Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength
Chapter 375 - 374 Performance

Chapter 375: Chapter 374 Performance

Ronald had not visited the Oak Tree Theater many times.

Aside from invitations from Heloise, he really didn’t frequent such places.

So when he arrived at the theater on Saturday evening, Ronald wasn’t overly familiar with the surrounding environment.

He walked unhurriedly towards seat No. 37.

At that moment, a young man from a corner of the theater approached Ronald:

"Mr. Ronald, do you need assistance?"

"..."

It was someone from the Secret Service.

Ronald only needed a glance to confirm the man’s identity.

In fact, due to the Countess’s event today, there were considerably more Secret Service agents at the Oak Tree Theater than usual.

Noticing the holder of an original text arriving, it was, of course, within their normal duties to come and ask.

Ronald took out his ticket, smiling and nodding in response:

"I was invited here, so your company is no issue."

"..."

The young investigator’s pupils contracted momentarily upon seeing the number on Ronald’s ticket.

Assigned specially to the Oak Tree Theater today, he was well aware of what that ticket entailed.

It was a special seat closely adjacent to the Countess.

During the hours of viewing, Ronald was very likely to have direct contact with the Countess.

This was a matter that required attention!

Thankfully, the holder of the original text did not refuse their offer of "assistance."

A quiet sigh of relief escaped him.

The young investigator first bowed to Ronald before continuing:

"Mr. Ronald, we’re also aware of your relationship with Lady Arlida."

"However, due to the needs of our work, we have intruded."

The smile remained on Ronald’s face:

"I understand."

"I’ve worked alongside your department before, and the security of this city is built upon your efforts. Wherever I can cooperate, I most certainly will."

Faced with Ronald’s amicable negotiating attitude, the young investigator’s expression relaxed considerably.

"Then I won’t bother you any further."

"Later, I’ll notify my colleagues, and someone should visit your seat before the performance starts."

"..."

After a brief exchange, Ronald bid farewell and continued into the depths of the theater.

The process of ticket inspection and entry was no different than his last visit, and upon reaching his exclusive viewing seat, Ronald instructed the waiter to stand by, opting not to outright dismiss him.

While engaging in sporadic small talk with the theater waiter, the start of the performance rapidly approached.

With about a quarter of an hour to go,

Ronald’s keen sense of hearing picked up a commotion at the entrance of the theater.

It was the Countess’s arrival...

A few seconds after realizing this, there was a knock at the door of Ronald’s private box.

Knock, knock, knock——

The waiter inside immediately asked:

"Sir?"

"Go ahead and open the door."

The theater waiter complied, and two Secret Service agents, a man, and a woman, appeared outside.

They whispered something to the theater waiter.

Then he promptly withdrew, leaving only Ronald and the two agents in the room.

The male agent began checking the room for any magical setups.

While the female agent approached Ronald with a polite smile on her face:

"Mr. Ronald, sorry for the interruption."

"We will just take a short moment of your time, and during the performance, please act as if we are not here."

Ronald responded with an understanding smile:

"Today is a special circumstance, I understand."

"..."

```

Work proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Ronald and the two investigators had no arguments of any kind.

And with the emergence of some noise, Ronald confirmed that the countess had entered the adjacent viewing box.

How should one put it...

If Ronald had truly come to watch the performance,

Then his experience today would probably be quite unpleasant.

From the moment the countess entered the special box with her entourage, various sounds kept coming from next door without pause: The theatre’s reception of its distinguished guests, and the fawning over the nobility.

It was the eve of the opening, which should have remained quiet.

Yet, it seemed as lively as if a banquet were taking place next door.

Glancing down at the stage below, where the set was complete, Ronald feigned an expression of impatience on his face.

This would be the normal reaction of someone watching the performance.

The two investigators stood against the wall, neither making any comment.

"..."

As people ’performed’ on their own,

Alyda’s true performance began.

On a set depicting a rather poor room, Alyda and two other actors appeared on stage, commencing a joint performance of an opera about love and fate.

—It was "Moshe and Yeruda."

The first time Ronald visited, he happened to watch this performance in a small theater. If he remembered correctly, Heloise had also told Ronald that she quite liked this play.

Only, he had not expected that today’s prepared theater performance would be this one.

"..."

"My lover, my Yeruda."

"Brother wants to sell me to that Elm, what should I do?"

"My dear Yeruda..."

"..."

The performance on the stage below continued.

Compared with the last time Ronald had watched, today Alyda’s singing and acting completely overshadowed those he had seen before.

Every gesture and expression in any scene, the emotion carried by each syllable of the lyrics, the naturalness and fluidity during the transitions of tone.

Apart from some theatrical artistic embellishment,

Every aspect of the performance below touched the audience who seriously appreciated the show.

It was an absolutely excellent performance.

Nodding slightly in approval, Ronald could not help but mutter softly,

"She truly is remarkable..."

"..."

Time ticked by.

Ronald watched the performance contentedly, and the two investigators in the special box kept their promise of staying silent.

However, during the intermission for both actors and audience,

An inevitable problem still arose.

Clang clang clang—

Right outside Ronald’s door, there was a knock again.

The two investigators looked at each other with furrowed brows, while Ronald thought to himself, ’As expected.’

Their investigative abilities were outstanding, and they knew clearly.

The one knocking wasn’t a theatre attendant, but someone who had come from the countess’s box next door.

"..."

"Mr. Ronald, shall I go and open the door?"

"Okay."

After a moment’s silence, it was the female investigator who spoke first.

With Ronald’s consent, she walked over to the door with a resigned expression and opened it.

Click—

She pulled open the door.

Stepping into the trio’s field of vision was a kindly old man dressed as a butler.

After a bow with impeccable elegance, the old man spoke in a gentle and polite tone:

"Ladies, gentlemen, pardon the intrusion."

"My master feels that this is a rare opportunity and would like to have a talk with the guests here..."

```