✦ Chapter 33 – Xiang Yu (4) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
⌠But no matter how sharp, a sword is merely a tool. Depending on the purpose wielded, it can become a demonic sword drenched in blood or a holy sword that protects the world.⌡
The old crone had repeated these cryptic words while grinning ominously.
She had read Maya’s palm with her wrinkled hands and delivered a stern warning.
⌠So, if you don’t wish to tread the path of a cruel beast, you should pay attention to the precious bond that will come your way soon. Kihihihit!⌡
The path of a cruel beast?
‘If it means gaining more power… I don’t care what path I have to walk.’
Xiang Yu from Phantom’s play was just like her.
The villainous Qin Dynasty, which had destroyed the six Elven Kingdoms and monopolized power over the world.
Didn’t he cry out in anguish after losing his beloved uncle, Xiang Liang, to their clutches?
But Xiang Yu avenged his uncle with only a single sword.
He’d personally executed those responsible for his uncle’s death, toppled the Qin dynasty, crushed all those who opposed him, and even driven his cowardly rival, Liu Bang, into exile in Bashu.
‘So there’s no need for an old-fashioned teacher like Fan Zeng anymore.’
She thought, looking at Xiang Yu’s strategist and de facto teacher, Fan Zeng.
The old man’s constant nagging — ‘You can’t rule the world with strength alone’ — reminded her of someone else…
Her own mentor, whose sorrowful eyes pleaded with her… ‘You can’t live in this world relying only on strength.’
‘You were wrong. In this world, strength is everything.’
She clutched the Hero candidate’s medallion, concealed beneath her worn robes. It was made of Orichalcum, just like the one Phantom had. Inscribed on it was the motto— ‘Evil must be slain’.
Xiang Yu had possessed strength, and no one had dared to question his decisions.
What could those insignificant 18 vassal kings possibly do, even if he distributed the fiefs unfairly?
What could that weakling Han King say, even when ordered to flee to the desolate region of Bashu?
And it was her own hard-earned strength that had transformed her from a fragile child into the Hero of the Sword candidate.
“I will walk the path of a Hegemon-King, just like Xiang Yu.”
Maya vowed, wiping the dirty blood from her face.
And she would never… ever… lose anything again.
No matter what happens. Never.
✧❅✦❅✧
“Next person, please! Let’s keep this moving!”
The Geloroushina Theater was gearing up for another performance of <Farewell My Concubine> — the play that was all the rage in the capital.
Here, under the management of the theater director Isabella, an open audition was being held.
They were searching for an actress to play Consort Yu, the female lead in the newly completed second part of <Farewell My Concubine> —the script I’d just delivered to the theater.
…And I, Phantom, was also present as one of the audition judges.
‘Historically, Peking (Chinese) opera was an exclusively male domain. Women weren’t allowed to perform.’
But this wasn’t a real Peking opera; it was a fantasy theater production with an opera-like style. In many ways, it resembled Puccini’s <Turandot> or <Madame Butterfly> more than traditional Chinese opera.
So, there was no reason why we couldn’t use female actors.
Honestly, I had no desire to stage a romance with male actors who looked like effeminate pretty boys.
“Yes, thank you. We will notify you of the results later. Ugh…!”
I stretched my stiff joints as I dismissed the 17th participant who had earnestly undergone our evaluation.
Finding a suitable actress for the role of Consort Yu had proven to be quite the challenge, which was why we were holding open auditions, even casting people outside the theater company.
“You know, Phantom, the actress playing Consort Yu needs more than just good acting skills.”
Professor Gaby, who was also on the judging panel, alongside myself and Isabella, spoke. She frowned, her brow furrowing above her eye patch.
“The lead roles in <Farewell My Concubine> require both acting and singing. We need someone who can handle all three— looks, acting, and singing.”
“Of course. I understand, Professor.”
Consort Yu, Xiang Yu’s lover, was actually a relatively minor figure historically.
To avoid distracting from the action-packed narrative of the first part, I’d only briefly mentioned her, saving her proper introduction for the second part, which focused on Xiang Yu’s downfall and his relationship with Consort Yu.
The problem was… finding an actress who could do the role justice was proving to be as difficult as catching a star from the sky.
There were plenty of audition participants with pretty faces. Quite a number had decent acting skills too.
But none of them had… the voice.
“Hmm, at this rate… Professor, why don’t you play Consort Yu? You’re beautiful, and as an elf, you don’t even look your age.”
Isabella, fanning herself with a rather expensive-looking hand fan — a sign of her newly acquired wealth, thanks to <Farewell My Concubine> — made a bold suggestion.
<Farewell My Concubine> was the most popular play ever staged at Geloroushina.
But Professor Gaby, with a chuckle, declined Isabella’s offer.
“As you can see, I’m one-eyed and one-armed. It would be difficult for me, someone with such disabilities, to take on the role of the female lead.”
“Uh… well…”
Isabella fumbled for words, glancing at Professor Gaby’s empty sleeve. She seemed worried that she’d said something insensitive.
Of course, Professor Gaby was far too cool to be offended by such a thing.
“Next! Candidate number 18, please come in!”
The professor called out the next auditionee in her usual cheerful tone.
A young woman entered the theater, her steps hesitant, her gaze downcast.
And then, as she looked up…
“Huh?”
“Hmm?”
Professor Gaby and I both gasped in surprise.
“Is that… Lady Rosalyn Wenford, from the third year?”
“Y-yes! That’s… that’s right, Professor Gaby!”
It was none other than Rosalyn, holding a number 18 tag.
“It’s good to see you,” Professor Gaby said, watching Rosalyn nervously force a smile. “You’ve never taken any of my classes, have you? What brings you to the Geloroushina Theater?”
“Ah, yes! Actually, I came because I wanted to audition for Phantom’s… I wanted to see the audition!”
Her emerald eyes kept darting towards me.
Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and her breathing was shallow and rapid.
It was evident she had rushed here upon hearing that Phantom would be a judge for the audition.
“U-um… are you… are you really… Phantom?”
“Yes? Yes, I am. Why?”
“Y-you’re… you’re really… Phantom…!!”
Senior Rosalyn trembled as if she were standing naked in the middle of winter, her voice a high-pitched squeal.
“I-I’m… I’m a huge fan! I’ve been following your work ever since <Admiral Lee>!”
“Ah, I see. Thank you, Lady Wenford.”
“U-um… I… I really… h-have something I want to tell you… Our family… because of you… we…”
She was on the verge of hyperventilating.
Her eyes darted around frantically, as if she were under the influence of a confusion spell. Her words tumbled out in a jumbled, incoherent mess.
Professor Gaby stepped in to take control of the situation.
“Alright, that’s enough. I understand, Miss Wenford. Let’s get started. Page 24 of the script. Read the scene where Consort Yu encourages Xiang Yu before he goes into battle.”
“Oh! Y-yes! Page 24, page 24…”
Every movement, every gesture, betrayed her nervousness. It was painful to watch.
It was clear that the presence of the revered writer Phantom was affecting her significantly.
As I’d expected, senior Rosalyn didn’t perform well.
“M-my King… As you depart for the battlefield once more… I… I… I am overcome with… f-fear…”
“Miss Rosalyn? Let’s try to relax a little, shall we? I can tell from your voice that you’re quite capable, once you get over your nerves.”
Professor Gaby spoke softly, like a patient teacher guiding a child.
Senior Rosalyn nodded and tried again, but unfortunately, it wasn’t much better.
“Oh, I am so sorry. I’ll do it again. I… I… I shall pray… fervently… fervently… for your safe return, my King…”
“Sigh… That’s enough.”
Isabella, the theater director, finally stepped in, her expression a mix of frustration and disappointment.
“Lady Wenford, was it? I’m sorry, but this is an audition, not a courtly social gathering. Even if you’re a duke’s daughter, you need to take this seriously.”
“Ugh…”
Her face flushed crimson.
And then…
“I’m… I’m so s-sorry—!!”
She cried out, burying her face in the script, mortified.
“I-I didn’t mean to disrupt the audition! I just… I just really wanted to meet Phantom… I’m truly sorry!”
Oh, poor senior Rosalyn.
I knew she wasn’t a bad actress. The kind, yet bold young woman I knew was nowhere to be seen.
She was overly excited just because Phantom was present, which backfired.
Maybe I should give her an autographed copy of one of my plays to cheer her up?
“Yes, well. I understand.”
Isabella accepted her apology, though with a somewhat uneasy expression, rubbing her temples as if a headache was coming on.
“Anyway, thank you for your time, Lady Wenford. That will be all. Now, let’s move on to the next candidate…”
And that was when…
“Hold on.”
Professor Gaby, who’d been staring intensely at Rosalyn ever since she’d blurted out my name, raised her hand.
“Lady Wenford? Could you please hum a note? Hold it long. Use the C note on the piano.”
“Yes? Ah… ahhhh~!”
“Now raise the note to D.”
“Ah, ah~!”
“One more. E this time.”
“Ahhh~!”
Like a vocal audition, the two repeated the test.
After several more rounds testing her vocal range, a satisfied smile crept across Professor Gaby’s face.
“Phantom? Isabella?”
She turned to us, her voice filled with conviction.
“I think we’ve found our Consort Yu. Miss Wenford will play the role.”
— End of Chapter —
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