Chapter 14
Imperial Knights’ Departure Ceremony.
“I wonder if everything is prepared well.”
“Please don’t worry.”
I had an audience with Prince Luhan Flovitz.
Did he get bigger compared to before, or is it just my imagination?
Maybe it’s because of his uniform.
The Imperial Uniform.
Since today is the day of the knights’ departure ceremony, it’s only fitting that he would be dressed accordingly.
The Prince is the Prince, after all.
I also asked my father, and for the first time in a while, I put on my dress uniform.
The fabric is thick, so it’s a bit uncomfortable to move my arms, but I can’t afford to prioritize my own comfort today.
At least, not for today.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
With those words, the Prince stepped out first.
He seemed busy.
I need to get moving too.
Since it’s a big event, it’ll be hectic, so I need to understand the layout and prepare in advance.
I headed to the stage.
The square that faces the Imperial Palace directly.
Behind it stands a large gate, which is scheduled to open once the ceremony begins.
Then, countless trainee knights, lined up in four rows, will march through it.
“Young Master, are you all right?”
“I’m a little nervous.”
“You’ll do just fine.”
“Let’s start with a rehearsal.”
Erdi handed me the sheet music.
The tenth piece from Modest Mussorgsky’s collection, Pictures at an Exhibition.
The Great Gate of Kiev.
**T/n: “The Great Gate of Kiev” is the final movement of Pictures at an Exhibition, a suite of ten piano pieces composed by Modest Mussorgsky in 1874. It was inspired by architect Viktor Hartmann’s design for a monumental city gate in Kiev, which was never built. The music is characterized by grand chords and majestic themes, intended to evoke the grandeur and magnificence of a large city gate.**
It’s a piano solo piece that starts with a majestic harmony that resonates deeply in the heart.
The orchestrated version is magnificent, but the original is equally impressive.
It was even used to boost morale during war, so that says it all.
Piano performances evoke various emotions in the listener.
Inspiration or joy, for example.
The Great Gate of Kiev is particularly effective at uplifting spirits.
The stage was still empty.
We began the rehearsal.
There was no need to worry about sound leaking out.
I hadn’t applied any amplification magic yet, so it was safe.
While I played, Erdi turned the sheet music pages one by one.
“That’s enough for now.”
“Have you memorized it all?”
“Thank you. If the Imperial family gives a commendation, I’ll make sure to include you.”
Before long, a massive crowd gathered in the square.
***
A majestic atmosphere.
At the centre of the stage, on a high throne, the Emperor sat.
Next to him were Elize and Luhan.
I could also see the Empress and the young Imperial Princess.
To see the entire Imperial family gathered so close was truly a rare sight.
The Emperor stood up and raised his arm high.
“Brave knights of the Empire!”
A powerful and resonant voice that made my skin tingle.
“Today, we have gathered here to protect honour and glory, and to uphold justice and peace!”
Each word he spoke caused the shoulders of the Imperial citizens gathered in the square to rise and fall.
Certainly, it was a speech that captivated the audience.
Even I could feel the thrill welling up from deep within my chest.
“The road ahead will be perilous, but the strength of the Empire will reside within your convictions. You will face hardships, but you will overcome all challenges and achieve victory!”
As soon as he said that, the entire crowd in the square erupted into cheers, giving him a standing ovation.
“Waaaah!”
Unable to contain their overflowing excitement, endless waves of people surged, shaking the ground like a tidal wave.
The sheer number of people was staggering at a glance.
The Emperor continued.
“As the Emperor of the Empire, I give my command.”
The cheers began to die down at his solemn gesture.
Silence returned once again.
Only the Emperor’s voice reverberated like thunder.
“This is the first step in the battle to uphold conviction and honour. Bear the name of the Empire on your backs and advance for victory and glory!”
“Waaaaah!”
My mouth was dry, and my body was trembling.
It felt like my heart was about to burst.
It seemed that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Elize and Luhan, who had been seated, jumped up with determined expressions and applauded enthusiastically.
Now it was my turn.
I placed both hands on the keyboard.
The heavy chords that burst out from my fingertips shattered the air and drew the attention of the Imperial citizens to one place.
At that moment, the giant gate that had been half-covering the Imperial Palace slowly began to open.
Not a single trainee knight clad in clunky iron armour was present there.
They wore sophisticated uniforms engraved with the Imperial emblem.
Their proud steps were befitting of warriors heading into battle.
It was as if they were about to wage war, and I played to console and bless their efforts, letting the powerful and magnificent chords resonate.
The Great Gate of Kiev.
Originally, this piece was composed by the Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, inspired by his friend’s posthumous exhibition.
Reflecting this inspiration, the name of the collection is Pictures at an Exhibition.
The final piece of the collection, The Great Gate of Kiev, evokes intense and grand emotions, as if one is passing through the entrance to a new world.
What lies at the end of this journey?
No one knows.
And because of this uncertainty, it is called potential.
This is an anthem thrown at their future.
It’s a tribute to the heroes breaking through their shells and leaping into an unfamiliar world.
After passing through the gentle and fluid melody in the middle section, the atmosphere began to rise.
The grand chords, as if condensing the history of the Empire, pierced the hearts of the audience.
The music, which continued alongside the knights’ march, faded away like the wind as they gathered in the centre of the square.
But it still remained there, with a thick and vivid trace.
***
“Waaaaah!”
“Wooaaah!”
“Long live the Empire!”
“Long live His Majesty, the Emperor!”
The voices of the people gathered in the square burst out in fierce exclamations.
The synergy created by the Emperor’s speech, the celebratory performance, and the knights’ march was truly incredible.
It was like magic that conjured patriotism out of thin air.
“Sniff… I’m really glad to have been born in the Empire…”
“L-Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live the Empire!”
The reaction was like that of people listening to a socialist agitator.
Even some fainted from extreme excitement.
Fortunately, thanks to quick responses, there were no casualties.
It meant that the madness was at its peak.
The joy felt by the Imperial citizens soon spread to Luhan and Elize.
“How could this be!”
Luhan shouted proudly, puffing out his chest.
“That man’s performance has finally set my heart ablaze!”
Therese, who had been quietly watching the Prince, whispered to Elize.
“Don’t you think Brother is acting a bit strange?”
“Hmm…”
Therese was right.
Luhan’s behaviour was indeed overly intense.
He clenched his fists tightly, raising them to the sky in a manner that was out of character for him.
But that wasn’t all.
“Hahaha!”
With a flushed face, he burst out laughing toward the air.
Normally, Elize would have scolded her brother to be more reserved.
“Anton Tilburg! That man must be the performer you spoke of, Luhan!”
“Yes, Father!”
There was no stopping them.
“Magnificent and awe-inspiring! To capture the glory of the Empire with just one Piano. This is not mere music!”
Like his son, the Emperor also poured out his emotions with all his might.
However, the Emperor didn’t realize.
He forgot that the amplification magic was still active on his voice.
“This is no ordinary Music, I say!”
Everyone gathered in the square heard his voice.
“This is the soul and passion of the Flovia Empire! That music itself is the Empire!”
“…”
A stillness fell over the crowd.
The ranks of the knights, who had been standing in perfect formation, began to crumble.
Even though they had endured the cheers of the crowd, trying to maintain their dignity and pride as knights…
The Emperor’s declaration burned away every ounce of their patience.
“Waaaah!”
“Long live the Flovia Empire!”
“Anton! Anton!”
“Anton Tilburg!”
The stage I stood on had originally been set up to celebrate the departure of the Imperial Knights.
I was meant to be nothing but a background tool.
Like the national anthem that is ceremonially played before a sports event.
‘So why is this happening?’
I ended up becoming the protagonist.
All the cheers that should have been directed at the knights and the Imperial family were now pouring onto me.
I tightly shut my eyes.
‘I guess I won’t be able to live peacefully from now on.’
Several nobles, mixed in with the crowd, murmured to each other.
They talked about whether this music should be designated as the new anthem of the Flovia Empire.
But that’s a story for the distant future.
***
Once the departure ceremony ended, everything returned to normal.
Erdi went off to deliver newspapers.
Having spent his entire life as a newspaper boy, it seemed like skipping a single day made him restless.
I locked myself in my room.
There wasn’t any other reason.
“Young Master? Count Fowler’s family has come to see you,” Theo said.
“What did I tell you?”
“That you’ve caught an infectious disease, so you can’t meet anyone for the time being…”
Instead of answering, I stared at him intently.
“Understood.”
An infectious disease?
Of course, that’s a lie.
But it’s the best solution.
Just yesterday, the number of visitors to our estate exceeded several hundred.
And they expect me to meet them all?
‘Screw that.’
Anton Tilburg is dead.
I tried to lie down for a nap when Theo knocked on my door again.
“Young Master? Erdi is here to see you.”
Now, this is someone I should meet.
***
“There was a crowd of people in front of the main gate.”
“Still? That’s insane.”
“They all seemed like quite important people. Is it alright to keep them standing like that?”
“Oh, Erdi, I didn’t threaten them with a sword to stay outside our house.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, there’s something like that.”
“I met Edward on the way here.”
“Oh, dear.”
“He said, since the departure ceremony is over, it’s time to hold another recital.”
He’s right.
I shouldn’t forget my original purpose.
Spreading classical music and elevating the cultural quality of this world.
That’s why I started the recitals and accepted the invitation to perform at the departure ceremony.
And it’s also why I’ve grown closer to Erdi.
“A short break wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“That won’t be possible. Edward said he’d be visiting you soon.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
I’ve only performed intense pieces so far.
From the William Tell Overture to The Great Gate of Kiev, the two performances have surely made a great impression.
But.
On a separate note, they completely drained me.
In other words, I almost died from exhaustion.
I think it’s alright to ease up a little this time.
“A piece that’s not too demanding yet still good.”
What would work?
It needs to be refreshing and unique, yet not overly complicated.
It has to satisfy the audience’s ears.
‘The expectations have risen quite a bit.’
Their standards have become much higher as well.
It’s time to use a trump card.
“I’ve decided, Erdi.”
“I’ll get the staff paper ready.”
Something easy to perform, instantly catchy, fresh yet familiar.
Pachelbel, Canon.
**T/n: Pachelbel’s Canon, also known as Canon in D, is a famous piece of music composed by Johann Pachelbel in the late 17th century. It is characterized by its serene and harmonious melody that repeats and builds over a ground bass line, which is played in a canon (a musical form where a melody introduced in one part is imitated by other parts at regular intervals).**
***
A Canon is a Musical Form.
It is a style where a theme, introduced in one part, is imitated by other parts in succession.
It’s a structure where different instruments follow and repeat the same melody at fixed intervals.
If you think of a round song, it’s easy to understand.
If you’ve heard a canon before, you’ll instantly know what I’m talking about.
Especially Pachelbel’s famous Canon, with its distinctive lyrical and beautiful melody that continuously stimulates the listener’s emotions.
Originally, this piece was composed for the violin.
But what’s familiar to us is probably the piano solo version.
The Canon Variations arranged by the American pianist George Winston.
**T/n: George Otis Winston III was an American pianist performing contemporary instrumental music. Best known for his solo piano recordings, Winston released his first album in 1972, and came to prominence with his 1980 album Autumn, which was followed in 1982 by Winter into Spring and December.**
It’s similar to the original, but different.
Pachelbel’s Canon is in D major, whereas Winston’s version is in C major.
Moreover, by using a variety of dynamics, he created a colourful solo piece that doesn’t lose to the original.
This puts me at a crossroads.
Should I go with Pachelbel’s Canon? Or Winston’s Canon Variations?
“Neither.”
The true beauty of a canon lies in its arrangement.
From orchestral versions to electric guitar renditions.
Even in my previous life, Canon existed in countless variations, as many as there were performers.
I want to keep the original D major melody but add a bit of my personal taste.
Since I don’t have a sheet music, arranging it is not an option but a necessity.
“Let’s begin, Erdi.”
“Sounds good!”
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