Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 344: Love in the Play
Ash and his troupe of actors were welcomed by the audience and first came to the exclusive stand where Lord Harvey was, and bowed to pay tribute to the supreme ruler of the territory.

Harvey also stood up with a smile and gave some verbal encouragement to the actors from the podium.

With the Lord's personal comments, the atmosphere in the venue was instantly ignited.

The audience kept shouting the names of the hero and heroine, and other supporting actors, encouraged by the audience, pushed the two protagonists together and urged them to hug each other outside of the performance.

Suddenly there was another long round of applause and cheers, mixed with a lot of playful whistles.

Ash said with a grin, "Your Excellency, although I was only given less than a month, are you satisfied with this wonderful performance?"

Harvey burst into laughter, then bent down to his friend as if understanding. "How could I not know what you're thinking? Tell me, what reward are you seeking for these actors? First things first, I've already paid their salaries in advance, and they're strictly according to the salary system set by City Hall. This can only be an additional reward."

Ash turned around and looked at the actors behind him, who were excited because of the successful performance and the rave reviews. He thought for a moment before saying firmly, "I want a theater! A real theater with a stage and curtains and seats... so that these extras who originally didn't have regular jobs can have a formal theater work contract."

Harvey narrowed his eyes and nodded, "I'll agree to half of it first. We'll discuss the details later."

At present, all the manpower and materials of the entire territory construction department are invested in the construction of the Academy of Magical Sciences. If Harvey were to approve the construction of another theater, Minister Haru would probably be exhausted to the point of vomiting blood.

"I will temporarily allocate the public college's auditorium for your use to rehearse your plays. Tickets for subsequent performances will also be sold publicly, which will serve as legal operating income for the establishment of the Territory Theater. As for the relevant procedures and processes for the formal establishment of the theater, you and Reiner can discuss them... Are you satisfied with this?"

Ash's face lit up with joy, "Of course! I'm satisfied! I want a theater more than an independent magic lab!"

……

Barron said goodbye to his colleagues in the temporary troupe, changed out of his neat new performance costume, picked up his somewhat worn fur coat and put it on his shoulders, then slowly left the rehearsal room in the college auditorium.

Three days had passed since his first stadium performance, but when Barron was alone, the audience's thunderous cheers and praise would still echo in his mind from time to time.

There was also praise from Mr. Lambert, the manager of the theater troupe - you are the most talented orc in theatrical performance that I have ever seen.

Whenever he thought of this, Barron couldn't help but feel secretly happy. It seemed as if all the recognition and praise he had received in his life were obtained after he came to the Pioneer Territory.

He attended a literacy school and obtained a certificate of literacy with excellent results. His teacher praised him for his hard work and good memory.

Since he had not been in the pioneer territory for long, he was not yet eligible for a fixed long-term work contract. However, no matter whether it was a temporary job on a farm, a construction site or a factory production workshop, he had more or less received positive comments from the leaders and managers about his hard work and cleverness.

"Listening to the advice of my fellow tribesmen who escaped from the tribe and coming here through the icy plains with untold hardships is truly the most worthwhile decision I have ever made in my life!" Barron feels that the future is full of hope. As long as he keeps working hard, things will get better and better.

After leaving the academy, he met many people along the way who recognized his identity and appearance. They all greeted him with a smile and affectionately called him Mr. "Romeo", which made Barron feel shy and proud.

Suddenly, he heard the crisp sound of a bicycle bell behind him, and he stopped and turned around.

It turned out to be Miss Juliet, Natalie Mills, the leading actress in the play "Northern Love." "Hi! Barron," Natalie said to him naturally. "You've been rehearsing at the theater all day? Didn't Mr. Lambert only give you half a day to practice your part?"

Barron answered honestly, "Yes, I know my lines well, but I'm always nervous and make mistakes in my positioning. I have to rehearse with other people more often..."

He paused, then continued somewhat embarrassedly, "Besides, the weather has been too cold recently, and construction has been suspended at the construction site. I don't have any other temporary work to do. The theater offers me a good salary anyway, so I might as well practice more."

Although Ms. Natalie was born in the southern territory, her family moved to the territory some time ago. In addition, both her parents were still alive and had stable job contracts, so her family conditions were above middle class in the territory.

From the latest model of women's light bicycle she was pushing, it could be seen that she was a lady with a very good living standard and family conditions, and she was also educated and well-read.

Natalie was originally a part-time teacher at a public college. If she hadn't recommended herself to Mr. Lambert because of her love for drama performance, she should have been able to get a full-time teaching contract quickly.

Thinking of this, Barron felt a little ashamed. Whether in acting or in real life, there was indeed a big difference in status between him and the beautiful and intelligent lady in front of him.

Miss Juliet herself didn't mind the difference in status at all. She pushed her bicycle over to Barron's side, naturally brushed the snow off his shoulders, and said with a smile, "You don't have to be so hardworking. Sometimes a proper rest can make your performance better and less nervous."

Barron nodded and was about to speak when a group of students who had just finished school walked by and shouted to the two of them.

"Ah! It's Mr. Romeo and Miss Juliet! Good heavens!"

"Miss Juliet! You look as beautiful as you did on stage the other day!"

"Signor Romeo! You... you are so tall!"

Natalie nodded to the students with an approachable smile, and patiently discussed with them some issues regarding the plot of the drama performance, which made Barron, who was standing aside, look even more stunned.

A bold student suddenly laughed and said, "In the last scene of the performance that day, when Mr. Romeo died heroically, we were heartbroken for a long time... Now seeing that you are still together and doing well is really comforting."

After that, the students all smiled sincerely and waved goodbye to the two one after another.

These words made the atmosphere between the two of them suddenly awkward and ambiguous, and even Natalie, who was always generous, blushed slightly.

Barron subconsciously lowered his head, pinched the torn corner of his clothes, and didn't know what to say.

Natalie, however, recovered first. She cleared her throat and said softly, "My parents also went to watch our performance that day... well, they... they want to invite you to my house for dinner. Is that okay?"

"Ah? Invite...invite me?" Barron raised his head in a daze, not yet reacting.

Their rough, broad palms suddenly met the other's soft, slender fingers. Natalie shoved the bicycle handlebars into Barron's hands and said with a smile, "I'll take this as a yes. Let's go! My house isn't that far, so I can take this opportunity to teach you how to ride a bike!"

(End of this chapter)