SWNOVELXO Chapter 121: How About Going to the Show?
After watching the fire monkey fight, David wandered over to a small cart stationed at the side of the street.
The stall owner, a kind-faced lady, stood at the back of the cart, leaning casually and greeting passersby with a warm smile. A shining sign hung from the cart, gleaming in the sunlight: "Give You the Happiness You've Been Missing for So Long!"
"How about it? Would you like to try some?" she asked, her voice inviting and cheerful.
David leaned in, peering into the cart. Inside, he saw ice cream in three vibrant colors—white, blue, and yellow. Unlike any ice cream he'd seen before, these scoops were dotted with tiny pale golden particles that shimmered softly.
"What are those golden bits?" David asked, his curiosity piqued.
The lady's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Ah, that's the secret of happiness! Buy one, and you'll find out."
David's interest grew. "Really? Then give me one of each color."
The stall owner quickly scooped two generous portions into three transparent cups. David paid her a few silver coins and admired the colorful trio of treats.
"What about the cups?" he asked, giving the delicate containers a little shake. "Do you need me to bring them back?"
She chuckled, shaking her head. "No need. Once you're done, just leave them on the ground—they'll disappear on their own."
Still somewhat skeptical, David walked away with the ice cream. He soon found John and Charlie waiting for him near a bench.
"Which one do you want?" David offered, holding out the frosty delights.
Charlie and John took a closer look before each making their choice—Charlie picked the white, while John opted for the yellow.
"This ice cream is supposed to bring happiness," David explained as he lifted the blue scoop to his nose. A faint scent of blueberries tickled his senses. Curious, he took a bite.
The blueberry flavor burst on his tongue, sweet and vibrant, while the golden particles added a slight grainy texture. But as the roughness faded, a cool hint of mint surfaced, bringing with it a sudden rush of euphoria. David felt an inexplicable surge of joy wash over him. Although nothing particularly exciting had happened, he found himself grinning from ear to ear.
"These golden bits—they're euphoria crystals," John said, examining his own ice cream.
David's eyes widened. "Euphoria crystals? Is that safe? I didn't think you could just sell that."
John shrugged, unfazed. "She added peppermint to counteract the side effects, and the amount is tiny. By the time you finish eating, the effect will be gone. It's not illegal or harmful; it just makes you feel extra happy while you eat."
David took another lick, feeling the cool mint mingle with the fruity flavor. "Well, I have to admit, it's delicious... even if it's a little sneaky to add that stuff."
Charlie laughed, finishing his own ice cream. "Where should we go next?"
David looked around, savoring another bite. "Good question."
Charlie's eyes lit up as he pointed toward a large tent in the distance. "How about going to the show? John and I noticed it earlier."
David followed Charlie's gaze. The tent stood proudly at the center of the bustling intersection, its colorful canvas decorated with vibrant illustrations of knights riding majestic horses clad in gleaming armor. The painted knights raced back and forth along the tent's walls, seemingly inviting everyone to come and watch.
"What's it about?" David asked, intrigued.
Charlie's smile turned playful. "I think it's better to keep it a surprise. Trust me, you've never seen anything like it." He gave David a mischievous wink before leading the way.
They made their way through the crowd and paid for their tickets at the entrance. Once inside, they were greeted by the sight of a grand arena, resembling a Quidditch stadium. Tiered seats surrounded an open field in the middle, where two goals stood at either end.
After the audience settled in, a wizard in a sharp tuxedo strutted out from a corridor near the entrance. He took a deep bow, his movements exaggerated for effect. As he straightened, his face broke into a wide grin.
"Hello, everyone!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the arena. "I am your best friend in the world, Matthew, and it's an absolute pleasure to meet you all!"
Laughter rippled through the crowd as Matthew continued, his demeanor light and playful. "I know, I know… you don't actually want to see me, do you? Because if I'm here talking, that means the show hasn't started yet. And you're all stuck in your seats, forced to listen to me ramble on and on." He sighed dramatically. "Believe me, I don't want to be here either, but if I don't say a few words, my boss won't pay me. What a stingy man!"
From the corridor, a gruff voice shouted, "If you keep badmouthing me, you won't get paid at all!"
Matthew turned to face the owner of the voice—a burly man with a large beer belly—and feigned shock. "See what I mean? And people wonder why I'm considering a career change."
The audience erupted in laughter, and several witches near the front shouted that they would happily hire him. Matthew playfully handed out small gifts to them before returning to the center of the arena.
Just then, a figure appeared at the corridor entrance and flashed Matthew an "OK" sign. Matthew's demeanor shifted slightly, his tone becoming more serious.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, "as you know, we are a wandering performance troupe. Our lineup is ever-changing, and even our performers were invited just before the show." He paused, letting the anticipation build. "But tonight, I promise you an experience you'll never forget."
The lights dimmed, and Matthew's voice dropped to a whisper. "My dear friends, welcome to… The Headless Hunters!"
A hush fell over the audience as a glowing orb floated up to the center of the tent, casting an eerie white light. From the far end of the corridor, ghostly heads drifted out, spinning gracefully in mid-air. As the heads floated downward, the light split into multiple beams, keeping each head perfectly illuminated.
Suddenly, ghostly riders on spectral horses galloped out of the shadows. They halted in the center of the ring, their steeds rearing dramatically. As the phantom heads descended, they landed perfectly on the riders' necks, clicking into place.
The arena exploded with applause and cheers, the air buzzing with excitement. The Headless Hunters had made their grand entrance, and the performance had only just begun.