The Freak Show Foreman

Back then, I had just arrived, so everything was clumsy.

I was pushed around by the ’Laughing Man’ and even got shot.

The quest itself was simple, and the reward was small.

But the ripple effect was significant.

Not only did it activate the "Main Quest – Circus Grand Prix," but it also gained me a sponsor to fund my travels for two and a half years.

The problem was that this quest was derived from TT3.

The enemies in TT1 and TT2 were not enemies at this point in time.

They would become monsters in the main storyline later on.

Currently, they were mostly ordinary people, so forming any kind of relationship with them didn’t burden me for the future.

Ghost Derek, for example, was a future ally, but I had to kill him.

However, the enemies in TT3 were different.

They had been connected to Wonderstein from before the main storyline.

My changed behavior could influence them and have a direct impact that would come back to haunt me.

I had to handle quests related to TT3 with caution.

But at that time, I couldn’t think that far ahead.

I had to adapt to my new body, experiment at the Evolution Research Lab, and deal with the first tasks given to me.

I didn’t know what information Pierre had passed in the Carribean.

But it had definitely influenced the judgment of their leader, ’Rabbit.’

Something had piqued her interest.

Perhaps jealousy, suspicion, or mischief.

There were several possible reasons, but nothing was certain.

She had a relationship with Wonderstein, but she couldn’t be considered a complete ally.

In the game, her personality was whimsical, and her actions were unpredictable.

She might try to hinder me one day and cooperate with me the next.

"Why did he spread such rumors?"

"To tarnish my reputation."

Anais let out a bitter laugh.

She, too, was amazed at how her uncle was manipulating her niece’s love life behind the scenes.

"Two months ago, I reported my uncle’s attempted murder to the Council. And I issued a warrant for his arrest. He fled without any excuse, which was practically an admission of guilt. So the faction on his side quieted down. They knew that if they intervened, they could be charged with complicity in his crimes. But just a few weeks ago, strange rumors started circulating."

She paused here and glanced at me.

It seemed like those rumors were about the Circus that had damaged the Merchant Union’s reputation.

"Don’t misunderstand me. It’s just that the rumors are like that. So, what are they about…? Well, it’s about a suspicious magician who hangs around me, using sweet talk to cloud my judgment and manipulate me."

I inwardly sighed.

It wasn’t entirely false.

After all, the original Wonderstein approached her with that intention.

"They even brushed off the fact that my uncle tried to kill me as a delusion. They said I was just spouting nonsense under the magician’s spell."

"Do people believe that?"

Anais pursed her lips.

"It’s true that my actions may seem strange to people. A lord of a territory and the head of a Merchant Union traveling with a circus… The only testimony people hear is that I’m always with the Ringmaster… and rumors that I’m deeply infatuated with the Ringmaster… That’s the only thing they hear… So, it’s inevitable that people think that way."

Well, there was no room for defense in that regard.

The owner of a prestigious Merchant union ranking among the best in the world has fallen in love with an unknown wandering magician?

The reaction of sane people was that she had lost his mind.

Now I understood the murmurs of the people on the first floor earlier.

"My family’s directors even heard the news and sent a protest letter, telling me not to do foolish things. The fact that they did that means everyone in the business world thinks the same way. They must believe I was definitely… tempted by the ringmaster. Otherwise, there’s no reason for me to suddenly sponsor such an unknown circus troupe."

Her face turned bright red.

She fanned herself rapidly.

"They all said I’ve been emotionally unstable since my father passed away and want to lean on anyone. Hah, it’s ironic, considering not long ago they were praising Chairman of Vergsong as the pinnacle of the business world… Funny."

At this point, I couldn’t help but have one question in mind.

Even if it’s just a ’rumor’ with no clear evidence, why is she allowing it to spread like this?

Couldn’t she have said something during the interview earlier?

"All you have to do is deny it, right?"

Why is she letting this rumor escalate like this?

There’s an effective way to handle it.

"I’m not involved with anyone," she could have said.

That would have easily resolved the issue.

It seemed that the reason this incident had escalated to this point was because she was allowing this rumor to spread.

Before the problem grew larger by denying and trying to recover, it could have been nipped in the bud.

Anais also had nothing to worry about in her position as a sponsor, and she could defend from the rabbit’s mischief.

A three-pronged strategy.

However, after hearing my words, she laughed bitterly.

"You mean to say I’m not involved with anyone…?"

She exhaled heavily and bowed her head deeply.

Her green hair hung like curtains, casting shadows on her face.

When her breathing finally calmed down, she spoke again.

"That’s right."

Her voice sounded as if it had cracked, like the dry bottom of a river during a drought.

I swallowed my saliva.

Something was wrong.

I said something wrong.

It wasn’t until I spoke and she reacted that I realized it.

"Even the directors pushed for me to make that announcement."

She laughed.

Among all the laughter I had heard from her until now, this one was the coldest, most suffocating, and harshest.

"I’m not involved with anyone…"

She lifted her head.

Tears were flowing from her two eyes.

Her lips carried the same sad smile I had seen several times since yesterday.

"That’s right. What kind of relationship can there be? Huhu. My relationship with the ringmaster… was just a business deal…"

She wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

"I guess I got a bit greedy."

Her smile distorted.

Slowly.

And then she smiled widely again.

Quickly.

"The ringmaster didn’t do anything wrong."

I wanted to deny her words.

But I couldn’t think of a suitable response.

"The ringmaster is a good person. He took bullets to save me."

Because of money.

"He jumped into the water to save a girl."

Because of favorability.

"He shielded his members from an explosion with his body."

Because of quests.

"He pursued his dream tirelessly without losing sight of it."

Because of the rewards I would receive.

"I know. The director is a good person."

No, I am not.

"Otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken my teasing so well with a smile."

It’s because of the curse.

"Thank you for putting up with my antics for a month."

I should not be receiving thanks.

No, it’s actually me who should be thankful.

I just realized why she chose today of all days to reveal this.

She could appeal that she alone can’t defend against the pressure and would need to withdraw the sponsorship.

Then, she could have easily obtained what she wanted.

But she didn’t.

She didn’t use her sponsorship as a weapon to hold me captive.

Even though it was my position to kneel if she did.

The reason she revealed this on the day of the opening ceremony was that once the competition started, sponsors couldn’t withdraw their support.

She was considerate of me, so I wouldn’t be anxious if I heard such rumors.

To her, I…

We’re not on bad terms, I say.

"I’m sorry for suddenly crying. I was prepared, but still… However, hearing those words directly from the ringmaster hurts my heart."

What should I say to comfort her…

My words wouldn’t come out.

I just stared at her stupidly.

"Just what do you think of me after spending a month together, ringmaster?"

I had the urge to run out of this room immediately.

Anger and embarrassment towards myself were fighting inside me.

I should entertain the sponsor.

Why does she keep bothering me?

Love, what nonsense. It must be a misunderstanding.

I once confessed my love to a helper who used to lift my feet.

I mistook her kindness and smile for affection.

"I wish she had just pushed me away."

She said she was just doing the job for money.

Kindness and smiles were all just consideration for the customer.

"I wish you hadn’t smiled at me."

I received a phone call saying they were replacing the helper.

Why did she run away like that?

I wish she had just gone back to our original relationship.

"I wish you had said you didn’t like me."

But what if she had rejected my feelings and then continued to lift my feet with the same smile, the same kindness, as if nothing happened?

Wouldn’t that have been even more cruel?

I guess it was more considerate to cut ties cleanly.

It took me a few years to realize that.

What I did to her for the past month was not just building a wall.

It was a cowardly outburst of anger.

I was mistaken back then.

So what I’m doing now is also a mistake.

But was my heart really just a mistake back then?

Didn’t I like her?

Wasn’t it because I wanted to deny being rejected?

I was lying to myself because I didn’t want to admit that.

I couldn’t understand my own feelings, yet I pretended to understand the other person’s feelings and poked fun at her.

I wanted to scream loudly.

But no words came out of my throat.

I could only smile at her quietly.

I hoped that it would be a lonely and sad smile, just like the one that seemed to hang on her lips.

If not, I wanted to make it look like I was crying, even if I had to tear my own lips apart.