Chapter 115: Let the Curtain Fall
Translator: Kris_Liu Editor: Vermillion
Lucien bowed to the audience over and over again. And the thunder-like applause was still going on. And the people on the square were still shouting at the top of their lungs.
Those n.o.bles and famous musicians in the hall were touched, and they, especially the n.o.bles, had not been touched so deeply for a long time. They tended to forget their own feelings, joy, sorrow, love, anger, just to be less vulnerable.
However, no one could resist the power of music. n.o.bles were still human beings. Even though many of them had awakened their Blessings, being physically strong could not turn their hearts into rocks.
The beauty of music was shared by all, regardless of social status, gender or age.
Only a few religious zealots remained relatively calm.
Lucien had no idea how many times he bowed to the audience. After a long time, they slowly calmed down, feeling both tired and peaceful.
"The best piano sonata I’ve ever heard!" Staring at the crystal dome, Piola exclaimed, "Similar to Symphony of Fate, but also different. The emotion is deeper… more conservative."
Sharon nodded and smiled, "I can image that Pathetique will become the cla.s.sic sonata in terms of musical expressiveness."
"Aalto Music Festival was definitely worthy of our seven-month traveling." Grace looked serious, "After seeing Mr. Evans’s playing, I want to stay in Aalto to learn piano."
"Get real, Grace." Green said to her, "Mr. Evans already gave us some suggestions for our fantasia. Come back with us and let’s focus on our own music work. We will become famous in Sturk pretty soon, I believe."
"I agree. If you stay, Grace," Sharon added, "you won’t be able to afford a music instructor here in Aalto. And since Aalto is filled with great musicians, how long do you think it will take you to stand out here?"
Finally Grace nodded and sighed, "I guess you guys are right. Don’t forget to buy the latest Music Criticism and Symphony News. They will be very helpful for the future of our music."
The other band members nodded. They would definitely buy a lot of them in Aalto so they could take the newspapers back and make some money from the big price difference.
After standing on the square silently for a while, Lilith and Sala exchanged a look and turned around to head for the city gate.
"After we become real…" Sala paused a bit and gently patted on his younger sister’s shoulder, "we will travel across the continent and find a safe place where we don’t have to live in fear anymore."
Lilith nodded seriously, "Yes, then we’ll be hiding no more."
...
In the backstage of the Psalm Hall, Lucien unb.u.t.toned his suit jacket and then hugged Rhine, "Thank you, Mr. Rhine. The concert wouldn’t be this successful without your help."
Then Lucien asked Rhine in a low voice, "And can you tell me where’s it now?"
Rhine smiled and whispered, "You’re so impatient, Lucien. I’ll visit you tomorrow night."
Then Rhine raised up his voice, "Congratulations, Lucien!"
After meeting the orchestra members, Lucien saw a knight squire waiting there to invite him to the theater box in the front.
Lucien was a bit nervous of getting too close to Sard. After all, he had no idea how sensitive a Saint Cardinal would be about sorcerers around him.
"No worries. Your Blessing will conceal your ident.i.ty." Pretending that he was wrapping up stuff, Rhine said to Lucien in a very low voice from behind, "Unless he already feels you’re suspicious."
Lucien calmed down a bit from Rhine’s words and left the backstage following the squire.
...
Although Lucien was still a couple of steps away from Sard, Lucien could feel the warm saint light that was surrounding the elder.
Since Lucien had awakened his Blessing, he could better sense the great power Sard owned. Fortunately, Lucien’s Blessing was not a dark one, and he did not specialize in Necromantic spells, or his soul might be seriously injured just from standing close to the Saint Cardinal.
After saluting the n.o.bles, Lucien walked in front of the grand duke. Orvarit nodded to Lucien approvingly, "You’re young and talented, Lucien. I like your soul-touching music and I appreciate your never-ending spirit fighting against the sufferings in life. Keep working hard, Lucien, and you’ll become the next music master in Aalto."
Natasha directly gave Lucien a hug like a friend and said to him in a joking way, "What else are you hiding from me, Lucien? Friends are about to share, but you did not tell me that a small adjustment in positioning piano could make a big difference!"
"Nothing else, really…" Lucien put on an awkward smile. Actually, he had way more secrets than that.
"What I want to say is that… thank you for your playing, Lucien." Natasha’s smile was slightly sad, "Your music reminds me of the past. The past is painful, but also valuable."
Christopher also hugged Lucien, "My era’s over, but your era’s just arrived, Lucien."
"Thank you, Mr. President. I hope I can get a new start, too," answered Lucien in a meaningful way, since his life was about to set off a new journey soon.
Then Lucien finally came in front of Sard, and he tried his best to stay calm.
"I’ve heard your story before." Sard looked at Lucien with his turbid eyes, "I understand your pain, and I also see your strong heart. All the difficulties are tests from G.o.d. If you pa.s.s them, you become stronger."
Following Verdi, Mich.e.l.le hugged Lucien a bit shyly, "Congratulations, Mr. Evans. On behalf of Syracuse, I want to invite you to Tria. Any time you come to my country, you’ll receive the warmest welcome."
"Thank you, Your Grace." Lucien nodded.
Then Lucien received many other invitations offered by the rest of the guests coming from different countries across the continent.
Lucien knew that these invitations would become his excuse to leave Aalto when he got to know where the Continental Congress of Magic was.
When Lucien left the box, he saw that the last few people were leaving the Psalm Hall.
People on the square were also leaving.
Soon, the whole city became very quiet.
Lucien stepped out of the Psalm Hall and said to himself, "It’s time to let the curtain fall, Lucien."