On the stage of Graywhite Territory, Kiss was passionately performing.
Though he was putting in a lot of effort, it was actually quite easy for Kiss to act; wasn’t it just a natural performance with a bit of exaggeration?
Having always enjoyed opera, Kiss quickly immersed himself in the role of the moneylender.
Meanwhile, the old actor playing the old whitehead was clinging to Kiss’s leg, pleading desperately, asking Kiss to extend the repayment period a bit more, assuring that he would repay the compound interest.
But Kiss forcibly pressed down the old actor’s hand on the contract of the old whitehead’s daughter, marking his thumbprint, and thus the young daughter played by Greya became Kiss’s slave.
That’s right, this play was adapted from “The White Witch,” with Lind changing a few details to make the story more suitable for this era.
The pestilence-inducing moneylender resembled the Demon Clan of the Royal Capital, and the exploitation of the common people had shadows of the Nobles. Most of those in the audience had experienced roles similar to that of the moneylender.
The young daughter portrayed by Greya, alongside her father old whitehead, reflected countless people’s struggles.
As the plot progressed into the latter half, Greya, with her white hair and body covered in sores, could only hide in a cave, while the other side, Kiss, was indulging in revelry; even with soldiers helping to maintain order, the audience below still erupted with intense shouts.
“Beat him!”
“Take revenge for old whitehead!”
“Let’s review him quickly!”
Kiss, still performing on stage, shuddered at the angry shouts from below, but he maintained the basic decorum of an actor, even performing more energetically.
His lewd gaze and depraved smile made the audience restless, wishing they could tear Kiss apart right then and there.
Soldiers formed a human wall to block the furious audience.
Though the tragedy was even more deeply impactful, Lind still preferred a happy ending, so there wasn’t much alteration at the conclusion; in the end, the young daughter’s childhood friend joined the resistance and defeated the moneylender, who accepted the trial, allowing the young daughter to have a perfect ending.
After the performance ended, Kiss quickly removed the makeup from his face backstage. Like other actors, it was just a simple touch-up, and it was estimated that Kiss wouldn’t even make it out of the backstage before getting blocked.
“Miss Greya, it’s truly an honor! I really admire your opera!”
Although they had collaborated a few times before, this was Kiss’s first time mustering the courage to speak to Greya.
“Thank you, you have great talent. As long as you work hard, you’ll soon catch up to the professionals.”
Greya nodded, acknowledging Kiss, and it wasn’t mere flattery; Kiss was indeed better suited to be an opera actor than a city-defending general.
After chatting a bit, Greya even offered guidance on Kiss’s singing style and pronunciation.
Having conversed with his idol, Kiss put on his hat and scarf, feeling satisfied as he left the backstage with the crew.
There was no way around it; the response to this play was so enthusiastic that, like other actors playing villains, it would be risky to leave separately to avoid being hit by rotten eggs from the irrational audience.
Mixed in with the staff, Kiss watched the crowds gathering around the theater, reflecting that Graywhite Territory didn’t seem to look like it was at war at all.
Compared to other territories where fighting would mean the area was practically devoid of men, Graywhite Territory not only remained crowded but even the Lord Governor still had the leisure to compose operas.
At this moment, a staff member escorting Kiss said suddenly, “By the way, the next performance will still be this play, but it won’t be in Graywhite Territory.”
“Oh, is it going to Shige County? Or somewhere else?”
Kiss felt a bit excited; was this considered a tour? Or would he be performing with the legendary Greya?
“No, it will be in Black Iron City; it has already stabilized completely.”
The staff member, unaware of Kiss’s true identity, spoke candidly.
“Ah?”
“What’s wrong? Do you have acquaintances there that make it inconvenient to go? No worries; trust my makeup skills; see, no one recognizes you here, right?”
After saying that, the staff member gave Kiss a thumbs up.
“No, there’s nothing inconvenient; it’s just that I came from Black Iron City, which makes me a bit sentimental.”
“Oh, I see. Well, I will need your help again during the performance; we are not very familiar with Black Iron City.”
The staff member smiled and left, but Kiss couldn’t share the same joy. It wasn’t because he was worried about being recognized by the nobles still in Black Iron City; it was rather that he seemed to have some notion of what the Lord Governor was planning.
Now, this so-called “Cultural Troupe” was practically non-profit, with tickets being completely free, hence the audience would mostly consist of ordinary people.
What would happen after the commoners watched this play? What would the Nobles think after viewing it?
Kiss shuddered; no wonder this “Cultural Troupe” was affiliated with the military.
Life in Graythorn Territory during prayer day was quite rich; after the Cultural Troupe’s performance, there was immediately a ceremony attended by the Lord Governor and the Governor’s Wife.
It was said to be the inaugural ceremony for the magic-powered train; after eating something simple, Kiss arrived at the ceremony venue.
The Governor’s Wife was affectionately entwined with the Lord Governor’s arm, and the Lord Governor appeared very casual; there was no sense of solemnity around the two. If it were before, perhaps some nobles would quietly criticize them as borderland wild monkeys, completely unaware of decorum. But now, praises flowed about how the Lord Governor and Governor’s Wife were approachable.
What was once scorned by these nobles was now meticulously examined.
No one dared to call Lena a shame to the nobles anymore; rather, they praised her for being free-spirited and unconventional, like a refreshing breeze or gentle flowing water. Even sitting with Lind at the doorway, gnawing on duck legs, was praised for being grand and free-spirited, embodying what a true noble should be.
Especially those nobles from Black Iron City who, upon hearing this, began to mimic the couple squatting at the entrance eating roast duck.
Kiss was no exception; originally, he would fuss over every detail at the balls, even regulating the stockings of the young girls—now, he no longer cared so much about etiquette and rules.
Eventually, this trend grew more intense, showing signs of a collapse of decorum and music, prompting Lind to issue notices to prevent the nobles from going overboard.
Kiss, meticulously observing the Lord Governor’s every move, didn’t notice the massive object obscured by a curtain behind the Lord Governor.
New wonders constantly emerged in Graythorn Territory; Kiss’s mindset had gradually shifted from initial shock to numbness.
When Lind’s “let’s keep it short” truly was just keeping it brief, Kiss finally noticed the gigantic curtain and the iron tracks extending beneath it.
Kiss wasn’t really an ignorant noble; he recognized the tracks, typically found in mining areas where people or horses would pull mine carts on them.
When utilized, it was generally by people, as they were the cheapest labor.
He heard that this so-called train was designed by the Governor’s Wife, so it should be some kind of particularly labor-saving mining cart.
After all, the Governor’s Wife had designed quite a few mechanical devices since her initial water wheel; the pulleys at the dock were based on her designs.
Thinking of the various mechanical devices in Graythorn Territory, Kiss reflected on how the gap between the western Northern Border and other places was indeed widening, to the point that he sometimes doubted he was in another world.
Reality only reinforced such doubts, including even the stunning Obelisk of Graythorn Territory, which Kiss could accept as a unique Mage Tower. But the moment the curtain was pulled down, this monster that surpassed Kiss’s understanding cemented his belief—Graythorn Territory and other places were indeed not of the same world anymore.
