I have a Tantric panel

At a glance.

The Royal Theatre is much more spacious and magnificent than the previous Elm Street Theatre.

The horseshoe-shaped boxes are stacked one on top of another, like a gilded honeycomb hanging under the dome.

The private room was draped with deep red velvet curtains, edged with heavy gold tassels, exuding luxury and solemnity.

Wow.

Ronan couldn't help but let out a low gasp: "This is the first time I've ever watched a play in a box at the Royal Theatre."

"The scenery here is truly unique!"

"really."

Xia En sighed inwardly.

Although entertainment options were limited in this era, the top few still enjoyed a truly exceptional lifestyle.

He also had other questions in mind:

Through painting, I have completed the transition from a knocker to a practitioner.

Did Freya, who started the ritual even earlier than him, also cross that line?

Once most of the audience had entered the venue.

The gas lamps dimmed, signaling that the play was about to begin.

At this moment, Shane noticed something.

Ronan's expression was somewhat strange, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Ronan, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just a bit of an upset stomach, probably from eating dinner too quickly."

Ronan waved his hand: "Watching the show is more important than this little thing."

Seeing this, Xia En didn't say anything more.

Not long after.

Suddenly, a very thin spotlight pierced the center of the stage from the light bridge above the fourth-level box.

The empty throne was illuminated.

The curtain rose silently.

A figure slowly emerged from the deepest shadows of the stage.

She wore a pure black dress that had not been touched by any light, raised her hand to touch the armrest of the throne, and then spoke softly.

I used to think that saying goodbye to a city was easier than saying goodbye to a person.

"Now I know that a city is a memory built by people with stones—and I have built all my memories into this city."

"Oh oh oh oh..."

Ronan's expression grew increasingly excited: "It's 'Farewell Elegy'!"

He explained to Shane in a low voice.

"This is a classic three-act tragedy that tells the story of a queen bidding farewell to her city, fleet, and people on the eve of the fall of her empire."

"Miss Freya must be using this show to say goodbye to us—how thoughtful!"

Xia En's lips twitched.

He didn't understand the mindset of fans, but he expressed respect for it.

He looked at Freya in the center of the stage.

Unfortunately, the distance was too great to determine the strength of the etheric field using [perception].

It was just a momentary curiosity.

Unable to discern the truth, Xia En simply calmed down and quietly enjoyed the drama unfolding before her.

Passion: 0 (87%...89%...91%...)

The passion that is consumed is slowly replenished in this process.

have to say.

Each time Shane watches Freya's play, his passion increases to some extent.

If you lock her up, she can put on a show for you every day...

Xia En quickly shook his head, dispelling the dangerous thought.

The plot of the first act is halfway through.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Ronan's expression was becoming increasingly strange, as if he was forcibly enduring something.

Until a minor climax in the play on stage ends.

Ronan finally couldn't hold back any longer: "Shane, I need to go to the restroom."

"Damn it, at such a crucial moment."

Xia En gave him a sympathetic look.

"Hurry up, if you're quick, you can still make it back before Act Three."

With a bang, the door slammed shut.

Soon, as the plot progressed, the drama on stage approached its true climax.

The Queen stood at the edge of the stage, bathed in a solitary, silvery-white light.

The pure black dress was soaked with sweat and clung to her shoulder blades.

She spoke, her voice not loud, but every word seemed to be nailed to the air.

"I did not lose the empire; I simply returned it to you."

What followed was supposed to be a long monologue, expressing the Queen's resolute heart and bidding farewell to her people.

While Shane was still lamenting Ronan's absence.

Sudden.

--boom!

It was a gunshot.

Short and dull, it was particularly jarring between lines of dialogue.

The audience didn't react immediately, thinking it was part of the drama, and were still wondering why the gunshots sounded so realistic.

But in just a moment, Xia En realized what was happening.

wrong!

With the enhanced vision from his heightened perception, he could see clearly.

Freya staggered on stage and clutched her waist.

Followed by.

The gaslights in the theater all went out at once.

Several gunshots rang out in succession from the darkness, and someone shouted:

"Miss Freya has been shot!"

"Help! Bodyguards! Where are the bodyguards?"

Accompanied by such shouts.

The riot in the theater was magnified dozens of times in an instant.

People realized that their beloved Miss Freya had been shot in full view of everyone!

This isn't even the worst of it.

Xia En glanced around and saw several lights shining around the stage below.

Gas pipeline.

This word popped up.

The lights in the Imperial Capital Theater have not yet been upgraded to electric lights.

Gas lamps were the mainstream in this era.

A large number of gas pipes are laid around the stage and even inside the Royal Theatre.

Once it's set on fire, the entire theater will be engulfed in flames.

Xia En's heart was pounding, and his breathing was slightly rapid.

But there was no panic in his eyes.

【Rationality (2) · Calmness】

The newly unlocked talent helps him keep his mind clear and his heart calm.

Quickly organize the known information.

Clearly, this was an assassination attempt targeting Freya.

He can infiltrate the Royal Theatre and simultaneously operate the lights and carry out assassinations.

This means that the killer was not an individual, but an organization.

In other words, the dangerous perpetrator is very likely still lurking outside the private room.

But there are two problems:

First, Ronan!

No one knew whether Ronan was in the restroom or had simply stumbled into the chaotic crowd.

But one thing is certain: he is in a more dangerous situation than I am right now.

Secondly, gas pipelines.

The private room is safe for now.

But once the gas is ignited, the theater becomes a fire scene.

Continuing to hide here is tantamount to waiting for death.

With that in mind, Xia En quickly made a decision—

Go outside!

First, try to find Ronan; if you can't, then take care of yourself.

He took out the pocket watch from his chest and gently pressed it on the crown.

A mysterious, hazy veil enveloped him, diminishing his presence.

Then, Shane pushed open the door and went out.

Inside the theater, complete chaos had broken out.

Someone shouted loudly, telling everyone to stay where they were and not to panic, as running around would only increase the risk of injury or death.

Unfortunately, nobody listened.

Panic is spreading like a plague.

The cries of children, the curses of men, the thud of heavy objects falling to the ground... countless sounds overlapped, merging into a chaotic symphony.

People rushed into the escape tunnels.

Even the most well-mannered gentlemen couldn't care less about anything else at this moment; all they wanted was to escape this dangerous place as quickly as possible.

In this situation, the casualties caused by stampedes would far outweigh those caused by assassinations.

Xia En had no time to pay attention to anyone else; he simply grabbed a waiter and asked.

"Which direction is the nearest restroom?"

The waiter was startled, but still answered hastily.

"It's at the end of this corridor, just around the corner."

After receiving a reply, Xia En went against the flow of people and walked alone through the chaos.