Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Road to The East, Interlude
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“What do you mean, debut?”
“Ah.”
I explained my plan to Erdi.
“Let’s hold a concert here.”
At my words, Edward clapped his hands.
“That’s a wonderful idea. The more remote the village, the harder it is to access music, after all.”
However, Erdi looked thoroughly unenthusiastic.
“You mean.... me?”
“Are you nervous?”
“How could I possibly step onto the stage when you, my Lord, are here?”
He was so lacking in confidence.
Was it humility, or was he just shy?
Erdi’s skill level was more than enough to hold a solo concert right now without feeling an ounce of shame.
“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
However.
“Then the people of this village might never get to hear music in their entire lives. Wouldn’t that be a terrible tragedy?”
Edward laughed at my blatant blackmail.
Pushing him this hard would surely force him to accept the offer.
“...Very well. I shall give it a try.”
Excellent.
“To be honest, if you had refused, I was planning to perform myself. Do you want to stand on stage that badly?”
“Hahaha.”
This time, only Edward laughed.
Having secured his promise, I went to find the village chief.
When I explained the situation, he granted permission without hesitation.
Now, the rest was up to Erdi.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
‘What piece should I have them listen to?’
Erdi’s worries deepened.
He had learned many pieces while practicing with his Lord.
He had brought all the sheet music with him.
He selected a few and laid them out on the bed.
He looked through them slowly.
Sonatinas, little nocturnes.
The titles were varied.
They all came from his Lord’s mind.
That man was undoubtedly a genius sent from heaven.
He deliberately excluded pieces that were too difficult or flashy.
He might make a mistake.
‘But what is this?’
There was a piece of sheet music with the name ‘Elise’ written in thin handwriting.
‘Why is the Crown Princess’s name here?’
He couldn’t figure out the reason.
It was too awkward to ask, so he decided to just gloss over it.
After much agonizing, he finally chose one.
‘Minuet.’
A piece with a charmingly elegant and lively melody.
His Lord had enjoyed playing it, too.
It was short, but it was hard to find a piece better suited for a village concert.
He warmed up his fingers to prepare for the real thing.
He hadn’t touched a piano in a while, so his confidence had dipped slightly.
He decided he should sneak out and practice a little.
Anxious dawn passed, and morning arrived before he knew it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The center of the village.
People gathered in the wide, open lot, whispering and sharing their opinions.
“Is this what they call a piano?”
“It’s bigger than I thought.”
“The chief’s words were true. He said artists were staying at the inn.”
Edward and a few villagers moved the piano together.
There was no stage, so they just flattened the dirt ground and laid a thick cloth over it.
“This should be fine. Thank you.”
“We look forward to your performance.”
The people had already gathered in a circle around the piano.
The number wasn’t large.
About fifty in total.
The one with the brightest eyes among them was, as expected, Diana.
‘I get to hear it! A piano!’
Just getting to see an object she’d only read about in books was thrilling enough, but to get to hear a proper performance as well.
It felt like a dream.
Her anticipation swelled.
Soon, just as her heart was about to burst, the performer finally made their appearance.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Erdi sat in front of the piano.
He was visibly tense.
Still, he looked the part.
If he just solved his clothing problem, he could serve as my stand-in right away.
“I’m looking forward to Erdi’s performance.”
Edward said.
He had rarely seen Erdi strike the keys.
It was only natural his curiosity was piqued.
“He’ll surprise you.”
“As the Lord’s disciple, he’ll do well.”
“Disciple?”
Is that how it looks to other people?
Well, it’s not exactly wrong.
Soon, the performance began.
Minuet.
It is known to have been composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, but it is actually a 3/4 time dance piece composed by Christian Petzold.
It is said that the composer’s name was misidentified because the sheet music was found in a notebook belonging to Bach’s wife.
Even I remember learning it as a Bach piece in my textbook back in elementary school.
Anyway.
It is a work with a simple but lively and elegant melody, with a catchy rhythm.
In addition, it is easy to play.
Once you master a few basic techniques, you can play it through without difficulty.
But for that very reason, you must focus all the more on expression.
‘Good choice of song.’
The right and left hands converse, passing melodies back and forth as they move forward.
It evokes an old-fashioned ballroom and nobility dancing joyfully.
Leaving aside technique or splendor, it conveys pure joy through melody alone.
The refreshing quality of the tune, neither too slow nor too fast, brings warm tranquility and lingering emotion to the hearts of the audience seated around the piano.
The reason pieces like the Minuet are special is that you always discover new emotions within the familiar melody.
Sometimes it’s happy, sometimes it’s sad.
It’s a truly strange thing.
I suspect the feeling I have right now is a mix of both, a kind of sorrowful affection.
Having finished his performance, Erdi stood up from his seat and bowed.
“Thank you.”
The seated audience smiled and applauded.
I don’t know what kind of emotion is blooming in their hearts right now.
I just hope it was a pleasant experience.
“Well done. That was a wonderful performance.”
I praised Erdi as he came down from the ‘stage.’
Technically, all it was was a piece of cloth laid out on the ground, but isn’t that the charm of busking?
“I was so nervous and it was so hard trying to perform in front of people. Now I understand why you do it, my Lord. I truly respect you.”
“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
He said that, but he looked happier than ever, clearly proud of himself.
As we were having that conversation, the chief approached.
“I don’t know how to repay this kindness.”
“Kindness? Not at all.”
“Our village is so remote we’ve never had a chance to hear music. I’m sixty years old, and this is the first time I’ve seen a piano performance.”
It was Erdi who answered the chief’s words.
“It is our good fortune that we happened to stop by this village.”
In other words, they were the ones who should be thankful.
Without an audience, a performer is nothing.
Just look at a soccer match without a crowd; don’t the players’ spirits drop?
If there is no one to listen, no matter how brilliant the music, it is just a meaningless collection of notes.
I recalled my goal in this other world once more.
‘To raise the quality of the culture we can enjoy.’
To do that.
‘To spread good music to more people.’
To develop music, you first need music, and you need people to create it.
Finally, you need an audience and listeners.
If even one of these is missing, it’s all for naught.
The plan is proceeding step by step.
Someday, in the future, perhaps an artist might even be born in this very village.
We just planted the seed in Erdi’s hands.
And as expected.
“Whoa! This is amazing! So this is a piano...! My ears felt like they were melting...!”
Diana Pierce.
“C-could I learn to play someday too...?”
Erdi was the one who answered her.
“I’m sure you’ll have the chance.”
Yes.
We have to make that happen.
Suppressing his swelling heart, he returned to the inn.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next morning.
“Thank you for everything.”
After saying goodbye to the innkeeper, we went outside.
The villagers were standing in front of our carriage.
The chief bowed deeply.
“May you have a safe journey.”
“Thank you.”
A sad farewell.
It was a short meeting, but I feel like I’ll never forget the memories from this village.
“Let’s get going again!”
And so, after a journey through an eternity of time, on the day that marked exactly one month and fourteen days.
We arrived at the maritime trade city, the territory of the Margrave of Rosly.
“Hmm?”
“Oh?”
Our first impression was, to put it mildly, terrible.
“Is this the right place?”
I asked Edward, and he nodded without a word.
Erdi unfolded a map.
“It’s certain. We saw the signs on the way here.”
“It’s awfully desolate for a trade city.”
It was exactly as he said.
A chilly wind blew from the entrance.
We headed toward the port, which was nearby.
But there was no one around.
The light in the lighthouse in the distance was out.
Is this really it?
He said it had a lively atmosphere, similar to the South.
It was completely different from what Edward had described.
It felt like looking at a theme park that had gone out of business because no customers came.
‘No way.’
Just then, someone walked over.
It was a man with a thick beard.
“What brings you here?”
Edward answered.
“Good day. We are a troupe of performers from the capital. We sent a letter to the Margrave in advance and received an invitation.”
“Ah! Is that so?”
The man bowed politely once more and then guided us.
Soon, a large mansion came into view.
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