Chapter 300

A splendid show was underway in Izbalo's troupe, with heads gathered, everyone awaiting today's new play.

Translation: A grand performance was underway, inside Izbalo's troupe, heads gathered, everyone waiting for today's new play.

A splendid play was underway inside Izbalo's troupe, heads gathered, everyone waiting for today's new play.

We must not add extra info. Keep concise.

Let's produce: "A splendid play was underway inside Izbalo's troupe, heads gathered, everyone waiting for today's new play."

Falio was a vicious playwright who fully absorbed Izbalo's maxims for scripts—'you must please the audience' and 'you must open their eyes'—which kept the troupe's attendance consistently high.

Translation: Falio was a vicious playwright who fully absorbed Izbalo's maxims for scripts—"you must please the audience" and "you must open their eyes"—which kept the troupe's patronage consistently high.

We need to keep the quotes. Use English quotes.

We'll output: "Falio was a vicious playwright who fully absorbed Izbalo's maxims for scripts—'you must please the audience' and 'you must open their eyes'—which kept the troupe's patronage consistently high."

Today Bulafosi again rose a purple mist, but this would not deter interested spectators from coming, especially since Izbalo had borrowed continuously glowing glass candles from the Sea King. This further sparked the audience's curiosity, which is why the troupe could schedule the new play for evening.

Translation: Today Braavos again rose a purple mist, but this would not stop interested spectators from coming, especially since Izbalo had borrowed from the Sea King continuously glowing glass candles, which further sparked the audience's curiosity and is why the troupe could schedule the new play at night.

We need to use Bulafosi for Bulafosi. Sea King for Sea King.

We'll output: "Today Bulafosi again rose a purple mist, but this would not stop interested spectators from coming, especially since Izbalo had borrowed from the Sea King continuously glowing glass candles, which further sparked the audience's curiosity and is why the troupe could schedule the new play at night."

The magical candles easily attract curious customers.

Translation: The miraculous candles easily attracted curious customers.

Molly knew this was because, after Izbalo's troupe had received high praise for the service they provided when entertaining Bulafosi's distinguished guests earlier, the Sea King had specially provided them these candles.

Translation: Moli knew this was because Izbalo's troupe's service had been highly praised when they previously received Braavos nobles, after which the Sea King deliberately provided them with these.

the Sea King had specially provided them to them.

We'll output: "Moli knew this was because Izbalo's troupe's service had been highly praised when they previously received Braavos nobles, after which the Sea King had specially provided them to them."

But Izbalo won't become proud of this, because his rivals, the Round Top Troupe and the Blue Lantern Troupe, also possess such candles, and every three nights they use them to stage splendid plays. Although, Falio sometimes complains that what they wrote is crap.

Translation: But Izbalo would not be proud of this, for his rivals the Round Top Troupe and the Blue Lantern Troupe also possessed such candles, and every three nights they would use these conditions to stage splendid plays. Although, Falio sometimes complained that what they wrote was crap.

what they wrote was crap.

We'll output: "But Izbalo would not be proud of this, for his rivals the Round Top Troupe and the Blue Lantern Troupe also possessed such candles, and every three nights they would use these conditions to stage splendid plays. Although, Falio sometimes complained that what they wrote was crap."

Falio kept complaining, because he found it increasingly difficult to unite the troupe leader's two demands.

Translation: Falio kept complaining, because he found it increasingly difficult to unify the troupe leader's two demands.

The theater's audience is no longer purely Bulafosi people.

Translation: The theater's audience was no longer purely Bulafosi people.

Large numbers of bandits, pirates, and slave owners poured in, and they too became regular theatergoers, throwing silver and copper coins at the actors who gave splendid performances—meaning you can no longer offend them; therefore you cannot stage for these audiences a grand tale of a lord triumphing over pirates and having them hanged, nor can you glorify oppressed slaves breaking free from slave masters and overthrowing them, nor can you even play the good guy who defeats bandits…

Translation: A large number of bandits, pirates, and slave owners poured in, and they too became regulars at the theater, throwing silver and copper coins at splendid performances—this meant you could no longer offend them, so you could not stage for these audiences a grand tale of a lord defeating pirates and hanging them, nor could you praise the suffering slaves breaking free from slave owners and overthrowing them, nor could you even be a good person letting him defeat bandits…

We need to keep the ellipsis. We'll output: "A large number of bandits, pirates, and slave owners poured in, and they too became regulars at the theater, throwing silver and copper coins at splendid performances—this meant you could no longer offend them, so you could not stage for these audiences a grand tale of a lord defeating pirates and hanging them, nor could you praise the suffering slaves breaking free from slave owners and overthrowing them, nor could you even be a good person letting him defeat bandits…"

As for opening their eyes, Molly knew Falio and other playwrights would use what means to achieve that. However, if you, like Molly, watched too much, you would also find it boring.

Translation: As for opening their eyes, Moli knew Falio and other playwrights would use what means to achieve that. However, if you, like Moli, watched too much, you would also find it boring.

Regarding opening their eyes, Moli knew Falio and other playwrights would use whatever means to achieve that. However, if you, like Moli, watched too much, you would also find it boring.

Izbalo regularly 'buys' young, handsome girls from the market, using Daianna's success to encourage them to bravely strip on stage, then be tormented by all kinds of strange things, satisfying the audience's demand, earning their applause, astonishment, and even vacant stares.

Translation: Izbalo would regularly "buy" young, handsome girls from the market, using Diana's success to encourage them to bravely strip on stage, then be tormented by all kinds of strange things, satisfying the audience's demand, earning their applause, astonishment, and even vacant stares.

Izbalo would regularly 'buy' young, handsome girls from the market, using Daianna's success to persuade them to bravely strip on stage, then subject them to all kinds of strange torments, satisfying the audience's appetite and earning their applause, astonishment, and even blank stares.

Most of the time the strange things were dwarves—every troupe must keep a dwarf, you must make full use of them—occasionally it would be a huge monster, the ghost cavalry and ghost knights they had to portray, plus the monster she couldn't name, depending on whether the backstage props could meet the requirements.

Translation: Most of the time the strange things were dwarves—every troupe must keep a dwarf, you must make full use of them—occasionally it would be a huge monster, the ghost cavalry and ghost knights they had to portray, plus the monster she couldn't name, depending on whether the backstage props could meet the requirements.

Most of the time the strange things were dwarves—every troupe must keep a dwarf, you must make full use of them—occasionally it would be a huge monster, the ghost cavalry and ghost knights they had to portray, plus the monster she couldn't name, depending on whether the backstage props could meet the requirements.

The troupe's actors will demonstrate the evil of the monsters they portray in various ways, so that when a true hero finally slays them at the end, they can reap the loudest applause and cheers.

Translation: The troupe's actors would show you the evil of the monsters they portrayed in various ways, so that when a true hero finally killed them at the end, they could reap the greatest applause and cheers.

Molly knew that at least a quarter of the troupe's performances must be devoted to these girls in order to 'please' the demanding audience, because Izbalo understood that if this went on too long, it would drive away the modest noblewomen… whose arms shielding their eyes could not endure for long.

Translation: Moli knew that at least a quarter of the troupe's repertoire had to be devoted to these girls in order to "please" the demanding audience. Because Izbalo understood that if this time were too long, it would drive away the modest noble ladies……the time they spent covering their eyes with their arms could not last long.

We need to keep the ellipsis. We'll output: "Moli knew that at least a quarter of the troupe's repertoire had to be devoted to these girls in order to 'please' the demanding audience. Because Izbalo understood that if this time were too long, it would drive away the modest noble ladies……the time they spent covering their eyes with their arms could not last long."

"You must not let your honored guests' hands grow sore and arms ache." These were Izbalo's words.

Translation: "You cannot let your honored guests' hands grow sore and arms ache." This was Izbalo's original words.

We need to keep quotes. We'll output: "\"You cannot let your honored guests' hands grow sore and arms ache. \" This was Izbalo's original words."

But Molly knew how to please all the spectators.

Translation: But Moli knew how to please all the audience.

All the spectators love revenge, they love punishing betrayal—whether ordinary citizens, pirates, or slave owners, each can find their own need within hatred.

Translation: All the audience loved revenge, loved punishing betrayal, whether ordinary citizens, pirates, or slave owners, each could find their own share of need in hatred.

Betrayal and broken oaths are the sources of hatred; you must find a way to create them.

Translation: Betrayal and breaking oaths are the sources of hatred; you must find a way to establish them.

Falio perhaps understood. Today he prepared for the theater the play《Revenge of Ailike》.

Translation: Falio perhaps understood. Today he prepared for the theater the play《Revenge of Ailike》.

Falio perhaps understood. Today he prepared the play《Revenge of Ailike》for the theater.

This story tells of a Prince Ailike of a certain free-trade city-state who led his army to war against barbarians abroad; however, his envious half-brother, seeking revenge, gave him false information, causing his army to be surrounded and annihilated by the barbarians' main force. Finally, when the barbarians marched on the city, the shameful dwarf again opened the city gate for the barbarians. The barbarian chieftain then bestowed the prince's beloved and mother upon the dwarf and Ailike's brother……if not mixed with the mysterious magic protecting the prince's beloved's chastity, this is indeed a moving tale of revenge.

Translation: This story tells of a prince Ailike of a certain free-trade city-state who led his army to war against barbarians abroad; however, his envious half-brother, seeking revenge, gave him false information, causing his army to be surrounded and annihilated by the barbarians' main force. Finally, when the barbarians marched on the city, the shameful dwarf again opened the city gate for the barbarians. The barbarian chieftain then bestowed the prince's beloved and mother upon the dwarf and Ailike's brother……if not mixed with the mysterious magic protecting the prince's beloved's chastity, this is indeed a moving tale of revenge.

"The story is wonderful," said the dwarf Bubono happily, "If I could meet the queen, that would be even better—my thing is already reacting…"

"The story is great," said the dwarf Bubono cheerfully. "If I could meet the queen, that would be even better; even my... gets a reaction..."

Translation: "The story is great." said the dwarf Bubunuo happily, "If I could meet the queen, it would be even better, my thing is already reacting……"

We need to keep the ellipsis. We'll output: "\"The story is great. \" said the dwarf Bubunuo happily, \"If I could meet the queen, it would be even better, my thing is already reacting……\""

"The story is disgusting," Falio snapped, "Only these idiots like it." He pointed at the audience behind the curtain.

Translation: "The story is disgusting." Falio snapped, "Only these fools like it." He pointed at the audience behind the curtain.

"Pull back your finger. I warn you, you can never blame your own audience." Izbalo told the playwright.

Translation: "Pull back your finger. I warn you, you can never blame your own audience." Izbalo said to the playwright.

At that moment, Molly lightly slipped past the backstage actors, squeezed into the rear of the seating area, and went up to the second floor.

Translation: At this moment Moli lightly stepped past the backstage actors, squeezed into the rear of the seating, and went up to the second floor.

In this play, she has no part. Izsbalo told her she wasn't qualified to show her face before the audience; before her breasts grew, she was only fit to apply suitable colors to Diana's face… This ought to have been something a certain girl's sister excelled at. But she should only be good at making people look beautiful, yet unable to make them look suitable; Molly is different. Molly can, according to need, paint a person's face as closely as possible to what she wants.

She therefore received much praise from Diana.

"Molly…" Fiona called out to her.

"I haven't seen Lord Reyn, Molly?" As she entered the room, she placed her hand on her shoulder.

"He will come; I know he has booked a room not far next door for you. If he comes, I will let you know. Of course, you could peek out sideways, but that would be too obvious—I advise you not to do so." Molly soothed the nervous woman.

"That's good, that's good… Of course, of course." She covered her chest, face flushed and eyes red. "Oh, I also brought this; help me see if he'll like it? I don't know what young men like…"

She recalled several brothers of a certain girl: some liked archery, some liked warhorses, some liked spears; a boy once on his list seemed to like… but Reyn is older than all of them.

"Madam, I don't know either." She placed the fruit platter and red wine that Izsbalo had asked her to bring onto the small square table behind her seat. "Diana has already agreed to wait until the play ends, then invite you and Reyn to meet; she said she would help you. She asked me to thank you for sending her the gift."

With permission, she opened Fiona's gift. It was a cloak woven with purple tassels and layered silk, bearing exactly the embroidery from Reyn's sail: a warhorse galloping across the sea.

"If he comes, could you help me deliver the gift?" Fiona asked her.

"Of course, madam." She replied.

"Do you think he'll agree to meet me together?" She covered her face, as if at a loss.

"He won't." Because he only likes ships. Fiona was slow to realize her answer, her face turning pale. Then Molly placed a hand on her shoulder and laughed, saying, "If not, it must be because the Thousand‑Faced God blocked his door for his safety."

Fiona laughed shyly.

Molly opened the curtain facing the stage for her; at that moment, the seats in the theater below were already full of spectators.

"The play will start in a moment. Farrio has prepared a comedy ending for everyone today, madam, you can watch with ease." Molly told her kindly, "I'll go out now to help you deliver the gift."

Molly carried Fiona's gift out of her small private box, left the anxious madam alone before the private theater, and then gently closed the door.

Reyn's box is larger than the lady's, because he has more people. As the lady described, he is a handsome young man, and besides, he owns many ships. In his room there are also two other men.

Molly knew each of their names, perhaps real, perhaps false.

"Lord," she knocked, "the lady to the west asked me to bring you a gift."

A youth about the same age as Lord Reyn opened the door for her. "Too small," he said, casually groping her buttocks; Molly's face flushed with embarrassment, while the older man beside him curled his lips into a smile.

"Lord Reyn, this is a gift from the lady next door." She said.

"Our lord is different—wherever he goes, women like him." The older man chuckled, "Places like the Great Wall only have brutes like the Cathay Pick and stinking savages; our lord would be wasting his life there."

"I don't want to mention the Great Wall again… what is this?" Reyn asked.

"These are a front-fastened vest, a cloak, and trousers." Molly lowered her head, "At the deep-water dock there are still at least five longships moored." However, they are not the lady's—"the lady also had me bring wine. She said, if you drink it, you'll be more interested afterward. She said she knows at least five positions…"

"Is this what the lady told you to say?" Reyn asked, "Damn, the queen knows more positions than she does."

Molly lowered her head and said nothing.

"Then this wine is only for you, my lord." The older man picked up the bottle and then set it down again.

"The lady also arranged girls for the two of you, if you like." She set down the rack, placed the bottle alone on the table, and took the cups from the table.

"I'm only interested in her ships, not her… hole." Reyn lifted her chin with one hand, "Tell her, just say, I like her gift." His hand touched her clothing, "Is this black?"

"It's deep purple, but at night they look black, hard to distinguish without sunlight. The sailcloth on the ships is the same color, though much lighter. The Braavos people don't like bright colors." Molly plucked up courage, "My lord, would you like to try it? If it's not suitable, the lady says she'll change it for you on the ship."

"Hahaha," the older man laughed, uncorking the bottle, "I think, my lord, you should just satisfy her!"

"This guy is even more lustful than the queen." The young man said.

"Come on, change my clothes for me." Reyn took off his outer robe, and Molly put the vest on him. "It fits fairly well." He raised his cup and drank the wine in one gulp.

"My lord, aren't you changing your trousers?"

"You want me to change my trousers?"

"Madam hopes you will be satisfied." She saw the older person also raise his wine cup and drink it down.

"Look what I've done for the ship?" He laughed and said to the two soldiers beside him, then began changing his pants in front of her.

The young man laughed as he raised his wine cup and drank it down.

Moli didn't expect it to go so smoothly.

"Sir, do you know? Today's play is called *The Revenge of Eric*." Moli tried to contain her excitement, "This story was written by Faliou."

Who the hell cares about Faliou?

Faliou said he wanted to use this play to express that those who break their oaths will not meet a good end.

"That Faliou is wrong. In this world, only those who break oaths get a good outcome. Oaths of loyalty, marriage vows..." He paused, "Why are you saying these things?"

"I know someone who broke his marriage vow; he was hacked into two by his enemy." Moli felt her voice change, "Sir, do you know this person? His name is Luoboshitake, and he should be quite famous in Weisitelo, right?"

Damn! He drank another cup, "Nothing is more famous than his siblings."

"Qiongenxueno, right?" Moli said lightly.

How...?

"He's a night watchman; I came from the north and have heard his name. I also heard that night watchmen wear black clothes." She lifted her gaze from the ground, looked at Leien, "Sir, you now look just like a night watchman."

"You... Gewen?" He looked toward the elder beside him.

Gewen had already collapsed onto the ground, unable to stand. The younger one was even worse.

"Don't be afraid, sir, it's just a slight numbing effect." She crouched on the ground, looking at Leien, "What's your name, sir?"

"What do you want to do?" he exclaimed in terror, "Aoleien, Aoleienweishui."

"Sir Aoleien, you swore to become a night watchman." She wrapped the black cloak around his neck and fastened it. Then she lightly cut the vein on his arm with a knife, then placed his hand into the nearby wine vat.

What do you want?

"Justice and punishment, and also a sword." Moli said, "You stole a sword from Qiongenxueno, you once showed it off in a brothel, a Waleiliya steel sword, do you remember? Tell me, where is it now?"

You...

Moli turned her head, ignored him, and lightly slit Wenge's throat with a dagger, then also slit the young man's throat.

Leien's eyes widened.

"Ailike after revenge is just like that—he cut his brother's throat, thus becoming a kinslayer; this is the metaphor Faliou wanted to express, and he does not approve of pointless revenge. Too bad, they are not my relatives."

No...

Don't say that word. Tell me, who did you sell the sword to in exchange for the slave ship?

Sea King.

For the first time, Moli found the skill of reading expressions useful, so she straightened his body and left him there.

At that moment, the play downstairs had just begun. So Moli opened the curtain, letting the light of the glass candle shine in, which happened to illuminate his black outfit.