Chapter 16: Prelude to the Banquet

On the streets of Corth City, Lucian walked slowly toward the city gates alongside Simon, Joanna, and Betty. High above, a majestic eagle soared through the sky, a bundle strapped to its back and a large basket of fresh meat hanging from its chest.

"Mr. Evans, are you really leaving Corth City today?" Betty gazed at Lucian, her face full of regret. If she had still harbored a shred of doubt when Lucian had revealed his identity, then after he had registered the "Moonlight" and the musicians of Corth City had attempted to play the final two movements, any lingering skepticism had vanished entirely. The handsome, elegant, powerful yet gentle Mr. Evans was indeed her favorite musician—the Music Prince she often dreamed about.

The intricate piano techniques, the melodies that shifted between lighthearted brevity and thunderous fury, the burning, surging emotions, the soaring and resolute will—all of it showcased Mr. Evans's unmistakable style. Without question, this was another extraordinary piano sonata capable of moving anyone who heard it.

During his earlier wanderings through the city, Lucian had already spotted the Arcane Magic circle's markers within Corth. Thanks to Hunter's unexpected death, the invitation had been postponed by three days while the location remained unchanged. He offered a slight smile. "I have important matters that require me to travel on. I can't stay in Corth City, nor can I hold a concert. Betty, train hard in your knightly pursuits. If you can become a true knight, perhaps we'll meet again in Altor. If that happens, I'll play a private piece for you."

"Really?" Betty's face lit up with joy. A secret promise from the musician she idolized—it filled her with determination, and she nodded vigorously. "I'll train with everything I've got!"

As Betty clenched her fists and let her imagination wander, Joanna and Simon murmured together: "Thank you, Mr. Evans, for inspiring Betty."

"It's just a small gift." Lucian turned to face them. "This journey with all of you has been something worth remembering. Well, it's time I left Corth City."

Watching Lucian's figure disappear into the afternoon sunlight, Simon and the others saw nothing strange in his decision to travel alone, nor did they find it odd that he insisted on setting out despite the approaching evening. According to what he had told them, the reason he had hired an adventurer party in the first place was simply that he was lazy and preferred quiet, needing help with menial tasks. Now, however, his encounter at Baron Habelo's castle had given him an urgent matter to attend to, and with no time to waste, he would rely on his formidable strength to cross the mountain range on his own.

"Looking back now, these eleven days feel like a dream," Betty murmured to herself, fists still clenched, brimming with motivation.

Simon and Joanna nodded in agreement, then felt the weight of the Gold Thalers on their persons and began considering which noble to approach for proper knightly training.

……

Inside the hall of the Musicians' Association in Corth City.

Caspar stood before the counter, staring at the spot where Lucian had just been writing his letter. "Chris, what if we replace this area with a steel installation and erect a statue of Mr. Evans—yes, in the pose of him writing out a Music Score? Then we spread the word: the genius musician Lucian Evans composed the famous piano sonata 'Moonlight' right here. That should attract plenty of distinguished lords to visit, don't you think?"

After Lucian had declined both the concert invitation and the offer to stay as a guest, Caspar's mind had been working overtime on fresh ideas.

"Yes…" Chris wore a dreamy smile, her gaze unfocused and staring into the distance, not hearing a word of what Caspar was saying.

Caspar didn't mind in the least. He stroked his chin, frowned in thought, and carried on the one-sided discussion with Chris regardless.

At that moment, a Musicians' Association staff member returned from outside. "Director Caspar, I've settled Mr. Wise in the villa. Do you have any further instructions?"

"No, don't disturb me. Chris, what do you think about adding an oil portrait of Mr. Evans to the hall?" Caspar waved his hand dismissively, barely paying attention.

……

On the night of the third Monday of July, a silver moon hung high in the sky, casting its pure, cold radiance across the world.

Bathed in moonlight, Lucian hurtled through the mountain range and the forests at tremendous speed. The beautiful lake, smooth as a mirror, outside Castle Carrandia was already coming into view.

For the past ten-odd days, Lucian had been traveling alone and stealthily, ensuring that no one could track his movements. Fortunately, the Duchy of Jibeti was mountainous terrain where getting lost or straying off the path was commonplace, which meant Lucian could now make his way toward Castle Carrandia without worry—without fear that his identity as a musician might be exposed.

Of course, the simultaneous appearance of both Professor and musician Lucian Evans in the Duchy of Jibeti would inevitably prompt subtle associations in anyone who knew of both. But jumping to the conclusion that they were one and the same person would require an extraordinary degree of bold imagination—there were far too many plausible explanations.

The castle stood much as Lucian remembered from his last visit, bristling with spike-like turrets, its dark exterior forever casting an unsettling shadow over the heart.

On the grassy lawn before the main gate, quite a few mysterious figures in black hooded robes were already waiting. Lucian swept his gaze across them and estimated there were at least three or four hundred.