Silent Crown

The streets were full of people. Half of the shops were already opened for business, while the other half were still in the midst of reparation works. Business could still be conducted in these shops even if they went unrepaired, but after some examination by the scholars, they decided that the buildings that were already showing cracks in their walls and foundations should be rebuilt.

All the tasks related to heavy loads were left to the Transformation Musicians, who were able to settle most of the tasks with the recast movement, while the remaining tasks would be left for the workers. Henceforth, plenty of scaffolds were built while all the dust and dirt fell from a great height, as if they were being absorbed by the burning sun. The weather was turning hot. Even so, the messenger continued to remain in his grey uniform, which only revealed his hands and face. His facial expression was stern, as if he was unaffected by the temperature.

The horse carriage stopped outside of the Royal Academy of Music. Once they passed the main door, everyone would have to proceed on foot, with the exception of members of the royal family. This was a rule set by the previous principal. Not only did the new principal have no intention of changing this rule, he even ensured that it would be strictly adhered to.

The messenger who was leading the way was once a member of the Fifth Division. In the past, these elite members, who specialized in assassination and special operations, used to be known as organists. When there was a change of command, they were given new badges, and since these badges contained a golden beast, they were now known as ‘Royal Hounds’.

“According to the official diplomatic provisions, the diplomat of the Sacred City is required to announce his intentions to our Foreign Affairs Division three days in advance, which we will then verify and confirm the timing before an official meeting can be held. As you have only sent in your application one day in advance, hence the best that we can do is to arrange and unofficial meeting for you at the Royal Academy of Music. We hope that the Church can abide by the diplomatic etiquettes that have been agreed upon by both sides so that something like this will not happen again.”

That person, known as ‘Richard’, was leading the way while holding onto a book that contained lists of things to look out for. He was emphasizing to them on some of such things, “His Majesty has a tight schedule so you will only be given half an hour’s time. Go straight to the point and don’t beat around the bush. His Majesty hates people wasting his time.”

“During the meeting, His Majesty will not speak about national affairs or the diplomacy between both parties. He will also not interfere with the official relationship between the Sacred City and our country.”

“In order to guarantee the safety of both sides, please do not bring along any metallic weapons. If you have any alchemy equipment, please surrender them as well. We will keep them for the time-being.”

“His Majesty does not care too much about etiquettes and besides, he is not meeting you as an official of Anglo. Both parties will participate in the meeting as members of the Church, so church etiquettes will suffice.”

After passing through the plaza and corridor and fields, there was a roar from far away. That was the sound of machines hammering the foundation. Richard came to an abrupt stop and turned around to look at Raymond, who has been very quiet, and Norman, who seemed slightly nervous. “We have arrived. His Majesty is waiting for you just ahead. I will return in half an hour’s time.”

Raymond merely nodded slightly, “Sorry to trouble you.” As they proceeded, the sound of the roaring became louder and clearer. Huge construction machineries were working on a massive piece of land. The walls at the back have already been torn down, extending the area occupied by the Academy to include more than half of the royal garden. The fake mountains have been removed, the lake filled up and the greeneries have vanished. There was dust everywhere in the air, so everyone had to wear masks. The half-naked workers were carrying construction materials and following the instructions of the engineers.

The foundations of several buildings have already been set, but the style of these new buildings deviated from the classical style of the Academy, as they were fully maximizing the land they had and their outlines were very squarish. Compared to the other buildings, these new ones looked too utilitarian. Any architect with artistic sense would surely frown at them.

Finally, Norman saw the Hand of God, but the latter looked very different from what he expected. The Hand of God appeared to be neither authoritative nor cold. He did not even seem strict. Instead… he was bullying someone disabled? From a distance away, Norman could see him giving a young man on wheelchair a vicious scolding.

“All dead?” That young man with white hair was so upset that he was practically jumping, “I already told you to look after it, how could they all just die? There were more than 200 of them! They all died of heart attack? Who are you trying to bluff!”

“Calm down. As a Keeper of the Seal, why are you shouting non-stop?” The man on the wheelchair was casually digging his ear before blowing at his fingernails, “You should blame yourself for not giving clear instructions! You dumped everything on me, what else could I do? Keep them for next year’s Winter Festival? It’s not cheap taking care of them, you know.”

“But surely they can’t all have died of heart attack!” The white-haired young man stared, “Can’t you at least put in some effort to think of a better excuse?”

“I’m not a forensic pathologist. Don’t tell me I need to buy a book just to investigate the cause of death?” The man on the wheelchair sniggered, “Anyway, I have already given you all the information that you needed. You even managed to collect back a significant amount of national assets, how good is that? After killing 200 of them, the rest have become so obedient. Now, even if you were to fart in the House of Lords, people will still be complimenting how fragrant it is. Don’t you secretly feel good about that?”

“What about my reputation? It was already notorious, and now you still want to put me in a bad light?”

“As if you ever had a good reputation.” The man in the wheelchair sniggered again before turning back to see two Church members heading their way. “Alright, I won’t argue with you anymore. I’m the one taking the blame anyway. I’m going to make myself scarce now. You have company.” There was an air of helplessness as the new principal waved. The man in the wheelchair wheeled away slowly and when he passed by Norman, the latter saw that the former’s eyes were metallic grey in color. When he glanced over with a cheeky smile on his face, Norman thought the man looked pretty creepy. But that feeling disappeared very quickly. As if it was just an illusion.

Norman took a deep breath in and looked into the distance at the young man, who was approaching them with a smile. No matter what, Norman could not link this man, who was displaying warmth and hospitality, with his terrible reputation.

The youngest Dean in the history of the Royal Academy of Music, the Chief Inquisitor of the Religious Court of Inquiry, and a person of immense power to be able to kill Leviathan and the Dark Sovereign.

Other than that, he was also widely recognized as the most outstanding talent of the past few centuries, being the youngest and also the most powerful Master. Just as Norman has been immersed in his own thoughts, Ye Qingxuan was already right in front of them. This was the first time Norman was seeing him so close in person but all he could see was the dust and sweat on his face.

“I’m sorry that we have to meet in such a chaotic place.” Ye Qingxuan grabbed a handkerchief and wiped his hands clean. “Please don’t mind the poor hospitality.”

“My Lord has been busy with matters of the Academy. We are the ones that came on such short notice.” Raymond smiled warmly and shook his hand. “With your leadership, it will not be long before the Royal Academy of Music becomes more glorious than before.”

Ye Qingxuan shrugged his shoulders, “I was forced to take up this position. I don’t have much experience, to be honest. At the moment, there is a shortage of musicians everywhere. Even the number of graduates that the Royal Academy of Music produce every year is insufficient. We have no choice but to build new institutions and recruit more students. Hopefully, this will help to improve the situation.”

Norman could not help but snigger as he had a different opinion. For the past few centuries, the problem of shortage of musicians has always existed. But the most important reason was that there were too few people that possessed the necessary qualities to become a musician. One had to be born with such qualities so the only solution was to increase populations. If building a few more classrooms could solve the problem, every country would already have expanded their own academies.

It was as if Raymond had grown a pair of eyes on his back. He turned around and gave Norman a stern look so that the latter quickly became conscious of his arrogant attitude. Ye Qingxuan saw the expression his face but did not seem to mind. He merely laughed and went straight to the point, “Bishop Raymond, there must be a reason for wanting to meet with me so urgently. After all, I do hold the bogus title of Archbishop in the Church. I will be glad to help in any way I can.”

Raymond was silent for a moment before nodding gently, “Since my Lord is so direct, I shall not beat around the bush. To tell you the truth, the two of us are here on an order by the Sacred City and we seek your cooperation.”

Ye Qingxuan listened and nodded, as if he had no clue about what he was about to say. He merely asked, “And so?”

Raymond raised his frail eyes and looked at him with a stern expression, “We are here on behalf of the Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments. We hope that my Lord can return the inheritance of Master Haydn to the Sacred City.”

“That’s easy.” Ye Qingxuan nodded and waved his hands before saying, “Mr Haydn was an honorable elder and he treated me as if I was his own disciple. I cannot sit by and allow Master’s inheritance to be broken. Later, I will ask my men to make a copy of Master Haydn’s movement and core music theory for both of you to bring back to the Sacred City, so that Mr Haydn’s music theory can continue to be passed down.”

Raymond kept quiet. Behind him, Norman could not help but frown.

“You know what I am referring to, my Lord,” Raymond spoke firmly, “We hope that you can return ‘Genesis’ to the Sacred City, for the sake of everyone.”

Ye Qingxuan smiled and shook his head, “Sorry, no way.”

“…” There was period of silence as Raymond and this smiling young man looked at each other. Without any hesitation, this fellow rejected the Sacred City’s request. Not only was there not a tinge of guilt, he was not afraid to look away either. Instead, he stood upright and did not shy away from their scrutiny. Norman stood behind Raymond nervously.

This was the worst thing that could have happened. Not only has Ye Qingxuan refused to hand over the inheritance of ‘Genesis’, he was not willing to negotiate either. After some time, Raymond finally spoke, “My Lord, you should know how important ‘Genesis’ is to the Sacred City. We cannot allow it to be left around outside.”

“I understand.” Ye Qingxuan nodded, “But hasn’t the inheritance of Saint Tchaikovsky been left lying around as well? From what I know, it has even fallen into the hands of the Revolutionary Army. Besides, didn’t the Sacred City say that it will ensure that there will be a Saint in every country? Please rest assured. Anglo will handle this inheritance appropriately and use it to protect the country and ensure the stability of the seven seas in the north. Wasn’t this one of Sant Haydn’s duties as well?”

“But this is going against the rules.”

“Going against the rules?” Ye Qingxuan countered, “I have helped the Sacred City to deal with Leviathan and rebuild the Religious Court of Inquiry. Have I not earned the right to accept the inheritance of a Saint?”

“This is something that only King of Red can decide.”

“In that case, please give me the order from the King of Red.” Ye Qingxuan stretched out his palm as the expression on Raymond’s face turned ugly.