Chapter 41

Orsain Count brought up the topic, and the guidance of the choir unexpectedly took a different turn.

It seems that when we requested a tour to the Orsain territory at the central cathedral, it was readily accepted, and now we are to go to Orsain territory with Sir Joshua to learn about the preparations for welcoming us.

Welcoming preparations.

Since the circumstances differ from territory to territory, I wonder if the situation in Carving will be helpful.

Moreover, Sir Joshua has only been the head of the family for three years.

Count Orsain is about the age of his parents, and it seems he has been governing Carving for nearly 20 years in place of Sir Joshua. Shouldn't he be the one to teach us?

And, as expected, I will be going as well.

Why must I, who am in the final stages, take a week off for the sake of another territory? How sad. Sigh.

Actually, they wanted me to stay longer, but it's a busy time for us with all the preparations, so the stay will be three days, including travel, for a total of seven days.

My presence in Carving has become established, and I am being asked to give singing lessons and instrument repair guidance all over the place. Why must I endure such a fate?

It's futile.

Orsain territory has had a choir and an orchestra for a long time.

The person in charge of these is Count Orsain's younger brother, a viscount, who seems to be handling the practical matters in Orsain.

While things are well-organized, the bias towards the shrine maiden and the aristocracy-first policy remain unchanged.

Due to this influence, the choir and orchestra members are only those with titles or from influential families.

It seems that influential people without titles are allowed to participate through substantial donations, making the cathedral very wealthy. The instruments are well-maintained, and the choir uniforms are newly tailored and beautiful.

Selection for the choir based on money is prohibited.

This is a bad habit that has persisted from two eras ago. Rulers, please study history more.

Because the criteria for members are like this, everyone's pride is high.

I can't climb such a mountain.

The choir and orchestra are perfect.

I have nothing to teach.

When I said this, Countess Orsain nodded in agreement.

Then, why did you call us?! Sir Joshua alone would have been enough, right?!

"You don't seem to have anything to teach. As expected, it must be the shrine maiden."

No, even the shrine maiden wouldn't have anything to teach. It's just following the score.

"It's really wonderful! Perhaps the tour itself isn't even necessary. It's perfect!"

She showered me with praise. Yet,

"What do you mean?! Why isn't it necessary?! After all this practice!"

"Everyone has already learned the joy and pleasure of music, haven't they? Even without the shrine maiden's tour, music is deeply rooted in this land. The goddess must be pleased."

I smiled and said this.

Countess Orsain and the choir looked puzzled.

"Music is something the goddess taught humans to enjoy. The shrine maiden's tour is an opportunity to sow seeds and nurture them with the songstresses in places that have lost this joy. With such a high level of completion, I don't think the songstresses' help is necessary."

This is the highest praise.

As expected, the shrine maiden supremacy. The countess got angry.

If you don't understand the doctrine correctly, this is what happens.

Read the books properly.

The priests won't go around teaching you every time.

This is the basic principle of this country, right? Education is the responsibility of the rulers.

I wish I hadn't received guidance from someone who doesn't understand the value of music, even to the point of being a candidate for shrine maiden.

What is the value of music?

I am a priest, so music has no value other than to encourage the people. No matter how difficult the technique, if it doesn't convey, it's meaningless!

Sir Joshua isn't here, so I can say whatever I want.

Sir Joshua is instructing Count Orsain on how to welcome the shrine maiden's entourage.

For some reason, Lady Camilla is also there.

You're the one who asked for guidance, right?!

Sigh, it's tiring.

In the end, wasn't it just to show off the young and handsome border count, who is famous in the capital?!

To say, "We raised the most beautiful young man in the country, like a son, so he will do anything we ask." To whom?!

This isn't the capital, so you can't show off to the main nobles, and even if you do, it's only to the nobles under your command and their surrounding territories.

It's futile.

What will come of saying that you don't like me and only need a shrine maiden?

If you only need a shrine maiden, why did you call a priest?

There are so many contradictions.

A banquet was held in the evening, but I only attended the dinner and then went to the people who came to receive blessings.

There is still a custom of blessings here.

What caught my attention was the poverty of the people's clothing and their lack of energy compared to the wealth of the choir and orchestra members.

Yes, as expected.

I thought they would be struck by a disaster, and it turns out they have been plagued by floods for years.

The goddess said that lands where people have lost the joy of music lose her protection.

This sounds like a myth, but it's not entirely false.

In fact, Carving territory, which had frequent earthquakes for over 20 years, hasn't had any in the past two years.

As the songs spread, the disasters stopped.

There are still doubts and ongoing research, but as I tour as a songstress, I see many things that make me believe it's true.

That's why I believe.