Greatest Alchemist? Chapter 195

 Takumi makes a musical instrument

One day, while the preparation of the forest and grassland environments of the Sanctuary were still ongoing, the development of the Sanctuary is still the same as ever, but now that it’s come to a point where I could take time off, I thought I should make something a bit different from the usual.

「I shouldn’t use a magic device to reverberate sound.」

Gathering a variety of trees, I tried making several types. I’m making necks, heads, bodies, the accessories. What I was thinking of making are musical instruments. Among them is the guitar, my only hobby in my previous life. For electric guitars though, it’s impossible to recreate pickups and the like without magic devices, and I have to make an amplifier magic device too. That’s why I’m making an acoustic guitar first.

The strings were several types that I had asked Kaede to make. I’d like to try making a bass and a piano next time so it would be best to have all sorts of string.

While I was working alone in the Sanctuary workshop, Sylph suddenly came out of nowhere and looked about. I swear, this Great Spirit is the embodiment of curiosity.

「Hey Takumi, is that a lute?」
「Hm? Ah, Sylph. This is an acoustic guitar.」
「Acoustic guitar?」
「I’ll let you hear it when it’s done.」
「Really? I’m excited to hear it.」

After saying so, she left all of a sudden.

I put it together, tuned it, and tested it out by playing a song. Naturally, because I didn’t know the songs of this world, I of course played the songs I liked in my past life. It’s been a while so my fingers didn’t move well at first, but maybe because this body is much more excellent, I was able to play better than in my previous life before long.

When I was playing American folk style and UK guitar songs, this time, Salamander came all of a sudden and said to make an instrument that can make louder sounds.

「Music is a blast!」
「(No, that should be “Art is a blast!”[1]. Not that this world would get that reference though.)」

Now then, what instrument is loud?

With Doganbo-san’s help, I made a drum set. And so, after showing the simple 8-beat and 16-beat rhythm, Salamander seemed to have taken a liking to it and demanding to make a room for practicing.

「Hey, go make an environment where we don’t have to worry about our surroundings.」
「That’s fine and all, but it would be better for music to be enjoyed with everyone.」
「Practice is for that very reason, isn’t it?!」
「Mm, that’s true.」

I reluctantly constructed a building that includes a soundproof rooms for music practice. I had a feeling we’re going to need it anyway.

「So you can play music instruments too, huh Sophia?」
「Yes, though it was only to a degree, I had taken lessons as a show of nobility.」
「Takumi, make a music instrument for me too. I’ve been practicing the piano since I was 3 years old.」
「Laeva also learned it in the village.」

Maybe because I built an exclusive building, Sophia, Akane, and even Laeva requested that I make them each an instrument. Sophia had apparently taken lessons for an instrument which, if I had to name something it was similar to in my old life, is close to a clarinet. Akane said piano, but making that is a high hurdle. I have a grasp on its structure to a degree, but not in detail. While thinking about what I should do, I found out that instruments similar to pianos exist in this world too. They have fewer keys, and there are a few differences, but I promised to make a piano by referencing those. Laeva said she learned to play by using a bow on a four string instrument which her people use during feasts and ceremonies. If so, then maybe it’ll be alright if she practices a viola or a cello.

「Of course, Laeva will assist as well.」
「…………I’ll be counting on you.」

As expected, reproducing the piano took the most time. Because of that, I think I was able to get Akane’s understanding. With such thoughts, my work had further increased.

「Hey, Takumi. You should build a hall.」
「A hall?」
「Yes, with things like music instruments, we can play for everyone there, right?」
「By any chance, you mean a concert hall?」
「There aren’t that many Sanctuary inhabitants, so there’s more than enough space in the central area, no?」
「I mean, there’s a lot of space buー wait, you’re serious?」
「Well then, I’ll leave it you. I have to practice, after all.」

Stating her will, Akane then left with Lulu-chan.

「……………………」
「Well then, as I will be consulting with the Great Spirits regarding where to build the hall, I shall entrust the materials and such with you.」

Saying so, Sophia cheerfully went on her way to prepare. My intentions were cast aside.

「Ｍａｓｔｅｒ，　ｒｅｓｉｇｎａｔｉｏｎ　ｉｓ　ｖｉｔａｌ．」
「……Titan, I know. I know that, but still.」

When I was constructing a music-specialized hall, the golem Titan consoled me. Already in despair, I began constructing the extravagant concert hall. The image I have in mind is the Palau de la Música Catalana of Spain[2]. Filling that hall with stained glass is impossible timewise, but I think I’ll be able to make do with the exterior and the sounds. Midway through, the Dwarves were amused by the shaping, and as they were vying with each other, it was completed at an unbelievable speed thanks to magic and man power.

「Leave the exterior carvings and ornaments to us!」

Doganbo-san directed the dwarves and undertook the completion of the exterior. And I completed the clarinet, cello, and viola and handed them over to Sophia and Laeva.

The Sanctuary is currently in an unprecedented music boom. The musical instruments originally from this world are few in variety, such as percussion instruments, lutes, and stringed instruments played with a bow. The single newest instrument created with the latest technology is the piano-like instrument. It has 50 keys, a far cry from the 7 1/4 octave of the 88 keys. The reason I was able make it to the level that Akane would be content with despite the hardships was because I was stimulated by everyone’s music fever. There have been many requests for musical instruments from the residents, I divided the work with Laeva and, for a while, I had changed job to an instrument craftsman. Cuz, I didn’t know Elves loved music………….

「Takumi, do a concert!」
「You always appear without warning, Sylph.」
「Little ones playing musical instruments are increasing, and the Sanctuary needs amusement, you know.」
「Indeed Takumi-sama, I agree with Sylph-sama’s idea.」

Like always, Sylph abruptly suggested we hold a concert. And Sophia supports this. Yup, she wants her own performance to be heard, huh.

「What will we do about the composition?」
「There are classics from ages past that can be taught, and you’ve played all sorts of things on the guitar, right Takumi? I’ve never heard such tunes. That’s why we should leave the composition to Takumi.」
「No no no, I can’t produce sheet music. Don’t we have an expert?」
「Muu~~」

When I said it would be impossible if they allocate even the music to me, Sylph’s cheeks puffed in displeasure.

「Takumi-sama, there are band maestros[3] in Yggurle Kingdom. Naturally, there should be composers as well, so what if we request a collaboration?」
「That’s it! There’s no Elf that would refuse a request from us Great Spirits!」
「Uwaa, so you’re gonna use your standing to force them into coming.」
「If this is settled then I’ll call them!」

As soon as Sylph said this, she disappeared.

「…………she’s gone, will this be alright? Maestros are employed by the country, aren’t they?」
「It will be fine. I believe that even royalty would not be able to refuse Sylph-sama’s request. Now then, I have practice as well.」

Saying so, Sophia cheerfully headed into a soundproof room designed for music practice. Leaving me behind all by myself.

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Footnotes:
1. Referencing Deidara and his catchphrase “Geijutsu ha bakuhatsu da! / Art is a blast!”. [↩]
2. A real music hall. This blog post should show it in detail. It’s really a work of art. [↩]
3. Are all master musicians maestros? I’m clueless about music. [↩]