Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 85

In this world, theater people hold neither high nor low status. If they gain recognition from major nobles and become stars of salons, they can secure patrons and live a life similar to that of the nobility. However, many are limited to performing popular shows for common folk in the lower districts.

Most theater people lead this more common life. At first glance, the shabby inn makes me think that “The Flapping Butterfly” belongs to this group, but a few inconsistencies don’t quite add up.

Inside the dusty first floor of the empty inn, Anne and the three of us gather around a table covered in dust to discuss our request.

“What’s with that strange look?” Anne squints her eyes and pouts her lips, clearly annoyed.

However, after dealing mostly with the burly and intimidating men of the Sword Fangs Legion, I sense more fear and bravado in her demeanor rather than genuine hostility.

“You have some nice accessories. Your clothes, though low-cut, are quite fine.”

I don’t hold a grudge about being called poor, but her clothing seems incongruous with the quality of the inn she’s staying at. The jewelry on her ears is also quite valuable. Despite the sudden visit, she is wearing high quality clothing which suggests she wears similar outfits regularly. If they were stage costumes or only for special occasions, they would likely be stored away to prevent damage or theft.

For some reason, Sara pinches my side under the table. I wasn’t trying to compliment Anne or anything.

Also, it doesn’t make sense that she would be acquainted with the Sword Fangs Legion. Among the Legion, only Jilboa has a refined taste for theater. Jilboa engages in upper-class hobbies out of a sense of connection and education, so he wouldn’t have a connection to a third district theater troupe.

With that sharp tongue and fearful attitude, the conclusion becomes clear.

“So, what did you do?” I ask directly.

After a shocked look, Anne reflexively replies, “Why does it concern you?”

“It’s very relevant. I want to hire you. So if you’re dealing with any trouble, I’d like to know about it beforehand. That’s only natural, right?”

If this woman is the one who directed and produced the Sword Fangs Legion’s triumphal ceremony, her skills are evident. I also suspect she might be in financial trouble, which could make hiring her easier. But the nature of her troubles matters. Simple violence can be managed under the protection of the Sword Fangs Legion. If it’s a matter of money, and it’s not an enormous amount, it could actually work in her favor for employment.

However, troubles involving power, such as those related to nobles, are problematic. As I recently learned, the fear of power is an invisible fear. With a sword, you can dodge the blade in front of you. But those who wield power tighten their grip slowly, attacking from unexpected angles. Power can only be opposed by greater power or organization. And somehow, I have a feeling that her troubles are related to nobility.

“…It’s not like I did anything bad. I just turned down an invitation for the night.”

It’s common for performers to seek sponsors, even on Earth. In this world, it should be normal for actresses to gain patrons.

“Turning down… is that normal?” I ask Sara in a low voice, and she shakes her head.

“I don’t know. The performers only came to the village occasionally… and I was little then…”

“Do you know anything, Kiriku?”

“Unless it’s a very famous theater troupe, it’s generally unthinkable.”

When the three of us stare at Anne simultaneously, she shifts uncomfortably.

“I tried to tolerate it at first. I wanted a patron. I thought it was a chance to promote our theater troupe, so I smiled and did my best. But then, a stingy, fat, poor noble who had no intention of becoming a patron kept touching me. When I pushed him away because I didn’t like it, he ended up falling and rolling around like a pig in mud, spilling food everywhere, and his wig came off. I shouted, ‘Hey, you’re bald! Come back in your next life when you have hair!’ The banquet hall burst into laughter, and he turned bright red and started chasing after me, so I ran away…”

I hear a puff of laughter. A burst of laughter follows, and Sara is shaking her shoulders, desperately trying to hold it back.

However, Kiriku shows no restraint.

“Bwahahahaha! You’d definitely get hated for that! Oh, how delightful! Sis, you’re quite something! I would have paid silver coins just to be there!”

He laughs loudly, banging on the worn-out table with his incredible strength.

Hmm… I wonder if it’s really okay to hire this woman.