Gathering Songs for a New Melody
She stepped into the space they had left behind. I sat quietly, listening to each song Estel sang. The first, the second... by the time she finished the fifth, I had a precise grasp of her repertoire.
Steps of Valor — a song that bolsters strength and courage.
Song of the Ivy Leaf — a healing tune that eases the pain of minor wounds.
Drumbeat of the Heart — a detox melody that shortens the duration of poison effects.
Treasure Map Hidden in Sweet Cookies — a playful nursery rhyme for village children.
Melody that Opens the Heart — a soothing piece that calms people's minds in squares or markets.
'...Is that all?'
The other two were ordinary songs, and she only knew exactly three with magical power. Basic ones used in beginner party hunts, perfectly suited for novice adventurer party members.
Of course, she was singing her heart out. Even out of breath from singing back-to-back, she didn't stop, her eyes filled with earnest focus.
But... expecting her to grace a bigger stage right now was unrealistic. You need a wide repertoire to handle diverse situations. To join a top-tier party, you must master not just battle songs, but also entertainment tunes, festival anthems, dirges, and ritual chants.
What could she do with just five songs?
'First things first, we need to expand her repertoire.'
Songs are a bard's fortune, just as spells are to a mage. Singing well is just the basics. A true bard pulls out the perfect song for any situation.
The number of songs, the breadth of genres, the sense for selection — all must come together to make a real bard.
She could compose her own, but Estel wasn't there yet. She just mimicked songs she'd heard somewhere and sang them in her own style.
But her voice was good. Her emotional delivery was delicate. That's why I couldn't let her stagnate like this.
I gazed steadily at her as she sang standing there.
'Time for me to make a move.'
Five songs were woefully insufficient. For her to step onto wider stages, she needed more.
On Earth, I could grab any sheet music online with a click, but this world made it tricky.
The silver lining? Lilfrea, Maribel, Clara. The time spent raising those three girls hadn't been wasted. I still had connections from back then.
Modest ones, but enough to give Estel's songs some much-needed variety.
The next morning at dawn, faint light slipping through the window cracks tickled my face. I woke early, dressed quietly, and buttoned up.
This was still Estel's inn room. She lay fast asleep on the bed, clutching the blanket tightly.
Last night, we'd practiced songs late into the night. Nothing else happened between us. No drinks, no chit-chat. Just music talk and future plans.
Oddly, that was plenty to make it enjoyable.
My body ached from sleeping on the floor, but my mood was clearer than it had been in ages.
How long had it been since I'd felt this kind of fun? Teaching someone, laughing and chatting together.
I'd sworn never to go back, but starting again made my heart race.
'What if I get stabbed in the back again?'
The anxiety flickered, but the good feeling won out.
I'd told Estel I'd head out early in the morning. I closed the door softly and stepped into the hallway.
A lot to do today.
And... it felt pretty exciting.
The morning air was quite chilly. I quickened my pace toward a small temple on the city outskirts.
Thinking of Estel's face made my steps even faster.
'Just wait.'
A modest local temple. Not flashy, but a great spot for old ritual chants or folk songs passed down from the provinces.
The shrine maiden, Maren, was someone I'd known for a while. We'd grown close when I got cheap medicine for the three girls whenever they fell ill.
"Long time no see, shrine maiden."
She greeted my words with a warm smile.
"Seru... how have you been?"
"Hanging in there. Sorry, but I came for some songs."
"Songs? Didn't you learn them all before?"
"Ah, well..."
She nodded sympathetically after hearing my story.
"After all that effort, they left anyway..."
She pulled sheet music from a drawer and handed it over without a word.
I copied it with a magic tool and said goodbye.
"Thank you so much. See you again."
"I hope it works out with the new girl, Seru."
Next, the end of the market alley — a general store. Looked ordinary, but run by an eccentric merchant who collected all sorts of sheet music. Sometimes mixed in with stuff from wandering minstrels.
The familiar musty smell hit me as I entered.
"Horca, it's me."
"Ho ho, still alive with that mug? What now?"
"Looking for sheet music."
He grumbled chit-chat while digging through stacks of scrolls. From wandering minstrel discards to weird lewd tunes.
This place was a treasure trove.
After that, the countryside outside the city. Emma Granny's little music school where she taught kids.
She knew tons of old nursery rhymes and folk songs.
Opening the creaky door let out children's laughter and singing.
"Granny, hello."
Emma Granny's eyes went wide at the sight of me.
"Oh my, you came!"
She welcomed me with a laugh, and I spent time in the storeroom with the kids, sifting through old nursery rhymes and folk songs.
Next stop: the fortune teller.
Fortune tellers usually had nothing to do with music — just storytellers — but she had a bunch of rhythmic epic poems.
Some recorded the original forms of songs passed down orally. Add a melody, and they became songs naturally.
"Tamala. That fortune you read before was wrong. You said I'd be with the kids forever. They all left."
Tamala, half her face hidden by a purple hood, twitched her lips.
"I never said... it would be those kids."
And finally, the village festival prep warehouse. Old marching tunes and festival scores covered in dust.
"Seru! Thanks for the cheap gig last time! Coming again this year?"
"Can't anymore."
"Huh? Why?"
"They all left. But I'm raising a new one. Mind if I copy some scores for that?"
"Aw, poor guy."
He laughed and opened the chest.
"Hope it works out again!"
Stepping outside, the sun was already setting.
I clutched the sheet music I'd gathered all day close to my chest.
'This is a fresh start.'
I turned with renewed vigor.
Toward where Estel waited.
Back at the inn room, a simple meal was set on the small table.
"You're back?"
Estel beamed at me, welcoming me warmly. A thoughtful, gentle smile.
She held a table knife, and the table bore simple dishes that didn't need a hearth — fresh veggies still glistening with water, neatly sliced smoked meat and crusty bread.
A bottle of wine beside empty clear glasses turned the scene into a little festival.
"...You prepared all this yourself?"
I was speechless for a moment. A strange surge of emotion welled up.
I'd always been the one feeding and caring for others. It felt natural.
Someone cooking for me like this... it was so unfamiliar, it left me dazed.
Lilfrea, Maribel, Clara... none of them had ever welcomed me this way.
No, I'd never even expected it.
"Of course! I did it all. Sit down, you've worked hard today!"
Estel pulled out my chair with practiced ease, humming a tune.
She wasn't just serving food — she was genuinely welcoming me.
Ah— her smile, her warm words, the care in every touch melted away today's fatigue like a lie.
'This girl's... different.'
An ordinary moment, yet anything but. An inexplicable warmth spread through my chest.
It was just a meal, but how long had it been since someone prepared food with such sincerity for me?
"Estel..."
I murmured her name without thinking.
"Yes? Come on, sit already."
Estel grinned and patted the chair.
Her hair tied back tightly for cooking made her look even more vibrant and pretty.
"Ah. Yeah..."
I lightly slapped my cheek and sat.
The meal began right away. Crunchy veggies, nutty bread aroma, sweet wine scent filling the small room softly.
"The songs? Did you get them?"
Estel nibbled a veggie, eyes wide with eager anticipation.
I smiled faintly and opened the bag by my side.
"Here."
Her mouth dropped open in shock.
"Oh my god! That many!?"
I laughed.
"All for you."
Soon, her diverse songs would echo across the world.
And I— vowed once more to stand by her side as the one who started it all.
'Slightly smitten by the meal she made.'