Chapter 100 Technical Knockout
It felt like getting hit by a random attacker.
"Huh...?"
Suddenly showing up and telling me to get on stage. From the way this person talks, they must be the director. Wait. So, they want me to join the play?
No way. This is way too sudden, my mind is blank.
"Wow. I can't believe the director suddenly has their eyes on a lucky boy like you. Hey, our dear director, what is it about him that caught your attention?"
"Obviously, it's his face."
"...Haha, the director is always like that. Short and to the point with demands. We, the cast, are always getting tossed around. Right, Rose? Don't you think so?"
"...For once, I agree with you, Marcus. The director's whims are quite troublesome."
Instead of us, who were too shocked to move, the other 2 from the trio stepped forward.
A blonde handsome guy in a pink shirt that was oddly fitting, and a woman with long red hair in a sparkly dress that looked sultry.
Seeing such a beautiful pair that looked like they'd walk the red carpet made Quollio stir.
"W-wait, Marcus Millio and Rose Carmine... it's the real deal!"
"What's all the hype about, Quollio?"
"Of course I'm excited! They're the stars of the Wagner troupe! They've been the face of the company since it started, the beloved actor 'Marcus' known as the Prince! And even though she just joined last spring, the stunning 'Rose' has quickly matched Marcus with her incredible acting skills and beauty!! Of course I'm excited, how could I not be!!"
"O-oh."
What should I do? This isn't the usual Quo.
He's so hyped up he's glitching out. He's totally fangirling. Look at that. Even the squad and the star duo are a bit taken aback by your energy.
The unexpected excitement changed the atmosphere, and Quollio finally seemed to realize it. He hurriedly cleared his throat and looked away, but it was too late.
Under Sham's smirking gaze, Quollio hunched over, looking genuinely uncomfortable.
"Thanks to the enthusiastic boy, I didn't have to introduce myself. Nice to meet you, knights. You can call me Prince or Marcus, whatever you like. Just do it with some love, okay?"
"Rose here. Sorry, but I don't need love from people I don't care about, so just focus on your work."
"Hey, hey, that's cold. You called the rumored hero knight here, after all."
"Hero knight, huh..."
The town mayor of Haboch town knew we solved the troubles in Korghi Village, but did the theater people know too?
Maybe the theater told the mayor. After all, it seems they were the ones who requested the escort.
Still, compared to Marcus, Rose's attitude was pretty cold. You couldn't even call it friendly.
As proof, she stared at me like she was sizing me up and snorted in annoyance.
"The Ash Valkyrie is just as impressive as the rumors say, with beauty to match. But you? You're below expectations. You don't even look like a knight. More like a thug, really."
"What's your beef, huh? Think you can take me down?"
"Not at all. Fights only happen between equals, you know? You should know your place."
"This chick's got some nerve...!"
(Wow. This actress really knows how to talk back. It's getting intense!)
Ugh. What's up with this girl?
She's as confrontational as Shura or Ruzure.
Is it because she doesn't like that I was chosen by the theater's director? Yeah, I get that feeling.
But I wasn't the type to just take insults lying down.
"Hah, pay attention! I'm the dude who got hand-picked by your theater's big shot. And you're still disrespectin' me like nobody."
Yeah. I'm basically in a position where I got scouted by the top of this theater. So criticizing my first impression is like questioning the leader's judgment.
Hehe, how about that? You've got nothing to say now.
I was feeling pretty proud of my perfect comeback──until...
"Personally picked, huh...? You're getting a bit carried away. You're mistaken."
"Eh? You really think that little?"
What came back was a super heavy counter.
"Yeah. Because what the director is trying to make you do is... 'the sidekick of a corrupt noble'."
"...........Huh?"
(Huh?)
(Pfft!)
Huh. What did you say? The sidekick of a corrupt noble?
Oh. Oh man. I'm supposed to be the protagonist of this story, you know?
"The sidekick for some crooked aristocrat?"
"Ah, that's right, boy. We have a cast, but even though they're built, they don't really have the handsome look, and it seems the director was unhappy about that. So, they picked you for your..."
"Face."
"Well, in that sense, you fit the bill."
"What, really... by the way, how many lines I gotta spit?"
"Three lines."
"Huh?"
(Bfft!)
(Guh, phew!)
(Hehe, 3 lines! Just 3 lines! Uwahahaha!!)
(Shut up!!!)
Hey. Seriously, what's with 3 lines? That's basically the same as being a background character.
Um! I'm the protagonist, right?
I should be getting a big role or something! What's the director thinking? Tell me it's a lie, Ruzure!
Damn it. What's really annoying is Shura and Sham secretly laughing. Quollio, stop grinning! Lyam is worried about me while panicking, so I'll make her drink the dirt from her fingernails!
"Guh, gnuh, gnuh, gnuh...!"
"Oh, what a lovely face. I was actually against putting an amateur on stage, but your performance as the sidekick is impressive. I might just agree with the director's recommendation."
"Y-You chick...!"
(Uh-oh, she's not holding back. I think I could get along with this actress. Haha.)
Rose is really hammering it in, how annoying.
That wicked smile is ironically beautiful, living up to her name like a thorny rose. It's beyond just being prickly.
"Ah, too bad I'm a knight, gotta pass on that invite."
"Oh, is that so? What a shame."
"Guh, you witch!"
She doesn't look the least bit disappointed.
Damn it, I can't lose like this.
But don't break, me. If I don't fight back here, I'll be done for. It's okay, I'm the protagonist, I can do this!
With that determination, I pointed sharply at Rose, ready to turn the tables.
"──Listen up, you nasty woman!
I'm Hiiro, Hiiro Merifar! I'm the one who's gonna blast off to the top and leave you in the dust! Ain't takin' no supporting roles from nobody.
Got it? If you wanna cast me, bring me a lead role that's worth my time!"
I said it. Bam!
I thought I really nailed it.
But the villainess didn't seem fazed at all.
In fact, she smiled brightly, like a blooming rose.
"Isn't that something you should be saying to the director?"
"...You're absolutely right, damn it!!!"
With that sharp comeback, the howl of a defeated dog echoed hollowly.
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