The Long-Awaited Day
The intense figure that had exuded such a powerful presence left those words behind and vanished without a trace. At the same time, the brilliant golden light that had blazed forth subsided into the Blessing Orb as if it had never been. All that remained was me, staring blankly into empty space, and the priest flattened face-down on the floor.
"……."
Hmm. So, just now... a god appeared in person and gave me a divine revelation? And right at the moment this priest showed up to recharge the orb? The very same priest who'd come last time, competing with the other church to beg me to take their commission?
Sigh.
"Priest?"
I called out to him. The priest lying prostrate slowly lifted his head and said,
"Oh! Young Master Arden! Did you see? Did you hear? Lord Akat himself descended during this humble servant's prayer and bestowed a revelation!"
No, shouted would be more accurate. His eyes sparkled with overwhelming fervor, and his face was flushed with excitement. Seeing that, the suspicion I'd been about to voice—that this was all staged—died in my throat. If that was acting, he'd be a master performer.
"This morning, I suddenly felt I had to come see you. It must have been for this very moment!"
Ah, so that's it. Not staged, but clearly guided by someone's will.
Even as those thoughts raced through my mind, the priest pressed on without pause.
"A song for the great warriors! Lord Akat must hold your melodies in the highest regard!"
"I-is that so?"
"Yes! The song for the great warriors is the most glorious piece performed at the Grand Festival!"
Hmm. Now that he mentioned it, I'd heard of it. The Akat Church was one of the empire's top three denominations, and they put tremendous effort into the Grand Festival. Each church typically unveiled what you might call a "theme song" for the event—not officially named that, but something symbolizing the church and its god. People got excited speculating which church's marquee piece would be handled by whom. If a rising composer took it on, it drew massive attention.
"What an... incredibly honor."
I responded, but my mind was a whirlwind. Last time, when reps from two churches visited, I'd cited the Armonia Church's stage and said I wouldn't take commissions until then. But refusing now, in this situation? Impossible. This was the same priest who'd begged before, but now a god had commanded it directly. Turning it down might make him explode in accusations of blasphemy right here. Besides, there was no real reason to refuse anymore.
Why had I rejected commissions before? Because they were piling up beyond what I could handle. Once you started, it got hard to say no nicely. But this one? Straight from a god. Totally different league from mortal requests. I could still fend off others with my schedule as an excuse—no way other gods would line up for commissions.
With my thoughts sorted, I smiled and said,
"I'm lacking in many ways, but I'll give it my all."
"Young Master! A splendid decision! Lord Akat will surely be pleased!"
The priest seized my hand, overcome as if he'd received the revelation. Even after deciding, it felt overwhelmingly burdensome. But as time passed, he calmed and we discussed the commission's details.
The timing was after the Armonia Church's stage, as I'd mentioned before. He agreed readily. The compensation? At least ten times what I'd expected. Enough to build the workshop on the capital's priciest land without batting an eye.
Hmm. Yeah. Build it there, craft tons of great instruments, and contribute that much to the world!
"Then, I look forward to working with you."
With that, we wrapped up. The priest bowed politely and left. As I headed back to my room, I couldn't help thinking:
What if... someone else shows up from another place?
……
And my hunch was spot on.
After the Akat Church's visit, other denominations came one after another over the next few days. Fortunately, no gods manifested mid-conversation. I'd hoped nothing like that would happen again, but I had worried a bit. No guarantee a one-time miracle wouldn't repeat.
Anyway, I politely turned them all down, citing my packed schedule.
"Phew."
Today's visitors made the fifth church? Probably. Just chatting briefly left me utterly drained. I wanted to collapse and nap, but no such luck.
"Not much time left now."
Soon, I'd take the Gratia Hall stage—with none other than Armonia Church's saintess, Stella.
"Gotta practice. Practice."
No room for a single mistake on that stage. It wasn't my first public performance, but this one was different. A stage showcasing music born from divine revelation. Many in the audience would be musicians themselves, some there to judge just how amazing a piece could earn a god's favor. I had to make it flawless.
"Young Master, off to practice again?"
As I left my room, a familiar servant asked with concern. I nodded.
"Yeah. Not long now."
"Still, don't neglect your health!"
I smiled at her worried admonition.
"Got it. Thanks."
Yeah. Can't miss the stage sick. Hmm. Then today, exactly ten hours. That leaves six for sleep!
With that mental math, I headed to the practice room.
Time flew by so fast.
Hmm. Feels like I thought that just recently? But no other way to put it. It seemed like no time had passed, yet the day was already here.
Yes. Today was the Gratia Hall performance.
Suuuuuuck. Exhaaaaale.
Doing deep breaths beside me was Monica. Far more experienced on big stages than I was, but even she seemed seriously tense today. Understandable. Her first time under this much spotlight.
Me? Forget it. I was insanely nervous. My mind was fraying.
"You two look so stiff!"
But one person in the room wasn't tense at all: Temi.
Of course she wasn't. She wasn't performing!
I didn't say that to her face, though. She was here purely to cheer us on.
"Too much tension and you'll mess up easy stuff! Here, drink some water first."
"Th-thanks."
"Thanks."
We took the cups from Temi and gulped down the water. The moisture soothed my parched throat from nerves, easing things a bit.
Exhale.
I straightened my back. No need to overdo the nerves. We'd practiced so hard— I could play in my sleep. Same for Monica.
"I'm not tense. What's tension? Food?"
Hah. Easier said than done, of course. Just look at Monica. I told her,
"Don't worry."
"Huh?"
"If you mess up, I'll cover for you."
"What mess-up?!"
Monica snapped, glaring daggers.
"I'm not messing up! They'll all be blown away by my playing."
"Right, right. Of course. Genius musician Monica. I'm looking forward to it."
"You better keep looking forward!"
Her outburst seemed to loosen her up; her expression softened.
Then—
Creak.
The door opened, revealing a familiar face.
"Hello! Sorry I'm late!"
The last to join: Stella.
I stood and said,
"No need to apologize. You're not late."
"Still."
Stella entered with a sorry look, set down her instrument. Rehearsal was long over; it was just waiting time—no real need to apologize.
Anyway, after a few more apologies, she sat and said,
"It's really almost time now."
I nodded at her words. Less than an hour till stage.
I placed a hand on my violin and said,
"Let's shock them all."