Witch, Fireball and Steam Evil God

Chapter 479 An Artistic Family
Oasis City, as its name suggests, is one of the few bountiful cities in this arid land of the far west. Legend has it that the power of the goddess of life improved the city's environment and climate, and it was also the place where the goddess rested in her later years.

Located at the deepest part of Oasis City, overlooking the entire city, is the Eternal Theater.

"It is said that the goddess is a stage play enthusiast."

Upon entering the city, Mary volunteered to act as their guide. "This city is one of the few cities in the Crimson Era that has not been affected by the plague. Believers believe that the goddess's soul protects this city."

After saying that, Mary breathed a sigh of relief.

At least on the surface, Oasis City was still Oasis City. What greeted them here was not a bloody hell infected by the plague. However, compared with the Oasis City in her memory, the streets were much deserted. Under the cover of night, law enforcement officers from the Vatican and the police station filled the streets and alleys, making the atmosphere of the entire Oasis City feel extremely oppressive.

Are you a stage play enthusiast?

Ethan was thoughtful. He could only marvel at how the goddess of life truly was the "chosen one" of Bazartos. This family was passionate about art; old Bazartos was a famous painter and the behind-the-scenes boss of a film company, while Bazarian was a theater enthusiast.

"Speaking of which, opera and drama were popular in the Empire for a long time. In the past, the nobles of the capital would go to neighboring countries to invite famous theater troupes to perform at the Imperial Grand Theater."

Until the rise of the film industry, opera and drama were regarded as the most elegant art forms, and many playwrights and famous performers were able to enter the social circles of the aristocracy as a result. Many of them have now seamlessly transitioned directly into the film industry.

"This is not surprising. In addition to appreciating art, plays were also a social venue for the aristocracy."

Winter said, "This hobby was brought to the empire by Julius. He has a special fondness for opera, and after some major performances, a small-scale party is usually organized by a nobleman like Prince Freeman."

"Oh? I didn't know you knew so much."

Ethan was somewhat surprised.

"Heh, I also spent some time in the Council of Seven."

During that period, she was the representative of the entire academy in the empire. If classified by official rank, she was at the same level as Ivy in the new cabinet.

"I almost forgot that you used to be a high-ranking official."

Ethan thought about it again and realized that he was actually the lowest in status among his friends. Despite having many strange titles, if you really wanted to count them, he was still just one of the masses.

However, if "the capital" is added as a modifier before "the masses," then this identity immediately becomes both mysterious and prestigious.

"It's just like the film industry now. There are hardly any nobles who are truly passionate about art. They just watch Princess Sophia of the Empire vigorously developing this industry, and so it becomes a new trend among them."

Bazatos, who was traveling with him, silently kept this important news in mind. He had noticed this human before. According to the Nightmare Witch, the person in charge of the company, Princess Sophia had many projects with the company and had brought them a lot of investors. She was a very important partner. However, Bazatos did not take this matter to heart at the time.

Because he had seen the hit film "Heisenberg and the Book of Sorcerer's" produced by Sofia and the famous screenwriter J.K. Forest, although the film's box office has yet to be surpassed and it became an industry benchmark upon its release, hailed as one of the eternal classics in film history, but for Bazatos... it was just too bland.

Rumors circulated that Heisenberg's image was inspired by his friend, Old Sen, and that on the first day of the film's release, his alter ego went to the cinema.

The plot was somewhat interesting, but its biggest flaw was that during the two-hour viewing experience, he couldn't find a single bloody scene, and even the suspenseful moments were few and far between.

His ideal Old Sen was a strongman who, when facing a formidable foe, would pick up a chainsaw sword and slice the opponent into mincemeat.

Afterwards, Barzatos learned from the Nightmare Witch that "Heisenberg and the Book of Sorcerers" was a film for all ages, so he specially cut out the violent and bloody scenes so that children and parents who came to the theater could have a good viewing experience. The film they were trying to promote was classified as a B-movie. Although it had a fairly enthusiastic audience, it could not be promoted in a comprehensive way.

Since Ivy Margaret became Prime Minister, she has placed particular emphasis on the education and development of the Empire's youth.

Bazartos disagrees with this.

He also believed that great artists should be nurtured from a young age, and that it would be too late if they became fascinated with bloody art when they were in their twenties or thirties.

"Sophia..."

The seven-eyed woman silently recited the name of the Empire's Third Princess. It seemed that once she returned to the capital, she should find a way to recruit her into the Bazatos Legendary Films.

While the group was discussing the development of the art and film industry in the hotel lobby, a play was being performed at the Eternal Theatre.

This is the classic play "The Ruler in His Hand".

Set against the backdrop of the chaotic and dark First Age, the story tells of how the Goddess of Life led humanity to defeat evil gods and establish rules and civilization.

This is one of the most classic productions at the Eternal Theatre, and the theatre was packed to capacity.

When the play reached the scene where the chosen one, wielding the sword of victory, bravely charged against the followers of the evil god, and the music and dialogue were used to create a tragic atmosphere, the woman sitting in the front row wearing a veil finally couldn't bear it any longer.

"Is this the most classic play in the theater?"

Her voice was soft, yet it reached the ears of everyone in the theater. Instantly, all eyes were on her, and the performance on stage came to a halt. The actors looked puzzled—this was the first time they had received a negative review, or more accurately, the first time someone had dared to give a negative review immediately after the play was completed.

Typically, at the after-party, the nobles of Oasis City would find ways to praise the script and the performance, followed by a routine recollection of the difficult years that humanity had gone through since the First Age. Although most of those who could afford to watch the play were nobles and wealthy merchants, who had no experience of war and whose servants even did the killing of chickens, this did not prevent them from talking at length about that dark past in order to demonstrate their piety toward the rightful God.

The actors knew that those who could sit in the front row were usually people of high status.

The veiled woman continued to question them, "Have you ever seen a war without bloodshed?"

"No."

"Then why are you gesturing wildly in the air? Why don't you plunge your swords into the enemy's chest?"

"Uh, maybe it's because...this is a performance?"

The actors had never been asked such a tricky question before, and they seriously suspected that the veiled woman was a noble lady who had sneaked out of her home and was attending a play for the first time in her life.

All the enemies in the play are played by actors who are all good people, not actual followers of evil gods, and they do not need to kill anyone during the performance.

“My esteemed lady, I think you must have misunderstood something. This is actually…”

"Do as I say!"

The voice was still gentle, but the tone was undeniably authoritative. The actor playing the villain never expected that the crew would encounter such a difficult young lady today. Just as he was about to try to make her understand what a play was all about through his knowledge of drama and acting skills, a stinging sensation from his vest made him turn his face around in disbelief.

The blade of the sword of victory pierced his heart, and what came into view were the blood-red eyes of the swordsman.

"Kill, kill!"

He muttered to himself, "Victory will ultimately belong to mankind!"

But, how is this possible?

The Sword of Victory was a pre-made prop, so why did it suddenly turn into a real longsword?

Before the villain actor could figure out the problem, he saw the swordsman struggle to pull out his sword, blood splattering on the stage, and then the swordsman charged at the others as if he had gone mad.

His consciousness drifted further and further away, and he could no longer even feel the stinging pain in his heart.

He heard the thud of himself falling to the ground, and in his last moments, he saw the crazed swordsman behead another man.

Crazy, this person is crazy!

This was his last thought, until...

"What are you still doing?"

The director's shout pulled him back to reality. The gaslights backstage suddenly became glaring, but the villain actor paid no attention to them. He gasped for breath, his hands instinctively covering his chest. However, the spot where the sword should have pierced him was intact, and his heart was still beating.

Could it be... that was all an illusion?
No, that's definitely not an illusion!

The villain actor was also wearing a black robe belonging to a follower of the evil god, with a clear mark on the chest where a sword had pierced through.

"It's time to take the curtain call!"

Seeing that he was in a daze, the director grabbed the villain actor from his chair and shoved him out of the backstage area.

The stage reeked of blood. The villainous actor noticed the blood splattered on the wall, which was definitely not part of the script, and they had never made such a prop. But... the others were also "resurrected." He clearly saw the actor whose head had been severed by a sword bowing to the audience.

The atmosphere in the theater was incredibly high, with thunderous applause ringing out continuously.

This was the most enthusiastic audience response he could remember. It was no longer a routine performance, routine applause, and routine evaluation afterward. This time, he truly felt that the audience was fully engaged in the performance, and they remained immersed in the tragic war until the curtain fell.

He glanced instinctively at a row of people and saw the veiled noblewoman, who was clapping excitedly like the other audience members.

"Miss."

Beside the veiled woman sat a short, stout middle-aged man in a well-tailored black official robe embroidered with a dark gold emblem of life. His face still lingered with excitement as he gazed at the woman for a long time before finally saying, "You are a true expert. I've lived in Oasis City for so many years and have never seen such a wonderful performance!"

The actors' performances and reactions reached an unprecedented level; it was as if they were truly experiencing death on stage, being cut down one by one by the wielder of the sword of victory.

"Honorable lady, would you do me the honor of attending my networking event later? Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, I am..."

“Treasurer Heriot.”

To the man's surprise, the masked woman revealed his identity directly.

He was slightly taken aback, but didn't take it to heart. Considering that the masked lady was likely the daughter of a wealthy family, and that he organized almost half of the parties in Oasis City, it wasn't surprising that she recognized him at a glance.

"It is I, madam... "

"As the financial officer in charge of urban resources and public works, you have repeatedly embezzled public funds and violated the Vatican's Covenant of Mutual Assistance. Sixty-three devout believers have accused you of your crimes and prayed to the goddess that you would be nailed to a stake."

……

This was an unusual day for a villain actor.

While everyone else went to the party, he stayed in the theater, claiming he was feeling unwell. He still couldn't explain what had happened on stage. He had been stabbed in the heart, yet he suddenly appeared backstage and skipped the rest of the performance, which lasted for more than an hour.

As people left, most of the gaslights and storage crystals in the theater were extinguished, leaving only the one on the table next to him.

He waited backstage until the last footsteps disappeared, and then a "tick-tock" sound coming from the stage caught the attention of the villain actor.

He hesitated for a moment, then picked up the gas lamp and walked toward the stage.

When the dim light of the gas lamps illuminated the stage, what came into view was a huge wooden stake, with a man with his head hanging down nailed to it, blood flowing from his pierced wound, the "drip drip drip" being the sound of blood dripping onto the ground.

The man was dressed in a well-tailored black official robe embroidered with a dark gold emblem of life. When the villain actor approached, he saw the man's wide-open eyes and gaping mouth, as if he had witnessed something incredibly terrifying before being nailed to a stake.

"Mr. Heriot!"

The villain actor blurted out that he recognized the treasurer of Oasis City at a glance. He was one of the biggest behind-the-scenes financiers of the troupe, and the banquet that followed was also organized by Heriot. As the organizer, he should have been present at the banquet.

In the actors' eyes, Heriot is a generous and witty person.

The villain actor struggled to overcome his fear and tried to relax. He thought of the bizarre phenomenon on stage that defied common sense, forced a smile, and teased the man on the wooden stake, "Hey, Mr. Heriot, you almost fooled me! Seriously, your acting is better than most people I've ever seen. The troupe should definitely invite you to guest star next time!"

But all that answered him was silence and the sound of blood dripping onto the ground.

An ominous premonition arose in the actor's heart.

"Mr. Heriot?"

"Mr. Heriot!"

(End of this chapter)