Chapter 105

Chapter 105: The Lamb

Outside the Gem Theatre, by the luxurious carriage parked by the roadside, Bill, dressed in the uniform of a theatre staff member, stood respectfully, waiting for a reply from the existence inside the carriage.

He only waited for a moment before hearing an elderly voice emerging from the carriage.

“Can you confirm who it is specifically?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t. I smelled this scent at the entrance corridor, and there were quite a few people passing by me… By the time I turned back, they had already entered the venue and dispersed…

“I cannot confirm who it is, but I can be certain that it should be one of the participants, and they are still in the venue now.”

Bill continued. Listening to Bill’s words, the existence in the carriage fell silent for a moment before continuing to speak slowly.

“After the performance begins, try to confirm it. Remember, don’t make too big a move, don’t alert them prematurely.”

“Yes…”

…

Dorothy, dressed in exquisite attire, joined the crowd entering the venue. Under the illumination of the yellow lights, she saw a spacious area. Thick pillars opened up into a broad hall, with a stage covered by red curtains at one end. In front of the stage were fan-shaped tiers of seating.

In the area directly facing the stage was a band tuning their instruments. The fan-shaped tiers rose in steps, with many individual cabins on the upper levels. At first glance, this was a standard theater.

Climbing up the steps to the top of the tiered seating, Dorothy casually found a good vantage point and sat down. Once seated comfortably, she sighed deeply.

“Huh… although the clothes are exquisite and beautiful… they’re not as comfortable as regular clothes. But this is still okay.”

While thinking this, Dorothy glanced at the other ladies in the venue. Many of them wore elaborate gowns with tight waists, which looked very uncomfortable just to look at.

Earlier, Dorothy had seen a lady struggling to put on a dress with several people’s help, especially during the waist-tightening process. The lady’s face turned blue from the pain. From this, Dorothy understood that such suffering was fashionable in this era. Fortunately, Dorothy’s age didn’t require her to wear such dresses for social occasions. Her current outfit, though a dress, retained many “children’s clothing” designs.

‘Being young has its advantages; at least I don’t have to suffer like those aunts. Besides, I’m not here for socializing…’

After her comment, Dorothy began to quietly wait for the event to start.

As more attendees took their seats, the spacious venue gradually filled up. After about ten minutes, the event was about to begin.

At exactly seven o’clock, the orchestra, which had been in place for some time, started playing. As the music filled the space, the conversations among the attendees gradually quieted down. They knew this music signaled the start.

The melodious tune gradually faded after signaling the start, and then a man in a tailcoat walked onto the stage in front of the curtain. Facing the audience, he cleared his throat and loudly announced:

“Ladies and gentlemen, full of kindness, good evening!”

Following the host’s introduction, applause erupted in the venue. As the applause died down, the host spread his arms and continued enthusiastically.

“We gather once again under the benevolent light of the Holy Mother. Just as in previous years, today’s gathering of love will be the beacon of hope for the impoverished people of Igewent. Your enthusiasm will be forever remembered.

“First, let us thank the initiator of this event, the warmest flame of Igewent, Viscount Ian Field!”

As he spoke, the host gestured toward an independent cabin high up in the seating area. Almost all eyes in the venue turned in that direction, followed by another round of applause.

In the cabin where all eyes converged, an elderly man in his fifties or sixties, with gray hair, smiled and tipped his hat to the audience. Beside him were two children, a boy and a girl, around eight or nine years old, also smiling and waving. Behind them stood another elderly man in his fifties, with a goatee, wearing a tailcoat and carrying a cane, dressed like a butler. He silently watched the thunderous applause and the hat-tipping owner.

‘That must be Viscount Field? At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong.’

From her seat far away, Dorothy observed the scene in the distant cabin, thinking. She hadn’t noticed anything unusual at first glance.

‘Maybe I’m being overly cautious… hopefully so…’

…

“Is that Viscount Field? He has hosted this charity event for seven consecutive years.”

On the other side, in the exclusive cabin for the Radiant Church personnel, Vania, dressed as a nun, curiously commented on the elderly man waving in the distance. The people around her nodded and smiled.

“Yes, he is one of the most well-known philanthropists in Igewent. Such people can only be found in places blessed by the Holy Mother.”

“Haha… indeed…”

…

After introducing Viscount Field, the host went on to introduce several important figures and officially declared the event’s start.

“Now, please enjoy the traditional opening performance, a choral program by the children of the Orphanage of Mercy!”

Then, the host slowly withdrew, and the stage curtain began to open. Behind the curtain appeared children dressed in white.

They were standing in neat rows on a long box-like stage, each child showing signs of nervousness. Everyone was dressed in performance attire.

White clothes, white skirts, with white fur pom-poms decorating the cuffs, necklines, and hems—this was the uniform attire for the children, regardless of gender. Each child wore a small horn-shaped headpiece.

Their all-white outfits and fluffy decorations made them resemble little lambs.

‘The costume design is impressive… quite touching…’

Observing the stage, Dorothy thought, spotting Anna in the lineup. Anna was in the center of the front row, shaking her head left and right as if searching for something. When she inadvertently caught sight of Dorothy, she broke into a radiant smile, and Dorothy waved back.

Finally, when everything was ready, the orchestra below began to play soothing music, and the children on stage started singing together in innocent voices.

…

“Lamb… lamb… we are lambs… adorable lambs…

“Please have mercy and let us grow… please protect and let us run… we are lambs… fragile lambs…

“Please show kindness… kindness is clear rain, kindness is pasture… we are lambs… cared-for lambs…

“We will repay… we will repay… tomorrow will be better because of us… we are lambs… grateful lambs…

“Lamb… lamb… we are lambs

“God’s lamb…”

…

The children’s choir echoed throughout the theater, everyone momentarily immersed in the innocent music. The clear, pure, and sweet voices of the choir captivated the audience, who listened intently. The children sang in perfect unison, indicating they had practiced for a long time.

Leaning back in her chair, Dorothy quietly savored the song, evaluating it in her heart.

‘Comparing children to lambs… is this song asking for pity and charity? Or is there something else behind it?’

Just as Dorothy pondered this, the system’s voice suddenly rang out.

‘Proficiency reached in Secret Transmission, Fragmentary Scroll of “Lamb Song.” The fragment is severely incomplete, containing extremely weak spirituality. It is recommended to find the complete version for further cultivation.’