With Hearts and Rhythm as One

♪Adagio — Present♪

We were standing before the levee, pushed to the brink of despair.

“It’s no good! The water level keeps rising and won’t stop!”

“Damn it! Are you chanting it properly, old man?” Growl snapped.

“Don’t ask the impossible! I’m doing everything I can!” Mr. Serpent shouted back.

“He’s trying his best, so it’s cruel to blame him.”

I was playing such a girlish role that it made me feel all warm and fluffy.

Putting that aside, the situation was serious. We had no move left.

“Most likely, it’s weak because we’re using equal temperament. Let’s use just intonation. Old man, have you ever done it? You’re part of the Neo-Classical School, right?”

“We are not true classicists. I’ve never done it, but I’ll try.”

“I’m counting on you.”

We tried a trio in just intonation, but it still became slightly dissonant.

“No good. It really has to be Poet. Is he still not here?”

“He’s climbing the second floor of the main building.”

It seemed someone was giving us a live report. Apparently, he wouldn’t make it in time.

“So this is where both this country and our lives end.”

Just as Growl was beginning to give up, a broadcast chime rang out in a strangely silly tone.

“This palace broadcast has been hijacked by me, Moderato, leader of the rebel army. To all rebel intelligence agents currently carrying out operations inside the castle! From this moment onward, your current missions are revoked. Instead, I am giving you a new mission. Go to the levee immediately and accompany the three people casting magic to prevent the river from flooding! Anyone with an instrument, accompany them. Anyone who can only sing, clap your hands! Members of the regular army, help them too! That is all from me!”

A brief silence followed.

Then a wave of people entered our field of vision. Men and women who could no longer be distinguished as regular army or rebel army gathered one after another.

There were all kinds of instruments, from Fender-style electric guitars to recorders and theremins.

It looked like I needed to explain what they should play.

“Those of you with instruments, please repeat the chord progression C–G–Am–F. If you didn’t understand that explanation, clapping is fine. Clap on the backbeat. Boom, boom, clap, rest! If you don’t understand, just follow the people around you!”

After explaining it, I suddenly realized something. This was a typical pop music chord progression and rhythm. It was perfect for bringing the people together.

“You’re good at explaining, dragon lady. That takes guts.”

After being praised by Growl, I put it into practice.

I swung the baton I had pulled from empty space.

Instruments and clapping joined our voices. At first, the music was scattered, but little by little, it began to come together.

Amazing.

Music is amazing.

The entire royal palace was grooving.

It wasn’t enough to push the water level back, but the speed of the rise was slowing.

I hoped this would keep going well.

All I could do was pray.

♪Allegro — Present♪

Fire, water, lightning, grass, wind, light, darkness—countless spells had flown back and forth in this fierce battle, but it seemed I was at a disadvantage.

After making it this far, after such a triumphant advance, after clearing my name, is this where I fall short by one final step?

How frustrating.

I wanted to show the whole world what the turning point of an era looked like.

Should I run?

No. If I went down the stairs now, I’d run into Poet and end up fighting him.

I could fly away and escape, but then I couldn’t cast other magic at the same time. I’d be wide open, practically begging to be attacked.

Time to make up my mind.

I would aim for a one-shot reversal with a counter song.

Trying to turn things around in one move is the lowest of the low as a strategy. But since all my other options had been sealed, I had no choice.

If this was going to be the finale of my life, King Sonnet was a worthy opponent.

I played a short track on my trumpet. From subspace appeared four animal-shaped automata. Would he accept, or refuse?

The tanuki played the drums, and the fox held a microphone with its little finger raised.

“What battle song do you request?”

“The Triumphal March from Aida.”

Every strange twist of my fate began with this song. Because I provoked Serpent with this song, I was imprisoned.

Heh.

If this song is to carve my epitaph, then perhaps that too is fate.

But I’m going to win.

At those words, the automata played an improvised prelude, giving the cue for the performance to begin.

I rang out the fanfare of the triumphal march on my trumpet, brief and proud. Standing tall, I stirred up a dignified, majestic mood.

My performance ended.

Sonnet stood in silence. Now then, would he take the challenge? Or step down?

Sonnet drew in a breath.

Yes.

Looks like he intended to fight.

“♪Gloria all’Egitto, ad Iside
Che il sacro suol protegge
Al Re che il Delta regge
Inni festosi alziam”

A solemn song echoed quietly through the air. It was as though time had stopped.

Damn, this was powerful. That was the dignity of a king, all right. I hadn’t expected his singing ability to be this incredible. Sweat ran down my forehead.

The tanuki began beating the drums. The little bird played the main melody on the flute.

“Results announcement!”

The fox shouted loudly, while the rabbit provided accompaniment.

“Allegro! A solemn performance with no flaws! It carried the cry of your life and soul. Ninety-six points!”

Yes!

Perfect!

“Sonnet! The pride of a king! It carried a life burdened with the darkness of an age swept along by change. Ninety-eight points!”

What!?

“Both performances were beyond reproach! However, the power of one who bears the fate of his people as king resonated more deeply, deciding the match by a narrow margin! That is all!”

At those words, lightning struck.

Apparently, I was going to die.

Heh.

Wasn’t this a fitting battle to bring down the curtain on the life of a foolish clown, made to dance by the times?

With intense pain, my consciousness began to fade.