In the Baron Bechig Square in Samara, in the Paphos County …
People were still dwelling in the song that seemed to be bursting out from the depths of their souls. There was nothing but silence. Even the innocent children in their parents' arms did not make any noise because of the atmosphere. The whole square seemed to have entered a cage of time.
Such a soul-shaking feeling was something that they had never felt before. In the operas in the past, music was music, and plots were plots. Not only could they not complement each other, but they were also often out of touch. Therefore, even though there were some unusually classic arias in the history of operas, most of the listeners could not deeply resonate with the music because of their lack of emotions. Naturally, it was difficult for them to have such a wonderful feeling that their souls were touched.
In "Valkyrie" this time, the plot was laid out step by step, and the melody that felt like a complete symphony was fully rendered. Also, the harmonious cooperation between the two was definitely more than the effect of "1 + 1". The audience's emotions were completely melted into the story and the music, rising and falling with the intensity, sadness, and joy of the song.
Therefore, when 'Charge' was played, they felt that they were also on the battlefield and were charging with the princess. Therefore, when 'Heroes's Tombstone' was sung by the princess, they could truly feel the solemnity, sorrow, longing, determination, and emptiness that went deep into their souls. That was why their blood was numb and their souls were trembling.
Lucien did not dare to say that the story of the opera was perfect and better than any other playwright's work, but he was proud to say that the impact it caused on the audience was unprecedented.
It was not until a long time later that low voices echoed in the square.
"A hero will never die."
"They will only wither in people's memories."
One of the girls could not control herself and began to sing the last aria in a low voice. Although she did not have the ethereal voice of the singer who played the princess, nor did she have such a colorful voice, and she even went off-key because of the high difficulty level, she still sang so carefully and so deeply, as if she had witnessed her comrades and friends collapsing around her one after another for a certain noble purpose, and she could empathize with them.
The inaudible song broke the silence of the square and raised a series of reactions. Banus, Ali, and the rest of them all opened their mouths and hummed along with them.
"Bury my bones, don't raise a monument."
"These fertile plains and prosperous cities are the best tombstones for us!"
The song lingered in the Baron Bechig Square, again and again, as if the soul of a hero was gazing at his beloved home, unwilling to leave!
It was not until a long time later that the citizens finally got rid of the atmosphere. They discussed "Valkyrie", the changes that Master Evans brought to the opera, the classic music such as "Morning" and "Charge", the transcendent arias such as "Heroes' Monument", the top opera singers and the seemingly hideous dragon, and the feast of visual and auditory "livestream".
In the midst of the discussion, Ali's expression changed a few times before he abruptly turned around and walked out of the square.
"Ali, where are you going?" Banus was talking to the stranger next to him about their feelings tonight in excitement. He was very surprised and confused after noticing Ali's action. Didn't he like to join in the fun most? Was there any place more lively than the square at this time? Wasn't he eager to share it with others after listening to the opera?
Ali said seriously and excitedly, "Let's go home!"
Abandoning the communication with the stranger next to him, Banus caught up with Ali and asked in confusion, "Go home for what?"
Ali clenched his right hand subconsciously. "Pack my luggage and prepare to go to Renstadt!"
"Huh? Renstadt? Ali, have you lost your mind? "Banus felt that he was hallucinating. Why was he suddenly preparing to go to Renstadt? This was the capital of the kingdom, not a rural town!
Ali shook his head. "I'm not crazy. I've thought it through. I'm going to Renstadt. I don't want to stay in Samara or a small town for the rest of my life."
"But … But what's wrong with a small town?" Banus asked in shock.
Taking a deep breath, Ali pointed at the "curtain" in the square behind him. "Banus, do you see it? It's an alchemical item that allows us to see and hear things far away. It allows us to appreciate the opera in Renstadt even though we're in a small town. "
"Yes, we can appreciate it in a small town. Why do we have to go to Renstadt?" Banus was even more confused.
Ali sighed slowly. "Banus, what does such an alchemical item stand for? What does it mean that a small town has such an alchemical item? "
He asked and answered his own question. "It means that our kingdom and the age that we live in are undergoing tremendous changes that have never happened in the past hundreds of years. New things are born every day, and vigorous vitality can be sensed every day."
Banus nodded. Even though he was in the small city of Samara, he could sense it through the changes around him.
"Such changes are surging like a flood that we can't stop. The only thing we can do is to adapt to them. However, I'm not willing to stop. I'm not willing to stop moving forward in such an era where great changes are taking place everywhere. Banus, think about it. Are such great changes and developments full of opportunities? As long as we seize one of them, our lives will be completely different."
"I don't want to live like a pool of stagnant water in a small town. I want to inherit my father's position peacefully as a servant of the clerk. Then, I will marry a girl of the same position without any accidents, have children, and be busy and grow old. The life that can be clearly foreseen scares me. Has my life been predestined since the beginning? So, I'm going to Renstadt to pursue my dream and find my place in the great development that will change the world. I'll do my best for every step forward. "
Ali expressed his desperation with a lot of unwillingness.
"But Samara is changing, too. Also, marriage, childbirth, being busy and growing old are processes that everybody goes through. It will be the same even if you pursue your dream." Banus tried to calm himself down.
"It's true that everybody goes through the process, but the process can also be exciting and full of things that you desire. Banus, Samara is indeed changing, but the changes are far behind those in Renstadt. Only in that place can you feel how strong the pulse of the age is and get in touch with the opportunities to change your life."
"So, I'm going to Renstadt. Whether I study in the generic school or the Lanphlei School, or look for jobs in the newly-developed industries, I believe that I can learn and get in touch with things that will change my life."
Ali's tone gradually calmed down, but it was even more determined. He described the necessity of going to Renstadt with the "pulse of the age" that he heard from "Arcana Voice".
Looking at Ali's eyes, Banus sensed his determination. So, he fell silent and tried to persuade him for the last time. "Uncle Bilsa won't agree to it. Also, while there are plenty of opportunities in Renstadt, it is not something that ordinary people like us can encounter. Chances are that you won't get anything and will die in a shabby house in poverty without anybody knowing."
"I know that I may fail, that I may accomplish nothing, and that I may return to Samara in frustration. However, it is the most hilarious and meaningless thing to believe that you have failed without doing anything. Compared with the past and the stagnant future, the opportunities right now are the closest to the ordinary people, and we are most likely to grasp them. If we don't strive for them now, should we wait for a more difficult future?"
Ali had learned a lot from the correspondence with his "pen pal". His understanding of the world had been fundamentally improved. "As for my father, I will explain it to him. Even if he is unwilling to support me, I will not change my mind. I'm already an adult, and it's my own responsibility to raise myself. However miserable the outcome may be, it will be my own choice. Banus, let's go together. Let's create a bright future in Renstadt together!"
Hearing Ali's words, Banus felt that his heart was warmed. A big city, the capital of a kingdom, what a beautiful name. It had the most prosperous streets, the greatest changes, and countless opportunities. Chances were that he would be noticed by a sorcerer on the street and become his student. It was not like there had never been such a case. "Arcana Voice" had already reported it before.
But soon, he thought of himself. He thought of the fact that he had nothing but strength. He thought of the strange city, the strange streets, the strange citizens, and the strange malice. He immediately felt a chill in his heart. Then, he looked at the familiar streets, familiar scenes, familiar citizens, and familiar feelings. He shook his head and said, "Ali, I like Samara more. I think I'm more suitable for a small town …"
Ali persuaded him for a long time, but Banus was still scared of the unknown dangers and refused to leave Samara.
A few days later …
On the platform of Samara, Ali put on the long black suit that his father, Bilsa, had specially prepared for him. With a top hat on his head, he turned from a big boy into a vigorous young gentleman.
Carrying the enormous black suitcase, he said goodbye to his parents on the opposite side. While walking to the door of the magic steam train with the crowd, he looked back at the platform in sorrow. On one hand, he was reluctant to leave his hometown, and on the other hand, he was confused why Banus did not come to see him off.
"Did what I said the other day hurt him?
"Or did he feel that I betrayed our friendship and refused to stay in the town?"
Ali had complicated feelings, fearing that he would lose a good friend.
He looked back after every step, but Banus never showed up. He was even more frustrated.
After he boarded the carriage and found his seat, Ali craned his head and waved goodbye to his parents again. His eyes were misty. It was the first time that he had left his parents.
"Ali!" Banus' voice suddenly came from far away. He waved his hands hard and ran close quickly, with a strange blue-purple fruit in his left hand.
"Damn it, I remembered the time wrong! Here, this is the Samara fruit that you like. It's hard to find it in Renstadt, "Banus said loudly after he squeezed to the window.
The Samara fruit was a specialty of the town. It matured at the end of October and the beginning of November every year.
Ali's eyes were wet. It was indeed the reckless and careless Banus!
Wu!
Hardly had he accepted the fruit, and before he said anything, he heard an enormous whistle.
"Banus, after I succeed, I'll bring you to Renstadt!" Ali covered his ears and shouted.
Banus waved his hands. "Great! Don't forget Samara! "
Wu! Clang! Clang!
"I'll be back after I succeed!" Ali secretly clenched his fists. The magic steam train was activated and moved faster and faster, gradually distancing itself from the platform.
Ali's eyes were filled with mist, and his vision was blurred. He waved his arms nonstop, but he saw that Banus and his parents, who stayed where they were, were further and further away …
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