Chapter 488: Regicide
Chapter 488: Regicide
On the stage, the Shepherdess finally arrived at the Royal Court, confronting the actress playing the role of the Noble Lady. The two engaged in a heated argument, followed by a formal duel beneath the Court.
By this stage, everyone in the private boxes and the theater's security was on high alert.
A battle between two Tier 3 Fighters, even if restricted to the theater stage and with prior preparation, was not something to be taken lightly.
Aside from that, both were wearing armor, and any object that was casually thrown or splashed during the fight could injure those in the boxes. The audience members were all people of status and importance, and any injury to them would be considered a serious incident.
On the stage, the Shepherdess and the Noble Lady fought fiercely. Even without the simulated collapsing walls, the clashing of spears and the clanging of armor alone conveyed the intensity of their struggle.
The audience could clearly sense that these two were engaged in a life-or-death battle.
At this point, the theater's interdimensional link adjusted the frequency of their combat, allowing the audience to witness the entire process.
Tier 3 Fighter battles were rarely seen by ordinary people, and this particular fight was worth the price of admission.
However, all the Tier 3 Fighters responsible for security in the theater were intently watching the fighters' every move, fearing even the slightest mishap.
The song's melody also intensified, matching the escalating tension.
The dramatic effect was at its peak.
Chen Chuan still couldn't understand the meaning of the song, but as the music echoed through the sky, he felt it growing more majestic, as if the melody was pushing some emotion to its peak.
The Shepherdess, or rather, the figure in the armor, moved faster and more aggressively. Their battle was so intense that it left the audience breathless.
After three minutes of fighting, the Shepherdess thrust her spear into the Noble Lady's chest. The Noble Lady seemed shocked and knelt on the stage.
At this moment, the music abruptly paused.
Chen Chuan sensed that the emotion displayed by the Noble Lady's actress was genuine, not merely an act, yet all the audience members were immersed in the performance, unaware of any anomaly.
He stood up from his seat, and at that moment, many enthusiastic audience members also stood and applauded, clearly satisfied with the dramatic presentation.
The Shepherdess drew her rusty sword, pointing it towards the sky. The majestic and resonant melody resumed, surging like an unstoppable tide.
The audience responded with even more enthusiastic applause, but the show wasn't over yet; there was one more act to come.
The original ending was unknown, as the location had become a ruin. In the western version, the Shepherdess proved the Knight's innocence, and the King immediately ennobled her and the Knight, making them his vassals. The Shepherdess also found a way to heal the Knight, and they walked off the stage together.
However, in the eastern continent, another version was widely circulated—the Battle of Regicide!
The King sent the Royal Swordsman to recruit the exhausted Shepherdess, but she refused.
The King must pay the price!
The Shepherdess threw down her broken lance, drew her rusty sword, and slew both the Royal Swordsman and the King!
On the stage, she raised her longsword towards the light, then slowly lowered it, pointing it forward—a symbolic strike against royalty.
The musical chapter reached its climax, with a grand rhythm like surging waves and a torrential downpour.
Chen Chuan glanced at the direction of the sword, wondering if it was a coincidence that it pointed directly at Speaker Quan's box.
He turned to look at Chen Bitong, who was also gazing in the same direction.
Suddenly, Chen Chuan understood. Chen Bitong had already noticed the problem or knew about it beforehand, and he had intentionally kept Chen Chuan behind to give him the opportunity to save Speaker Quan.
This seemed to be a repayment for Chen Chuan's guidance to Xiao Jin, and he knew that Chen Bitong had the capability to handle any potential fallout.
However, this move might also have implications for taking sides, and saving Speaker Quan could lead to various speculations. But as someone tasked with a mission, Chen Chuan was not afraid of public actions.
He looked at the armored figure, and as the music and the theater's emotions resonated and intensified, he felt the powerful field fluctuations, gradually rising higher."
As the musical climax approached, the Shepherdess suddenly leaped from her spot, jumping towards Speaker Quan's box. Her rusty sword pointed straight ahead.
Chen Chuan quickly assessed that after killing the Noble Lady, the Shepherdess, driven by the Divine Song, had reached her peak, surpassing the normal limits of her power. Blocking her head-on would be challenging.
Chen Bitong might have anticipated this and planned to step in if Chen Chuan showed any signs of negligence.
But while you may be stronger in combat, this isn't solely about brute force. The root cause is an anomaly, so you can watch from the sidelines.
Chen Chuan fixed his gaze forward, his mind intensely focused. He slightly lowered his stance and, with a thunderous roar, stepped out of the box, unsheathing the Snow Lord Sword from its scabbard.
Two figures moved towards each other high above the theater. Just as they were about to collide, Chen Chuan spun in mid-air, plunging the Snow Lord Sword through the helmet's slit.
At that moment, a powerful sense of emptiness emerged from the second Chen Chuan, but his gaze remained unwavering. The hidden will within the long sword stirred, seemingly absorbing something from it. Without hesitation, he swiftly raised his sword.
The helmet was sent flying high into the air, as if sliced by his blade, and the platinum-colored hair of the actress playing the Shepherdess fluttered in the wind. A momentary look of bewilderment flashed across her eyes.
Chen Chuan swiftly passed by her, landing firmly on the ground right in front of the stage, illuminated by the spotlight. With a gentle swing of his long sword, a piercing sound tore through the air.
The actor, interrupted mid-jump, fell from mid-air, landing with a thud on one knee. A moment later, the helmet also clattered to the ground in the aisle behind them.
The audience watched in astonishment, unsure if this sudden turn of events was a new addition to the play or some unforeseen twist.
The security personnel in the private boxes reacted swiftly, quickly moving to the front and shielding their employers with their bodies. They gazed down at the stage with grave expressions.
Tan Zhi and the other two, with mouths agape, stared at Chen Chuan, who had just appeared outside. They hadn't given much thought to his earlier words, assuming he had encountered a superior or friend. But in the blink of an eye, he found himself facing the actress playing the Shepherdess.
Chen Chuan glanced at the helmet lying on the ground and confirmed his judgment—the armor had affected the actor's consciousness. Perhaps the actor still believed they were immersed in the play, but this indicated that the anomaly required a vessel to manifest its power.
This made things simple.
Chen Chuan raised his sword, pointing the hilt forward and resting the blade on his shoulder. He shifted his center of gravity downward, then took a step forward, and his figure flickered. For a moment, the frequency of the field domain signals seemed to blur, as if unable to fully capture his movements.
In an instant, he appeared before the "Shepherdess," and with a swift strike, his blade descended. The rusty sword was raised to block the attack, but a loud clang rang out as the rusty sword was severed by his strike. The momentum of the blow continued, landing on the actor's forehead.
However, the blade left no mark, and the light yet powerful force penetrated, causing the actor to freeze momentarily. Chen Chuan maintained his stance, holding the sword with both hands as if ready to deliver another strike.
The "Shepherdess" paused for a moment, and the worn-out armor suddenly split open, piece by piece falling to the ground. Finally, she loosened her grip, and the broken sword dropped to the floor, followed by her body, which fell straight and stiff.
Chen Chuan slowly sheathed his sword and straightened up. The armor required a vessel, and without a physical body to inhabit, it would be rendered useless.
Most importantly, he had defeated the Shepherdess in a frontal assault.
Drawing from his experience in dispelling haunting anomalies, Chen Chuan believed this was the crucial point. By defeating his opponent, the play's conclusion had changed, and the drama had ended.
He looked up at the security personnel above, who had stepped aside, making way for Speaker Quan. Chen Bitong appeared on the other side and nodded at him.
Speaker Quan seemed to have anticipated this, and he spoke to the interdimensional link, "Assistant Bao, it's up to you to handle this matter."
Bao Yun, the assistant to the director of the security department, stepped forward without hesitation. He addressed the audience below, "You all should be aware of the unique nature of the Divine Song. Sometimes, it can have a certain influence on the actors, and we were informed of this in advance.
After careful consideration, we decided not to let this minor issue ruin the entire play. We didn't want to deprive you of this magnificent stage performance, so we made thorough preparations. We arranged sufficient safety measures, and this... Captain Chen, has repeatedly distinguished himself in the field. With him here, you can rest assured.
I'm personally disappointed that we didn't get to see the smooth conclusion of the play."
"No, there's no disappointment," Speaker Quan said to the audience. "The Shepherdess' sword strike carried the aura of regicide, and it was the most magnificent part of the performance I've witnessed."
He then turned to Chen Chuan, "And Captain Chen, thank you for your efforts and restraint, ensuring the actor wasn't severely injured. I express my gratitude on her behalf."
Speaker Quan began to clap gently, and the politicians in the private boxes immediately followed suit, leading the entire audience to join in. The sound of applause filled the theater like a surging tide.
Medical staff quickly entered the theater and carried the unconscious actress from the aisle.
Chen Chuan glanced up at Speaker Quan and Chen Bitong, then at the applauding audience in the boxes and around him. With a calm gaze, he sheathed the Snow Lord Sword and walked out along the central aisle amidst the roaring applause.
Soon, he reached the upper level and returned to the private box. Chen Bitong handed him the sheath of the Snow Lord Sword, and Chen Chuan accepted it with a "Thank you."
Chen Bitong said, "After this rest day, I'll be stationed at the training camp. Captain Chen, if you have time, you can come and find me."
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "I will." After a brief pause, he looked at Chen Bitong and asked, "Chen Teacher, can I know the real reason behind this play?"
Chen Bitong fell silent for a moment before replying, "Yes."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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