New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (2/2 chapters)
The Night before the Star Festival
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The day of the eve of the festival has finally arrived. I could hear the instruments played by Medna-san and her clear singing voice. I was so excited that I was in a state of constant excitement all day long.
“Fred, it’s the eve of the festival, but do you want me to go in your place?” (Dwayne)
In the men’s room where we were staying, Dwayne spoke to Alfred.
“What’s up all of a sudden? Donn’t you hate crowds?” (Alfred)
Alfred had been asked to accompany me to the festival this time, and he was reluctantly going to participate in the festival. It seemed like Dwayne wanted to say something encouraging to the tired party leader.
“You must be tired, and honestly, anyone could accompany Jack, right?” (Dwayne)
“Well, that’s true… and we’re heading back to the dungeon in a few days anyway.” (Alfred)
“In that case, why don’t you rest? I haven’t used up that much energy, and I’ll tell Liz and Lindsey as well.” (Dwayne)
“Alright. I guess I’ll take you up on that… *yawn*…” (Alfred)
Alfred must have been very tired, as he yawned and collapsed onto his back in bed. He immediately closed his eyes, looking like he was about to fall asleep.
“Alright then, Jack. Shall we go when you’re ready?” (Dwayne)
“Yeah! Thanks, Dwayne!” (Jack)
So, the members who would participate in the eve of the festival were just me, Dwayne, Lindsey, and Liz. For once, Alfred was not coming along.
—
That night, we headed to the concert hall. Before the San Amolina Great Cathedral, there was a large round hall with a big fountain in the center. Around that fountain, a special venue had been set up. A stage was built in a circular shape, with wooden columns sticking out here and there. These wooden columns were adorned with torches and many flower decorations, making the place very festive. On the stage, large violas and a harpsichord were set up along with many other instruments.
I looked at the eve of the festival program handed out near the San Amolina Square. The eve of the festival would begin at night, after the sun had fully set. It seemed there were several programs, but it looked like Medna-san’s orchestra would perform the opening concert. The orchestra was called the ‘Light’s Droplet Orchestra’. It said ‘Medna Lauren (Soprano)’.
“As expected, there are a lot of people, considering it’s the eve of the festival.” (Lizbeth)
The first to speak was Liz. Just as Liz said, there were many families with children and couples snuggling together. It was much more crowded than the daytime hustle and bustle.
“With so many people, it’s going to be hard to find a good seat. I can’t believe Medna-san is going to sing at such a big event.” (Lindsey)
Lindsey shared my thoughts. I had never imagined that someone who used to casually perform all day in a small village square like Soltaire would become such a big deal.
“What kind of person is this Medna-san?” (Lindsey)
“…Well, she only gives off a mysterious vibe.” (Jack)
“A mysterious vibe? That sounds a little suspicious.” (Lizbeth)
“She always wore a black robe and a feathered hat.” (Jack)
Lindsey shared her impression of Medna with Liz.
“But her singing and playing were definitely top-notch.” (Jack)
“Really? That makes me look forward to it!” (Lizbeth)
We searched for a spot to sit before the eve of the festival started and eventually managed to spread out a cloth a little way from the stage. The four of us decided to sit there and enjoy the show.
—
Suddenly, the stage lights and the streetlights around the city were all extinguished at once. The entire area was soon engulfed in darkness.
The people in the audience began to murmur and cheer, raising their voices in anticipation.
―Then, the sound of the harpsichord echoed through the air.
The crowd quieted down. A deep, resonant sound began to fill the silent venue, slowly forming a melody. It was heavy, but the rhythm was light, perfectly fitting for the mood of the city.
Then, another harpsichord sound joined in. There were two performers playing the harpsichord.
It seemed like a concerto. Perhaps it was the opening ceremony, as that lively rhythm continued for a while.Just as the music seemed to be reaching its peak, with a loud whoosh, flames suddenly erupted from the fountain.
“Wow!” (Audience)
The audience erupted in surprise. It seemed to be part of the performance, with flames rising up for dramatic effect. The torches on stage were also lit simultaneously, illuminating the two harpsichord players. On the left side, there was Medna-san, dressed in her usual black attire, but this time in a beautiful silk dress. On the right side, another beautiful woman, similarly dressed in a contrasting white gown, was playing the harpsichord in harmony with Medna-san.
Once the performance ended, the audience erupted in applause. The two performers stood up and bowed. Then, the woman in the white dress spoke.
“Thank you for coming to our concert tonight!” (??)
She said in a bright, cheerful voice, and the applause grew louder.
“This is the eve of the festival of the Dali Amor Carnival. I am Grace, the conductor of the Light’s Droplet Orchestra!” (Grace)
The conductor… so the person Medna-san had mentioned as an important person was probably her. Grace-san. She resembles Medna-san, but her overall aura is different. If Medna-san could be described as the ‘shadow’, Grace seems to be the ‘light’. The program listed her as ‘Grace Grayson (Flute)’. Perhaps, it is a stage name?
“Now, without further ado, let’s all get excited!” (Grace)
Saying that, Grace stood and began playing the keys of the harpsichord with an even livelier rhythm, instantly transforming the atmosphere of the venue. It seemed that she was quite skills with keyboard instruments, even though her role in the program was different from what we had seen.
She played with an upbeat rhythm, creating a lively and fast-paced mood. It wasn’t the solemn concert I had imagined, but it was fresh and interesting.
“It seems like this is a concert you could dance to.” (Lizbeth)
“Maybe that’s the idea behind it. Want to dance with me?” (Dwayne)
“No thanks.” (Lizbeth)
It was amusing to listen to Liz and Dwayne’s exchange.
After finishing the first piece, which served as a catchy opening, the two performers bowed again.
“Alright, everyone! Now, let me introduce the members of our orchestra who will help make tonight’s eve of the festival even more exciting!” (Grace)
Grace then raised her hand and pointed toward Medna-san. Her lively movement caused her light dress to flutter slightly.
“First, the soprano, Medna Lauren!” (Grace)
“Nice to meet you.” (Medna)
Medna-san bowed, and the audience erupted in applause.
“Next, let me introduce the two violists! Kreus Magrill!” (Grace)
Grace pointed to the opposite side of the stage, and a familiar man stepped up. It was Kreus-san, the person I had met at the Adventurers’ Guild the other day. This time, he wasn’t in his soldier’s armor, but instead wearing a light vest.
So, he is also part of the orchestra?
“And now, let me introduce our promising newcomer and the star of the show, Alisa Hailwood!” (Grace)
Right hand, a little girl dressed in a cute dress, holding a small viola, stepped onto the stage. She awkwardly bowed, and her walking was stiff. Judging by her appearance, she might be around the same age as me.
On her head, there were unfamiliar horn-like growths.
Could she be a different species from humans?
It was rare in this area, but aside from the horns, she looked exactly like a human. Her hair was fluffy, and there was something about her that reminded me of the ghostly girl I saw in the dungeon.
“Now that the introductions are done, we’d like to move on to the next program!” (Gracie)
At Gracie’s cue, Medna-san stood up, and picked up a mandolin, which apparently pulled out from somewhere. Then, she slowly walked toward the center of the stage. Finally, Medna-san was about to showcase her strength in her specialty. Gracie also took out a flute. Unlike the fife Medna had taught me, it was a very long transverse flute.
“The next song is ‘The Witch of Friedenhien’.” (Gracie)
Gracie immediately got her flute into position. Perhaps she was waiting for the room to fall into complete silence, but when the atmosphere settled, she began to blow the flute. A beautiful high-pitched sound filled the hall. After a short solo from Gracie, the two violas began to join in as if they were synchronized with the rhythm. The performers were unexpected, but their skill was clear. The prelude continued for a little while. Unlike the opening song, the mood was calmer and warmer.
Then, Medna-san’s mandolin rang out, and slowly, her voice began to echo.
—”Always, the snowy field is quietly heartwarming.”
—”Loved by her mother, loved by others, but she is the child to be shunned.”
—”Though her mother’s love is warm, the wind of the land blows cold and harsh.”
Her voice echoed through the city. The volume of her voice, carrying such a beautiful tone, was amazing. The audience listened deeply, almost absorbed into the song. My heart swelled as I listened to Medna-san’s long-awaited voice.
—”Will the silver world bless me?”
—”The girl’s question began to grow.”
—”When the girl learns of the taboo, both light and dark will fall into shadow.”
And before I knew it, something white began to fall in the great square.
“What is this?” (Dwayne)
Dwayne, who had been quietly listening, voiced his question in a low voice, as he seemed to be observing with his hand.
“…Ah, snow.” (Jack)
Snow began to fall throughout the hall. Large, white snowflakes, which could never occur on a summer night, fell softly. It seemed like the snow was being created by ice magic, similar to the fiery effects earlier. The snow was illuminated by the streetlights, and with the summer night sky above, it looked as if stars had descended from the heavens.
The fantastical scene continued for a while, accompanied by violas, flute, and mandolin. Then, the second part began.
—”The girl’s power can even influence the world.”
As the song continued, I felt as though Medna-san’s red eyes sparkled for a moment.
—”That power grasps glory, and the light shines upon the girl.”
Suddenly, the gentle snowstorm turned into a full-blown blizzard.
Isn’t this a bit too much…?
I glanced around, concerned about how others were reacting, and when I looked around, there was no one in the white, silver world.
—”The tones that are played, the voice that resonates. Everything about it captures the heart and never let go.”
—”The girl’s world was silver.”
Still, in the ever-quiet, white world, Medna-san’s voice and the music of the ‘Light’s Droplet Orchestra’ could still be heard.
What is this… everyone, where are you?!
But despite the strange, ethereal scene, my body was getting warmer, and I felt an overwhelming sense of well-being. Before I knew it, the white world had shifted to black, and the world turned to night.
—”On the starry night, sending my thoughts.”
—”The girl became the Soel who healed the hearts of others.”
The world continued to shift from white to black, then from black to white, and once more into a world of silver.
“Hey, Jack. What’s wrong?” (Lindsay)
“Huh?” (Jack)
When I snapped back to reality, Lindsay was suddenly in front of me. The surroundings were the same as the great hall earlier. The large snowflakes continued to fall, and the music had entered its final notes.
“You were looking strange for a moment.” (Lindsay)
“Is that so?” (Jack)
I had probably gotten too absorbed in the song and had seen some kind of hallucination. But it had been such a pleasant hallucination. I wondered if Medna-san had cast some kind of spell on me. I wished I could go back and experience it again.
The audience’s applause began to rise, and it seemed like the final song was about to start. Medna-san once again sat at the harpsichord.
“Now, this will be the last performance, and Alisa will close it for us!” (Gracie)
At Gracie’s announcement, a girl named Alisa, who had been introduced, stepped into the middle of the stage. It was very noticeable that she had two spiral horns growing from her head.
“Everyone, please, um… please enjoy—’Waterside Amor’.” (Alisa)
Arisa, the girl with the winding horns, was not holding any instrument. She was probably going to sing.
Gracie’s flute solo began to play. Unlike the previous songs, this melody was quite sorrowful yet sweet. Medna’s harpsichord joined in. Soon, Alisa began to sing.
—”Do you remember? Our first meeting.”
—”The streetlights reflected us on the water’s surface.”
Unlike Medna’s clear, translucent voice, Arisa’s voice was very girlish and cute.
—”Even if I wander through the lonely night, you were always by my side.”
—”I hadn’t realized it yet. That I would feel this way.”
—”From now on, I want to live with you forever.”
It was a rather adult song for a young girl. Somehow the atmosphere in the venue was sweet. A couple of visitors, a man and a woman, huddled close to each other and held hands.
—”I am happy. Thank you for making me feel like this.”
—”The stars above are blessing us.”
The final piece of music felt like a perfect conclusion. The atmosphere was sweet and soothing, and the performance came to a graceful end.
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