Chapter 61: Investigation

  What a terrifying earthquake, it feels like Wenchuan again. Well, I'll take the opportunity to update a chapter while it's relatively quiet, and we'll see about tonight's update depending on the aftershocks.

  Wish Ya'an friends peace.

  ………………………………………

  "Who?" a serious and slightly aged voice came from inside the office.

  "It's me, Viktor. Osiero-san, I have some things I'd like to discuss with you." Viktor put away the smile from earlier and returned to his usual calm demeanor.

  Othello's voice fell silent for a few seconds, and he said without suspicion: "Hehe, Victor, are you worried about the princess's evaluation of your music? Come in, the door is not locked."

  His mood seemed particularly good, and he even laughed a couple of times, probably because he had received praise from Princess Natasha.

  For him, who did not ignite the blood to become a knight, in order to maintain his noble status and territorial property, the best choice is to get the appreciation of the Grand Duke or Princess Natasha, who has inherited the title of Countess of Violet. Princess Natasha is very fond of music, as the director of the Music Association, Osero has a great advantage in this aspect.

  Victor twisted the copper door handle and slowly opened the door, leading Lucien inside.

  Othello sat behind a red wooden desk, his black suit straight and tidy, without any trace of rainwater, his serious expression softened, his face rosy and full of spirit, holding a feather pen in his hand, scribbling something on a piece of paper. Upon hearing Victor's footsteps approaching, he looked up and said: "Victor, the princess is very interested in your new piano concerto written over the past year, she is extremely curious about that brand-new instrument 'piano', and full of anticipation for next Saturday night's concert, don't disappoint her."

  "Hmm?" Upon seeing Victor, Othello also naturally saw Lucien who was following behind him and quietly closing the door. However, he maintained his noble etiquette and didn't ask directly, instead waiting for Victor's introduction. Perhaps it was because Lucien's attire was neat and elegant, with a handsome and calm appearance that easily left a good impression, Othello didn't seem displeased, just slightly puzzled, "What brings Victor to bring this young stranger to see me?"

  He had obviously forgotten that he had once seen Lucien wearing a linen shirt.

  Victor was in high spirits, knowing that the negotiations would be difficult, but he was full of fighting spirit and mentally prepared for setbacks: "I'm delighted to have won your appreciation, Princess. I have every confidence in this concert. Osorio, this is my student Lucien Evans, who has composed an excellent piece of music. I'd like you to evaluate it. You are a recognized authority on serious musical themes."

  Even if he was a sensitive musician, it didn't mean that Viktor wasn't good at communicating with people or that he was an autistic person who didn't know how to get along with others. He didn't directly say that he wanted to change the program, but instead subtly flattered Osero, allowing him to look at Lucien's music without any bias or resistance.

  Othello didn't find it strange that if Lucien was Viktor's true disciple in music, then introducing and recommending him to other musicians, performers, and critics would be a normal thing to do. The reasons used were often to evaluate the student's composition or performance. With a good mood, Othello's serious face showed a polite smile: "Viktor, when did you take on this student? You've been preparing for the music festival for the past year and I hadn't even heard about it."

  Without explanation, Viktor simply smiled and handed the sheet music to Osero, intending to wait until he had finished reading it.

  Othello took the score, his expression turned serious again, and he looked at it seriously. The melody naturally appeared in his mind, and soon he was deeply impressed by the short and powerful notes that started with a strong impression. He frowned slightly, starting with such notes throughout the chapter, and it was clear that the intensity of the back could be foreseen, which was something he had never encountered in his decades-long music career. It seemed to smell a taste he didn't like, that is, the recent trend of music with personal emotions and other things as themes started by Alto in recent years.

  Although skilled in serious subjects, Osorio's seriousness is limited to religious themes, and with his advanced age, he has an unconscious aversion to new things.

  But the shocking and intense melody that followed made Othello feel as if his heart had stopped beating, until he finished reading the first movement and calmed down. At this time, he found that his palms were all sweaty, and the paper edges of the score were wet and wrinkled, as if he had just experienced a thrilling fight.

  The aversion to this theme music made Othello recall the first movement, and he wished to tear up the whole score so that it would not be passed on and infect others.

  Even if it's hateful, even if it's painful, Osero still gave the melody of the first movement extremely high praise. The two emotions wrestled within him, causing his furrowed brow to remain unrelaxed.

  After watching all the movements, Osero fell silent, not knowing how to evaluate. In recent years, "Music Review" and "Symphony Guide" have been welcoming to this type of thematic music, and Alto's mainstream music under the leadership of Princess Natasha is also the case, so it is impossible to comment from this aspect.

  A renowned noble musician such as himself would never condescend to criticize the details of a young composer's work.

  As for praising his melody, Osero would not go against his own will.

  The silence made the time seem to pass very slowly, and Othello finally put down the score, speaking seriously and slowly: "I am delighted to see a young man with such great talent for music, however, Lucien, music is the voice of human praise for God, it's a sacred and grand religious hymn, I hope you can put more of your talent and thoughts into this."

  "Thank you for your evaluation, Osairo." Lucien responded politely without putting his heart into it, and went to praise the host, which was currently the biggest joke.

  Although Ossero didn't mention a single word about the piece, Victor was very satisfied that he didn't criticize it at all, so he expressed his true intention: "I'm glad to get your praise, I believe you should have seen the value of this piece, and I'd like to present it to everyone at my concert."

  "No way!" Othello rejected Victor's proposal without hesitation, his eyes fixed on Victor, the pressure of being a noble and councilor for so long was mercilessly displayed.

  Viktor stared back at Osero unflinchingly: "Osero, why not?"

  Othello was slightly surprised at Victor's tough attitude, but he immediately thought he "understood" Victor's idea, which was to use this music to further his own reputation and status: "I've already shown the program to the princess, and changing it at the last minute will give her the impression that the association is unreliable. Victor, are you going to trade in the association's development for your own fame?"

  Victor smiled, full of fighting spirit: "If there is better music that is not presented to His Majesty and Her Highness the Princess, it will only make them have a worse impression of the Association. Osairo, if you disagree, I will go find Lady Silvia and ask her to hand over the score to Her Highness, I won't give up!"

  "You!" His dignity affronted, Othello rose like a lion, his eyes blazing with anger at Victor.

  After Viktor showed his tough attitude, he began to persuade more gently: "His Highness the Grand Duke and Her Highness the Princess have no prejudice against theme music, but can even be said to love it more. I believe that Mr. Oscherov, you can imagine their reaction after hearing this piece of music. Why not let them be more satisfied and happier? This is also beneficial to Mr. Oscherov."

  No big shots in the upper echelons of nobility like it, and music with themes that express inner emotions won't become a trend for several years.

  Othello's anger on his face began to fade, he himself had grown old, and none of his sons or grandsons could stir up the power of blood, he had to pave the way for them in the future, let the glory of the family go with the title, and seeing Victor's attitude, even if he disagreed, he would try other ways.

  After a brief moment of thought, Osaro looked at Viktor seriously: "Two days before the concert, I want to hear one of your rehearsals. If there's no problem, I'll change the program temporarily."

  Persevere in victory, Viktor couldn't help but throw a small punch: "As you wish, Osero."

  Othello glanced at Lucien: "I have to say, Victor, you have an outstanding student. His talent in music is unparalleled. Why hasn't he made a name for himself in the association? With his talent, he should have been famous long ago?"

  "Three months ago, he came to me to learn music..." Viktor answered honestly.

  "Three months?" Othello asked in puzzlement.

  "Well, he's only been studying music formally for three months." Viktor suddenly realized that he was looking forward to Osorio's reaction, while Lucien stared off into space.

  Othello's mouth was half open, and he hadn't spoken for a long time, like a statue, his serious and solemn temperament looked extremely comical in this expression.

  "Are you certain? Victor, are you certain it was he who wrote it?" Othello asked in a near roar several minutes later.

  Victor nodded: "I watched him write it out bit by bit, and the manuscript from last month is proof. Joseph also confirms that there was no plagiarism. Lucien's ability to write it comes from his life experience..." To strengthen his persuasion, Victor replaced Lott, Phyllis and others' testimony with his own.

  Othello seemed to be crushed in spirit, and sat down again on his chair, the old man, once he lost control, kept muttering something under his breath, as if lamenting his past music career.

  After a while, he calmed down and waved his hand for Viktor and Lucien to leave.

  Out of Osairo's office, Lucien saw a familiar figure approaching, it was Correa, the church guardian, and a high-ranking knight attendant who had fought alongside him to kill the Red-eyed Rat.

  Corey, wearing a silver cuirass, looked serious and walked in front of Lucien under the leadership of Irina, who was responsible for receiving guests: "Lucien, please answer, why didn't you come to the library of the Music Association this morning? What's wrong with you?"

  Irena led the church guardian over, already a bit nervous and unsure why he was looking for Lucien, but upon hearing this question, she suddenly felt it was utterly absurd: "The church actually still cares about others not coming to work?"

  Victor was also surprised, asking about such a normal thing? Is the church overstaffed?