Chapter 84
“Great job, Hash-dono. My, what a marvelous performance, and an entirely new playing technique to boot! Our guests were all quite impressed.” (Popo)
“Was it all right? I hope I didn’t offend anyone…” (Shizuma)
“Not at all! In fact, one of the noble guests even asked me to introduce you. Would you like me to arrange a meeting?” (Popo)
I spoke with the president and considered the offer.
A noble, huh… Given the situation with the escaped classmates, there’s a strong chance that some noble is backing them from the shadows.
If I can make a connection with noble society now, it might prove useful.
“I understand. I still have three more songs to perform, but after that I’d like to join the banquet. I’d be happy to speak with them then.” (Shizuma)
With that, I returned to alternating between buffing songs from Earth and local tunes, before finally making my way into the banquet.
—————-
“Truly splendid skills. May I have your name?” “A pleasure to meet you, sir. I go by the name Hash. If it’s not too forward, may I ask yours as well?” (Shizuma)
“Ah, where are my manners! I am Count Toller Hakartney.”
“Ah, Count Hakartney. I hear you had something you wished to discuss with me?” (Shizuma)
“Indeed. Let’s get straight to the point. As you may know, we nobles often hold faction luncheons, essentially social events to curry favor with the head of the faction. It’s customary for attending houses to offer entertainment or gifts to appeal to their liege’s tastes.”
“I see. Quite understandable, Esteemed Count.” (Shizuma)
Apparently, what he wanted was for me to perform at one of these faction luncheons, hosted at the manor of the faction leader.
Could this be a chance?
If the host is the faction leader, then the event should be quite large in scale.
There’s a chance, slim as it may be, that one of the hidden classmates could attend as a form of distraction or leisure.
I’ve already fulfilled the conditions for the support effect, so technically, there’s no need to continue being Hash.
Still, I’d like to keep going a bit longer, there may be more opportunities to track down my classmates.
“I would be honored. If you could share the date and time, I’ll be there.” (Shizuma)
“Excellent. Come to my estate on the day. Unfortunately, you likely won’t be allowed access to the hall of Marquess Alheus in advance, but I assure you, it’s a proper venue, others have brought full orchestras to perform there before. The event is in two days.”
“Understood. Will a piano performance suffice?” (Shizuma)
“Absolutely. I was captivated by your piano playing, intense yet refined, and unlike anything I’ve ever heard. I’d love for the Marquess to hear it too.”
Once again, it feels like I owe the president.
With this, it looks like I’ll be taking my first real step into noble society.
—————-
The rest of the evening passed with various guests showing interest in the music, and as expected, Hash’s appearance led to frequent “offers” from the female attendees as well. Despite that, I managed to grab a bite and enjoy myself.
“Hash! The food is delicious! Look, look! It’s Da Ji Pai!” (Melt)
“Oh? They’ve already started offering it through the Chef Guild? Maybe I’ll grab one myself.” (Shizuma)
“Nope, this one’s for you! They’re all gone now, it was super popular!” (Melt)
“Really now? Are you sure?” (Shizuma)
“I already had two, so I’m full!” (Melt)
Melt came running up and happily offered me one.
What a good girl… Melt really is such a good girl…!
“…Still as tasty as ever.” (Shizuma)
“Right?” (Melt)
As I was chatting with Melt, Letty showed up again, this time with Shuris-san.
Lately, I’ve been bumping into Shuris-san a lot… Just never as Seimu.
“Pleased to meet you. Hash-san, was it?” (Shuris)
“Indeed! A pleasure to meet you, I’ve heard much about you. Shuris Veil-sama of the Thirteen Knights, yes?” (Shizuma)
“Oh, Seimu-san told you?” (Shuris)
“Yes. He said you have been a great help to him and told me to be on my best behavior around you. If he hadn’t, I might’ve tried inviting you rather aggressively.” (Shizuma)
“Fufufu, even knowing I’m one of the Thirteen Knights? I admire your boldness, it’s oddly refreshing.” (Shuris)
“Indeed. But I believe you’d be worth risking my life for.” (Shizuma)
“…You’re quite practiced in this sort of speech, aren’t you? I’ll make sure to be cautious.” (Shuris)
“Harsh, but fair.” (Shizuma)
That wasn’t me. That was totally Hash running his mouth on his own.
You… damn you…! I mean yeah, Shuris-san is ridiculously beautiful, but still!
“By the way, I wanted to ask, do you know when Seimu-san might return to the city?” (Shuris)
“Seimu, hmm… Let’s see…” (Shizuma)
The luncheon was scheduled for two days from now.
After I perform, I’ll need to return to Seimu to report on the situation and pass on what I’ve learned about the Dungeon Core to the queen.
Maybe I should ask the president to direct any future Hash-related requests through Seimu?
I’ll likely have to keep working in noble society for a while if I want to flush out the other classmates.
“Perhaps in three, maybe four days at the earliest? But Seimu’s situation is still precarious, he may have to leave the city again soon after.” (Shizuma)
“I see… If possible, could you pass along a message? Tell him I want to speak about ‘that underground warehouse issue.’” (Shuris)
“The underground warehouse, understood.” (Shizuma)
Underground warehouse… Must be about Muraki.
Yeah, it’s time to head back to Seimu. I need to let the queen know what we’ve decided.
With that, the victory celebration came to an end, and the guests left the hall looking thoroughly satisfied.
“Then I’ll see you in two days, Hash-kun. Please come to my estate at 9 a.m. It’s in the noble district, on the street with the art museum, just as I mentioned. You’ll recognize it by the giant violin-shaped topiary.”
“Understood. You have exquisite taste, I’m looking forward to the visit already.” (Shizuma)
After seeing off Count Hakartney, the venue finally emptied.
Ah…the Chef Guild folks look like zombies as they clean up the dishes…
Thanks for all your hard work… Truly, thank you for enduring such a long night.
Looking up, I saw the first stars beginning to twinkle.
The sky in the distance was still tinged with sunset, an odd mix of twilight and starlight.
Isn’t this what they call the “magic hour”?
“Beautiful sky, huh? No clouds, so we can see the stars so clearly.”
“Indeed. The mingling of sunset and starlight… It’s like a fleeting miracle. I love skies like this.” (Shizuma)
That’s…just how I feel.
I’ve always been drawn to the way two things that shouldn’t mix somehow do.
“Well then, let’s head home together! When we get back, I want to practice just a little more!” (Melt)
“Of course. Good luck with your practice, Miss Melt.” (Shizuma)
Melt, carrying the violin for me, was clearly fired up.
She must’ve been inspired by Letty.
And so, under a sky slowly losing its orange hue, we walked home together.
—————-
Once home, I reverted to my true form, Shizuma, and, as expected, I inherited Hash’s skills.
—————-
Vitality: 120
Strength: 120
Magic: 70
Willpower: 90
Agility: 70
[Growth Rate: Highest – Full Reflection]
[Blessing of the Silver Fox]
[Appraisal Eye]
[Basic Enchant]
[Survival Instinct]
[High-Speed Movement]
[Throwing]
[Gourmet]
[Rhythm Step] ← New
[Performance Lv3] ← New
[Cooking Lv4]
[Crafting Lv1]
[Sewing Lv1]
[Swordsmanship Lv3]
[Archery Lv1]
[Hunter Knowledge Lv1]
[Scholar Knowledge Lv1]
[Thief Knowledge Lv1]
[Swordsman Knowledge Lv1]
[Warrior Knowledge Lv1]
[Mercenary Knowledge Lv2]
[Dancer Knowledge Lv1] ← New
—————-
I successfully acquired Hash’s sub-job skill: Dancer Knowledge.
With these insight skills, I should now be able to use techniques tied to that class.
Well, there’s no outstanding technique at Lv1, but Dancers attack quickly without weapons, which might come in handy.
“Shizuma, Shizuma, about this violin, do I need to return it to Hash?” (Melt)
“No, you can keep it. Practice as much as you like. Let’s try finding a lesson book next time.” (Shizuma)
“Right, I will try searching. I’d love to play with Hash again.” (Melt)
It’s good to have a hobby.
Now then…since I’ll be back as Hash soon anyway, I’ll stay in that form for another two days.
“Okay, now that I’ve confirmed everything, I’m going back to being Hash. Just…don’t ask him to do anything weird, okay? Even though it’s still me in control, his speech patterns tend to get all theatrical on their own.” (Shizuma)
“Aww, but it’s fun!” (Melt)
“It’s embarrassing for me.” (Shizuma)
Still, it seems like Hash is letting me maintain most of the control now despite his way too strong will, so I will overlook it…
In the end, it is not all about how strong they are, but also the strength of their personality as well.
—————-
And so I returned to Hash’s form, spending the next days practicing local songs in preparation for the luncheon.
Meanwhile, Melt had gone to the Glory Knights’ clan home, where she had been learning the violin from Letty.
She apparently studied it back home, and since Letty continued playing as a hobby, she had books and was happy to lend them out or teach.
“So, it’s tomorrow, huh…” (Shizuma)
The luncheon is tomorrow.
Honestly, I doubt any classmates will be there, but it could still be a vital lead.
A marquess is a high-ranking noble. That means plenty of lesser nobles from their faction will be in attendance.
If I manage to get noticed by noble society, there’s a good chance my music will eventually reach the ears of my classmates.
If that’s the case, I’d better prepare a piece of Earth music that’s as recognizable as possible.
A noble luncheon… A highly formal setting filled with aristocrats…
In that case, something from classical music would fit, something elegant, famous, and memorable.
And more than anything, something with overwhelming name recognition.
“Hmm… For piano, I suppose Mozart would be best. Let’s go with the Turkish March.” (Shizuma)
A local tune + the Turkish March from Earth.
Maybe, just maybe… I can flush someone out with that.
—————-
The next day – Luncheon
Naturally, I couldn’t bring Melt along, so I made my way alone through the noble district as Hash.
Fortunately, musical outfits in the game were already styled like noble attire, so no one batted an eye.
I considered getting a set for Seimu, but unfortunately, once equipped, outfits get locked to that character’s size.
One of the rare discrepancies between the game and this world.
“So this is the place. So elegant… Remarkable.” (Shizuma)
The mansion I arrived at had a garden clearly larger than its neighbors’, decorated with artistic topiaries shaped like violins, trumpets, music notes, and even what looked like a piano.
It was clear Count Hakartney was a lover of music.
After speaking with the gatekeeper, I was escorted into the manor.
“You’ve come! I’ve already informed Marquess Alheus that a pianist will be performing at the event, so the piano should already be set up in the hall. I can already picture it, the surprise on everyone’s faces. Many in noble society know of famed court musicians and guild artists, but no one knows someone with your unique, masterful style! Forgive me, I’m getting excited. Let us make today the day the name ‘Hash’ becomes known among the nobility!”
“You flatter me, Esteemed Count. But truly, I believe music should be for all. Even if the nobility recognizes me, I’ll still be playing in some alley, following the whims of the wind.” (Shizuma)
“Hahaha, what a beautiful outlook. Truly admirable, you’re quite something.”
It seems this man shared similar values to Hash.
And so, the two of us boarded a carriage, heading toward one of the most prestigious locations in the noble district, a manor with a panoramic view of Lindblum.
The word grand wasn’t enough, majestic was more fitting.
Not quite as large as the castle, but it didn’t feel lacking in the slightest.
This was the estate of Marquess Alheus.
If I perform here, it’s sure to spread far and wide.
I’ll need to be at my absolute best.
—————-
Meanwhile, inside the manor that Hash had just arrived at…
A secret meeting was taking place between the estate’s owner and several hidden guests.
“Even if I can’t let you go out in the open, I wanted you to experience the atmosphere. While this luncheon does have a political edge, namely, voicing concerns about the royal regime, it’s also a way for you to briefly forget the suffocating conditions of this house.” (Alheus)
“Thank you, Lord Alheus. It’s been a long time since I felt the presence of so many people nearby.”
“This cake is amazing, seriously! It feels like you’re really looking out for us, I’m kinda moved. Isn’t it good?”
“Yuko, don’t start eating yet! Lord Alheus, thank you. I understand the risks of inviting so many people in your current situation.”
“It’s fine. In fact, it’s necessary. It’s also a public gesture, to show we have nothing to hide. Lately, even the noble district has been crawling with patrolling knights. We needed to put on a show.” (Alheus)
Not deep within the manor, but in a room right next to the hall where the luncheon was being held.
A room filled with food and the sounds of many voices, where the students were gathered.
Maybe it wasn’t a lecture on the importance of stress relief, but after Hishida brought outside info and some food was shared, the students began to perk up a bit.
And this luncheon was arranged on short notice as a result.
But it wasn’t because Lord Alheus cared deeply for the students, it was because of a directive from a mysterious gentleman: “Make sure those children are treated with care.”
“A guest brought a musician today. You should be able to hear just fine from this room. I hope you enjoy yourselves. If you need anything, ask the maid outside.” (Alheus)
With that, Lord Alheus left, and the students, surrounded by sweets, drinks, and the subtle hum of voices, were finally able to relax in a bright room with large windows.
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