Overwhelming Firepower

The intermission had started, and a few people headed to get something to eat. The streets were illuminated by the mana lamps, and there were quite a few vendors outside the theater.

They had already expected that a few people would get hungry during intermission, which was how they were able to set up their stalls in advance.

At first, their voices rang out as usual, loud, practiced, eager for coin. Then they noticed something was off.

The people seemed to be deep in thought about something. Still, as merchants, they continued to smile and offer the people food and drinks.

The people who got their food and drink went to an area where they could sit and talk. Of course, the topic of their discussion was what they had seen in the play.

The acting was superb, the lines made their hearts beat a little faster, but more than that, what was happening to the knight felt oddly familiar to what was happening to the Thorneharts.

”Do you know where the rumors started?”

”I don’t really know, it’s just that the rumors seemed plausible and many people were talking about it, which is why I thought it might be true.”

”Even though the Thorneharts have always protected us from every and all threats? Even now, when the surge of monsters came about, wasn’t the Thorneharts the first to respond?”

”I guess, it’s because the current Thorneharts are stronger than before, but even then, it really is weird that I actually thought they were a threat and wanted to revolt.”

The conversation among the commoners followed a similar pattern of realizing that the rumors had affected their thoughts more than they imagined.

The conversations did not grow louder. If anything, they grew more cautious.

People leaned closer to one another as they spoke, voices dropping without conscious intent. Not because anyone had told them to be quiet, but because instinct warned them that too much honesty, spoken too freely, could become dangerous.

The nobles were also having their own discussion about the play. They looked at the discussing commoners, and a few of them had frowning faces.

”Is this alright? Doesn’t this play question noble authority?”

”This is because of the conflict between the Thorneharts and Marquis Valeire’s group, since the two sides are fighting, lesser nobles like us will also be affected.”

”Well, isn’t the play simply saying that we, nobles, should uphold our honor and dignity instead of only thinking about profit?”

A few of the nobles were starting to remember their roots. Their families weren’t always like this; they were once proud warriors similar to the Thorneharts.

Has being in a state of peace brought about by the protection of the Thorneharts turned them into these weaklings, only thinking about their reputation?

A few nobles fell silent at that thought. Not because they disagreed, but because the answer unsettled them.

Once, their crests had meant something more than lineage and land. Once, their names had been earned on blood-soaked fields, not polished floors and ledgers.

They had been raised on stories of ancestors who stood at the walls, who bled beside their men, who were remembered because they protected, not because they profited.

A question started forming in the minds of the neutral nobles. Was what they were doing wrong?

While a few nobles were questioning themselves, of course, there were also some who were angry that the message was trying to convey. Most of which were allies to Marquis Valeire.

”What is that Thornehart boy trying to do? Is he truly wanting to start a rebellion?”

”That kid really doesn’t understand how noble society works.”

While his allies were getting worked up, Marquis Valeire remained quiet, simply listening to what they were saying while observing those around him.

***

The same as everyone else, Viscount Cedric Darenthal was also deep in thought.

’I guess I was thinking too critically. Having checks and balances is good, but to deny the chivalry of the Thorneharts because of their accumulating power, maybe just me being overly cautious.’

Viscount Cedric frowned as he shook his head. ’No, I shouldn’t simply just put my trust in them. The same as any of us, the Thorneharts are human as well, which means they make mistakes just like anyone else. Still, I guess compared to Marquis Valeire and his group, the Thorneharts represent the true spirit of nobility, a warrior and noble of Norvaegard should possess.’

Cedric then glanced around and saw not only the nobles but even the commoners were having such varying thoughts about the play.

’Compared to his Father, Duke Vardon, the young Thornehart seems to be a little more cunning. Hm... I think it’s almost time that I should have a talk with the young Thornehart.’

***

On the other hand, the other ducal households were having a different kind of discussion compared to the others.

”Such a roundabout way to say the rumors being spread is a pile of horse dung. Still, I guess this is better than just being passive, like what my rival Vardon would have done.” Kaelvar spoke while shrugging his shoulders. ”Well, if it were me, I would have cut down the problem at the source.”

”Not everyone is as reckless as you, my dear,” Medea commented on the side.

In the Judicar’s seat, Elandor Judicar frowned. ”Tsk, how frustrating that we can’t do anything about this situation.”

”Don’t worry, no matter what happens, Justice will always arrive.” Erika Judicar responded to her husband.

On the Aeromonts’ side, the mother and daughter did not discuss anything and eagerly waited for the next scene to be shown.

As for the Thorneharts, the one who is being discussed the most, Vardon, Cael, and the butler Vahn did not have much of a reaction. The same as the Aeromonts, they simply waited for the intermission to end.

***

King Ragnor watched everyone having such hearty discussions about the play and couldn’t help but smile.

He watched the expression on his children. The first prince was frowning deep in thought. The second prince had his eyes closed as if he were sleeping.

The third prince was talking to his sister, the second princess, in an excited tone. The first princess was biting into a snack as if she wasn’t interested in anything at all, but the slight smile on her face said otherwise.

King Ragnor then looked at his Queen and asked. ”My love, what do you think of the young Thornehart’s play?”

”Even though the play hasn’t finished yet, I can say that it is quite interesting. It made both nobles and commoners question themselves. It also makes one think about what protection, honor, and the role of a noble truly are.”

King Ragnor listened without interrupting, his smile not fading, but softening. ”The young Thornehart truly is quite the talent, not only in martial might, but even in other areas. To think such a genius would be born in our kingdom...”

When King Ragnor said the last line, the smile on his face slowly changed into a frown, seeing that the Queen spoke.

”What troubles you, my husband?”

”It is quite fortunate for Norvaegard to have such a genius, but normally when geniuses such as Lucen appears that means an era of turmoil might arrive. I have already seen signs from the neighboring kingdoms, especially the Rocton Empire who seems to be getting ready to wage war. There’s also the rising monster attacks.”

The Queen followed his gaze as it drifted beyond the theater hall, as if he were looking not at the crowd, but at a horizon only he could see. She then grasped the hand of her husband and spoke in a gentle tone.

”No matter what kind of turmoil arrives, as long as we stand firm, we can survive anything.” The Queen then showed a bright smile as she continued. ”Also, maybe the reason that such geniuses as Lucen were born in this time is a gift from deities to protect Norvaegard from the coming storm.”

”You are truly wise, my love.” King Ragnor responded with a similar bright smile. ”I also hope that this play will remind the other noble houses that they were once warriors who protected the people. Also, I hope it teaches our children that bloodline doesn’t give one the right to be followed, but one’s actions are.”

”I’m sure they will.” The Queen responded.

King Ragnor nodded his head as his gaze returned to the stage just as a soft, resonant chime echoed through Vaelgard’s Theater House.

***

A distant chime rang through the theater district. The mana lamps flickered once as attendants began calling people back inside, their voices polite but firm.

Conversations slowly broke apart, unfinished thoughts lingering in the air like smoke that refused to disperse.

Commoners stood, still uneasy, glancing over their shoulders as if afraid that their words might be overheard even now. Nobles adjusted their robes and masks of composure, some with renewed resolve, others with resentment burning just beneath the surface.

All of them returned to their seats. Because no matter what they thought of the message, they wanted to see how the story ended. The play had truly enticed their imaginations.

When the last audience member settled into place, the mana lamps along the walls dimmed slightly. Curtains remained closed, but the stage lights shifted, not to darkness, but to a low, tense glow, like the calm before a storm.

Backstage, unseen by the crowd, illusion mages adjusted their focus. Actors took their places without chatter. The second act of the play was about to begin.