“Ahh, Hello Riri.” Count Ignis came to meet me on the third level in behind the gate. At the war before, the third level didn’t took much damage so his house still looked good. But i can vaguely see some little damage here and there from tha. But it is trivial. Need not to look at those things.

“Ahh, hello Count. How are you?”

“Well, i have worked hard to rebuild this city. thanks again for your help. If it were not for your help, we would not reach this far. The first wall are under construction and we might even finish it in several months more.

“I see.” the moment i see the Count somehow i felt pity. He seemed really pale for a reason “What happened?”

“Nothing. Just getting a bit overworked. Hahaha. Please come inside.So, what business bring you here Miss Riri?” The count said while welcoming us into his house.

“The room looks dreary.”

“I have sold many things in this room. can’t really keep any riches for myself while my people suffered right? don’t worry about it. soon, those riches will get back to me again. “ Count Ignis said while ordering his maid to serve us some tea

“So, here, my fath, i mean Mister Ivan here, he has a proposal for you.”

“So, what is the proposal?”

“We want to sell our goods which were produced in Village of Acolyte to this city. our goods would be an equipment mainly leather ones and shoes.”

“I see. okay. Right to the point. What do you want and what do i got? Even though you seemed low leveled, but I can see an experienced business smile in your face. you understand what i mean right?”

“Well, for starters, we will be selling our product here in Trisia. We need some kind of headquarters. A small house will be fine.our main factory is in village anyway.”

“Okay for the that one. in the first level it would cost 100 thousand gold each month while the space in second level would cost 300 thousand gold. Will you accept? And don’t forget the taxes for each goods that you sold.”

How blunt. I don’t really knew Count Ignis. But i can see my father has some serious look with sweats on his face. if he got this serious it means the Count must be experienced as well.

“How many percent of the price?”

“There are no percent. I have some relatives on the Kallamore that there are adventurers like you that are kind of converting this world goods into your own worlds currency. Talking about percent will be useless as you will accept the money on the other world. So tell me what goods, and my subject will measure it’s worth.”

“I see. in that case i will have to talk to my superiors first about this circumstances. May i request some audiences again Count?”

“Yes of course. Call me anytime you want. I will try to make some time for you. after all, i am also very interested in this deals.”

“can we negotiate the price?”

“Sure. Of course. I can lower the price to any amount you like. But, i would like to request some compensation as well depend on how much you lowered your price.”

“And, what is the compensation you are talking about.”

“Have you come to the first level of Trisia?”

“Yes, i have. But i was just passing by.”

“Trisia is a very valuable spot. Many traders went past Trisia so gathering gold is very easy and i am quite an expert at it. but there are something that golds can’t quite bought immediately.” Said the count with a sad face

“And, what would that be Count?”

“Soldiers.”

“Beg your pardon?”

“During the war in trisia with dark army, our city was almost literally turned into ruins. Thanks to Riri there we manage to avoid total annihilation. And so after we gained victory and the dark army was wiped clean, many adventurers, peasants, merchants, even nobles came and stayed or invest money at our city. that’s how we regained back our population fast. Even with golds, soldiers can’t be bought.”

now i am confused. You can literally hired mercenary such as Marissa and Gerrick for money right? i do not understand.what the count is talking about

“I do not talk about mercenary Miss Riri. Mercenary is only for wars while soldiers or knight can help maintaining the city’s security. We can’t exactly hired a mercenary to catch burglars or thieves right? not only they will be reluctant, but the citizens will not like it either.”

“But, you can train or draft an army right?” said the count while banging his hand on the table. He seemed furious

“My greatest knights which is my personal bodyguards is only lvl 60! Some soldiers are even lower than lvl 10. They need training but they also need to work at their designated position.” That explained why there are so few of the soldiers around the town. Most of the soldier’s levels are very low that they could even be killed with wolves on the field. the soldiers even lack discipline as there are no one that have time to taught them. if they were sent on the street they might cause even more ruckus and might even be killed by thieves or local guilds

“Whoa, that’s some top level information there.” whispered thief at the back.

“Well, i kind of trust you since it was Riri that brought you here.so what say you?”

After thinking for a while my father replied. “So, you will hired the warriors i brought to you as your personal army?”

“Bought.depend on their behavior, i might want them to work here as a knight which is higher than normal soldiers for a long time. it is somewhere along denarions or centurions depend on their ability.”

“Well, we have no reason to refuse. But how many will it be?”

“I do not need numbers. The most important things about knights is trust. So, i kind of expecting a good quality not a good quantity from you.”

“I see. well, i will have to ask around then. Can’t really jump into some random mercenaries huh? well, my first recommendations would be these two statues behind me. use them as you wish from this very moment

“Yes sir” even though my father just said something really rude, somehow the faces of thief and archers seemed really bright for some reason. are they really that happy to have a job in this virtual world?

“Okay. Thank you very much Mister Ivan. Let’s meet again to discuss the further detail after you have brought your first batch of knights. As for the bodyguards that you brought, well, i will sent them to barracks and anoint them to be a denarions immediately. The would be under General Hasega’s army “

“Hasega? That hasega?” i spontaneously murmured

“yes, your comrade. He is the the General now.” i was dumbfounded. The group that has been a side character for a while now suddenly gain a very prestigious rank

“And the other?”

“Fira is in Magic Division while Victor, he is a captain just below Hasega. Do you want to meet them?” the count asked curiously

“well, i do not really have any business with them.”

“Ahh, by the way, that everlasting group group along with Merchant Reiner and Arknum have rebuilt and reconstruct the theater building. They are now known as rebirth group performers.”

“Huh?”

“What?” Stella also dumbfounded

“Yes. The theater group has revived. Well, not exactly revived but a new one has emerged. They dare not to use Tantalus name and decided to start from scratch. I was quite proud of them. it was because of them that many people came to our city. too bad you refused to join Riri. Well, i can’t blame you either. I have heard about your deeds at the village. It was awesome just as i expected of you. defending justice and fighting bandits heads on?” the count smiled. What weird image does he has on his head about my deeds?

“Okay. once again i am very thankful for your time Count Ignis. I am sure we can become good partner in the future. I must now speak to my superiors and see if they are willing to accept your offer. But, i am sure they will be delighted by your offer Count Ignis” my father smiled and raised himself from his seat. I followed suit and came out of the count’s house after saying some pleasantries

“Thanks Lily.” Ivan thanked me when we got out from the count’s house.

“Okay. no problem.”

“Whoa, i have never though the shy girl can become that famous inside the game. How did you do that Riri?” the thief asked now with a surprised face unlike the mocking face earlier.

“Well, i am not sure about that.” if i have to answered that all of it was a coincidence after coincidence no none would believe me right?

“Well. our job here is done. Let;’s log out and confirmed with investors in board meeting. Thanks Riri. I must go now, we are actually logging in at our work time so we can’t really play around. the royal knight is an exception so you can take your time to get back to the village.” Ivan answered. Ahh, the royal knight is an investor’s son so he doesn’t actually worked in my father’s office.

Then with a bright flash, my father and his two stooges log out from the game. Ahh i forgot to friend request them and that royal knight. Except for my father they seemed really powerful. Okay now, before i actually return to the village, i guess i should pay that everlasting group a visit. I actually very curious at how they manage the theater group so far. In my knowledge, Tantalus was struggling in financial department even with the member outstanding talent. And now a new theater group has formed with a very much amateur member except Reiner and Arknum and perhaps some other Tantalus member that were an immortal player. Can they really attract the same amount of visitor like Tantalus did?

While pondering about that fact i came into the theater building. It is true, all the damage from the war was repaired. The building even looks better than before

“Whoa. How did they got the money for this. wait a second, this design is.....” Stella murmured while looking at the theater building. This building has become the largest building in the city. well, even the previous one was pretty much the largest building second only to the church on the third level. But right now it has become the largest. It was 30% larger i think. from outside glance, i think this building has more floors than before.

“Design?” i asked

“Ragnar drew this with the help of someone with high architect skill a long time ago. He dream to upgrade our theater hall into something like this when we have the money. We have been trying to save up since then. But the plan was abandoned not only because of money issue, the building will obstruct a road and crash into another building. The land beside our hall and behind us were owned by rich nobles after all. It was impossible to buy the land without astronomical amount of money. And we aren’t exactly liked by that kind nobles either.

“not liked by the nobles?”

“The nobles were like the ones in Sidinia.”

“Ahh, the money hunger kind of a person huh? why the count pick someone like that in his office? The count seemed a really good person just now.”

“The count is a good leader. He isn’t naive and thinks ahead. This world always have thrashes that are in power. Is the same thing also happened in your world too Riri?”

“I can’t deny them. but i guess yes though not as openly as Sidnia’s nobles.”

“I see. i guess in any world there are always a jerk who ruled. The count realized this and instead of opposing, he keep them at arms length. Not too friendly, but not an enemy either.” Stella said. the way she said it seemed like she was so mature. She must have seen many kind of person in this world to say such a thing

“But, our Ragnar and the rest of the group isn’t so tolerable like the count so we aren’t really liked by them.” She smiled while making that statement. “Okay, let’s get in. If the blueprint really is the same, i think i will know the way.but....”

“It really is the same.” Stella said while looking around.the building was extravagant. The lobby was bigger than before and the natives that were selling tickets looked fascinating.

“Really?”

“The design was held at the secret underground that only the main members of Tantalus knew. How does Hasega’s group were able to locate it?” Stella asked

“The building was destroyed before. So maybe when the count and Hasega went to clear the remnants of the building the found the secret passage? “ El answered

“There are Arknum an Reiner too. It is possible if they knew right?” i answered

“Ah, if you think it that way, it was certainly true.” Stella finally realized the simple answer she overlooked

“after all, no matter how secret the passage is, if the building is gone the passage would be jutting out of the ground. it would be totally obvious.” Elkami answered. She got a good head sometimes.

“IF the secret basement is found then...” Stella has a very complicated expression now

“If it was found?”

“There was a Treasure Room in that secret basement. It is where we hold our important stuff and valuables. That cleric set is one example of it.” Stella murmured “If the things inside that room were sold, they would easily gain several milions gold.”

“Huh?”

Ahh, considering Stella’s ability to enchant things before. If she autographed something, the price could skyrocketed. I guess several millions isn’t really overestimating it.

“Now i really want to meet with them. even if Ragnar and the others are dead it doesn’t mean they could get your stuff and sold it so carefreely.” I said while keeping my anger in check.

“I am not mad. And i am sure Ragnar and the others in heaven will not be so angry either. After all the money from that treasure was spent well. look at this building and look at Trisia. If my little treasure can help this people then it is fine. After all, right now, i no longer need it.” Stella said while smiling to herself. Her figure was filled with dignity that i am astonished. This is kindness is why i admire her since the first time we met.

“But...” She continued. “Don’t you think they are getting a little bit too rude? They could have told us you know? The distance between Trisia and Acolyte village isn’t too far right? and they have that flying mount. Why sneaked around like this?”

Stella said while pouting. Her dignity before was crushed entirely and replaced with childish expression that she was having lately as she was turned into wolf. I wonder which one is the mask. is it the dignified woman? Or is it the childish one?

“Hmm, maybe they already picked out some loots from your storehouse at that time? i can see their equipment were kind of new right?” El said while reminiscing about it

“Let’s meet them and have them explained it to us in a veeryyy good detail.” Stella said with a menacing aura around her.

And so we approach the building and into the counter. But just like i feared. We weren’t allowed to come into the performance hall. The reason being is that there are going to be a performance today and we are not allowed to disrupt the performers until the performance has finished.

“So, the performance is 20 minutes from now. i wonder why we can even get tickets for it? in the previous performance, all the tickets are sold out a week before. Or at least 3 days before the actual performance. Even the tickets here is a lot cheaper than ours. Can they even manage the theater group?” Stella said while staring at the ticket

“It is a weekly performance. They keep showing the same thing in this regular shows. So not many are interested about it.” i answered

“I have never thought about this. we were always showing different thing. The most we can show the same performance is three times. so there was this kind of method too huh?” Stella said while pondering.

“If you have never actually did the same performance. Then, all the costume set and background...” i asked in amazement

“almost all of them are new. Especially the background. But we use the same costume sometimes as long as it is pretty much in accordance to the role we played.” Stella said while looking at me strange. If that were true then it is no wonder that the group was struggling financially.

“Let’s stop talking about it and just watch okay. it is only 10 minutes more to the show time.”

The performance hall was bigger than before. However as expected, the audience was fewer than when Tantalus group performance. It did not even fill half of the seat available.

“So few.” Stella murmured

“It was just a regular show afterall. No one want to watch the same thing over and over again right?”

“Thank you ladies and gentle. We will now start our weekly shows of the hero of the Trisia the white rider.” Fira has become an MC just like how Lucy was in the past. In fact, i guess she was imitating her the way they speak are totally the same.

“hahaha. I am death manager. i will now kill all living being and make them my slaves.” Victor was playing as the bad guys here. and heck, he totally fit in the performance. His barbaric looking with axes looked pretty much the bad guys. The real Death manager was supposed to be more knight like but this one seemed more evil.

“Let’s start with City of acolyte. Now, my dark slaves. Kill everything in your path!!” he said with a grin and satisfied voice. He is really enjoying this. i can only look with the eyes of bewilderment

“And so, the city of acolyte has turned into ruins. The dark army then became more powerful each day and headed for Trisia. Meanwhile, our heroes followed the trail of Death Manager and arrived at the City of Acolyte only to find the place in ruins.”the sound was different. Buts omehow it is kind of bugging me

“we were too late. All the people have been killed!” Hasega, with a shiningly white armor cried out on the village of acolyte ruins. Along with Fira besides him.

“Umm, who is he supposed to be? himself?” i asked Stella

“I..... don’t know.” She can only answered half halfheartedly “My memories are a little bit hazy at that time.”

“Thankfully The heroes with the help of Maria the Acolyte managed to find a teleportation circle.in the ruins of the church in Acolyte. And they were teleported right into Trisia to warn the Count of the disaster that was about to come.” The sound changed.

“The sound seemed familiar.”

“Iris?” Stella said

“The narrator was a guy? But the language was feminine. And the sound too, although it is kind of low but it can still pass as a woman” I said astonished

“He was imitating a girl alright.” Stella can only looked away with a depressed expression

“Hihhi.” El giggled in amusement

“Count Ignis! I have come with a grave news. The dark army have came from the south. They might arrived in trisia in several days. we must defend this place!” Hadsega said to Dem in a court like background setting. So, Dem is the count. Well, if he took of his thief attire and put on some nice tuxedo he can pass as some nobles. I think it is kind of suit him. I still can’t figure who Hasega is. is he imitating Ragnar? Or is he imitating Iris?

“We must repulsed this evil immediately! I will lend you all of my support. please help us hero of the white rider.”Dem pleads to Hasega

“Ah!” i suddenly raised myself from my seat. now i know who Hasega is imitating.

“Hihihhi, hehehhe.” Stella and El giggled endlessly. I think El and Stella knew about this a long time ago. Now they realized that i realized who Hasega is imitating these rude pets openly giggled at me

“Thank you Count. Your support and our god almighty Freya is all that i need. With the help of our goddess Freya through Maria we will.....” Hasega lines were stopped as we made an eye contact. But he quickly regained his composure and resumed his actions “we will repulsed this evil!”

“The war began. With a hasty preparations, the acolyte, hero, and the count began to war with the dark army.” The weird sounding narrator (For me) describe the next actions. Some random npcs are battling each other. one sides is wearing white attire while the other is black attire. It is quite clear who they represents.

“I have won and your soldiers have lost. Now prepare to die Hero!” Victor brandished his axe and the battle between them began. Hasega fought with him. The battle was intense. But as i knew their real capabilities i also noticed that they aren’t really going serious with each of their attacks.

“Argh!!” Victor let go of his axe when Hasega deflect the axe with his sword. Setting aside the absurd storyline, this particular scene was quite interesting.”You haven’t win. And i haven’t lost. I will be back. huahahahaha!”

“The white rider finally able to repulse the dark army. however the war was not over for death manager was only retreating to recover from his wound and soon, he will be back with a more deadly army. but even though it is a fleeting time, peace were at least return to our beloved Trisia. While we finally enjoy the breath of peace and happiness, we must not forget our heroes for one day they will return and will lead us again to fight the death manager.”

The curtain was closed with that ending. “It wasn’t really a happy one, but it isn’t a really sad one either. I have a mixed feelings about this endings

“The ending was kind of deep. How do they knew Death manager was still alive though?” Stella which giggled earlier put on a serious face at the epilogue of the show.

“Is it a good ending?”

“Depend on the audience. For audience that has seen a lot of shows, this one is better. it is neither show a happy dream ending. But it isn’t showing a grim sad ending either.”

“I see.”

“Let’s meet with them Riri. I am curious at how the last information leaked out.”

“yeah. Only Yggdrasil and us is supposed to knew about this.” i answered

And so after the performance ended, we stayed at our seat until all the guest come out. Stella proposed that this was the best way to meet with the actors. She also mentioned that they realized i was here watching them so if we stay put, they might be the one that came to meet us.. and in accordance to her prediction, some staff really came to greet us and asked us to come into the Lounge of this theater building.

chapter 33

chapter 35

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Author note

- that was tiring. i admire myself in the past for being able to send out a chapter a day

- and so, what do you think about our new theater group?

- any suggestions, critics, and questions may be posted here or at discussion thread

- enjoy the read everyone. although you don't have to, a review and rating would be very helpful