The Goddess's Mark and the Saintess's Visit
It was a bit overwhelming, but I was already well aware that gods existed in this world. Priests and holy knights who believed in them wielded divine power, and gods frequently bestowed revelations. So yeah, I knew they were real.
"My goodness."
But knowing it intellectually and truly accepting it deep down were two different things, apparently. I'd never even imagined something like this happening to me today.
Judging by the reactions of the servants and my family, though, I wasn't the only one shocked. The servants sent me gazes brimming with awe every time our eyes met—intense enough to be uncomfortable.
"Is, is that really true?"
"The goddess herself bestowed a revelation? Lady Armonia?"
My family had dragged me in and were grilling me relentlessly.
There was only one answer I could give.
"Y-yeah. It seems that way."
"'It seems that way'?"
"What exactly happened?"
Mom and Dad had already gotten a full report from Dale, but they asked as if hearing it for the first time. My brother, sitting beside them, wasn't saying anything, but his eyes held that same burdensome intensity.
I swallowed a silent sigh and had to recount the events once more.
"The violin… So, after I played the instrument I developed, a brilliant light suddenly poured down from the ceiling."
The light then seeped into the violin I was holding, and in its place, a pattern had been engraved. This was it—a circular form intersected by lines, the symbol of the goddess of harmony and music, Armonia.
"Ooh!"
"Th-this is the goddess's…!"
Hmm. Seeing everyone else's reactions, my own shock didn't seem that shocking after all. I hadn't expected such intense responses.
Or was this the normal reaction? Thinking about it, maybe I was the weird one for staying so calm. A god had personally listened to my music and basically given it a thumbs-up like, "Nice playing!" before leaving her mark. It wouldn't be strange to flip out and do a somersault on the spot.
Maybe I was unnaturally calm because it was so astonishing that my mind had settled instead. To repeat myself, I'd never even dreamed of something like this happening. Not even in my dreams.
"How long has it been since Lady Armonia last bestowed a revelation?"
"It's been nearly ten years since she gave one so directly to the outside world, right?"
"Ah, yes! Back at that banquet ten years ago…"
From my parents' conversation, it wasn't some unprecedented event. Armonia was the goddess of music and harmony, with her main influence over music, obviously. Most musicians and bards were her devotees. And she had a soft spot for them, having left her symbol on instruments a few times before.
Hmm. Though the intervals were at least a decade, and it was always on musicians who dominated their era…
No, the more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Why me? Because I developed a new instrument that didn't exist before? Or because I played a piece by one of Earth's historic composers?
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Considering it, both were plenty worthy of a divine thumbs-up. They were familiar to me, but revolutionary by this world's standards. Especially The Four Seasons—world-famous on Earth, a true classic among classics.
"To think a genius acknowledged by the goddess would come from our family!"
"I knew it! He's been playing instruments since he was four!"
"Exactly!"
I gave an awkward smile at my parents' words. Well, yeah—I'm a reincarnator. Adapting to a child's body was tricky, but playing instruments? That was second nature. This world's instruments were unfamiliar at first, but I got used to them quickly.
"Tell us if you need anything—anything at all!"
"That's right. We'll support whatever you want!"
In the end, the conversation wrapped up on a positive note for me. Before, there had been some side-eye about how intensely I pursued my "hobby," but that wouldn't happen anymore. Not after earning the goddess's approval.
Our family could afford one idle member. We were a count's house, after all. Meaning I could keep making music and crafting instruments without worry!
Kyah. If I'd known, I'd have finished the violin sooner!
Knock knock knock.
As that thought crossed my mind, a knock echoed at the door.
"What is it?"
Father's voice was stern, and a reply came from outside: a guest had arrived.
"A guest?"
There'd been no word of visitors today, so I looked puzzled too. For a servant to come report like this, it had to be someone important.
And soon, I learned who—and couldn't help but be shocked.
"From the temple?"
"The Saintess too?"
Priests from Armonia's temple—and the Saintess herself—had come directly to our estate!
The priests were surprising but understandable. The Saintess, though? That was on another level. Armonia's church wasn't the largest, but its influence was considerable, thanks to heavy patronage. For their Saintess to visit our home in person...
"This won't do!"
Father composed himself and moved to greet them. Priests alone he might delegate, but the Saintess demanded the Count's personal attention.
"Kyle! Arden! Come with me!"
And naturally, I was called too. Normally, my heir brother would handle such things, but anyone could see they were here for me.
Luckily, no need to change—I just straightened my clothes and hurried to receive them.
"Greetings."
There were twenty guests in total. Yeah, twenty. Only six were priests; the rest, thirteen, were holy knights.
The reason for more knights than priests was simple. At the center of the group stood a girl with striking sky-blue hair.
"Hello. I'm Stella."
I'd glimpsed her from afar once before, but her presence alone made it obvious. She was Armonia's one and only Saintess, Stella.
Man, her looks were no joke. I'd thought she was pretty from a distance, but up close, she was unreal. Especially her sky-blue hair and jewel-like eyes sparkling like gems.
As I mulled that over inwardly, Father exchanged formal greetings in his stern tone. The Saintess and priests responded, engaging in light conversation.
But their true purpose was obvious to anyone. Their eyes kept scanning the others.
Father noticed quickly and smiled.
"I assume the priests and Saintess have come in person because of the revelation. Am I right?"
"Yes, exactly."
Stella answered.
"The goddess gave me a revelation directly: 'Go where the clover blooms abundantly. There, you will find a new melody.'"
It sounded vague at first, but chewing on it, it was pointedly direct. Among the empire's noble houses, only ours used clover for our crest and name. And true to it, our gardens overflowed with the stuff.
"I see. In fact, our house received the goddess's revelation as well."
Father said, leaning slightly to direct eyes toward me. Naturally, the Saintess and priests followed his gaze.
His look said it was my turn to speak. I swallowed hard and repeated the story yet again.
"Greetings. I'm Arden Clover."
First, introductions.
"Today, I finished a new instrument I'd been developing and was playing a piece on it when..."
"You developed the instrument yourself?"
"A new piece?"
Questions flew before I could continue—from the older priests behind her. High-ranking ones, by the look of them.
"Yes. It's called the violin. The piece was called The Four Seasons."
At that, the priests' and Saintess's eyes intensified. Despite the weight of their stares, I pressed on with the explanation.
"...And that's how it happened."
When I finished...
"Incredible."
Stella said, her voice brimming with genuine admiration.
"Would you perhaps play that piece for us at our temple?"
Along with a request that felt overwhelmingly burdensome.