New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Innovation of the Stage

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Huh? Where did the Countess and her party, who had entered ahead, go? Their figures were nowhere to be seen.

“What is the matter, Leon-chan?” (Eiru)

It must have been because she noticed me glancing about the surroundings.

“No, I was wondering where the Countess might be.” (Leon)

“The Countess is above.” (Eiru)

“Above?” (Leon)

I turned my face upward.

Ah. There is a second-floor seating section in the rear upper area. I see, from there one can view the performance without worrying about the gazes of others.

“Leon-chan, have you ever been here before?” (Eiru)

“No, I have no memory of ever coming here.” (Leon)

“What are you saying?” (Henrietta)

Eh?

Involuntarily, I turned toward Kaa-sama.

“I have brought you here before.” (Henrietta)

Kaa-sama furrowed her brows. I did not remember it.

“When might that have been?” (Leon)

“Well, it was around when you ceased causing disturbances, so perhaps when you were six years old. Although, within thirty minutes of the beginning, you had already fallen asleep.” (Henrietta)

For an ordinary six-year-old, it would indeed be impossible.

“Then, since Leon-chan does not know anything, I shall explain much to you. Today’s performance, The Maiden of Orcus, is a very famous opera.” (Eiru)

An opera, then.

The magical apparatus buzzer resounded lowly, and the surroundings dimmed.

“It is beginning.” (Eiru)

The curtain upon the stage parted to the sides, and the backdrop was revealed.

A castle? A tower of stone construction, perhaps.

A low reverberation arose.

“Like this…?” (Eiru)

What? Eiru’s expression was somewhat stiffened. Was she surprised? By what? As a beginner to opera, I could not tell. At the back of the stage… was it the curtain?

There, light appeared. A pale, blurred image surfaced.

Hmm.

Involuntarily I looked upward. A spotlight. I had seen a magical apparatus spotlight before. A portion of the wall protruded slightly inward, and from there a blurred light was directed toward the stage.

The issue was–…

When I looked to the side, my eyes met with Kaa-sama’s. It was a smile that defied description.

So, it was here, that the delivery had gone.

“Ahhh, O moon, O moon.” (??)

The strings began to play, and a resounding high voice reverberated throughout the hall.

“Shine upon me, who am all alone, as proof of having been born into this world.” (??)

A human figure could be seen atop the tower. Gradually, as light shone upon it, a lovely figure was revealed. When I looked upward again, this time it was a brilliant, powerful light.

Hmm!

From the opposite wall, a dark yet blue light stretched forth. It struck the lower part of the stage backdrop.

“A lake!” (Eiru)

Eiru? Ah, it is the surface of water.

The blue light shone dimly, and the backdrop curtain swayed, creating gentle waves. The beam of another spotlight stretched, and upon the ripples reflections of light were projected. It was a moonlit lakeshore. Even I, a complete layman, could understand. It even felt chilly.

“I thought there was exceedingly little stage scenery…” (Eiru)

What?

“To think such a contrivance exists. It is an art of light.” (Eiru)

So that was it?

“Even if I live, I shall never escape from here, this is my fate, I would rather throw away my life.” (??)

That person was in the tower–…

“She is imprisoned?” (Leon)

“Yes. Princess Diara is confined within the tower, ever since her childhood.” (Eiru)

Eiru answered me.

“Princess Diara?” (Leon)

“It is said that the original was Princess Riara, 200 years ago.” (Eiru)

“Princess Riara?” (Leon)

So, there is an actual model? In any case, I do not know her.

“Really!” (Eiru)

Perhaps my tilting of the head displeased her. Famous or otherwise, that which I did not know, I did not know.

Together with the princess’s pleasant high notes came Eiru’s low voice commentary. According to her, the adopted younger brother of the king and the later-born true-born prince quarreled over the succession rights, and the princess, daughter of the defeated former, was the one who sang atop the tower. I had no interest in the princess. Although I thought her pitiful, it had been two hundred years ago. Rather, it was the familiar succession dispute that caught my attention somewhat.

The stage went dark, and then brightened again.

The green of the lakeshore turned yellow?

“This represents the change of seasons.” (Eiru)

So, it is that expression.

Just as I thought that the solemn strings were flowing gently, they changed to brass, and percussion was added. Once again the stage darkened.

Hm?

The area surrounding the tower turned red.

“What is this? The tower is burning.” (??)

A fire!

“It is true flames!” (Spectator)

The audience began to stir.

No. Though it appeared as though the tower was burning upon the stage, there was neither heat nor the smell of burning. Torn fine silk was fluttered in the wind, and there the spotlights cast red and yellow light. That made it appear as flames.

“Burn, burn, if I cannot escape from here, then let this body be burned.” (??)

Atop the tower with the flames drawing near, she sang in a voice of utmost sorrow.

“Amazing. I have never seen such a Maiden of Orcus.” (Leon)

Before long, the princess writhed in torment. The entire tower was dyed red. Then, a resounding, sorrowful chorus reverberated through the hall.

“What will happen?” (Leon)

“Watch, Leon-chan.” (Eiru)

The princess’s figure… fell. That was a shadow. Not the singer, but the movement of a shadow.

“She fell into the lake?” (Leon)

“Yes.” (Eiru)

The stage gradually darkened, and when it grew bright again, the scene had changed. The princess had drifted ashore at the foreign land across the lake, the village of Orcus. She was saved by the villagers, yet she remembered nothing of who she was. Her beauty became renowned, and she was noticed by a prince, but…

 

—

 

The princess cursed her misfortune, and boarded a ship, singing a farewell song as she departed. With its lyricism that even struck my heart, the curtain closed.

Breaking the silence that followed the cessation of music and voice, applause and cheers filled the hall. As it continued for long, Master Valdos appeared from stage right together with the singer who had played Princess Diara, and they responded to the ovation.

“Master Valdos.” (Norma)

Above! Looking up, upon the very edge of the stairs, there stood the figure of the Countess.

“Ah.” (Singer)

The director and singer lowered their heads reverently. I had learned that the one called director was he, when I asked earlier.

“It was splendid. A rarely seen, marvelous stage indeed. I, Norma, am deeply impressed.” (Norma)

“It is a great blessing. Although it is also thanks to our performers and orchestra, I must beg that you extend words as well to Henrietta-sama and the Liones Company, who provided the splendid instruments.” (Valdos)

Ah.

“Henrie-san, thank you. I wish to hear more, please come together to the castle.” (Norma)

“As you command. I shall attend together with all those who exerted themselves for the staging of today’s performance.” (Henrietta)

 

—

 

“Was it all right, Sister-in-law, not going together to the castle?” (Leon)

Eleanor-neesan and I were not heading to the castle but were being sent back in the Count’s carriage we had boarded in the morning.

“Yes. But today, it seemed that many people went to the castle.” (Eleanor)

Her modesty, that was truly this person’s virtue.

“Nevertheless, that lighting was amazing.” (Eleanor)

“Indeed, though she is my mother, I am impressed.” (Leon)

“Eh? Ah, yes, indeed.” (Eleanor)

“By the way, when I demonstrated the magical lamp, did you not say, Sister-in-law, that it was like a theatrical stage?” (Leon)

“Eh? Did I say such a thing?” (Eleanor)

She truly did not remember.

“You did. Perhaps that was when Kaa-sama thought of today’s matter.” (Leon)

“Hm.” (Eleanor)

“Even so, for her to realize it is remarkable, Kaa-sama is truly impressive. Although of course, the direction must have been devised jointly with that Master Valdos.” (Leon)

“Yes. As Eiru-san also said. Such a Maiden of Orcus… no, even with other performances, I doubt that spotlights, or rather light itself, have ever been used so effectively.” (Eleanor)

“So, it is.” (Leon)

If Sister-in-law said so, then it must be true. As for me, I had seen magical lamps only as lighting implements. To transform that conception, I was impressed.

“Ufufufu…” (Eleanor)

Hm?

“Leon-san, you truly are impressed.” (Eleanor)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Yes indeed. Of course, Mother-in-law’s skill is worthy of admiration.” (Eleanor)

Yes.

“But that too is thanks to the magical lamp and magic stone that you created, Leon-san. You ought to value yourself more highly.” (Eleanor)

“Eh?” (Leon)

“Even Conan-sama often says the same, you know.” (Eleanor)

“R-really?” (Leon)

“Yes, it is advice from me as your sister.” (Eleanor)

 

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