"What is this?" Victor asked, pointing at the picture. "A newly arranged play?"

Linglong moved closer, glancing at the newspaper. "No, sir... This drawing refers to the Shadow Play."

"Shadow Play?" Another term he'd never heard before. Being in the future was truly wonderful, the gem merchant eagerly inquired, "Can you explain it to me in detail?"

The maid hesitated slightly. "Well... I'm not too sure either. A few days ago, the same drawing was hung up in Central Square, but it was in color. I heard that Shadow Play is a completely new type of performance, and it even requires a special stage to be built to watch it."

Something that transcends eras... art, to use such a word to describe it. The King of Graycastle's confidence in it is evident, Victor thought, stroking the slightly rough paper. It seems this thing is truly worth looking forward to.

He noticed a few lines of smaller text below the large characters, detailing the performance time and location, as well as how to purchase tickets.

Then, Victor's heart skipped a beat.

Wait... the ticket price is forty gold dragons?

He couldn't have read it wrong! This already exceeds the performance price of the most top-tier drama troupe in Glow City!

It's not that he can't afford the money, but how could anyone in a city where even jewelry is unwanted be willing to spend everything on a Shadow Play performance?

No, there's more... Victor frowned, continuing to read, while muttering aloud, "Citizens holding a Neverwinter Identification Card can receive an exclusive discount with their ID, and can book tickets for only twenty-five silver wolves. Note: The original price offers a better viewing experience, limited quantity, first come, first served, while supplies last; Discounted tickets do not include drinks or food, nor are outside items allowed, please prepare in advance."

This is truly... two drastically different prices!

The gem merchant has seen situations where an item has two different prices, but they are never too far apart, after all, the cost is there. And such transactions are mostly done privately, not directly in the open, otherwise those who paid more will definitely complain, making it difficult to do business with them next time. But Neverwinter's approach can be said to have opened his eyes!

Not only is it written brazenly on paper, but it also sets many restrictions, as if those who want to pay more have to rush to get it.

Yet, he found himself becoming one of those rushing…

It must be said, this kind of selling method does have a strange attraction—those who can afford forty gold dragons must at least be big merchants or noble families, and being able to enter is already a proof of strength, not to mention he himself is full of curiosity about Shadow Play.

Victor jumped off the soft couch without another word, throwing the wolf skin coat over his body.

"Sir?" Linglong whispered. She was clearly prepared, wearing only a thin gauze robe, now nestled in the quilt, looking at him helplessly.

Victor picked up the maid's discarded clothes from the ground and threw them into her arms. "Where is the Shadow Play pre-sale? Take me there, now!"

*******************

The filming of *Wolf Heart Legend* has entered its final stage.

The princess will face the final battle with the demon lord in the palace, and Roland has vacated the entire first floor of the castle for the film crew to shoot on location.

Mei, the Star of the West, is now the main person in charge of Shadow Play. In order to achieve the best effect for the new play, she even turned down her own role, devoting herself wholeheartedly to rehearsal and guidance work.

"Stop!" As Lojia kicked open the castle gate and rushed into the hall, Mei called out the halt order. "Very good, that's all for today, thank you everyone."

"Awoo."

"Teacher, you've worked hard too," the troupe members replied in unison.

If it were her in the past, she would definitely have rolled her eyes, but now she just nodded with a smile.

This is probably the tempering of time, Mei thought.

After moving to the Border Region, she has really changed a lot.

"Be careful of the wood chips on the ground," Carter Lannis, who was guarding by the side, immediately came over. "Or should I carry you over?"

"Everyone is watching," Mei said unhappily. Her husband's temper is impeccable, but his words and deeds don't seem like an upright knight at all. She doesn't know what His Majesty saw in him back then, to actually choose him to be the chief knight. "I can walk myself."

"Then I'll walk in front," Carter stepped in front of her in one step, using his feet to sweep out a path for her.

The tall figure immediately blocked the light shining in from the courtyard.

This made Mei unconsciously raise the corners of her mouth.

But she knew that she must not let the other party discover, otherwise it would only make him more smug, and it would eventually tire herself out in the evening...

"Have you prepared for tomorrow's performance? Don't be beaten by Miss Lojia and forget your lines."

Speaking of drama, Carter immediately looked bitter. "Can you ask her to be gentler when she attacks? Last time in the snow, I almost vomited the food in my stomach—her strength after transforming into a wolf is simply comparable to Ashes, both are monster level."

"Do you know? Actors have always succumbed to drama, and drama has never succumbed to actors, not to mention that Shadow Play is much more realistic." Mei covered her mouth and said, "So the solution is also very simple, don't eat too much before filming tomorrow."

The chief knight was a little dumbfounded for a while, shook his head, and changed the subject. "By the way, guess who I saw in the dock area today?"

"Hmm... a former 'lover'?" Mei shrugged.

"How is that possible!" Carter hurriedly turned around and said, "It's Kakin Fiss."

Mei couldn't help but stop. "Really?"

"Of course, he can be considered a celebrity in King's City, how could I be mistaken." Probably noticing the change in her eyes, Carter grinned and said, "And a large group of people came off the boat with him, I think it's probably his performance team. There were quite a few people who recognized Mr. Kakin at the time, and the dock area was almost blocked. How about it, is this news worth a kiss?"

"It's worth it!" Mei said without hesitation. "I want to visit him!"

The name Kakin Fiss is almost synonymous with drama—from the moment he stepped onto the stage, he conquered almost all audiences in thirty years, from the Southern Territory to the Northern Land, no actor who wants to reach the top can avoid him. After the age of fifty, Kakin could no longer be active on the stage, so he moved from the front to behind the scenes, specializing in script writing, and still has a great influence in the drama industry today.

When Mei went to King's City to perform, it was through the script *Prince's Love Quest* that he wrote that she stood in the spotlight. Without Kakin Fiss's guidance and praise, she probably wouldn't have become the real Star of the West—at least not so quickly recognized by everyone.

"I knew you would say that," Carter handed over a note. "I've already asked for the hotel they're staying at, but I still have to supervise the craftsmen to replace the gate, I won't accompany you."

"Thank you!" Mei happily took the note. "It's okay, I'll call someone from the troupe—" Then she looked at the members who were still cleaning up the scenery props in the castle, and named them in one breath, "Erin, Tina, Luo Xia, Gate, Yanzi! Come here!"

That's right, Master Kakin must be here for His Majesty the King's coronation ceremony. When Wimbledon III was crowned, it was his continuous performances that pushed the grand ceremony to its climax. Even though he no longer performs on stage, the Kakin Troupe that he brought out is still one of the top drama teams in Graycastle. People like Roentgen, Egpo... are all talented actors with their own styles. If Erin and the others can get guidance and teaching from these people, it will definitely be of great help to their acting career!

Sure enough, when they heard that they were going to visit Kakin Fiss, everyone couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Gate was so excited that he stammered, "C-can we really see Lord Kakin?"

"I think it should be no problem," Mei spread her hands. "It's just that you have to work harder in the future so as not to waste this opportunity."

"Yes! I will definitely work harder to hone my acting skills in the future!" Tina's eyes lit up.

"Then let's go."

The group first went to the Convenience Market

bought some specialties as gifts, and then rushed to the lodgings written on the note—the Whistle Inn.

The tavern on the first floor was already crowded with people who had heard the news, but after seeing Mei and others, they consciously gave way, obviously they were also full of goodwill towards the Star Flower Troupe.

Some people even took out paper and pens on the spot, seemingly intending to record the first meeting between the two troupes—there is no doubt that those who carry these things with them are mostly propagandists from the Propaganda Department.

However, to Mei's surprise, the manager who was responsible for receiving them came down shortly after going upstairs with a cold face.

"I'm sorry, Lord Kakin doesn't know any Star Flower Troupe, and doesn't want to see you, please go back."