Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The World’s First Album, Jubel, Now on Sale
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Recording work has begun.
It was no simple task.
The method itself was the first hurdle.
‘How am I supposed to put sound into each of these Juvels, one by one?’
This isn't modern Earth.
I can't just think of creating a single 48/24 wav file and easily copying it.
‘It would have been much easier if something like that existed.’
I should contact the Academy soon and ask them to create a sound duplication spell.
That was my mistake for not thinking of it earlier.
“Let's record 10 first, then another 10.”
“...If you use that method, Young Master, you will have to play the exact same piece 50 times.”
“Yes.”
What other choice is there?
It's inefficient, but it's the only way.
Operating all 500 Juvels at once is impossible.
Working on them one by one is even more impossible.
It's not something a person should do.
Dividing them into groups of 10 to record was the best option.
Even that was a significant reduction.
“Ready!”
Erdi and Edward pressed the Juvel buttons almost simultaneously.
They timed it perfectly and began to play.
Carousel of Fate.
A masterpiece of modern animation, the soundtrack from Castle in the Sky.
When compared to several works considered classics, its quality is in no way inferior.
A lyrical melody envelops the entire piece.
The melody gradually speeds up, like a carousel spinning.
It reproduces scenes from life, stimulating the listener's ears.
It is by no means an easy task to melt the absurd concept of life into music.
However, this piece achieves it.
Because it is only once, it is a lifetime.
A lifetime is a repetition of moments; with every fleeting second, we gather countless fragments of emotion.
As if warmly comforting that brilliant and solemn destiny, the performance calmly moves toward its end.
The conclusion is a fermata.
The notes stretch out, leaving a deep resonance.
End.
Edward and Erdi pressed the Juvel button once more.
“...Is it well imprinted?”
It was quite tiring.
I might have put too much effort into the first piece.
We gathered in front of the piano to check the recording together.
“It's truly amazing. If I close my eyes, it feels as if the performer is right in front of me.”
“I agree.”
It's a wondrous thing.
The sound was incomparably clearer than when we first tested recording Cadiz at the Academy.
How is this possible?
It feels like the 3D surround sound speakers you'd only experience in a movie theater are right in front of you.
Is this otherworldly magic truly so far beyond the level of modern science?
Well, anyway.
The point is, it was that good.
I sat down at the piano again.
It's too early to celebrate.
We haven't even finished half the recording yet.
‘Half, you say?’
We've only just completed 10 out of 500.
We immediately moved on to the next recording, and the one after that.
“Haaa... How many are left?”
“400 are left.”
Are you serious?
I've never even done this in practice.
Having to play the same piece 50 times in a row.
‘Maybe I should just sell 100?’
It felt like I could hear a voice saying that from somewhere.
To be honest, I almost considered it.
“If it's too difficult, shall we stop for today?”
Edward said.
“Yes, let's do that.”
I absolutely can't do this anymore.
Disbanding for the day.
And that evening.
Holed up in my room, lost in thought, I came up with a tremendous idea.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I will record different pieces for the remaining 400.”
“Pardon?”
The movie featuring Carousel of Fate, Castle in the Sky, was the work of a famous overseas animation company.
If I were to pick out memorable films produced by them, I could easily name at least five.
Totoro in the Forest, Castle in the Clouds, The Disappearance of Chiaki and the Mountain...
Plus, the great adventure of the witch delivery girl, and Monyo on the Cliff.
The soundtracks go without saying.
They're so famous, it's harder to forget them.
“I will record five pieces in total, one for every 100 Juvels.”
That way, won't playing be a little less tedious?
“So you're saying you'll keep the quantity the same but increase the variety! Excellent.”
Edward was in favor.
“I think it's a good idea as well.”
Erdi felt the same.
But my proposal didn't end there.
“And we'll sell them randomly.”
“...Randomly, you say?”
“We won't reveal the title. Not until after the purchase.”
Probability draw.
Or, a Gacha.
Think of a machine where you insert a coin and get a toy.
The fun lies in not knowing what you're going to get.
Furthermore.
“Edward.”
“Yes.”
“This will make money. Haven't we been spending a lot lately?”
On top of the piano and the cost of the Juvels.
Even a capitalist would struggle to handle such a large expenditure.
“...Will it really make money? I'll trust you since you say so, Young Master.”
“You'll be in for a surprise.”
“Understood.”
And so, a new plan was set, and we accelerated the rest of our schedule.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“What is this?”
“Hey, Edward! You should explain what you're selling!”
Early morning.
Hearing rumors that a new souvenir would be available at the Rune Moon theater in the capital, a large crowd gathered at the entrance.
Most were nobles, but there were a few commoners mixed in as well.
“This is a new product created through a collaboration between our theater's performer, Sir Anton Tilberg, and the Valcares Academy!”
Edward's shout was met with a growing murmur.
“What!”
“The Academy?”
The Imperial Academy, a higher education institution that nurtures and produces talent.
The pinnacle of knowledge and culture.
The essential elite course for nobles!
“Are you saying you truly collaborated with the Academy?”
“I simply must buy one now.”
A collaboration between the most famous performer in the capital and the Academy.
That single short sentence set the hearts of the crowd ablaze.
“How much for one!”
“Twenty silver coins each! As a special launch celebration, if you buy three, they're yours for a total of fifty!”
Edward handed a Juvel to the man who raised his hand first.
The crowd still didn't know what the item was.
“What on earth is it?”
“Just press the button.”
Edward's kind explanation.
The man immediately pressed the button.
“Ah!”
“Ohhh!”
At that moment.
The people gathered in front of the theater were astounded.
“Music! Music is coming out of it!”
“How can this be...”
The emergence of a new invention.
The Juvel.
The sound of a piano flowing from that small artifact silenced the once noisy theater front as if a mouse had died.
The silence was broken not long after.
“Hurry! Give me one too!”
“I'll take three!”
However.
“Wh-what? Mine has a different song, though?”
It was true.
Some Juvels played cheerful music, while others played soft, calm music.
“I like this piece better, could you possibly exchange it?”
To quell the people's clamor, Edward raised his voice once more.
“One of five pieces is included at random! You may or may not get the music you want!”
As he said, no titles were attached to the Juvels.
They were all the same shape.
The lips of the nobles who had already paid trembled.
They had never imagined they would be buying goods in such a way.
A completely new method.
Luck.
If you're lucky, you get a Juvel with the piece you want; if not, you don't.
Edward squeezed his eyes shut.
He might be criticized for this sales tactic.
He had accepted the Young Master's proposal, but he couldn't help feeling uneasy about it.
‘What if they get offended and don't buy?’
Just as such worries began to creep up...
“Then give me ten! Surely one of them will have what I want!”
“Me too!”
In an instant.
The Juvels we had prepared in advance began to vanish before we could even touch them.
And at the same time...
“Would you care to trade the Juvel you have for mine, my Lord?”
“Hm? Perfect timing! I actually preferred the one you have.”
Scenes of nobles warmly exchanging their Juvels were witnessed.
“How many do I have to buy to get all five types? Assuming I get one in three tries...”
Some had even started calculating the expected value of the random draw.
In any case, it was a massive success.
‘Who knew it would sell this well.’
A gasp of astonishment escaped Edward's lips.
The time it took for the initial stock of Juvels to sell out.
A mere 10 minutes.
With a happy heart, he shook out the empty boxes and turned around.
Just then.
“Excuse me, are there any items left?”
Turning around, he saw a familiar face.
Joel Balois.
The head priest of the monastery who had originally invited the orphanage children to the theater.
His gaze landed on the empty box in Edward's hand.
“It seems I am a little late.”
“I didn't expect them to sell out so quickly either.”
“Haha. It's alright. It's my fault for getting in line late.”
Even as he said this, he couldn't hide his regretful expression.
“There's no need to worry. In fact, I set one aside for you, sir.”
“Pardon?”
“It was a request from the Young Master.”
Edward pulled a small Juvel from his pocket and handed it to him.
He was dazed for a moment, wondering if it was a dream.
“Oh! My apologies. I must pay for it.”
Truthfully, Edward didn't want to take the money.
But if he refused, he risked seeming disrespectful.
He had no choice but to put the twenty silver coins he received into his pocket.
“Aria will be so pleased. How can I ever repay this kindness...”
“If you enjoy it, that is all the repayment we need. I'm sure the Young Master would say the same.”
“Thank you so much.”
Joel's footsteps as he turned and ran off were lighter than ever before.
Not long after, at the orphanage.
“Aria!”
He called her name with a heart full of excitement.