Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Entry-Level Piano 2
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“An invitation.”
Theo handed over a single letter.
At first, I thought it was from the nobles who had attended the banquet.
But judging by the quality of the paper, that didn't seem to be the case.
It was less 'high-quality' and more 'cheap,' and the handwriting was crooked.
There was a sender listed, though.
“...Baron Ebner's territory?”
Reading it, it said they were holding a festival there.
There was to be a concert, and the letter requested my attendance.
“It seems the Baron didn't send this himself.”
Theo didn't know the details.
Maybe asking Edward would get me an answer.
I went to find him.
“Baron Ebner's territory? I know it well. We've sold over 300 budget pianos there alone.”
“Oh my. A big shot, are we?”
I'd heard sales were booming, but I didn't know their addresses.
The deliveries were entirely Edward's responsibility.
Anyway.
“I suspect they sent the invitation as a token of gratitude.”
Meaning the territory's residents sent the invitation themselves.
That makes sense.
Moreover, I had a feeling something like this would happen eventually.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to go.
My creation—or rather, something close to what Professor Brosia made.
I was curious to see how they were enjoying the budget pianos.
I also wanted to hear them play.
After preparing, I headed there with Edward.
Baron Ebner's territory was a short distance from the capital.
The Baron himself came out to greet me.
“You've arrived, Lord Anton.”
A rather elaborate welcome.
The moment I got off the carriage, Baron Ebner bowed deeply to me.
Behind him, servants and knights stood in a line.
“It's a pleasure to meet you.”
The territory was incredibly bustling.
And it was still morning.
The atmosphere of a festival was already thick in the air.
I could see children running over from a distance.
What were they holding in their hands?
“Lord Anton's musical scores. They've become quite popular in our territory.”
“Aha.”
Right, for a place that sold so many budget pianos...
The demand for scores would naturally be high.
“Thanks to you, the atmosphere in the territory has become wonderful.”
I could feel it physically.
Our territory is lively in its own right, but this is on another level.
Do the people here have some special gene that develops a response to music?
“The festival starts in the evening. Shall I show you around the territory until then?”
“That sounds good.”
Following Baron Ebner, we strolled through the alleys and the market.
“I hear the occasional sound of a piano,” Edward remarked.
It was true.
Baron Ebner answered him.
“That is Lord Anton's grace. Something like this would have been unthinkable in the past. A piano was an object commoners couldn't even dream of.”
I knew that pianos were a trend, but...
Hearing it with my own ears and seeing it with my own eyes made it feel fresh.
It's only now that I feel my efforts are being rewarded.
I made a good thing.
After some time passed...
The festival finally began.
Baron Ebner stepped forward.
“We have a precious guest visiting our territory. Lord Anton Tilberg.”
The moment he finished, applause erupted.
“Did Lord Anton himself come to visit?”
Visit, he says.
I just came to hang out after receiving an invitation.
I didn't even bring any attendants.
“Seamus's daughter is so lucky.”
“She gets the chance to play the piano right in front of Lord Anton.”
I overheard such conversations.
Baron Ebner gestured to me, so I trotted over and gave a simple greeting.
“Yes, Anton Tilberg. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Waaaah!”
People cheered loudly even though I hadn't done anything.
Baron Ebner gestured for them to quiet down and stepped forward again.
“Now, I will announce the start of the festival. Today, we have a special performance prepared by Seamus's daughter, Miss Mary.”
“Waaaah!”
An explosive reaction.
I can understand it.
To be honest, I'm looking forward to it too.
The excited eyes of the residents turned to the stage.
On it was a single budget piano, one I had originally released.
“Mary! Go on up now!”
A voice called from somewhere, and a single girl popped out.
She looked around timidly, then soon made her way to the piano.
Her expression was visibly tense.
She glanced over this way once, then immediately sat down firmly in her chair.
Her fingers came to rest calmly on the keys.
The bustling street fell silent in an instant.
The first note rang out.
A soft, delicate timbre filled the air of the festival grounds.
Moments Musicaux.
She had practiced quite well; her posture and even the way she pressed the pedals were quite accurate.
Most of all, her demeanor changed the moment she began to play.
Her confident gestures drew the eye.
As expected, it's all about the spirit.
The performer's joy is soon contagious to the audience.
I could feel my spirits lifting.
I was strangely drawn in.
I lost all track of time.
The moment the final note ended, applause erupted.
In a festival led by commoners, a commoner girl playing the piano...
It would be a lie to say this moment wasn't astonishing.
Mary blushed and bowed her head.
Just then...
Edward whispered to me.
“Say a word, my lord.”
“Me?”
Ah, this is so burdensome.
Under his prodding, I couldn't refuse and climbed onto the stage.
Mary stood before me.
“It was truly wonderful. A beautiful performance.”
“Th-thank you!”
The attention of the countless people filling the street was fixed on me.
Mary stepped aside.
Baron Ebner gestured.
He meant for me to give a speech of some sort.
So this is what it feels like.
For some reason, I suddenly felt sorry for Erdi.
I really pushed him hard.
“Um...”
Everyone pricked up their ears, focusing on my voice.
After thinking about what to say, I opened my mouth.
“I will work to ensure that more people can enjoy this instrument in the future. So, I ask that you all continue to love music, so that my efforts are not in vain.”
The people once again sent up cheers and applause.
We are standing in the middle of a change.
The piano is no longer the exclusive property of a few.
Though it is only a fleeting moment now, that moment will become a great wave and return as an era.
Seeing them, I am certain.
“This time, I would like to play a piece for you. Would that be alright?”
My words brought a smile to Baron Ebner's face.
The festival continued.
The music did not cease.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Let's remodel the theater.”
“Pardon?”
Immediately after the festival at Baron Ebner's territory ended, I went to see Edward.
He looked bewildered, as if he hadn't expected the suggestion.
Through this festival, I realized something.
For music to reach more people, it's not enough to just popularize the piano or sell basic textbooks.
We need a space.
“Do you have a plan?”
Edward asked.
“I want to create a theater where anyone can come without burden. A place where people from commoners to nobles can gather, understand each other, and share their feelings.”
That is the true value of music.
“A theater where we can hold a festival every single day.”
“Oh-ho...”
A smile crept onto Edward's lips as he listened silently.
“Excellent!”
We'll drastically increase the seating capacity and enlarge the stage.
I'll have to ask Professor Brosia to equip it with magical sound facilities as well.
“And there's one more thing.”
I'm planning to start training performers in earnest from now on.
Of course, discovering singers like Aria in the meantime will be a bonus.
“I want to hold a performance every evening.”
“Every evening?”
That's not something I can do alone.
Managing territory affairs on top of concert planning would be impossible even with two, no, three bodies.
But what if Erdi, Diana, and girls like Mary from Baron Ebner's territory were to be reborn as true performers and take the stage?
Edward crossed his arms, pondered for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“A theater where the festival continues every day.”
“What do you think?”
“So this is what you've been saving all that money for.”
“Not exactly, but it ended up shaping up that way.”
It will probably require an enormous amount of money.
And it will take a long time.
But it's something that must be done.
Ultimately, my goal is to raise the quality of culture.
To realize that dream, there is one essential process we must go through.
Simply creating a society where we can play and appreciate noble music doesn't mean progress will happen on its own.
Exchange.
We need a place where everyone can share and empathize with its value on equal footing.
“Let's prepare slowly.”
It starts now.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The moment the meeting was over, I returned to the mansion.
Theo called for me.
“The Count is looking for you.”
My father?
What could it be this time?
“You're here?”
As I entered the drawing room, my father, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up to greet me.
“Thanks to you, the banquet ended without a hitch. Thank you.”
It doesn't seem like he came to offer encouragement.
“It's starting to get cold. Looks like it's winter now.”
“Ah.”
I could easily deduce the meaning behind his words.
“Let's prepare for the memorial service.”