Chapter 523: A Genius Musician?

I discussed the upcoming plans with the two of them. According to Sophia-sama, it seemed that we were scheduled to depart for the royal capital tomorrow. The reason she and Erwin-sama had been waiting here for us was clear enough—we were their important guests.

At first, I had assumed that the high-ranking visitors had come merely to show gratitude for the support from an allied nation. But it seemed the true focus of their visit was my own escort. Apparently, I had become a quietly recognized figure, a hero who had rescued the Kingdom of Raven from the shadows. The fact that it hadn’t been made public was, I supposed, a kindness on Raven’s part.

“When we reach the royal capital, there won’t be some grand celebration waiting for us, right?”

“I don’t believe we were told anything of the sort,” Sophia replied.

“Yeah, right. That wouldn’t make sense now. Not when the kingdom is in such a state.”

A flicker of unease crept over me. I’d ask Sophia-sama about it later, and if it turned out they were planning something, I’d have to gently refuse. Celebrating while the country teetered on the edge would surely earn the ire of the people.

“Once we arrive, we’ll likely begin by paying our respects to His Majesty the King,” I said. “After that, it’s all about gathering information. We need to know what measures have been taken in the Corrupted Lands.”

Fabienne’s expression grew pale. Naturally—venturing into unknown, potentially dangerous territory was enough to unsettle anyone. As far as we currently knew, the only effect of the Corrupted Lands was stunted plant growth. There had been no reports of health hazards.

If there had been, my father would never have permitted us to go.

Still, there was always a chance of unforeseen danger. Fabienne was right; I should ask about it in detail and avoid letting preconceived notions guide me. Better safe than sorry.

“Exactly. We should listen carefully. And then there’s the matter of gathering ingredients for magical potions. I hope we can secure what we need without trouble.”

“Perhaps it would be wise to collect them around here, before we depart,” Fabienne suggested.

“Alright, I’ll ask Sophia-sama and the others at dinner. That way, we won’t have to backtrack later.”

What had started as a simple rest turned into a serious discussion. But having shared our thoughts, we could finally relax properly. I reached for the gramophone and switched it on. Soon, Fabienne’s melodious voice filled the room.

“Even just this makes building the gramophone worth it,” I murmured.

“Oh no… I should have practiced singing more,” Fabienne groaned.

“You’re fine as you are,” I reassured her.

I ran my fingers through Fabienne’s glossy hair. Thanks to her shampoo and conditioner, it was even more beautiful than before—silken and soft beneath my touch. The sensation was exquisite, almost like touching strands of liquid silk.

Listening to music while gently caressing the hair of my adorable fiancée—this was the height of happiness.

“Stop it! Always saying things like that. Well then, let’s have you sing too, Julius-sama!” Fabienne’s cheeks flushed as she insisted.

“Me?” I asked, a little taken aback.

“Yes!”

That smile… how could I refuse? I’d never sung seriously in this world, but I wasn’t completely tone-deaf. After all, the goddess had sent me here with my skills intact, including those related to music.

I’d also taken the time to acquire a few extra skills for myself. Now seemed the perfect moment to test my musical abilities. Conveniently, there was a piano in the room.

“Alright, I’ll sing a song—with piano accompaniment,” I said.

“Julius-sama, you can play the piano?” Nero asked, astonished.

“Wait… Nero didn’t know either?”

“No, I don’t think anyone did,” she replied with a small smile.

Another beautiful smile. She was beginning to resemble my brother, Alex-niisan, in some ways. Yet Nero was my devoted servant—ready to support me no matter what. Fabienne, as my fiancée, was equally accepting of whatever happened. I trusted them both completely.

I sat at the piano, pondering which piece to play. Singing something from this world seemed necessary—an anime song would be far too out of place. But I wanted to challenge myself, to see what I could do.

So I sang a cheerful, energizing anime song, followed by two more, carried away by my own enthusiasm. Fabienne and Nero both beamed with delight at each song, and, of course, the gramophone recorded every note. From now on, we could enjoy my singing whether in the carriage or in our room.

“All of these songs were new to me. And… they really lifted my spirits,” Fabienne said warmly.

“Julius-sama, where did you learn these songs? Surely not from one of Margaret-sama’s books…”

“Nope,” I replied, smiling. “These songs weren’t written down. I heard a bard sing them when we were in the royal capital. They stuck with me—they were too good to forget.”

The two of them froze, surprise etched across their faces. Had I overstepped somehow? I mirrored their stillness, and for a moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped.

“You remembered it perfectly after just one listen? And the performance as well?” Fabienne whispered, her eyes wide.

“Julius-sama, you truly have musical talent. You could become a renowned musician with this,” Nero added.

Wow… their gaze was dazzling. I certainly couldn’t reveal that I’d come from another world; it would ruin my reputation entirely. Terrifying, really.

Apparently, I had earned their approval as a musical prodigy. Meanwhile, Nero furiously scribbled something into his notebook.

I’d recently realized that his notebook wasn’t just for reporting to my father—it also served as his personal diary. Clearly, he was recording my exploits. Someday, a “Julius Biography” might appear, chronicling my adventures. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.

Until dinner, the songs I had sung were played repeatedly on the gramophone. It seemed wise to secure the recordings quickly—if they were overwritten, I feared their wrath.