Chapter 97

The day of the Empire Academy Graduation Ceremony.

In a café in the capital, noble figures, who could be considered influential in the Empire, were gathered for a conference.

Among the numerous cafés in Caldea, this place, named the Imperial Garden, was popular for having a typical open first floor, but a sealed space on the second floor for guests wishing for discreet meetings.

“We finally have the personnel to show that arrogant bastard a lesson!”

“Finally, we can teach those vulgar scoundrels a lesson!”

The identity of those who had reserved the entire second floor of the Empire Garden today was none other than the Empire’s Parents’ Association.

Due to the serialization of “The Count of Monte Cristo” in the Manhwapia, they were the target of recent ridicule, and their goal was to ban comics in the Empire.

“It’s so annoying that commoners are learning to read through comic books!”

“That’s right! Last time, they were challenging us with the content in the tenancy agreements, can you believe it?”

“They’re not the only problem. The nouveau riche are inciting the commoners with the comic’s content too!”

In the past, 90% of commoners, except for very special cases, could not read.

Thus, it was common for nobles to forge contracts or rights documents to swindle the commoners.

Since they couldn’t read, even if they realized the nobles were deceiving them, the commoners couldn’t protest.

When they started to meticulously check contracts and documents recently, the nobles found themselves in huge trouble.

Such a situation had emerged because many people learned to read to enjoy comic books starting with “The Kingdom of Ice.”

Although many still needed others to read for them, there were also many who learned to read out of their own desire.

So now, it wasn’t uncommon to find people in villages who could read, which used to be a rarity.

As those who could read started to help negotiate contracts with the nobles, there were times when nobles ended up paying penalties instead of swindling as they used to.

And that wasn’t all.

“Nobles must prove their nobility by fulfilling their duties. Can we really call those who only seek rights without even glancing at their duties nobles?”

Some nouveau riche began to spread such sentiments among the commoners while colluding with merchant forces.

Some nobles raised eyebrows at the extreme and dangerous contents, but there was nothing they could do.

They were targeting certain noble factions, not the imperial family.

“I am targeting some corrupt nobles! Are you feeling a pinch in your conscience?”

If the criticisms were aimed at the Empire, it could be framed as treason, but since their remarks were directed solely at specific nobles, it was hard to find fault.

However, it was also difficult to suppress them by force as the nouveau riche had formidable power, supported by wealthy merchants, making the situation frustrating.

“The number of nobles who resonate with our cause has surpassed 50 already.”

“Finally, we can call them to the ‘Agora’!!!”

But the nobles weren’t just going to sit back and take it.

The reason they formed the group called the Empire Parents’ Association and gathered nobles in the same situation was simple.

‘Agora’

A traditional debate format that had existed since the establishment of the Empire, requiring the signatures of at least 50 nobles to open an Agora.

If 50 nobles gathered, they could request the imperial family to open an Agora on a single topic.

This was known as the sacred right of Imperial nobles and was one method to express dissatisfaction towards the Emperor.

Therefore, opening an Agora required the nobles to be prepared for a break with the imperial family, so they weren’t opened casually.

However, this was an Agora aimed at Rupert Somerset personally, so there was no burden concerning the imperial family.

But,

“One of us must die if the Agora opens, remember that.”

The dispute-oriented Agora among nobles was of a different nature.

In an Agora where three of the seven noble judges were chosen along with the Emperor.

In such a grand circular debate arena, a multitude of spectators would gather, and the designated parties would have to engage in debate in front of them.

Through this debate, judges would make a ruling that the Emperor would approve, determining the victor and the vanquished.

The victor chosen in the Agora would have the right to demand anything from the vanquished except their life, which was an extra-legal authority that could not be obstructed by imperial law.

Historically, the defeated in the Agora were known to meet terrible ends.

For instance, in the most recent Agora, the victor stripped the noble title and estate from the vanquished, leaving them destitute.

Afterward, the vanquished was famously beaten to death by commoners with whom he harbored a grudge.

“If there’s anything that can be used as leverage against the negative impact of comics on the Empire and Rupert Somerset’s usual behavior and past track record, we must collect it all without missing a single piece!”

No matter how much support they might receive from the imperial family, matters determined through the Agora could not be reversed even by the Emperor, which gave the members of the Empire Parents’ Association high spirits.

“Just let us keep our lives! Hahaha!!!”

In the hidden room on the second floor of the café, the nobles’ greasy laughter echoed.

*

Announcing the graduation ceremony, the Empire Academy.

Most of the students would return home for the break.

However, some, due to various circumstances, would remain in the dormitory.

But Wolfgang, one of the students remaining in the music department now, was a bit different.

He was the second son of Baron Amadeus, born with a noble status that could not be deemed particularly influential, but still, he had enough to get by.

The reason he didn’t return to his family during the break was due to shame.

“Damn it… if only I had both arms intact.”

Having loved music since he was young, he had come into contact with countless instruments.

Wolfgang had talent, learning various instruments and gaining some recognition in social circles.

Whether it was the violin or piano he played, it was incredibly sweet, to the extent that noble ladies and even male nobles would invite him separately.

Thus, it made sense that he was accepted into the Empire Academy’s music department.

But he had received the lowest score in this recent midterm exam.

Bam!

As he slammed his palm down on the piano keys, a ripping sound resonated.

He wanted to smash the piano with both hands out of frustration, but he couldn’t do that.

Because he didn’t have a left hand.

-No way!

The unfortunate accident that occurred before entering the academy.

If only he had been able to get to a priest or a healing potion quickly, his left hand could have been restored; unfortunately, it was too late for treatment.

Unable to play instruments thereafter, Wolfgang studied composition after entering the academy, but that was no easy task.

He had to play out the sheet music he envisioned in his head to compose, which was impossible, so he always had to ask his peers for help.

At first, they willingly helped, but gradually they began to avoid him out of annoyance.

Having fallen into a vicious cycle where he couldn’t play or compose to his satisfaction, it was no wonder his grades suffered abysmally.

So Wolfgang chose to stay alone in the dormitory even during the break instead of returning home.

“I can’t give up like this.”

Having been engaged in music since childhood, he was more aware than anyone else that his talent lay in music.

Although it was impossible to perform as a musician now, at least he could work on composition, so he steadied his mind and began writing out sheet music.

“Speaking of which… that animation from the comic club had music in it.”

Wolfgang recalled the shocking work that had left the audience stunned at the recent graduation ceremony.

Having seen it firsthand, the impression he felt that day still lingered.

The vivid moving pictures and the sweet melody beautifully enveloping them struck him as a fresh shock he had never experienced before.

“Of course, that music was nice, but it had a heavy feeling.”

The comic club’s animation, “The Sylvania Music Band,” had a light atmosphere centered around animal antics.

While the supporting music was well-made, Wolfgang felt it was a bit too heavy.

Was it necessary to layer harmonies so thickly with various instruments?

If it had been him, he would have reworked it more elegantly.

A simple melody would be easier on the ears and seem simple, but later, by adding variations, it would evoke a bouncy feeling with complex techniques.

With that musical idea in mind, Wolfgang quickly began jotting down notes on the music sheet with one hand.

He felt a near certainty that this music would become a great piece, and lost in his effort, he was writing it down in no time.

“Now I just need to play it….”

Finally completing the score, Wolfgang looked at his right hand.

The piece he had just created looked easy at first glance, but it was meant to showcase techniques where variations could be applied, making it impossible to perform one-handed.

If it were during the semester, he would have summoned the courage to ask his friends for help, but right now, with no one around, that was impossible.

♪♫♬

Yet, unable to complete the piece without playing it somehow, Wolfgang began to play the notes forcefully with one hand.

Having once played the piano rather well, he managed to carry on with the melody in the early sections, but as more complex parts approached, he stumbled.

“Damn it!”

As he faced the reality of not being able to play even one piece as he wished, anger surged within him, causing him to shout.

Since no one was around anyway, he decided to shout out curses to relieve his frustration, pouring out all his pent-up resentment.

Creaaak!

But one thing he hadn’t anticipated was that someone was listening to his murmurings and faltering performance.

Someone who was still at the academy.

---

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