Irene... Holmes?
Piolo ruminated the name until a memory of Yesir's words hit him.
"Mrs. White gave me a revelation of an important person crucial to the recovery and to the rise of our organization! We'll be expecting her today!
"Remember, her name was..."
"Irene Holmes..." Piolo muttered in a daze as he saw the graceful lady maintain her smile.
"Y-You know her?" The man stammered his inquiry. He sized up the woman, and her demeanor quickly came off to him as an aristocrat.
Piolo has a known aristocrat besides their circle?
"So?" The lady, sporting a mocha-shaded sunhat, tilted her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Can I star in this opening night?"
Piolo fell completely silent.
...
Somewhere in Cherwood Borough.
Klein, after settling his belongings at Unit 15 Minsk Street, exhibited odd behavior and went outside his terrace house for a walk.
He pinched his half-top hat and held his cane close. He only brought with him the essentials he needed for a leisure walk, like his name card as a private detective and his wallet.
A puff formed when Klein exhaled; it was cold. The terrible vision on the foggy street made it unbearable to continue, and one should reserve their plans for when morning comes. However, he has something he needs to do—arriving at a restaurant.
The restaurant before him had a similar glass bay window; he could clearly see through the diner tables and counter.
Ding! He walked in, taking his half-top hat off before taking the seat right next to the windows.
It didn't take long for a server to come. The man had curly brown hair and dark pupils; he approached with a stack of notes in his hand and a fountain pen.
Klein was given a table menu. He browsed just for a split second before telling the server, "I'll have these..."
He pointed at multiple meals that were being offered; the number he picked was tantamount to how he felt at the moment.
The server got concerned and asked, "Sir... Are you going to eat all of that? All of it is almost a hundred pounds!"
Klein nodded and still smiled. "I'm hungry. Would you save a hungry man?"
The young man recoiled momentarily; he sized up the customer before taking notes of the meals he had ordered. Throughout this, he had a look of bafflement and surprise.
"A-Alright. That'll be 77 pounds and 13 solis. Do you plan on getting them as takeouts?"
"I'll have them here." Klein simply said in a despondent tone.
The server felt defeated, but that should be none of his business; hence, he diligently listed them and walked out with the table menu that had bank notes clipped in it.
Klein waited, his thoughts unknown. He watched carriages drive by with horse hooves clapping, but he did not make any sound himself.
Almost an hour later, the guests and the staff all started to grow suspicious. Because each time a plate or a tray was served out of the swinging doors, the servers would all end up at one table—the table on the farthest side, close to the window.
Whispers began to erupt; some remarked that the building had a favor on that man and was being biased, some claimed perhaps he was a critic, while others saw an extremely rich person just wanting to dilute some of their money out.
None had thought the man was broke, that the man just wanted a meal, that he just wanted to taste life again.
Klein could feel all gazes toward him. But he paid no attention to any of it. He raised his fork and knife and proceeded to cut a portion of Loavesberry steak to place on his plate.
The tantalizing juice soaked his mouth with smoky flavor; it was both sweet and meaty as it melted like ice cream on the tongue. During that moment, he felt like the restaurant cooks were genuinely convinced he was a critic and thus leveled their skills to impress him.
He heard various mutters and gossip.
"That man is going to eat all of that?"
"Who is he? Why did he order so many?"
"What an eccentric man; are the people of Loen composed of prodigal elites?"
"I bet he wouldn't eat them! Such an imprudent glutton!"
"No, he's a critic! Look, I'll forward this two pounds and claim he'll just taste them and then walk away!"
"He'll eat all of it! Here's my wager. I've watched this play before about this old man who is a bottomless feeder! Trust me, he'll eat all of it!"
Before Klein could realize it, the guests had started compiling their respective wagers.
If this were any normal occasion, he would've criticized and humored the situation. However, he was strictly quiet; even his thoughts were repressed.
Klein was only fixated on one thing—the empty chair across from him.
"Something that brings you such stability against the madness. Deserves to be celebrated."
Selina, I've digested my Clown potion completely again... I'm celebrating it... As those voices left his mind, his hand abruptly stopped.
"Look! Look!" Smack! "Delusional! Dumbass thought this is a play!"
Klein had only eaten barely a quarter of his order. He then sat up, took his cane and half-top hat, and proceeded to turn.
As he walked, the whole restaurant roared.
"Hey! Finish that meal!"
"Don't you dare leave! That's my whole five pounds!"
"Ugh! I'm an airhead! I shouldn't have sided with that guy talking about some play! Plays don't happen in real life!"
"Crucify him!"
The man pointed at the person who had deceived him and thus led to his demise.
Amid all the uproar, a man with a golden watch that was attached to his chest pocket by a chain shut his hand close and merely observed.
Klein left as though he were deaf. He calmly pushed the glass door and leisurely walked the streets.
Making sure that he took a different route home, he lifted his head and gazed at the cloud-laden sky. The coldness still seeped into his coat, but he was finally full.
At some point, he took his pocket watch out and looked to tell the time: 10:13... I can still wrap this up before going back...
As he said, he turned; he reflexively noticed a shadow had darted from a lamppost to an alley. Someone's tailing him.
Klein had specially prepared for situations like this. He made sure to buy a pack of poker cards earlier before taking the metro to Cherwood Borough. There was no single ounce of hesitation in him, for he had divined the dangers of him doing this lavish meal outside. Thanks to his Clown potion being fully digested, he was slightly secured.
Nonetheless, if things went south, he could effectively escape through the fog and clean up his traces as he goes.
Just like the magazines were claiming. The city has such nice days, you can see one in person... Klein lampooned as he recounted the times he read said articles with weariness.
He kept his hands on the cards he had in his pocket, completely prepared for a battle. After all, he specifically chose this route for the numerous alleyways it offers.
Ding!
A metallic object fell from the man after he noticed that he had been spotted.
Klein heard the footsteps fading out, scurrying off frantically. He wanted to check; however, the glint of gold hit his vision from the light of a lamppost, putting him into a pause.
A gold coin?
He cautiously walked over, still maintaining his guard and his Clown premonition against any mishaps.
With the intention of divining the item, Klein took it and prepared another route to return home.
...
"Romeo! Oh, art thou Romeo!"
Inside the dome-encased auditorium. Hundreds of people flocked to the seats, watching with plastered amusement and anticipation; their applause reverberated in the hall.
Beyond the proscenium. The backdrop curtain was held overhead, revealing props and dressed actors in a play. With a performance of impactful expressions, it demanded adoration from the audiences alike.
The current play was part of Roselle's romance novel catalog and was infamous across literature for tragedy and angst—the Romeo and Juliet.
Behind the stage, the hallway was brimming with costumed actors, bringing the characters from the likes of the little red riding, snow white with the dwarves in tow, up to even the undead born from lightning.
Senior really did not waste a second... Selina remarked, torn between being impressed and finding it shameless.
She continued to follow Piolo with the intent of finding the dressing room initially reserved for Madelyn Ballis, to get prepared for the stage.
At this moment, Piolo slowed down for Selina to reach beside him. Then, he whispered, "Are you... 'Her' believer?"
He wanted to check if this particular woman was indeed the person Yesir was referring to. As well as check if she could even truly perform as an opera singer.
Selina smiled, still keeping her sun hat. "Her? Perhaps...
"Seems like whatever I say will not be credible enough to please you. How about I help with the evening's event?" Then, she added:
"It would become an obstacle to 'Her' tasks if both of you fail, right?"
She knows... Piolo jolted, and he sidestepped slightly away from Selina.
He grabbed both flares of his coat, trying to maintain his composure before noticing that there was a black cat tailing them.
"Is that... your pet?" He asked, perplexed but curious.
"Falacy," answered Selina. "And yes, he's with me."
Piolo observed the feline walk with a graceful gait before pulling away and focusing his gaze forward.
As much as he wanted to praise the White Maiden at the moment. He is in dire need of help to bring this night to an auspicious end.
To do that, he needs to ascertain that this newcomer, whom the Goddess brings on a high pedestal, would truly bring the recovery of their organization.
"Sing." Suddenly, Piolo said, enough for Selina to hear.
"I want a sample."
Selina was slightly taken aback. However, her lips curled into a playful grin as she said, "Was my voice not enough?"
It was melodious indeed. One that demands praise if it was used correctly.
For this confidence Selina is radiating, it stems from the fact that the former Selina had been put through a handful of musical-related practices that it was reflexive enough for her to play elegantly on stage. This includes the control of her vocals.
Despite being as bad at singing as Linda, she still favored songs way beyond her tonal reach, but would often end up humming them instead while reading.
Added to the mutation of her reformation. Selina was determined and inspired to try the center stage.
"I only ask for faith from you." She said without allowing Piolo to add anything else.
Seeing that they were now in front of the dresser room. Piolo could not help but sigh as he puffed up his chest and said with solemnity, "Do not be the reason our operation would fail."
Don't worry, I don't plan to... After all, this theater's value is equivalent to my current wealth... Selina nodded with a smile.
She took off her sun hat, revealing her full visage, a captivating face and coiled rosy-brown hair.
Sigh, I don't even feel like makeup is needed... After curtsying in front of Piolo, Selina turned around and twisted the door open. The black cat also went inside with her.
Piolo was still rattled. However, at least now the issue of finding a "star" has been resolved.
"You better..." he muttered, burying his hands in his coat pockets before leaving.
...
Wooo!
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause erupted from all corners of the stage.
Suddenly, amid the clamor, a man who seems to be in his fifties, had a slicked black hair and grayish linings on his temple, walked up to the stage and stood on its center.
The uproar died soon after, and while relying on the accoustic provided by fan-shaped proscenium to allow his voice to travel to every corner of the hall.
The announcer raised his voice:
"As the evening of the grand opening of Maiden's White Theater has come to its conclusion. We don't want to set this beautiful night to a bitter farewell..."
As his tone grew, the music coming from the orchestra also grew along with it to raise the tension and anticipation from the audience.
"We have prepared a special parting gift! A song to mark a new star in entertainment in Backlund! Please welcome and give a loud, roaring round of applause to...
"Irene Holmes! The Star Voice of the Night!"
The red backdrop curtain drew itself, and the excitement continued to well even deeper in the hearts of everyone watching.
Who is this Irene Holmes?
Then, the lights dazzled with brilliance, the giant backdrops pulled away from the center stage, and it revealed a stunningly beautiful woman.
The woman had a goddess-like figure, wearing an elaborate dress in front of the crowd that accentuated her stylized rosy-brown hair, coiled up by a hairpin into a bun.
While her eyes were closed, she was akin to a doll; then, upon opening them, her grounded dark-brown eyes completed the sublime beauty in front of them.
Her rosy lips parted; Selina looked at the sea of people watching her, the spotlight all reflecting her.
Looking back now at how she would use this to be able to return to Earth. She recalled the song she had already thought of.
Bracing herself internally, she let out a melodious voice...
And sang for the people.