This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 99

On the dimly lit stage,

The tightly drawn curtains slowly parted, and the magical spotlights on either side followed suit—

A tall, handsome man dressed in a bold island-themed outfit leaped onto the stage from behind, performing several somersaults and springing his way towards the center.

The spotlight shone on him, illuminating his bright smile and pearly white teeth.

A youthful male voice began to sing:

"The island breeze beckoned me to the shore,

She said, 'Sail out to sea, young one!

Set sail, sailor!

The sea holds treasures you've longed for,

The sea has the maiden you adore.

I asked the island breeze, 'Shall I go?'

For my dreams are not in the sea,

The sea is not my home."

The singing paused at this point,

Only the leading man on stage gazed affectionately into the distance and sang:

"I said I'd leave the beautiful and prosperous isle of Pantura, I said I'd depart my parents' loving embrace.

I'd go to the hundred cities and thousand lands on the mainland, Traverse every inch of foreign soil beyond the isle.

The island breeze, and my parents, need not worry or grieve,

For when this wanderer returns from his distant voyages, he'll be a renowned poet!"

The curtains quickly drew open,

Several island natives dressed in traditional attire rushed onto the stage.

The two actors playing the main character's parents each embraced him in an exaggerated manner and then engaged in a challenging dance of their own.

Finally, amidst the well-wishes from the cast and the narrator,

The young island prince, Duralin, left Pantura and set out for the vast mainland to learn the art of becoming a bard.

During this time,

He was deceived due to the language barrier, ridiculed for his peculiar attire, and harassed for his handsome looks.

Yet, none of this deterred his fervent desire to become a great poet.

This scene was almost entirely a solo performance by the leading man,

Apart from the narrator and the occasional encounters with passersby.

The entire stage, shrouded in darkness, was captivated solely by the leading man.

Even Matthew had to admit,

This guy named Brandon might have some serious issues with his personal morals, but his acting skills were undeniably exquisite.

A one-man show managed to keep the audience entertained throughout.

One moment,

The prince he portrayed commented wittily on the peculiarities of the mainland cities, delivering insightful yet comical commentary that perfectly matched his islander persona.

The audience burst into laughter.

The next moment,

He depicted the prince being tricked and robbed, ending up homeless and exposed to the harsh elements of the street, portraying the hardships in all their authenticity.

Some female audience members were even brought to tears.

This dynamic continued until Duralin encountered the renowned poet Donald.

Following this, the prince moved into Donald's home and earnestly began to learn the craft of a poet.

The first act came to a close with a witty remark from the great poet Donald.

The second act commenced with great enthusiasm.

As the magical spotlights advanced, the stage was set for more adventures.

Matthew intentionally glanced up at the theater's ceiling and noticed that the overhead spotlights, despite being on a track, were not highly automated.

Each spotlight had a somewhat lifeless-looking gnome operating it.

They wore standardized vests with wires hanging from their backs and moved the spotlights by maneuvering across an intricate network of beams.

"Indeed, even if their productivity is lacking, with ingenuity, solutions can be found," Matthew marveled at the theater's design.

However, he had a second thought.

If he were in charge, he might use a group of spirits to operate the spotlights, potentially achieving an even better result.

While he was lost in thought,

He casually observed the expressions of the audience, including Lysanna. All of them were engrossed in the performance.

Understandable,

In this world, the entertainment industry was far from as developed as it was in Matthew's previous life. A grand opera like this was the pinnacle of visual and auditory delight for the people here.

Matthew, too, managed well.

After the initial novelty had worn off,

He could patiently appreciate the actors' dedicated performances and the dances that, even if he didn't understand, exuded a certain charm.

On the stage,

The plot proceeded smoothly, with the second act unfolding as follows:

What the island prince Duralin was unaware of was that,

Right after he had left the beautiful little island of Pantura, a dreadful coup had erupted.

His uncle conspired with the Nagas and used a dagger acquired from them to stab his father to death.

Afterward, with the Nagas' assistance, the uncle disguised himself as his father, successfully assuming the position of Pantura's chieftain. He also took Duralin's mother as his own, seemingly without her realizing the truth.

However, Duralin's uncle possessed a character vastly different from his father's.

The latter was generous and kind,

While the former was ruthless and cruel.

In no time, the tribe was in turmoil, and the uncle even openly associated with the Nagas, their longtime adversaries. The tribespeople dared not voice their anger.

Soon enough,

The once peaceful little island descended into chaos.

It was at this moment,

With the assistance of the island's wind, the reclusive shaman living high in Pantura's mountains saw through Duralin's uncle's disguise.

He sought the seagulls in the dead of night,

Calling for Duralin, who was traveling afar, to return quickly.

The second act concluded at this point.

...

"A classic revenge story," Roland commented:

"Not too cliché, but it's not particularly exceptional either. We'll have to see how they handle the third and fourth acts."

Flipping through the program he had received when entering the theater, he furrowed his brow:

"Why are there only four acts? It's too rushed!"

Observing Roland's earnest demeanor, Matthew asked with a smile:

"From a professional perspective, how do you think the plot and dialogue in the first two acts were executed?"

Roland shrugged and surprisingly refrained from sharp criticism, instead saying earnestly:

"Tonight, I can't analyze from a professional standpoint. I can only be a regular audience member."

Matthew detected a hint of something unusual in Roland's tone.

Before he could respond, Roland suddenly spoke in a low voice:

"If, I mean if, something strange happens tonight, no matter how strange, can you try to be a silent audience, Matthew?"

This was the first time Matthew had heard a note of nervousness in Roland's voice.

However, he had a premonition before this.

The fact that he just happened to bump into Roland in Zewater City was already quite a coincidence. Considering Roland's peculiar abilities, there was only one answer: Roland had been waiting for him during "Jungle Dance."

And the show tonight might not be limited to the stage alone.

Matthew gazed at Roland and asked:

"From a rational standpoint, should I leave immediately?"

Roland forced a smile, looking somewhat relieved.

In that moment,

Matthew suddenly felt as if Roland had become a stranger, as if he had turned into a completely different person.

"We're friends, right?" Matthew softly inquired:

"Friendship should imply trust and no harm to each other."

Roland's expression appeared somewhat guilty.

He covered his face with both hands and spoke in an extremely low tone:

"I won't harm you, Matthew. That's my promise."

Matthew nodded in response:

"Your word is enough. So, what do I need to do?"

Roland looked somewhat surprised as he lowered his hands:

"Do you really trust me?"

Matthew faced him expressionlessly:

"What else can I do?"

A hint of joy appeared in Roland's eyes, and he said in a serious tone:

"All you need to do is keep watching. Tonight, just be an audience member, like me."

Matthew silently nodded.

On the stage,

The third act began, and the plot continued to progress:

...

After a full three years had passed,

The seagull had finally found Prince Duralin, who had acquired certain skills, and informed him of the events unfolding in Pantura.

Upon learning of his father's murder and his mother's plight,

Duralin, consumed by rage, was about to return and avenge his father.

However, at this moment, his teacher, Donald, put forth a heartless request –

He believed that Duralin was at a crucial stage in his education and couldn't afford distractions or distant travels. If Duralin insisted on returning, he would be expelled from the school, forfeiting his opportunity to become a great poet forever.

Faced with this dilemma, Duralin endured a night of inner turmoil and ultimately chose to give up everything and return to Pantura to do what he knew he should do.

The ending was naturally a happy one.

It turned out that Donald's unreasonable request was a test of Duralin's determination.

He made the right choice, and as his teacher, Donald generously provided him with money and equipment. He also allowed Duralin's other gifted student, a young female poet he had developed feelings for over the past three years, to accompany the prince on his journey home.

On their way,

They encountered powerful Nagas serving his uncle and were eventually captured on the beach after being overpowered.

At the moment of their imminent death,

The two main characters revealed their feelings for each other and engaged in a lengthy song and dance, to the point where Matthew wondered if the girl behind him might accidentally fling some mucus on him.

However, the two didn't die on the beach.

The Naga who had defeated them revealed their true identity.

As it turned out, the Naga was a disguise worn by the old shaman.

The shaman informed Duralin that his uncle, who had received blessings from the Nagas, was exceptionally powerful. If the prince couldn't even defeat him, he would be no match for his uncle. To deal with the treacherous man, they had to go to a secretive island and seek the assistance of a wizard.

This wizard hailed from the Savage Tooth Peninsula and wielded a dreaded art known as "Aversion Mastery," which even the Nagas feared.

Aversion Mastery was a widely known curse in the Eastern Sea region. In Zewater City, it was as notorious as the Voodoo arts of the western rainforests, both being terrifying methods of murder.

Practitioners of these arts often died in bizarre and mysterious ways.

However, learning Aversion Mastery was extremely demanding, limited to those with exceptional talents who could hope to learn this deadly art from the wizard on the secluded island.

And so, the group set out on their journey to the hidden island.

Throughout their journey, they faced numerous challenges and overcame them, eventually locating the elusive wizard.

After hearing Prince Duralin's story, the wizard agreed to teach him Aversion Mastery.

However, he emphasized that the path of curses wasn't simple. To gain something, one had to sacrifice something in return.

If Duralin wanted to use Aversion Mastery to avenge his father, he might end up losing more.

Yet, consumed by anger, Duralin wasn't in a state to listen to such warnings.

He begged the wizard to teach him the method.

Touched by Duralin's sincerity, the wizard ultimately agreed.

Subsequently,

The wizard had Duralin stay in his small cottage for three days, while the rest were sent outdoors.

After three days,

A pale-faced Duralin emerged from the cottage, and the wizard had vanished.

Duralin, having learned Aversion Mastery, returned to the now-changed Pantura island with the female lead and the shaman.

The climax of the final act finally arrived.

...

Perhaps to allow the audience a restroom break, the intermission between the third and fourth acts was longer.

On his way back from the restroom, Matthew saw a hurried young man entering the dressing room. He could hear the middle-aged lady with a stern face, who had appeared earlier, urging him:

"Lawrence, do you want to be whipped again? Hurry, change into the replacement costume!"

"Yes, Madam Jess."

Lawrence's optimistic voice echoed in the dressing room corridor.

Matthew's hands trembled slightly, as Lawrence's image appeared in his mind. The unique perception of the Balanced Messenger told him that this young man was anything but ordinary.

Back at his seat,

The fourth act had already begun.

The plot progressed abruptly:

...

The group ran into their uncle head-on, and Duralin attempted to expose his uncle's true identity in front of everyone. However, the people on the island didn't fully believe Duralin's claims.

They viewed him with skepticism until the old shaman came forward and stood by Duralin's side. That made some people waver.

But at this critical moment,

Duralin's mother unexpectedly spoke up in favor of her current husband. She told Duralin not to believe the shaman's slander, stating that his father was alive and well, and that there had been an accident three years ago, with his uncle being the one who perished.

Her betrayal left Duralin in utter agony.

Seizing the opportunity, his uncle ordered the chieftain's guards to arrest Duralin.

There was a confrontation, and the shaman was aged, while Duralin and the female lead were poets; their combat abilities weren't sufficient.

Soon,

They were captured and thrown into the island's prison.

In the prison, Duralin encountered several elderly tribe members who had remained loyal to his father. They were among the few on the island who were willing to believe Duralin's claims. Sadly, like the prince, they had all become prisoners and were unable to provide any help.

That evening,

Duralin's uncle came to visit him in prison.

He told Duralin that if he ceased his false accusations, he would restore his status as a prince and forgive past transgressions.

Naturally, Duralin didn't believe him. The man had already killed his own brother; what would be another nephew to him?

But to lower his uncle's guard,

Duralin pretended to agree.

The uncle left, satisfied.

During the night,

The female lead and Duralin poured their hearts out to each other. She asked why Duralin didn't use Aversion Mastery to defeat his enemies.

Duralin remained silent.

She continued to inquire, and he eventually answered with a hint of resignation. To kill someone with Aversion Mastery, one had to sacrifice the life of another person, someone who was the most important to the caster.

Duralin told her that, until today, the most important person in his heart had been the memory of his mother. But now, it had become her.

Just as he couldn't bear to sacrifice his mother's life before,

He couldn't bear to sacrifice hers now.

After hearing Duralin's painful confession,

The female lead fell into a long silence.

Just before dawn.

Clever and witty, Duralin successfully bluffed the prison guards with his uncle's promise, allowing the two main characters to reunite and passionately enjoy a night together in the prison.

However, when Duralin awoke, he discovered a cup of poison beside the female lead. She silently waited for his awakening and drank from it right in front of him.

"Now that I am on my deathbed, use my life to curse that vile and ugly uncle of yours," she said.

"Reclaim everything that belongs to you, my beloved, go, Duralin."

Then she collapsed.

Duralin, overwhelmed by grief, held the lifeless body of the female lead and quickly employed the Aversion Mastery the wizard had taught him.

This scene greatly tested the actor's skills.

Matthew admitted.

The previous scenes had been handled quite well by Brandon.

However, this performance clearly fell short.

Even to the eyes of an outsider, his crying, acting, and lamentations could only be considered barely passable.

Just as he was about to pull Lysanna aside for a brief critique,

At this moment,

The magical spotlight above suddenly dimmed!

The stage fell into total darkness.

The audience erupted in a restless commotion.

"Shh!"

"Don't make a sound."

A voice of an optimistic and cheerful young man suddenly resonated throughout the venue:

"I know none of you have had your fill yet, right?"

"In this scene, Duralin should be filled with grief, helplessness, accusation, fear, and other emotions. But our leading actor, Mr. Brandon, has portrayed the prince like a character from a clichéd play."

"He cries with heart-wrenching sorrow; he laughs with unbridled joy; he reproaches himself with vivid facial expressions; he looks smug with his eyes gleaming."

"I admit his acting skills have reached their pinnacle."

"But the one thing missing is emotion."

Suddenly, the magical spotlight lit up again.

Under the spotlight,

A young man dressed identically to the male lead appeared on the stage!

The crowd was in an uproar.

Even though he had been skillfully disguised, some people recognized his identity. It was the young man who had been taken away to put out the fire at the entrance earlier.

"Lawrence, what are you up to?!!"

An angry voice came from backstage, sometimes mixed with the sound of high heels clicking:

"You fatherless bastard, get down here this instant!"

Lawrence maintained his smile.

He looked towards the middle-aged woman backstage with a spiteful face:

"Madam Jess, someone as venomous as you must have a mouth filled with poisonous creatures, right?"

Madam Jess wanted to respond with more insults.

But as she opened her mouth, a foreign object suddenly emerged from her mouth.

"Wow!"

She bent over and spat out something. Astonishingly, a scorpion, a venomous snake, and a toad appeared on the ground!

The actors on the stage were dumbfounded by this sudden turn of events.

One by one, they fled toward the backstage.

"Wow!"

Madam Jess knelt on the ground in terror, continuously clutching her throat as poison continued to emerge from her mouth.

The creatures didn't run amok but crawled back into her.

Soon,

Her screams echoed throughout the stage!

"You screamed too loudly, Madam Jess."

Lawrence snapped his fingers.

Madam Jess's voice immediately disappeared.

Following this,

Lawrence lifted his head, his face filled with joy, and he gazed toward the equally stunned audience:

"The little interlude has quickly come to an end, and our performance will continue."

"Next, I'll take on the role of the male lead, truly delivering the climactic scene of this great play for all of you."

"Thank you for your support, and by the way, the Plague King sends his regards."

With that,

He deeply bowed toward the audience.

Table of content

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