Chapter 27: The Ghost of Cabaret (1)
Dragoneau River and Ali River.
The sources of these two rivers were far apart, with their respective endpoints at the northern and southern tips of the continent.
Surprisingly, these seemingly distant rivers came very close, within 100 kilometers of each other, in a section where they flowed in opposite directions.
People were able to connect these two sections by constructing a canal, revolutionizing the logistics between the northern and southern regions of the continent.
Luz was one of the prosperous cities thanks to this canal.
Originally a small ferry on the middle reaches of the Dragoneau River, it had expanded over time and had now evolved into a bustling trade satellite city where ships docked, and sailors stayed.
In cities of this kind, it was easy to spot sailors drinking soju at bars and grabbing prostitutes on the streets.
However, during the transition from the era of sailing ships to the era of steamships, there had been a significant shift in maritime culture.
Young sailors, accustomed to the slow and stable navigation of steamships, had different preferences compared to the older sailors who had sailed rough sailing ships.
They enjoyed beer with a smooth foam more than harsh soju, and they preferred socializing over drinks and conversation, naturally leading to their preference for going to rooms instead of paying for prostitutes.
The canal was essentially in a windless zone where water didn't naturally flow.
Since sailing ships couldn't operate there, the entertainment culture of cities near the canal had developed from the beginning to cater to the tastes of the younger generation.
Cabarets were one such form of entertainment that emerged to adapt to this new trend.
Cabarets taught women to dance and sing.
Singers and actors showcased their spectacular vocal abilities and choreography.
They even employed writers to stage musicals or plays.
Among these cabarets, the most famous one in Luz was the "Rose Windmill."
Its name came from the large windmill covered in rose vines that towered on top of the hall.
The Rose Windmill employed over a thousand staff members, including actors, singers, dancers, musicians, composers, writers, choreographers, managers, and hostesses.
And this Rose Windmill was one of the six theatres where the preliminary round of the Circus Grand Prix was held.
Luz, with its harmonious red-brick walls and reddish-brown roofs, was a beautiful city.
When I first set foot in Luz, I felt a sense of familiarity.
That was because Luz was one of the places featured in TT2 as a main stage.
The Sky City Hippodrome, which was the backdrop in TT1, had crashed into the Arctic ice after the conclusion.
The heroes managed to evacuate everyone and escape themselves, but Wonderstein's body sank into the sea along with the sky city.
I felt unjustly accused. I had been purely thinking about the game. "Well, I have been there often, but..."
"You were thinking about the women there, weren't you?"
I wanted to deny it outright, but unfortunately, I just chuckled awkwardly. Anais seemed to know what I was thinking and chuckled as well. "You can't lie to me, you know."
Damn, I thought to myself. This character trait of mine limited my ability to react or behave impulsively. I couldn't curse or scream. To lie or swear, I had to remain calm and composed. It was just the way it was.
The monsters in the Rose Windmill were exaggerated female figures with sexual characteristics. Some would sway their hips under their skirts, others would open their thighs with their teeth and tongues exposed, and others had bodies fused with beautiful female faces.
I had thought about them in terms of game strategy, which was why I couldn't immediately deny the question, "Were you thinking about the women there?"
I tried to gather my thoughts and spoke again. "Miss Anais, you misunderstand. I was just thinking about how to participate in the preliminaries..."
"Right. I'm sure someone like the Ringmaster frequented places like that. Just a smile and women would flock to him, right?"
"I did go there occasionally, but..."
"Well, you were thinking about the women just now, weren't you?"
I wanted to say no, but sadly, I just awkwardly smiled. Anais seemed to take it as confirmation and let out a knowing laugh. "You're quite shameless. Now you're trying to shift the blame to someone else? If a women holds you and pulls close, you will naturally respond. I don't think the ringmaster is weaker than a woman, are you?"
A day before arriving in Luz, I had an encounter with Anais. I had been missing, and when I returned, I spent the entire day sleeping in my room and only went out to get some fresh air at night. That's when I happened to run into Yurakne.
She suddenly clung to me, saying she had been worried sick when I was missing. I hadn't thought anyone would be worried about me, Wonderstein, in that way. Her favourability was at 24, so that's what I thought.
I accepted her embrace, patted her on the back, and listened to her complaints about how worried she had been when I went missing. Until a bottle of ink flew into the room and hit me in the head...
After that incident, a week had passed since I arrived in Luz, but she kept bringing up that story. It was surprising that she was still thinking about it. I appreciated her believing in my promise to aim for the Circus Grand Prix without causing trouble for the members or sponsors.
But I didn't like being pushed into this kind of situation. If I had accepted her advances, it was because I wanted a comfortable journey and not having to write letters. But if I had to keep accompanying her like this, it didn't suit my taste.
"Did you really not know anything?"
"About what?"
"...Never mind."
No need to tell her. She's probably just trying to use my emotions again. I noticed Ella retreating with a displeased expression.
I silently chuckled to myself. I knew why Anais cared about me, just like I did back then. Why she wanted to go out with me. I had experienced it myself.
"Hello, Teacher. I contacted you because we're changing our helper. Yes, I heard our helper asked you out. Yes, I know. No, it's just that... our customers often misunderstand something. We're here to assist our customers, and in the process, we always emphasize kindness and consideration so our customers won't get hurt. Speaking to the other party is also an extension of that kindness. Yes, we understand that the people receiving help from our welfare center are often physically uncomfortable... We appreciate that our small kindness touches and moves them, but we hope it doesn't get misinterpreted as affection or love. Our dispatched helpers are all going to work for money. So please...
After that day, I switched to a different company. They sent me male helpers who were stoic and focused on their tasks, and it was also cheaper. Anais had been mistaken too, just like I had been.
She thought that someone's kindness and smile were proof of being loved. She thought that someone's sacrifices and assistance were signs of love. But our relationship was merely an exchange. There was no numerical affection gauge to confirm it in her case.
I didn't have the ability to improve human relationships without the help of the system. No, that's a rather fatalistic way to put it. It would be more accurate to say I didn't have the power to do so.
In the carriage on the way back to the lodging, I stole glances at Anais who was looking outside with an annoyed expression. I inwardly sighed and felt sorry for myself.
