Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Knight Department Parade
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The academy does have a Music Department, even if it's not overflowing with students.
And some of those Music Department grads end up working on military marches, which means I've got some quiet connections there.
"...So, you want me to help with composing? Just based on that tune you're humming?"
Wagner senior's eyes flashed with fire. Hmm, this might end with me getting punched.
"If you're here to mess around, get lost. I'm losing my mind over my graduation piece right now."
"Do you think I'd come all this way just to joke? Especially dragging a guest along?"
I'm not here alone. Ariete's with me.
Sure, everyone at the academy is just a student, and she doesn't flaunt her duke family status, but that doesn't make her any less the daughter of the Victory Duke.
Thanks to that, Wagner senior couldn't brush it off as a joke anymore.
No one in their right mind would think she's the type to let someone mock her.
"You're out of your damn mind. You on drugs or something?"
Instead, he seems convinced I'm the crazy one.
Senior, I'm innocent here. I'm perfectly normal, I swear.
"Barging in on a fourth-year prepping his graduation piece, no basics laid out, just humming a melody and expecting me to build the skeleton from that—and for the Knight Department, no less?"
"I get it, senior. Screw it up, and I could be stuffed and mounted for the next four years..."
"Then why the hell would you ask?!"
This vibe! He's about to turn my face into sheet music any second!
What a shame. He wasn't always this feral—senior year must've changed him.
Guess the agony of graduation can hit harder than the torment of creation...
"Hoo... Fine. I'm only doing this because of the duke."
"Hey now, senior. At the academy, we're all just students."
"You little shit! Some people just gotta shit where they eat! I'm building this skeleton thinking it'll reach the Victory Duke's ears at graduation someday!!"
Wagner senior, mid-rant, grumbled that he's tempting fate.
His lifespan's already whittled down by that graduation piece, and now I'm piling on.
Hang in there, senior. If you can't handle this, the name 'Wagner' won't ring out.
You folks might not know, but there's this legendary composer with the same name.
As a fellow Wagner, I believe in you! You got this!! You can do it!!!
"Sit down first. Let me hear exactly what you're humming."
"Yes, sir. Here we go."
I sat in front of Wagner senior, and after that...
"Again."
"Again."
"Again."
"Again."
"Again."
I spent a solid two hours humming the Galactic Empire March.
"I'll have it delivered to the first-year Knight Department in two days. Now scram!"
Under Wagner senior's terrifying eviction order, I bolted with a yelp.
Fourth-years really are off-limits. Best to just watch from afar.
Like a tiger behind glass at the zoo?
"This okay?"
"Hm?"
"The composing thing. I thought each grade makes theirs together."
"Don't worry. Outside advice or help is fine—as long as it's not the whole thing, just something like this."
Whew, good. I was worried asking for help might cause issues.
Of course, if it were a problem, Ariete wouldn't have asked me in the first place.
"Thanks, Richi. I didn't expect you'd pull it off this quick."
"Just keep it quiet. If the Knight Department finds out, they might bury me alive."
"Not sure they'd even manage to bury a Reinhardt... But yeah, lips sealed."
They wouldn't bury me for real, but plenty would pretend to.
Our Reinhardt family's not that authoritarian, and neither am I.
That's why I've ended up with so many 'friends' who might be enemies.
If I'd known, I'd have cracked down harder. Past me, thank you so much...
"But seriously, how'd you nail it that fast?"
Oh, that? Truth is, it was the only thing that came to mind! No way I could say that.
Need something reasonable... Hm. No copyright cops in this world, so I can swing wild?
"I've actually been tinkering with knight-themed music."
To be precise, space knights, and that tune had zero to do with them.
Anyway, this one's mine! All mine!
"Oh yeah? Stockpiling for future military marches?"
"Kinda. The family name's a burden, but I can't just coast. Gotta earn my keep, y'know?"
Seemed convincing—Ariete kept nodding like, "I see, I see."
Then she stared right at me, and that gaze was heavy.
"...Why're you looking at me like that?"
"No reason. You said you hate military stuff, but you're putting in real effort."
"Whoa, whoa, misunderstanding. This was pure coincidence."
"But Richi, to me, you seem born for military work."
What the hell? I picked Admin and Music to dodge the military entirely.
I shot down Ariete's nonsense. Not worth hearing more.
But she chirped on: "No, really! I'm serious?!"
"That op, this favor—popping up perfectly when needed isn't easy. My dad said the same: battlefields shift constantly, so adaptable people are key."
"..."
"Like you, right now. Richi."
It's all coincidence, I tell ya.
The op was half-joke: let's snag some swords! And 'knights' sparked Galactic Knights, then stream-of-consciousness humming.
No point arguing. I shut my mouth.
Military my destiny? Hell no, absolutely not. You nuts?! I possessed on discharge day!
Army four years, officer five! I ditched promotions just to escape.
Already wronged enough—born into a war hero family pushing military?
If I was good at it, fine, but I'm not. Half-assed possessor can't use status screen anyway.
Status screen! Ugh, status screen!! Nothing, as expected!
"Don't talk like it's easy. If I end up in the military, you won't be there helping."
"Huh? Sure I will! I'm down. Pinky swear! If you go military, I'll join as your knight. Deal?"
No thanks. Wouldn't take her if offered. A duke's daughter as my subordinate knight?
Head's splitting just thinking it. Absolutely not! Hate it!
That bastard, that bastard. The worst scum under heaven!
Buried in graduation work, and he dumps this on me?
Of all things, the first-year Knight Department piece—with the Victory Duke's daughter there?!
This punk's clearly trying to assassinate me.
Yeah, no doubt! Who else would request something this insane!
Wagner inwardly cursed Richi hundreds of times over.
Yet his hands flew, fleshing out the tune's skeleton.
The disconnect between body and mind? Simple.
Hate to admit it, but... this tune's got something...!
When that guy hummed it, Wagner thought it was a prank.
But refining it, assigning instruments, detailing it...
He instantly grasped the vibe Richi wanted.
This'll blow up. Guaranteed. Military march-ready right now!
That realization had Wagner pouring his soul into it.
Top of Music Department intake, never lost first place.
Professors hyped his post-grad work.
Some even pushed grad school—ignored that.
Even a Wagner like him was hooked. Incredibly impressive.
Two days later, the skeleton went to first-year Knight Department.
They barely tweaked it.
Just decided the vibe and performance for their grade rep song, then left finishing to Wagner.
And so, the Knight Department's official grade event began.
All the same old stuff.
Fourth-years, third, second. Stuffy noble tunes.
No wonder Officer Department hates 'em. They can't march worth a damn.
Richi thought that, waiting for first-years.
...It'll be fine, right?
Sudden worry. Is this really okay?
Too late now. Gotta own it.
"Yo, Richi. First-years starting."
Enter, dragged along, poked Richi's side.
As second-years cleared and first-years filled in...
"Oh."
There it was. The familiar tune. Galactic trooper legions conquering!
Villainous pan-galactic soundtrack blaring for Knight Department first-years.
Absurd, bizarre scene—but weirdly fitting.
Or so Richi thought. Others disagreed.
"Whoa, shit. What the hell. Yo, Richi—this first-year Knight song is insane!!"
"Uh... yeah. Totally insane."
Would've been perfect with black masks, capes, red lightsabers.
Richi muttered inwardly, applauding Wagner.
This is it.
The War Ministry PR deputy director, visiting the academy by chance, slapped his knee.
Mid-Knight Department event, that devilish tune hit.
Instant realization: Gotta snag this for the military!
"Minister!"
The deputy rushed straight to the minister upon return.