Agnes and Riel's Music Drama (2)
“How on earth did you get these tickets, Count Yulian?!”
Chloe shouted as she examined the ticket I held out.
“How? Saintess Agnes and the bard Riel are my parents. Is it strange that I get to see the premiere of a music drama about their youth?”
“Even so, this music drama is a bit different. It's not a sacred play praising Saintess Agnes. It's a regular music drama focusing on the human sides of Bard Riel and Agnes. That's why the theater troupe was probably wary of you... or rather, uncomfortable with you.”
“Hmph. Maybe.”
I immediately understood what Chloe meant.
The professors and cadets of Hesos Hall, the main hall of the Arts Order, were priests who dedicated their lives to art.
And their god Hesos despised art that stagnated in outdated forms, stuck in one place.
Breaking free from old cultural styles and attempting innovative art—Hesos recognized such activities as the highest proof of faith.
That's why Riel, who completely overturned the capital's mainstream music and theater styles, is revered by artists.
Of course, even under Hesos's broad judgment of art, Yulian's artistic world seemed to fall outside the bounds.
In that sense, this music drama was a bold challenge for the troupe, fraught with great risk.
Riel aside, the lead role was played by Saintess Agnes.
The great saintess worshipped as Jedin's apostle by the Empire and Margrave Wilhelm of Essemont.
Most plays or artworks featuring Agnes emphasized her sacred image as a saintess—religious art.
But this music drama from the Hesos Order had become a hot topic for honestly portraying Agnes not as a saintess, but as a human.
Especially since it's the uncensored premiere. It might contain content that would make Margrave Wilhelm freak out.
It was a well-known fact that Margrave Wilhelm hated his son-in-law Riel.
Some mysterious bastard got his precious only daughter pregnant, then vanished without taking responsibility.
Now he adored his grandson, the result of it all, but back then, his rage had spread throughout the capital. He'd even put a massive bounty on Riel's head.
So the troupe would want to keep security tight for this premiere.
No good comes from openly revealing that content.
And the problematic part was only the premiere.
Once the premiere dedicated to Hesos was done, the main performances would use censored content—no issues.
It wouldn't greatly defy the Central Order or Margrave Wilhelm.
Chloe continued about that very premiere.
“And you're Margrave Wilhelm's heir and their biological son. Even if you're their son—no, especially because you're their son—the troupe wouldn't want to show you the premiere. How did you manage it?”
Chloe was right.
If their biological son saw the premiere and felt uncomfortable, he might report it to Margrave Wilhelm. A headache for the troupe.
“You're right. I heard they limited tickets to a tiny circle of insiders to prevent leaks.”
“You already knew. So, did you bribe someone in the troupe?”
“Why would I go to that trouble?”
My response implied: That's the kind of shady thing you would do, not me.
As expected, Chloe's face twisted. She quickly hid it behind her fan.
“Th-then how?”
“Look at the back of the ticket.”
I flipped it over, revealing neat handwriting:
To my dear friend of the arts, Count Yulian.
We sincerely invite you to the premiere of this drama dedicated to the great Hesos and your esteemed parents.
“To my dear friend of the arts...? From someone in the troupe directly?”
Chloe's eyes filled with bewilderment. Cecilia subtly flipped over the ticket Chloe had first shown.
Unlike mine, Chloe's had no such personalized thank-you note.
Her face crumpled again upon confirming it.
“The Aiterne Merchant Group poured so much money into the Hesos troupe...”
“Hmph. Artists are complicated folk. Trying to buy their loyalty with money alone is a mistake. You need a true appreciator who peers into their artistic world, a friend. That's how you earn their trust. Common sense.”
“So you've built a rapport with the troupe? We're the official sponsors, but their director and everyone are notoriously prickly. How?”
Chloe looked incredulous at my words. Of course, my bluster was just plausible nonsense.
Not my doing. The original owner of this body did it.
Scoundrel Yulian's first year was a mess, but things were different in Hesos Hall.
As Chloe said, artists have unique personalities. Surprisingly, Yulian meshed well with Hesos cadets and professors.
That's why he got along with Instructor Mithers.
Not close friendships like with Rozette, but still.
Yulian was Riel's biological son—the one they worshipped as Hesos's apostle. In Hesos Hall, he received proper noble respect.
No one complained even when he built that huge atelier there.
And he spent a fortune on the Arts Order, too.
Treated as a noble artist, Yulian poured money into Hesos Hall.
Trait: Artist with Aesthetic Eye (B)
You gain the aesthetic eye of an ordinary artist.
Details: Deeper understanding of art through proper patronage activities.
His proficiency rose to that level. Eirin's regular expense reports showed massive spending on Hesos Hall.
They even viewed this music drama, planned since last year, positively.
Thanks to the original owner's rare good deed, I got this valuable ticket.
Grade: Rare+
Details: Ticket to the music drama of Saintess Agnes and Bard Riel's romance. Special ticket with the troupe's heartfelt thanks.
Notes: Non-saleable / Exchange for limited premiere pamphlet at start.
This ticket was a Rare+ item.
As the system showed. But Chloe's was just Rare—no plus. Mine was superior.
Especially the note: Only my ticket exchanges for the pamphlet.
A key item from a Rare+ leading to another. The pamphlet wouldn't be ordinary—maybe an Epic acknowledged in Demon King Slayer, linked to Riel's Final Score.
Business at the workshop was done.
Cecilia had pushed Chloe's ticket aside, clutching mine tightly.
“Thank you... Count...”
Chloe glared jealously at the delighted Cecilia.
***
Since classes resumed, I'd been too busy to savor campus romance.
But from this week, other cadets busied too. Midterms were two weeks away.
“You idiots! Swinging like that, you couldn't scratch a monster, let alone a beast! Dive at your opponent fiercer! Treat them as beasts—swing with killing intent!”
Instructor Darren's bellow echoed. Combat Order now. Today's training: survival sparring.
Sparring with mana injection strictly limited. Survive by toppling foes with mana sense and brief mana blades.
“What the hell happened...”
After prolonged survival sparring, four survivors: me, Lucia, Fabian, Rip. Top fighters of the Combat Order. But Lucia's evaluation stood out.
“When did Lucia Mei get that strong? She was perennial bottom in first year.”
“Dunno. Saw a pink afterimage flash... then I was down.”
“Speed blitz? But I didn't even see her move...”
Rip gathered cadets' chatter around Roia Hall's arena.
“We know Count Yulian's surged since classes. But he's Reinhardt. Anyone know Lucia's Mei barony?”
A southern cadet replied.
“Resort-famous barony. Not martial. If she was that good, southern rumors would've spread—Duke Pedro or Centriac would've scouted her.”
“Everyone thought Lucia Mei was just pretty. Hiding that skill...”
“Her glare was scary, though. Especially killing any guy within 2m.”
“Fabian tried flirting once, got wrecked, backed off.”
“Brighten that face and she'd be prettier... that pink vibe's oddly captivating.”
“True, but old news. Swordplay that sharp? Now 3m radius is danger zone. Spikes ruin even beauty.”
While eavesdropping, the final four faced off. My opponent: Fabian. Lucia's: Rip.
“Margrave Yulian! This Fabian's loyalty burns, but I won't yield easily! Special training for today—won't be easy!”
His “special training”: underground arena fighter.
I'd crushed “George” alias before. Hit the same weakness, out instantly.
“Urk... New swordsmanship... Lion Heart Sword's advanced! Impressive!”
Same intensity as arena. But he wouldn't peg me as dim George.
Southern golden sun's flattery instinct beat sword pain.
Only Lucia left. She beat Rip.
I faced her, swords drawn. Overhearing made her expression intriguing.
Even pinker.
Usually glaring scarily at male cadets, with me she bashfully lowered her head.
Like a sweet southern country girl. Lucia recalled our intense sex days ago.
Her ferocity from thrashing Rip gone, I downed her easier than Fabian.
“Final winner: Yulian von Reinhardt!”
Instructor Darren's shout stirred murmurs.
“Count Yulian took first!!”
“He's really Combat Order's rep now...”
I calmly sheathed my imperial sword.
1st Place in Roia Order Secured.
Proceed to Roia's Trial Quest promptly.
The system reactivated the Roia Trial alert.
***
Days of busy routine passed.
Days later, alone in the atelier while Eirin was out, I pondered.
No opponents left in Combat Order. Alert's up. Start Roia's Trial before midterms.
Roia's Laurel from reserve platoon eval lets access Pantheon's hidden temple.
Special limited item from 1st place—use before one-month expiry next week.
Upgraded grade means tougher trial.
Roia's Trial: Brutal quest causing most Demon King Slayer players game over. No joke.
Complete 4th tier fully first to boost success.
Means more aggressive fluid contact with Cecilia.
Tougher trial, better rewards. Farmable items carry to nest raids.
I strategized carefully. Then read Eirin's left report.
Pantheon prof/instructor personnel changes. Academic rule revisions.
Cardinal Grius hadn't forgotten the emperor's birthday humiliation.
He objected to my unprecedented access to all lectures/trainings.
No intention of letting him interfere.
Must cycle all orders for Jedin's divine power.
Reading intently, Eirin returned.
“Young master. Brought Cecilia as requested.”
I paused. Afternoon: Teria's Lovers premiere.
I warmly greeted Cecilia entering the atelier.