Chapter 66: The Circus

Having discussed typical circuses, let us now turn our attention to this unconventional one, the Sohir Circus...

Among all the resident circuses in the city, the Sohir Circus had chosen the most high-end location. Of course, this particular aristocratic district was inhabited by lesser nobles, so the guards' inspections were not overly strict, often requiring just a cursory glance before waving people through.

Yet, despite this, business at the Sohir Circus remained lackluster. Many commoners had comparable resident circuses in their own neighborhoods, eliminating the need to endure the disdainful looks of the aristocratic district's guards.

Speaking of the Goldenthorn District's guards, Florent glanced outside. They had now arrived at the district's checkpoint.

To his surprise, the carriage barely slowed before proceeding inside without requiring Florent to step out for inspection.

Peering out the window, he saw a handful of guards inside their post, some playing cards, others chatting. One noticed Florent looking and nodded politely, which Florent returned.

Only then did the coachman's voice drift in, "Don't worry, sir. The Goldenthorn guards aren't too strict. I'm an old hand at this, they know me. I assured them you're no pauper here to steal."

It dawned on Florent then that carriage riders were almost exclusively wealthy or noble...

In this era, owning a carriage was beyond the means of even the upper-middle class or better-off commoners. Those who could afford carriage rides were typically merchants of considerable means.

Still, Florent thanked the coachman... after all, he had saved him some time.

Though the Sohir Circus struggled with attendance, it boasted one advantage no other circus could match... the sheer number of performances.

This was why, despite its poor location, its earnings weren't drastically lower than its competitors.

With daily shows, nobles in the district didn't need to wait for specific days to enjoy circus entertainment. This appealed greatly to the self-important aristocracy, making the Sohir Circus surprisingly popular among nearby noble districts, even if it remained obscure to the general public.

However, this also meant attendance was often disappointingly sparse, with many seats left empty.

Florent couldn't be certain whether digesting the 'Trickmaster' potion required performing before large audiences or simply putting on numerous shows.

But either way, the Sohir Circus would suit his needs perfectly.

Glancing outside again, Florent found the commercial street unremarkable. It was no different from others he'd visited. Like most in Trier, it was gilded in the city's characteristic extravagant style, devoid of the so-called 'understated luxury' nobles often claimed to favor.

Or perhaps this flamboyance was precisely what Trier's aristocracy considered true refinement.

At this hour, however, the shops along Haddon Street seemed half-asleep... They exuded an uncharacteristic drowsiness and inactivity for a commercial district.

After paying the fare, Florent headed straight for his destination, the Sohir Circus.

The circus's doorman also appeared drowsy, but he mustered some energy upon seeing a customer approach.

"Good day, sir. Are you here for the circus?" The doorman looked to be in his thirties, which unusually young compared to the typically elderly gatekeepers... He was also 'relatively' alert.

Like most in his profession, however, he was quite the conversationalist. Though he likely didn't double as a ticket seller, he still struck up a chat with Florent.

"Yes, though to be precise, I'm more interested in the magic performances," Florent replied with a nod.

The doorman's face broke into a guileless smile, one that reminded Florent of the kindly old gatekeepers back on Earth. It was oddly endearing on a man in his prime.

"Magic? That's one of our Sohir Circus's specialties," the doorman said cheerfully, "Our repeat customers always come back for the magic shows. I'm sure you'll find them delightful too."

Having said his piece, the doorman fell silent, letting his actions speak for his hope that guests would enjoy themselves.

Rising, he gestured for Florent to enter.

"Thank you for your enthusiasm. I'm certain I will," Florent said with a polite bow.

Bound by duty, the doorman didn't escort Florent inside, but watched as he entered the building designed like an enormous tent.

Resident circuses differed vastly from traveling ones, chiefly in their permanent performance venues.

For a circus without powerful backing, securing a fixed location was invaluable.

It wasn't enough to obtain temporary rights... long-term leases or outright ownership were ideal.

A successful resident circus needed not just a performance space, but also facilities for housing lions and other animals, areas for practice and innovation, and of course, staff quarters.

In short, though both were called "circuses", the gap between resident and traveling troupes was astronomical.

The venue's decor also had to reflect a distinct style...

While patrons came primarily for the performances, the circus's ambiance was an unspoken part of the experience.

The Sohir Circus was modeled after a massive tribal chieftain's tent, fitting seamlessly with Trier's aristocratic tastes.

In the first-floor lobby (or ticket area), Florent saw a girl with multicolored face paint handling sales and accounting.

Before he approached, she had been scribbling away, only snapping to attention when he rapped on her desk.

The girl's rainbow-hued patches perfectly suited her role as a circus ticket seller.

Moreover, perhaps because the vibrant splotches doubled as artistic makeup, Florent found her rather pretty when she looked up.

Alas, lacking the ability to see past the paint to her true features, he felt a gentleman's regret.

Blinking in confusion at the sudden customer, the girl quickly composed herself, "Sir, are you here for the circus?"