Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Business, Not Art 1
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I went to my father's territory and explained the situation.
"I want to build a new theater."
"You'll need a plot of land."
Just as I thought.
He understood perfectly.
No need to explain twice.
"As it happens, I know of a good spot."
It was a grain storage facility built by the son of Count Periton, who used to manage this area.
It was called a grain storage, but in reality, it was closer to a warehouse for hoarding the harvests extorted from the territory's residents.
What a piece of work.
Was he planning to resell it or something?
Anyway.
The stolen goods were returned to their rightful owners, and now, all that remains in that location is a ruin.
They say it's quite large.
"So, we can just demolish that and build a new structure."
It would have a special meaning.
A theater, the center of the capital's culture, would be erected on a spot that once threatened the lives of the territory's residents.
"Oh, by the way, Anton."
As I was leaving the mansion after coordinating various schedules, my father stopped me.
"Do you have the funds to build a building of that scale?"
"Of course."
They're overflowing.
I don't even have a clue how to spend it all right now.
"I've heard you've been handling quite a bit of money lately, but building a theater is a different matter."
He's right.
I can understand my father's concern.
Labor costs, material costs.
Moreover, the theater we're planning to build will likely be the second-largest structure in the empire, after the Imperial Palace.
We're even thinking of making it larger than the capital's church.
It's going to cost a fortune.
But will it just be a cost?
The money will be spent much faster than it comes in.
But it's okay.
There's a prejudice that music doesn't make money, and that's partially true.
But what I'm doing is closer to a business than art.
In this world, performers starve to death if they don't receive patronage.
Patronage is the most important lifeline that secures a performer's livelihood.
But I chose a slightly different path.
Music is definitely a great art with immense value, but that alone can't change the culture.
You have to approach it more commercially.
For starters, I have never received personal patronage, not even once.
And yet, I'm wealthy.
Why?
Because I read the trends.
I provided musical scores right when people needed them.
I provided pianos right when people needed them.
And now, I'm about to present a theater right when people need a larger venue.
I create and sell things that people have no choice but to consume.
If I had declared that I would rise to this position solely as a performer relying on patronage, I'd want to tell my past self.
Never do that.
You can't do it.
Back then, I had no such intention anyway.
Because money wasn't my priority.
But if the situation has changed, my attitude should change as well.
Do I need money now?
Then I should take the path where I can make money.
As someone who knows how medieval Europe developed and how the inventions of the century impacted civilization, this process was quite easy for me.
I read it in a history book.
Life for people is the same everywhere.
Make what everyone needs.
Then it will sell.
Make people thirsty for music, and spread the right items at the right time.
It's impossible not to make money.
And all of this is currently in progress.
Just last week, I sold entry-level pianos and made over 1,000 gold coins.
That's an unbelievable number.
"Don't worry. Should I have your residence renovated while we're at it?"
"No, I'm fine."
He says that, but it feels like he's just saying it.
I should plan it in secret.
The next day.
I went with Edward to the plot of land where the grain storage was located.
"It's more desolate than I thought," he said.
"We'll have to fix the open road nearby first. For now, I'm thinking of dividing the building into four parts."
As befits a capitalist and theater owner, he already had a concrete plan.
"We'll use the central building as the theater, and build an inn for guests on one side. We'll vary the room sizes to create price differences."
"That's a good idea."
It's an exclusive service that provides both performances and lodging. This seems like a pretty good idea.
"On the other side, I'm thinking of building an annex where the audience can directly experience performing. We'll equip it with a grand piano and display musical scores. And to get them to open their wallets right after the experience, we'll sell souvenirs at the entrance."
"Wait, Edward, are you a genius?"
I knew he was sharp, but I didn't know he was this quick-witted.
I especially like the last idea.
The first experiential museum in another world.
We provide a space where guests can directly compare the feel and tone of entry-level and grand pianos while playing.
On top of that, we sell souvenirs like musical scores and manuscript paper.
We have to pursue this.
This will allow us to recover the funds spent on construction and still have plenty left over.
"And there's one more thing."
"There's more?"
Right, he said he was dividing the building into four parts.
"You mentioned you were cultivating a successor, didn't you, My Lord?"
"That's right."
Once the theater is completed, my original plan was to nurture artists like Erdi and Aria.
"We need to create an academy. An academy that specializes only in music."
"...An academy?"
I hadn't thought about expanding the business that far.
Can't I just find a few promising gems and teach them privately?
Edward shook his head at my words.
"Now that we've started, we should see it through to the end. Isn't that you, My Lord?"
"Me?"
Well, I can't deny it.
It's just that until now, it felt like I was the one proposing ideas proactively and Edward was just following along.
It just felt strange to realize the roles had reversed.
"To make that succeed, we'll need close consultation with the academy first, it seems."
Is that all?
We'll probably have to report to the Imperial Family as well.
There can't be two academies under the same imperial sky.
We'll have to see how the plan progresses.
It might require some politics.
"It will take a long time."
"It probably will."
This is going to be a long-term battle from now on.
Buildings aren't erected overnight, and we don't even have a design yet.
Thanks to magic, it won't take hundreds of years like Gothic architecture in the real world.
But at the very least, a year or two will fly by.
First, our priority should be to find the professionals who will make our dream a reality.
"I'll look into it," said Edward.
I left the rest to him and returned to the mansion.
The new business is important in its own way, but there's still an indispensable part of my daily routine.
"Ari..."
"Uncle! Over here!"
She must have heard me coming in from the entrance, as she comes running over, waving her arms wildly.
"Ahem."
"Yes! No running in the mansion! I've got it!"
Is she for real?
I feel like I've repeated the same words several times already.
Not that I care how she acts, but
since the people here value decorum and tradition so much, she should at least observe the minimum etiquette.
"In the mansion, speaking quietly and not running are the absolute basics. If you break the rules one more time..."
"Wh-what happens if I break them...?"
Well now.
What should I do?
"I'll have to confiscate all the Juels I gave you and give them to Diana."
"Ah, no! Anything but that!"
"And you can only practice singing once every two days."
"I'm sorry!"
"If you understand, then behave yourself. Theo scolded me again yesterday. I get as much blame as the trouble you cause."
Aria nods as if she finally gets it.
A child is a mirror of their parents.
A ward is a mirror of their guardian.
Aria and I can be considered a community of fate.
"By the way, I made a new song this time. Want to try singing it?"
"Yes! I'd love to!"
I thought she'd get sulky because I scolded her, but she answers me earnestly as if nothing happened.
Good.
If she diligently follows my instructions, I must reward her.
Moreover, the piece I'm planning to teach Aria this time is quite high in difficulty.
She might have a hard time mastering it with just an average amount of practice.
"First, let's aim to memorize two bars. If you succeed, I'll allow you to have a snack in the evening."
"Wow!"
Putting Aria's song back on stage might have to wait for a distant future.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"We need to establish a new department for singing!"
"Professor Korsolin is right. Lord Anton is changing the culture of the capital, and it would be laughable if the academy fell behind."
Valcares Academy.
The two people gathered in the headmaster's office, Victor Korsolin and Oscar, were pouring out their passionate arguments.
They had been using the same reasoning for several days now.
Singing.
A department to research this new art is now necessary at the academy as well.
However.
"No matter how popular it is, there's no one who deeply understands this art, is there?"
The headmaster's concern was understandable.
Singing had been the culture of the commoners until now.
No one has ever approached it academically, and naturally, there are no remaining records about its techniques or history.
"Headmaster."
At that moment, Victor spoke up.
"Don't we already know the answer?"
"What do you mean?"
"Let's bring in a teacher."
"..."
The "teacher" he spoke of was undoubtedly Anton Tilberg.
And to bring him in...
Admission letters for students are sent out collectively at the end of the year.
It means there's no need to go and beg him.
So, there must be another reason.
"Do you mean to appoint him as a professor?"
"Precisely."
In fact, the headmaster had not been without that thought.
No one in the empire could rival Anton Tilberg when it comes to the piano, and he also held his artistic depth in high regard.
Furthermore, when it comes to singing, Anton Tilberg is absolutely essential.
However, there was a problem.
That was the reason for the headmaster's concern.
"But, Professor Korsolin."
"Yes."
"We have already made an offer to him."
"Really? Did he reply?"
Victor asked back in an expectant voice.
Soon, the headmaster's answer was:
"He said he won't do it."
"Pardon?"
"He said he won't..."
"But it's a professorship at the academy?"
He should know the advantages of that position.
Could he really refuse even knowing that?
Does that make sense?
A professorship at the academy?
"He also said he won't be enrolling."
"What?"
Victor was so dizzy he felt like he might collapse.
"Instead..."
He didn't even hear what the headmaster was saying next.
"He said he wants to establish an academy branch in the capital, an 'art academy' with a focus on music."
"To think the teacher would make such a decision... So we can never meet him again..."
"Professor? Are you listening to me?"