Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Academy Festival (14)
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“Since the performances of the two gentlemen are over, we can finally see that girl.”
“That was Aria, right?”
A murmur began to swell through the hall.
Anticipation colored the faces of the audience.
Aria.
A legendary figure who, at a young age, elevated the songs that were once the common folk's entertainment to the very center of Imperial culture.
Among the audience at the theater today, there were no small number of people who were more eager for Aria's appearance than for Crown Princess Elise's stage.
Her last performance was a year ago.
She had continued to release Jewel songs since then, but among so-called purist music lovers, the yearning for her had only been growing stronger.
Listening to music while merely imagining it was a completely different experience from witnessing her on stage firsthand.
Some were even shouting Aria's name outright, urging her to appear.
No one tried to stop them.
Everyone felt the same way.
Anton, who had taken her under his patronage, and Crown Princess Elise, who had given her official recognition.
That was Aria.
The seats grew increasingly feverish.
Even the lips of the stoic noble gentlemen began to twitch.
They were practically going mad with curiosity to know what kind of song she would present this time.
However.
“Hm?”
“Huh?”
The person who appeared from behind the curtain was an unexpected figure.
Everyone's expressions were stained with bewilderment, as if they had all been scripted.
“It is Anton Tilberg.”
Some tilted their heads, sending him questioning glances.
“It seems he intends to play the accompaniment himself!”
Others were quick to speculate on the reason for his appearance.
It made sense.
Anton's solo concert was scheduled for tomorrow.
The final day of the festival.
Normally, he would not be on stage today.
At that moment.
“In repaying the grace of His Majesty, the Emperor, whom I revere, I wish to dedicate a single piece.”
“Ooh?”
Anton's unexpected words made the audience's jaws drop.
“Is he... is he serious?!”
A viscount from a regional territory, squeezed in among them, stood up abruptly and cried out, voicing the feelings of all.
There was a reason for this.
The lodgings of the nobles who had come here were mostly far from the Academy.
Some, like Count Seneca in the south, took a week.
For places like Baron Rosley's territory, the one-way trip alone took a month.
Because of this, rather than enjoying the festival for all three days, many had chosen to watch for just one day and then return.
Especially today.
This was particularly true for the audience who had come on the second day, as it was obvious that the roads would be congested with countless carriages on the final day.
They had to choose: either give up on hearing the performance by professors including Anton, and return early for work or convenience, or enjoy everything to the fullest and stay until the end, returning whenever.
The vast majority had chosen the former.
“It's a shame we can't hear Professor Anton's performance, but I can't feel at ease leaving my domain for too long.”
“We've enjoyed the banquet enough, isn't that fine? We must hope for next time.”
“I plan to leave as soon as today's performance is over.”
“Same here.”
You can't have everything you want.
Sometimes, you must know when to give up, and in noble society, such an attitude was a virtue.
“At least we get to hear Miss Aria's song, so it's not all bad.”
“See? That's why I'm not as disappointed as you.”
And in the midst of all this...
Anton appeared.
It was only natural that the eyes of the audience, who had never dreamed he would appear in person, widened in shock.
It was a surprise, truly a surprise within a surprise.
It's like going to see Lim Yunchan's concert, and suddenly Son Yeol-eum appears as a guest.
You think it's all over, but then Kang Sugun appears without any warning?
And he even plays a piece for you in person?
This is unmissable.
“Ooooh!”
“Wah, waaah! Uwaaaah!”
As expected, the audience, unable to contain their excitement, let out roars first.
“We can hear Professor Anton's performance directly? Is it true?!”
Anton had been on hiatus for just as long as Aria.
The most recent event was the Academy entrance ceremony, but since it was difficult for non-students and relatives to enter, it couldn't really be called a proper concert.
The concert tomorrow was the real thing, and most of the people here had already given up on that experience.
The moment they had decided to let it go, an opportunity had unexpectedly found them.
No human could help but be moved in this moment.
Murmurs of disbelief erupted from all over.
Soon after.
Without anyone telling them to, they fell silent and fixed their gaze on the stage.
Anton stood quietly before the piano.
Moonlight softly illuminated one side of his face, and the entire theater fell into a hush.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
He sat down and placed his hands on the piano.
The Turkish March.
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
But the version he would play today was not this.
He had once seen a video of Arkadi Volodos, a Russian, arranging this masterpiece of the century, and then Son Yeol-eum performing it.
He had liked it so much that he had always kept it in his playlist.
The Turkish March was originally bright and cheerful, but in truth, its melody could easily become frivolous.
The rhythm is bouncy, and the melody has a pleasant feel.
Arkadi Volodos used his unique interpretation to rebirth it more colorfully.
A version of the Turkish March that was similar yet different, and in some ways, more majestic.
Add Son Yeol-eum's vibrant touch, and it created a performance that could rival any masterpiece.
I revived that memory and recreated the sheet music.
And that is the piece I will show you here today.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The melody that burst from his fingertips replicated an army marching proudly.
A rhythm that stamps forward.
An explosive energy.
At the same time, a technique that transcended the ordinary.
He gave personality to every single note, breathing life into the piece.
His intense and precise keystrokes passed through rapid passages as if breathing, and his fluid hand movements, flowing as if dancing, were enough to captivate the audience's emotions just by watching.
The audience began to surrender themselves to the flow.
“H-he's on another level, Professor.”
“The previous two were excellent, but... as expected, when it comes to the piano, it's Lord Anton...”
Most of all, the reason they were so astonished was...
Even within the thoroughly calculated movements and the restrained, conveyed emotions...
There was composure.
Anton was smiling faintly.
That attitude was infused directly into the music, allowing the audience to feel a hint of wit and humor simultaneously within the dignified and energetic performance.
The Emperor and Ruhan, sitting in the box seats, felt the same.
“Anton Tilberg, as expected, a professor at the Academy is different.”
At the Emperor's offhand remark,
“Your sister's performance was just for fun; Anton here is the real deal,”
Ruhan replied with sparkling eyes.
“Brother! Take that back right now!”
While Therese's loud voice exploded like a bomb,
“It seems that man has received some prior notice from Elise,”
The Emperor's calm voice once again calmed the two's excitement.
“You mean about Ibellon?”
“Didn't he say he was dedicating this piece to me?”
“Wasn't that just an expression of respect?”
“No.”
Normally, the Emperor would have agreed with Ruhan's opinion, but this time was different.
“I feel a grand spirit from it. This is a piece made to celebrate victory. Can you not see the will of a conqueror?”
“Indeed, you are right.”
The two finally unified their opinions, and for the rest of the time, they simply nodded silently as they enjoyed the stage.
Anton continued to dominate the piano with an even more vibrant performance, and then...
He finally tilted his head back, which had been bowed low, and stopped his hands.
At the same time, applause erupted.
This time, even the Emperor could not remain seated, rising to his feet and lightly clapping his hands.
As he stood, Ruhan and Therese had no choice but to stand as well.
“Excellent! A truly magnificent performance!”
He was particularly pleased with the phrase about dedicating the piece to the Emperor he revered.
“It is music that expresses Your Majesty's strength and courage just as they are!”
Ruhan chimed in.
“Invite him to the Imperial Palace after the festival is over.”
“Yes!”
Therese, who had been quietly watching the two men's dynamic gestures, trembled slightly.
'This is terrifying.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Playing in front of a real audience for the first time in a while sent a shiver down my spine.
This must be why people play the piano.
I even thought about greeting the audience as cheerfully as Diana and then exiting.
It felt like I had to express this emotion somehow.
However.
That was a little embarrassing.
I couldn't do it.
Still, I bowed my waist as honestly as I could and walked off the stage.
Elise was standing right in front of me, as if she had been there the whole time.
“As expected, your skill is truly amazing. Do you happen to drink some kind of potion every day? Is the one you gave me today perhaps...?”
“I don't drink things like that.”
“Hahat!”
Guided by her, I headed to the waiting room.
The picture feels a bit strange.
Why am I being escorted by the Crown Princess?
Where did Edward go?
It was something my head couldn't understand, so I just stopped thinking about it.