"Don’t kill him," Elizia whispered to Allaryx. "He is the only remaining heir."
The knight obeyed her.
He did not kill him.
But he did run his blade across his corneas, leaving a gash that left the new king blind.
The sight of him bleeding rivers from his eyes as he fell to the ground and clawed his face was enough to induce nightmares.
And in those screams, Allaryx walked away with his Queen.
No one knew what happened to the two. But it was said that in the night, a figure clad in black could be seen roaming the continent since that day.
’In his arms,’ the sightings reported, ’was a fair lady sleeping soundly.’
It is said that the two traveled the entire world before whispers of their stories stopped reaching the distant kingdom of Riever, now an imperial state.
So said that Allaryx continued to safeguard Elizia even after her death.
But only Averie knew what was true and what wasn’t.
He blinked his eyes and returned from the mories that weren’t his.
This was the effect of the acting thod he had crafted. It created a very genuine simulation of his character’s life, providing Averie with false mories.
And with mories seeped in personality, tendencies, and habits.
There were various ways to access this thod. One of which was a sleepless dive into the role, like when he studied Asmodeus Binsfeld.
Another way was to remove stimuli from his surroundings and force himself into the mindset of his character. It brought out the change a little more gradually.
Having returned to reality, Averie was no different from Allaryx. He handled the prop in his hand as if he had been using it for decades.
Although he did nothing but stand there contemplating who knows what, sothing about his deanor was unsettling.
Even though the suit he wore looked ridiculous, it was hard to find it funny.
’The protagonist is easier to represent than the antagonist. Playing the villain is more difficult than playing the hero.’
Hideo understood that, and that is why the more he looked at Averie, the more he loved him.
’A superboss needs to have that air around him.’
The diabolical actor was emanating a murky, dark aura. His movents were nimble and quiet, conveying an impending sense of doom.
It felt as if the air around him was trembling slightly. He looked like a killing machine that had surpassed its limits.
"Before we do so voice recordings, should we try a cinematic scene?"
A stuntman wearing the sa suit as Averie stepped forward.
The darkness in front of Averie’s eyes disappeared.
He found himself in a cave. It was large and had its own ecosystem.
There was blue grass scattered among pink flowers, and underneath a grey tree on a small island, where the silver light from the skylight fell graciously, a figure stood.
It was just standing there, looking around.
The lake surrounding the tree stirred.
With heavy steps, Allaryx stepped out of the water. His eyes were fixed on the unknown figure that had disturbed this sanctity, and being dragged behind him was a glaive with a crimson blade.
He swirled it behind him once, ducked, and rushed the figure before it could react.
For the next hour, Averie fild the scene where the player character t Allaryx.
***
At Charles de Gaulle International Airport, waiting at the boarding gate, was a spectacled bald man.
"Yes, I will board soon."
He was on a call.
"I will see you there, then."
In his usual brown suspenders and pressed white shirt, it was Jean-Louis Groux, a director who looked perpetually in thought.
"Have you decided on the cast then?" a female voice ca from the phone.
"No, not yet."
"...Director, will this film ever be produced?"
There was no answer.
"As much as I love the concept, I wonder if it is even possible to make sothing like this. Even if we create it, will there be anyone who would want to watch it?"
"This film won’t make any money, Mada Monet."
The director looked indifferent as he said it.
"You are the only investor so far. I won’t hold it against you if you want to back away."
"I am not doing this for a petty profit, Director. I do like the idea, but I can’t help but wonder if you are not being too strict in this pursuit."
"There is so progress."
Over the speakers, an announcent for boarding rang.
"Let’s talk when you arrive in Tokyo. Clear your head at the art festival."
The call ended.
Wistfully, the director looked at the row of docked planes from the glass wall.
"There is no one who understands this role, Ms Monet," he muttered to himself, lost in a trance. "And there is no one willing to understand."
There was profound sadness in his eyes.
’Is it impossible after all? Is this too ambitious an idea?’
He did not want to abandon this script. It was precious to him.
"No big studio, no exceptional backing, no big-na actors..." He walked towards the gate. "What am I even doing?"
’This is why artistic films don’t receive as much recognition. Everyone likes a blockbuster.’
After successfully boarding the flight, he sat down and looked through the in-flight magazines. It was a good way to pass the ti.
’Hmm? What is this?’
The seat carried a fashion magazine.
’Cross Town.’
The good director’s eyes flickered.
The unknown model on it looked majestic. Just from his expression and beauty, one could tell he was a graceful celebrity, perhaps an actor.
’The Quinn...’
Director Groux felt as if the man on the cover was looking into his soul.
’Do you also think this pursuit is hopeless and pathetic, unknown man?’
***
Averie was lying on the bed in his hotel room. In his hand was a handheld gaming console.
"If I knew console gaming was this fun, I wouldn’t have spent so much ti on the phone."
Hyerin looked at him the way a worried mother would look at her hopeless son.
"You have been playing gas since we returned from the studio. It’s not good, you know?"
"Leave alone, Mom. I am about to go on a date with this hot older lady."
"Why would—wait, are you playing dating gas?"
"Hell yeah. I am grinding charisma right now. This lady only likes stylish studs."
Hyerin looked confused.
"Those gas were popular, like, in the 90s. Shouldn’t you be playing newer gas with action and adventure?"
"Why would I do that when I can date a beautiful older lady?" Averie said as if that was the most natural sentence to utter. "Gotta get them all."
"You want to date an older girl? Do it secretly, okay?"
’Nah, I just like attention.’
"None of your business, get out of here."
He shook his hands at her.
"Once this is done, I need to start a new playthrough; the main heroine is a tough opponent to date. Fucking bitch wants everything. Artistic sense, great grades, athletic body, hot looks, latest fashion, and loaded with money. Damn girl is worse than gold diggers."
Hyerin sighed. "It was a mistake buying you that thing."
"Yeah, it was a mistake buying that dress for this girl. What do you an it’s cheap? Your face is cheap, ugly!"
"We have a big day tomorrow. Go to sleep, Averie."
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