Chapter 449: To Spread Music, Dance, and Smiles.

Chapter 449: To Spread Music, Dance, and Smiles.

Music is the art of touching the souls of thousands to empower and heal them. This was the motto Leon Schartner lived by as a conductor, and it had been successfully inherited by his daughter Hikari-slash-Hestia. A young fledgling musician who endured numerous failures in her first life, before an opportunity for success came in her second, and unlike in her first, she raced after that chance and grabbed it, holding onto it as if her life and soul depended on it.

A promise made to dear friends spurred her to push aside her past baggage, allowing her to break that one promise to set her wings free. The dams were opened, washing away the toxins in her core. With a mind freed and a chance to regain her dream, the dragon whelpling sought the light radiating from a small village.

Her two feet stood on a shabby, hastily-made stage more fit for a beggars gathering than the dazzling show she envisioned, but every artist must begin from somewhere. Her pride and desire for perfection made her tunnel vision onto her ideal, rejecting every other path available to her, even those opened by her beloved parents. My debut must be perfect was changed into I will debut, and so she was reborn as a dragonewt idol. Her voice rang out and Peolyncia came to know the story of the young reincarnator, of her trials and perseverance.

At least, until the world came to know her as more than just a dragonewt idola dragon princess. Her presence urged those around her to fight with her as flames of crimson, white, and purple surrounded those who drew their blades at her. The loss of a friend steeled her will, reminding her of the deal she struck with the white-winged goddess. Once again, people came to know more about her; that she was a Champion of Aurena.

Although her flame flickered and dimmed, her emotions in turmoil from what she saw and experienced, her wings still beat. She reached out, watching her friend grow. Each and every one walking side-by-side with her gave her the confidence she needed to keep walking. Aurora was her and their haven.

Everybody, please remember to stay polite!

In a small rice village on the edge of the Greenveil duchy, a tall man was currently herding a group of villagers as if they were sheep. His lumberjack beard was groomed and cut shorter, making him look respectable, befitting his position of village chief. He took in a deep breath as he led his fellow villagers through a path toward his fief lords mansion, where they were greeted by a group of knights and a butler wearing a decorated black suit.

Seneschal Barathan! The chief greeted one of his lords top attendants, bowing to them.

The butler nodded, smiling friendly as he inspected the many bathed, scented, and groomed villagers. You did a fine job Chief Colwyn. With this, we wont embarrass Lord Arcanuess Helvas or the Young Lady.

We would never, Colwyns wife, Harriet, said. This is LadyI mean, Princess Hestias idol concert, right? Considering everything she did for us, this is the minimum.

Barathan kept up a smile but couldnt help but frown innerly. Dressed in thick coats to ward off the cold, the villagers didnt look ready for a formal meeting with a noble, but this was the best that the Carine villagers had. Still, it was enough as the event didnt have a dress code. It was enough that they wouldnt cause any issue for their fief lord and his family.

Still, although Barathan hadnt said anything about bringing gifts, he had thought the villagers wouldnt be foolish enough to bring any unnecessary items with them. He couldnt help but waver as he noticed the women holding up wooden bottles reeking of rice liquor. He sighed internally, as he knew exactly who they were giving the liquor to.

You have missed them, I see. He finally broke his smile, looking at them wryly.

Of course!

A year ago, Hestia, Saori, and Tasianna stayed inside this village and made friends with the villagers, leading up to Hestias debut concert on New Years Eve. Here, she made her first fans through that concert.

A year later, these very villagers would clean and dress themselves up to have Barathan lead them inside House Helvass demesne, before a small building next to the knights training field. The villagers were confused as they saw multiple guards, unsure why they were here. However, the moment the butler opened the door, their eyes widened.

Mother! Father! A woman dressed like a maid came rushing out, smiling energetically. Yet, seconds later, a flush appeared on her face as people began to recognize her and her swollen belly.

Lorena! The villagers clamored around the young woman, surprised to see and learn that she had become one of Hestias employees. Naturally, the ones to be the most surprised were her parents, hugging and blessing her for giving them a grandchild, while her in-laws could only see the nervous-looking man slowly walking up.

Son! A bulky leatherworker kissed his daughter-in-law on the forehead before grabbing her husbands shoulder and pulling him in. Ruld, my boy! I cannot believe you did it! Ahaha, Ill have myself a grandchild! Honey, look! Our boy became a man!

His wife nodded vigorously, looking like she was about to cry as she held her sons hand. Haha, why are you surprising all of us now? A letter would have made us just as happy!

Sorry, sorry The young man looked down in shame, before his wife nudged him with an elbow, causing him to stiffen up. Sorry! There were just a buncha things to do! Oh, Wendy! Ron! How have you two been?

Two teenagers, his younger brother and sister, came forward, hugging their older brother to his delight. Although happy, he was instantly peppered with questions on what he meant with busy, causing the mans face to twitch.

Ah, you heard it from Lorena. She got a job at Lady Hestias and I was all alone for a bit until she returned. Had a job request last month for shoes and boots for mlady. Hear that, old man! I got mys

Now, now, now. But before the talks could escalate into an entire story, Barathan clapped his hands and pointed for everybody to enter through the weird door. All of you have much to talk about, but the show is about to start. Do not be tardy! Come, allow me to lead you to your seats.

Without any arguments, the cheerful villagers entered the entrance of the Obsidian Orchestra, before they noticed the sound of a violingeigler, in Commonplaying. The sounds captivated the villagers, but they couldnt identify from where the music came, as the room was filled to the brim with different humans, beastmen, dwarves, and elves, all readying themselves to enter the main room.

Once somebody opened the door, it quickly became clear that sound originated from inside the obsidian-covered room. After registering themselves at the ticket booth, each villager received a ticket before Barathan led them inside.

Away from this cheerful group of concert attendees, people from the south of the Greenveil duchy were experiencing the Obsidian Orchestra for the first time as well. Naturally distrustful of beastmen aside from bird beastmenthe arvisiansdue to their constant strife with the beastmen slaves from their southern neighbor, the Kingdom of Atadoro, these visitors were less enthused by the main idol, compared to many others.

Princess Hestia! Princess Hestia! A group of dragonewts from Loatryx roared out in support alongside a couple of humans, dwarves, and other beastmen. All followers of her songs, straighten your backs! Heads up! Lets move in! To our positions!

With those orders, the group moved into the concert room with the discipline of soldiers, prompting a few of Hestias normal fans to compare them to a local cult through whispers. Their dedication was admirable, but it came off as too extreme.

Regardless, most of the crowd just ignored the dragonewts and simply went on their way, ready to enjoy the show. Still, those not used to such a display of admiration couldnt help but frown and be weirded out. They werent sure if they should turn back or not; however, most were quickly reminded of what happened yesterday.

Arriving in the capital of the Lecartiglio Duchy, Gransromus, a crimson-scaled dragonewt girl was screaming from the top of weird, bulky wagon to visit her idol concert and that her name was Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor. Many commoners didnt know of the dragon god, as there was no need to care about a god who wasnt relevant in their lives. To most, knowing about Aurena, Plesia, and Zephira was enough.

However, they had heard that name before. Only those who hadnt visited a tavern in the last several months wouldnt have heard the name of Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor before, as her feats from the Griffonpeak attack had spread throughout the seven duchies of Artorias thanks to wandering adventurers and merchants. Even news from her participation in the Elyonda siege came was spread by the sailors of Port Annencia, or at least, they had heard of the White-Winged Dragoon and a flying elven mage.

With the help of Cardinal Theodore, the name of Champion Hestia had spread modestly through the country. Even if people didnt know the truth behind those battles, the rumors had spread enough that quite the number of people joined todays concert simply out of curiosity. The merchants, especially, were intrigued as their sources informed them of the way the nobles of the Lecartiglio duchy spoke about her concert.

So many of them, every time

For her merciful light, protects us all

Purify the ground, wherever her feathers touches

Ellaine and Amelia began singing, instantly recognizable to Aurenas followers as the Goddesss signature spell[Prayer]. The devoted clapped their hands together, singing along until everything turned into a choir as white light balls flew up, absorbed into the magic circle.. Those from other religions stayed quiet, allowing the Champion of Aurena to guide her fellow followers.

Once the song was over, not a second later, the spell was cast, basking everybody in the holy light. Aurenas followers thanked Champion Hestia for a gift and then the Goddess for granting them this chance to meet them, only for their eyes to widen like goldfish as they read the System message.

M-major! Duke Lecartiglio shouted, followed by every other duke aside from Duke Greenveil, who had the news from his daughter already.

It was the same reaction Hestia had gotten every time from white mages and priests whenever she had cast [Prayer] after she first arrived in Griffonpeak. To reach major, a massive amount of mana was needed to fuel the spell. Those in the know were well aware of how it was nearly impossible for a congregation of followers alone to reach that amount of mana, as the normal person had little mana to donate, forcing the priests to donate the majority.

I didnt give that much, neither did Duchess Morgiana or Duke Myrrdin. Dont tell me She was the one? How much mana does she have to fuel that spell, on top of all that dancing and the [Aerokinesis] music? Or the lights on the ceiling, or how she has to manage this citadel? How much

And it came to Duke Lecartiglio.

Shes showing off he mumbled, before a smile formed on his face. I see. Our alliance head is this powerful already? Far more so than what I could do with my blade. A Champion of the Goddess and a spawn of the Black Tyrant of the Skies. Mages areNo, dragons sure are the apex of sentient beings.

It was admiration and fear.

He wiped the sweat on his forehead away as he watched the cheers from below as Hestia ordered the flames to surround her like a cape, fitting for an imperial princess. She flew as Ellaine and Amelia played for her, while the virigresses danced in her honor.

Haha I really should use this chance to rest. The stress must be getting to me.

Todays concert was a short one as Hestias dragon dance was the only true performance. Still, it left a mark on everybody today, especially for the dragonewts as they weep tears of happiness to see their lost dragon princess. A year ago, they had thought their princess might have died, all alone and far away from her mother. The death of her egg bearer had been a bad omen, but now, watch! They watched her fly! They watched her roar! They watched her shine brilliantly as they would expect from one of Emperor Eltharions children!

The silver-scaled dragonewts of the Nordor clan especially celebrated the beauty of their princess. Although she did not share the same color of scales as her mother, Hestia was still clearly their matriarchs daughter from the way her scale-dust acted. They had found their one and only dragon princess, only able to imagine how her mother must have felt.

Empress Melloxtressa, please, wake up soon from your hibernation! For our clan, for your daughter. The glory of the Nordor clan must be witnessed by you! All members prayed.

Once the concert was over, a fan meeting was held where Hestia was allowed to meet the villagers of Carine village, bringing back fond memories of her stay there. Saori received a box full of rice liquor while Tasianna learned their house was still unoccupied and remained cleaned, to the maids delight.

For others, though, this was a sign for them to improve. On the next day, Duke Lecartiglio immediately visited his king, proposing a joint training session with all alliance members. After the Event Quest, their nations elite warriors and knights had mostly gotten closer and the Duke suggested it would be best to raise relations and strengthen rapport for any future conflict.

The mistrust between our races must be settled before anything happens. With King Fugnaruss declaration of war against the demonkin, we must assure elf, dwarf, dragonewt, and human can work in unity!

Duke Lecartiglio had learned from Hestia there was more than training needed to win a war. Similar to his hatred for the Empire caused by their lack of interest for non-imperials, he now understood this mistake would be repeated if he didnt take the first step. To assure the nations cared for each others armies, then they must first help their soldiers and knights care.

With a wide smile, King Drangleic couldnt help but shake his head. My friend, haha, I had a bet with the elven and dwarven king whose general will muster up the courage to speak these words first. Haha it seems Ive won. Come! As our alliance head continues with what she must do, we must do the same.

Your Majesty!

The power of Hestias nexus showed its power once again as politicians, warriors, and royalty moved between the nations to speak. Without a portal in Saelariel, though, most of the talks would be happening in Inkoran-Tazul.

Regardless, as the kings kept building up their alliances might, Hestia would continue. On the 29th of AutumnMoon, she would visit the Olivus Duchy and perform another concert there, now with a subspace portal in every duchy of Artorias. Similar to her previous one, this was an unorthodox concert as she focused primarily on instrumental, showing off her skills with her geigler with Ellaine and Amelia. Hestia only wished that Grimnir would unravel the mystery of piano-making, allowing her to add to her instrumental repertoire.

Regardless, although it wasnt what every one of her fans wanted, Hestia made it clear at the ending that her concerts would follow how she wanted to perform her concerts. To her, this was her idol culture! Nobody but Hestia herself could control it.

She proved this statement once again on the last day of the year, as instead of an idol concert, Hestia dedicated everything to a musical. Similar to the one she gave in Elyonda, the musical was about Yeostars rise to godhood, only the script and the songs were polished from the last time she had performed it.

And so, they march forward into position. A merry men band of the elites

He sunk his blade, into the ground, drenched in blood of the fallen

But hot in his heels, the trailblazer he must be

But his sight blinded by haste, he did not see the blade which await

The battle began, before morning dawned

Those who came for Hestias voice were satisfied, those who wanted something educational were elated, and those who wanted something new were pleasantly surprised. The audience from Yeos were especially ecstatic, as Yeosian were also hired to help the performance.

Instead of only using soldiers, Hestia had the otherworldly students and Aurora participate in this. Choosing those who could sing and perform, Hestia created her motley crew, while the rest concentrated on other tasks. Kohaku, especially, was active for this performance as she was the one to rewrite the script with the help of Yeostars priests.

From a dragon dance, to an actual orchestra, and ending it all with a musical on New Years Eve. This was Hestias idol culture, even if it was more music culture in general.

Regardless, as the orange moon changed its color to white, it signaled the beginning of a new year. It was now the 1st of WinterSun in the year 2680. Hestias second year of being a Peolyncian had begun.

With it, her entrance into Aureolis and the start of the last step to defeat the Prince of Envy.