The Freak Show Foreman

"It's over."

Ella tightly closed her eyes.

A deep sense of disappointment washed over her as the efforts of the past two months seemed to have been in vain.

However, simultaneously, a strange sense of relief lingered in a corner of her heart.

She couldn't confidently identify its nature.

But in a fleeting moment, she recalled a play she had seen when she was young.

During the closing remarks on stage, a nobleman suddenly barged in, pushing aside the male lead and shaking hands with the female lead before the audience.

The male lead, who seemed the most courageous and splendid man in the world, couldn't respond and was pushed aside. The female lead, who appeared destined for the male lead, submitted to the nobleman.

Later, as she grew older, she learned that such incidents were common in the entertainment industry.

However, it was a scene that had shocked the young Ella, who saw the world on stage as independent.

"At least I didn't lose my place."

She said, being careful not to let her lips curl up.

"Didn't your lawyer defend you?" she asked.

Wonderstein raised his head in response to her question.

"The lawyer did not defend me."

"What?"

Wonderstein smiled as he saw the doubt on Ella's face.

"Mr. Bartel didn't tell you everything, it seems. There was no need for a defense."

The golden tomato lottery that took place last night.

The person who scored the highest was none other than Minova, the leader of the Satbyeol Circus.

"Can't we use the coins we earned? So, we spent most of today's earned coins on purchasing cards."

With his declaration, everyone in the hall was astonished.

Wonderstein remained outwardly calm, but internally, he was equally baffled.

Technically, there was nothing wrong with his statement according to the rules.

They could buy items from each other's stalls.

In fact, Minova's daughter, Ruelle, drew a portrait with Womon and bought a massage stick from the Satbyeol side, helping the members relax.

Of course, it was permitted with the intention of selling attractive items that even competitors would buy.

Pouring all the earned coins into buying goods and sweeping them away was something the organizers couldn't have imagined.

He even revealed that, during the audience's viewing of their performance, his staff collected cards.

People were angry at this absurd situation.

"Is this even reasonable?"

"While we were watching the performance, they pulled off such a trick behind our backs?"

"Do you have no dignity, you idiot!"

In response to people's complaints, Minova scoffed and shouted.

"Who cares if we lose a few coins in the end! Oh, if you have complaints, come forward and tell me directly!"

In the face of Minova's shameless reply, people were left speechless.

Few dared to confront a man with shoulders wider than 30cm on each side.

Even Lord Dosville, who was confident in his bluffing, bit his tongue and stepped back.

Minova continued to shout a few more times, puffing up his muscles to dismiss people's complaints.

While his rude and arrogant way of handling things was entertaining to watch, experiencing it first-hand was intolerable.

"There are all kinds of people in this world."

"Just as the rumors say. Just as the rumors say."

"I heard he was arrogant, and he's still nothing more than a thug!"

However, no matter how angry they were, the last word could not be spoken in front of him.

Especially in a situation where his daughter was watching.

Minova's head suddenly turned.

"What did you just say?"

He lifted the man who had just spoken by the collar.

"Ah, the acrobat is attacking people!"

"Dad, stop it!"

"Manager, please restrain yourself!"

Ruelle and the subordinate members rushed in and barely managed to calm him down.

After everyone left, Minova looked at Wonderstein with a sullen expression.

"Sorry, it was unavoidable because of the sponsor's command. They wanted to have this even if we lose."

The sponsor.

Only then did Wonderstein understand why Minova went to such lengths to get the cocktail.

"Why provoke fights among people?"

Wonderstein realized that the sudden change in his demeanor was an act when he saw Minova scratching his head awkwardly.

"Well, the sponsor asked me to keep a low profile and not let any gossip spread in his name. Haha, I just played the villain role, taking the beatings instead."

This was something he used to do often during his days of surviving by fighting and getting paid in return.

After resolving a situation through a brawl, well-dressed individuals would appear, picking up the spoils as he received money in return.

"Don't worry too much. My reputation isn't that great anyway. And this circus troupe is set to disband after the tournament."

He said it, but he didn't seem too pleased. After all, he had embarked on a new life, and repeating similar actions to his past didn't leave him feeling refreshed.

That was the drawback of a planned circus troupe. When selling goods, he had to follow the sponsor's instructions, and even now, at a crucial moment in the match, he had to abandon the possibility of victory due to the sponsor's greed.

"Is it okay to win like this?"

"Why? Because the sponsor has more power?"

"Exactly."

Minova burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, so if we won because some gambling thugs caused a commotion, would I have felt proud?"

Wonderstein fell silent; he hadn't thought of it that way.

"You won this match. I vouch for that as your opponent."

He patted Wonderstein on the shoulder.

"Oh, then the bet…"

"The bet?"

"The one we made before the match. Since Minova lost, it means she acknowledges that our Ella is better than Ruelle, right?"

Minova's expression turned fierce at his playful remark.

"This guy? Don't make me laugh! Hey, take the cocktail! I'm demanding a refund!"

"Even though it's a 1-lotties?"

With the events unfolding, Anais didn't feel the need to argue about the golden tomato.

With their final earnings reduced to zero, Satbyeol had also spent most of the coins that day to follow the sponsor's orders.

In the settlement, victory was conferred to the Monster Circus.

Wonderstein took out a gem from his pocket.

It emitted a red light slightly larger than a coin.

"It's a star."

Ella accepted the offered gem and observed it closely.

It was shaped like a rose with layers of petals.

There was also a badge clip attached to it, making it wearable.

Ella sat quietly, gently fiddling with the star.

You need to collect seven of these to ascend to the Wonder Stage.

After a moment of silence, she spoke.

"In the end, whether here or there, we all ended up being manipulated by the sponsors."

Ella threw the star she held into the air and caught it again.

"I understand why others distanced themselves from this free performance. It feels like dancing bears in a money game played by merchants. The efforts to improve the quality of the performance are neglected."

"Neglected?"

"Like Maya's illusion."

Wonderstein nodded, understanding her words. Maya spent a significant amount of magic power on printing the drawings.

So, in this performance, it was inevitable to simplify the illusion element significantly.

As she said, the quality of the performance suffered due to external factors.

Free to Play, Pay to Win.

Many games he enjoyed in real life followed this pattern.

Offering free play, emphasizing limited items and gacha draws to make money, all the while neglecting the actual development of the game.

The theme presented at the Rose Windmill Circus inevitably lowered the quality of the performance.

Since the entrance fee was free, no matter how hard they tried in the performance, it wouldn't translate into profits.

There were already signs of this in the second-week match.

Papal Circus, with sincere acrobatics, lost to Mango Troupe, which focused on repetitive and addictive logo songs geared towards product sales.

The image of Bouvalle, who always emphasized the importance of money, came to mind.

Having managed a cabaret for a long time, he couldn't have been unaware of such a situation.

Without a doubt, he had intended for this situation from the beginning.

"It's not like what Bouvalle said is entirely wrong. Success is important. Our stages, props, equipment, and labor costs all come from money. But that's not everything."

"I agree."

Although the theme of the competition forced him to borrow the business practices of game developers, his true favorite games were not like that.

He preferred games like the Tril Trilo series, filled with collection and exploration elements, offering high freedom.

"Alright. We've got the badge now. Shall we research for the next test?"

Ella reached for her notes, but Wonderstein blocked her hand.

She glared at him, lips pursed.

"Oh, come on. Reading a book is okay."

"It's not that…"

At that moment, her room's door opened, and someone peeked in.

It was Yurakne.

She glanced at the two, then grinned.

"Oh, Director, Ella hasn't changed into her clothes yet?"

"We're just having a chat. We'll be down in a moment."

Wonderstein placed Ella's notes on the table.

"We should have a celebration party for passing the test."

"Oh, right. That's true."

Ella hurriedly changed into the clothes she had taken to the tailor for alterations. The dress that had been sent for repairs returned looking as good as new. She changed from her nightwear into a blouse and skirt, wearing the performance costume over it. She also put on a hat.

Naturally, the dove entered her hat like it was her home, and the mouse perched on her shoulder.

Ella came out of the room, and Wonderstein extended a piece of jewelry towards her.

"This."

"Oh, the star?"

After a brief pause, Wonderstein smiled and said, "Ella, take it."

"What?"

"Ella Yang deserves to have it."

"But you're the Director…"

"Just take it."

At his firm words, Ella seized the jewel with determination.

"All right. No objections?"

She hesitated on where to attach it for a moment, then clipped it onto the collar of her performance costume.

Even amid her red performance costume, the sparkling red jewel shone brightly.

The two walked together to the dining hall.

No words were exchanged.

But perhaps due to spending several days on stage together, the companionship felt much more comfortable than before for Ella.

Then, suddenly, she had one question.

It was a question she had carried with her from before.

"By the way, why are you so determined to reach the finals of the Circus Grand Prix?"

"Hoho, because what I want is there."

"What do you want? Can't you just take it with your own strength?"

"Yes. That's right."

"Is it something so valuable?"

In response to her question, he pointed to the badge on Ella's chest.

"It's something more valuable than that jewel."

They arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall.

The other members were already there, and the place was buzzing with excitement.

Before entering, he gave his final words of advice.

"We'll leave for the next city only after Ella Yang's body has fully recovered. So, don't push yourself too hard and focus on recovering."

Ella tried to say she was fine, but she stopped.

It would be excessively shameless for someone who had already collapsed twice to boast about being perfectly fine.

Yeah. From now on, she shouldn't cause trouble like this.

She will work harder to become stronger.

No matter what happens, she won't be pushed off the stage.

The door to the banquet hall opened.

Cheers and laughter from the members welcoming her filled the air.