Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Imperial Knights Inauguration Ceremony
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The Imperial Knights' Departure Ceremony.
"I wonder if the preparations are going well."
"Please do not worry."
I had an audience with Crown Prince Ruhan Flovitz.
He seems to have grown larger than before, or is that just my imagination?
It must be his clothing.
The Imperial uniform.
Since it's the day of the Knights' departure ceremony, he must have dressed the part.
A crown prince is still a crown prince.
I asked my father, and for the first time in a while, I took out my formal uniform.
The material is thick, making it a bit uncomfortable to move my arms, but I can't prioritize my own convenience.
At least not today.
"Then, I'm counting on you."
The prince said that and went outside first.
He seems busy.
I need to move quickly as well.
It's a big event, so it will be chaotic; I need to figure out the flow in advance and be prepared.
I headed for the stage.
A square with a direct view of the Imperial Palace.
There's a large gate behind it, which is said to open once the ceremony begins.
Then, countless apprentice knights lined up in four columns will march in.
"Young Master, are you alright?"
"I'm a little nervous."
"You will do just fine."
"Let's sync up starting from the rehearsal."
Erdi handed me the sheet music.
Modest Mussorgsky's suite, "Pictures at an Exhibition," the tenth piece.
The Great Gate of Kiev.
A piano solo that starts with a burst of majestic chords, making one's heart burn hot.
The orchestral arrangement is excellent, but the original is no slouch either.
It was even used to boost morale in war, so that says it all.
Piano performances give listeners various emotions.
Impressions, or joy.
The Great Gate of Kiev is specialized for increasing motivation.
The stage is still empty.
The rehearsal began.
There's no chance of the sound leaking out.
It's safe since we haven't even applied an amplification magic yet.
While I was performing, Erdi turned the pages of the score one by one.
"I'm good now."
"Have you memorized it all?"
"Thank you. If the Imperial family offers a token of gratitude, I'll be sure to put in a word for you too."
Soon after, a massive crowd gathered in the square.
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A solemn atmosphere.
At the center of the stage, on a high seat prepared for him, sat the Emperor.
Next to him were Elise and Ruhan.
The Empress and the young princess were also visible.
To think I would see the entire Imperial family gathered like this, so close.
The Emperor stood up and raised his arm high.
"Valiant knights of the Empire!"
A voice so intense and heavy it made one's skin tremble.
"We are gathered here today to defend honor and glory, and to establish justice and peace!"
With every word he uttered, the shoulders of the Imperial citizens gathered in the square trembled.
Definitely.
It's a speech that captivates the audience.
Even I could feel a joy welling up from deep within my chest.
"The road ahead will be arduous, but the Empire's power shall exist within your convictions. Though there will be adversity, you shall overcome all hardships and achieve victory!"
As he said that, all the spectators in the square erupted in cheers and gave a standing ovation.
"Waaaaaah!"
They simply couldn't contain their rising ecstasy.
An endless procession of people surged like a wave, shaking the ground.
It was an immense number even at a glance.
The Emperor's voice continued.
"As the Emperor of the Empire, I command you."
With his solemn gesture, the cheers began to die down all at once.
Silence returned once more.
Only the Emperor's voice echoed like thunder.
"This is the first step in the fight to protect your beliefs and honor. Bear the name of the Empire on your backs and advance for victory and glory!"
"Waaaaaah!"
My mouth is dry, and my body is trembling.
My heart feels like it's going to burst.
I wasn't the only one who felt this way; Elise and Ruhan, who had been sitting, also shot to their feet and applauded with resolute expressions.
Now it's my turn.
I placed both hands on the keys.
A heavy chord bursting from my fingertips shattered the air and drew the gaze of all the citizens to one place.
At that moment.
The massive gate, which had been hiding half of the Imperial Palace, slowly opened.
There wasn't a single apprentice knight clad in crude iron armor.
They wore magnificent formal uniforms engraved with the Imperial family's crest.
They walked with a grandeur befitting their attire.
It was as if watching warriors heading into battle.
A strong and grand chord resonated, as if to console their hard work and bestow a blessing.
The Great Gate of Kiev.
Originally, this piece was created by the Russian composer Mussorgsky, inspired by a posthumous exhibition of his friend's work.
Reflecting this, the suite is titled "Pictures at an Exhibition."
The Great Gate of Kiev, which adorns its finale, evokes a magnificent and passionate emotion, as if passing through the entrance to a new world.
What lies at the end of this journey?
No one knows.
That's why we call it a possibility.
This is a hymn cast toward their future.
A dedication for the heroes who break through their shells and leap into a strange new world.
After passing through the middle section where a soft and flowing melody plays, the atmosphere begins to intensify.
A majestic chord, as if compressing the history of the Empire, pierces the hearts of the spectators.
The music, which had followed the knights' march, vanished like the wind the moment they gathered in the center of the square.
But it was still there.
With a very thick and distinct trace.
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"Waaaaaah!"
"Uwaaaaa!"
"Long live the Empire!"
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
Fierce shouts burst from the mouths of the people gathered in the square.
The synergy created by the Emperor's speech, the celebratory performance, and the knights' march was truly tremendous.
A magic that could even generate patriotism where there was none.
"*Sob*... I'm so glad I was born in the Empire..."
"L-Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"
It was a reaction as if they had seen a socialist agitator's rally.
People fainted from extreme excitement.
Fortunately, thanks to the swift response, there were no casualties.
That's how much of a frenzy it was.
The joy felt by the citizens soon infected Ruhan and Elise as well.
"How can this be!"
Ruhan puffed out his chest and shouted proudly.
"That man's performance has truly ignited a fire in my heart!"
Therese, who had been staring blankly at the crown prince, subtly asked Elise.
"Doesn't your brother seem a bit strange?"
"Hmm..."
Therese was right.
Ruhan's attitude was definitely excessive.
He clenched his fists with agitated gestures, unlike his usual self, and then pointed at the sky.
That wasn't all.
"Hahaha!"
With a flushed face, he burst out laughing at the empty air.
Normally, Elise would have told her brother to compose himself.
"Anton Tilberg! So that man is the performer you spoke of, Ruhan!"
"That's right, Father!"
This was beyond stopping.
"How majestic and wondrous! To encapsulate the glory of the Empire with just a single piano. This is not mere music!"
Just like his son, he vented his emotions with all his might.
However, the Emperor did not know.
That amplification magic was still active on his voice.
"This is not mere music, I say!"
All the citizens gathered in the square heard that voice.
"It is the soul and passion of the Flovia Empire! That music is the Empire itself!"
"..."
Silence flowed.
The ranks of the knights, who had been standing in formation, began to crumble.
They had endured the spectators' cheers with clenched teeth.
Because they had to maintain their dignity and pride as knights.
However.
The Emperor's declaration burned away all of their patience.
"Waaaaaah!"
"Long live the Flovia Empire!"
"Anton! Anton!"
"Anton Tilberg!"
The stage I had climbed to celebrate the Imperial Knights' departure ceremony.
I was supposed to be nothing more than a tool.
A BGM to set the mood for the event.
Like the ceremonial singing of the national anthem before a sports match.
'But what is this?'
I ended up becoming the main character.
The cheers that should have been directed at the Knights and the Imperial family were all pouring onto me.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
'There's no way I can live a comfortable life from now on.'
Some of the nobles mixed in with the crowd whispered.
They were saying we should designate this music as the new national anthem of the Flovia Empire.
That's a story for a distant future.
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The moment the departure ceremony ended, I returned to my daily life.
Erdi went to deliver newspapers.
He's lived his whole life as a paperboy, so he seems to get restless if he doesn't go out for a day.
I holed up in my room.
There's no other reason.
"Young Master? Count Fowler has come to see you."
Theo said.
"What did I tell you?"
"That you have contracted a contagious disease and cannot meet anyone for the time being..."
Instead of answering, I stared at him intently.
"Understood."
A contagious disease?
Of course, it's a lie.
But this is the best option.
Just yesterday, the number of visitors to the estate exceeded several hundred.
You want me to meet all of them?
'Like hell.'
Anton Tilberg is dead.
I was about to take a nap and rest when Theo knocked on the door again.
"Young Master? Erdi is here to see you."
I have to meet this one.
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"The front gate is swarming with people."
"Still? This is driving me crazy."
"They all seem to be very distinguished people. Is it really okay to just leave them standing there?"
"Now, now, Erdi. I never threatened them with a sword and told them to stand in front of my house."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you know, that's just how it is."
"On my way here, I met Mr. Edward."
"Oh, dear."
"He said now that the departure ceremony is over, we should start holding concerts again."
He has a point.
We must not forget our original purpose.
To spread classical music to this world and elevate the quality of its culture.
The reason I started holding concerts and accepted the stage at the departure ceremony.
The reason I deepened my friendship with Erdi is all for the same reason.
"Wouldn't it be better to take a little break?"
"That won't do. Mr. Edward said he would be visiting soon."
"No, that's not what I meant."
I've only been playing intense pieces so far.
The two events, from the William Tell Overture to The Great Gate of Kiev, definitely caused a great reaction.
However.
Separate from that, they drained me of all my energy.
In short, I almost died.
I thought it might be okay to let up a little.
"A good piece that isn't too taxing."
I wonder what that would be.
At the same time, it must be fresh and full of personality.
That way, it can satisfy the audience's ears.
'Their expectations have risen a lot.'
Their standards have gone up a lot, too.
I'll have to pull out a cheat code.
"I've decided, Erdi."
"I'll prepare the sheet music."
A piece that's easy to play, catchy, fresh, yet not unfamiliar.
Pachelbel, Canon.
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Canon refers to a musical form.
A form where a theme, starting from one voice, or one part, is imitated exactly by another voice.
A structure where different instruments repeatedly play the same melody at regular intervals.
Think of it like a round.
If you've heard a canon, you'll know exactly what this means.
Especially the famous Pachelbel's Canon, its unique lyrical and beautiful melody keeps popping out and stimulating the listener's emotions.
Originally, this piece was written for violins.
But the version we're most familiar with is probably the piano solo.
The Canon Variation arranged by the American pianist George Winston.
It's similar to the original but different.
Pachelbel's Canon is in D major, while Winston's Canon is in C major.
Furthermore, it uses various dynamics to create a colorful solo piece that doesn't lose to the original.
At this point, I have to stand at a crossroads.
Pachelbel's Canon? Or Winston's Canon Variation?
"Neither."
Canons are best when arranged.
From orchestral versions to electric guitar versions.
In my past life, there were as many variations of Canon as there were performers.
I want to maintain the D major melody of the original but add a touch of my own personal preference.
Since I don't have the sheet music to begin with, arranging is not a choice but a necessity.
"Let's get started, Erdi."
"Yes, sir!"