Taking a few more seconds as a break, Al sat up and looked directly at Illic “Tell, if I want to open a building to entertain people of higher standing with simple theatre, where should I open it?”

Illic was somewhat taken aback, although he didn’t show it, this was an unusual request of his master, even more than the previous one, and his master’s eyes were shining like they had when he was very, very young.

“The inner city has several theatre’s that occasionally rent their building for a gathering of nobles and people of higher standing. In the outermost region of the inner city, there are some storage buildings that would fit the need. There are also several estates where private theatre is accessible, but they might be difficult to approach.”

“Like I thought. Then, Illic, if I were to go there, would it be better if I was the son of an earl or an upstart baron with mysterious background?”

The surprises kept coming, but Illic still answered stoically “Some of the estate owners might be willing to lend their theatre to the son of an earl, a storage building wouldn’t be appropriate for nobles but might invite some merchants, while a large theatre might be open to the novel ideas of a baron… those theatres might not be very welcoming towards sons of high nobility.”

Nodding, Alaric looked out the house and saw that it was barely past 2pm, maybe 3, so official buildings should still be open. Opening the drawer with telekinetic mana, he pulled out the noble title deed he had placed there earlier and shot it towards Illic “Keep it safe for now. Lead me towards the administration building for nobles.”

Illic looked at the shining piece of paper before he put it into his robe. Even if he had the thought of stealing it, that wouldn’t be possible. What surprised him was that his master which was always very cold towards him had such trust in him.

So, they went out the building, as Alaric had already dressed up a bit, one of the few good clothe sets he still had, and Illic would always wear the same golden robes, having several of them for whenever he worked.

Illic lead the way down in front of the residence and called forth a carriage that was driving slowly on the side of the paved stone ground, it had its windows wide open while driving so slowly, indicating that there was no one inside.

Opening the door to the carriage, he held his hand for Al to take. He knew it was useless as Alaric would just wave it away like always-

Al took his hand and held it softly as he stepped into the carriage. Illic told the driver where to go, then he entered the carriage too, the past Al didn’t like it when people took notice of the tall man on the street and whispered loudly about him, so he told him to always just sit inside.

…

They soon arrived at the administration district, and it didn’t take for them to arrive at the noble’s building, unlike the more stony and strict-looking buildings, this one was built with white marble and looked clean cut and beautifully constructed, Al lost himself in front of it for a second while Illic paid the driver as he stepped out.

Al took the lead this time, going in front. He entered the building, and it looked like just another building with its purpose – a large lobby, which looked more like a hotel lobby than anything else – with many tables and sofas all around. The reception was just a few steps away and they walked towards it calmly.

Knocking on the table to get attention, Alaric looked at the obviously overworked employee. He stood up like he was jumping and performed a seemingly trained bow “I apologize for not greeting you, how may I help your lordship?”

Alaric just smiled and whispered something, with his magic, he made an invisible tunnel in the air, ensuring only the employee would hear “I would like to use a noble title deed for myself.”

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Shocked, the employee bowed once more before he stepped back and called for higher staff, which also looked slightly ghastly and came towards Al, he bowed in apology for taking his time and told him to step with him towards a private room.

Once in one of the many private rooms, Al was told that the staff would call for an even higher staff, which he assumed would be a noble too, as only nobles were allowed to officially represent the emperor in duties such as this.

They didn’t know his name, neither his origin or the origin of the deed or even the rank, but Alaric felt that the person that would come would know exactly about everything – after all, to work for the empire directly is not something a runoff the mil noble can claim.

Soon that came true, a man in a white suit – not like the modern ones, but close enough that an untrained eye would think that it’s an old costume. He had brown hair and eyes, looking average and had only the sigil of the empire, which was a silver star on a luminescent dark blue background, on his chest, proudly showing his status.

The man had pride in every step he took and only sat down when he realised that Alaric wouldn’t stand up, while Illic was obviously a servant. Sipping his tea, Alaric looked at the man like he was stupid for acting haughty and then not even doing their job properly.

Without much contemplation, the man introduced himself “I am Baron Conti, am I right to assume that you are Alaric van Hialis?” receiving a nod in return, the haughty man became slightly humble and asked, “I was told you would like to redeem a noble title deed?”

Alaric looked at Illic, who took out the deed and handed to him, who then handed the deed to the baron. The baron looked at it, shining eyes clear for both of them, he had an innate desire for it, Alaric stared on till the man took out a stamp from his ring – a spatial one without doubt.

The stamp was that of an official administrator of the empire, the moment it hit the deed, it dissolved into small light particles that were swarming around where the deed was previously. The man looked at the light and like some personality changed, he spoke aloud in the room “I declare thee, son of Hialis a baron. Do you wish to change your name with it?”

“Yes, I would like for my lineage to be described as Violet.”

“Very well, Alaric van Hialis Violet, may you serve the empire with the light of your being!”

“May the empire shine forever!” – with that, the exchange was over and Alaric saw the administrator become his previous self, just looking much more exhausted. Before he could leave though, Alaric interjected “I would like to declare Illic to be my official attendant in all legal processes from now on.”

This came as a shock – to both Illic and the man. To do such a thing meant a high risk of being betrayed, but more than that, it was usually the highest position in the estate besides himself, higher than even a partner or successor of any kind. Doing this showed Illic that the new Alaric was truly different, not sure if it was recklessness or something else.”

Alaric on the other hand didn’t care, with his mind magic he can passively perceive the emotional status of a person, at least on the surface level, he would be able to do much more if he wished so, the slave wouldn’t be able to refuse. Clearly, even if he did so, the danger was only if the attendant had a free will, which Illic didn’t.

“I shall convey your words.” Then he asked a last question “Do you wish to claim land now?”

Al shook his head “No, I will do that in the farther future.”

The administrator then left, and so did Al. Once they were outside, Al told him that they should visit the theatres in the inner city and check them out.

…

As there weren’t too many, they had checked them all out before dinner, so they happily ate outside. Slowly they drove back towards the residence, but at the last conjecture they turned towards the silk market.

These were the most important requisites for the theatre – actually the only ones. Alaric looked for the silk shops that had large quantities, when he finally arrived in front of a two-story building at the side. He entered and saw that they had just what he wanted: rolls upon rolls of silk.

For his play, he would need several different colours and textures. He wanted to keep everything light, so he looked all around the shop. At one point an employee came towards him but was stopped by Illic before he could say anything.

Alaric was engrossed in all the silks and pointed at those he liked, which Illic then directed the employee to take. He took whole rolls of different colours wile he only took only small pieces of other silks, some silks were of strong colours, most were white with a shade of colour.

In the end, Al told Illic to pay every silk, he himself waited at the entrance while he looked around a bit. At the end, Illic came with several employees behind him with rolls and rolls of silk that were lightly hidden in other silk to save them from damage.