In this world, using sound effects during plays was common. The team in charge of the background noises had been coached by Renato, and their drumming was no doubt making the spectators sit on the edge of their seats as the tension rose.
With every blow, I heard more surprised cheers. Light effects were new to the empire, and the dazzling visuals seemed to have gripped the spectators. After an especially loud wave of screams, the audience started clapping. Goku had triumphed over the water demon with a final flash of light.
By the time I was ready and waiting in the wings, loud sighs of admiration echoed.
I peeked at the stage as two orbs of light floated away from the saint’s hands. They drifted all the way to the water demon, who’d been hurt in the fight against Goku, and his friend, who was already wounded (as per the story). Flora’s holy mana glowed white, but Yuri’s light lasted longer and looked better onstage, so we used him for this scene. The stage was a dream come true, and the audience seemed enraptured.
The orbs of light melted into the two demons. They started jumping around, exclaiming, “We’re healed! We’re healed!”
More clapping ensued. The audience was into it!
“They’ve really immersed themselves in the story!” one of the girls of the sewing team squealed as quietly as she could.
“Naturally. I’ve never seen anything like this, not even at the national theater,” her friend replied in the same hushed yet excited tone.
“The actual play is even more beautiful than the rehearsals. Lord Ray is doing a superb job!”
I agreed. He was incredible, the type who performed best under pressure. I just hoped he wouldn’t let the enthusiastic atmosphere get to him and use too much mana.
“Could someone check on Lord Ray? Please warn him to pace himself. I’m worried he may overexert himself,” I whispered.
One of the girls started, realizing that was a real risk, and nodded. “I’ll go tell him.”
Yuri was on the other side of the auditorium, stationed in the middle of a narrow staircase that led to the ceiling and was normally used for maintenance. It gave him a good view of the stage so he could time his spells perfectly. The girl hurried to the dark, slightly precarious staircase to deliver my message.
Onstage, the saint and Goku questioned the tree demon about his injuries. The demons explained their woes, and the group decided to chase away the intruders and reclaim their homes. The actors exited the stage at the opposite wing, and the curtain fell.
It was time for the Right Right Trio’s interlude. They dragged their fancy gowns to center stage, their huge hats covered with showy ornaments bobbing like roosters’ combs the whole way. The three girls were so confident that they somehow pulled off the looks in an endearing, ridiculous way. Their outfits were enough to make everyone laugh, so the public couldn’t really hear their commentary on the plot—or the chorus of “Right! Right!” that punctuated every sentence. The girls appeared satisfied, though, so that was all that mattered. They left the stage with their heads held high right as the curtain rose again.
The backdrop had been changed to a sinister forest. The saint and her party entered, discovering the villainess’s domain. Soon, the villainess would appear with loud laughter.
That was the plan, at least.
My heart hammered in my chest. I have to laugh? Loud and unabashed?
That meant showing everyone the game’s true villainess in all her glory! Wasn’t that the worst flag of all?!
I’m so stupid. How could I have chosen to do this?! I’m so scared... Save me, brother!!!
I clenched my fists, closed my eyes, and focused on breathing slowly.
In and out. In and out.
It was far too late for second thoughts.
I can do this.
I’d lived an entire life before this one. I’d been reborn, blessed with my brother and everyone else by my side. I was incredibly fortunate; every day was filled with joy. I knew to be grateful, and the time had come to give back. Nothing else mattered right now.
That’s right. Nothing else matters. Forget the curse of the villainess, and just go for it, Ekaterina. Do it for them. See things through!
I raised my head.
“Are you okay?” Renato, my minion in the play, whispered.
There was a smile on my lips as I nodded. “Of course, I am.” I straightened my back. “Follow me. Let’s surprise them all.”
With Renato right behind me, I stepped onto the stage.
On the other side of the stage, the saint and her group searched for the culprits who’d taken over the tree demon and water demon’s turf.
“I’ll beat them all up in a jiffy!” Marina—Goku, really—exclaimed.
But the saint rebuked her. “No. We will try to speak with them first.”
Suddenly, energetic laughter split the air. “Oh ho ho ho!!!” Ekaterina appeared with it, covering her mouth with the back of her hand, pinky raised. “So you have come to seek me. You wish to talk things out? Ah, how laughable!”
The sound of her heels reverberated with every step as she walked toward the center of the stage. She stopped a few paces from the saint, planted a hand on her hip, threw out her chest, and lifted her chin, a cruel grin on her lips.
The villainess had appeared, wrapped in Yuri’s light.
Marina and the two boys playing the water and tree demons stared at her, mouths agape. Their expressions were hard to read—anything from Who are you?! to Lady Ekaterina, have you gone mad?!
Or perhaps they were simply wondering what to do.
The role of the villainess should have belonged to Olga, a short, adorable girl whose costume and sharp lines never quite fit her. That mismatch was meant to be the focal point of the scene. The saint and her companions were supposed to be startled by a tiny villainess. She was hostile but harmless, like a barking chihuahua they couldn’t help wanting to protect. They’d practiced that version a hundred times.
Instead, they now faced true evil—a villainess whose intensity mirrored every provocative line. Ekaterina didn’t even sound as if she were reciting lines from a script. Protecting her was out of the question.
This was also the first time any of them had seen her in the costume. The sewing team had finished altering it moments before the play began. Ekaterina had tried it on once, then immediately removed it to give her address to the public. No one but the sewing team had seen her wearing it.
The costume was black and blue. It had originally been meant to be entirely black, but there hadn’t been enough black fabric to make alterations, so the seamstresses had supplemented it with lapis-lazuli-colored cloth. Parts of the sleeves, the hems, and some added chest coverage were now Celestial Blue, provided to the sewing team by Halil on Ekaterina’s orders.
The concept behind the dress’s design was “black flames.” When the sewing team had explained it, Ekaterina had muttered, “Urgh, so chuuni...”
Gorgeous as it was, the twisted, fluttering black fabric made its villainy unmistakable. The finished gown reminded Ekaterina of the evil stepmother’s in Snow White or the witch’s in Sleeping Beauty. The added dark blue fabric lengthened the sleeves, making them look like pieces of the night sky, stolen away from a moonless night so dark only a hint of blue remained.
Well, the night was not entirely moonless. Whether due to a mismeasurement or fate, Ekaterina had never worn anything so open, and her milky cleavage cast its own light in the midst of the dark. The neckline was deep but still barely acceptable for an unmarried young woman. It added a sinful edge that enhanced her villainous aura.
Alexei often praised his sister by comparing her to the Queen of the Night, and he had never been more right. On the stage, the Goddess of Night had descended to rule over the dark, dark hour.
The monkey and her two friends continued staring in confusion. The first to step forward and act was the saint.
Flora, who played Anemoni, looked every bit the pure heroine of an otome game. Born a commoner yet attending a school full of nobles, she had—in the game—snatched her happy ending with one of the male leads after overcoming countless trials.
That quality shone onstage. She didn’t need to play a saint; she was a saint. When Ekaterina had handed her the script, she’d told her to perform however she wanted. Whatever Flora chose would be correct.
The play couldn’t progress unless the saint responded to the villainess. No one had rehearsed this version even once, but Flora seemed ready to take on the challenge.
Anemoni’s dress was pure white, the only color coming from Flora’s light pink hair and violet eyes. The simple design suited her role. It enhanced her natural sweetness and gentle face but also her strength. She stood tall, back straight.
Her white against Ekaterina’s black and blue created a stark contrast as saint and villainess stood there, wrapped in Yuri’s light, neither losing in terms of impact.
“I’ve been told you chased away those who lived in these lands and unjustly claimed them for yourself. Why have you done such a thing?” the saint asked.
“That has nothing to do with you!” the villainess shot back.
“Still, I cannot ignore this. People are suffering,” the saint said, holding firm.
Flora and Ekaterina were close friends, but now that they clashed, neither held back. Sparks flew.
They were evenly matched.