Chapter 405

Chapter 405: The Opera Troupe Embarks

“Opera troupe Dawn Flower? I haven’t heard of them.”

A middle-aged butler dressed in burgundy evening attire sat on a sofa inside the manor, looking at the leader of the mage association from Ubell.

“That’s right. You come from Verdant, so you might not have heard of this opera troupe. They mainly perform in Vergha and Clancia,” a well-dressed mage explained casually, slowly setting down his teacup.

“Should we meet them? I heard Earl Blue Bull places great importance on this cruise, so I recommended them.”

Although there was tension between Verdant and Frost Rose at present, no war had broken out yet. Additionally, some nobles still sided with Frost Rose, including Earl Blue Bull.

His territory was by the sea, and he frequently traded with the country of Rourna, which made him wealthy and familiar with them. Previously, the mages from Rourna had asked him to mediate with some of the upper echelons of Verdant, urging them to abandon their thoughts of attacking Rourna.

During peacetime, trade between the two sides brought substantial customs duties to border provinces and territories, which was another reason some nobles were hesitant to go to war.

This voyage of the Grand Eastern around the Seven Seas was indeed Blue Bull’s idea. He aimed not only to strengthen relations with other nobles but also to increase his own fame and influence.

In the Empire of Verdant, after reaching the rank of Earl, it was nearly impossible to advance further. The four ducal families had established great achievements during the founding era, and their positions could not be shaken. Thus, they could only seek to enhance their reputation and influence, aiming for a status above Earls but below Dukes.

Therefore, during this voyage, Earl Blue Bull instructed his butlers and other retainers to do their best to provide the most wonderful and novel experiences for the nobles of Verdant.

“Since Mage Landau recommends them so highly, this opera troupe must be exceptional. There’s no need to watch the full performance; the cruise has limited berthing time. I’ll just briefly look at the members.”

Even though he trusted the mage’s credibility, he needed to see for himself before feeling assured. The butler stood up and walked outside.

A well-dressed young man stood outside, wearing dark black trousers, deep blue evening attire, and a white shirt underneath. He looked very tidy, with a white flower emblem pinned to the collar of his shirt.

“Good day.”

“Good day. I am the leader of the Dawn Flower Opera Troupe, Triton.” Triton removed his hat and pressed it to his chest, nodding in greeting.

“Thank you. Let’s sit over here.” The butler found it remarkable that such a young man led an opera troupe, but he did not show excessive surprise. If the leader had been an elder, he would have considered whether the troupe’s taste was outdated.

The goal of this cruise was to showcase new and fresh things to leave a lasting impression. Therefore, he preferred newer and uniquely styled opera troupes.

“In fact, our opera troupe originated from the Dusk Troupe. A member retired and created the precursor of our team back home. Over time, we’ve gained some recognition.” Although he couldn’t claim to be part of the Dusk Troupe, Triton tried to highlight his connections to boost initial awareness.

Moreover, he possessed complete proof of membership in the Dusk Troupe, making him feel confident and prepared.

“What style does your troupe specialize in? Our guests mostly come from Verdant and would appreciate something unique.”

“This is fortunate. Our troupe specializes in a new genre, dark fairy tale style,” Triton said with a composed expression, even though he fabricated the genre.

“This sounds quite novel.” The butler, although uninterested personally, sensed that this might appeal to the noble ladies.

“Are there any other members? I’d like to meet them.”

“Yes, they are resting in another room. Please follow me.”

Triton led the butler to another room. This manor belonged to the mage association of Ubell, and the interior space was spacious.

They crossed the carpeted corridor and entered another room. It was spacious, with several girls sitting inside, some reading, some chatting, and some napping. These were Lolan Hill and her companions.

Upon entering, the butler glanced around and knew he had made the right choice. Regardless of anything else, the beauty of these girls alone would attract many people.

This opera troupe was truly impressive. How did they recruit so many beautiful girls?

Seeing the butler’s confusion, Triton explained, “Most of our members come from wealthy backgrounds. They joined the troupe out of interest and passion. Of course, their abilities are excellent, so there’s no need to worry about that.”

Triton had carefully crafted this explanation. The daughters of prestigious families should not be underestimated, lest they provoke conflicts if the butler harbored improper intentions. It was better to hint that these members came from noble backgrounds and had personal freedom, not to be treated lightly.

After this, the butler no longer underestimated them, instead believing these members were from distinguished families. Particularly among the three, their demeanor was beyond what ordinary households could cultivate. His gaze briefly swept over Letis, Lolan Hill, and Vimya.

With this conclusion, his attitude became more respectful. He no longer probed unnecessarily but stepped out to continue discussing with Triton.

At this moment, he already considered Triton a young butler who accompanied and protected young ladies for leisure, explaining why he was so young.

Compared to those of unknown origins, better-born noblemen were more trustworthy. At least they would consider family honor, unlike commoners who had no limits. With this thought, the butler and Triton’s arrangements went smoothly. As long as Triton’s requests were reasonable, they were generally accepted.

On the surface, Triton spoke confidently, but internally he maintained a straight posture, his mind racing to identify any imperfections. Like a true opera troupe leader, he demanded adequate cabin lounges, not too far from the main areas, safe and pleasant environments, etc.

Additionally, regarding performances and revenue sharing, the first performance would be free, with extra income from gifts shared equally. For the next two performances, ticket sales would be split evenly, while other income would be 70% for the opera troupe.

This agreement was quite generous. According to Triton’s understanding, the Dusk Troupe usually only received 40% of the revenue.

“It’s settled then. I will write a certificate, and you can board the ship with it within two days.” They stood up and shook hands.

After the matter was concluded, Lolan Hill and her companions boarded the epoch-defining giant ship as they wished. As the propellers slowly turned and the sails unfurled, the ship headed south towards the Southern Islands. It would carry nearly 4,000 people to the agreed island for a vacation, staying there for over half a month.

(End of Chapter)