Chapter 26
“How do you plan to proceed?”
“I’m throwing out bait.”
The method was simple.
“We create an atmosphere where the merchant might leak the identity of the buyer.”
“Go on.”
The prince, sitting on the sofa, crossed his legs as he spoke.
If he hadn’t liked my plan, he would have shut it down from the start.
Since he didn’t, I can assume it has piqued his interest.
“I’ve made an acquaintance with the Deputy, so I’ll show him this poison.”
The next step is straightforward.
First, pretend to accept the relocation proposal and offer cooperation.
Second, spread false information that a merchant from the black market brought the poison.
This will make them think that he knows the buyer’s identity and might reveal it soon.
If we do just that, they’ll have only one course of action.
“They’ll deny it in public, but behind the scenes, they’ll search for the merchant suspected of having the information.”
“They’ll silence him through death, you mean. It would be troublesome if he exposed everything and became a witness.”
“…That’s right.”
I hadn’t considered that far, but it was more or less the same.
“Even if my plan goes awry, it won’t cause any major issues.”
“We can just feign ignorance like they do.”
The prince immediately granted his permission.
***
There were still a few hours left until the banquet began.
I headed to the market with Erdi.
It was to set the stage.
To make the incident seem real, every step had to be calculated.
“The atmosphere is lively, as expected of a bustling port.”
“Make sure to look closely.”
After about ten minutes of wandering, we returned.
Then I sought out Chris.
“May I see you for a moment in your room?”
We entered the room together.
We sat across from each other at the table.
“I’ve decided to stay in the kingdom after the banquet. I think it would be best to accept the proposal.”
“That’s wonderful! I knew you would.”
Chris continued to extol the greatness of the kingdom, but I stopped listening halfway through.
After a while…
“Before that, there’s something the Deputy should know.”
I presented a glass vial of poison.
“…What is this?”
His voice trembled for a moment.
Just a second ago, he felt like a machine, but now I could sense some emotion.
I recited the prepared lines.
“I visited the market with my assistant, and someone handed this to us when they heard we were from the Margrave’s territory. Do you know what this is?”
“…Well, it doesn’t seem to be anything good.”
“It would be better if you took care of this rather than me.”
“I understand.”
He took the vial and put it in his pocket.
His lips twitched.
It was just a split second, but I clearly saw it.
“I’ll go prepare for the performance.”
“…Yes.”
With a troubled expression, he rose from his seat and left.
Judging by his attitude, it was certain.
‘He took the bait.’
Now, it’s up to the prince and Ainz.
***
The banquet began.
After a brief speech from the King, the prince stepped forward and gave a congratulatory address.
I was behind the stage.
I peeked through the curtains and observed the banquet hall.
Ainz was nowhere to be seen.
The Deputy stood beside the King, but his expression revealed a trace of anxiety he couldn’t hide.
“Young master.”
As I was watching the scene outside, Erdi called my name.
“Are you really going to play this piece?”
He looked like someone who had committed a crime, restless and uneasy.
I could understand his feelings.
The music I chose for today didn’t suit a royal banquet at all.
Richard Wagner’s “Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla.”
**T/n: Richard Wagner’s “Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla” – A powerful orchestral piece composed by Richard Wagner, which is part of his opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung). The piece symbolizes the gods’ grand and majestic entry into Valhalla, the heavenly fortress of the gods in Norse mythology. It is characterized by its triumphant and solemn melody, reflecting the divine authority and the tragic undertone of the gods’ destiny.**
This orchestral piece is from Wagner’s opera The Ring of the Nibelung, though there is also a version arranged for piano.
I painstakingly recreated it, but of course, it pales in comparison to the original.
The grandeur and solidity provided by the tuba and trumpet, the gentle elegance of the violin and flute…
How could a single piano possibly express the majesty of such a piece?
No matter how lightly or forcefully I press the keys, how could I replicate the grandeur of an orchestra?
But.
That’s probably not the only reason Erdi was so surprised.
“Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla.”
Judging by its title, one might think it’s about the gods entering their sacred and holy dwelling, but in reality, it’s different.
The piece ultimately ends in tragedy.
In The Ring of the Nibelung, gods are depicted as symbols of power, greed, arrogance, and corruption.
They covet treasures and cling to authority.
In the end, Valhalla, their abode, is engulfed in flames due to the betrayal of Valkyrie Brünnhilde, who, disillusioned by the gods, decides to destroy their world.
Liberation from oppression.
The collapse of an Old Order.
So perhaps.
No music could be more fitting for Ibelon than this piece.
“Erdi.”
“Yes.”
Just before stepping onto the stage, I spoke to him.
“Music does not always capture only beautiful and happy moments.”
Because the melody I’ll be playing today holds nothing but despair and tragedy.
***
I bowed to the King and the Prince.
I then immediately sat in front of the piano.
The beginning was a soft, flowing melody.
The sky opens, and holy light pours down.
It is enveloped by a harmony that resonates like thunder.
Just as the gates of Valhalla slowly open, the sound is heavy and intense.
“Hmm.”
A smile appeared on the King’s face.
He must be satisfied.
To the ear, it sounds like nothing more than a grand and splendid composition.
The melody continued.
It became more and more passionate, as if to mask the impending tragedy at the end.
The atmosphere rose to a climax.
It might even evoke the image of glorious warriors.
But I knew.
This is not glory—it is destruction.
It is not a blessing, but a curse.
Finally, the last part.
A tranquil melody emerges, suppressing the emotions that were burning so fiercely.
Calm returns.
What remains is a hollow silence, and within it, a fleeting sense of fate.
My eyes met the Prince’s.
An expressionless face.
His brow furrowed, as if he found something displeasing.
Perhaps he noticed.
The Prince has eyes and ears that can see through the truth.
He may seem simple, but he’s more complex and clever than one might think.
He must have seen that what I just played was not a hymn of glory.
In contrast.
The King and the nobles rose from their seats and gave a thunderous applause.
“That was truly magnificent!”
“Wow!”
Imagine a world where one can receive praise for spewing out something akin to insults.
It’s truly astounding.
I stood up, thinking such thoughts.
I stood firmly at the centre of the stage and bowed deeply.
At that moment.
The doors of the banquet hall burst open, and armored knights stormed in.
“Hey!”
“What are you doing!”
The knights shouted angrily.
The yelling wasn’t directed at me.
Surrounded by the knights stood a man.
Ainz.
And in Ainz’s grasp was someone’s neck.
“This man has confessed to the crime.”
‘It’s over.’
I sighed softly and turned my gaze toward the King and the Deputy.
Their bewildered expressions were priceless.
“Ainz.”
The low, fierce voice of Prince Luhan Flovitz rang out.
“Send a letter to His Majesty the Emperor. From this moment onward, the Empire considers the Kingdom of Ibelon its enemy and will use all means and measures to make them pay for daring to insult the Empire. In the name of the Emperor’s representative, Prince Luhan Flovitz, I command you.”
I thought I heard the King’s sigh from somewhere, but I chose to ignore it.
***
Right after leaking the information that the poison had come from a black market merchant, the Deputy had apparently sent someone to that place.
As expected, he must have moved quietly to eliminate the witness.
However.
Ainz was already there.
No one from the kingdom could match Ainz’s strength.
He is the personal bodyguard of the Imperial Prince.
What happened afterward is as we know.
Ainz apprehended the culprit and stormed into the royal palace, and the Prince officially declared hostility toward the kingdom.
The Kingdom of Ibelon, unable to control its greed, eventually met its downfall.
Just like the gods of Valhalla in The Ring of the Nibelung.
There was nothing left for me to do there, so the next day, I boarded a trading vessel with Erdi and returned to the Margrave’s territory.
“I’m glad everything worked out.”
Erdi said.
“Yes, indeed.”
It was an experience I never want to go through again.
It was mentally exhausting, and I didn’t feel good about it.
When we arrived at the port, Edward was there to greet us.
“I’m glad you returned safely.”
We headed together to the Margrave’s mansion.
I had an obligation to report the situation.
I told him everything.
“I see! So that’s what happened!”
The Margrave, now at ease, pounded the table with a jovial laugh.
“I don’t know how I could ever repay this gratitude!”
The reward is something the Prince will handle, so I have nothing to ask from him.
‘If there is one thing, though.’
Now that the incident has been settled, the city will soon regain its former vibrancy.
We have our original goal.
My eyes met Edward’s.
“Let’s hold a concert!”
—
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