Preparing for Elliot's arrival, I had a few days to do so. I made sure that Dorian was ready with the flags of Avalon, installing them onto the walls, and I also decided to announce that we would have festivities. It was spring, and the sun was here to stay out for a longer ti every day. Since beginning to build up Avalon, many citizens were starting to spend their first years here when there was less for them to do, leaving them with more ti to enjoy their lives.
This, in turn, made think about doing sothing to ensure they don't get bored and turn to so stupid hobbies that would be destructive not just for them but for us as a collective. Drinking is okay, but I don't need another drunk saboteur to rise up for so idiotic reason. So, it was ti to explore what kind of entertainnt and culture I could bring forth. Books and the newspaper were good and all, but they couldn't satisfy everybody at once. Even if I began printing more erotic novels or began introducing colored images into printing... It would be best if there were more choices for the whole family to have fun.
For now, announcing that we would have spring festivals was mainly about decorating the main square and streets with colorful flags and blooming flowers, giving the city a bit of color in line with the season. I sent out an announcent, nailed to the multiple news posts in the city, and hired a few kids to run around advertising that I am looking for people who can play music. I wanted to hire them to host shows in the main square so people could co, dance, and let loose a little. I was letting my ministers deal with the logistics, giving them a task that was new for everyone, but I hoped it could be turned into a yearly occurrence. I wanted to build up Avalon's own culture, one that has no connection to the Empire.
"You can play on the piano?" I asked, finding it surprising, looking up at Mikan, who visited in my study.
"And the violin. I can sing too. While in the church, I learned them, and I do miss practicing an instrunt. It always helped relax!"
"Hmmm... I shouldn't be surprised; I heard that so of your sermons include you singing."
"I usually do that when soone dies, and we cremate them; I find that it helps the family a little."
"I see. Mhm, but this festival is not for mourning, so I will need sothing lively. Sothing that makes them..."
"Fuck?" Interjected Yuri, who was lying on my couch, reading one of rlin's books, mimicking Luna's usual posture. Her thinking wasn't wrong, making grin while Mikan's face turned bright red instantly.
"In short, yes." After fixing my expression, I answered, "The vibe I am looking for is about love and instincts, in a way. It is spring, after all. I plan to announce that Sasha is pregnant at the end before everyone who will be present."
"I do know so songs that would be appropriate!" Mikan added, hurriedly trying to step over Yuri's comnt, but it seed she was in her elent, continuing.
"It needs so rhythm! And good thrust! One that makes the people throw an orgy on the streets! I know how to play the drums; I can join you and even molest your thick body before everyone, Mikki! It would be a visual aphrodisiac!"
"Please, no..." She whispered, looking at , asking for help with her golden eyes, not knowing how to deal with Yuri's spicy mood.
"Although you would enjoy it, Yuri," I interrupted her quickly, "I don't want to turn my city into a hedonistic paradise. Let them be wild within their hos but not in public, okay? We are not the Empire."
"Eeeh...? Okay! If you want to be boring, sure!" She shrugged, returning to read the book, dropping the continued teasing of Mikan.
"Anyway, Mikan, I think I can reproduce a violin and even a guitar for you. A piano would take a longer ti to craft."
"You could?" She asked, her eyes lighting up, but then she began thinking, "What is a guitar?"
"Oh? You don't have that? Um... What about a lute? Does that ring a bell?"
"Yes! I know that! I can play it, but I am not as comfortable with it as with the violin."
"A guitar is like that, but a bit different, you'll see." I humd, biting on the end of my quill, already recalling so old blueprints within my brain. "We can use maple for the back, sides, and neck, and spruce for the top, for the soundboard. I can draw the outline of the violin's body onto the wood, and then the rough shape would be carved out from that. For the first one, I would do it myself because of graduation... Hm. The inside of the top and back plates need to be carefully carved to achieve the desired thickness. This involves removing wood from specific areas to achieve optimal resonance and flexibility. I think I can do it..."
"Um... I know that My Lord likes to work with wood and model things," She began, glancing at the finished figure of my ch, standing at the shelf behind , "But, I think asking Baron Elliot to bring so instrunts over would be faster." She added after I stopped speaking, making flinch, looking at her with twitching the edge of my mouth.
"Err... Yes. Yes, you are right... Sorry, I like crafting things, and I have a ton of nonsense blueprints morized within my head. It's a bad habit... Haaah... it would take a few months to make it happen anyway!"
"Ahahaha! She got you there, my hubby!"
"And why are you here?" I groaned, leaning to the side so I could see Yuri perfectly, "Aren't you supposed to be with Sasha and Luna, learning to dance?"
"I know how to dance. It's the sa as fighting. The problem is our dear Sasha! She is deeply embarrassed by the fact she can't wiggle her butt perfectly, so while your Mother and Luna teach her, I have been sent away."
"You were making fun of her, didn't you?" I asked with slanted eyes, knowing full well she did. I knew her enough.
"I just said that she should shake her perky bottom like when she rides you! Duh, I am right, I don't know what the fuss is about!"
"Well... dances are in a way the human way of courting and a reflection of a certain desire..." Mikan murmured, playing with the end of her long hair, tiptoeing around the topic.
"See? Even Mikki understands where I am coming from! No wonder her body would be perfect for a hot striptease! I bet she squirts!"
"Haaah... whatever!" I moaned, turning back to Mikan, ignoring Yuri, "Do you have any pieces in mind that you would play?"
"Yes! Multiple, in fact! Don't worry, My Lord, they are not church music, and neither of them would praise the Empire. They are simple folk songs!"
"Don't ignore ..." Yuri grumbled, but we did exactly that. The only way to shut her up.
"Good. Let's go with that! I know it is weird to say that you should go and practice without any instrunt, so instead, please write down the music sheets and get back to with it. We will print so out for the future!"
It wasn't just that. I was also thinking about learning this world's music sheets through Mikan. If I manage to nail it down or get a basic understanding, I can plagiarize many classics from my previous life. Easy money! Easy cultural buff! Hehehe, reincarnation rocks. Would I feel bad about it? Nah. Those guys have already been dead for a long ti; they should have been reborn here if they wanted to keep their fa. Anyway, their works beca public property after their death, not to ntion that this world has zero clue about copyright laws. Maybe I should also introduce those in the future, huh...
...
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Two days later, I held a eting with my ministers and invited all the important people under them, hosting more than thirty mbers in the throneroom this ti. There were many who I only knew because I read their applications, morizing their nas, addresses, and pasts, as not everyone made a unique impression on . Of course, that wasn't sothing I would complain about. I was delighted that talented individuals were filling the spaces, and they helped run Avalon smoothly and without trouble. I prefer a handful of great, hard-working n and won against constantly bickering geniuses who always want to reinvent the wheel.
The eting's first part was about my report on the front lines, what was happening, and what was expected to happen. Of course, the more sensitive pieces of information were restricted to the head ministers, but I decided to share the overarching news with everyone here first and then publish it in the paper later. Then ca the more exciting part... I wanted to involve everybody in the festive I announced after returning.
"This is the best ti to advertise yourselves." I began explaining, sitting on my throne, smiling at them, "I already talked with rlin, and he will take the children and visit different shops and workshops around the city to broaden their horizons. We must show them how things work and maybe inspire them to think about what they will do after growing up."
"The first trip will lead us into Avalon Printing Press!" He added, standing up, "We will even let the children create one page that will appear in the newspaper the following week!"
"I am happy many of you already use the advertisent function inside of it. I am glad my citizens are smart and see the potential within! This is why I want you to use the sa creativity in your businesses or give a hint to those who you know and who own different shops around the city." I continued after rlin sat back down, swinging his legs with great excitent, "So, while we have these festive days ahead of us, I want you to feel free to advertise your fields of expertise and draw people in. You can use the different news posts to pin your fliers and posters to it. As for what that is, you can go and take a look; I made a few myself, advertising the festival itself! I want the major places to prepare for the tour as, just like the press, the forges, our textile workshop, and most of the guilds are going to be visited by rlin and the children. Prepare a tour for them, one that would grab their attention!"
Watching many of their eyes light up was enough to know they got my intention. I want them to start thinking in the long term and get used to the fact that they can build up businesses that can last for a long ti and may even be inherited by their kids. I want them to look for the chance to grow and not remain in stagnation.
Of course, there was another underlying reason, but I only told rlin this. I wanted him to evaluate the shops, guilds, and manufacturers they would visit. From his report, I would better understand where they stood and their thought process while building their businesses. It would give a clear picture of their outlook for their future.
"Minister Zita," I continued, turning towards my Agricultural Minister, "I will have you prepare a ceremony-like bonfire in the main square at the end of the festivities. I will pay for it, but I want to have food and drinks ready so everyone can enjoy them. I will hold a speech there, announcing sothing important for the future of Avalon."
The last part clearly made them stiffen, wanting to hear more and know it beforehand, but I wasn't telling them anything, simply ending the eting. Let it be a surprise, ehehe! After returning to my office, I picked up the cup of coffee that Luna prepared while rlin thanked her for his portion, mimicking in the way I was enjoying its aroma and slowly sipping on it.
"Did you think about it?" I asked, referring to a task I asked him to contemplate about.
"Yes, and I constructed a few prototype formations!" He began explaining, presenting with drawings I took from his hands. "I find it... surprisingly easy!"
"Probably because of your natural affinity." I humd, rubbing my chin, "The core of your magic is amplifying things. This is the sa principle, boosting my voice so everyone will hear speak."
"Um, I thought the sa, My Lord! I will need to test it to see if it works and do it outside the city! I don't want to scare the people. I also played with the idea of setting up similar ones with CC around the city and broadcasting your speech!"
"You could do that?" I asked, sitting up in my chair.
"Well, I was juggling the idea for a while, but there were other, more important things to focus on. But this is fun! I can whip up sothing, I think!"
"Well," I shrugged, rummaging within my drawer, pulling out different drawings I had made, copying sound-related formations from my mory. "Here, take these. I copied down those that looked the most relevant and had to do with sound and speech. See if they give you another idea, and we can do a test run!"
"Oh, thank you, My Lord, these will co in handy!"
"I'm glad! Because I had little ti to examine them thoroughly... and sadly, I can't accompany you with it today either because I have... a lesson to take."
"A lesson? In what?" He asked, watching stand up, accompanied by Luna's giggle, who was already waiting at the door, answering his question.
"In dancing! Well, at least he is a better learner than Sasha; fufufu; she really has no rhythm at all!"
"Not you, too!" I grumbled, walking past her while rlin followed us, curious, "It took a whole day to comfort her. If you start teasing her like Yuri, she will never get the hang of it! So stop, or I will punish you."
"With what?" She asked, her mismatched eyes shining in a dangerous light.
"With not touching you for a month." I snapped at her, and finally, her grin turned into a pleading smile, promising that she would never, ever ntion Sasha's peg legs when it ca to dancing.
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