novelPanic of the Night Watchers
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Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
In Kasvig, the capital of the city union of the coastal Northland.
In Rose Square, the most famous landmark of the city, the roses of snow that blossomed in the coldness were as dazzling as burning fire.
However, the night seemed gone tonight, and nobody appreciated their beauty. In the square, on the street, and in the houses nearby, any places that could see the gigantic black "curtain" at the center had been jam-packed with people, who craned their heads while they watched the changes of the "curtain" with almost the same shock and listened to the poignant melody of "Moonlight".
It was not until "Nightingale" Louise talked that they were back to themselves and exclaimed in amazement. Were there living people inside the "curtain"? Or was it something more magical than the magic radio, something that could deliver both voice and picture?
Ms. Nightingale answered their confusion, only to raise a greater tide of excitement. They had never seen such a thing before, nor had their ancestors. Was it a facet of the "magic civilization" that "Arcana Voice" had always talked about?
In the crowd, a man in a leather hat looked at Louise in fear and shook his head in disbelief. Had the Congress of Magic made progress again in broadcasting, and anybody anywhere could watch "Valkyrie" that was played in Rentato Royal Grand Theater?
Other people might not know what it meant, but as an elite night watcher, he couldn't understand it better!
Since the magic radio was invented by Lucien Evans and "Arcana Voice" was established, people in many prosperous cities on the north coastline had changed their preconceptions and their attitudes toward the Church. He was not bothered much at the beginning, but by the time he felt that the atmosphere was not right, all the details were already frightening.
After the Church's failure in the battle of Rentato, he turned from a hunter into prey that hid everywhere in a panic.
Now, not only could the magic radio deliver voice, but it could also display images. What terrible changes it could bring about!
However, after witnessing the preparations in advance, he knew that it would take years for the new magic radio to be popularized. It was doubtless that the Congress of Magic was contriving the purpose step by step. Yet, the Church had no reaction at all.
"No, I have to report it to the Executor!" He lowered his head and backed off from the crowd. It took him quite a while before he finally squeezed out.
As he stepped away from the square, it immediately became quiet. The night watcher quickly found a corner and took out a divine item that looked like a breastpin, trying to report the issue to the Church.
In his anxiety, he contacted the headquarters of the Inquisition in the Holy City. However, nothing came from his "breastpin" except for background noises.
"Damn it! The Congress of Magic's 'Arcana Voice' can be received everywhere and can even deliver images, but I can't even reach out to the Holy City. How can we deal with the sorcerers?" He became frustrated and nervous.
He knew that it was less convenient for the night watchers on this side of the Storm Strait to contact each other after Kasvig was controlled by the Congress of Magic and the grand church was occupied, and it was just his subconscious movement. However, the sorcerers of the Congress could still communicate with Allyn through "artificial planet" in the territory that the Church controlled!
Such a gap was the real reason why he was frustrated!
The artificial planets, which were merely invented to challenge the authority of the gods, were now releasing more and more unbelievable brightness. It was definitely one of the most influential alchemical items!
He took out a local cigarette and picked it up with his mouth before he rubbed his right hand and created a fire.
Igniting the cigarette, he took a deep breath and calmed himself down. Then, he reactivated his breastpin, reaching out to his superior who was also staying in Kasvig.
The night watcher gritted his teeth and made up his mind to propose to the Church to develop their own artificial planets!
However, he too knew that such cutting-edge products could barely be duplicated by the Church. Therefore, they might as well capture one of the Congress of Magic's artificial planets if they had a chance!
1The intelligence regarding "satellite stream" was sent to the Holy City one level after another and one section after another. Perhaps Benedict III wouldn't even receive it even when "Valkyrie" was done playing.
...
The splendid gold was the main color of the Rentato Royal Grand Theater. The magic lamps hanging on the ceiling or the wall sprayed pure brightness that added to the magnificence of the place.
Sitting inside their box, Lucien and Natasha waited for Valkyrie to be performed.
"I've been looking forward to the opera for years. Tonight, my wish is fulfilled." Oliver walked in courteously and shook Lucien's hand with a smile.
Despite their disagreements in the microscopic domain, he was never angry about Lucien in daily life, particularly when it came to his favorite dramas and operas.
"I hope you will like it, " Lucien replied with a smile and invited Oliver to sit down.
Few legendary sorcerers came to the opening ceremony other than him. Douglas was busy in his preparations, and he did not have any particular interest in operas, so he did not come. Brook's reasons were more or less the same. Vicente, on the other hand, didn't come because the relationship between him and Lucien was rather tense. Hellen was even less likely to come since she would rather devote all her time to arcana and magic studies.
As for the other legendary sorcerers, some were deployed and some were busy doing their research. They were not here either.
"Operas aren't so interesting." Fernando, who was sitting next to Lucien, watched the stage attentively in his crimson magic robe.
Seeing that Valkyrie was about to begin, Lucien asked Natasha in the telepathic bond."Is Granny Hathaway not coming?"
"She probably doesn't like so many people. I remember that she's very interested in music and opera, " Natasha speculated.
Lucien nodded and did not say anything. Russell, the Prime Minister of Holm, already began to give his speech and announced the opening of the music festival.
...
"Prime minister! This is the first time I've seen the prime minister!" Banus shouted in joy and surprise.
Ali pulled and hushed him."Watch your manners, or you will be scolded by the police. If it were before, disrespecting the nobles is punishable by lashes."
"I know, I know. But look at them. They're just like me. If the policemen scold each and every one of us, their throat will definitely be broken." Banus was obviously excited.
After Russell's announcement, the final preparations were conducted behind the curtain.
During the brief moment before the opera began, the sorcerer who was responsible for the broadcast adjusted the camera so that the audience could see the full picture of the theater.
"This is spectacular. If I could listen to the best opera once in such a theater, I would die without regrets!" Banus and the other members of the audience complimented.
Soon, the attention was shifted from the building to the nobles on the picture, and they heard Louise's sweet introduction."This is Lord James, Duke of Paphos, and this is his wife, Lady Stephine..."
"Oh!"
Exclamations echoed on the square like a tide.
"So, that's what a major noble is like. His wife and daughters are very beautiful too..." Ali complimented softly with obscure passion in his eyes. She mentioned that she would come to the opening ceremony...
His description was not exactly the reality, but it was undeniable that thanks to the succession of active blood power, the ratio of good-looking nobles was much higher than that of ordinary people.
When Ali examined the noble ladies, the picture was changed again and aimed at the box.
"Here are Her Majesty Queen Natasha, 'Atom Controller' Evans—" Louise's introduction suddenly stopped, because she saw the same scene that Banus and the audience saw. Inside the box was the silver sword that cut the environment, the boundless and colorful universe, the surging thunderstorm, and the doomsday view where stars were collapsing...
"What... What is that?" It seemed that Ali could not cure his stammer today.
After a brief pause, Louise spoke again unhurriedly, "The vibe of the legendary experts can influence the world around them. Therefore, unless they repress it on purpose, this will be what the camera can record. However, things will be different if you look at them with the naked eye..."
"Marvelous. As expected of the legendary experts!"
"This is truly an incredible view..."
It left a deep impression on Banus and the other audience.
The brief preparation was soon over, and the prelude began. Gloom and intensity were hidden below the jolly and easy melody on the surface, foreshadowing the plot of the opera and making everyone emotionally prepared.
"Replacing overture with prelude is a popular way to create operas recently. It can be used before every act of the opera and directly followed by the songs..." Ali spoke of the knowledge he learned from his pen pal.
Inside the theater, nobody talked anymore. They appreciated the opera in silence.
When the prelude was about to be over, the curtain was raised, and a female voice gave a soliloquy in recitative. Then, a girl who was tall but showed no sign of strength ascended the stage.
"Is she the Valkyrie?"
The audience felt that it did not quite agree with the theme. The story was not exactly what they had in mind either. In the merry and pleasant melodies, Princess Amansa and the king, the queen, the maids, and the governess had a wonderful life.
However, the good days didn't last. The king's nephew conspired with the prime minister and the chief of guards and murdered the king and the queen in a scheme. The queen only managed to escape to a forest under her maids' help.
The gloom and intensity that were hidden under the beautiful melody burst out. The attention of the audience was immediately grasped as they worried about the princess' safety and loathed the villains.
When the first act was over, during the intermezzo, Oliver looked at Lucien in surprise."Is this an opera? Right, I admit that it is an excellent opera, but where are the numbers? Why do I feel that it's more like a symphony?"
Until then, the operas in Rentato had been divided into numbers. A series of numbers, including solo, duo, trio, quartet, and chorus, would constitute an opera. To put it more simply, music and singing were the main points, and the plot was at their service.
Lucien's opera, in comparison, was more like a play. The music was at the service of the plot, and there were no distinctive numbers. Every act was a whole by itself, like a themed symphony.
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