Chapter 539: No More Than Two in a Single Day

After a flurry of music, every piece I had planned to play was finally completed. I flicked the switch on the phonograph, stopping the recording function. All that remained was to secure it in place, and the task would be done. To ensure I could record at other recitals, I decided to hand over a few metal plates engraved with magic circles for recording purposes.

“The music has now been fully recorded. You may speak freely again. Thank you for remaining so quiet,” I said.

As I turned around to offer my thanks, a thunderous applause erupted. Among the crowd, a group of people were inexplicably in tears, but being the wise person I am, I chose to pretend I hadn’t noticed. Honestly, I have no idea how they managed to hold back their voices in that state. They must have restrained themselves with incredible effort. I felt a pang of guilt—maybe I shouldn’t have invited them at all…

“Julius-sama, I am utterly moved. Your music surely carries the power to dispel all evil,” Giovanni said, stepping forward as the representative of the tearful group.

“Please calm yourself, Giovanni-sama. There’s no such effect in my music,” I replied.

He had approached so quickly that I nearly stumbled back in surprise. He must have been holding it all in for a long time—that’s what gave him such force. He grasped my hand and earnestly began explaining just how extraordinary my earlier performance had been.

I let his words wash over me. If I responded too much, who knew how long this would go on?

“Julius-sama, your performance was magnificent. I had no idea you possessed such talent. Truly versatile,” he continued.

“It was absolutely wonderful. The thought that I will be able to hear this performance repeatedly fills me with joy,” Sophia added, her smile radiant.

“Thank you… I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I said, finally feeling the weight on my shoulders ease. I had been trying to maintain my composure, but I hadn’t realized how tense I’d been.

At last, some relief. Finally, I could breathe.

By now, night had fully settled in, so the gathering naturally came to an end. Fabienne’s comment, that she wished she could hear more, made me genuinely happy. Perhaps next time, I’ll perform again—but without inviting others.

Returning to my room, I sank lightly into the sofa, letting my body slouch lazily against the backrest.

“Finally… I can relax,” I murmured.

“Well done. That was a truly splendid recital,” Fabienne said warmly.

“Thank you… but I think I’ve had enough of recitals for now,” I replied with a wry smile.

Fabienne and Nero looked disappointed at my remark. Should I have warned them to keep this recital from spreading further? Perhaps it wouldn’t matter; Sophia-sama would surely tell my sister-in-law Daniela anyway.

“Will you never play again?” Fabienne asked.

“…Perhaps, privately,” I admitted.

“Really? Then you must call me when you do!” she said, clinging to my arm with such enthusiasm that the pressure on my chest was intense. I hadn’t expected it. As a lady, it might not have been proper behavior, but as my fiancée, it was perfectly fine. Nero looked slightly troubled but didn’t seem likely to note it down in his notebook. Good.

That night, I fell asleep listening to Fabienne and Nero’s enthusiastic praises. Once we return to the Heine Frontier family estate, there’s no doubt I’ll hold another recital. If I have to do it anyway, I might as well hire a small orchestra to perform with me, just to take some of the focus off myself. Keep it together, Julius. Giving up isn’t an option.

The next morning, after breakfast, I headed straight to a corner of the indoor training grounds to collect the magic stone powder we had completed yesterday. I couldn’t begin without it.

When we arrived, the work was already underway. I asked to confirm they had eaten breakfast, and they assured me they had. At least they weren’t lying.

“With this much, we should be able to conduct several experiments. Thank you. Don’t overdo it—make sure to rest properly. Erwin-sama too,” I said.

“I understand. If I keep working endlessly, no one else can rest. By the way, during the break, I can take one of those beginner stamina recovery potions, right?”

“…Only two per day. That goes for everyone,” came the firm reply.

“Understood!” Both Erwin-sama and the others responded cheerfully. Though I felt a little uneasy leaving such a vital material in their hands, the magic stone powder was indispensable, so I had no choice but to trust them.

Is this really safe? Letting the hero of the Raven Kingdom handle suspicious powders… I wish I could have borrowed only the holy sword.

Shaking my head slightly, I hurried to the alchemy room. Today, we had promised to start making magic potions, and the alchemists of the Raven Kingdom had agreed and rested properly yesterday. I couldn’t go back on that.

Everyone was already assembled in the alchemy room, and on the experimental table lay soil of a strange, unsettling color. Could it really be the Corrupted Earth?

“Sorry for the delay. I brought the magic stone powder. It’s a small amount, but enough for testing. And… this soil—is it…”

“Yes. This is the Corrupted Earth soil we brought from the castle for experimental purposes.”

“Is it safe to bring it here?”

“Absolutely. It is being strictly controlled,” they replied, face serious as stone. 

I hadn’t expected such dangerous materials to be brought into the castle. What if this soil spread contamination elsewhere?

I had assumed that after completing the potion, we would head toward the town near the mountain where the Bone Dragon appeared. Fabienne’s eyebrows were furrowed with worry next to me. I shared her concern.

Giovanni-sama and the others seemed unsurprised; perhaps some preliminary testing on contamination had already been conducted yesterday. The Raven Kingdom had likely been studying this issue already, so maybe it really was safe.