Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: A Song from the Heart
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Looking at her watch...
Applause echoed from all directions.
Receiving their unstinting praise, she felt her chest swelling with emotion.
At the same time, in that moment, Auriel realized one important fact.
All this time, she had thought the songs she sang were solely for the gods.
Prayers to spread His mercy to the people.
She believed it was right to sing only to praise the gods and spread their light.
But today, for the first time, as she sang a song of a different nature...
Her "master," whom she had decided to serve, had shown her.
A song not praising the gods, but purely speaking of dreams and hopes for the future.
Auriel finally realized it.
'I... really... love to sing...'
Even though the frame through which she viewed the world had crumbled,
even though everything she believed in had shattered and broken.
In such circumstances, the song still brought her unwavering joy.
No matter what happened, no matter what kind of person she became, the song remained by her side. Feeling joy in that fact,
Auriel gave her final bow to the crowd and stepped down from the stage.
Regretting that it would be hard to sing before such a large audience again,
yet believing that she would never lose song from her life going forward.
With joy in her heart at rediscovering this light she had momentarily forgotten, Auriel walked toward the person who was already there waiting for her.
The one wearing a black raven mask.
The only person who, along with song, allowed her to hold onto something called "faith."
He looked at Auriel and gave a small clap.
"Splendid. I didn't expect it to be this impressive."
"Thank you for enjoying it, Master..."
"Once we're on the ship, call me Captain. Anyway, what a fantastic song. As expected of a genius—you rearranged it so perfectly in that short time."
"The original was excellent to begin with. I'd never heard it before... Did you compose it yourself?"
"Hmm... not exactly. It's a song I heard by chance myself. I just like it personally, so I asked on the off chance."
"I see."
It was music so wonderful she wanted to meet the original composer,
but even the Pirate King didn't seem to know the details.
Guessing it might be a tune that drifted in from some distant eastern land,
Auriel began walking down the corridor following the Pirate King.
Then.
"..."
"Ah..."
One person appeared before them.
A navy woman in a neat uniform, with short red hair.
The moment she saw the woman bowing her head politely toward them, Auriel felt a slight jolt but quickly composed her expression and returned the greeting courteously.
"You're the one I saw the other day... Your name was Acrylic, if I recall..."
"It's Acroyal. I enjoyed the performance, Lady Auriel. It was truly splendid, living up to your reputation."
"Thank you for the kind words. Well then, if you'll excuse me."
As a pirate now, dealing with a navy admiral was burdensome in itself.
After a brief exchange, Auriel tried to leave.
At that moment...
"Allow me to escort you. Even so, you're a distinguished guest at Bennetsa's grand auction. Providing this much escort is only natural."
"No... that's fine. I'm actually a bit tired right now... I've left the items I want to buy with my escort here, so I'll head back to the hotel."
"...Is that so? Hmm... Very well. In that case, there's nothing to be done. Have a pleasant trip..."
Auriel pointed to the man in the raven mask standing behind her as she spoke.
Acroyal expressed genuine regret before heading off somewhere with her soldiers.
Right after...
"Phew..."
"Well done. It was a close call, but you handled it skillfully."
"...What can I say... This feels strangely... novel. And quite chilling..."
"..."
Auriel spoke with a sense that she might be opening her eyes to something peculiar.
In response, the man fell briefly silent before speaking again.
"Ahem... Anyway, you can go now. I've got my men waiting outside, so escape with them. I'll stay and handle the rest before heading back."
"Understood. Please take care."
Having fulfilled her role here, Auriel left the scene.
The moment he confirmed she was completely gone,
the man in the raven mask...
Pirate King Ezra Drake slowly turned and resumed moving.
*
After sending Auriel off and while walking, I pulled out my pocket watch to check the time.
Current time: 11:25 AM.
About 1 hour and 30 minutes left.
Thanks to the massive variable that was Auriel, the schedule had advanced considerably, but that didn't mean I could let my guard down.
Acroyal, whom I'd just run into.
In the original story, she was prickly in many ways but played a supportive role. However, after coming to this world, she and I clashed frequently for the perfectly natural reason of pirates versus navy.
There were plenty of inept navy fools, but she was one of the few real deal experts among them.
As such, she was likely to be a major nuisance in this operation.
However,
What concerned me most right now wasn't Acroyal, whom I'd anticipated before coming here,
nor the navy under her command.
The reason I didn't send Auriel, now my subordinate, straight to the ship but had her sing here instead...
And not just any song, but a famous one from my previous life, rearranged...
It wasn't for mere amusement.
The grand auction in this central hall was currently attended by high-ranking dignitaries from all over the continent.
From the Britannian Empire across the sea, the Franz Kingdom, the Holy Empire, and even from the distant northern Kalmar Union.
And among them, the being I'd been wary of all along might be present...
The "reincarnator"... or perhaps their lackey.
The song Auriel sang was bait to draw them out.
Now that the stone was cast, if the reincarnator was here, they'd likely react in some way later.
If they rushed to approach Auriel, perfect.
Considering the skills of the men I sent with her, they'd be more than enough to reel in the hooked fish.
If not, they might try to block us more aggressively amid the upcoming commotion.
Depending on the situation, they might grow suspicious of this bait and hole up instead, but that was fine too.
While they hid, I'd take all the gains here and slip away.
With the mindset of a fisherman awaiting his catch, I returned to the auction hall.
"This item is the ivory tusk of the monster Ginesia from the eastern Indies! Those who know its value will want it at any cost. Starting bid at the minimum appraised price of 100 talents!"
"120!"
"135!"
"200!"
The auction was already in full swing, heating up.
Watching the bids climb steadily made me itch to raise my hand.
Of course, buying ivory like that had no immediate use, but this must be what they mean by getting swept up in the atmosphere.
Even as I took a moment to enjoy the scene, part of my attention stayed fixed on the pocket watch in my hand.
The second hand ticking slowly onward.
Gazing at that relentless flow even gods couldn't halt,
a faint smile graced my lips.
'Time remaining... 1 hour 15 minutes...'
*
'Should I have gotten an autograph?... Tch... It was so hectic...'
Right after parting with Auriel, Acroyal felt a pang of regret.
But shaking off the sentiment, she headed straight to the appointed location.
Regret was regret, but she had to give her all to the task at hand.
Upon arriving at the meeting spot on the outskirts of the central hall,
those people came into view before her.
"Lady Acroyal. Over here."
"Mm..."
A bit early, but they were already approaching.
Acroyal flashed them a bright smile.
"Come on in, I've been waiting."
*
"Haha, sorry. I didn't expect you'd be out here waiting early."
"Hello."
Even though they'd arrived ten minutes early, Acroyal had come out to the entrance to greet them.
Seeing her beaming smile, Elkana and Ambasha greeted her warmly.
The two were now dressed in the navy uniforms sent ahead.
According to Acroyal, this was the only way for those without invitations to enter the auction hall.
"They suit you well. You could enlist right away. What do you say? Join the navy while you're here?"
"Haha... I'll pass. Staying cooped up in a place like this isn't my style."
"I see... What a shame. Oh? Speaking of which, where are the other two? Mazelan and... that masked guy from yesterday?"
"They opted out today. Mazelan doesn't like shopping anyway. He only came this far because of me, so I have to cut him some slack."
"Hee hee, yeah, that sounds like him."
Acroyal chuckled lightly, as if understanding.
It was a reaction possible because they were old acquaintances.
Seeing her friend unchanged from the past, Elkana thought Frankling's worries were unfounded after all.
"Alright, let's head in. The item you want to buy should come up soon."
The two blended in among the navy personnel and entered.
Just before stepping inside the building,
they subtly checked their pocket watches for the time.
'Time remaining...'
'About 1 hour...'