Mage? Spell Engineer!

At the beginning of the first act, workers holding wooden boxes and barrels walked back and forth on the stage. Combined with the sea in the set and the ships anchored and reefed, it seemed that they could hear the waves and the singing of seabirds. The audience I learned that this is a story that happened in a fishing port.

Edmund, the adventurer and businessman who returned from the ocean, arrived at his hometown laden with wealth and treasures. He was so proud that the actor held his chest as wide as possible and sang:

"Hometown, I'm back! Your waves are still gentle and the sun is so bright. Look, I brought back the wealth and treasures from overseas. This is my love for you and my promise to you!"

Welcomed by everyone at the dock, the porters unloaded Edmund's cargo while singing: "Dear adventurer Edmund! Your bravery brings wealth to this harbor!"

A fisherman girl appears on the stage. Her hair is tied up, and she looks like she works often. However, the sea breeze and labor did not diminish the girl's beauty at all. She called out someone's name every step she took.

"Edmund, Edmund! You are finally back! Your promise makes me feel at ease, but the rising waves and raging storms scare me so much. No matter whether you are rich or poor, I just want you to stay by my side!"

From the chorus of workers on the docks, the audience learns that the beautiful fisherman girl is the fiancée of the lucky Edmund.

"Catherine, my love! I stay, I stay! The ocean is my passion and dream, and now it has been realized. If there is anything else I long for, it is to embrace you now and forever!"

The two hugged and spun, and the music reached its climax at this moment, and everyone on the stage began to dance, which should be ballet.

No, how can it be like a Bollywood production, dancing whenever there is a disagreement? After all, Rorschach is an old hat from the empire, and he was also music-blind in his previous life.

In fact, the operas of the Holy Kingdom were introduced from the southern states, and at the same time, a large number of ballet dances were added to distinguish them from the place of origin. Charles XIV, King of the Sun, was a fan of theater. Not only did he invest in the construction of this theater, but he also often danced on stage.

The stage dimmed during the singing and dancing, and everyone left the stage with brisk dance steps. A beam of light and a man in luxurious clothes appeared on the stage. The woolen wig told the audience that he was a nobleman here.

Only the top-down lights shone on him, making him look particularly sinister. He waved his heavy golden cane and sang to himself:

"Oh, I own this harbor! But I can never be satisfied, money makes me hungry, that lucky boy makes me jealous!"

Then the priest appeared, a rich old man dressed as a rich old man. There was no special mark on his body to indicate which god he was a loyal servant of, but this was the Holy Kingdom and everything was self-explanatory.

"Father, I confess to the Lord! I seek your advice, Edmund. The darling of the sea has brought riches and made me jealous and salivating. Please show me the way and enlighten me!"

"The light of the Lord will not shine on greedy people! But in order to eliminate this desire and maintain order here, Sir, you need to take action!"

Rorschach did not expect that the priest was not a positive image. He came up with an idea to the nobles, implying that if Edmund's money and goods were smuggled, he could steal them, and the two agreed to split it 50-50.

The first chapter of the opera ends with the laughter of the two villains.

"How dare they!" The priest on Du Plessis' right side smashed his wine glass on the small table, and the chief of the palace guard on his left also looked sullen.

The cardinal called to the waiter: "How long has this play been performed?"

"Today is the seventh day. There will be a performance every other day, my lord."

"That is to say, the first three games are already on public sale. How is the attendance and response?"

"Everything is fine, sir. Money and love, victory over unjust people. This is what the current audience likes to watch." The waiter suddenly realized that he needed to change the wording he used to describe the villain when facing the four people in front of him.

"Thank you for your answer, please go down."

"The palace has been investing money in the theater! Have they forgotten that this is the Royal Theater, and they actually perform plays catering to the lower class in this elegant palace!" The chief guard said angrily.

Du Plessis was not excited: "Screenwriters and self-proclaimed writers always kneel and shake their fists at us. This is also a decoration that the Holy Kingdom and His Majesty need to reflect the generosity and benevolence of the monarch." After speaking, he and the priest We had a few confidential conversations.

"I'm busy with secular affairs. I'll take my leave. Next, I would like to ask the priest to be my representative." The prime minister of the empire propped himself up with his cane and limped out of the box. Even though Necker is now a manipulative figure in the palace, the kingdom still depends on the Cardinal's efforts to maintain it.

In the second act, Mr. Edmund has been imprisoned. In the stone cell, he narrates his tragic experiences after returning to his hometown in an aria.

The singing also attracted the nobleman and his lackadaisical jailers, who continued to beat and kick Edmund after giving orders. The audience was filled with indignation at the torture suffered by the male protagonist. When Edmund insisted on his innocence in the face of a forced confession, everyone cheered and cried for him.

However, the reaction of the distinguished guests in the box was much more complicated.

This plot feels a little familiar but a little different, but don’t let an old man appear. Rorschach thought this way, and an old man with a white beard who seemed very wise at first glance appeared.

Poof. Ahem, Rorschach choked on his drink.

However, what appears on the stage is not the good inmate Rorschach thought he was. The old man with white beard is actually a wandering wise man and wizard. He understands everything. At the same time, he pities Edmund's experience and tries to teach him the magic of escape.

Kano watched the whole process with a very playful expression. Of course he saw the reaction of the chief guard and the priest on the other side of the box, and asked Valan: "Why do you want the theater to perform this play?"

The general manager covered his handkerchief, put down the silk cloth stained with medicinal powder and took a sip of wine. He found that the wine made him feel better: "It was Lord Necker who made the decision, and I have no right to change it. But the role of the mage is up to you." Added based on suggestions."

"Ouch." Is this the chancellor's intention to disgust the bishop and the chief of guards? Kano became even more enthusiastic while watching the show.

The male protagonist is learning how to escape, and the female protagonist is not idle either. She finds her brother, who was born into a fisherman's family but studied hard, and finally became an upright barrister who defends the poor.

After learning about the current situation of her fiancé from the magician, there was another aria from Catherine, but then the singing turned passionate and determined. She and her brother went to collect evidence from nobles and priests to frame Edmund.

The second act ends with a climax.

The intermission lights go up, and it's intermission time. In the private room, the waiter brought four-story desserts and added drinks. We can also provide some simple salty food if guests need it.

The audience in the box and under the stage did not receive such good treatment, but there were still waiters distributing small glasses of lavender sparkling water one by one, and many people took advantage of this time to solve personal hygiene problems.

Rorschach came to the Grand Theater for the first time and looked around with his theater glasses. He looked around the entire theater and marveled at the huge crystal lantern: there were so many broken pieces, they should be able to kill a lot of people if they fell.

Rorschach watched and suddenly saw an unexpected light spot in the box on the right side of the theater.

What is reflective? No, Rorschach looked through the lens attentively, and the light spot turned into a halo - that was the aura of magic. Are there any mages present? Or someone else?

He quickly used [Messaging Technique] to notify Kano next door.