emerges, intertwined with the main melody, symbolizing the arrival of hope and salvation in the world.

The swaying and changeable notes are like a candlelight in the darkness, reflecting the glimmer of light in the heart.

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

"It seems 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 apart, I just want to be together."

There was no sadness anymore, just like when she first met him, even her expression was full of vitality.

"I…"

Lan Qi subconsciously wanted to say something, but found that the Governor's line had ended.

Hyperion observed Lan Qi's expression, and a girlish chuckle floated from the corner of her mouth.

"If one day God can bring us together again, no one shall tear us apart..."

However, Hyperion continued to speak,

"When the time comes, please hold my hand again and stay with me for the rest of my life."

Her figure was slowly no longer shrouded in light, until she was almost invisible, melting into the darkness of the church at dusk.

“…”

The Governor stood there, his red eyes trembling.

He was nostalgic for the warm sunshine of spring, which fell on him just like her quiet company, making him forget the sorrow of the past.

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

Her blurry back in the forest of fallen flowers.

(End of chapter)