Chapter 443 – Melody Flowing in the Royal Castle

The magic tools were being operated by Alfred, Annie from the Mage Corps, and Brad, a boy from the orphanage – the team handling the stage production for the Boundary Theater.

As they received stage effects of light and bubbles, the court musicians began their performance. Just when you thought they were playing a heroic piece that started quietly and gradually built up, it would suddenly shift to a cheerful tune fitting for a banquet, or each instrumentalist would showcase their exceptional skills.

Their overall synchronization was flawless, truly giving the impression of court musicians.

According to Alfred, while there were some things they couldn’t do compared to their usual stage productions, they could achieve something quite close… This production might be similar to what they usually do at the theater. Annie and Brad were operating the magic tools with practiced ease, and the light effects perfectly matched the changes in musical style, creating a visual synergy. It gave the impression that the coordination and calculations had been meticulously prepared.

The Duke’s family applauded enthusiastically. I had wondered if the Grand Duke would accept such new forms of production… but he seemed to be enjoying it quite a bit. When the court musicians finished playing, he smiled and gave generous applause.

“Well now, I thoroughly enjoyed the theater’s new stage equipment. Actually… I had heard rumors about the theater. I discussed with His Highness Josiah that if I were to watch with the Duke, something novel might be more enjoyable for him.”

I see. In that case, the proposal to invite the theater for a performance might have come from Grand Duke Debonnis. Or rather, it’s true that without understanding Grand Duke Debonnis’s intentions, various things could become risky.

“Is that so? Well, I apologize for making you go to such trouble. I had been thinking of visiting the theater myself…”

“I too have been thinking that I need to change my way of thinking about various things from now on.”

The Duke and Grand Duke chatted amiably. The surrounding nobles watched this scene with great interest.

Now then. After a short break, it was time for Irmhild and the others’ performance.

Led by Prince Josiah, and with the approval of King Melvin and the Grand Duke, being called to Theoreme Castle to perform alongside the court musicians… This relates to King Melvin’s policies, Claudia’s ideals, and the work of the Otherworld Ambassador, so it might carry relatively significant meaning.

And… it seemed preparations were complete for Irmhild and the others in the square.

Holding their instruments, Irmhild and the others stood back-to-back without moving, eyes closed—and as stage equipment showered them with light, they simultaneously released their Humanization Spells.

There were probably some who had never been to the theater. A stir ran through the crowd. But Irmhild and the others still didn’t move. Waiting for the audience to calm down, Justia quietly plucked her harp and Dominique began singing with a clear voice. There was a slight commotion different from before, but it soon quieted down.

Dominique singing while floating in the air with wings fluttering, and Justia playing her harp while swimming through the sky. Irmhild also danced through the air—the three of them slowly crossed paths in the air, their voices resonating from within the drifting light and bubbles.

Irmhild can’t perform Cursed Songs… but what they’re playing now are ordinary songs and music. Still, I think they possess enough to thoroughly captivate people.

When the opening piece ended, loud applause erupted. Waiting for it to subside, they moved to the next piece. Sheila’s drumsticks performed a Wild Dance in time with Cyrille’s tap dance, creating a lively rhythm. The stage equipment made light burst repeatedly in time with the rhythm.

A complete change from the quiet beginning to a lively development. The crisp percussion sounds and cheerful rhythm, combined with the visual effects, made the focus perhaps on the two’s technical skills.

You could say it was content that fully showcased Sheila and Cyrille’s strengths. Furthermore, the flow continued with Irmhild, Justia, and Dominique each performing pieces where they took the spotlight.

Sheila, keeping the rhythm subdued so the percussion wouldn’t stand out and staying in the background, Cyrille switching to bagpipes, and the magic tool production gradually highlighting Irmhild and the others.

Given it’s a celebration, there are many cheerful pieces. They’re even playing songs heard at the Labyrinth Village festival. Since it’s also a drinking occasion, the audience seems to be enjoying themselves.

And when all pieces were finished and the five lined up to bow, tremendous applause erupted. Responding to the cheers, they moved to an encore… but this time it took the form of a joint performance with the court musicians. Irmhild, Justia, and Dominique’s three-part harmony resonated while Sheila, Cyrille, and the court musicians played one melody.

Prince Josiah seemed to feel some kind of tangible result from this scene. By having the traditional court musicians and Irmhild’s group performing in new forms appear together, it might also carry the meaning of paralleling the reconciliation between the Grand Duke and Duke.

An upbeat, grand piece. Light danced wildly and green radiance swept across their feet. Cyrille dancing energetically on the spot, and Irmhild and Justia undulating their bodies as if swimming through the air. Dominique singing joyfully with arms spread wide. Though not actually moving forward, the effect of light flowing from left to right—was like running through a grassland. When the piece reached its climax, the music and light burst simultaneously as the performance ended.

King Melvin, the Grand Duke, the Duke, and then Forset and Princess Elham and… everyone present stood up, thunderous applause and cheers erupted. Irmhild’s group and the court musicians bowed deeply in unison as if expressing gratitude for the cheers, then left the square.

“Well now, that was truly wonderful!”

“Absolutely. It shows that truly excellent things can be praised as excellent regardless of whether they’re old or new.”

The Duke and Grand Duke were happily engrossed in conversation about the previous performance.

“That was amazing!”

“Yeah! It was so pretty.”

“…There were too many scenes I’d want to paint.”

Not just the Grand Duke’s group, but Sion and the others seemed to greatly enjoy it too.

“My, my. The outside world is advancing, isn’t it? The way they use magic is novel and interesting.”

“Well, that might be just Termwills. I heard at the workshop that Theodore-sama is involved with the theater.”

As Forset and Princess Elham exchanged words, Oscar and Vanessa who were listening nodded.

“We saw it at the theater earlier than others… but it’s still amazing.”

“The Ambassador’s way of using magic is wonderful.”

So, generally favorable reviews it seems.

“We’re back—”

Irmhild and the others returned to the balcony seats.

“Welcome back. How was it?”

“Hmm. It was really fun.”

Irmhild smiled and stretched lightly. Sheila was giving a silent thumbs-up… probably meaning she enjoyed it.

That gesture reminded me of Corulis since it was just yesterday… During the performance, the person themselves had poked their face out from their nest and was nodding their little nose up and down in time with the rhythm.

“Today we got to perform with other people too.”

“Well, we didn’t have much time so we could only coordinate one piece together.”

At Dominique’s words, Justia spoke with slight regret.

“They said we could keep playing afterward too. They said the balcony seats would be safe.”

“Is that so? Then we can take turns while eating, I suppose.”

Exchanging such words, it seemed Justia and the others decided to continue playing music in place of musicians at the celebration.

“After the celebration settles down a bit, we’re scheduled to head to the Fire Spirit Hot Spring. It’s reserved exclusively for tonight, so you should be able to relax relatively without reservation.”

So said Prince Josiah.

“That hot spring, is it. I’ve actually been looking forward to it.”

“Hmm. I’m in good spirits, but I should probably go easy on the alcohol.”

At Prince Josiah’s words, the Grand Duke and Duke broke into smiles.

This reaction… The Grand Duke might originally like hot springs. Though the Fire Spirit Hot Spring is special, a hot spring is still a hot spring. I don’t think it’s about debating tradition versus newness.

But the fact he hadn’t visited the Fire Spirit Hot Spring yet—if the Duke had been refraining from Termwills tourism before reconciliation, then as Grand Duke he might have also been considerate and avoided going to the hot spring.

Well… things have settled down in various ways, so I think I’ll take it easy in the hot spring today too.