I Can't Hold Back!
I couldn't hold it in anymore! I was strolling through the streets of Ramisel with Monica and Temi. We didn't have any particular purpose—just sightseeing. We'd check out anything interesting along the way and buy whatever caught our eye.
In truth, we weren't originally without plans.
"We were going to promote the new instrument, right?"
"Yeah, we were."
As Temi said, the original idea had been to do some promotion for the violin here in Ramisel. It was something I'd thought about during my conversation with Selenie—I wanted the violin to spread widely. After all, there weren't many instruments in this world as delicate as the violin.
I figured that if the violin became popular, more great pieces suited to it would emerge. Plus, considering the techniques used to craft it, it could advance the development of other instruments too.
The technology here wasn't necessarily inferior across the board. But there were definitely areas where Earth was ahead, and the violin was one of them. So, if the violin spread far and wide, it would bring major changes and progress to the music world here—especially the instrument side of things.
In any case, the plan I'd set up had to be revised. Or more accurately, there was no longer any need for it.
"Selenie herself is going to play the violin. There's no better promotion than that."
"Exactly. Just a photo of her holding one would set the whole continent abuzz."
Monica nodded at my words.
This was a fantasy world where magic had deeply infiltrated everyday life. With communication orbs that basically functioned like phones, there was no way photos or videos didn't exist. Of course, not just anyone could use them—they were expensive artifacts you had to pay for to take, record, or view.
That's why cities had places specializing in showing such things: performance videos, photos, and so on.
"Well, anyway, thanks to that, we have even more time to sightsee!"
Temi said this in a bright voice, pointing to one side.
"Let's check out over there today!"
There was a round, dome-like building.
"What's that place?"
"You'll see when we get there!"
Temi grabbed our hands and pulled us along. She was way stronger than she looked, so we got dragged right after her.
As she hauled us along...
"Hm?"
"What?"
"Nah, I just thought I saw someone I know."
Someone had whisked by in the distance, and they looked familiar somehow.
Monica asked again.
"Want to go check?"
"Uh... no. It's nothing. I must've seen wrong."
They looked similar, but on second thought, there was no reason for her to be here. Why would a saintess from a church fly all the way to the opposite side of the continent for some errand?
I brushed it off as a mistake and kept walking.
If daytime was for tourism, nighttime was for visiting Selenie's mansion. Not just for fun, of course—it was for the upcoming performance. Though calling it a full performance was a stretch; it was really just playing one piece together with her.
Actually, on second thought, it felt more nerve-wracking than a regular concert. It would definitely be recorded and spread across the continent. I absolutely couldn't mess up. No way.
The good news was that our chemistry with Selenie was pretty solid.
"That's truly amazing!"
Selenie set down her bow in awe. The lingering resonance from the instrument between her knees—Silveri—gently filled the hall.
Silveri resembled a cello from Earth in form. But the curvature of the body and the structure of the soundbox were subtly different. The strings too.
But none of that mattered. What mattered was seeing Selenie play it right in front of me.
"Y-Yes?"
I blinked back to reality and asked, a bit dazed.
Selenie smiled. She looked genuinely delighted, her clear golden eyes curving happily.
"Even though it's our first time syncing up, our breathing matches so well. Especially the sensation when your violin’s sound blends with my Silveri—it's truly special. And Monica's carillon is beautiful too."
"Th-Thank you so much!"
Monica replied with a face stiff as a new recruit's. It was amazing how she could play without tension despite looking like that.
Of course, I gave my thanks too.
"Thank you for the praise."
Selenie chuckled softly at our responses and waved it off.
"No need. I mean it sincerely. I'm really looking forward to sharing the stage with you all."
"Me too."
"M-Me three!"
It wasn't lip service—rehearsing with Selenie was genuinely fun for me too. As expected of Selenie. I'd thought Silveri was a good instrument, but I hadn't felt personally drawn to it. There were a few regrettable aspects.
But when Selenie played it, it was on another level. She handled it with total freedom, harmonizing perfectly with my violin—the mere act of playing together was exhilarating.
I'd seen videos of her performances a few times, but hearing and feeling it live right beside me was beyond imagination.
"Hehe, shall we practice the piece three more times today?"
"Yes!"
"Of course."
Having just synced the piece for the first time, we picked up our instruments again. Unlike the start, we didn't play it full-through next; instead, we fine-tuned sections bit by bit to match Selenie's breathing.
Days passed like lightning as we toured by day and dove into ensemble practice with Selenie by evening.
"Two days left now."
"Yeah."
The stage with Selenie was two days away. After rehearsing together at lunch that day, we'd warp gate back home in the evening.
Once back, we'd focus on the Armonia Church performance next. We'd planned to rehearse with Stella too.
Oh, and I had to make Selenie's violin. But that was for after returning.
"Where to today?"
For now, we'd enjoy the city during the day again. With only two days left.
Temi had mostly planned our itinerary since she'd traveled everywhere, but even she seemed to be running out of ideas, looking thoughtful.
So I stepped in.
"How about no fixed destination today? Just wander wherever."
"Sounds good!"
"That works."
Thankfully, both Monica and Temi nodded without hesitation. With that easy agreement, we let our feet carry us.
"Arden! Look over there! A penguin beastkin!"
"What? Where? Oh! For real!"
"I told you not to gawk at other races like that!"
"No, look! The penguin beastkin's doing a whole-sardine eating show!"
"What? Me too!"
We watched street performances.
"Should we grab some souvenirs to take back?"
"Yeah! What for?"
Bought souvenirs to share later.
Watched street theater too.
Even without a set plan, it was a blast. Probably why so many people flocked to Ramisel. New sights everywhere every day.
"It's kinda quiet here."
Wandering wherever led us to a street with a different vibe.
"This is the place we came on the second day. Where all the workshops are."
"Oh yeah!"
Temi nodded. She'd forgotten since it wasn't her interest.
Makes sense. Even music lovers usually don't care about instrument workshops.
Monica wasn't super into the workshops themselves either. Sales shops were separate anyway.
I was the most interested, naturally.
"Since we're here, let's take a proper look around."
Our first visit had been a quick skim, but with the trip nearly over, I decided to browse now. The others nodded agreeably.
"Let's see."
Many workshops here had large front windows for easy peeking. Some even worked right out on the street to draw customers. The artisans were making efforts.
Then, I spotted a dwarf, an elf, and a human huddled at one workshop, doing something.
"No, I carved it exactly to spec, so why the vibration in the high register?"
"Density issue with the wood? Or is this finish absorbing too much mana?"
"Tch. Too many structural changes. Hard to even pinpoint the problem."
I'd planned to pass by, but their talk pulled my feet that way.
Up close, the instrument in the center was a salinae—a northern staple, violin-sized. It looked far from ordinary; seemed like a custom mod for a client had hit a snag.
They were so focused, they didn't notice me—an outsider—watching right beside them.
"No, here it should be like..."
"To me, it seems..."
"Not that..."
But listening and watching, something kept nagging at me.
Hm. Sigh.
I couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Hey, just add one more bridge support there. Against the grain."
The moment I blurted it out, six pairs of eyes snapped to me. Glaring fiercely.
"What'd you say?"
"Come again?"
"Huh?"
Guess I shouldn't have opened my mouth. But what's done is done.
"The sound's vibrating because the bridge support is insufficient."
In situations like this, you gotta own it confidently.