Chapter 224: Wonderland – 27

Chapter 224: Wonderland – 27

Most of the world’s coastlines appeared on maps as the Age of Exploration drew to a close.

With the accumulation of geographic information and advancements in printing technology, the era arrived when anyone could sit at home and purchase a world map.

This facilitated industrialization by promoting the movement of people and goods.

However, its impact wasn’t entirely positive.

Around that time, there emerged a group known as “explorers,” who roamed the inland territories beyond the coastlines.

Despite their romanticized name, they were essentially nothing more than bandits.

Armed with weapons, they ventured into unmapped lands to plunder their inhabitants, technologies, and artifacts.

One of their primary targets was mysterious creatures like fairies and spirits.

They roamed the waters near Jormungandr, targeting lone fairies and spirits wandering away from their groups.

They would capture them to sell as commodities to wealthy collectors or as exhibits in exhibitions.

Exhibitions were not just about displaying captured creatures.

Depending on how the items were presented and promoted, significant profits could be made.

This led to the emergence of professional organizers specializing in exhibitions.

They employed various methods to attract visitors.

They would train captured creatures to perform tricks or incorporate street performers’ acrobatics.

The emergence of monster circuses was part of this trend.

While conditions have improved significantly nowadays, back then, many children born to survivors of the cursed plague weren’t even registered as citizens.

Despite having parents and hometowns, they were often treated as outcasts.

It was common for them to be denied entry to villages, and during droughts or epidemics, they were often scapegoated and faced lynching.

As a result, most of the cursed ones shied away from human contact and lived in hiding, appearing to be part of human society yet distant from it.

They caught the attention of circus organizers constantly seeking new spectacles.

These organizers understood human desires well.

They realized that people quickly grew tired of admiring extraordinary things and pretending to be refined.

Instead, they sought to stimulate more primal desires.

Providing a target for ridicule, contempt, and condemnation became their strategy.

With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization exacerbating the gap between the rich and poor, the discontented masses sought targets for their anger.

Monster shows were born out of these societal tensions.

However, as circuses evolved into comprehensive performing arts, such shows gradually faded away.

Although still occasionally seen in rural areas, they were rare in major cities.

Anyone in the industry pursuing a respectable image avoided mentioning monster shows due to their violence and savagery.

Wonderstein’s involvement with monster circuses likely received negative attention due to this historical context.

Ella tried not to recall the stage she had seen at the judicial theatre.

However, even with her eyes closed, she could still hear the mocking laughter ringing in her ears.

Were the personas sitting here people from bygone days?

From an era when there was shame associated with monster circuses?

She glanced at the two individuals with a slight hesitation.

“I hope you won’t misunderstand, sir, ma’am. Our circus... The show Wonderstein and I created isn’t like that... It’s a monster circus, yes... but it’s different.”

Would they perceive it as an excuse? Would they think she was defending herself with lies?

Fortunately, both seemed to understand, nodding in agreement.

“We understand. Miss Elphi wouldn’t be like that.”

“Trust us.”

Ella breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you. Oh, really, today of all days, I miss the troupe...”

Considering the duration of their training camp, it had been a good two weeks since she had returned to their lodgings.

Cheerful Sven.

Thoughtful Yurakne.

Innocent Womon.

Hot-tempered Triamere.

Quiet Bendict.

Timid Jobel.

Hadn’t they experienced similar things like inside?

Just hearing about it while passing by was quite something.

But thinking about it, seeing it firsthand, felt entirely different. for new novels

She stretched herself.

Regardless, she needed to get out of here safely to see her comrades again.

And the person she most wanted to see now... Wonderstein, that person too.

“Alright. Despite being a rather unpleasant show, knowing the other managers are safe is a relief. So, shall we get to the point? What’s the plan from here?”

Oz breathed a sigh of relief inwardly at seeing Ella’s relaxed expression.

“Firstly, talking. We’re gathering Elphi’s colleagues scattered within Wonderland.”

“How?”

Scarecrow raised his straw hat provocatively with his thumb.

He continued leaping down the stairs one after another.

Each time, Lumie made a gasping sound, and Ella burst into laughter.

In less than 30 seconds, they were able to reach the ground.

With tear-filled eyes—she claimed it was because of the wind—Lumie glared at him and swore, while Ella held onto her stomach, laughing.

They crossed the square and looked around at the stages where competitions were in full swing.

From singing to acrobatics to comedy, performances in every imaginable field were underway.

“There are so many stages.”

“Which one do you think is good?”

“Let’s go where Ella wants.”

“All right! Should we check the list? I’m trying to make a reservation!”

At Ella’s shout, a Ticketer appeared in front of them.

Oz and Lumie, knowing her skill, believed she would do well no matter what performance she chose.

But the problem arose elsewhere.

The Ticketer, upon hearing Ella’s request, nervously shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but they’re all sold out, ma’am.”

The Ticketer explained that everyone performing on the stages today had purchased tickets several days ago.

“When’s the next competition?”

“It’s in 6 days, ma’am.”

At the mention of 6 days, Ella’s face fell.

“This is a big problem.”

“During that time, three more people could be executed.”

“Um, that’s true, but I’m worried they might not find us outside,” Ella fretted nervously.

It had already been two days since they entered this place.

They couldn’t know what chaos might be happening in Yeterinpuurk right now.

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that,” the Scarecrow said brightly.

“During the festival period, blessing encircles Wonderland like a fortress wall.”

“What does that mean?”

“In simple terms, time passes slowly here. Spending 100 days here is only a day outside.”

“Wait, so only about 30 minutes have passed outside?”

Oz and Lumie nodded.

That’s why the two of them could have been relaxed until now.

“But even six days still feel too long. We don’t know what will happen to the three of us. Isn’t there any way?”

“How about waiting on-site, Maam? Cancelled tickets keep coming up in real-time,” the Ticketer suggested.

Ella reacted strongly to this suggestion.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Giving up on a performance isn’t common, but it happens occasionally.”

“Occasionally? Oh, so it’s not easy to get those?”

“Once they’re out, yes. The entry passes for the performances don’t have instant teleportation. For example, if a ticket is cancelled three minutes early, there’s no reason for anyone not on stage to buy it. So, many cancelled tickets go to waste.”

Ella looked at the two of them.

The two who met her gaze nodded.

“Alright. Then let’s check for cancelled tickets. Anything will do.”

So, the three of them spent time watching nearby stages while waiting for the Ticketer to bring good news.

A few hours passed quickly.

True to the philosophy of ‘the show must go on’ worshippers, those who cancelled their promise to perform didn’t come out so easily.

Oz, halfway through giving up, buried himself on a nearby bench, and Lumie, perhaps tired, used his body as a pillow and fell asleep.

“I wonder if it’ll happen by today.”

The moment he uttered those words, Ella, who had been watching the stage in the distance, ran towards him frantically.

“Let’s hurry! The stage is on the other side!”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I got tickets!”

Ella shook what she held in her hand.

There was an entry pass.

“It starts in five minutes! Hurry!”

“You go ahead! Lumie hasn’t fully woken up yet! We’ll follow you!”

Ella shook her head at his words.

“No! I need you! It’s a duet singing contest!”

“What?”

The Scarecrow’s mouth fell open in surprise.

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Chapter 223: Wonderland – 26