I Became A Playwright In Medieval Fantasy-Chapter 33

Always nagging, always saying, “Strength alone can’t rule the world.” Just like her own mentor, who had warned her in that same sorrowful tone, “You can’t live by strength alone.”

"You were wrong. In this world, strength is everything."

As Maya held onto the badge made of the same orichalcum as Phantom’s—a symbol of her status as a Sword’s Champion candidate—she whispered to herself.

Xiang Yu had strength, and because of that, no one could defy his decisions.

Who could challenge him, even if he divided the lands as he pleased? What could a minor warlord like Liu Bang say in protest when Xiang Yu commanded him to exile himself to Bashu?

And it was her own overwhelming strength that had brought her from a helpless child to a Sword’s Champion candidate.

"I’ll walk the path of a tyrant like Xiang Yu."

Maya wiped the blood from her face and made a firm vow.

I will never lose anything again. No matter what.

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"Next! Come on in!"

At the Gelorucina Theater, where Farewell My Concubine would be performed again today, an open audition was underway under the direction of the theater’s owner, Isabella.

The reason was simple: the script for the second part of Farewell My Concubine had been completed, and now, they were casting the leading lady, Yu Ji.

…And I, Phantom, was here as a judge.

In traditional Chinese opera, women were forbidden from performing. But this wasn’t real opera—it was just a play styled after one. In fact, it was more similar to Puccini’s Turandot or Madame Butterfly.

There was no reason we couldn’t use female actors in this world. After all, I had no desire to watch a romantic scene between two effeminate male actors.

"Thank you. We’ll be in touch with the results later. Ugh…"

As I stretched my stiff joints after sending the 17th contestant out, I thought about why we were casting Yu Ji from outside the troupe.

"You understand, Phantom?"

Professor Gabi, who was also serving as a judge alongside Isabella and me, spoke up, her expression serious despite the blindfold over one eye.

"Yu Ji can’t just be any actress. She needs to be able to act, sing, and have the right appearance to play the role. All three aspects have to be perfect."

"Of course, professor. I understand."

Historically, Yu Ji wasn’t a major figure. In fact, she barely played a role in the first part of Farewell My Concubine, where action was the focus. I hadn’t introduced her because I wanted to avoid distracting the audience.

She would shine in the second part, where Xiang Yu’s downfall and tragedy were depicted.

The challenge, however, was finding someone with the right mix of beauty, acting talent, and singing ability. So far, we’d found plenty of pretty contestants with decent acting skills, but none of them had the singing prowess we needed.

"Hmm, at this rate, Professor Gabi, maybe you should just take the role? You have the beauty and the ageless grace of an elf."

Isabella, clearly in a good mood thanks to the financial success of Farewell My Concubine, waved an expensive fan as she made the suggestion.

"No offense, but I’m one-eyed and one-armed," Gabi chuckled. "I doubt I’d be suited for playing the lead actress."

"Er, well…" Isabella grimaced at her faux pas, worried that she might have insulted the professor.

Of course, Gabi didn’t seem to mind in the slightest.

"Alright, next! Contestant number 18, come on in!"

She called for the next person with her usual cheery demeanor.

And as soon as the next contestant stepped in, both Gabi and I froze in surprise.

"Huh?"

"Wait, isn’t that Rosaline Wainford, the duke’s daughter?"

"Yes! Th-that’s right, Professor Gabi!"

Number 18 was none other than Rosaline, the upperclassman I was quite familiar with.

She stood there, her expression awkward, sweating profusely, clearly nervous. Her green eyes kept glancing at me.

"So, you’ve never taken my classes, Rosaline, but what brings you to Gelorucina?"

"Ah, yes! I-I wanted to audition for Phantom’s… the audition, that is!"

As she spoke, her gaze kept flickering toward me. Her breathing was ragged, and her trembling hands clutched the script as if she’d just sprinted here.

"Are you really Phantom?"

"Uh, yes. That’s me."

"Th-then… I’m a huge fan!! I’ve been following your work since Admiral Lee! I’m a big, big fan!"

Rosaline’s voice cracked with excitement, her whole body trembling like she was about to faint from joy.

"Well, thank you for your support, Lady Wainford."

"I-I have so much to say! My family is so grateful to you because—ah, um, sorry, I’m so nervous…"

She was shaking so hard she looked like she might pass out.

Gabi stepped in, smiling gently. "Alright, alright, let’s calm down a bit, Rosaline. Let’s try reading the lines on page 24, where Yu Ji encourages Xiang Yu before he leaves for battle."

"Ah! Yes, page 24, got it…"

Rosaline began flipping through the script, her hands trembling, clearly overwhelmed by my presence.

As I feared, she couldn’t perform at her best.

"G-great King… as you leave for the battlefield once more… I-I, I… tremble in f-fear for your safety…"

"Rosaline, let’s take a deep breath, okay? You’ve got a nice voice, so let’s focus on calming down."

Gabi tried to coax her gently, but unfortunately, Rosaline remained frazzled.

"S-sorry! I’ll do better. I-I pray for the safety of the Great King… with all my heart…"

"Alright, stop."

Isabella, clearly unimpressed, waved her hand to stop the audition.

Her voice was firm as she addressed Rosaline.

"Lady Wainford, this is an audition for actors, not a courtly social event. No matter how noble your status, we need you to take this seriously."

Rosaline’s face flushed bright red, and a moment later—

"I-I’m so sorry!!"

She yelled, hiding her face behind the script in embarrassment.

"I-I didn’t mean to disrupt the audition! I just really wanted to meet Phantom, and I… I’m really sorry!"

Poor Rosaline. She wasn’t bad at acting—she was usually bold and confident—but my presence had clearly thrown her off.

I should probably give her a signed book or something later to make up for this.

"It’s alright, I understand."

Isabella sighed, clearly exasperated, as she rubbed her temples.

"Thank you for coming, Lady Wainford. That will be all. Let’s move on to the next contestant…"

But then, Gabi raised her hand.

"Wait."

She looked at Rosaline thoughtfully and said, "Lady Wainford, could you hold a long 'ah' note for me? Pitch it like a middle C."

"Uh, alright… Aaaaah~!"

"Now raise it up a step."

"Aaaaaah~!"

"One more step, please."

"Aaaaaaaaah~!"

Gabi ran Rosaline through several vocal exercises, testing her range.

And after a few rounds, Gabi smiled, clearly impressed.

"Phantom, Isabella," she turned to us, her voice filled with confidence. "I believe we’ve found our Yu Ji. Lady Wainford should take the role."