Chapter 102: Highlight(4)
Chapter 102: Highlight(4)
While Mari buried her face in her hands and grumbled, the Lirus Orchestra was nearly finished with their preparations.
Members of the troupe, dressed impeccably in formal attire, stepped onto the stage one by one to take their positions. Meanwhile, the spectator area became a teeming sea of people as the crowd swelled.
Before long, not only the VIP seats—reserved exclusively for nobility—but also the temporary stands erected below were packed with tourists.
There were children who had come with their parents, elderly couples, adventurers, and even members of various other races.
People of all ages, genders, and species gathered to watch the performance. I wondered if they were fans of Xenon’s Biography or if they had come specifically to see the Lirus Orchestra.
Perhaps it was both. For me, it was a source of immense pride.
Furthermore, the crowd was much larger than I had anticipated; designating the plain itself as the stage had turned out to be a brilliant move.
If the performance had been held inside a building, many would have been unable to see it, but looking at the scene now, such worries were nonexistent.
To think this is essentially a fan art performance...
Normally, one would have to pay an exorbitant price to hear the Lirus Orchestra play. However, as mentioned before, these artists had declared in advance that they would only accept contributions in the form of sponsorships.
Not only that, but they had also won a great deal of public favor by announcing that all proceeds from the exhibition would be donated to the development of the arts—a truly magnanimous gesture.
For people like them, honor is likely more important than money.
I remembered seeing this in my past life: once people become economically affluent, they naturally begin to crave prestige.
Since they had composed this piece as a tribute to the book anyway, donating the sponsorship funds to the cultural sector would bring them even greater honor. It was a wise choice.
"Should I just go dressed like this? If I’d known, I would have brought other clothes... No, he’s an idiot, so he probably didn't even think about it."
What is she talking about?
I glanced at Mari, who was still muttering to herself. She was cupping her face with her hands, perhaps trying to cool down her flushed cheeks.
Naturally, I couldn't help but wonder. I questioned whether my earlier words had carried some other meaning.
But no matter how much I searched through the etiquette I had learned at home, I hadn't said anything that should have caused a misunderstanding. I had simply suggested we have a cup of coffee in the bedroom and talk.
I'll find out once the festival is over.
For now, I needed to focus on the performance. If my mind wandered, I might lose my concentration.
As I sat lost in thought for a moment, the performers all took their seats, signaling that preparations were complete. I took a close look at the Lirus Orchestra, which was about to fill the air with beautiful melodies.
As expected of a group hailed as the world's best, their scale was comparable to the orchestras I had seen in my previous life. They were in a completely different league than the troupe that had performed at the freshman orientation.
And as I had noticed back then, some things are universal regardless of the world; the instruments were very similar to the ones I was familiar with.
There were string instruments like the violin, woodwinds like the flute, and finally, percussion. There were many similarities to my past life.
Boom!
I was still scanning the instruments when a performer at the back of the stage struck a drum hard with a mallet. Despite the stage being open on all sides, a thunderous vibration shook the entire area.
As the thunderous sound echoed, the noisy spectator stands fell silent in an instant. The only thing remaining was the lingering resonance of the drum.
Even Mari, who had been whispering to herself, snapped her head up. I looked forward, marveling at the fact that a single drum could produce the sound of thunder.
In the sudden silence, a man standing at the center of the stage turned around to face the audience. It was Lirus, the conductor who had made the announcement in that booming voice earlier.
Holding a baton in one hand, he scanned the crowd, cleared his throat, and shouted loudly.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I am Lirus, the composer and conductor of the Lirus Orchestra! It is a pleasure to meet you all!"
Lirus spoke clearly and powerfully, just as he had before. His voice resonated across the entire stage, likely amplified by mana.
In response to his polite greeting, I and all the other spectators welcomed him with a thunderous round of applause.
As the clapping gradually died down, Lirus spoke again with a bright expression.
"It is an honor to be able to perform for you all. As you know, the performance I am about to present was inspired by Xenon’s Biography. While some of you may have come solely for my music, I imagine most of you are here because of your love for Xenon’s Biography."
His explanation went on at length. Wondering if he always did this before a performance, I listened quietly and glanced to my sides.
Mari had calmed down and was now fixated on the stage, as was Cecile. Since Mari likely knew more about the Lirus Orchestra than Cecile, who had spent all her time in Helium, I leaned in and whispered to her.
"Mari."
"Eek, yes?"
Mari jumped slightly and looked at me. Meeting her eyes, I asked the question on my mind.
"Do they usually give an explanation like that before performing? I've never seen a show like this before."
"Ah, no. Usually, they just start the performance right away."
"Really?"
"Um... Isaac?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I... hold your hand?"
She asked in a timid voice. I looked at Mari, whose face was as red as a ripe persimmon from embarrassment, and took her hand.
It wasn't a big deal, just holding hands. As soon as I grasped her hand, Mari gave a small, silly grin and squeezed back.
I had a feeling she would be holding onto me for the duration of the performance. Not that I minded.
"The title of the piece I will present to you is 'Life.' I believe you all know which scene inspired me to compose this and why I chose such a title."
"Life..."
Cecile, sitting on my right, murmured softly. She seemed completely absorbed in Lirus's explanation.
Lirus had previously mentioned that he was inspired by the death of Sacran. Therefore, the piece he was about to play would reflect the life of Sacran and, by extension, the life of the Demon race.
I expected the overall atmosphere to be dark. It might sound harsh to the Demons, but they were a race that suited the darkness well.
"Finally, before we begin, there is one fact I must share with you. This performance by the Lirus Orchestra is merely a teaser. The true performance will be presented afterward, in collaboration with the Matrix Theater Troupe."
"Huh?"
"What does that mean?"
Just as I was anticipating the mood of the music, Lirus made a statement that threw the audience into confusion. A murmur rippled through the crowd.
I was equally bewildered. The scale of the orchestra alone was staggering; to call this a mere teaser was incredible. Just how spectacular would the collaboration with the Matrix Theater Troupe be?
As the crowd buzzed, Lirus smiled gently, as if he had expected this reaction, and continued.
"Ah, of course, just because it's a teaser doesn't mean the performance will be short. I will show you everything I have prepared. Hahaha."
"..."
"Now, let us begin the performance. I hope you all enjoy it."
The long introduction ended, and the signs of the performance beginning finally appeared. I squeezed Mari's hand and focused my eyes and ears.
In this world, unless magic was involved, there was no such thing as a recording function, so this would be the only time I'd hear—
Snap!
Suddenly, I heard the sound of fingers snapping from Cecile's direction. I looked at her, puzzled.
Cecile, knowing I was watching, looked back at me with a smile. She then explained what she had done.
"It's recording magic. I can listen to the music I want, whenever and wherever I want. However, it records based on what I hear, so only I can listen to it."
"..."
As expected of a race as broken as the Elves. I let out a hollow laugh and turned back toward the stage.
Lirus was bowing politely once more as his explanation concluded. A wave of applause that seemed ready to bring down the house followed, and then Lirus spun around to face his orchestra.
As soon as I entered spectator mode, the applause died down, and a heavy silence descended. The lights illuminating the stands through special devices were extinguished, plunging the area into pitch-black darkness.
The only light remained on the orchestra atop the stage. My anticipation swelled, and I tightened my grip on Mari's hand.
And then...
Vrooom—
Beginning with the heavy, dark melody of a cello, "Life" began.
True to his word about representing the life of a Demon, the piece was centered on string instruments, creating a dark and solemn atmosphere. The intermittent thumping of the drums pulled at the heartstrings, evoking a sense of profound sorrow.
For about ten minutes, the music maintained this somber mood, but at a certain point, the melody shifted into one of urgent tension. If the beginning revealed the dark origins of the Demon race, perhaps this tension represented the internal struggle of having to fight the devil within for one's entire life.
The moment one lets their guard down, they are consumed by desire and become the very devil they so desperately reject. Even if suppressed through restraint, the reality of having to battle the inner demon every single day remains unchanged.
Like the Beastkin, whose lives are a constant struggle, Demons are born with the destiny of fighting themselves for eternity.
I... I need a recording...
The more I listened, the more the urge to record the music grew. Part of it was that the piece perfectly suited my taste, but the biggest factor was that it was inspired by Xenon’s Biography.
In my past life, I used to save my favorite BGM and OSTs on my phone; I wanted to do the same with the Lirus Orchestra's performance. It was truly a pity that I couldn't.
In the end, there were only two ways. One was to memorize it so I wouldn't forget, and the other was to invite the Lirus Orchestra to our territory again.
Given my memory's tendency to forget things if I don't leave a record, the former was nearly impossible. Practically speaking, only the latter remained.
I wish they'd compose other songs too...
While I was lost in these idle thoughts, the performance reached its climax. The frantic music seemed to slowly fade out, returning to the string-heavy, melancholic atmosphere of the beginning.
It seemed little different from the start, but I felt this was more appropriate.
Demons are closest to the darkness, yet paradoxically, they crave the light, making them more human than anyone. However, their lives are filled with tragedies beyond measure.
And just as they are born into a tragic fate, most of them meet an unfortunate end. It's a sad reality, and that is likely why the overall mood of the piece was so somber.
If it had been the life of another race—especially humans—rather than Demons, it might not have been possible to express it through music like this. And if it hadn't been the Lirus Orchestra, no one would have even thought to compose a piece about the life of a Demon.
I wonder what Cecile is thinking?
As a human, I was simply appreciating it, but for Cecile, a Demon, this music would hit much closer to home. I turned my head to check her expression.
"...Sniff."
"..."
"Sniff... hic..."
Her deep red eyes were filled with moisture, and tears traced paths down her cheeks. She kept wiping them away with her hands, but the tears continued to fall, drop by drop, without stopping.
I stared at her blankly. Cecile was crying.
It was a side of her I had never seen before, so different from her usual playful self.
Fortunately, she wore very little makeup, so she didn't look a mess, but it was still enough to shock me.
What... what is this...
Thinking it might just be her, I turned to Mari, but while she wasn't sobbing like Cecile, she was also on the verge of tears as she listened. Looking around quickly, I saw that almost everyone had watery eyes or was sniffing back tears.
It meant I was the only one listening to the performance with a composed expression. I was utterly confused—was this the sensibility of the Middle Ages, or was I the only one whose emotions had dried up?
The song is definitely good... but is it something to cry over?
It seemed the influence of my past life was the biggest factor. After debating how to react, I simply went back to listening.
Trying to force out tears would only make things weirder.
Screeeech...
And so, after some time had passed, the performance concluded with a high-pitched note from a violin.
True to the word "teaser," it felt as though there was definitely something more to come, but they had cut it off intentionally. The reason for this was not just the music, but the presence of the 'choir' standing beside the orchestra.
The choir had sat perfectly still without uttering a single word from the beginning to the end of the performance. The Lirus Orchestra wouldn't have had them sit there for no reason; there had to be a purpose.
Clap clap clap clap clap!!
But that thought was fleeting as the lights brightened, signaling the end of the show, and a thunderous round of applause erupted. It was a staggering ovation that made me jump.
Mari didn't clap because she was holding my hand, but she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Cecile roughly wiped her face and clapped enthusiastically.
I watched Cecile's profile, where tear tracks were beginning to form, and fumbled in my pocket to pull out a handkerchief. Naturally, it was a new one, not the one I had given to Adelia.
"Noona. Here."
"Sniff... Huh?"
When I called her, Cecile turned toward me. Her red eyes, made even more sultry by the moisture of her tears, looked straight at me.
Without a word, I handed her the handkerchief. Mari was also dabbing at her eyes, but Cecile was practically streaming tears, so she needed it more.
"Ah... th-thank you..."
Cecile blushed in embarrassment as I offered the handkerchief. She took it from my hand and began to wipe her eyes.
Because she had cried quite a bit, there were marks left behind, but it looked like they would fade soon.
"You must have been deeply moved."
"Well, I am a Demon... the dark atmosphere and everything made it such a sad piece. Sniff."
I never imagined Cecile had this side to her. I looked at her with a fresh perspective as she answered in a trembling voice.
Truly, you never know a person. Both Adelia and Cecile, people who seemed far removed from tears, turned out to be the most emotional.
"What about you, Isaac? How was it for you?"
"It was just... a great piece. I want to remember it for the rest of my life..."
THOOM!!
Before I could even finish my sentence, a massive vibration echoed from the front. It was a colossal tremor that felt as if the entire plain, not just the spectator stands, was shaking.
The applause that had filled the stage died out instantly at the vibration, and everyone, including myself, turned their gaze toward the source.
Then, behind the Lirus Orchestra—near the center of the plain—something pitch black was spotted. Appropriately, the lights shone in that direction, allowing us to see it in detail.
And that something... was a person. A person writhing on the ground.
An unidentified person had intruded onto the stage.
"Agh... Aaaaaagh...!"
The person writhing on the ground began to scream in agony. I could only blink at the situation, which was difficult to process.
It wasn't just me; everyone else was the same. The spectators were unable to act in the face of this completely unexpected development.
Wh-what is that?
Crack! Snap!
While everyone was too stunned to move, a strange phenomenon occurred within that person. Along with sickening sounds, wings began to sprout from their back.
Those wings weren't like a bird's; they were leathery and hairless, like a bat's. In other words, they were close to the 'devil' wings described in literature.
"AAAAAAAGH!!!"
"Shit. What the hell is that?"
As the strange figure revealed the devil wings and let out a monstrous roar, I couldn't help but curse. Sensing with my whole body that something had gone horribly wrong, I hurriedly tried to stand up.
However, a hand stopped me—it was Cecile, who had been wiping her tears with the handkerchief. She grabbed my wrist and spoke as if to reassure me.
"You don't need to worry. It's nothing."
"N-nothing?! That's...!"
"That person isn't a Demon."
"Wh... what?"
As soon as Cecile said that, a change occurred in the man who was transforming into a devil.
Slash!
"AAAAAGH..! Gack!"
From the darkness behind the spotlight illuminating him, a massive scythe suddenly lunged out, hooking him by the neck and jerking him back.
Naturally, the figure of the man transforming into a devil vanished behind the lights, leaving the illuminated circle empty. Only pitch-black darkness remained beside it.
As I stared with a dazed mind, blinking my eyes, an elderly voice echoed across the entire stage.
—Morphe... grant rest to this pitiful soul...
Morphe was one of the gods appearing in Xenon’s Biography. Based on the real god of this world, Mora, Morphe was the deity the Demons in the book followed blindly.
Only then did I realize. The appearance of the man transforming into a devil, and the giant scythe that snatched him away.
The giant scythe was the signature weapon of Xenon’s Biography's greatest scene-stealer: Sacran.
...That was all a performance?
Talk about one hell of a trailer.