One-Eyed Monster

I have to say that Igor’s narrative has completely convinced Kadi. Although this impromptu plan seems unreliable, at least it makes sense from start to finish.

Now it’s up to them to see if they can perfectly portray the role of the Wandering Bard!

Kadi is now exceedingly excited and wholeheartedly agrees with Igor’s plan. He now has a new aspiration: to strive to be the best performer in the role of the Wandering Bard.

”You say the performer needs to be exaggerated, how can I do it vividly and accurately?”

”See if this expression works! Oh, I suddenly remembered I’m wearing a mask, even exaggerated expressions can’t be shown, need to think of other ways!”

”Look, look, can my walking style work for a performer?”

”Uh, do you think my arm movements should be more exaggerated when I speak, so it can be a bit more dramatic?”

...

On this journey, Igor hasn’t had a moment of peace, as Kadi periodically asks how to do the performer role well, fully immersed in the character.

Igor is slightly regretting it; he hadn’t anticipated that Kadi would become so engaged in this role, which truly surprised him.

Kadi seems fascinated by it, constantly asking out of fear of messing up a detail and causing his role to collapse. He keeps trying and seeking validation from Igor, who doesn’t even know what to say anymore.

Looking at the serious Kadi, Igor also starts to waver a bit. Since Kadi is so dedicated to perfecting the performer role, Igor wonders if he should prepare his own singing role properly too. But before he can ponder how to prepare, Kadi poses another question.

”I’ve never had a chance to ask you, isn’t a Wandering Bard supposed to both dance and sing? You’re only singing now, does that mean I need to fully match your rhythm, perform whatever you sing about?”

This question stuns Igor. If Kadi’s previous queries were minor, this question is a big reveal. Previously, Igor could just roll his eyes and nod at Kadi’s questions, but answering this now requires some serious consideration.

After all, this question is quite sharp!

Igor has never paid attention to these details, focusing only on the bigger picture; he never considered these finer points!

He hadn’t thought about performing with detailed accuracy, nor about embodying a genuine Wandering Bard.

To be fair, sneaking around seems simple, but actually executing it is different.

How to convincingly appear as Wandering Bards might be easy, but avoiding exposure is challenging!

Whether his singing meets the standard is one thing; what they will sing is crucial!

What are they singing, how to play the instruments, how Kadi will cooperate—these are all detailed matters!

And still, he finds Kadi irritating...

Now Igor’s face is red to his neck, feeling embarrassed!

”Igor?” Kadi prompts again, hoping for a well-thought-out answer from Igor, with a look of anticipation.

”Um, cough, I understand. Let me think about it before answering!” Igor hurries to respond to the puzzled Kadi next to him. At this moment, they are still on the road, with no one around, allowing Igor to think slowly, and Kadi can wait patiently.

”We better stop and discuss, or when we reach a crowded place, we’ll risk exposure!” Kadi kindly suggests to Igor, showing his dedication to his role.

Igor is moved by Kadi’s sincerity and stops to clear his thoughts. Only then does he realize how careless he’s been, tending to one end and neglecting the other.

He only focused on setting up this temporary plan without considering its execution, with many incomplete details...

Stopping now to think carefully is indeed a good choice.

Looking at Kadi, Igor says, ”You’re right, we can’t easily reveal our identities; we must reevaluate our approach.”

Seeing Igor’s serious demeanor, Kadi knows his efforts along the way weren’t in vain. Thankfully he brought it up early, or Igor would be caught in a dilemma again.

Igor thinks for a moment, ”Now we need to clarify exactly what we’re going to sing, or it will be awkward when it’s time to perform, and we have nothing to sing!”

”Yes, yes!” Kadi quickly agrees.

”But, but I have no good stories to sing about!” Igor struggles, as this is currently the hardest issue.

”I think what’s most important now is to find a lyre!” Kadi scratches his head, feeling Igor’s biggest problem is not looking like a true Wandering Bard singer...

”We’ll figure this out at the market.” Igor is currently preoccupied with another issue and doesn’t pay attention to Kadi’s concern.

”But I think...”

”Kadi, the important thing now isn’t the lyre; it’s the story. We need stories!” Igor interrupts Kadi, feeling Kadi is losing sight of priorities, ignoring the major issues while focusing on minor ones. Stories are the soul of the act; without a soul, it’s just lifeless matter. Even with a lyre, there won’t be anyone interested!

”What you’re saying is important, but you also need to take a look at our surroundings!” Kadi sighs and shrugs, being accustomed to Igor’s anxious demeanor.

When Igor gets anxious, he often overlooks what’s happening around him, focusing too intensely on his inner concern, especially now, as he hasn’t noticed that their surroundings have become lively.

Quite a few people are moving in one direction, carrying items, hauling luggage, and many carts moving slowly from a distance, turning the area bustling...

Igor is shocked at the scene: ”Unknowingly, we’ve reached the city market’s outskirts!”

Kadi shrugs: ”How could I know? Anyway, I think whatever you’re worried about, now is the time to hurry!”