Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 374

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 141.
May Your Final Performance
Be Your Greatest (19)
Joshua nodded thoughtfully.
“That’s the most plausible argument yet. But here’s the thing about the wealthy and nobility—as I mentioned, with a thousand Elsors they could buy a carpet or an armchair, but they could also attend a performance. That thousand Elsors, whether it’s their daily allowance or not, will be spent somewhere. My plan begins with the determination to make that money flow to my Performance Hall. Let me walk you through this logic.”
Joshua didn’t smile, but his expression had lightened. He picked up a sheet of paper he’d used for script notes and began folding it into creases as he continued speaking.
“So, there’s a certain nobleman living near Kalayso. He’s wealthy, certainly wealthy enough to have already bought all the carpets and furnishings he could want, and while he has plenty of time, he finds few things truly entertaining. It may not be a firm decision, but if someone were to show him something amusing, he’d be quite willing to pay substantial coin. Then, an invitation arrives at his door.”
Joshua held up the paper he’d folded into a paper airplane and made a sweeping gesture through the air, as if sending it flying.
“When he opens that invitation, inside is a pamphlet—a guide—with an illustration fine enough to hang in one’s home, accompanied by lavish prose introducing the world’s most magnificent performance.”
Joshua unfolded the paper airplane. To everyone’s astonishment, the blank paper now bore text describing the performance. People gasped and exchanged glances in surprise.
Though they didn’t immediately notice that the handwriting was somewhat old-fashioned—decidedly not Joshua’s own script.
“He’d be intrigued. So he examines the envelope further and finds an admission ticket. Pleasantly, it reads ‘complimentary.’ But it also notes that regular seating for this performance costs a thousand Elsors. However, it states that this particular nobleman—being refined, possessing excellent taste in the arts, and gracing the occasion with his mere presence—is specially invited as our guest of honor, free of charge.”
By this point, the skeptical expressions on people’s faces had shifted to something peculiar, and they began stealing glances at one another. The story seemed to be heading in a direction that actually made sense.
“Moreover, the invitation explains that this performance runs for only two nights, the reason being the schedule of the finest actor from Hyacan. In short, it feels like an extraordinarily special event, and if he doesn’t attend tonight, he’ll have to make the inconvenient journey to Hyacan later. This nobleman would very likely rouse himself from his comfortable chair and decide to visit the Theater. Don’t you think so?”
People nodded with uncertain smiles, or shrugged while glancing at one another. Joshua continued.
“And so he attends the first performance. And well, there’s hardly need to explain—with the finest staff gathered here and an exceptional actor like myself combining our efforts, he’ll be swept away by an emotion he’s never experienced in his entire life.”
A few people finally couldn’t help themselves and began to chuckle. They weren’t laughing because they thought it was absurd. The atmosphere was shifting, loosening.
“He remembers that there’s a second performance. Of course, it’s also the final one. He’ll want to see it again himself, and he’ll want to show it to his family and friends. Moreover, having introduced such a magnificent performance, he can boast of his refined taste and generosity to them—a splendid opportunity indeed. A thousand Elsors, you said? As I mentioned at the start, he’s wealthy enough to spend a thousand Elsors as his daily allowance. Would that price be a problem for him, or wouldn’t it?”
A charming smile, honed through years of practice, bloomed across Joshua’s face. People stared downward at the floor or upward at the ceiling, their expressions vacant. They had been convinced. By a preposterous story that, at first, they hadn’t taken seriously even as a joke.
“There are countless ways to earn over a hundred thousand Elsors. It’s absurd to mention, but if he bought tickets for the second performance in advance and later resold them to the crowds at inflated prices, posing as a scalper, that would be quite lucrative income.”
People burst into laughter, and some even began to applaud. The situation had resolved itself. Even Etern finally felt relief. Several people expressed enthusiasm about preparing an all-night final rehearsal.
But one person alone still couldn’t suppress their anger, forcing it down with visible effort.
Around three in the morning, Bin Olfranje was the last to leave the Theater. He waited until the carriages of those who’d departed earlier had scattered in different directions. He didn’t want anyone to see his expression. Once the streets had emptied, he crossed an intersection to make his way across. Until someone tapped his shoulder.
“Bin Olfranje.”
He turned to see a man in a black bowler hat. A stranger calling his name startled him, but upon reflection, it was obvious this was one of his many creditors. Who else would be waiting for him in the dead of night? From the neighborhood vegetable merchant to the landlord owed months of rent, there was a line of people demanding payment from him.
“Ah, I… I don’t know who you are, but if it’s a matter of money, I can arrange it before the month is out.”
But when the man didn’t respond, Bin grew puzzled and asked.
“Who are you?”
“I’m someone who will bring you fortune.”
The man’s voice was low, as if rising from beneath the earth. Bin suddenly felt afraid. There was no one around to witness them. Darkness surrounded them on all sides.
“I don’t want to hear such vague talk. I’m leaving.”
“Don’t be afraid. It’s because you’re so fearful that such a young producer treats you with such contempt.”
Blood rushed to his face. Bin couldn’t contain himself and jerked his head up, glaring at the man’s face.
“Who are you? What gives you the right to speak of other people’s affairs so freely? You seem to be from the Theater—don’t meddle. You’d do better to mind your own business.”
“No. I’m simply someone who dislikes that young producer as much as you do. I intend to make him fail in this performance. To teach that arrogant boy what failure means. And I hope he experiences the sorrow of having no money.”
A low laugh escaped at the end of his words, but Bin’s fear suddenly vanished, and he furrowed his brow, studying the man. His words had struck something in Bin’s heart—a feeling he’d unknowingly harbored since moments before about the performance he was creating, which should rightfully be blessed with success.
“So?”
“Won’t you speak with me for a moment?”
Bin hesitated briefly, but only briefly. Shortly after, the two of them changed direction and began walking down a different street.
The Wedding of Il de Morbiane
Setting: North of Orlanne, the fictional island of Ile de Morbihan
Act One.
Scene 1
As the curtain rises, the stage is dark and nothing is visible. A song drifts from the left side of the stage.
Irene: (singing)
Beauty does not endure,
Happiness does not endure,
The wine at the party runs dry.
(With a sharp pop, a spotlight ignites, illuminating a cradle overflowing with gifts and flowers in the left corner.)
When I was born, the Family Clan’s first daughter,
They say they celebrated through the night in joy,
But who could have known that six more
Would be born after me?
(The spotlight extinguishes, then reappears at the center of the stage, searching about uncertainly. At last it finds Irene, standing alone in the middle.)
At seven years old, when I embroidered chair covers,
Everyone praised my composure,
But who could have foreseen I’d be called
The poker-wielding miss?
(Irene produces a poker she’d hidden behind her skirts and brandishes it menacingly. At once, the sound of people fleeing fills the air.)
Beauty does not endure,
Happiness does not endure,
The wine at the party runs dry.
(The fleeing footsteps return, creeping cautiously back, and soon the entire stage blazes with light. Six younger siblings surround Irene. Behind them looms a dilapidated castle, scattered with ramshackle carts and farm implements.)
Irene and her siblings: (singing)
Ile de Morbihan lies at the edge of the northern Border,
A rocky, treacherous island, they say,
But who could have known that silver would bloom like kindling
In this small land?
Ile de Morbihan is a blessed place, they said,
The Continent envied us,
But who could have foreseen the day the vault beneath the earth
Would run empty?
Beauty does not endure,
Happiness does not endure,
The silver in the earth runs dry.
(Rudy, the third child, suddenly produces a silver goblet from his pocket, and the other siblings scramble to snatch it away. At last, Irene seizes the goblet and shoves it into her pocket.)
Irene: (brandishing the poker) Silence! Have you forgotten who you are? What would our late Father say if he could see this?
Rudy: I think Father would have told us to sell that silver goblet and buy the latest fashionable fur vest from the Continent.
Richard: I think he would have bought a pedigree hunting hound.
Anton: I think he would have purchased a fifty-year-old vintage wine.
Irene: Quiet! Show some respect for the deceased. If you keep acting so shamefully, the guests who’ve come all this way will leave.
Rudy: Guests?
Richard: What’s this about all of a sudden?
Irene: That’s how it is. Since that’s how it is, everyone should prepare accordingly. Not today. They’re set to arrive ten days from now. There will be a party that evening.
Rudy: Does our Family Clan still have money left to throw a party?
Irene: You know those silver goblets of yours?
(Rudy attempts to snatch the goblet back from Irene but fails.)
Rudy: At least tell me why we’re even having a party!
Irene: Well, you see… for the first time in decades, our Family Clan is finally going to have a wedding.
Rudy: What?! Surely you don’t mean you, Elder Sister?
(Irene taps the floor with the poker. Rudy flinches but continues to snicker mischievously.)
Irene: There’s an order to these things, isn’t there? I’ve come of age, I’ve received my title, and though I’m admittedly difficult and have a terrible temperament, I’m elegant and handsome enough that it roughly works out…
Younger Brothers: You, Elder Brother?
Younger Sisters: You, Elder Brother?
(Everyone steps back, feigning great shock. Richard, the fourth child, suddenly rushes forward, waving his hand.)
Richard: Wait, but who are you marrying?
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Publisher: 14 Months Publishing
The copyright to this book belongs to the author and 14 Months Publishing.
To reuse all or part of the contents of this book, written consent from both parties is required.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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