Meow~ "My Lady, why did you not take the bird's offer? It is a beyonder creature."
The black cat Falacy curiously asked, walking in tow beside Selina.
Selina smiled and said, "If it's doing well on its own long before it met us, that means it'll be fine. Being a beyonder just means being more intelligent for the little guy, which will aid it greatly in its survival."
Then, she slowed down. Her eyes widened as she realized, "Do you think after it dies, its corpse will corrupt a person? Or turn into a monster?"
Meow~ "You're overthinking, My Lady. If it were a demigod, a saint, then perhaps both cases would happen, but it wouldn't have survived the experimentation and would mutate in the facility it came from. The best conclusion we have is that it is around Low-Sequences, like you, who will be easily dealt with by the officials if it ever caused trouble," answered Falacy truthfully.
"Then it's fine," Selina whispered before nodding. "My only desire was to digest the Beast Tamer potion. I was already doing that at a steady, fast pace because I have you!"
Falacy closed its eyes and opened them as it walked.
"I'm very glad you placed me on such a high pedestal, My Lady." Meow~
Shortly after. Selina took a carriage ride and intently sought Sheryland Street southwest of Böklund Street. It was where Yesir confessed that the Maiden's White Theater was built.
Initially, it was said that the theater was to be built near Empress Borough. However, since considering how conspicuous it is and would be highly prone to scrutiny from the officials, they scoured an alternative that still satisfied the laundry attempt. Hence, came North Borough.
It was not long before the carriage stumbled upon an open venue, adorned with a single fountain. Then, after this lonesome fountain with few benches around its edges—a monument of a house exceeding five stories tall- overlooked the whole plaza with its high steeples.
The house boasts a baroque facade, detailing a fine exterior of white brick walls and towering tinted glass that makes up the entrance. In the entrance, a wide marquee that had a signage that says "Grand Opening!" with candle lamps around it, invites a spectacular dense crowd of people under its canopy.
Selina alighted with the black cat Falacy in tow and was immediately stunned by the architectural work.
Yesir and Piolo did this? She was in disbelief. How? I didn't even think they could withdraw such a large sum!
The Northbank, with its tether to the Church of Storms, could be considered to have the strictest surveillance among the banks there are on the North Continent. Selina's capability to access her wealth and make certain changes under her name would guarantee failure to bypass scrutiny.
Selina is certain even her opened bank account would not have a room for privacy. Hence, to protect her believers, she advised them to chip the balance only and, as long as they refrain from resetting its life expectancy, no one will bat an eye.
However, that introduces an issue: the account is on a timer. In the past, both her original bank and this separate account were leashed into Selina's routine, being a Nighthawk and originally alive. Now, it is on a rope for the duration of its subscription.
This is a ledger she signed to keep it maintained even if she died. A token for both the Moretti family and her followers. Even after she's gone.
Meow~ "My Lady, your allies built that?" Even Falacy could hardly squeeze out its words.
Selina could understand her feline companion's worry. Of course, who wouldn't feel foreboding when your mistress is secretly with a powerful group you haven't seen throughout the time you stayed with her?
"As much as I would like to deny, yes, Yesir and Piolo are likely responsible for this," deadpanned Selina.
Seeing the entrance packed with crowds. It felt disheartening to even approach her followers. After all, she's much weaker compared to some of them, and they didn't even tell her how the procedure was done.
"Alright, let's go. They better have a concrete story to tell, or else I'll strip them of their wealth." With that said, Selina strode through the plaza with Falacy.
After walking past the fountain, she arrived at the marquee. The candle chandelier bathes the area in light, able to disperse the fog that was setting in.
"Oh, how exciting!" exclaimed a woman adorned in locks and jewelry around her neck and wrist.
"Indeed," another man chimed. "To finally have an entertainment that respects spectacles and the art of performance. It does raise high anticipation."
"Tsk, if only I had enough funds, I also would've built a theater this big first!"
"I wonder how the performances will be!"
Selina blended right into the eager crowds. She kept an eye on Falacy, who was still with her despite the forest of heels and leather shoes.
"Alright! Settle down!"
A man with a chubby frame, a distinct aquiline nose, and recessed sideburns walked up to the crowd from the main foyer.
From just his introduction, the vestibule could be seen dazzling with golden light, stepping past the low-ceilinged outer lobby at the entrance.
The chubby, dignified, and formally dressed man walked not beyond the ribbon line. After halting, he placed both his hands on the flare of his coat and announced with a smile.
"Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen! My name is Piolo Kingo! Son of Duke Kingo Cer Markeline and Kingo Serry!"
T-That guy is a son of a Duke!? Selina gasped, squeezing herself into the crowd and preventing anyone from peeking at her face.
No wonder!
"Here to announce the opening of Maiden's White Theater House!
"For anyone interested, why would anyone build a theater, or what came to me to think of such a project? Well, mundanity can come off as our enemy; excitement is what blends our life with vibrancy!
"We face the grueling or drastic changes in our era! The extremities of constantly moving would leave one entirely exhausted, and unending exhaustion leaves us burning out!
"We have to unwind, to live life! A theater is one of the attractions we crave but do not have the time to scour for! We need a stable and entirely available theater house!"
A loud applause erupted and roared from the public.
Meow~ "That chubby fellow that seems like he's about to rip his shirt is your ally? Piolo?" Falacy lifted its head to Selina.
Yes, sigh... Selina nodded as if keeping to herself.
"How pleasant for the Kingo household. Their son actually made something monumental." A woman with a shrill voice remarked.
"I always thought he's a strung goose with superstition habit," a voice of a man muttered to himself sarcastically.
"I guess he's good for something after all."
"The Kingo family is saved somewhat," laughed a man in a condescending tone.
Saved? What does that mean? Selina wasn't far from the man who remarked something about Piolo's family.
This made her wonder for a bit before her attention was grabbed by the announcement.
"I wasn't alone on this idea, however. I was impressed by multiple investors who wanted to make this a reality!
"Please, give a round of applause to Sir Mandel Theo, who is the owner of Caulisean Worth Marketplace, Mrs. Wanna Del Resque, who is the mistress of a Steelworks and Leather mades companies, Senior Hannas Pabel...
Piolo listed the names of the shareholders and investors before finally arriving at his partner last.
"This is Yesir Burming! My co-founder! My best friend, a tycoon from Balam! The one who inspired me and helped me in this project!"
Right after that introduction. Among the investors and shareholders that all gathered—a young man with a clean, albeit slightly repressed eyelids, walked out of the tinted glass doors.
He was clad in a three-piece suit; his hair was auspiciously groomed and was trimmed with fades on the sides.
The man, Yesir, looked nothing like he did when he was first seen in the dreamworld amid the thin fog.
You two... really made the best out of the funds I gave for the organization... A corner of her mouth twitched as Selina was smiling genially. She presumed clapping.
"It is an honor, friend Piolo," said Yesir with a confident smile.
Many more speeches were given by Piolo as per accounts of the shareholders and in standards of project openings.
As the event came to an end, with Piolo, Yesir, and the prominent people around them all gathered up to finally cut the ribbon in unity, Selina walked away prematurely.
Meow~ "My Lady, where are you going?" asked Falacy, taken aback by its owner's behavior.
"We're not going to approach them in such a conspicuous manner, Falacy. Issues will arise if we do. Let us be thoughtful and find a way to secretly enter and catch either Yesir or Piolo alone." Selina smiled with a faint excitement.
Meow~ "Whatever you wish."
Soon after she swam her way out of the dense crowd, she suddenly noticed a trackless, personal carriage with a branch and nest coat of arms that had stopped by with open doors.
This made her abruptly stop.
Meow? "Why did you stop? Oh." Falacy managed to trace the carriage just as Selina did.
There were many personal carriages with different adornments and styles all parked on the sides of the plaza. This particular one was ready to welcome its owner and drive off from the venue.
The coachman, focused on his mistress walking over, did not notice Selina at the edge of the crowd.
He had a slightly bloated stomach, and he was tense. Indiscernibly tensed.
The lady finally arrived right next to the carriage. She wore a black gown that exposed her back and a long sunhat as dark as the night sky.
This lady suddenly touched the man's arm and caressed it, before nodding and boarding the carriage.
Neigh! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Selina watched as the carriage drove off before musing, "I never would've guessed the Intisian's demeanor to have also bled into the ranks of Loen..."
She failed to properly examine the lady using spirit vision. However, catching the carriage's coat of arms would perhaps suffice if she ever crosses with that mistress again.
"Falacy, do you know that coat of arms?"
Meow~ "That would likely be the coat of arms of the Ballis Family, if I remember correctly." Falacy answered thoughtfully.
"Ballis Family?" Selina echoed in a whisper before asking, "How do you know?"
"Their family holds one of the largest herb plantations on the Feynapotter's plateau. If I recall correctly, in the past, their surname made it into the headlines for finally expanding their reach to Loen. Giving the country a much more stable supply of materials for medicine."
Huh... Selina retracted and looked back in the direction the carriage disappeared. Impressed, she remarked, "Quite a lot of prominent people living in this borough, huh?"
Meow~ "Indeed." Falacy nodded.
After falling into a daze, Selina quickly shook her head and went straight to the alleyway at the theater's edge to search for the back door and a way to talk with her two believers.
...
Minutes had passed since the grand opening of the Maiden's White Theater. However, Piolo was alone at a partition, anxious and pacing back and forth.
The white hall was illuminated by the overhead frosted glass dome fixtures, creating a formal air and picturesque atmosphere. But despite the sterile scene, the chubby man could hardly calm down.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
At that moment, Piolo suddenly heard successive steps coming from the other side.
The noises from the auditorium were roaring, but his attention was fixated on the news the staff was about to bear.
"So? Where is Madelyn Ballis!?" Piolo asked in demand. "Damn it! She said she'll perform! We need that star of the show to sing us a ballad or the whole escalation will be all for nothing!"
"I-I'm sorry!" the male staff member apologized timidly. "We-we could not find her anywhere!"
Piolo gritted his teeth. In frustration, he threw the glass cup in his hand toward the wall away from them.
Bam!
The staff shielded himself feebly from the shards that flew. Luckily, it failed to reach either of them.
"Clean that up!" Piolo pressed his hand to his face and began muttering, "What would they think of me now? M-Mrs... argh! That fund was being wasted!"
At that moment, a man in his thirties walked up from the other side of the hall, dressed nearly in a suit, and found Piolo in a sorry state.
"Piolo Kingo!" He called in a genial and uplifting tone. "My guy! Just the right person I want to talk to this evening."
He walked up to Piolo and asked, "Are the preparations settled? This is going to be the biggest night for the Maiden's White Theater, you know?"
"Yes..." Piolo forced himself to stand upright. He tidied up his collar and flared before facing the man.
"Except that we won't be having a star for the show."
"Whaaat?" The man seemed surprised. "Why? What happened to Madelyn?"
"She disappeared..." Piolo, his chubby face turned away, was deeply annoyed.
The man's expression turned slightly blue as he said, "Man... so what now? Did you tell your partner, Yesir, about this? Sigh, will all the practices and integration of Roselle's famous novels into the plays, it will all just be for naught?"
You... Piolo was fuming. It's you, isn't it?
However, he could not make a scene, at least not in this critical moment. He needs what's best for the operation to move forward.
He could only suppress this and find another way to salvage this evening.
"Haaah... I—
"I can be the star."
At that moment, just as Piolo gave up. A beautiful voice of a woman echoed behind him.
Piolo's words clogged up in his throat, and he quickly turned around.
Both he and the well-dressed man saw a woman in a mocha colored knitted dress, with a sunhat that fit over her head.
She had a pair of captivating eyes, almost surreal. Her lips were full of color, and her strand of hair, rosy-brown, accentuated her slender neck down to her curve.
Piolo and the man fell into a trance before the former quickly shook his head and asked, "Wait, how did you get here? Who are you?"
The woman smiled.
"Irene Holmes, a pleasure to meet you."