Chapter 16
The Nobles Gathered in front of the Theatre.
Each of them exchanged conversations with faces brimming with anticipation.
The response was even more enthusiastic than usual, likely because this was the first solo recital held right after the celebratory performance for the departure ceremony.
“Don’t push!”
“I was here first, wasn’t I?”
Scenes of people cutting in line were witnessed everywhere.
“Listen well and learn. I’ve heard rumours that this performer is a cut above the professors at the Academy.”
Parents from prestigious families were seen inculcating early education into their children.
“Hahaha! I’m really looking forward to today’s performance.”
“I heard from Edward that it’s supposed to be the best piece he’s released so far.”
The lively chatter made the scene resemble a bustling marketplace.
And among the many topics of discussion, the most actively buzzing subject was, of course—
“By the way, have you heard the news about the limited-edition sheet music that goes on sale today?”
“What?”
“It’s a product that can only be purchased by attendees of the concert, and it’s available for just five days.”
“Is that so?”
The corners of Dominic Allman’s mouth, the head of a provincial baron family who had been quietly listening to the nobles’ conversations, twitched upwards.
Anyone could see he was holding back a smile.
‘I’m sorry, but I’m going to buy up all that sheet music.’
He had received a message from the Merchant Guild not long ago.
Thanks to that, he learned about the fact that the limited-edition sheet music would be sold at the concert earlier than anyone else.
“Baron, this is an opportunity.”
The guild leader had arranged funds and handed them over to him.
The request was simple.
“Acquire as many sheet music copies as possible. Even if you sell them on the black market, you could easily fetch ten times the price.”
“Ten times? Does the guild leader know nothing about the law of supply and demand? I’ll raise it a hundred times!”
With plenty of money prepared, sweeping up all the sheet music wouldn’t be a problem.
There didn’t seem to be any purchase restrictions either.
‘I can see the money flowing in!’
As Dominic was revelling in sinister delight, the doors to the theatre finally opened, signalling the start of the entrance.
***
“I’ll leave a message at the workshop. Please focus on the recital without worry, young master.”
“Thank you.”
As advised, the priority was to provide a good performance for the audience that had come to the theatre.
The piece was Johann Pachelbel’s Canon, arranged together with Erdi.
**T/n: Pachelbel’s Canon is a popular piece of classical music composed by Johann Pachelbel. It is known for its serene and repetitive chord progression, often played at weddings and events. The piece features a canon style, where multiple voices imitate each other, creating a harmonious effect.**
Leaving the rest to Edward, I took the stage.
After bowing politely, I sat down in front of the piano.
Both hands poised above the keys.
The beginning was a simple, soothing harmony.
A melody that was simple yet beautiful gradually intertwined, gently enveloping the audience like a flowing wave.
Clear and warm, leaving behind an endless aftertaste.
The left hand created a calm and restrained bass.
The right hand moved as if dancing, drawing a simple yet splendid melody.
It was as if the serene dawn was being recreated through sound, with gentle resonance and tranquillity spreading like smoke.
Then, a few variations.
More abundant and lavish.
Subtle changes amidst the repeated flow.
It was like a song of solace, comforting all those weary from life.
Emotions surged like waves.
The charm of Canon was not something complex.
Its melody captures the ear and appeals to the heart.
There’s no need for extraordinary techniques or experimental spirit.
It draws out an overwhelming narrative with nothing more than its pure and straightforward melody.
A nostalgic scenery unfolded before the eyes of the audience, who took a cautious breath.
The notes stained the deepest corners of their hearts with longing.
Recalling an irretrievable past.
Or thinking of someone they could never meet again.
They slowly gazed at the scene that gradually came into view.
Eventually, the performance came to an end.
No applause, no cheers.
Just silence.
The sight of audience members quietly sniffling with their faces hidden.
It was more than just a simple musical experience.
They had become one with the music.
After watching them quietly for a moment, I stepped down from the stage.
A short while later, the sound of a standing ovation echoed through the empty theatre.
Leaving behind the lively response, I walked away.
***
The aftereffects were short-lived.
The theatre became noisy again.
The audience, who had been waiting, swarmed toward Edward.
“The commemorative sheet music is ten silver coins per copy!”
“Give me one copy!”
Quite a hefty price for sheet music.
However, thanks to its limited-edition status and the emotional impact of the performance, nobles flocked in large numbers to purchase even a single copy.
It resembled a crowded auction house with people bustling around in confusion.
One person raised his hand high and spoke.
“Give me all the remaining copies!”
It was Baron Dominic.
“Hey! Each copy costs ten silver coins, you know?”
Several lords who were aware of his financial situation shouted at him reproachfully.
Even if it was a limited edition, there should have been enough copies prepared for the attendees.
To buy them all would require more than just silver coins.
It would take at least hundreds of gold coins.
A sum that far exceeded the annual living expenses of an average commoner household.
“That’s why I’m asking! Give me all of them!”
Dominic swung a leather pouch taken from his coat in the air.
Upon opening it, several handfuls of gleaming gold coins were revealed.
“What are we supposed to do if you buy up all the sheet music?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, the bewildered nobles hurriedly called for Edward.
It was a request to impose a purchase limit.
But—
“It’s only right to sell them all to the Baron, as he was the first to ask.”
“What do you mean by that!?”
“Hahaha! Load it all onto my carriage!”
The victor was Baron Dominic.
Thus, all the limited-edition commemorative sheet music was sold out on the very first day.
The remaining nobles had no choice but to return empty-handed.
“When did that man get so much money?”
“I had high hopes since it was a limited edition, but it’s really disappointing.”
What they didn’t know—
Even Baron Dominic himself didn’t know—
Was that they were already part of someone’s grand plan.
***
“Just as expected of the Baron!”
The moment he returned to his territory, Dominic handed over the sheet music to the head of the Merchant Guild.
“If we sell this on the black market, we can all become rich!”
“Perhaps we should throw a banquet!”
“Hahaha!”
He had spent over five hundred gold coins to purchase all the sheet music.
But that wasn’t a problem.
If he resold them to the nobles at a high price, he could easily make several dozen times more than that in profit.
This was what you would call market monopoly.
The first day had been decent enough.
He sold ten copies each to the nobles of the nearby estates who had made reservations in advance.
But that was the end of it.
“Why isn’t it selling all of a sudden?”
One day passed.
Then two days.
Three days.
Not a single person came to the black market to inquire about purchasing the sheet music.
“Did I set the price too high?”
Even when he lowered the price, the situation remained the same.
‘Souvenir’ and ‘limited edition.’
These were the words that the nobles, who enjoyed flaunting their wealth and indulging in luxury, loved the most.
They should have been so eager for it that they’d go crazy, right?
Yet, the low sales could mean only one thing.
“There must not be enough rumours circulating. I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”
Dominic and the Merchant Guild loaded the sheet music onto a carriage and headed for the capital.
“It’s been a while, Baron! You’ve come at just the right time, we were in the middle of a lord’s meeting.”
The Lord’s Meeting.
It was a kind of social gathering where the lords managing the surrounding estates came together to build connections and discuss future plans.
‘What a great opportunity!’
It was a golden chance.
If he unveiled the limited-edition sheet music he brought, he would not only make a fortune but also raise his standing among the lords.
“Everyone, would you take a look at this?”
“Hm?”
“Isn’t this the new sheet music by Anton Tilburg? Looks like you purchased it as well, Baron.”
“That’s right! It’s a commemorative item that was sold for only five days…”
“Only five days, you say?”
“Yes?”
The count he was conversing with stood up and headed for his desk, returning with a stack of papers in his hand.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“What else could it be? It’s the newly released sheet music collection by Anton Tilburg. It includes the piece called Canon, and it’s an absolute masterpiece.”
“Our family has a copy too.”
“So do we. My daughter absolutely loves it.”
Dominic stared blankly at the sheet music in the count’s hand.
It was far more elaborate and luxurious than his own copies.
‘What is this?’
***
The reason for planning the limited-edition in the first place was simple.
It was meant to be a meaningful gift for the audience who came to see the recital.
But something went wrong.
One greedy baron had bought up all the commemorative items.
And now he was trying to profit by selling them on the black market.
What a lunatic.
Of course, this was exactly what the stage was set for.
“You’re a more terrifying person than I thought, young master.”
“I don’t hold back when the opponent throws the first punch.”
They say a madman can only be cured with a beating.
So, the limited-edition commemorative items were simply written off as if they never existed.
“This time, let’s add some gold foil to the cover. And once it’s done, send all of them to me.”
“All of them?”
“I’m going to sign each one by hand.”
“What a grand gesture!”
Thanks to the Baron buying up all the commemorative items, quite a profit was made.
Now, with the additional revenue, they could decorate the new sheet music even more extravagantly.
So, he should at least be thanked for that.
I wonder how he plans to deal with all those unsold copies.
Not my problem.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Of course. I feel like I’m flying.”
Some time later—
The newly released Canon sheet music, now adorned with my handwritten signature, started circulating in the market.
And not just a few copies.
“While we’re at it, send them to the newspaper office, the monastery, and everywhere else you can think of.”
“Hahaha! Understood.”
Now, it could be said that there was no citizen of the Empire who didn’t own a copy of this sheet music.
It was the Era of Canon.
—
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