Chapter 176: Alluring All Beings

After Richard Eva’s previous admonition, Soro Flare had gradually extinguished the delusional thoughts in his heart.

However, that changed during the last small gathering of the White Ballet Shoes Club, when he saw Janna again.

Even though he knew it was impossible, the flame that had long been dormant in Soro Flare’s heart suddenly reignited uncontrollably—

Bang—

As everyone finished entering, the doors of the theater closed. When the entire theater was plunged into darkness, a beam of light abruptly illuminated a short-haired woman in a dark gown standing before the red stage curtain.

“Dear honored guests, Happy New Year! Thank you for visiting the Nightingale Opera Troupe on the very first day of the New Year. I am your announcer tonight, Julie Anne. Up next is ‘Song of the Ocean,’ written and directed by David Berg. To ensure the best viewing experience, the lighting inside the theater had to be dimmed, which might have caused some inconvenience. For that, I sincerely apologize—”

As she spoke, Julie Anne, dressed in formal attire, gently bowed to express her apology.

“But I promise, the upcoming performance will surely be a satisfying one...”

Bang—

With a soft sound, the spotlight on stage dimmed abruptly. Julie Anne, having completed her announcement, quietly stepped off the stage, leaving behind a serene stillness.

Rumble—

Just as everyone waited for the curtains to rise, a sudden, highly realistic thunderclap echoed overhead in the theater.

“Is that a sound effect?”

Crash—

Before Vivian could locate the sound system, a wave-like roar, as if the sea itself was enraged, redirected her attention to the slowly rising curtain on stage.

Crackle—

The vivid sound effects and simulated lightning lights immediately immersed every audience member, whether familiar with ‘Song of the Ocean’ or not, into the scene.

“The sea... it’s out of control—”

Crash—

Though the voice was heard, the speaker remained unseen.

Accompanied by this ethereal, half-sigh, half-anxious voice, the lighting changed, making it seem as if real seawater surged across the stage, taking everyone’s breath away.

“Is this... illusion magic? No—it’s merely waves simulated using optical principles.” Looking at the near-indistinguishable scenery on stage, Vivian, who hadn’t held any expectations for the plot, found herself unexpectedly intrigued.

“Could this be what the Nightingale Opera Troupe meant by innovation? The visual effects are indeed a stunning embellishment for the story. Though limited, they reveal the troupe’s sincerity.”

Bang—

With another change in lighting, the ocean scene on stage vanished abruptly.

In its place, a group of strong fishermen appeared, carrying a massive iron cage covered with a black cloth, now positioned at the center of the stage.

“The opening scene seems different?”

Seeing the luxurious setup of the long hall on stage, a trace of confusion flashed across Vivian’s eyes.

The original first act of ‘Song of the Ocean’ was supposed to depict the magic-deprived heroine, Olivia, being captured by fishermen amid stranded reefs—

“This is the treasure you’re offering?”

As the stage lighting brightened, a thin man with a goatee and a top hat appeared in the royal palace hall, looking disdainfully at the foul-smelling fishermen.

“Yes, sir, this is the treasure our fishing village presents to the prince this year—”

“Nonsense!”

Impatiently cutting him off, the man with the goatee turned and respectfully addressed the figure seated on the golden high-back chair:

“Your Highness, these men are mere fishermen from nearby villages. What they offer is likely nothing but filthy rubbish, unworthy of the stage—”

“It’s fine, Count Jordan. I’m curious to see what they’ve brought.”

“Understood.”

Since the other party said so, Count Jordan could only turn around and gesture for the guards to unveil the iron cage.

“You lowly beings dare sully His Highness Watson’s eyes. I won’t let you off—”

Clang—

As a guard approached and lifted the black cloth, in that instant, his hand froze mid-air, and even the sword he held fell to the floor.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and unveil it!”

Seeing the strange behavior, Count Jordan, eager to impress Watson, spoke coldly.

“M-My lord... t-this is... a mermaid—”

“What!?”

Upon hearing that, Count Jordan rushed to the cage and swiftly uncovered the cloth.

Gasp—

Amid the gasps, a fantastical and resplendent creature appeared in the cage.

Tangled yet lustrous black hair, porcelain-like snow-white skin, and a face so flawless that even the gods might envy it.

Underneath was a giant fish tail, its scales glimmering like blue glass, exuding an aura of sorrow, despair, enchantment, and purity all at once.

Everyone present, including the audience who had been fully prepared beforehand, seemed as if enchanted by witchcraft, unable to avert their eyes—

Gasp—

The gasping wasn’t limited to the stage.

Even the audience below was so stunned that they inhaled sharply again and again.

The opening’s “seawater thunder” audiovisual effects might have startled them. But Olivia’s breathtaking appearance shook everyone to their core with sheer visual beauty.

“Is that really Janna?”

This thought occurred not only to Vivian but was also a collective sentiment among all who knew Janna.

Unlike Janna’s usual “pure white witch” image at the academy, the Olivia she portrayed resembled a true “siren.”

Alluring, pitiful—every smile, a fatal temptation and trap.

“Your Highness—that’s truly a mermaid!”

On stage, amid Count Jordan’s nearly trembling exclamation, Watson, prince of the Rose Kingdom portrayed by Shuka Berg, leapt up from the golden high-back chair.

“Olivia? Are you... Olivia!?”

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