Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Surprisingly Fun Play
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The play was surprisingly fun. More than that, it was informative.
It made me bite my lips often, but there was a ton of new information I learned from it.
The original story focused mainly on the romance, so while it showed what the villains did before blackening, it didn't properly depict their relationships, so I had no idea. They weren't even friends in the original...
Who would've thought they had this kind of symbiotic relationship!
“Even if I disappear right now, this world won't perish. My friends will take over the things I've been maintaining with magic. But it'll be tough for everyone.”
I had jokingly called it a group project—referring to the Seasonal Encouragement Speech—but those words were literally true.
For example, if Mayches went on strike, the others would have to fill in for the defenses and research he'd been handling with his power.
Daluh would have to divert blessings meant for other uses to heal people, and Calipan would have to overextend himself reallocating military forces.
If Bamper vanished, Ilenaias's prosperity would waver, and if Yan disappeared, Baltan Catric—the guild centered around him—would scatter, shaking the transportation and communication networks that depended on it.
What if Calipan, who single-handedly guarded the two most dangerous monster frontier zones out of the thirteen—zones two, three, and four—was gone?
They'd have to pool their strength from all sides to cover the gaping hole in the defensive line.
If Jayhan didn't foresee disasters and accidents in advance, they'd need dedicated research staff just for prevention, and if something did happen, the others would have to run around cleaning up the mess...
In short, these six were the ones shouldering Ilenaias's era of peace and prosperity.
No wonder people were so confused and despairing when they all blackened together!
It was the peril of relying on a handful of exceptional individuals for every major affair.
“Everyone, stay healthy...”
I tossed out a brief impression of the play.
Mental health too... I'll do my best to help... “...”
But Mayches and the others looked deeply displeased after the play, like something was really bothering them. Probably because their mental health had taken a huge hit. Calipan let out a low “Mm...” and said to me, “It's easier if you don't let other people's misunderstandings get to you too much.”
“Huh?”
“We know exactly what you are to Mayches-hyung.”
Ah, got it! Their displeasure wasn't just about their own characters being misrepresented. They must've been fixated the whole time on the “Lady Aiel Rudelriz” part that came up midway through the play. Surprisingly, in [Six Lights], even I—a side character one, no, like side character number 43—made an appearance. But it wasn't a human figure. It was just a bulging white blanket lump on a bed that servant actors dragged out. Whenever it appeared, a pre-recorded voice would flow out.
The epitome of a whiny human shackle shamelessly manipulating Mayches.
It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't traumatizing enough to linger either.
Maybe because it was so far from reality, it had zero impact...
In reality, Mayches would check my condition before I even opened my mouth, and the Rudelriz household would cheer and clap like I'd won a prize just for finishing a bowl of soup.
“Stop working and stay by my side?”
Mayches had done his work in my room at first.
But he kept chatting with me, going “How can I work when Aiel's right here, heh,” so Grenji had him confined to the study.
So yeah, the public's take on my character was something I could just laugh off.
What really pissed me off was the “Dear brother” bit! Are you kidding me?
Sure, my siblings and I were close, but we weren't the type to say crap like that. If we did, Mayches and I would break out in hives.
Anyway, I wasn't hurt at all by the human shackle misunderstanding.
More than that, I was just grateful to Mayches and his friends for sticking it out till the end of [Six Lights] despite their faces screaming they wanted to bolt.
I turned my wheelchair around to face Mayches and the others.
“The play was really fun! My brother with those dazed eyes kissing the glass... even if it was a replica, seeing a famous piece made by Yan's own hand... and Daluh's sacred awakening scene too...”
“We were the ones trying to comfort you...”
Daluh cut me off in that world-weary tone.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
“And seeing me whining to my brother on top of that. I really enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching the play with me.”
Daluh blinked. His golden eyes fixed on me for a moment.
He slowly turned back to the front and said,
“Yeah. It does have that side that makes you feel childish and laugh.”
Whoa, really? He must've actually liked the play.
“That's what you get for trying to deceive people.”
Mayches smirked as he shook the Puppy Grass.
Bamper's refined face wore a rare expression of sorrow.
We'd returned to the Rudelriz mansion.
Staying out too long would strain my body, and they still had “official duties” to perform.
“What happened?”
Daluh whispered to Bamper. It was a whisper, but everyone heard it. Just talking into someone's ear doesn't make it private...
“My magic blocked my spirits' voices.”
“How'd you know?”
Yan asked Mayches with a dejected look.
Mayches glanced at me sprawled on the bed scribbling on paper, and at Doria sitting beside me, meticulously cutting bread into small pieces.
Doria kept stealing glances at Mayches and his friends, letting out inscrutable “Ehem, eh-hehm~” noises. Her job satisfaction was sky-high today as always.
“I know all the games Aiel orders. The Puppy Tickler was heavier than the recorded weight. Means you rigged it, and given the game, high chance it was for Bamper.”
I gaped at this bombshell I'd never heard before.
“Really? How?”
Doria's hand twitched.
“Ho ho, miss, you have to chew thoroughly...!”
I chewed the bread as instructed and thought it over.
Does that mean Mayches will figure out the game I'm planning now too?
No way—this was a special game to stop Bamper's blackening!
...Or so I reflexively thought, but actually, it was a game they'd all end up playing together anyway, Bamper included. No real need to keep it secret.
I really... had gotten so paranoid about hiding my foreknowledge that I nearly made everything else secretive too.
I picked up another piece of bread Doria had cut unevenly in her fluster and popped it in my mouth.
Daluh turned his chair to face me as he sat down.
“Aiel. There's one way to turn this around. Just tell Mayches, ‘Dear brother, you do the Seasonal Encouragement Speech.’”
Whispering into an ear doesn't make it a whisper, and words from the mouth aren't always words.
I shot Daluh a horrified look.
I couldn't forgive that. Did he not know we'd get hives if siblings said stuff like that?
Meanwhile, Mayches was going, “Uh...?” At least Daluh's half-assed whisper had gotten through to one person.
I hurriedly informed Mayches of this outrageous news.
“No, he told you to call me ‘dear brother’!”
“...”
The Puppy Grass Mayches dropped fluttered lightly onto the table. Mayches stared with eyes bulging, face like he'd been struck by emotion.
Wait, does this guy actually like it?
“Now!”
Seizing the moment the villain let his guard down, his friends shouted at Bamper in unison, like unleashing a finishing move.
Bamper, with the face of a prince who had overcome trials, stabbed the Puppy Grass right in.
“Mayches, your turn now.”
They were total thugs! An ambush while his mental game's shaken!
But Mayches, who got hit with a blatant cheat right in front of his eyes, didn't care.
He turned to Doria, who was cutting bread, and grated out,
“Record... it...”
Doria beamed with excitement as she held up the recording device.
“Got it!”
“You can look forward to... that bonus...”
Mayches, looking utterly dazed, stabbed in the Puppy Grass.
Moon!
The puppy went boing and popped up.